Cold wind doesn't chill spirits during Houston Mull cattle drive

More than 250 cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country descended upon the Mull farm near Malta Bend on Saturday, Nov. 4, for the third annual cattle drive to benefit the Houston Mull FFA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

A blistering cold wind greeted the riders but did not dampen their spirits.

"What cold weather?" National radio personality Trent Loos said when asked whether the cold would affect the drive.

Houston's mother, Brenda Mull, was pleased with the event.

"It turned out fantastic," Mull said. "The wind picked up a little and wore everybody out a little, but it went really well."

The cattle drive is held annually in the memory of Houston Mull, who was killed in an automobile accident at the age of 15, on July 1, 2004. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for the scholarship fund. The scholarships are given to area high school graduates with preference given to FFA participants and those who plan to study agriculture in college.

On Monday morning, Nov. 6, Brenda Mull and other organizers were still trying to get a tally on the total number of dollars raised this year.

The cattle drive was preceded by an approximate eight-mile trail ride through the fields and pastures between the Mull's house and Malta Bend. After a stop for lunch, the cattle were driven two miles to the Mull farm.

"All of the cattle made it safely," Mull said. "Some of the calves were a little tired, but they made it."

After the cattle drive the cowboys and cowgirls had a steak dinner, music, a campfire and an auction of donated goods from around the country.

Loos, who has attended each of the three cattle drives, traveled from his home in Nebraska and was pleased with the event.

"It couldn't have been better," Loos said. "It's the epitome of everything good about rural America and what Houston Mull stood for."

Contact Zach Sims at

marshallbusiness@socket.net