Lillie Davenport, Pioneer Mother

Author: Mary Lou Midkiff
Publisher: Oleo Publishing
Date of Publication: July 15, 2008
ISBN-10: 0976395517
ISBN-13: 978-0976395515
Price: $29.95, hardcover
Pages: 329

Lillie Davenport (1877-1972) entered West Texas history from Georgia by way of Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. She married cowboy Oscar Midkiff and moved to Texas in 1896. While Oscar was away on cattle drives, Lillie rode sidesaddle, shot antelope with her .38, and raised twelve children.

After Oscar died in 1940, Humble Oil informed Lillie that she was ranching over oil.

As Lillie’s sons left for war, Midkiff Ranch became a practice target for the Army Air Corps, providing front porch nighttime entertainment while trainee bombardiers sortied overhead.

After the war, Lillie began exercising her mineral rights on the ranch.

Like her scratch biscuits and fried pies, Lillie’s life rose up. From ghost town to boom town, Lillie’s history became Midland’s history.

Reviews & Endorsements

It is not simply a Midkiff story. It is our story.”
-Elmer Kelton, 7-time Spur Award Winner, Western Writers of America

“If you enjoyed Mary Lou Midkiff's first book, you'll definitely want to read the well-done encore.”
-Mike Cox, Austin American-Statesman Texana Columnist, Author of The Texas Rangers: Wearing the Cinco Peso, 1821-1900

“Mary Lou Midkiff is to be commended for her compilation of this grassroots study of a West Texas ranch woman and her family. Lillie Davenport Midkiff exemplified the pioneer spirit so essential in settling a demanding land.”
-Patrick Dearen, Spur Award Finalist for When Cowboys Die