INTERVIEW # 8129
Field Worker’s name: Jasper H. MEAD
This report made on: July 26, 1937
Name: Mr. A. C. FITZPATRICK
Post Office Address: Chickasha, Oklahoma
Residence address: 1716 South 14th Street
DATE OF BIRTH: October 20, 1887
Place of birth: Born in Oklahoma
Name of Father: James FITZPATRICK
Place of birth: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Other information on father: Age 60 at death
Name of Mother: Mary MAUPIN
Place of birth: Kentucky
Other information on mother: Age 76
My name is A. C. FITZPATRICK. I came to Oklahoma in 1887, October 20th, forty-nine years ago and the first place I landed was on a ranch between Alex and Bradley.
The closest town was Pauls Valley which was the oldest town in the Indian Territory for several miles around but it wasn’t very large: there were only three or four little old frame buildings and the closest store where we did our trading was two miles south of Lindsay, called Erin Springs.
There was very little farming and the country was in large ranches and it was the finest cattle country that a crow ever flew over. At the time I lived between Alex and Bradley there were no schools at all but we kids heard the older folks talk about schools back in some of the older states.
The first railroad I ever remember seeing was the Rock Island which came through Chickasha soon after 1890.
The ranch where I was born was called the -97- Ranch and was owned by me father, James FITZPATRICK, Williams and Murry.
The old Chisholm Trail came up through Ninnekah, crossed the Washita River just above Lucille and went on south toward Silver City.
The water supply around there came from dug wells cased up with wood or native red sandstone: practically all dug wells had two wooden buckets, one on each end of the rope.
One time I remember the Indians stole a bunch of cattle from my father, so he and five or six cowboys went after them and the Indians turned and chased my father nearly to Fort Sill, but Father and the cowboys went on to Fort Sill, and got the soldiers and went back and got Father’s cattle.
Every man wore a pistol in those days and his word was his bond. If a man didn’t do what he promised, he was liable to get killed.
Ranch work was about all there was to do and it paid $25.00 per month and board.
Note: Albert Chastain "Dude" FITZPATRICK
20 Oct 1887 - 21 Nov 1940
Submitted by Sandi CARTER
Great niece
If you have questions, you can email Sandi.
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