Bad news for mule collectors

From: Keith Byrd (byrdhouse@netease.net)
Date: Mon Aug 07 2000 - 00:43:55 PDT


About 3 yr.. ago I found 4 mules on a Federal Wildlife Refuge near me. At
the time we (State Wildlife Dept.) were looking for some mules for a special
project. We contacted the refuge manager about working on a property
transfer. He told us he did see any problem, but was told by an assistant
that it couldn't be done. He later told us that we could trade parts of we
needed any to get ours running, if we found some. I've been watching GSA
auctions to see if they would ever appear.
       I talked to one of their heavy equip. operators, who used to work for
the state, a couple of days ago. I asked if they still had the mules. He
said that during winter they crushed them with a bulldozer and paid the
county to bury them in local landfill. Two of these were running, one was an
upgrade, all were complete. Also found out that state parks were interested
in them. On other refuges things have been transferred to county and state
govt. I believe the problem here was that the assistant in charge of these
was too lazy or stubborn to do the paperwork. Up until now we've had a good
working relationship! Part of his area is in my county, no more favors from
me.
       Sorry to rant and rave, but with all this talk about demilling I
figured some of you would be interested in this disappointing news. I always
hoped they would sell these and some of us who can appreciate these would
buy them. Oh well, I'm going to take a double shot of Maloxx and go to bed.
Good night all!
Keith in TN.



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