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Information to Users INFORMATION TO USERS This dissertation was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation. Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 A Xerox Education Company 72- 29,904 NALL, Garry Lynn, 1936- AGRICULTURAL HISTORY OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, 1880-1965. The University of Oklahoma, Ph.D., 1972 History, modern University Microfilms, A XERDKCompany. Ann Arbor, Michigan © 1972 GARRY LYNN NALL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, 1880-1965 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY GARRY LYNN NALL Norman, Oklahoma 1972 AGRICULTURAL HISTORY OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, 1880-1965 APj^VED BY — I n X . ^ ■ ^IIII^NWIIi .............. ' Stm CLÆ DISSERTATION COMMITTEE PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms, A Xerox Education Company P reface This study of the agricultural history of the Texas Panhandle focuses attention t^on one small section in the United States, Yet the movements which altered the economic structure of this Southern Plains region reflects larger changes occurring within the nation as a whol^ The settle^ ment of the trans-M ississippi West, the impact of the scien­ tific and technological revolutions, and the changing role of government have all been influential factors. However, irregardless of whether one looks at agricultural development on a national or on a regional level, one essential truth be­ comes clear, the key to successful farming depends upon the ability of man to adjust to his environment. Numerous librarians and archivists extended generous assistance in the preparation of this work. Mrs. Faye Bell Crain, Mrs. Claire Kuehn, Kim Taylor, and C. Boone McClure gave me complete access to the resources and facilities of the Panhandle P la in s H is to r ic a l Museum. Mrs. A nnette Cook and Hiss Bertie May Williams of the West Texas State University Library staff were exceptionally helpful in locating govern­ ment documents, I am also indebted to Newton Mitchell of the Texas State Archives, Dr. Llerena B. Friend of the University of Texas Barker History Center Library, David B. Gracy, II of the Southwest Collection at Texas Technological University, and Mrs. Mary L ouise Loyd o f th e B ivins Meim>rial L ibrary in Amarillo, all of whom made my research easier. i i i Several individuals offered invaluable aid. Dr. Donald E. Green of Central State University at Edmond, Oklahoma, placed all of the materials of his study of irrigation on the Texas High Plains at my disposal. Dr. Charles E. Nelson of the Department of Geography at West Texas State University drew th e maps included in th is stu d y . The e x p e rtise o f my typist, Mrs. Andrea Green, vastly in^roved the final product. Ronald F. Briley of West Texas State University, Robert L everidge and Mrs. Josephine Souktq>, both a t the U n iv ersity of Oklahoma, handled some of the more unsavory chores. Of my colleagues in the Department of History at West Texas State University, Dr. Frederick Rathjen, Dr. Duane Gty, Dr. Peter Petersen, and Michael Green were especially helpful. I am appreciative for the time and effort granted by the members of my dissertation committee. Dr. Russell D. Buhite, Dr. Dougald T. Calhoun, Dr. Norman L. Crockett, and Dr. Arrell M. Gibson. I am especially thankful for the guidance, aid, and encouragement of the chairman of my committee, Dr. Gilbert C. Fite. iv Tabla of Contents Page Preface iii List of Maps vi Chapter I. Physiography and the Panhandle Farmer 1 II. The Panhandle Before the Farmer 18 III. The Experimental Phase of Panhandle Agriculture 38 IV. Panhandle Farming in the "Golden Era" of 74 American Agriculture V. S p e c ia liz a tio n and Expansion: The 1920's 117 VI. Dust Bowl Days: The 1930's 155 VII. Science, Technology and the Panhandle Farmer 194 Conclusion 236 B ibliography 240 List of Haps Figure Page 1, Southern Great Plains 2 2. The Texas Panhandle 4 v i agricultural history of the TEXAS PANHANDLE, 1880-1965 CHAPTER I PHYSIOGRAPHY AND THE PANHANDLE FARMER PhysjLographical forces have largely shaped agricul­ tural development in the Texas Panhandle, Lying south of 36°30' north latitude between the 100th and 103rd meridians, the twenty-six counties of northwestern Texas are geograph­ ically located within the vast interior region of North America commonly known as the G reat P la in s .^ Though th e plains may generally be described as timber less, level, and subhumid, variations in topography, climate, vegetation, soil, and altitude have created distinct localities. Such differences within the Panhandle distinguish the Eroded Plains of the southeastern counties from the High Plains. Consequently, successful farming in northwest Texas has required adjustment not only to the general plains condi­ tions but also to local variations. The counties are Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler. STUDY AREA SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS 3 Among the most attractive features of the Panhandle to farmers is the overall levelness of the terrain. The land of the Eroded Plains has a rolling surface interrupted occasionally by severely eroded areas along the forks of the Red River. While such a landscape permits widespread cultivation, the extent of arable land compares unfavorably with the incredibly flat High Plains to the north and west. Without rocks or trees this amazingly level terrain allows maximum farm utilization except near the occasional streams and playa lakes or "buffalo wallows." An owner of the XIT Ranch perhaps best characterized the unusual surface quality of the High Plains %dien he exclaimed: "What a clean stretch of land! Why I could start a plowpoint into the soil at the south line and turn a furrow two hundred miles long 2 without a break. ..." Although a level topography extends over most of the Panhandle, areas of rough broken land found near streams and the eastern escarpment of the High Plains or Cap Rock do prevent the utilization for cultivation purposes all of the region's 25,610 square miles.* Water erosion has created "breaks" along the Coldwater, Palo Duro and Wolf Creek tributaries of the North Canadian River as well as next to the Prairie Dog Town, Elm, North, Salt, and Washita Forks ^Quoted in J. Evetts Haley, The XIT Ranch of Texas (Norman, 1953), p. 204. ^Texas Almanac. 1968-1969 (Dallas, 1967), pp. 242-338. 102 lOO' Oklahoma : LIPSCOMB Stratford Perryton I H A N S F.O R D I - ..Wolfv'i Creek SHERMAN I I Lipscomb ; Dalhort • H“"®for?^CHILTREE j ^ 1 — 36 36 I Stinnett Dumas I o Conod laivîït'--— _ I HEMPHILL IH UTfHINS°N| RO B ER TS I Channing MOORE ;HAR TLEY Miami I WH E E L E R W e l reorsI 'WheelerLeto V e g o Amarillo Panhandle ,*OLLINGSWORTH I Claudej^^^^,, 35 35 SMITH 'ARM ST RON G !cioren3on, Hereford RANDALL** D O N L £ Y -«f Wellington ”I ®.r"Memphis ’ .. CASTRO 1 Town I PARMER I DImmitt ! SWISHER Silverton CHILDRESS j Tulio BRISCOE Childress Forwell North Plainview 01 ton Muleshoe COTTLE B A I L E Y I HALE FIGURE 2 THE TEXAS PANHANDLE Boundary of Study Area Caprock Escorpment County Seats 20 30 Miles 5 of the Red River* Extensive river wasteland surrounds the Canadian River for twenty to thirty-five miles as it cuts across the High Plains. Even more dramatic is the Cap Rock which towers 500 to 1200 feet above the Eroded Plains and at whose base lie a series of deep canyons and gullies. v'/hile the roughness of such landscape restricts farm­ ing, the presence of abundant grasses makes most of the region suitable for grazing purposes.
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