The annual Coldwater Rodeo will be held this year on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, at the rodeo grounds one mile west of the water tower in this city.The Coldwater Roping Club, the sponsoring group, have lined up a good program of calf roping, ribbon roping, bull riding and matched horse racing.
As an added attraction Robert Wimmer and his educated horse "Flicka," will perform to the delight of all who attend the rodeo.
On Saturday, July 19, a new 1947 Plymouth automobile will be given away by the Veterans Memorial Building Association and the following day the Roping Club will give away a Shetland pony with saddle and bridle.
Reminiscent of the older days, the streets of Coldwater resounded with the hoof beats of cowboys and their ponies during the rodeo staged by the Coldwater Maverick Club last Saturday and Sunday.All the boys and girls with ponies were out parading up and down the streets each trying to outdo the other while the older folks were content to ride around in their "rubber tired buggies."
Fifty three cowboys from 14 towns took part in the calf roping events. There were 40 contestants entered in the ribbon roping contest, and 13 junior ropers of school age. Towns represented ranged from Kingman on the east to Plains on the west, Greensburg to the north and Alva from the south.
Everyone who attended said they enjoyed themselves in spite of the heat but not because of it. A good crowd was present at each show. Plans for a similar event are being made for the fall.
Connie Lou Lindsay, six year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Lindsay, of Protection, won the Shetland pony with saddle and bridle. She sure was surprised and says, "I didn't even dream this would happen, I'm so happy." The pony was given as a prize by the Coldwater Maverick Club.
Gene Haines, Greensburg, took top money in calf roping with the best time of 15.2 seconds. Elmer Randall, Buffalo, second with 1_.2seconds, Chink Gregg, Coldwater, third, 18.2 seconds, Dubb Goode, Ashland, fourth, 18.8 seconds, Rufus Brown, fifth, 19.1 seconds.
Clint Rankin of Ashland was first in the ribbon roping Saturday with a best time of 14.6 seconds. Jim Greenleaf of Greensburg won a close second with a time of 15 seconds flat. Gene Haines also of Greensburg came in for third place with 18 seconds, Quimby Dimmitt, Meade, tied for fourth place with Buck Goode of Ashland, both were clocked at 19.8 seconds.
Saturday in the Junior roping division by ropers of school age, Melvin Thompson of Protection tied his calf in 27 seconds, Buster Shaw of Alva, Okla., was timed at 28.8 seconds for second place, Gene Gates of Coldwater came up in third place with a time of 34.5 seconds.
Sunday's calf roping was a little faster, the time for Saturday being bettered by one tenth of a second. George Dyer of Freedom had the best time of 17.1 seconds. Second was Lew London also of Freedom. His time was 17.6 seconds. Third R. W. McFarland of Ashland, time 18.4 seconds. Fourth, Junior Wilson, Ashland, time 18.4 seconds. Fifth, Tom Fish, Clovis, New Mexico, time 18.7.
Ribbon roping top money Sunday went to Del Carter of Protection with a time of 14.5 seconds. Second place Dub Goode, Ashland, time 18.5 seconds. Third place, Woodrow Beeley, Coldwater, time 18.7. Fourth place, Hade Gupton, Greensburg, time 19.7 seconds. Fifth, Alfred Barby, Belvidere, time, 20.6 seconds. Gene Gates of Coldwater unofficially took sixth place, time 21.5 seconds.
Junior roping Sunday slowed down a bit. Elmer Thompson, Protection, had the best time for the day, 27.3 seconds. Second, Gene Gates, Coldwater, time 31.2 seconds. Third, Kay Klepinger, Coldwater, time 31.7 seconds.
As a whole, the rodeo was quite successful and reached its climax Sunday evening without accident or mishap. Everyone will be looking forward to the rodeo this fall.
The new Plymouth automobile given as a prize by the Veterans Memorial Building Association was awarded to J. A. Urban of Ashland, Kansas. Mr. Urban purchased five tickets on Thursday morning of the week the car was given away.The Electrolux Cleaner was awarded to Dee Lee Chambers of Coldwater, who held only one ticket.
Dick Roberts of Ashland, Kans., was the winner of the tailor made suit of clothes, which was donated by the City Cleaners of Coldwater.
The automobile was donated by B. J. Herd Implement Co., and the only cost to the Veterans Memorial Association was the payment of the sales tax. The Electrolux Cleaner was donated by Earl Beeson, Jr.
The records show that 3,346 tickets were sold. These tickets were distributed to all corners of the United States. There were tickets sold in Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Arkansas, Missouri, Portland, Oregon, Van Nuys, Modesto, Vallejo, and Oakland, California, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York City, Illinois, Virginia, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and in Saskatchewan, Canada and Manitoba, Canada. Even a dog held a ticket on the automobile and several little children purchased tickets with hope in their hearts. It was an interesting and exciting project and caused a lot of excitement in Comanche county.
The method of drawing was handled in this manner: A record was made of each ticket purchased and then a corresponding number to the ticket sold was placed on a sheet of paper six inches square. Miss Doll, Home Demonstration Agent and four 4-H girls selected by her audited the numbers and made certain that every number was placed in the container to be broadcast from an airplane. Miss Jewell Ogden recorded the numbers as they were sold on the rodeo grounds prior to the drawing. The numbers were then delivered to W. N. Parsons and Skeet Willard, who took them in an airplane and dropped them at the rodeo grounds. Three cowboys were selected from the rodeo entry list, who in turn drew ballots from the hat designating which cowboy was to spear the number that won the suit of clothes, next the Electrolux cleaner, and third the automobile.
After the numbers were dropped, they rode on horseback and speared each number from the ground and these numbers were read over the loud speaker. This method seemed to please the large crowd and satisfied everybody that everyone had a fair and equal chance.
The Veterans Memorial Building Association wish to thank everyone for their liberal contributions and cooperation in making this drawing a hugh success.
Photos: Coldwater Rodeo, Comanche County, Kansas, 1923
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles to this web site!
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