I was brought up in a different world than other kids were brought up in. I spent a lot of time with my father, uncles and retired men in the rest home or senior citizen home. From them I learned all about old style farming, trapping animals, cutting wood, panning for gold and mules. I went trapping with the old men, fishing, and hunting. I had lots of fun, but there was no school. We were on the farm and many of the old men helped out on the farm because they just wanted something to do. I learned how to plow a field with mules, disc, harrow, seed a crop and other farm work.

I was born in 1901. I have been successful at a few things in my life. I have been a mule skinner, trapper, farmer, railroad engineer, tie peeler, hunter, prospector, coal miner, stump puller, blacksmith, carpenter, wagon builder, firewood cutter, lumberjack, hobo, bum, road construction worker, worked on the railroad, and ditch digger. Back in the 1930’s, anywhere I could find work as a fence builder or plowboy. I fought with Poncho Villa and his army. I joined his army to help him and his people. I don’t really think I proved anything by it but I did come back alive. I used to go pull stumps for farmers, cut firewood, repair and build wagons and harness too.