THE WESTERNER

Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Ode To A Mule by Ken Curtis (Why his jack on Gunsmoke was named "Ruth")

While replying to comments on my youtube channel, Ranch Radio, I came across this piece by Ken Curtis and thought I'd share. The notes say, "Ever wonder why Festus rode a john mule and "he" was named "Ruth" in Gunsmoke? Here Ken Curtis tells the story in Festus' own words. The majority of photos used are actual photos from the Civil War. We hope that you enjoy it!"

http://youtu.be/uo696R-yrn8

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Thank you Festus for that most moving poetic explanation as to why your mules were all named Ruth.....for such steady and loyal work under fire, l can see why you were compelled to compose an ode to her.; 1:36 PM
Anonymous said...: John Mitchum (poet, actor, and Robert Mitchum's brother) penned this poem at the request of Ken Curtis.; 2:41 PM