FUNNY FRIDAY: In 1937, no one in Bibb County, Alabama wanted to ride wild horses or mules

[This funny story from 1937 reveals how popular automobiles had become over horse riding]

No Riders!

(from The Tuscaloosa News – July 2, 1937)

What sorry times are these upon which we have fallen, with the Age of Gasoline sapping our strength, ingenuity and daring?

Automobile in 1937

Over in Bibb County, we are told by The Centreville Press, Mr. J. B. Ward advertised last week for men and boys to ride a few wild horses and mules on the night of July 5 at a show to take place on the high school athletic field.

Bibb County Court House square

Couldn’t ride horse or mule

In the old days—indeed only a few years ago―a man or a boy considered it a disgrace to be told that he couldn’t ride this horse or that mule. A single challenge was sufficient to bring down out of the upper seats a horde of makes, young and old alike who were willing without hesitation to try their skill on the wildest animal which could be lured beneath the tented top.

But times have changed, Mr. Ward of Bibb County has had to postpone his show, “Nobody replied to his ad.” He has found no men or boys who are ready to risk their necks astraddle an animal with whose method of madness they are not fully acquainted.

Horses by photographer Carol Highsmith 2010 (Library of Congress)

We are sure, furthermore, that if Mr. Ward cannot find his riders in Bibb County, it will be useless to apply to Tuscaloosa County. We speak in advance with the thought of saving from embarrassment any of our fellow citizens who have been so foolish as to brag about their riding ability.

WHERE DO I START? Hints and Tips for Beginning Genealogists with On-line resources

This book provides simple, no-nonsense instructions to help you get started. Many FREE research links included.

Tips include:

WHERE TO FIND – on-line resources, experienced genealogists will not be aware of many of these.
COURT RESEARCH – how to do courthouse research, where to find birth, death, social security records free on-line.
EIGHTY – ONE QUESTIONS – you should ask your elderly loved ones before it’s too late.
TIPS ON BREAKING DOWN THE WALL – Everyone faces some difficulties in research, often called a ‘brick wall’ but WHERE DO I START? provides suggestions for overcoming them.

About Donna R Causey

Donna R. Causey, resident of Alabama, was a teacher in the public school system for twenty years. When she retired, Donna found time to focus on her lifetime passion for historical writing. She developed the websites www.alabamapioneers and www.daysgoneby.me All her books can be purchased at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. She has authored numerous genealogy books. RIBBON OF LOVE: A Novel Of Colonial America (TAPESTRY OF LOVE) is her first novel in the Tapestry of Love about her family where she uses actual characters, facts, dates and places to create a story about life as it might have happened in colonial Virginia. Faith and Courage: Tapestry of Love (Volume 2) is the second book and the third FreeHearts: A Novel of Colonial America (Book 3 in the Tapestry of Love Series) Discordance: The Cottinghams (Volume 1) is the continuation of the story. . For a complete list of books, visit Donna R Causey