Rusty Nails And Alpenrose Dairy Rodeo

by Kevin Miller
(Astoria,Oregon)

One summer, maybe 1966, I volunteered at Alpenrose Dairy during the rodeo days.

One of our jobs was to round up the calves after events. While one calf was unwilling to go the direction we needed the calf to travel. I grabbed calf by its tail as he ran past me trying to slow it down when I ended up falling and was dragged a ways before the calf finally stopped.

Jim (Rusty Nails) asked me how to safely do that stunt. He considered this to be an entertaining way to bring laughter for the kids.

What made me laugh was I got in trouble by the animal humane soicity thinking I was being curl to the animal who incidentally clobbered my head in the process.

They had no problem with Rusty doing it. And by no means I do not consider it wrong on Jims part and appreciated the fact that Jim asked me the best way to do the stunt.

I remember watching Rusty Nails on TV when I was 5 years old when the show first started on TV.

I remember in the 70's how he did a marvelous clown act that was used to share the story of our Lord Jesus.

He was a great mentor for the children who all had a high respect. He showed much love for all.