Walter Cochran and the Muleshoe Ranch Legacy
Walter Colquitt Cochran moved cattle to the Jal area in 1885 from the JAL ranch and named his brand Muleshoe. A Georgia native who moved from Texas in 1854, he became a beloved ranch figure known for wit and practical counsel. He operated first on white sands then near the townsite, moving family to Midland in 1891 and selling the Jal ranch in 1893. L A Gillett and others visited Jal on Friday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walter Cochran
Jal Ranch
Walter Colquitt Cochran
Cochran
Maou
New Mexico
Palo Pinto County
Cowden
Georgia
Texas
Mr. Cochran
White Sands
Thegeckberry Grove
Midland
State Line
Jal Growth Tied to New Rail Line and Roads
The 1930 completion of the Texas and New Mexico Railway branch from Mona to Lovington sparked a Jal celebration akin to today. Paving of Route 18 to the state line and Texas Highway 82 to Monahans opened new outlets. Wanda Owen joined the secretarial staff of the New Mexico Electrical Service Company.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lovington
Texas and New Mexico Railway
T-P
Monahans
Jal
Hobbs
State Line
The
New Mexico Electrical Service
Compa
The Teacher Had to Show What Rain Was
Jim Bryant recalls a rural anecdote where a teacher climbed onto a school roof with a bucket and dipper and dumped water to illustrate rain for her geography class. The story highlights rural humor and a clever teaching moment observed by the old timer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jim Bryant
Jim
Rustlers spearhead beef for local celebration barbecue
A rustling committee led by Walter Pendleton and Ralph Baird plans a large barbecue using beef donated by Jat ranchers. Dozens of whole beeves are ready for slaughter and cooking with even more fat cattle spotted west of town as needed. pendleton says there will be plenty for all and the rustlers have become targets of jokes from ranchers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walter Pendleton
Ralph Baird
Mr. Pendleton
Ralph
I C. W. Cowden to Leave Jal for Air School
C W Cowden Sr plans to enter aviation mechanics training, leaving the ranch west of Jal. The move shifts from water and cattle work to flight studies, with Dallas or California as possible schooling locations. Cowden’s family prepares for the new home as oil history and local ranching echo in the backstory.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
C. W. Cowden
Jal
Air School
Lea County
Hubbs
Justis
C. W. Cowden, Sr
Monument Draw
C. W
J.A.L
Jay
Dallas
Calipermet
Madera
Knight
Malcolm Madera
Cowden
Jal oil boom linked to 1936 East side discovery sparks steady growth
The Jal area saw a revival after 1936 when Roy Stovall Culperson and Irwin drilled a successful East side well near the Jal Sang area, followed by an 8,000 barrel strike. Wayne Production helped develop the field. West Jal rests on lime while East Jal lies in sand. Sixty-plus drilling units operate in the Jal area with diverse companies while land to be drilled promises future pay.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Drouth
Roy Stovall
Culerson
Irwin
Jal Sang
Phillips Company
Wayne Production Company
East Side
Jal
Stovall
George Davis
Permian Basin
J M. Whitworth
Acme Lumber Company
Ochoa
Post Office History and Local Postmaster Mentioned
In 1928 Wasif townsite fight moved the post office to the premises now housing McAllister's Bar. After Stuart died Miss Bish became postmaster and served in that capacity. Justis died at age 90, leaving two sons Hugo and Webb who both carried mail in the early days.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Justis
Ital
Hugo
Webb
Stuart
Also Mentioned on This Page
L. A. Gillett
Scottish Rite
Santa Fe
Wanda Owen
Roberts & Roberts
Strateway
Jimmie Satterwhite
Vieg Carnahan
Co. W
Abilene
Pyote
Heal Ranches
Wink
North
BROM
Whitworth
tJal
Sunray
Amerada
Gulf
Phillips
Italy
Anderson and Pritchard
Northshore
Schermerhorn
Plains Production
Continental
Post Office
Miss Bish
Hearie
Servani
the Post
Office
Featuring
Robinson
Jal Food Store
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!