Annotation:Ma Ferguson

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MA FERGUSON. Old-Time, Breakdown. A version of "Duck River," and part of the larger "Dubuque" tune family. Biography:Capt. M.J. Bonner (Moses Bonner), who recorded the tune in Houston, Texas, in March, 1925, was a fiddler from Fort Worth, Texas, although he was born in Alabama. "Ma Ferguson" pays homage to the first female governor of Texas, Miriam "Ma" Ferguson [1] (1875-1961), who held office twice, from 1925 to 1927, and a later term from 1932 until 1935. She was the wife of controversial former Governor James E. Ferguson (who was impeached, convicted and barred from public office in Texas again).

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Recorded sources: County CD-3525. Document Records 8038, "Texas Fiddle Bands. Volume 1, 1925-1930" (1998). Victor 19669 (78 RPM), Capt. M.J. Bonner (with Fred Wagoner on harp-guitar) (1925).