Bud and Temple in their beloved Brush Wildcat
during their New York to Oklahoma City trip. Bud
learned to drive the Brush in just a few hours in the busy streets of New York. T ey
made it back to Oklahoma safe and sound in record
time. Courtesy of Tillman County Historical Society.
FAMILY TIES T e Abernathy brothers had an
interesting family history. Bud and Temp were the only two boys out of six children. Bud was born Lou- is Abernathy in 1900. Four years later Temp, or Temple Abernathy, came along. Unfortunately, during the birth of their youngest sister, their mother Jessie Pearl passed away. T eir father Jack along with the eldest sisters quickly took over family mat ers. T eir father, John “Jack” Ab-
ernathy, was famously known as “Catch ‘em alive” Jack for his amazing ability to catch wolves live using a specialized, albeit dangerous, technique. Jack’s fame for his skill quickly spread far and wide, even reaching the ears of T eodore Roosevelt. In fact, Jack and Teddy became good friends and had gone on a fi ve-day wolf hunt with others. Teddy Roosevelt, who served
as President of the US from 1900 to 1909, soon became a close friend of the Abernathy family. Aſt er meeting Jack and his family, Teddy invited Jack to the White House to make him the US Marshal for the territory of Oklahoma. Teddy became an idol in Bud and Temp’s eyes, and their second adventure led them from Oklahoma to New York to welcome Teddy Roosevelt home from the Spanish-American War. Knowing their father’s history, it is no surprise that the boys followed in his daring footsteps.
NOT AT ALL UNFAMILIAR Set ing off on long, dangerous treks by horseback wasn’t
anything new for the boys. T eir fi rst adventure happened soon aſt er their mother passed away. At the tender ages of fi ve and nine, Bud and Temple started out on their fi rst of
68 | June 2012 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
three adventures. Aſt er many years of living through their father’s stories, Bud fi nally decided it was time he went out on an adventure of his own. T e destination was Santa Fe, New Mexico. Naturally Temp wanted to come along. Aſt er much convincing their father fi nally gave them the answer they had been waiting for: Yes. T eir fi rst long ride was a great success. Reporters and
journalists began interviewing the boys and their family. Back in 1909 the Abernathy brothers were quite famous. T e following year of 1910 saw the commencement of their second adventure. Aſt er word got around that Teddy Roosevelt was coming back home, the boys wanted to welcome back their idol. Bud and Temp traveled from their home in Oklahoma
continued on page 70
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100