Being a rural area, Taylor County life has always been
concerned with animals. They are part of our livelihood,
our friends, and a source of total exasperation.
Many of their exploits made it to the newspapers as
obituaries, news items, and notices.
MICKEY DEAD
Mickey, the little dog belonging to Harvey Eno is dead,
having been run over last Thursday morning by the John
Aid truck. Mickey, like a good many other dogs, liked to
ride, and for several weeks had taken up with the Aid
truck and was a regular passenger. Thursday morning John
and Harvey were taking a load of furniture to the country
and of course Mickey was in the truck. When they reached
the turn in the road at the Oscar Brown place Mickey left
the cab for the running board and the swing of the car
threw him to the ground and the hind wheel of the truck
passed over his neck, killing him instantly.
Mickey, like a good many men and women, didn't have a great
deal of sense, was on the go most of the time and scarcely
ever at home. But with all his faults he was a most
likeable dog and a friend to every one who would notice
him. He will be missed by many besides Mr. and Mrs. Eno.
New Market Herald Nov 7, 1924
JAKE BEAN'S MULE
Nat Dewell and wife of Omaha were in Blanchard last week
visiting the Mrs. Dewell's relatives and Nat took (a
picture of) J.J. Bean and his famous mule in a group with
Mr. Bean's arm around Jennie's neck. The picture was
printed in the Omaha Sunday Bee with the following comment:
"Jennie" is the oldest mule in captivity. She isn't always
in captivity, however, for although she's lived for 44
years she still insists in running away every day or so.
J.J. Bean is Jennie's owner. He bought her back in 1883
and has had her ever since. Her original owner told Mr.
Bean she was 3 years old, but Mr. Bean later learned she
was 5 years old when she became a member of his household.
Over in Blanchard, Iowa, "Jennie" is quite a favorite. But
despite her long residence there she's still a bit bashful.
She won't let anyone approach her but Mr. Bean, 'tis said.
Last winter "Jennie" became a very ill mule; so ill, indeed,
that even Mr. Bean despaired and sought someone who would
put a bullet in her brain and relieve her misery.
But no! There was no one in Blanchard who would shoot
"Jennie." And eventually she recovered and resumed her
duties as chief motive power for Mr. Bean's delivery wagon.
There is much lore connected with "Jennie's" long servitude
in Blanchard. On one occasion one of her shoes came off.
She immediately went to the blacksmith without guidance
and would not depart until another shoe was placed on her
hoof. She is sometimes sent to the icehouse without a
driver and invaribly returns with the ice for her master's
store, it is said.
When Mr. Bean purchased "Jennie" he also purchased her
twin, "Jack." "Jennie and Jack" attended every funeral
in Blanchard for 20 years, hauling the coffins to the
graveyard. Then "Jack" died, and had a funeral of his own,
with "Jennie" as the chief mourner.
"Jennies" many friends defend even her inclination to run
away by explaining that she never breaks things up and
always runs just as far as her stall. (Coin Gazette).
New Market Herald July 13, 1922
MULES GOT FRISKY
A team of mules owned by Len Maxwell but driven by Mr.
Norris were left standing on the street Monday, untied
and all alone. This was something new to their muleships
and they started out to break the record of the famous
Maud S. In turning the corner at the old opera house
the cement marker met with their disapproval and they
proceeded to land it near the curbing on the west side
of the street, and a little further on came to a sudden
stop when they lurched into a large electric post that
refused to yield. One mule we are told was badly cut.
These mules evidently had heard that the city was
planning to remove these unsightly markers and place
in new modern electric ones in their place, but
realizing that the city was slow at times in making
these changes, decided to hurry the new work along.
The new electrically lighted markers will be ordered
at the next meeting of the city council.
Bedford Times Republican May 15, 1923