Now back to the railroad work train saga which will pop in and out for the rest of 1964 and all of 1965 as well. I will share no spoilers and let the tale develop as it actually did. I am pretty sure I mentioned this gang, Bridge and Building #6 or B&B 6 had been there in the spring, coming back in the summer for a short stay. They had left on August 21 but were back a week later on the 27th as the Bitter Creek Bridge had been almost washed out, again something I have mentioned before. I'd been half-heartedly trying to get acquainted with Danny, the laborer who had the Corvette and the Plymouth Fury. That was not progressing fast and in the long run was not meant to be. Dan ended up marrying Joyce Killabrew in 1965 and was starting to go with her about this time. It was a short lived marraige as they split within about a year. But I had a mild crush for a bit and worked on it as I could, aided and abetted most of the time by Charlie Mike who wanted more ties to the railroad industry that so fascinated him. I might mention both our grandfathers had been railroaders, G'pa Morgan was train crew and G'pa Witt in the admin side.Trains were in our blood for sure. Still fans though my favorite AT&SF and his D&RGW are no more.
Aug 29, 1964
I got up early to get off to an early start and I did. Even with riding out all the fences and putting up the Forest Service fence, I got back by 10:30. Led Chief and Pat and then saddled Leo. He went off real well. Guess who’s staying here this weekend. I nearly flipped. Finally the riding and chores were done and we ate. Charlie Mike and I rode over but Dan was out of sight. He was in eating but wouldn’t come out. Later Charlie Mike went back to talk. Dan is 20, his b’day was August 17. He graduated from Winslow High in 62, had 14 cars and then went to work for the railroad. He wants to quit and start a garage in Winslow. Woody’s at Winslow, they say. We did our chores a little early. rode over again but Dan and Jim Wilson were inside. After supper Charlie Mike and I wrote letters. He said I should go ahead and send what I wrote.. I really want to talk to him but if I can’t by tomorrow pm, I guess I should. Darn, why did I start liking him? But I guess I do so that’s that. And now I’ve got to play my hand. All is fair in love, war and horse trading, no?
I don't say what horse or mule I was riding but that was not too significant. I had taken on leading the two stallions and another stud colt for exercise almost daily. They were kept in small paddocks or pens about 20' square or so and needed to move more. Chief, the Appaloosa, was well broke but Dad did not let me ride him for quite awhile. Leo, the young Quarter Horse was being ridden for training as a two year old but not yet fully trained, and Pat was Patrick, the gray mare Patsy's colt sired by Chief. I broke him the next summer.
Dad rode Leo a few times but with his big saddle was too heavy so I pretty much took over his training as I did with several of the young horses. I rarely had much trouble with them and (brag, brag) think my gentler and less demanding manner really worked out better than the rougher "mule style" that Dad employed. I actually got pretty upset several times when he deemed it necessary to 'teach them some manners' in a rough way. These colts were almost born gentle and Did Not Need that kind of treatment. But arguing was fruitless and didn't make things any better. I mostly learned to keep my mouth shut, whether or not I disapproved.
As September began there were two trips that both were impactful but I'll let that ride until after next week when I cover September 5. There may be an extra post next to kind of bridge across some things otherwise not covered. The trips were on September 10 and 12, so the latter will be a regular entry bit may need some background. In this bit, Woody was a guy who had been on the gang earlier and Jim Wilon was a new man we had recently met. Charlie Mike had talked to him several times but I had not much at this point.
Pictures? Horses I guess since I never got one of Danny and there is not much else to cover... First I'm riding Annie and leading Chief , Probably a bit later in the fall since I have a jacket on. Next Leo Mix as a two-year old. He was shaping up to be quite a handsome horse! He also had a very sweet temperment. And last my young Patrick, about a year old now and going to be a good looking horse too! He was a son of Chief and did not get the Appy color (he was born almost black and went a roany blue before he was grown. It was pretty, anyway.) but a lot of similarities in the conformation. I broke and sold him the next year.
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