The Mootel pt. 3- Drunk Cows and Other Tidbits

***continued from pt. 2 Originally published by W. Alan Henderson- Edgecomb Maine***


"One of the outstanding stories of the year in the Maine paper concerned a turn of events that turned out humorous, but might have been tragic. Elliott was feeding potato pulp to finish off his steers. The potato pulp is fed from feeders that hold 3000 lbs. each and they are open in the front to let the cattle help themselves. Came a 3 day slashing Nor'Easter and the rain beat in on the potato pulp which is dry and looks something like bran flakes. Of course, the pulp drew up the moisture like a blotter, and all the bins became saturated. Then the sun came out nice and warm, and nature went to work. Every bulk bin became a huge fermenting vat, and began converting potato starch into potato alcohol.

But Elliott knew nothing of this so you can imagine his distress when he stepped out on the feedlot one morning and found the steers all staggering around and singing, "Swe-e-t Ad-o-line!" One steer had fallen over on his side and was kicking feebly with his legs. Elliott took one horrified look and got Doctor McClure Day over from Damariscotta on the double. Doc Day sniffed the potato pulp, examined the "far gone" steer and grinned. "These steers aren't sick! They're drunk!" and so they were! Plastered! Doc Day pulled them out of it o.k. but Elliott says one steer became an alcoholic.

That, of course, is one of the humorous incidents, but here is an incident that wasn't funny at all. There was the day that Elliott was turning a new bunch of steers into the feed lot. One of them, a 1000 pounder, was reluctant to go through the corral gate and Elliott slammed the gate too soon and accidentally banged the stubborn steer on his stubborn rear. That did it! The steer lashed out with both feet just like a stallion, and kicked that 300 pound gate right into Elliott's face. He almost lost the sight of one eye. They say a steer can't kick this way, but Elliott knows better.

Then there was the day that a cow moose wandered into the pasture- walked right up to the brood cows- and presto! The moose put all 20 of the brood cows and even the cowardly bull right through a 4 strand barb wire fence, and they didn't stop running until they got to The Common in Boothbay Center. On the other hand, they tolerate deer amongst them without batting an eyelash. But when they see a moose on the loose-they vamoose!

Incidents such as these are all part of the game. There are other worries such as hunters shooting a steer for a deer. Dogs don't bother the steers, but they sure raise Cain with a flock of sheep Elliott tried to keep out on the range. He finally had to bring the sheep into the barn because the dogs were killing them..."

I hope readers have enjoyed the tales of the Mootel. I am so fortunate that I remember it, but it is part of my plan to make sure that more people know about the Mootel and the ingenious Grandparents I was fortunate enough to be given.

Thanks for reading!
Sarah