The young guns in America may no longer understand the meaning of this, but you will.

The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, MO has closed its doors forever with the contents of the museum sold at a public auction. Roy Rogers told his son, if the museum ever operates at a loss, close it, and sell the contents. He complied and we have truly reached the end of an era.

Here is a partial listing of some of the items that were sold at auction:

• Roy’s 1964 Bonneville (Pontiac) sold for $254,500. It was estimated to sell between 100 and 150 thousand dollars.
• His script book from the January 14,1953 episode of This Is Your Life sold for $10,000 (EST. $800-$1,000).
• A collection of signed baseballs (Pete Rose, Duke Snyder, and other greats) sold for $3,750.
• A collection of signed bats (Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and others) sold for $2,750.
• Trigger ‘s saddle and bridle sold for $386,500.
• One of many of Roy’s shirts sold for $16,250 and one of his many cowboy hats sold for $17,500.
• One set of boot spurs sold for $10,625. (He never used a set of spurs on Trigger)
• His flight jacket sold for $7,500
• His set of dinnerware plates and silverware sold for $11,875.
• The Bible they used at the dinner table every night sold for $8,750.
• One of several of his guitars sold for $27,500.
• Nellybelle (the Jeep) sold for $116,500.
• Bullet (stuffed) sold for $35,000 (EST. 10-15 K). He was their real pet.
• Dale’s parade saddle, estimated to sell between 20-30 K, sold for $104,500.
• One of many pairs of Roy’s boots sold for $21,250.
• Trigger (stuffed) sold for $266,500.

Do you remember the 1938 movie The Adventures of Robinhood, With Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland? Well, Olivia rode Trigger in that movie. Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby. Roy bought Trigger on a time payment plan for $2,500. Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together. Trigger even outdid Bob Hope by winning an Oscar in the movie Son of Paleface in 1953.

It is extremely sad to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy’s movies, as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today’s kids would rather spend their time playing video games. Today it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals. These were the great heroes of our childhood, and they did teach us right from wrong, and how to have and show respect for each other and the animals that share this earth.

You and I were born at the right time. We were able to grow up with these great people even if we never met them. In their own way they taught us patriotism and honor. We learned that lying and cheating were bad, and that sex wasn’t as important as love. We learned how to suffer through disappointment and failure and work through it. Our lives were drug-free.

So we say good-bye to Roy and Dale, Gene and Hoppy (Hop-a-long Cassidy), the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Farewell to Sky King (and Penny)and Superman and (Dragnet) Sgt Friday. Thanks to Capt. Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers, and Capt. Noah and all those people whose lives touched ours, and made them better.

Happy Trails… It was a great ride through childhood

Dale Evans and Roy Rogers with Trigger.