The Abernathy Brothers: The Wildly True Adventures of America’s Youngest Trailblazers
Picture this: two young boys, aged just 10 and 6, embarking on an audacious journey across the vast expanse of early 20th-century America. They aren’t shadowed by worried parents, trailed by a protective entourage, or monitored via telegraph wires. Instead, they’re alone, astride their trusty horses, making their way from Oklahoma to Manhattan in 1910. This is no tall tale—it’s the remarkable story of Louis “Bud” and Temple Abernathy, two brothers whose adventures defy belief and demand a Hollywood script.
Born for Adventure
The Abernathy boys didn’t stumble into daring; they were born to it. Their father, Jack “Catch-’em-Alive” Abernathy, was a living legend in his own right. Cowboy, U.S. Marshal, and an expert in capturing wolves with his bare hands, Jack was as rugged as the Oklahoma terrain. At 11, he had already driven cattle 500 miles to market. By the time Theodore Roosevelt personally appointed him as the youngest U.S. Marshal in history, Jack had solidified his reputation as a man of unflinching grit.
Raising six children alone after his wife’s death in 1907, Jack adopted a “free-range” parenting style that encouraged independence and resilience. It’s no surprise, then, that Bud and Temple grew up thinking a cross-country trek was child’s play. Their adventurous spirit was first tested in 1909 when, at ages 9 and 5, they rode horses from Oklahoma to New Mexico and back—a journey they mapped out themselves and executed with the precision of seasoned travellers.
The Great Ride to Manhattan
Their next big adventure, however, would launch them into national fame. In 1910, the brothers hatched a plan to ride horseback from Oklahoma to New York City, eager to see President Roosevelt in a parade celebrating his return from Africa. They drew their route on a map, convinced their father to open a checking account for them, and set out on their 2,000-mile odyssey.
As word of their journey spread, newspapers chronicled their progress. Telegrams relayed updates about the “wonder boys” crossing rivers, enduring storms, and charming locals along the way. Even outlaws along the Mexican border pledged to watch over the boys, writing to Jack, “They are as safe as if they were in your own home.”
When the brothers finally rode into Manhattan, they were greeted as national heroes. Crowds lined the streets, cheering as Bud and Temple rode their horses behind President Roosevelt’s car. Their grit and determination captivated a country hungry for tales of youthful courage.
A Motorised Return of The Abernathy Brothers
Tired of long days in the saddle, the Abernathys took a novel approach for their journey home: they bought a car. It wasn’t just any car—it was a Brush Motor Car, a lightweight automobile marketed as “so simple even a child can drive it.” True to the slogan, Bud and Temple proved its worth by driving it 1,500 miles back to Oklahoma, unaccompanied. Their horses, meanwhile, were sent home in the relative comfort of a train. The Brush company capitalised on their feat, using the boys in advertisements for years.
From Sea to Shining Sea
But the Abernathy boys weren’t done. In 1911, they accepted a daunting challenge: ride horseback from New York to San Francisco in under 60 days, without eating or sleeping indoors. The prize? A whopping $10,000. The brothers rode their horses, Geronimo and Sam, hard across unpaved roads and unforgiving terrain. Though they arrived two days late and missed the reward, they had once again etched their names into the annals of American adventure.
The Final Ride
In 1913, their wanderlust led them to motorcycles. Sponsored by the Indian Motorcycle Company, the brothers—now 14 and 10—rode from Oklahoma to New York City on a single-speed, 7-horsepower Indian motorcycle. Joined by their stepbrother Anton, the trio navigated rivers, unpaved roads, and crashes, all without helmets. Their journey captivated the nation one last time, but it marked the end of their cross-country escapades.
Legends in the Making
In total, Bud and Temple travelled over 12,000 miles, encountering everyone from outlaws to Presidents, long before superhighways or GPS. Their adventures were a testament to their unshakable courage, resourcefulness, and the indomitable spirit instilled in them by their father.
Bud went on to become a lawyer in Texas, while Temple found success in the oil and gas industry during Oklahoma’s oil boom. Their story lives on in Alta Abernathy’s book Bud and Me, a vivid chronicle of their unbelievable adventures.
Why Their Story Matters
The Abernathy brothers’ tale is a snapshot of a bygone era, one where determination, independence, and audacity could turn ordinary boys into national icons. It’s a story that captures the imagination—a testament to the boundless possibilities of youth and the enduring allure of adventure.
If ever a story begged to be made into a film, this is it. Two boys, a pair of horses, and a journey that defied the odds—it’s the kind of tale that reminds us all to dream big, ride hard, and never stop exploring.
