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Oral History Accounts of Pioneer Days in Denton County from
the American Memory Project of the Library of Congress.

What follows are but a few of the hundreds of oral history accounts of early ranchers and cowhands that are part of the American Memory Project at the Library of Congress. They were recorded in the 1930's as a part of the WPA Federal Writers project. These fascinating accounts, (435 for Texas alone) are available through the World Wide Web or by contacting the Library of Congress.

The importance of these graphic accounts is that they are not the speculation of historians interpreting an era after the fact, but the fond reminiscences of very old men and women, remembering and recounting their own experiences. Surely there is some enhancement of fact in these accounts, but the feeling for the period is real. They seem to be aware that they were part of an important movement in American history and obviously enjoy telling of their own part in that movement.

I have run a computer search and retrieved most of the accounts that have any mention of Denton County in them. Some provide some real insight into life in Denton in the old days and others just mention Denton in passing, but they all are fascinating reading and give us a glimpse into a world that has passed. By clicking on the American Memory icon above you can see what the Library of Congress has available on-line.

(Please note that at present these are presented without paragraph spacing and some are quite long.)

Bones - an account of "Bones" former ranch hand from Lewisville and the Donald Ranch.

Bailey Bell - an old time cowboy who was born in Denton in 1891.

Charlie Fowler, "the Hot Tamale Man" - old time cowboy tells of his days of former glory with John Chisum.

Dave Burns - retired Texas Ranger tells of Sam Bass and Joel Collins.

Eddie McGregor - retired cowboy, born in Lewisville tells of early days of ranching.

Elizabeth Garrett - tells of John Chisum.

George T. Martin - old cowboy who worked on the Robinson Ranch in Denton County.

H.P. Cook - tells of working with John Chisum in his Denton County days.

J.K. Millwee - another Chisum cowhand tells of life on the ranch.

J.T. Gardenhire - oldtime cowhand mentions a gunfight in Denton.

James M. Mooney - old Denton cowhand tells of being captured by Indians as a boy, of rustlers and ranching.

John Burns - retired manager for Burk Burnett tells of history of Burnett and the "6666" Ranch.

Robert Lindsay - tells of working the Payne Ranch at Pilot Knob and knowing the Donalds of Lewisville.

W.A. Tinney - old cowhand tells of cattle drives for the Robertson ranch and range life in Denton County.

Walter Morrison - tells of Indian fightning, cattle rustling and frontier justice. Mentions Denton County.

William Simon Wall - lengthy account of old cowhand who knew Sam Bass and Joel Collins.

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