Remembering the Famous ‘Old Blue’
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Remembering the Famous ‘Old Blue’ -
Ellinger taxidermist Michael Schlabach performed a restoration on the mount of Blue about 10 years ago. He helped bring the saddle to the museum last Friday. -
Ed Tobias and Lora Blume on Blue (eight), and Blue pulling a wagon in a parade in Ellinger (below). -
Remembering the Famous ‘Old Blue’ -
Remembering the Famous ‘Old Blue’
Saddle of Famous Ox Donated to Museum
Ed Tobias of Ellinger used to ride his trained steer, “Blue,” in local parades until the old ox passed away in 1979. Blue was so famous that Tobias had his head mounted and donated it to the Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives, where it has proudly been displayed ever since.
Last Friday, Tobias’ niece Joann Tobias and granddaughter Brandy Wessels donated Blue’s saddle to the museum.
“Uncle Ed was a deputy under Big Jim,” Joann said, referring to former Sheriff Jim Flournoy. “They would ride in parades together. I remember them always riding in the Ellinger parade.”
Ed Tobias wasn’t Blue’s first owner. Tobias bought the steer from Jim Brown, who had trained Blue to pull a wagon. Archivist and curator Rox Ann Johnson said Brown had originally planned to train two steers, Blue and another named Red. But he had trouble breaking Red’s stubbornness and eventually sold him.
“Blue was so tame,” Joann Tobias recalled. “Kids would come and take pictures with him.”
The old saddle features some decorative leatherwork. It might not be that remarkable compared to other vintage saddles. Its story, though, is one of a kind.
Left, Brandy Wessels and Joanna Tobias donated their family’s saddle that used to sit atop Blue, a tame ox owned by Brandy’s grandfather and Joanna’s uncle, Ed Tobias of Ellinger, To the Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives. A taxidermied mount of Blue hangs on the wall at the Archives behind them. Right, a close up of the saddle.