-by Ralph Sobieski with Jim Sobieski
One of our chores in the winter was cleaning the gutters in the barn. The cows were kept in when the weather outdoors was below zero and fed copious amounts of silage and hay resulting in a lot of poop. Dad hooked up the team of horse to the what we then called a stone boat with log runners. We pulled it through the barn and shovel the manure on a big pile to haul into the fields. Jim and I were assigned this task. I was about 12, and Jim about 10. It was a young age to handle a team of horses, but this was far from my first time. This particular day was cold but sunny. Jim and I headed out to the field to unload the manure. When that was a done I had the bright idea to go get the mail with the horses. Big mistake. The horses wanted to go back to the barn but I got them up the hill but down the other side I lost control . They galloped down the hill to the mail box and would not stop. I sensed we were in trouble and I told Jim to jump off and I would turn the horses around in the field across the road . We shot across the road (no cars coming) and I made a big sweeping turn and headed back home with the horses going full speed. I could not stop for Jim and told him to try and jump on. The stone boat was slick a sh.. and I could not stop the horses since I had no footing. Needless to say neither did Jim and he tumbled off and I had to leave him lying in the snow. as I disappeared over the hill. Going down the other side was terrifying. As we approached the barn I sensed trouble the horses were going to stop but the stone boat wouldn’t . So I jumped.
The horses and stone boat were a tangled mess at the barn door. Dad came out of the house and he was not happy. I recall Dad telling me I was never going to be a farmer which maybe set me on the path to St. Bonaventure, but I am not sure. These were tough times with everyone worried about communism and Russian aggression. There were a lot of reasons but I am sure Jim can tell this same story from his perspective.
From Jim:
Ralph had experience with horses because as we were approaching the end of the driveway he told me to jump off and get the mail fast and jump back on because he would not be able to hold the horses back once they were turned around and headed for home.
I tried hard but was too slow. Ralph and the horses left without me.
I must have started walking home but it wasn’t long at all before Dad and Ralph came back with the horses and stone boat to pick me up.
I seem to recall one day Dad took us out in deep snow through the field with the horses and stone boat. I vaguely think we were on the way to school and I think Dad took us part way. Maybe Ralph remembers or Dan. .