News
Willcox Cowbelles Marguerite Cook Memorial Scholarship saddle raffle
 |
| Senator Marsha Arzberger's Mueller Saddle. (Submitted photo) |
The Willcox Cowbelles are raffling Marsha Arzberger's saddle as a fund-raiser for the Marguerite Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund was established in 1977 and since that time scholarships have been awarded to area students majoring in an agriculture-related field.
The saddle maker, Fred Mueller, opened his first shop in 1891 at 1415 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado. The shop continued to operate until the early 1950's. Mueller was known for making a sturdy, dependable saddle.
Marsha used her saddle on the Arzberger Ranch in the Kansas Settlement area southeast of Willcox since the mid-1970's. When she was elected State Senator, representing the southeast corner of the state, she used it when riding in parades in Cochise and Graham Counties.
Marsha served eight years (2001-2008) in the Arizona State Senate, the last two years as Senate Minority Leader. During that time, she was one of only three legislators with a farming and ranching background, and was a strong advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
During her years as an Arizona State Senator, Marsha rode this saddle in parades at Willcox Rex Allen Days, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, Tombstone, Safford and Gila Bend. Her husband Senator Gus Arzberger served previously as State Representative for four years and State Senator for twelve years, and Marsha rode with Gus in many parades during his service, 1985-2000. Together, the Arzbergers served southeastern Arizona for twenty-four years.
Although she had a different saddle as a youth, Marsha competed in barrel racing (youth division) in Missouri where she grew up, and also rode in Rodeo Princess competitions, the St. Joseph, Missouri, Apple Blossom parade, and rodeo opening ceremonies.
On the Arzberger Ranch, Marsha rode alongside her husband Gus as one of the "hands" when they worked cattle, joining step-son Gus Arzberger Jr. and various neighbors when it was time to drive the cattle in, brand and inoculate them, or cut calves out for auction.
As a kid growing up in Missouri, Marsha's family raised cattle and a few horses as well as farming. The cattle tradition goes back many generations in her mother's family. The Gibson brothers, Marsha's great grandfather and his brothers, drove cattle west from Missouri in 1851 and continued for decades to drive herds from Missouri to northern California, where they ranched and sold beef to San Francisco, Sacramento and gold-mining towns. The herds they drove across the plains were from 600 to 1,000 head.
Now retired, Marsha is writing some of the interesting stories of her ancestors who traveled the West and of the Arzberger family, who homesteaded and ranched in the Kansas Settlement area since 1908 before Arizona was a state.
Tickets are $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold. For more information and tickets call 520-384-3123, 520-384-3102 or write the Willcox Cowbelles, P. O. Box 354, Willcox, AZ 85644. The winner will be responsible for making arrangements to pick up the saddle and stand in Willcox.
The saddle maker, Fred Mueller, opened his first shop in 1891 at 1415 Larimer Street, Denver, Colorado. The shop continued to operate until the early 1950's. Mueller was known for making a sturdy, dependable saddle.
Marsha used her saddle on the Arzberger Ranch in the Kansas Settlement area southeast of Willcox since the mid-1970's. When she was elected State Senator, representing the southeast corner of the state, she used it when riding in parades in Cochise and Graham Counties.
Marsha served eight years (2001-2008) in the Arizona State Senate, the last two years as Senate Minority Leader. During that time, she was one of only three legislators with a farming and ranching background, and was a strong advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
During her years as an Arizona State Senator, Marsha rode this saddle in parades at Willcox Rex Allen Days, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, Tombstone, Safford and Gila Bend. Her husband Senator Gus Arzberger served previously as State Representative for four years and State Senator for twelve years, and Marsha rode with Gus in many parades during his service, 1985-2000. Together, the Arzbergers served southeastern Arizona for twenty-four years.
Although she had a different saddle as a youth, Marsha competed in barrel racing (youth division) in Missouri where she grew up, and also rode in Rodeo Princess competitions, the St. Joseph, Missouri, Apple Blossom parade, and rodeo opening ceremonies.
On the Arzberger Ranch, Marsha rode alongside her husband Gus as one of the "hands" when they worked cattle, joining step-son Gus Arzberger Jr. and various neighbors when it was time to drive the cattle in, brand and inoculate them, or cut calves out for auction.
As a kid growing up in Missouri, Marsha's family raised cattle and a few horses as well as farming. The cattle tradition goes back many generations in her mother's family. The Gibson brothers, Marsha's great grandfather and his brothers, drove cattle west from Missouri in 1851 and continued for decades to drive herds from Missouri to northern California, where they ranched and sold beef to San Francisco, Sacramento and gold-mining towns. The herds they drove across the plains were from 600 to 1,000 head.
Now retired, Marsha is writing some of the interesting stories of her ancestors who traveled the West and of the Arzberger family, who homesteaded and ranched in the Kansas Settlement area since 1908 before Arizona was a state.
Tickets are $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold. For more information and tickets call 520-384-3123, 520-384-3102 or write the Willcox Cowbelles, P. O. Box 354, Willcox, AZ 85644. The winner will be responsible for making arrangements to pick up the saddle and stand in Willcox.
Copyright © 2012 - Arizona Range News