|
June 7, 2015
WOLF CREEK HERITAGE MUSEUM NOTES by Virginia Scott MUSEUM HAPPENINGS I apologize that there was not a column last week, but I was ill with the worst summer cold that I have had in years. I am still coughing but I am at least upright. The museum is busy with activity going on everywhere. Terry and Norma are creating case foundations and putting up our shelves so the new exhibit area is taking shape. Georgia is busy performing plastic surgery on one of our female mannequins with plaster spackle. There was joy in the archive area last week when a file we had lost months ago turned up in another file. This prevented us from having to recreate a file that took many man hours to create the first time around. It amazes all of us sometimes that we do what we do and it still comes off lookin' good. We will be changing some of the exhibits in our cases this week and I will describe the new exhibit next week. We try to change out our cases every so often so that there is always something new to see for our regular visitors. We would like to remind our readers that our meeting room is available for meeting, reunions, etc. We also have Wi-fi ability thanks to the extension service. We hope to develop community programs on a regular basis. Our first will be June 21, Carl Williamson from Miami will make a presentation on his book about this region. He will have some books available. The reception for Wayne Paul will also occur on this date. So plan to attend the event on Sunday, June 21 at 2 pm. HISTORICAL MUSINGS In Harry L. Zollars first column "Memories of the Old Home Town" in the Higgins News, he wrote of the excitement that was created in Higgins by the General Store owner, Mr. W.F. Peugh when he ordered an English Saddle. The majority of the town were on hand when the saddle arrived by train and when Mr. Peugh uncrated it, no one knew what it was. "the seat and sweat guards all quilted, of expensively tanned leather', a sight to behold and be felt and handled by the observers. However, to the amazement of all, there was no fork; no saddle horn; no cantle; no rings or whang strings; not a thing to grab hold upon should the horse decide to "buck" or shy at something. Mr. Peugh was soon seen riding around town atop his new saddle on his gentle, stocking-footed old horse. As mayor of Higgins, he led the The fourth of July parade. The town built an arbor across the main street and the parade proceeded under the arbor. This year three boys climbed up one of the arbor supports with a prank in mind. As the mayor and the other horses with prominent citizens passed under the arbor, the horses began to twitch, prance and started bucking. Most of the horsemen had western saddles so held on and remained in their saddles but the poor mayor having nothing to cling to upon the cushioned saddle was in real trouble and after a few jumps was thrown into the dust of the street. As onlookers ran to assist the mayor, his horse was in the midst of the band, knocked the drummer down and stepped in the middle of the the big brass horn. After much confusion and shouting from the band leader, the horses were quieted down the Mayor was remounted and led the parade anew with the drummer beating one side of his drum and the trumpeter drinking cider under the arbor. The three boys still unnoticed escaped from the arbor and no one ever discovered that these three boys prank was to drop carbon bisulphide or "high life" on the backs of the horses. The boys did not realize the pain that was caused by their prank to the animals and it is said that they regretted the hurt they had given to the animals years later. |
 |
© 2006 - 2024 Wolf Creek Heritage Museum
All Rights Reserved |