GBE 2: Blog On – Writing Prompt #92 – Gusto!
My hometown looked like every other small southern town with a looming water tower, a cafe serving homemade chocolate pies, and a two pump gas station where hometown boys gathered, telling tall tales and waving to those who slowed at the four-way stop.
Each day between Gryner wall and Keiser Junior High, the town bore witness to a Wild, Wild West re-enactment provided by her own resident, Howard Ray Dawson.
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| Howard Ray Dawson |
Howard Ray, a grown man who never aged, served as the town’s mascot. Each day no matter the weather, he galloped in on his beloved Trigger through a cloud of dust to the middle of Main Street. 
Howard Ray’s daily western show often stopped traffic and school children, all who were friends, all who cheered his zest for life.
When Trigger was hit by a car and Howard Ray ended up in the hospital, the town rallied. The Graham family paid extra for him to have a television in his hospital room. Someone bought him a new horse. Everyone visited him in the hospital.
Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be the best one.” Howard Ray was special in many ways. And he was the best cowboy to ever come out of Keiser, Arkansas. His enthusiastic spirit still lingers.
talya
Musical Pairing:
Love it! So many “special” characters all across the country.
So true Colene:)
Winner!
:))
Excellent Talya! I hadn’t thought about Howard Ray in many years. Thanks for the memory.
Thanks Mark!
I loved it! My brother Pete Horton loved Howard Ray and he loved him too. Pete loved messing with him! Both are gone but never forgotten!
Howard Ray’s horse looks sort of like my first one. But, oh, I loved that thing. Good job.
Enjoyed that! Howard Ray was fortunate to be loved and looked after. Searcy had two men-boys who never grew up in that same sense. Shirley had a badge and gave out tickets. The other, David Carol, zoomed along, arms extended in his airplane sound effects and all.
Howard Ray will be remembered for many years in Keiser, and thanks Talya for sharing him with your readers. There are so many stories about him that you could write an epic novel on his life.=) Though he was mentally handicapped, he was a blessing on the small town of Keiser…Also, I wonder how his cowboy antics on school property would be dealt with in today’s hyper-sensitive and paranoid society where school children are expelled from school for shooting their classmates with their pretend-finger-guns. I think he would still be well received in Keiser, but then again, I could be wrong. Anyway, thank you again for rejuvenating fond memories of the past.=)
You are right, we live in a different time. I don’t think he would be allowed to wander around on the playground…
He was quite the ladies man too, if I remember correctly!!!!
Yes he was!
Thank you for sharing a little bit about your hometown!
Susan
http://todaysworkingwoman25.blogspot.com
What a great character! Loved your memory of him!
Talya, I also grew up in Keiser. (Gracie Perry) was my aunt at the yellow jacket. I was very close friends with gary Dawson jr so I have many stories of Howard ray. I was a young squirt but I would remember the older guys talking about the two blonds with matching yellow muscle cars. Lol. Here are some of my memories. Gerald Graham flying way to early on Saturday mornings with his loud crop duster. The yellow jackets hamburgers and home made pies. Harlem white cotton sitting on puckers sidewalk using a magnify glass to read his wristwatch to tell time. Harold Senter and Bobby Swan with their daily walks. Kids walking by and sounding the Keiser fire alarm off in front of puckets. Kenny Perkins to lazy to exit the garbage truck to help load garbage and bill amous upset because he wouldn’t help and slinging the garbage. Lol I’m laughing hard at that!! The big tree outside of Keiser were the older group would go have a drink and a little toke! Lol. Howard Rsy walking the streets at 9:00 pm with a weak flashlight singing cowboy songs. Seeing Joe Hillard not miss a beat on coming to his house everyday for lunch from Wilson at 12:00 sharp. Having summer recreation at the Keiser school. The Keiser fire department riding the fire truck around every year passing out fruit. George Cunningham asleep at the Keiser four way in the old cop car while supposed to be watching the town. I could go on and on. I’m sure my friends and family get tired of me talking about the past! But Keiser was special and it will always be special to me. Good day,
Awww thank you for sharing your Keiser memories. I remember much of those same things and I loved the Yellowjacket Cafe. Miss those days! T.
Keiser was the best place to grow up it was a world of it own I remember howard ray when we was barely teenagers sitting on steps at the store he always had a pat on the back for u don’t ever remember him being anything but full of life my dad would walk an when me an my friends would see him he would give us the money for a soda an candy bar he would ask howard if he wanted a soda howard always tell him no thank u but dad would get him one an say this is for keeping us safe howard would smile an say i watch them that what a good guy dose he was truly a good guy
Thank you for sharing your memories of Howard Ray. He was such a part of Keiser!
Howard Ray would come to our house every Saturday morning to polish Mike’s boots. He always had to ask about Morgan, then he would tell the town gossip and sing until he finished the boots.
Thank you for the memories, this picture of Howard Ray was taken on our back porch. He never missed a party at this house, especially Christmas when Santa would be there. We were on our way to the Rio Grand Valley when we stopped by to visit with him in the hospital in Memphis and he was upset because he didn’t have a tv so therefore he couldn’t watch wrestling on Saturday morning so Gerald and I went to the desk and got him a tv for the duration of his hospital stay. Everybody in our town loved this fella. ?❤️?
Tayla,
You don’t know me but im Charles and Lou Perry’s grandson. Edra’s son, Chris Parker. I remember Howard Ray’s antics as he would come and sit with us at our pee wee basketball games. I remember him always having on his reflective vest after getting hit by a car. He was a truly unique individual. We still speak of him around our farm shop, hearing stories of people trying to “ruffle his feathers” with wrestling remarks lol. I did not live in Keiser but i spent a lot of time there when I was a child. We would always mess with Howard Ray as we were being mischievous young boys but it was all out of love. Thank you for the books you have written. They have given my grandmother a lot of joy to read them. Keep them coming!!
Hi, Chris! Of course I know who you are—my mother keeps me apprised of everyone in Mississippi County – LOL! Your grandmother was one of my favorite librarians at Keiser Elementary. In fact, I worked for her one period in fifth or sixth grade and loved it!! (Probably one of the reasons I’m a writer.)
Howard Ray was a wonderful Keiser fixture. I bet his spirit still lingers there.
T.