“Can’t get any better!”

“Love it!”

Perhaps, the thrills of rodeo are not describable in words -- even Cowboy Talltale has difficulty conveying sentiments of the heart when he describes his rodeo adventures. On many occasions, I have heard him use words like: “heart-pounding,” “pulse-jetting” and “exuberation beyond measure.” Yet, it is Cowboy Talltale’s recollection of a rodeo night, attending the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson, Arizona in the early 1960’s which is very intriguing to the imagination.

(Note: Cowboy Talltale is known for telling tall tales.)

His recollection goes something like this: 

“Beautiful August night -- I believe around 1961 or 1962. Payson, Arizona. Beautiful, beautiful little town. The Beeline Highway hadn’t been built too long -- around 1958 as I recall -- long enough for pretty ladies to figure it wouldn’t be too long of a drive up to see rambunctious cowboys.

My friend, who we will call Pete R. to save his anonymity and honor, and I decided to venture over to the most happening place in town, the rodeo. I cried with pride when ‘Old Glory’ gracefully waved in the slight breeze when presented by horse and rider in the arena. Pete laughed but I didn’t care. I was so enormously proud to be an American! To be free! And still am. To this day, I cry when colors are presented and ‘Old Glory’ waves.

Anyhow, we cheered and cheered; we laughed; we stiffened with nerves as we watch the calf roping and bull dogging. The events were a little different then -- but similar. Everything was going fine until Pete, we will call him Pete R., said he needed to meet a gal he had been talking to over the past few weeks. So, he decided to go look for her. She was a city gal and wasn’t familiar with Payson.  

While he was gone, the prettiest little filly I have ever seen came up and planted a kiss right on my lips. I didn’t even have time to ask her what her name was. As she was intensely kissing me -- and I might add I was a looker in those days -- Pete, we will call him Pete R., came at me madder than the ferocious stock bulls the bull riders were getting ready to ride. Little did I know, she was his girl. Pete, we will call him Pete R., planted his fist square in my jaw. Let’s just say the fight was on.

That was the only time in my life I was arrested. I woke up in the Old Payson Jail, in the same cell as Pete. I went from a euphoric high watching ‘Old Glory’ wave with freedom to a euphoric low -- realizing I was no longer free and how ashamed my momma was gonna be. And it was AWFUL! JUST AWFUL!”

The Old Payson Jail building is located at 702 S Mclane Road. The aging concrete constructed jail was built in 1935 and remained an active jail until 1965. Today, it serves as the Gila County Payson Sheriff’s Posse Building and is considered a “retired prison.”  

Many believe the Old Payson Jail was located on Old Pine Road (renamed Mclane) because the Winchester Saloon and Oxbow Saloon, on Main Street, were close enough in proximity to walk lawbreakers to impending cells, if necessary.  

The Winchester Saloon displayed many names through the decades -- one being Elks Bar & Café. Sadly, the historic building burned in October of 1997. However, the Oxbow Saloon stands proudly today at 607 W. Main in Payson, being listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings, sporting a build date back in 1932.

“Memories of the heart!” Cowboy Talltale exclaims. “I will always cherish each and every rodeo I have been fortunate to attend, even the year I got locked up in the Old Payson Jail. Best night of my life! Rodeo does not disappoint. Not now! Not ever!”

(Sadly, the next morning, when Cowboy Talltale and Peter R. bonded out of jail, the pretty filly which had been kissing Cowboy Talltale was sitting in “an ole Ford truck, with the ugliest ole feller” Cowboy Talltale has ever seen.)

Congratulations to Payson Pro Rodeo Committee for the “August Doings” of the 137th year of the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson, Arizona. Amid cautions associated with Covid 19 social distancing and large crowds, the Payson Rodeo completed events within state guidelines to keep and claim the infamous title. Job well done and hats off to Payson Pro Rodeo Committee for its perseverance during a very unpredictable pandemic.

From our house to yours, may you forever feel the thrills of freedom when you see “Old Glory” waving robustly in the wind; may you feel the heavens shake when you kiss your sweetie at the rodeo and may you feel the spirit of life when you witness athletic triumphs. Blessings to you and yours. (And if you have a friend named Pete, we will call him Pete R., you might want to watch him with a close eye.)  

In the words of Cowboy Talltale, “Rodeo! FOREVER!”