Letter to the editor

Aug. 27, 2023

I just returned from the Days of ‘85 Rodeo and I watched the movie “Feek’s Vision.” This was an exciting day and brought my mind back to another even more exciting day!!

Our country school hadn’t started and my dad said that I could go with him to the Tooke Ranch for the day. Feek Tooke asked my dad to buck out some horses for him. My dad was an outstanding bronc rider in the 1930s! (See the Ekalaka Eagles of August and September of 1933.)

So at the Tooke’s rodeo grounds he bucked out eighteen horses that day. Ths was to help Tookes to know what horses they wanted to send to which rodeo. Feek paid my dad $3 dollars per horse! My dad was able to drive us back to our ranch that night though he was a little sore.

On the way back home he said he felt a little bad to take that much money. It was a lot of money-especially in those days! But if you have bucked out any horses you know it is hard to be overpaid! But my dad loved to ride broncs and I was thrilled to be able to watch!!

Jim Phalen