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