SEGMENT: LAND, FARM WORK, & FAMILY

Winfred Mills>UIS Collection K-M>UIS Collection K-M, Segment 14

SEGMENT: LAND, FARM WORK, & FAMILY,

duration 13:38
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LAND
Winfred's farm is 160 acres. Father rented this land from Sam Jones & got paid by the month & never got part of farm profits. Mentions father lived where mall is today. Discussion of tenant farming & responsibilities of farmer & landowner. Some tenants now having to pay land taxes. Father got half of crop, owner got half. Owner's portion went to Williamsville elevator. Winfred bought farm from Sam Jones daughter, Mrs. Cook in 1951. "Did you ever go in debt?" Received assistance from Federal Land Bank.
CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENT
Ponds have filled up. No timber on land now. Winfred remembers huge area of timber that were harvested & now being farmed.
FARM WORK
Much of timber harvested for making mine-props. Timber work was winter work. "If you work real hard…." Hauled timber to mine south of Sherman. Describes minimum size & inspection of timber at mine site. Describes lumbering work with cross-cut saws. Mines also bought a lot of feed from local farmers for mules who hauled coal out of mine.
FAMILY
Winfred met wife on a blind date. Eloped in St. Louis. Came home after money ran out after 1 night. Wife was not raised on farm, but "took to it." Discussion children, their birthdates, & where they were born in the house. Birthed with mother's help.