Branding Crew at Tuck's 1962

Branding Crew 1962

from left to right: Turtle, Finus, Earl Parkinson, Gene Hay, Dale Brown, Jimmy Ted Bilberry, Top, Dad, Doug Toombs, Ted Williamson, Jay Carroll, Ben Fuller, Uncle Tom Davis.

These guys almost seem like family!

Day 10 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart - Woody

1961 fall works, my first trip out with the wagon. When they roped out the horses that morning I called for "Woody the Rocker." In fact, I called for Woody every morning. My entire string was comprised of Woody! Woody was tough as oak lol, you could ride him all day, every day. I was quite a ways from acquiring "super puncher' status at this point, I'd forgot my hat that morning lol. Damn, that's kinda embarrassing! But as my ole amigo Mack Ainsworth used to say; 'the West wasn't won in a day. It took all most a week. And there was some overtime involved!" I don't know that there are many cowkid ponies of Woody's caliber today. My amigo Casey McGlaun still raises a few, but they are not common in todays world. A big thanks to my compadres Justin Johnson and Dino Cornay for talking me into doing this. It brought back lots of good memories. In the words of Jim Stafford, I got to trip and never leave the farm lol

Comments:
More evidence of how important Woody the Rocker was. A boy needs his pony.

Lotsa folks wonder what became of Stewart’s first horse, Woody the Rocker. With every year that has passed, ol’ Woody has gotten a little smaller. Here’s a new photo. Another decade or two, he might be gone all together. Happy trails, Woody the Rocker. You never bowed up once, even during intense episodes of Captain Kangaroo. You were a good ‘un.

Stewart Williamson when woody was not available you could always make do with snoopy...

Add caption

Day 9 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart

This was a rig of my dad's. He used pickups with sideboards until 1964 or 65. I think that's Larry Preuit airing the tire up. Larry day worked for my dad, and later on I day worked for Larry's dad Top. The air hose coming from the motor area is a mystery to me. Maybe Dad had some kind of a compressor rigged up on the motor? This pic tells the story of ranch life prior to radial ties. Flat tires were a daily chore, just like feeding the horses and milking the cow. I sometimes cuss modern technology, but I'll never say anything but good about the advent of steel belted tires. They were a game changer for the ranching profession. I can also draw a picture in my imagination of Roy Lee Criswell and I being of age back in this era. If we could have had a rig like this and a horse named Old Fooler, we would have been just as cool as Glen Ford and Henry Fonda in The Rounders. Hell, we might have even been cooler lol

 selected comments:


Larry Littlefield Everybody is missing the hard part, training the horses to jump up in the pickup. Ole Jay Carol had a horse that really didn't like it, but you know JC, he always won!

I also rode Preacher and Doubtful and loaded them in that pickup.

Stewart Williamson Larry, a jillion comments on this. You were the only on who was actually there lol

Larry Littlefield yes I was working there summers 61-thru 67 and 71. Larry Preuit was there off and on, summers the 5 years before me, I think.

Larry Littlefield We really slowed down using the pickup after I built the red 4-horse trailer.

Stewart Williamson Larry, so you remember what year you built the trailer?

Larry Littlefield no, I think I built the double deck chute one year and the trailer the next. The plans/directions came from the Dora Ag teacher, who was having the class make them each year (I think).so I would guess 64 or 65.

Larry Littlefield maybe the other way around. I don't think much of the corral was finished when the trailer was, cause I remember using it to get stuff from Lubbock. I do think the swimming pool was first big project though.

Day 6 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart - Jim & Top

Jim and Top Preuit

Day 6. My dad and Top Preuit looking on at a branding in 1990. No action in this photo, they were both too crippled by then to participate. Which was sad because the two of them possessed a wealth of experience and wisdom in cowboyology. Dad and Top were lifelong neighbors and close friends. Members of the so called greatest generation, and veterans of World War Two. Top was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. In the words of Louis L'amour, they would do to ride the river with.

Some comments:
 Justin Reichert Dossie Cribbs see how touching these photos can be ? You old spoil sport.

Stewart Williamson Haha Justin, you are right. I was 29 when this photo was taken, and I was in the the pen that day. I was too immature to appreciate their wisdom back then. I would give anything to be around them again. I'd pay more attention this time!

Kay Odom Jeffries WOW WOW WOW
These two men are the REAL deal. Both experienced life, that we only read about. They are the History of NM. I got chill bumps and tears reading your comment and looking at this picture. Said it before and saying it again, your Dad, Mom, and you kids were the first people I met, my first visit to NM, I still cherish that memory, and the steak! Can’t say enough about these two men! Both Great friends of the Jeffries
Look at those hats‼️‼️‼️‼️

Pat-Cindy Boone You said it, Stew, with a little help from Tom Brokaw:America’s Greatest Generation. Without those folks we would be speaking Japanese and eating sauerkraut. Their willingness to step up and be accountable is second to none. And then these two, along with millions of others, went to work back home and built this country into the greatest country on earth. God bless America !

Betty Williamson One of my all time favorite pictures of two of my all time favorite people. Photo credit to our dear friend, Sandy Babers, who captured many of our branding memories, and who also kept a bottle of whiskey in her desk so when Daddy stopped by Walco in Portales (and later in Roswell), he could count on sharing a drink.

Dino Cornay They need to put this picture up at the Capitol Building in Washington..that photo is priceless..real men..I knew a rancher from Roy, NM that was in the Death March..he said the only ones tough enough to survive it were the ones raised on ranches and farms because they had all worked so hard growing up.

Stewart Williamson Brother Dino, I agree. There were a lot of men from NM in the death march. I spent a lot of time around Top. I only heard him speak about it a couple times. He didn’t describe the atrocities they experienced, and he wasn’t bitter when he talked about it. He grew up in tough times, and it was just another ordeal to be faced. The most interesting thing about it he told me was he had a pocket knife though the whole deal. The guards never found it. He told me it probably saved his life and several others in his company. Because when they caught a mouse or rat they could clean it with the knife and eat it. Hard to imagine. And then, as my friend Pat Boone said, the survivors came home and went back to work. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Leigh Hammond Willmon: Must've been really hard on them just to stand by & watch.....

Stewart Williamson; Leigh, that’s something I really thought about when I looked at this photo. I couldn’t relate to what they were going through back then. I’m old enough now to understand. My dad lived to be 96, but he was too crippled to do anything for the last 20 years of his life. He got up every day thinking that somehow he was going to get better so he could go back to work. His optimism never waned till the day he died.

Vicki Lynn Harp Donaghey: Love this picture. It’s funny but one thing I remember about both of them were the hats they wore. I remember Top’s hat was always the small one and your Dad’s hat looked like it had seen better days, but I bet it was his favorite one. Hutch used to wear one like your Dads. The pic brings back fond memories.

Dennis Hardisty: Stewart Williamson I need to make a correction. I said that Top was my Dad's uncle but he was a cousin. Top's dad and my grandmother's dad were brothers. Top's dad was named Otis and he lived past 100, in his last years he was in assisted living in Portales. One of my aunts went to visit him and as she was leaving one of the ladies working there stopped her and asked her if she knew "about" that man. My aunt said "Well, he's my great uncle so yes I know about him. Why ?" The lady told her that before lights out each evening Otis would make the rounds and offer money to all of the female residents of the home to sleep with him. My aunt laughed and asked her if he got any takers. Apparently Top came by it honestly !

Stewart Williamson: Dennis, I remember Top talking about that lol. Is Benny your uncle? Benny and I were both pallbearers at O. A.’s funeral.

Stewart Williamson: Dennis, here’s something else Top told me that his dad had told him. When a O.A. was young, his family lived in TX and big trail herds would pass by regularly. He told Top you could hear the herds a long time before you would see them because their horns clicking together as they walked made such a racket. I have never heard this anywhere else.

Dennis Hardisty: Stewart Williamson Yes Benny was my uncle. He passed away in 2005.

Day 3 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart

Bill Bedford - cousin on Hunt side

Day 3 ranch pics. This one is a sure nuff blast from the past. This is Bill Bedford, a cousin of my grandmother's. On the back of the photo is written ~ Bill at his cow camp in Mexico. No date or exact location. From what I know, I can guess it would be northern Sonora in the very early 1900's. My grandmother's family were from the deep south. The Civil War took them from being people of means to people with nothing. They migrated to Texas first, then on to southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico. They all wound up in the cattle business. My dad said Bill had the rep of being a real good hand, and plenty ropey. Dad also said Bill was so fluent in Spanish that if a Mexican heard him talk but couldn't see him, they would assume Bill was a Mexican. Part of me wishes I could have lived back then. Today I nominate 2 of my cowboy artist amigos, Stephen Lee and Stephen Jones. These two guys live the cowboy life that they sculpt.

Some comments:

 Dale Parker Thanks for the picture and the story! I worked for an old man here in Fort Davis. He ran away from Bandera when he was 12 and was raised by one of the ranching families here. He could speak Spanish as fluently as one native-born. He cowboyed here when the Davis Mtns were unfenced. Not many of those kind left.

Stewart Williamson Dale, how could you pick a prettier to place to punch cows than the Davis Mountains back in open range times. Elmer Kelton's book "The Smiling Country" was based on that. I'll be at Alpine for the Trappings in April. We need to get together and have a pow wow!

Dale Parker Thanks for the picture and the story! I worked for an old man here in Fort Davis. He ran away from Bandera when he was 12 and was raised by one of the ranching families here. He could speak Spanish as fluently as one native-born. He cowboyed here when the Davis Mtns were unfenced. Not many of those kind left.

Stewart Williamson Dale, how could you pick a prettier to place to punch cows than the Davis Mountains back in open range times. Elmer Kelton's book "The Smiling Country" was based on that. I'll be at Alpine for the Trappings in April. We need to get together and have a pow wow!

Julie Carter BIG STOUT horse!! What a cool pic from a long time ago! Wagon AND adobe in the background ...makes me want to explore.

Stewart Williamson Thanks Julie, me too! My dad spent a chunk of time in Mexico with that part of the family in the early 1930's. He had so many wonderful stories. A page out of the old west!

Betty Williamson Everyone thinks this is a big horse, but maybe it’s a small horse and Bill was a teeny-tiny cowboy. Alas. We will never know. One more mystery from THE FAMILY PICTURE BOXES.

Betty Williamson Probably the stole the horse...or the saddle. That would make him more in line with our relatives.

Stewart Williamson Quien sabe? Part of that side of the family were supposed to have been horse thieves in Scotland before they came here. Maybe Bill was like Hank Williams Jr, just carrying on the family tradition lol

Sherry Lee Littlefield Snyder Stewart Williamson it was the Williamson's that are part of the McKay clan in Scotland. Scoundrels...

Day 2 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart

Branding at the Jody Ranch

Branding at the Jody Ranch just north of Milnesand, NM in 1969. It's known as the Cremer Ranch today. I nominate Martha Hammond-Richardson Hardwick and Leigh Hammond Willmon. Martha and Leigh grew up in a ranching family with deep roots in eastern NM. I'm betting they have some great photos.

 

Some comments :

Betty Williamson Will see if we can add more names...I've got the original on this one in a scrapbook. Will pry it loose and see if Fern Hay (who took it) happened to be better about writing on the backs than we were!).

Betty Williamson Here is what the original photo says on the back: "Jim Williamson on horse, Jay Carroll, Ben Fuller, Lynn Medlin, Ted Williamson, Dale Brown with brown hat, Turtle Tucker dehorning." Now, yes, that is definitely our dad on the horse. Jay Carroll is in the light-colored shirt with the gray hat; Ben Fuller is the tall thin guy with the light blue shirt standing and looking the other way. Is that Lynn next to him with the white shirt and black hat? Is that possibly Ted Williamson branding the center calf? The man standing by the right calf with the brown hat is our uncle Norm Godwin (our mom's brother) who was visiting from Ohio. If Dale Brown is in this photo, I'm not picking him out. Turtle is in the plaid shirt dehorning the calf on the right. Katie Montgomery Medlin, Kalyn Medlin Pinedo, Melissa Tucker, Patty Maloney Williamson Lee Ann Brown Foster, tagging all of you to see if you recognize anyone.

Kalyn Medlin Pinedo Betty Williamson I think dad is dehorning the one Turtle is flanking.

Stewart Williamson At the time this photo was taken I would have been 8 years old. Still relegated to running the dope bucket. The nastiest job ever invented! It was a big damn relief when I got big enough to leave that job behind and start flanking calves.

Julie Carter In 1969 we were still building a fire to heat irons :) ...but then, we had trees! :)

Stewart Williamson Julie, I can just about count the times I've been at branding with a wood fire on one hand. It's sure a better deal! I never did like the roar of a propane burner. Unfortunately, wood is in short supply here on the Llano.

Amanda N Belcher And just like other pictures of cowboys I’ve seen, this one could’ve been taken las summer. Cowboys (REAL ONES) forever look the same. Same clothes, same boots, same hats..... just different faces ♥️♥️♥️

Stewart Williamson Amanda, I never thought of it like that. That's pretty cool!

Betty Williamson Melissa Tucker, I wouldn’t rule out your dad being in this photo...the guy in the brown hat and plaid shirt kneeling by the calf on the right sure could be him, I think.

Stewart Williamson Melissa, I blew the pic up and I think Betty is correct. I’m betting that’s Turtle on the front leg.

Day 1 Cowboy Pictures by Stewart - Jim in Winter

Jim and Chief in the snow 12/1957

My compadre Justin Johnson nominated me for the ranch picture deal. And our compadre Dino Cornay warned me that I better participate, or face dire consequences! So here goes. This was my dad in December of 1957, back when it used to snow here.

Some comments:
 Eldon Merrick Miss your Dad and that good strong cup of Java when we brought corn to the ranch!

Stewart Williamson Thanks Eldon, he and your grandad were two fine fellers from the old school.

Eldon Merrick Stewart Williamson yes they were, too bad that mentality couldn't have prevailed in the current generations! A mans word was his bond and meant everything! We can just keep trying to hold up our end! Thanks for sharing, look forward to the rest of the week!

Harlin Stobb This was that picture I was talking about the last time we talked Stewart. B4 they had winter clothing

Stewart Williamson Yes sir Harlone!

Lisa Walker A man outstanding in his field!

Stewart Williamson Thanks Lisa!

The Old Bull in the Trailer by Larry

I think it was the summer y'all went to Europe. I was taking care of the place while you were gone anyway.

The keeping heifers were East of the house and on the Vic Place. They were being artificially inseminated. We kept a late castrated steer with them to help identify who was next. Ole Jay  Carol came over, like every other day to help me. And help look for sick. I wasn't good at that. When the steer was interested in one (or more) we'd bring them to the corral and call the vet. (Famous, but I forgot his name.) He'd come the next day and take care of business.

 The bulls had all been put on the west side of the School Section to keep them away. But one old bull knew what was up. The first day I saw him, he was caught up in the fence. He had been excited when he tried to jump it and didn't make it! I was on Doubtful so I drove him back over the fence into the field separating the School Section from the front drive. I then went around by the cattle guard and drove him back through the gate into the School Section.

The next day, the same thing, except he didn't get hung up on the fence this time. I drove him back by the cattle guard and into the School Section again, beating his but with the lariat rope all the way.

I didn't help. I was getting frustrated. I was not supposed to let the bulls get with the heifers. I decided that maybe if I put him in the trailer and drove around a while, maybe he would get disoriented and stay where he belonged a few days. So I drove him into the corral. I got the old wooden 2-horse trailer on the red ford pickup, backed up to the gate in the pen next to the old squeeze chute. Of course he didn't want to get in the trailer either!

I beat him with the rope a while, but no go. By now he had a tough old butt and it didn't phase him much. I grabbed his tail and put a 9 in it. That did the trick. He took a big leap right into the trailer, bounced once and another leap over the front corner of the trailer. He kinda hung there for an eternity, his chest up on the corner of the trailer as it slowly leaned over. I saw the rest of my cow-punching career fading before my eyes. Then crash! The cotton-picker finished climbing out just as the trailer hit it's side, the ball hitch coming off the ball so the truck fell back on it's wheels, thank goodness.

Well that didn't go so well! I got back on my horse, got the rope out. And blistered his butt all the way back to the School Section one more time. Then back to setting up the trailer (I have no recollection of that). And straightening the ball on the pickup, sos no-one would notice. No harm, no foul. I didn't tell ole Jay the whole story next day, just that the bull got out again. Fact is, this maybe the first time I've told this to anyone inside the United States. Certainly never to Uncle Jim!

Blanche's Shop early 50s

Blanche's first shop in the early 50s

by Betty:
Not sure of the year, but this old newspaper clipping is a photo inside Blanche’s, the children’s clothing store our aunt Blanche Williamson ran in Portales for many years on south Main Street, between the Yam and Portales Hardware. I wish my cousin Adele Lovorn was still alive to see this picture and tell me some stories. I remember the Madam Alexander dolls, the Carter’s clothing, and my cousin Adele wrapping packages on a tall counter in the back. It was a classy business.

Some comments:
Sandra Robinson: I loved going there to Blanche's! I remember having 2 Alexander dolls I'd gotten for my b.day & Christmas, & then saving up my allowance for a long time just to buy outfits for them. When old enough to go to work, then I'd go buy clothes for me, there! She was a sweet lady. I thought a lot of her & Adele. Was good to see Neil at our last high school reunion.

Stewart Williamson One of my main memories is when we would go in there sometimes Dad would bum a cigarette off Aunt Blanche. Funny the strange little things I remember lol

Stewart Williamson Carolyn, he had smoked when he was young. He quit long before I was born. But he would occasionally smoke one of Blanches.

Jo Manis I love the alex dolls couldn't buy them back then but I have bunches of them now

Betty Williamson Jo Manis, I drooled on them for so long that Blanche finally gave me one, probably for Christmas one year. I remember my mother being very unhappy with me when I took scissors and gave poor dolly a haircut.

Kayla Paulk When I met Terry Othick's wife several months ago, she told me of this shop. Maybe she worked there? Not sure I recall. She also told me how Jack would ride his bike to bring his sweetie lunch he had made for her. I ❤ that! On another note, Jason's aunt collected MA dolls, and Jason had one he loved (true story). We still have it!

Betty Williamson Kayla Paulk, the beautiful Cissy did indeed work there, and I absolutely idolized her! Pretty sure her last name was Whitworth back then. She was so sweet and so pretty.

As for Madam Alexander dolls, I loved looking and finally was gifted one, probably for Christmas by Blanche and Jack. I promptly cut her hair, much to my mother’s horror. One of my earliest “this is why we can’t have nice things” memories.

Rebecca Helianthus I remember it being much larger. In fact didn’t she move into a larger space, same block?

Stewart Williamson Rebecca, it was definitely bigger when we were going in there as kids. I think you are right about Blanche relocating on the same block.

Larry Littlefield I think the two places were the two stores just north of the Yam because I think both stores had the set-back entry door. At least one of them did!

Larry Littlefield Just to set y'all straight, under the dolls, in the glass case, were Dinky Toys, metal trucks and vehicles. Well worth drooling over! Donnie and I acquired quite a collection over the years. We all wore Carters underwear, probably was a family discount because we had little money for such.
And yes there were two stores, almost next door. Later, when I was attending ENMU, Blanche said I needed a hair cut so often that she paid in advance for 10 haircuts from the barber across the street. Then chastised me for not using them often enough! I was busy in school I thought!

Stewart Williamson Larry, when do you think she moved to the bigger store? I can't remember this one.

Larry Littlefield
Larry Littlefield I don't know. I think it was before 62 when I started spending the summers there. Not surprised you don't remember things "pre-Stewart" haha

Stewart Williamson Larry, there’s an awful lot I don’t remember post Stewart too 😂

Larry Littlefield I was also fascinated with the sheet-metal ceiling tiles in the first store. Funny the little things...

Sherry Lee Littlefield Snyder Larry Littlefield and Don Littlefield got the dinky toys and I got the madam Alexander dolls. I'm pretty sure both were Christmas gifts. We couldn't afford to buy much there. I got Karla's hand me downs and she lifts if pretty thing from grandmother blanche. Adele worked there as well. I never got to buy dresses from Blanche's because of the cost. For some reason in 8th grade I did buy one and blanche sent the bill (guess we had an account) Mama fainted at the price $29.00 in 1966. I was heartbroken because I loved the dress. Mama laid it out, made a pattern and sewed the dress for me returning the one to Blanche's. I was never allowed to wear the one she made to Portales. It was a sailor dress with a pleated dropped waist skirt.

I still have 3 dolls one is the bride. I played with them so probably little value, but at least I didn't cut the hair off!

Betty Williamson We never had clothes from there either, much to Blanche’s dismay.

Betty Williamson Alma Lyle Bilberry, one of our legendary family stories is one of Blanche’s customers asking her what Jim and Nancy’s kids wore and Blanche answered, “Nothing!” To be honest, we spent a lot of time in diapers and not much else. She kinda had a point.

Larry Littlefield There was always fun revelry/teasing between Uncle Jim and Aunt Blanche. He was always threatening to leave a box of kittens on her porch. When someone else did, he got the blame. She teased him about his stated child rearing ideas.

Sherry Lee Littlefield Snyder Larry Littlefield uncle Jim always had ideas on raising us... mama was really happy when Stewart was born so she could try to make him use his own ideas. Don't know what they were but she didn't like them.

Stewart Williamson Sherry, I'm living proof that his ideas were not too great lol

Larry Littlefield
Larry Littlefield Stewart Williamson haha. Aunt Nancy did not let him try much! No clothes necessary till school starts, whiskey for cutting teeth and as a sleep and I, bathing in the kitchen sink are a few I remember.

Mike Stratton They had the “coolest “ little cars, trucks, tanks, etc. I loved going in their with my mother just to look at those. I can’t remember what they were called.

Mike Stratton
Mike Stratton Sherry Lee Littlefield Snyder that’s right. Thank you for remembering their name. I was always fascinated with all those little toys. I’m sure my mom hated taking me in there because I would beg her to buy one for me.

Larry Littlefield
Larry Littlefield Yes we did,I think we got them for Christmas and maybe birthdays too. We had a nice collection before it was over. I don't remember when it started, but my first memory of them was playing with several in Morton (2-56 thru 4-58) and getting several for Christmas one year, probably 55 (the year of that picture of us all at the table in Pa's kitchen). I found the wikipedia page for Dinky Toys which had pictures of some, but I didn't recognize very many of the ones we had.

Mike Stratton I looked Dinky Toys up to see if you can still get them. Apparently you can, but at age 70 they didn’t look like as much fun. Probably because if I got down on my knees to play with them, It’d be hard getting up. lol

Carolyn Graham I think my sister and I were treated special here...when Mother bought our nicest shoes. Were they “Red Goose”...”Golden Goose”? I don’t remember the brand, but we always got a HUGE (in my eyes) plastic golden egg full of candy, puzzles, trinkets...totally worth every penny! Lol! My mother loved Blanche...no doubt about it!

Sherry Lee Littlefield Snyder I don't remember her selling shoes. And not so many shelves like in the left. I think I remember the 2nd store much more. Also the gift wrapping table with the thick lustrous red paper.

Larry Littlefield There was a shoe store, close by, that sold the shoes y'all remember. For a while it had the X-Ray machine where you could check the fit of the shoes.

Jany Warnica Larry Littlefield "modern shoes" had the ex Ray and the red goose!