Gaylon Wilson’s mules, (from left, Ruth and Mattie) seem to be sharing a secret. They are half sisters. Gaylon raised and trained Ruth and later trained and bought Mattie,
It is appropriate that a modern day muleskinner tool about in a modern day covered wagon. At least that’s how it appears with Gaylon Wilson of McCaskill AR. This story had it’s beginnings on the Photo of the Week page at Corndancer dot com. To see more pictures and read it from the start, click here, a cool and safe thing to do.
Gaylon’s wagon goes far and beyond what one normally expects to find behind mules. Hydraulic brakes, a radio, electrically adjustable bucket seats are among the amenities. He bought the wagon from Junior Griggs in Como TX. Apparently, Junior is well known among mule aficionados as a reliable source of custom wagons, harness items and tack.
Gaylon says there is an informal gathering of mules, mule skinners (not his words), wagons and observers annually at Okalona AR in May. One of the events is a parade of mule drawn wagons through the small town.
Gaylon Wilson: ” … we passed five wagons in the parade before I got the team calmed down.”
He recalled some excitement at one of the past events. Seems someone else’s mules spooked at something and those mules spooked Gaylon’s team. “We passed five wagons in the parade before I got the team calmed down,” Gaylon said, adding the the brakes on that wagon malfunctioned about the time the team spooked. The wild ride was reported in the state wide newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Gaylon revealed the story with relish. He is a man who enjoys being himself, a rare commodity in this day and time.
For those who may be interested, Okalona is southwest of Arkadelphia AR. Take the Okalona exit off I-30 and follow AR Highway 162 west. It’s not far from the interstate.
Hats off to Gaylon Wilson and his friends who keep the care, feeding and utilization of these noble beasts of burden alive and well.
Thanks dropping by,
Joe
Happy Trails!
Filed under: Behind the Scenes, but wait, there's more | Tagged: AR Highway 162, Arkadelphia AR, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Autos, beasts of burden, Como TX, custom wagons, Enthusiasts, Gaylon Wilson, I-30, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Junior Griggs, Junior Griggs Como TX, McCaskill AR, mule, mule skinners, mules, Okalona AR, Recreation, Station Wagons, wagon |
Weekly Grist for the Eyes and Mind 
Unlike past posts, this one has thrown me for a loop. Looking into the images isn’t as easy. At first I was wondering if the story was about the mules or the wagon, but no .. I more about Gaylon.
Then again, maybe it’s about keeping something from the past alive with the twists of today. A wagon .. customized … with a radio … and check out those seats!
But maybe it’s back to Gaylon telling everyone, “I enjoy this, but there are things from today that can make it better.” Ah yes … the simple ways of pleasing the mind.
However, in closing, I’m simply not sure.
Thanks Joe!
Frank, in talking to Gaylon, it just seems that having creature comfort is a natural progression within the idea of traveling in comfort, whether propelled by gasoline or hay.
Thanks for the visit,
Joe
[…] to Crossett by vehicle takes 45-minutes to an hour or so depending on the lead in your foot. In a mule drawn wagon, it’s a three-day trip. John loads his wagon with feed for the team and heads out. They […]
Are you the gaylon wilson that sold relestate in dallas texas in the 80’s and earlie 90’s? If so ive been looking for you for over 20 years.
Tina Morgan
Million Dollar Saloon
I doubt it. The guy I wrote about is a truck driver who has lived in rural Arkansas all of his life.
Tina… I’m writing a book about the Texas Topless Scene in the 70’s – 80’s and one of my main characters is Don Furrh. Would you be able to shed any light on those years for me. I lived here, but I’m wanting to get a true connection to the man himself, through others eyes. Please respond to rick.reid@mac.com