200 riders wade through fog in 5th annual Mull cattle drive

A group of longhorn cattle crossed EE Highway near Malta Bend, flanked on each side by cowboys during the fifth annual Houston E. Mull FFA Memorial Cattle Drive. Nearly 200 riders participated in the drive Saturday, Nov. 1, despite a fog that held on until midday. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"I think that everybody thought it went great, except it got off to a foggy start," said Robin Mull. "Everyone we talked to had an excellent time."

The approximately 11-mile ride took riders from the farm of Robin, Brenda and Bradley Mull near Malta Bend and through the town of Shackleford.

After a luncheon stop the riders drove 40 longhorn cattle back to the Mull farm. On Saturday evening, over 400 people attended a steak dinner at the farm, prepared by the Saline County Cattleman. An auction was also held.

"The auction went as well as it ever has," said Mull.

A framed collage, featuring the 2007 Cattle Drive and a picture of Houston Mull, sold for over $2,000 during an auction at the Houston E. Mull FFA Memorial Cattle Drive. The collage was designed by Lucy Fletcher and coordinated by John Simpson. (Marcia Gorrell/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Among the auctioned items was a "Spirit of the Ride" collage, made by Lucy Fletcher and coordinated by John Simpson, which featured a picture from the 2007 Cattle Drive.

In the collage was a picture of Houston Mull on his horse "Sonny." The print sold for over $2,000 to John Rector.

Simpson also helped to provide another auction item, an American flag, which has flown over the U.S. embassy in Iraq and the U.S. Capitol. National radio personality Trent Loos has had the flag in 14 states, always accompanied by a U.S. soldier as part of his Foodlink Chuckwagon.

Loos plans to take the flag to all 50 states before presenting it to the high bidder. Other auction items included handmade dolls and quilts, a puppy and a young buffalo.

Mull said that although they are still getting the final tally, approximately $18,000 was raised this year.

All of the proceeds will go towards the Houston E. Mull FFA Memorial Scholarship.

In just four years, 53 scholarships totaling over $33,000 have been given out to area FFA members.

The scholarship and cattle drive are in honor of Houston, who was killed in a traffic accident following his freshman year at Marshall High School.

Contact Marcia Gorrell at marshallag@socket.net