Arizona in the Saddle October 2015 Volume 2 Issue 12 | Page 30

By Jim Olson,
©2015, www.TotallyWestern.com

S

pur collectors everywhere will surely recognize the name of
Johnnie Mullins (sometimes incorrectly spelled Johnny Mullens).
Several well-known spur makers from the first half of the 1900s
made a “Johnnie Mullins” spur. The Crockett version is probably the
most recognized, but perhaps that is because they produced so many.
Other well-known spur makers making this pattern included Kelly
Bros. and McChesney (Nacona).

Just who was Johnnie Mullins? And why his name is forever branded
on a certain style of spurs?

Johnnie Mullins was born in Granbury, Texas, August 27, 1884, to
Thomas Patrick Mullins and Nannie Terrell-Mullins. Both of his
parents were of pioneer stock. Johnnie was one of ten children. His
father died when he was a young boy, leaving his mother with nine
children at home (the oldest was running a ranch in Indian Territory
by this time). 

When Johnnie was in about the eighth grade, he was sent to his
oldest brother (Ed), in Indian Territory (near present-day Wagoner,
Oklahoma). He learned to be a cowboy.

In his younger days, he worked on ranches in New Mexico, then
South Dakota and Montana. He soon got tired of the cold North
country however and returned to New Mexico once again to break
horses for the historic JAL ranch.

Rodeo historian, Willard Porter said, “At seventeen, Mullins already
had a reputation as a top horseman and horse breaker and he also
knew a few things about a cow.”

While working with the JAL ranch, the Miller brothers, of
Oklahoma, came to purchase stock for their ranch. They were
also looking for cowboys to be in their 101 Ranch Wild West
show, so they talked Mullins into joining up. It did not take much
coaxing, probably, because he had already tasted the thrill of arena
competition in Juarez, Mexico
(where he won the bronc
riding) not long before. 

Mullins was off to a new career
in the Wild West Shows. One
that he excelled in.

At one time or another, he
performed as a bronc rider,
steer roper, trick rider and
arena director in shows all
across the United States,
Canada and Mexico. In
addition to the 101 Ranch, he

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October 2015

performed with the Buffalo Bill
Wild West Show, the Circle D
Wild West Show (which
was smaller than
the 101 Ranch
or Buffalo Bill
wil