Two Kids, One Motorcycle, 12,000 Miles: The Abernathy Brothers’ Wild Rides Across America
How Two Oklahoma Boys Defied the Odds and Redefined Adventure in the Early 20th Century
By Raine Devries
In an era when most kids were lucky to roam their neighborhood, Louis “Bud” Abernathy and his younger brother Temple “Temp” Abernathy were rewriting the rules of adventure. Picture this: in 1913, 13-year-old Bud and 9-year-old Temple hopped on an Indian Motorcycle and rode from their home in Oklahoma to New York City, a jaw-dropping journey that would make modern parents faint. But this wasn’t their first rodeo. These pint-sized daredevils had been defying expectations since they were barely old enough to tie their own shoes, embarking on cross-country treks that sound like tall tales but are etched in American history.
The Abernathy Boys’ First Adventure: A 1,000-Mile Ride at Ages 5 and 9
In 1909, the Abernathy brothers, sons of cowboy and U.S. Marshal Jack Abernathy, set out on their first epic journey. Bud, just nine, and Temple, a mere five years old, saddled up and rode over 1,000 miles from Frederick, Oklahoma, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and back—completely alone. They faced wolves, wild rivers, and the untamed expanse of the Old West, relying on their wits and their trusty horses, Sam Bass and Geronimo. This wasn’t just a joyride; it was a test of grit that would’ve broken most adults. Their father, known as “Catch-’em-Alive Jack” for his bare-handed wolf-catching skills, had confidence in his boys, thanks to his network of lawmen keeping an eye out from afar.
1910: Chasing Teddy Roosevelt to New York City
The boys’ hunger for adventure only grew. In 1910, at ages 10 and 6, they set their sights on New York City to meet their hero, Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a hunting trip in Africa. After a grueling month on horseback, they arrived in Manhattan, riding behind Roosevelt in a ticker-tape parade. But they didn’t stop there. The brothers bought a Brush Motor Car and drove it back to Oklahoma, trading hoofbeats for horsepower in a move that stunned onlookers. Their exploits were splashed across newspapers, and they even starred in a 1910 film, Abernathy Kids to the Rescue.
1911: A Record-Breaking Ride Across America
If you thought their story couldn’t get wilder, think again. In 1911, Bud (11) and Temple (7) accepted a challenge from Coney Island promoters: ride from New York City to San Francisco in 60 days or less for a $10,000 prize. The catch? They couldn’t eat or sleep indoors. Covering nearly 4,000 miles in 62 days, they missed the prize by two days but set a cross-country horseback record that still stands today. Through blizzards, deserts, and sheer exhaustion, the Abernathy boys proved they were no ordinary kids.
The Motorcycle Journey and Beyond
By 1913, the brothers were ready for a new kind of adventure. They traded their horses for an Indian Motorcycle and, with their stepbrother in tow, rode from Oklahoma to New York City. This wasn’t just a stunt; it was a promotional ride for Indian Motocycles, showcasing the boys’ knack for capturing the public’s imagination. Over four years, Bud and Temple racked up over 12,000 miles of travel across the U.S. by horseback, car, and motorcycle, all before Bud turned 13. Their story, preserved in the book Bud & Me: The True Cross-Country Adventures of the Abernathy Boys by Alta Abernathy, Temple’s wife, is a testament to their fearless spirit.
Legacy of the Abernathy Boys
The Abernathy brothers weren’t just thrill-seekers; they were a product of a wilder, more open America, where kids could take on challenges unthinkable today. Louis later graduated from the University of Oklahoma Law School and became a lawyer in Wichita Falls, Texas, passing away in Austin in 1979. Temple worked in the oil and gas industry and died in Teague, Texas, in 1986. Though their fame faded over time, their hometown of Frederick, Oklahoma, keeps their legend alive with an annual celebration and a statue honoring their Santa Fe ride.
Why Their Story Still Matters
The Abernathy boys’ adventures remind us of a time when kids were given the freedom to test their limits. In today’s world of helicopter parenting, their story is a call to rethink how we challenge and trust the next generation. Their courage, resourcefulness, and sheer audacity continue to inspire, proving that age is just a number when it comes to chasing dreams.
For more on their incredible journey, check out Bud & Me or visit Frederick, Oklahoma’s Chamber of Commerce site for a glimpse into their legacy. The Abernathy boys didn’t just ride across America—they rode into history.
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