Historic Midland

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Top: O.B. Holt Ranch—Mr. Holt
came to Midland in 1885 driving a
herd of 300 steers.
Middle: Quien Sabe cowboys included
from left, Ben Driver, Fred Truelove,
Rabe Preston, Gill Haynes, Jason
Curry, Bob Preston and Cleo Gaither.
Below, right: The headquarters of the
Quien Sabe Ranch located south of
Midland was a picturesque setting
with tall trees and a picket fence.
1885, although two years later he sold out and
moved to Mexico.
Uncle Henry McClintic, Frank Crowley, Burl
Holloway, W.H. and Dave Brunson, and Finis
Ewing “Faze” Rankin also were early-day ranchers
in the Midland Country, but the pasturage,
while providing exceptionally nutritious grasses
and weeds for cattle, typically suffered from a
lack of rainfall, and, in many seasons, the land
could not support many cattle per acre. In some
counties west of Midland, cattleman talked in
terms of how many sections of land it took to
support one cow!
The Preston brothers—Sam, Rabe, Tom,
Barney, Kirby, Bob and Ed—left their mark on
this country, as did W.F. “Wild Bill”
Scarborough, whose widely known Frying Pan
Ranch in Winkler and Loving Counties became
synonymous with outstanding cowboys. There
were many great cowboys through the years
who called the range around Midland “home” at
one time or another.
Henry M. Halff, nephew of San Antonio
entrepreneur and rancher Mayer Halff, brought
his new wife, Rosa, to Midland about 1905, and
they lived in the cowtown for many years. Halff
owned and operated the famous Quien Sabe
Ranch, which came to Midland’s southern
boundary, as well as other ranches, and, during
the 1920s, the breakup and sale of the Quien
Sabe lands into small parcels promoted the
growth and development of Midland.
While stock tanks increased the ability of
ranchers to assure a steady supply of cattle on
the land, windmills truly assured ranchers of
adequate water in most years regardless of rainfall.
In some cases, windmills meant land that
was not productive in terms of ranching actually
could be brought into production.
Through the years of the 20th century, ranches
changed hands and, in many instances, were
passed down to family members. Often, however,
the ranches retained the names and the
10 ✦ HISTORIC MIDLAND