On April 5, 1910, two courageous boys, Louis and Temple Abernathy, ages 6 and 10, left their home on Crossroads Ranch west of Frederick, and embarked on a 2,500-mile horseback ride to New York. Their goal was to meet President Theodore Roosevelt. The boys, riding alone, made the trip in record time and are considered by the Longrider's Guild to be icons.

The Longrider's Guild is a worldwide organization made up of people who, on horseback, have to have ridden distances of 1,000 miles or more in one continuous trip.

The Rides of the Abernathy Boys, written by Miles Abernathy, was published in 1911.

The Longrider's Guild has republished the book and has contacted the city of Frederick concerning their attempts to raise money to build a statue of the two adventuresome boys and to add it to their Centennial Square as a part of Tillman County's history. They have agreed to donate a portion of the profits from the sale of the book to assist them in their endeavors.

Gene Glasscott, a Longrider who is presently riding to visit all 48 of the contiguous state capitals, recently went out of his way to come to Frederick to visit the site of the Abernathys' history-making ride.

"We are nearing Oklahoma's centennial celebration and the spirit of the little Abernathy boys really embodies the can do, tenacious spirit of pioneer Oklahoma," said Frederick resident Dana Greer

Jeanette Hall will begin her journey to retrace the hoofprints of the Abernathy boys Saturday. Like Louis and Temple Abernathy, her journey will begin at Crossroads Ranch west of Frederick and end in New York. Prior to Jeanette's departure, a trail drive and authentic chuckwagon dinner will be held at Crossroads on Friday evening.

Locals are invited to saddle up and bring their own horse to Crossroads at 4:30 p.m. Friday and begin the drive to move 200 head of cattle from the hills down to the riverbottom. The dinner will feature sourdough biscuits and peach cobbler cooked in a Dutch oven.

Cowboy poets, singers and other entertainment will begin at 6:15 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The event will be held on bermuda grass underneath large cottonwood trees. Parking will be adjacent to the site and ticketholders are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

There are a limited number of tickets for the dinner. Prices are $15 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Tickets for the trail drive are $25 for adults and free for children 10 and under. These tickets may be purchased at Box Inc., Frederick Ace Hardware, or call 580-335-5689.

Crossroads Ranch is located 61/2 miles west and 4 miles north of the Tillman County Courthouse. Signs will mark the turnoff from state Highway 5 between Tipton and Frederick. All profits will go to the Centennial Square statue fund.

On the Web: www.thelongridersguild.com