Hopalong Cassidy

Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by author Clarence E. Mulford. Mulford wrote a series of short stories and many novels based on this character. In Mulford's early writings, Hopalong was characterized as being rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. After 1935 he was transformed into a clean-cut hero.

As portrayed in movies, white-haired Bill "Hopalong" Cassidy was usually clad in all black - including his hat. This was contrary to the western film stereotype that only villains wore black hats. He was reserved and well spoken with a sense of fair play. He was often called upon to intercede when dishonest characters took advantage of honest citizens. "Hoppy" and his white horse, Topper, usually traveled with two companions. A young and trouble-prone companion had a weakness for damsels in distress. The older side-kick was comically awkward and outspoken.

A recent gift to Prairie Museum of Art & History is the game board from a 1950 Hopalong Cassidy Target Practice & Stage Coach Holdup Magnet Dart Game #1417. It is a two-sided tinplate lithographed game board measuring 17" x 14". Unfortunately there were no magnetic darts included. The game was manufactured by Toy Enterprises of America / Melmar Corporation.

An e-Bay search reveals this game in like-new condition with the original box and game board to be valued at $110. Most like this one with only the game board were valued about $30. Not surprisingly, none offered for sale included the darts.

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Rules for Hopalong Cassidy Target Practice:
If dart touches line take higher score.
Any part of dart touching Hopalong deduct 10

Rules for Hopalong Cassidy Stage Coach Holdlup:

Any part of dart touching yellow circle scores.

Any part of dart touching stagecoach deduct 5

Any pasrt of dart touching Hopalong deduct 10

During the 1950's Farmers and Merchants Bank at 360 North Franklin Avenue in Colby, Kansas sponsored a Hopalong Cassidy Savings Club. Members were given a Hopalong Cassidy bank and button badge, and were invited to Hopalong Cassidy special events. There was an annual parade, entertainment, and a movie. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank lobby was busy with Hopalong Cassidy Savings Club members. At the "Thrift Post" is bank president, August W. Lauterbach wearing a "good guys" white hat.

Farmers and Merchants Bank employees dressed in costume for a Savings Club event.

Entertainment in front of the bank following a Hopalong Cassidy parade.

If anyone can help identify the people in the above photos, please "Post a Comment" below or send e-mail to registrar@prairiemuseum.org

We would also be happy to add any Hopalong Cassidy Savings Club banks, badges, memorabilia, or photographs you may have to our Prairie Museum of Art & History collection.

Egg Crates

Prairie Museum of Art & History recently received the donation of an egg crate which is in excellent condition. Egg crates were typically made of wooden slats and contained heavy paper or cardboard dividers with depressions to keep the eggs separated. The crates were used to transport eggs from the farm to market where the eggs were sold or traded for other merchandise.

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This crate measures about 13" x 13" square and 12" high. It is made of heavy wooden slats fastened together on the corners with wire. This one also has a lid with fold down handle allowing crates to be stacked. A crate of this size would typically hold 9 dozen eggs.

Stenciled onto the slats of one side is:
"When I Get Full
Take Me To
Smith's Cash Store
Colby, Kansas" 

Smith's Cash Store was located at 510 North Franklin Avenue in Colby, Kansas in what was known as the Warden Building. In the late 1940's and early 1950's, the building housed Thomas County National Bank on the corner and along the 5th street side. On the Franklin Avenue side were other businesses including Smith's Cash Store, Colby Bakery, and a Frigidaire appliance store. The second story was used for office space and also housed the Masonic Lodge hall.

Smith's Cash Store in the early 1950's.

Employees of Smith's Cash Store were from left to right: Paul Pabst, Bill Campbell, Ray Alcott, Mayme & Max Smith - owners, and Mary Hubbard.

Boyds Bears

A collection of resin bears manufactured by Boyds Bears is the feature of the lobby exhibit at Prairie Museum of Art and History for November. Carol Thiel of Colby began her collection when her first grandaughter was born in 1995. She gave Brianna a keepsake whimsical little bear atop a music box. Carol liked it so much she went back and bought another one just like it for herself. She became hooked! Soon friends and family joined the frenzy and began buying bears for Carol too.

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This group includes music boxes, animated bears and lighted bears.

"Noah's Ark" was one of many bear series produced by Boyds.

Weddings & Angels

Professional bears include Judge Griz, doctor, baker, and others.

Special occasion and sports bears were also available. 

Boyds Bears was founded by Gary M. Lowenthal and his wife, Justina Unger. They owned an antique shop and were having difficulty maintaining an inventory of well priced antiques. They turned to making and selling antique reproductions. Some of their first were duck decoys. In 1984 they began sculpting with resin and producing a line of miniature houses called "The Gnome Homes". Their first bears were stuffed bears and became known as "Boyds Bears" for the town of Boyds, Maryland, where they lived and operated their business. The plush bears were a huge success and in 1993 Boyds introduced the first resin bears. The Boyds company produced several product lines, but the bears remained the most popular.

Enesco, an American company specializing in the distribution and sales of giftware, purchased Boyds Bears in 2008. In August 2014 Enesco announced to retailers the company had "made the difficult strategic decision to place Boyds into hibernation". Although Boyds are no longer in as many retail stores as they once were; they are still available online at www.boydsstuff.com

Stop at Prairie Museum of Art and History this month to see this small part of Carol's amazing collection. It is sure to put a smile on your face!