Old Ader, Legend of The Carr Family

In the months prior to our 2010 CARR REUNION, I discovered many lost or forgotten treasures as I searched for photos or stories to go in our family album.  Some of these treasures have brought smiles and laughter and some have evoked tears.  One “treasure” that I found among my Mama’s pictures and keepsakes was a tribute to “Old Ader”, their mule and a photo of Mama Carr with Old Ader.  I’ll share with you this tribute as it was written, author unknown, probably Mama, Peggy Carr Dodd in response to grandchildren’s questions.

As a young, sleek, feisty mule, Ader was given as a wedding gift by John Austin to his daughter, Minnie.  After a few years, the young couple, Minnie and Henry Carr, with their three young children set out in a covered wagon moving from Arkansas to Oklahoma.  Old Ader was one of two mules that pulled the wagon on their journey.  They camped along the roadside, cooked over a campfire, and traveled many long weary days.  Old Ader was always faithful and strong, willing to pull her load.There were many hardships for the family as they settled in their new state and community.  They experienced sickness and the death of two babies and the bond with old Ader became stronger.  Depression days arrived.  Papa, a sharecrop farmer had to borrow money from the bank to make his crop.  He mortgaged all their livestock, including Old Ader.  The crops failed.  There was no money to pay the bank.  The bank foreclosed on the family  and arrived at the farm and took possession of all the livestock, including old Ader.  One milk cow was left as required by law because of children in the family.  The livestock were driven away a distance of many miles from the farm.  After many days old Ader appeared back on the farm.  The bank representative did not return to repossess her.  The family rejoiced.

Old Ader was in many ways a help to the family.  He was used as a pack mule to carry groceries and supplies from the store which was many miles away.

Old Ader was a symbol of the American Dream.  She helped the farmer make the crops to feed his family.  She was loaned to neighbors for work thus creating peace, friendliness, and neighborliness as the people lived in their communities together.

Old Ader was used to work on projects created by the govenment as the WPA Program during President FranklinD. Roosevelts administration.  Building schools were a part of these project.  This gave Papa some cash money for his family.  many times the sharecrop farmer was not able to even mail a letter as he did not have three cents for postage.  Old Ader played an important role in helping the farmer feed his family by plowing the field and working on WPA Projects.

Old Ader contibuted to the improvement of the national economy as she provided transportation for Henry Carr as he worked on WPA Projects and as part of the work team.

Old Ader played an important role in helping to prevent dust storms.  She was used in building shelter belts of trees, east and west along the north side of the property

Old Ader lived with the Carr family for twenty-six years. She was inteligent and good natured.  She could open the door to the corn crib or the gate to the pasture by using her nose.  She was gentle to ride and was loved dearly by the family.  She was injured, kicked by a younger horse and died on the family farm in 1941 at the age of 26 years.  The family still recalls fond memories of Old Ader ,THE FAITHFUL MULE.