Starting the sale weekend off with a big bang was the 12th Annual Mule sale. The Friday night Salmon Mule Sale had its largest crowd ever. People continue to be amazed at how the Mule Sale has grown over these past eleven years. Again prices for mules were higher, higher. Fifty three mules sold for $118,450 to average $2,234. This compared to forty six mules bringing $88,700 for an average of $1,930 in 2010. The average price in 2009 was about $1,800.
The next big, big news from the Mule Sale was the high selling mule. Enos Borntrager of Seymore, Iowa sold the high selling mule. His lot 34 mule, Rosalie sold for $9,000 to become the all time high selling mule. The 6 year old, gray, molly mule sold to Keith McCoy of Cornina, California. Enos received the $1,000 sale bonus plus a Montana Silversmith trophy buckle presented by Rulon Wellard of Wellard Constructors, Inc. McCoy received a certificate for a new hat presented by Roy Jackson of Jaxonbilt Hat Company. The McCoys were also presented a Barbara Peets print, Stub Creek by Sale Manager, Fred Snook.
Larry Gaustad and Lindy Currie took home reserve honors. Their mule, Bernard sold for $5,600 to Gary Farmer of Brownfield, Texas. Third high seller was Enos’s first mule, Doc. Doc sold for $4,500 to Dan McLaughlin of Valleyford, Washington. Ten of the top twelve mules sold to buyers from out of state. Mule were sold to buyers from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, California, Texas and Minnesota.
Levi King of Payettes earned the $500 bonus for having the high selling mule in the last ten selling Lot 49, Tombstone for $4,200. Earning the $500 rebate was Amanda Peterson of Baker City, Oregon.
The top five mules averaged a whopping $5,460 and the top ten mules averaged $4,560. Twelve mules sold for over $3,000. Twenty six mules topped $2,000. This compared to sixteen mules selling over $2,000 in 2010. Only nine of the 53 sale mules sold for less than $1,000.
Again this year was a Mule Trail Competition under direction of Joe Garrett and crew. The champion buckle was sponsored by Bruce and Ross Cole of Cole Insurance Agency-Farmers Insurance agents of Salmon. Winning the trail competition was Enos Borntrager’s high selling mule. Enos’s other mule took second. A new event was the Mule Packing Contest directed by John Burns and Joe Garrett. The winner was Jigger, a 12 year old consigned by Gus Thoreson of Salmon. That champion buckle was sponsored by Shawn and Dale O Riley of Salmon River Funeral Chapel.
The large crowd made it again necessary to "expand" the fairgrounds. The annual tent city again sprang up in the Clee, Hoot and John Ziegler field. Lemhi County is in the process of purchasing a portion of the field from the Ziegler brothers. Last year John was declared the mayor of Zigway or Zigfield. This year brothers, Clee and Hoot were thanked by Fred Snook for their generosity and were presented coats as a token of appreciation.
Gale Harding of Rexburg served as sale auctioneer. Ring men were Rob McDowell of Butte, Montana, Scott Perkins of Deer Lodge, Montana, Jim Wiley of Bozeman, Montana,, Dan Williams of Rexburg, and Jay Wiley, Bruce Mulkey, George Harkrader, Bob Loucks, Rick Hussey and Anthony Littleton all of Salmon. Jay Wiley received a trophy buckle as Ringman of the Year for his fifteen plus years of assistance. The buckle is sponsored by Salmon Septic Service of Salmon.
Linda Harkrader served as Sale Clerk assisted by a fine group of volunteer clerks with Laurie Ruggiero serving as Sale Coordinator and Vendor Chief.
Top 12 Mules
34 Rosalie $9000 Enos Borntrager
11 Bernard $5600 Larry Gaustad/Lindy Currie
22 Doc $4500 Enos Borntrager
49 Tombstone $4200 Levi King
18 Jigger $4000 Gus Thoreson
35 Rueben $4000 Jeff & Christina Tift
13 Pistol $3800 Scott & Sandy Sallee
28A Kate $3700 Jeff & Christina Tift
50 Grumpy $3500 Jeff & Christina Tift
41 Tillie $3300 Jeff & Christina Tift
14 Cody $3200 Frank Rolland
44 Super Sam $3000 Coby Gines
