Bikes, Horses And Automobiles

Maidstone, Saskatchewan. It was the mid 1930's.  Farmers on the Prairies were especially hard hit by the collapse of wheat prices.  Joseph was 15 years old.  In spite of all the hardship families had to endure during those times, he had managed to somehow, save enough, doing odd jobs for different farmers, to buy his first bicycle. Although it was a used bike, that never bothered him at all.  Joseph had freedom now to ride the dirt roads and wagon trails. And to run errands for his parents, whenever he could.

One day, shortly after a heavy rainstorm, Joseph was riding into town, which was about two miles from the farm.  It was hard riding a two wheeler that day.  And as he approached a small hill on the muddy dirt road, he came upon a gentleman in a Model T Ford, stuck in the mud.  The man was furious.  Cursing the rain, the road and the car he was driving, he looked at Joseph, and said, "I'll trade you this car for your bike."  For a second, Joseph wasn't sure how to react to such a statement, but simply said, "Huh, sure, OK."

Joseph gave up his bicycle right there on the spot that day.  And the man rode off, leaving him with the car still stuck in the mud.

Returning home in a hurry, Joseph told his dad what had happened.  They immediately harnessed up their team of horses and scurried back to the site.  A rope was attached to the front end of the vehicle, and the horses gently pulled the car out of the mud.  

For Joseph and his family, living in the depression years in the west, was tough. But that day they went from a bike, a team of horses, to a Model T Ford.

True story.  I personally know Joseph's son.  I cut his hair just this morning.