Larry Z. has just sent me another super press release. This one is from the April 8, 1953 edition of the “Battle Creek Enquirer.”
A western Pied Piper on horse back swept thousands of kids along Michigan Avenue yesterday. He was Roy Rogers, “King of the Cowboys.” a “good guy” in western films and television scripts, hero to millions of boys and girls throughout the nation. And, his youthful fans mobbed him in adoration. It was the biggest turnout for a parade in Battle Creek in recent years…Police Chief George Cheek estimated the crowd at between 50,000 and 60,000. Whatever the figure, the kids were there in cowboy outfits with chromed six-shooters, in Indian costumes or just in their traditional blue jeans. The parade, under sunny skies, started from Monument Square shortly before 4 o’clock, and immediately hundreds of boys and girls surrounded their hero, swamping a police and Boy Scout escort.
Dad on Trigger, me on a borrowed horse and Mom on Buttermilk in Houston Fat Stock Parade, 1956
As he neared the bank corners, hundreds more rushed toward him from the opposite direction. It looked like the opening kick-off at a football game with all the spectators on the field. “Roy! Roy! Hey, Roy!” they shouted as they pressed around him in a jumping, squealing circle, ignoring the heavy hoofs of his 20-year-old horse, Trigger. They seemed to think that Roy could do anything with Trigger so they din’t worry. But Roy worried. Thinking of the children who might have been insured, he said afterwards, “That’s the last parade for me!”…The paper didn’t even mention until the last paragraph of the story that Mom was also in the parade, Pat Brady and Nellybelle too. There were also the Lakeview and Battle Creek high school bands, riders from local stables and the Roy Rogers Safety Slogan contest winners (I’ll tell you about that in a later post). AND, as you can see in the above photo, that wasn’t Dad’s last parade!
Have a wonderful and blessed Palm Sunday! Cheryl
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I always wanted to be him when I was a kid but I kinda slipped up following all the Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules.. Now that I am 71 i feel I have to try and be just like him again and hopefully I still have time to make amends. Lately I have been buying RR posters and blowing up various photos and having them all framed and matted and I love the look it presents in some of my homes various rooms.. Boy, do I miss them both what a time it was and I am so pleased that on one of my business trips that took me to Apple Valley California I stooped at the museum and there he was the King of the Cowboys.. This was in 1997 and I was so awe struck that just as Mr Rogers was about to leave on his scooter named Trigger I got up the nerve to ask if I could get a picture of him.. Roy Rogers turned and looked at me and said, just like in the movies “Why Shore you can” !! I ill never forget that and today I am still embarrassed that I could not think of mush of anything to say to him.. I was concerned that knowing his health was not the best I did not want to delay him from getting back home but he made various small talk with me and what a moment that was. He is the only celebrity in my life that I was ever star struck about.. I had no interest in any of the others like I did the King and Queen of the West.. Once upon a time it was the best of times!
This is great that Larry Z has found this treasure trove of photos to share with you. Can you imagine what today’s press would say about the “outrageous display of guns” he was wearing? I can just see it: “Roy Rogers sets an example that children wear guns in public”. Didn’t see any school shootings back then! This is a very nice photo of the three of you..
Hi Cheryl, I wonder how many have noticed how relaxed Buttermilk is. She has her back leg bent at the knee which I think means a horse is relaxed. Am I right?
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You’re right but that was really rare for Buttermilk. He was usually a lot more nervous doing parades. Cheryl
That isn’t Trigger is it! It looks like little Trigger.
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You are right! That is Little Trigger. Cheryl
I watched his reruns growing up I still do. The world could use a lot more Roy And Dale instead of what kids watch now
bless you and your family. Roy and dale are still an inspiration to me!!!