The Abernathy Kids are an interesting part of the Brush automobile history. In 1910 Louis and Temple ages 6 and 9 drove a Brush Runabout from New York City to Oklahoma City by themselves. Much was written about the 2,500 mile journey in the print media at the time. Large crowds met and greeted them along the way. They met President Taft in Washington D.C. on the way to New York. They met Col. Roosevelt (the former president at that time) in New York City on his return from a trip to Africa. Brush advertising cited the adventure many times, claiming that the operation of the car was so simple that these two young boys could operate a Brush by themselves. No doubt local Brush dealers must have been present when they came to their town.
The Abernathy Kids lived with their father Jack Abernathy in the town of Frederick, Oklahoma. Frederick is located in Tillman County, the southwest corner of Oklahoma. Jack Abernathy became friends with Teddy Roosevelt as a result of the notoriety he received for his ability to catch wolves alive with his hands. Teddy Roosevelt had heard about “catch-em’ alive” Jack Abernathy but was skeptical that it was possible to catch wolves alive just with bare hands. After persuasion by his friends, Roosevelt decide to meet Jack Abernathy. Jack Abernathy welcomed President Roosevelt to Frederick, Oklahoma in April 1905 where a large crowd greeted him when he arrived. Abernathy took him on a successful hunt, a live wolf was caught bare handed. At the time of the wolf hunt Oklahoma was a U.S. territory. President Roosevelt later appointed Jack Abernathy to the position of U.S. Marshall.
The Abernathy Kids took other adventuresome trips by themselves. They made an exciting and dangerous horseback trip in 1909 to Santa Fe, New Mexico territory. They encountered all manner of dangers and obstacles along the way. They also attempted a challenge to cross the United States, New York to San Francisco, on horseback in 60 days or less. The challenge required them to camp out along the way by themselves. The 4,500 mile journey was made by them alone in 62 days, failing to receive a large reward of $10,000.00. About $237,000.00 today pursuant to a consumer price index calculation. They also made a trip in 1913 form Oklahoma to New York on a two seat Indian motocycle (motorcycle). The trip was covered by newspapers at the time.
Several books have been written about the Boys adventures. One book is entitled Bud and Me, another is Meeting Roosevelt. The Tillman County Historic Society has a museum with an exhibit about the boys and their cross-country trips. The visit by Roosevelt to Tillman County and Frederick is part of the museum exhibit. A 1910 Brush Runabout model D, the same as used on their trip is on display as part of the museum exhibit. The Historical society and museum web site is http://tillmanokhistory.org/. View the Tillman County Chronicles when at the web site. www.tillmancountychronicles.blogspot.com/
A century later the Boys trips are difficult to comprehend. Today a parent has difficulty understanding how a 6 and 9 year old were allowed to travel alone. The boys’ Mother had passed away in 1907, before their trips, but even early in the 20th century their Father allowed them to make the trips. The amount of coverage in the press at the time indicate it was astonishing a century ago.
