Oral History Interview with Ross Snodgrass, June 13, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ross Snodgrass, June 13, 1999

Interview with Ross Snodgrass, ranche rfrom Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Snodgrass discusses his family's move to the area in the mid-1800s, as well as their ranching history. He talks about his own experience as a rancher, raising and training animals, surviving droughts (and anthrax), roping, and more. Mr. Snodgrass also tells stories about the "Whippoorwill" band he and his wife, Clarabelle Snodgrass, started after marrying in 1933. The transcript includes a few comments by his wife.
Date: June 13, 1999
Creator: Bethel, Ann & Snodgrass, Ross
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Marguerite Sammon Voges, September 9, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Marguerite Sammon Voges, September 9, 2000

Interview with Marguerite Sammon Voges, a Kerr County Native whose mother established the Voges Mobil Home Park (under the name, Blue Ridge Mobile Home Park), from Kerrville, Texas. Mrs. Voges describes growing up in the area, the flood of 1978, her family, and interesting aspects of farm life. Her sister, Minneola, and her cousin, Josie B. Kendall, are also present during the interview.
Date: September 9, 2000
Creator: Bethel, Ann & Voges, Marguerite Sammon
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vern "Bucky" Blodgett, May 3, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Vern "Bucky" Blodgett, May 3, 2001

Interview with Vern "Bucky" Blodgett, an armed forces veteran and Veteran's Administration worker from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Blodgett describes moving to and growing up in Kerrville, and his work with the VA Hospital there (first as a clerk, and finally, as acting associate director). Besides serving in the service for four years, he also worked in several VA facilities around the country before making his way back to Kerrville. His memories of the town include details of the flood of 1932, his role in founding the Buck 'N' Bull Club (a rifle club) in 1946, and a few stories concerning the religious community. A historical profile of the Kerrville VA Hospital is included at the end of interview transcript.
Date: May 3, 2001
Creator: Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Blodgett, Vern
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack L. Groff, October 12, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack L. Groff, October 12, 2000

Interview with Jack L. Groff, a sheep and goat specialist from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Groff, describes his career advising ranchers how to raise goats and sheep for over 50 years, his activities as a mohair and wool specialist for Texas A&M, and his involvement with the National Mohair Council. He discusses the uses and production of mohair and wool fibers, and tracks the industry's spatial and economic growth over the years.
Date: October 12, 2000
Creator: Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Groff, Jack L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Allen Holekamp, September 27, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Allen Holekamp, September 27, 2000

Interview with George Allen Holekamp, a rancher and descendant of Kerr County settlers from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Holekamp details his family's history in Kerr County. He mentions that his ancestors included farmers, ranchers, and shingle-makers. He and his wife Mary Virginia Stevens are still involved in ranching and community activities, and their legacy continues on with their children. In his stories of ranching, he discusses ranchers' struggles with screwworm infestations and Brucellosis (Bang's Disease), the Bracero program, the Rural Electrification Association, and the Sheep and Goats Raisers Auxiliary.
Date: September 27, 2000
Creator: Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Holekamp, George Allen & Holekamp, Mary Virginia
System: The Portal to Texas History
Transcript of Oral History Interview with Ethel Baker Starkey, March 28, 2013 (open access)

Transcript of Oral History Interview with Ethel Baker Starkey, March 28, 2013

Interview with Ethel Baker Starkey, whose husband's ancestors were Texas Hill Country settlers, from Kerrville, Texas. Mrs. Starkey discusses her husband's family history. She also talks about coming to Kerrville for a job with her family.
Date: March 28, 2013
Creator: Collins, Francelle Robison; Stephens, Louis & Starkey, Ethel Baker
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Warren Klein, March 18, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Warren Klein, March 18, 1999

Interview with Warren Klein, a rancher from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Klein discusses his parents' move to the area, his life as a rancher, and several notable events in local history: droughts, the flood of 1932, the establishment of the Divide School building on his family's land, and deadly weather.
Date: March 18, 1999
Creator: Craig, Brenda; Nicholson, Marj & Klein, Warren
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe Marcus "J.M." Auld, Jr., February 26, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joe Marcus "J.M." Auld, Jr., February 26, 2001

Interview with Joe Marcus "J.M." Auld, Jr., a Texan rancher from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Auld identifies his family members (including Kerr County pioneers who immigrated from Scotland), describes the difficulties of ranch life, and mentions local cultural phenomena. The interview includes stories of "Indians," eradicating the screwworm fly from Kerr County, and life during the Great Depression. He also discusses the role of game hunting to today's ranchers.
Date: February 16, 2001
Creator: Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Bethel, Ann & Auld, Joe Marcus, Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sibyl Bennett Sutherland, October 26, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sibyl Bennett Sutherland, October 26, 2000

Interview with Sibyl Bennett Sutherland, a teacher from Kerrville, Texas. Mrs. Sutherland talks about growing up in Center Point, her teaching career, and her father's book, "Kerr County Texas, 1856 to 1956." The interview includes excerpts from Sibyl's journal, documenting 43 years of her life.
Date: October 26, 2000
Creator: Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Bethel, Ann & Sutherland, Sibyl Bennett
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frankie Rosita Holdsworth Hollar, November 11, 1998 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frankie Rosita Holdsworth Hollar, November 11, 1998

Interview with Frankie Rosita Holdsworth Hollar, a 99 year old Mexican woman who immigrated to Kerrville, Texas. Mrs. Hollar is almost 100 years old at the time of the interview. Her family were some of the early residents of Kerrville and Kerr County, and her younger sister, Mary, eventually married Mr. H. E. Butts (founder of HEB). One of the oldest surviving members of the community, she describes her education, her career as a teacher, and how the area has changed over the years.
Date: November 11, 1998
Creator: Snodgrass, Clarabelle; Bethel, Ann; Hollar, Frankie Rosita Holdsworth & Salter, Ammie Rose
System: The Portal to Texas History