
The Goat rider
Steve Dobbins was about four or five years old when Lafar Ruppe, who had recently moved from South Main Street to the country, arrived to visit relatives who still lived there. In the back of his truck stood a white goat. Of course this strange white creature was of much interest to a small boy. Steve’s ride on it was a real experience, and the moment was captured on someone’s trusty Kodak Brownie box camera.
And now, for the rest of the story….
When Steve’s much older cousin, Sam Hill, returned home after serving in the Navy, one of the things he brought back with him was his Navy Pea Jacket. However, since he seldom if ever wore it, it just hung in the closet. Someone decided that the heavy woolen jacket, when cut down to child size, could be remade into a perfect winter coat for Steve. This was done, and Steve proudly wore Sam’s Navy Pea Jacket. Although much altered in appearance and size, this was the coat he was wearing in the photo of him astride the goat.