Donkeys have played an important part in the development of the west, but nobody seems to give this lowly beast much credit

You'll admit Mineral Wells High School has done its part to remember this noble beast for the high school yearbook is very aptly titled "The Burro" and we all know the donkey certainly played an important part in the early history of Mineral Wells.

Although Mineral Wells had numerous mineral wells in the early days, there's one that claims a distinction that no other well possessed.  This well is the one known as the Austin Well, located near the present First Christian Church parsonage.  The distinction which the Austin Well had, that was unique, was the method in which the water was drawn to the surface.

Now from some of the mineral water wells, water was drawn by hand; other wells used a power pump, but the Austin Well had blind Nelly --- a donkey  --- whose treadmill circle was so automatic that Nelly was the wonder of all visitors.

Blind Nelly had a bit of history herself, a cowboy rode her into Mineral Wells one day and auctioned her off to the highest bidder.  The highest bidder was J. H. Coleman who got her for $1.50, and after he got her he didn't know what to do with her, so he let another man have her, who in turn sold her to Col. Austin.

Blind Nelly patiently trod a circle hitched to a lever that worked a pullye, lowering the bucket to the bottom of the well --- she would pause a moment, then walk on, until the bucket filled with sparkling water reached the top.  Then once again, a pause, and so on, throughout the day.

Blind Nelly did this every day for years and years and years.  Not too many years ago you could still see parts of the wheel standing where Blind Nelly worked so hard, bringing the mineral water to the surface for early day customers.

One of the pastimes of the early day visitors to the city were the donkey rides on the trails of East Mountain.

These rides were a big treat to the local kids, too.  The donkeys were kept in a temporary stable affair behind the Crazy Theater where Stoker-Pontiac is now located.

The rides were seasonable and you started up the hill behind the Crazy Theater, on over the trails that wound around the side of the "mountain".  There was a small cabin located on one of the trails and here you could have your picture made while sitting astride the donkey.  This was a popular way of saying hello to the friends back home or other places by sending them your picture on a donkey.

In those days nobody wore jeans -- at least not the girls -- and you always rode on a donkey in your Sunday best dress with lots of petticoats underneath, so your legs wouldn't show.

Most of the kids rode the donkeys astride, but the ladies were more discreet, they always rode side-saddle-style.

Needless to say the donkeys were very slow, but the rides were lots of fun, and that's one pastime of the old days that could certainly be revived now and would be enjoyable for old and young alike.

Come to think of it, wonder what happened to "Peanuts", the donkey that was our favorite back in 1916.