EMIL REDMON'S COW Stories From the Farm and Ranch Return to the Index

Martin Gnadt 1923-2022 Martin Gnadt grew up on the family farm east of McFarland, Kansas—the fourth of five children. The family raised row crop and livestock: cattle, sheep, and horses. Until he was a teenager, much farm labor and transportation depended on the use of horses. Like Will Rogers, Martin "never met a horse he didn't like." The day before his eighteenth birthday, Martin enlisted in the Air Force (during World War II). He served for four and a half years. The war ended the day before he was to be shipped to the Pacific. When he returned home, many farmers were changing to motorized machinery and many horses were sold—often to slaughter houses. Horses were then used mainly to check on and work cattle. Martin can still tell you the name of almost every horse he owned. These stories were collected on December 5th, 2017, by Mark Feiden, John Hund and David Claflin. Martin was 94 at the time. Hedge Posts and Lightning Alma, Kansas, 2017 Sonny Boy Alma, Kansas, 2017 Grass Fed Beef Alma, Kansas, 2017 A Good Horse Alma, Kansas, 2017 There are several more stories from Martin that will be added as time allows. Return to the Index