Return to Colorado - Riding a Steer and a Bucking Bronco

"This may be the only time you'll get to be home with everyone."

I said I don't want to go home until I've paid for the lap robe.

He said "I'll pay for the lap robe." He was a wonderful big brother.

When we got to Kit carson we walked the twelve miles to home. The others were all there. Father was outside the sod house. He put his hand out to shake hands with Amasa and then with me. All was all right.

While all the children were there Lydia and I got in the buggy to see what the land looked like. On the way over she told me of some pranks her husband had pulled. When she told me them I felt free to divulge the story of how the cow lost her switch.

I worked at home that summer.

The next fall dad had gone to Soretta and met Charlie Collins. Charlie told dad that he wanted a chore and feed boy. Dad got me the job. I worked for Charlie that winter.

There was a man lived south of him. I was friends with his son. We were feeding cattle on the lone prairie. We were feeding them cottonseed cake.

When the feed wagon was loaded we'd yell "haay-oh" and the cattle would come from all directions to get some food. They'd get crowded around three or four deep, packed in close. We'd have to wait a while for them to get together, not just feed some and let others get hungry.

After talking awhile he said "You can ride one of them steer."

I said, "Oh, I'd be afraid to."

"Well, you don't need to be afraid. You can slide down on him. You see they're right up close. You can get on him and get your hands on each side of his flanks. He can't get out until you're on him, with the other steer so close." He talked me into it.

I got on him. He worked so hard to get away from the wagon that by the time he was free to buck or run he was too tired. I ran him until I got tired.

That's the only time I rode a steer like that.

I rode a bucking bronco that Father had. He bucked me off and knocked me senseless. I didn't know anything for a while then.

This man moved to Hilltop, Colorado, southeast of Denver. Not far from the foothills of the mountains.