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Name Dropping

I mentioned Roy Rogers to Wilderness Junior the other day and he said; "Who's that?" For the youngsters out there, just go ahead and "Google" Roy Rogers, it's easier that way.

For those of you who know who I'm talking about (but don't want to admit it) I met him once. You see, some people drop names of famous personalities like Prime Ministers, Presidents, movers and shakers of industry, me, I met Roy and that was a biggie to me!

When we lived in California, he lived 'over yonder' from us. His museum was in Victorville but he lived in Apple Valley. Anyway, I was practising shooting at the rifle range one day and I noticed Roy Rogers was there too. I was a reserve deputy and we were shooting 'combat-style' on that day. Combat-style is where you shoot at targets from behind a barrier, run to another barrier while reloading using a "speed-loader" and then fire again.

So Roy Rogers, star of stage, screen, TV and my childhood, walks up to me and asks if he can try shooting combat using 'my revolver.' Here's my hero of the Saturday matinée, the guy who cleaned up the Wild West almost single-handedly, asking if he can hold my six-shooter! (In reality it was a S&W .38 but that was beside the point.) After thinking over the proposition ... for a fraction of a second, I agreed. Seeing an opportunity for greatness unfolding before me, I asked him if I could to try one of his guns in exchange? I was speechless when he handed over pistol.

I never did see how he did on the combat range and don't ask me what kind of gun he carried, I was just too busy living in the moment ... I was shooting Roy Roger's gun ... as everyone could see! Top of the World Ma!

Later, after Roy rode off into the sunset, I went home to tell Mrs. Wilderness; "I'm never going to wash these hands again, I shot Roy's gun and he borrowed my six-shooter!"; I said. Mrs. Wilderness just looked at me and rolled her eyes skyward, she wasn't impressed. She said; "I talk to Dale Evans every week at the bank and besides, you have a S&W .38 not a six-shooter."

Go ahead, rain on my parade. By the way, I did wash my hands... Eventually.

WW said:Thanks for the comment Bonnie; Indeed, he was very down to earth for the Hollywood star that he was. He was very approachable as well.

Bonnie M said:Hi WW, My brother who was a WWII hero, worked at a Service Station (once a noble profession) in Merced, Calif in the late 40s. One day Roy and his horse (in a trailer) stopped in for Gas and my brother waited on him, he told him about his son Danny being a big fan of his, always wearing his RR Guns, Holster and Chaps and playacting Cowboys and Indians. Roy Rogers was very kind, gave him him his Autograph for his son and tipped him a Silver Dollar for his service. My Brother retold this story many times and was larger than life to his son. My brother is gone now but his son (my nephew) still has the Silver Dollar.

WW said:Linda, There are a lot of memories around that town. Good and not so good but still, it was a lot smaller and a lot different then. Thanks for the story.

Linda Duffey said:Well, Gee. I remember him (Roy) at the old bowling alley in Victorville with a boiler maker in front of him and a little chick-a-dee on each arm! Poor George (my intended) said Roy backed his car into George's car on 7th Street down across the street from Victorville Glass, early one Sunday morning...he was a wee bit tipsy, at the time! I sat next to Roy on a little sofa in the waiting room at St Mary's Hospital when my Mother had surgery in 1989 or so. He hid behind the newspaper, Dale sat on the other sofa visiting with a couple of other ladies who clucked over everything she said...Roy just held the newspaper higher! He seemed shy...maybe that was for Dale's benefit! PS--he was one of my hero's, too! I was the cowboy movie officienado when I was 5 or 6...I pretended my room was the bunk house and Roy and the boys were out working the range and Dale and I would russel up breakfast in my play kitchen...of course, all I had to russel up were raisins! Dale was a nice lady. She spoke to our Colonial Dames or DAR chapter...one or the other. She autographed one of her books for my daughter, Lisa. George is a member of the Apple Valley Shriners and found out Roy was also a member of the Apple Valley Shrine. When you and Mrs Wilderness come back for your next visit we'll take you out to Sunset Hills to visit Roy and Dale! We have property there, too!

WW said:Bob, I also remember him taking daily walks along the road. Everybody worried about his security, he just waived at people going by. Another time.

Bob Cross said:Dear WW:
Yes, Roy Rogers was also my hero and I had the pleasure of meeting him in Victorville, CA. He gave us a personal tour of his museum...I have the proof in pictures, if I can find them. Great American!