MeGATfcHT, KHOI D. IMT&RVIIW 8581 MnM 1J4 %
MDGAUGBY, KNOX D. - qjre.otw. 8681, Form A-(S-140) BIOGRAPHY FORM WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION Indian-Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma Field Worker's name 2a Idee B. Bland This report made on (date) September 20 193j3_ 1. Name Khox D> MpGaughy 2. Post Office Address Alt us, Oklahoma, 3. Residence address (or location) 602 West Cypress Street 4. DATE OF BIRTH: ' Month M*y Day J Year 1857 5. Place of birth N. Alabama 6.. Name of Father G**pkam McGaughy piacc of birth Alabama Other information about father 7. Name of Mother *«rity Mullins place of bjrth Other information about mother iym. D. McGaughy my grandfather ) raised me< Notes or complete narrative by the field worker dealing with the life and story of the person interviewed. Refer to Manual for suggested subjects and questions. Continue on blank sheets if necessary and attach firmly to this form. Number of sheets attached 4.
MoGAUCEY, KNOX D. INTERVIEW 8561 J36 Zaidee B. Bland Interviewer September 20, 1938 Interview with Knox D. MoOaughy 602 West Cypress, Alt us, Qklahona. I cannot remember my mother and my father went away to the Civil War and was killed so 2 was raised by my grandfather who was a grand old Scotoh-Irishman, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher^ and very set about certain virtues. I never in all my life used a profane word, not even a by-word. 1 was taught "to pay as you go 1 * and never went into debt for even a bite to eat in my life, not a loaf of bread or a dime's worth of steuk. I have had a lot of sickness in my family but never had a doctor come to my house that he was not paid as he left. 1 have never had to borrow money but twioe in my life and both times 2 was able to pay back before it was due*. 1 &ave not worked ao hard in my life but have been conservative end honest, have traded a little, worked for wages some, 1ST mod, bought a little bank stock or insurance stook now and then made small loans and have gradually accumulated money and while not rich,while 2 lost some money in the depression aff^did everyone^ 2 am still able to have all 1 need and to live sojas to owe no man..1 have lived / for twenty nine years on this block in Alt us since leaving
McGAUGKT, KNOX D. IHTEHVIEW, 8581" the fazm and have never had any delinquent taxes against my property nor a mortage on my home. I filed on land in Qreer County, Taxa^aix and a half miles south and west of where Altus is now. 1 proved upon this land but do not own it now. 1 have no children but thirty years ago when everyone was coming to town I decided that 1 had better sell and come to town for I could not always do the heavy work required on the farm for I had not the* health that 1 would have liked to have. Land prices ware good so I sold and invested 1B city property. I had a sandy land farm and could raise anything. Corn> cotton, cane and potatoes were staple crops with me. Once we had a big hail-stom in the fall; it was very unusual for it to hail in the fall. The hail stones were as big as turkey eggs and made holes in the ground as big around as the mouth of a teacup. My cotton was literally buried in the ground but I lost very little for instead of picking cotton we pulled it out of the sand and gave it a shake and it was all right not even stained very badly. The dust storms 40 years ago seemed to Be worse than they re now but perhapa I am more used to then AOW. We eould scarcely find our way from th» field to the houw in a fluat storm when
MCG4UGKY, KNOX D. INTERVIEW. 8581 we first came. «e could always look for a twisting wind that would play havoc with our buildings every spring too. I have seen forty acres of my land under water for three weeks at a time and the Bitter Creek and Salt Fork waters would meet almost every Spring. Once a neighbor and I tried to arqss these water*. My wagon bed wa8 tight but whan the horses got into swimming water the bad lifted and coupling came out t-nd we with the bed floated down stream, the horses and the front* wheels went over a little sand, A man who lived on the bank of the river had come down on his horse to show us the crossing. Had it not been for hia ad-> vice we would not have driven in but he said it was safe if we would stay in the trail he pointed out. We had a rope in the wagon with us. I roped a bush on the bank tied the end wagon bed up to it,/hung a chain with a hook across the hind wheels of the wagon. The neighbor on his horse rode in and got the horses and we resoued all three parts of the wagon, put them together and were ready to go on again when I aaid to the man who had helped us, ^Friend how much do we owe you*? He said, n $1.00*. That was the nearest I e/ter cejne to getting drowned but I have had some very narrow escapes in crossing the river in the early days*
McQAUGEY, KNOX.D. INTERVIEW. 8581 130 1 worked for fifteen yetra in different grocery stores in iiltus for $40.00 per month and commission on s^les. Then for $75.00 as a straight salary. Having no children and owning our own home my wife and I saved money on that salary. I have always'been a strict prohibitionist and think we have less vice and general drinking now than when we had open saloons. I belong to the Southern branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church and attend both Sunday school and church every Sabbath that 1 am well enough to sit up. Life is good to me and I would be willing to begin all over again and live it again*, however 1 am ready to step up when the call comes. EDITOR'S NOTE: After careful searching of all the m&ps of Oklahoma available we are unable to find a creek named 3itter Greek in the immediate vicinity of Altus. However, because of the fact that there is an unnamed creek near Altus we leave the name Better Creek.