ELISHA AND HIS MULES

Too often, we look back in history and dwell on the people who became famous in the world. We forget the interesting people who, in their own ways, were part of the story of Morrison.

We have a picture, taken in 1878, at Morrison’s Heritage Museum of a man and a team of mules at the foot of the old Court House hill. Written on it in pencil is "Elisha Ayers and his mules, one is 97 and the other 100 years old."

I read once that old stories are usually part truth and part lies, but they happened so long ago that nobody remembers which. I did a little digging into this story of Elisha Ayers. I didn't find a lot, but I discovered that he loved to tell stories. I guess that takes care of the age of the mules.

The August 1, 1889, Sentinel included this story. "Elisha Ayers's historic mule Pop died on Thursday of last week. Mr. Ayers and his mules were familiar to the people of the city. Nearly every day, except in the busy season, for thirty years or more, Mr. Ayers and his team have been seen on the streets of Morrison. He stated that his faithful mule would have been forty years had he lived until February 1 next. It is a loss to Mr. Ayers on account of it being in his possession for such a length of time and he has become strongly attached to it."

I was lucky to run across another, rather sad, story about Elisha that appeared about a year later in July 1889. It stated that Elisha had left Morrison that week to live with his daughter in Michigan. This is the story.

"He was one of the most familiar characters known in Morrison. He first came to this county at a very early date and was here at odd times until 1851, when he settled in Mt. Pleasant township, about a mile and a half north of this city, where he has since resided. With his two mules he became a familiar object on the streets of Morrison and many times amused crowds of men and boys with quaint stories of the numerous exploits of his younger days. He is now 86 years of age and his wife 84 years. Mr. Ayers has supported himself and his wife on a small tract of land until the present, but because of failing health, Mrs. Connell concluded she could take better care of them herself, and persuaded them to accompany her to her home in Michigan. Mr. Ayers shipped his remaining mule (one having died) to Michigan last Saturday. Quite a number of friends were at the depot last Monday to see them off, and all wish them happiness and comfort in their new home."

We all, rich or poor, young or old, even mules, are part of Morrison’s history. See the picture of Elisha and his mule team the next time you visit our museum, where Morrison’s history is always on display.

(by Orville Goodenough, Guest Columnist)