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Midnight
The horses, themselves were the stars of the show. In addition to
Steamboat featured on a previous page, one of the most famous of rodeo
bucking horses was Midnight (c. 1910-1934).
Midnight throwing Carl Beesley, Frontier Days, 1928. Photo by
Out West Photo Service.
The above postcard is generally accepted as depicting Beesley. There may be a slight issue. See next photo.
"Buttermilk" throwing Carl Beesley, Frontier Days, 1928. Photo by
Out West Photo Service.
"Out West Photo Service" shown on the above photo was owned by Adlai Edgerton "A. E." Gordon, the photographer
in the left background of the upper photo. Gordon did
extensive rodeo photos in the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. He had studios in both Cheyenne and Denver. The
Cheyenne studio was on Capitol Avenue.
Being tossed by Midnight was nothing of which to be ashamed . Many of th best bronco
riders were thrown including World Champions Earl Thode and Pete Knight.
Midnight throwing Earl Thode, Frontier Days, 1929. Photo by
Out West Photo Service.
Thode (1900-1964) won at Cheyenne four times beinning in 1927 as well as at New York's Madison Square Garden and Calgary.
Pete Knight, center top row, holding the Prince of Wales Trophy, Calgary, 1927. Photo by
William John Olive
In 1933 Knight retired the trophy in perpetuity. In 1930 at Cheyenne, Knight attempted an exhition ride on Midnight. In those days, it was necessary to last ten seconds which can be an eternity.
Midnight dispatched Knight in only seven seconds. But nevertheless Knight won the Pro Saddle Bronc contest. Midnight tossed all who tried to ride him in
the contest.
Knight was World Champion four times, 1932, 1933, 1935, and 1936.
1930 Frontier Days Champions
L to R: Calf Roping, Jake McClure; Bull Dogging, John Bowman; Steer Roping, Carl Arnold;
Pro Bronco Buster, Pete Knight; Rookie Saddle Bronc, Hubert Loman "Hub" Whiteman.
The same year, Knight attempted an exhition ride on Midnight. In those days, it was necessary to last ten seconds which can be an eternity.
Midnight dispatched Knight in only seven seconds. Knight was still the champion rider. No one succeeded in riding
Midnight that year.
McClure (1903-1940) was "All-Around Cowboy," Pendleton 1930, Arizona State Champion 1932, Phoenix 1937 and Houston 1939.
Jake McClure, Frontier Days Champion calf roper. Photo by Outwest, 1934.
John Bowman (1900-1959) won three World Championships,All-Around 1933 and 1936 and Steer Roping 1936.
In Cheyenne, he additionally won the 1935 "Tie Down Roping" contest.
John Bowman, Frontier Days, Photo by Outwest, 1932.
Carl Arnold (1898-1973)in the 1940'and his son Art were
frequent competors in team roping contests. he judged riding events at Madison Square Garden and was an
original member of the Cowboys' Turtle Association. .
Carl Arnold, Frontier Days, Photo by Outwest, 1933.
Whiteman (1910-1977) in addition of Saddle Bronc was a champion steer wrestler winning in Cheyenne in1937, 1939 and 1940. He first appeared on the rodeo
circuit in 1929 in the 101 Ranch Show. He appeared frequently in Madison Square Garden and was
named world champion in 1941.
Hub Whiteman on Dynamite, location and date not itentified..
Music this page "Pete Knight, King of the Cowboys" as sung by Wilf Carter,
"Montana Slim."
Next Page: Midnight, Pete Knight continued and Wilf Carter.
In 1920 as a young cowboy, Wilf Carter orignally from Nova Scotia moved to
Alberta and found employment on a ranch. There he came under the wing of Knight. In another song Wilf indicated that Knight was like a brother to him.
Wilf for about two years went on the rodeo circuit across
Canada under the name "Montana Slim". Another cowboy was using the name "Alberta Slim."
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