Eddy Akridge – Contestant Early Years

Born on January 8, 1929, at Pampa, TX, Eddy Akridge began rodeoing in 1945 and joined the RCA in 1948. His RCA member permit card number was 376. Eddy Akridge was the Chief Joseph Days All-Around Cowboy in 1948 & 1949. He was the Bareback and Saddle Bronc Champion of CJD in 1948, 1949, & 1950. Other rodeo accomplishments included All Around Champion Cowboy in 1949 at both the Pendleton Round-Up and the Calgary Stampede. He won the World Championship in Bareback in 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1961. Throughout his illustrious career, he won numerous Bareback Riding Championships and All-Round Championships, the International Rodeo Association (IRA) Bareback Riding Championship. He was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1979, and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1999.

In the early 1950s, he sustained a potentially career-ending knee injury. Ignoring his physician’s advice to retire from rodeo, he went on to have his best season ever. He then reinjured his knee and was forced to retire. At the same time, resigned from his position as bareback riding director on the RCA Board of Directors.

He went on to pursue a music career after retiring from rodeo in 1970, moving to Las Vegas and becoming a regular on the strip. He headlined at numerous hotels, such as the Hilton, Stardust, Desert Inn, Tropicana, and Hacienda Hotels with the “Gold Buckle Band.” They played at the NFR Welcoming Committee party from 1985-1994. He also became a casino baccarat dealer, and later a casino host for over 15 years with the Golden Nugget, Frontier and Sahara Hotels. Eddy passed away on July 25, 2011.

Clyde was born and raised in Lewiston, Idaho. Born in 1942 to a career Air Force man (Clyde Sr) and Lewiston-bred mom (Sybil). He was the 4th of 5 children and the only boy. As soon as he could, Clyde started working at the Old Lewiston Round Up Grounds in North Lewiston. He was cleaning stalls, walking hots, and whatever it took to get to ride someone’s horse! Before long, he was an exercise boy for some of the racehorses kept there. It was at the old Lewiston Roundup Grounds that he met and learned from Idaho rodeo legends, such as Clint Roberts and Jack Carson. They both became mentors and ignited his rodeo dreams. Clyde started getting on broncs and riding colts.

While pursuing his dreams he met Edie Gottschalk. Edie boarded her horse at the Round Up Grounds. They married in 1965 and moved out to the Grande Ronde country to work on the ranch of Shirly Bothum. At one point, Shirly told Clyde that he had to decide – either he was going to work, or he was going to rodeo. He couldn’t do both. So, Clyde quit his job and headed to Cheyenne! He won the Cheyenne Frontier Days Permit Saddle Bronc competition in 1965. There was no looking back now!!

Clyde & Edie spent most of the first years of their marriage on the rodeo trail. Heading to the indoor winter rodeos, then coming back to the Northwest and Canada for the summer run. Their first daughter, Crystal, arrived in 1967, and the family lived on the road in a travel trailer most of the year. In 1972, the family moved to Kendrick, ID, and in 1973, welcomed another daughter, Kelly. In his travels Clyde met and welcomed foster son, Paul Bass, into their family.

Clyde's talent in saddle bronc riding showed with wins in 1968 at Hand Hills, Alberta, and in 1969 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Followed in 1972 with a buckle in Libby, Montana. His victories included a shared win at the Lewiston Round Up in 1974 with Canadian icon Mel Coleman, and an individual triumph in 1980. He had great success also at the Columbia Basin Rodeo in Moses Lake, Washington, where he secured buckles in 1965, 1966, & 1984; and a trophy saddle in 1972 that remains in use today. Other significant triumphs in his illustrious career include victories in 1967 at Kennewick, 1973 at Walla Walla, 1974 at the Omak Stampede, and 1980 at Prineville. Additionally, Clyde made several appearances at the Columbia River Circuit Finals.

Some of his most treasured Saddle Bronc Riding championships were at the Chief Joseph Days on FIVE occasions (1966, 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1984) and earning the esteemed Harley Tucker Memorial Award in 1974.

Clyde was still rodeoing, but more at the circuit level. He now had a full family and house payments! By now he had his own truck and was making a good living with Haul Ass Trucking. He was almost too busy to rodeo.

Clyde continued rodeoing and winning, earning several trips to the Columbia River Circuit Finals. The kids grew, they started entering junior and high school rodeos. In about 1983, Clyde decided to stop entering and just concentrate on working.

But he wasn’t finished saddling broncs or tasting adrenaline just yet… In 1992, Clyde was entering rodeos again! He was still craving it! Not only was he entering, but he was winning against the younger set of bronc riders. He had competed against their fathers! He earned several more trips to the Columbia River Circuit Finals. Clyde & Edie moved to Hermiston, OR in 1993. In 1995, his first grandson was born, during CJD! And he was still riding and winning – the younger cowboys called him the Viagra Vaquero! In 1998, Clyde won the saddle bronc riding at Colville, WA, and took grandson, Rylen, on the victory lap! As a hobby, Clyde also became a successful ostrich rancher.

Clyde had been entering a few Senior Pro Rodeos on the side. In 1998 he qualified for the Senior Pro Finals, winning second in the World. Clyde came home with plans to win the Senior World title in 1999. Those plans came to an abrupt halt the next day. He had a load of cattle on, was hit head-on by another semitruck, totaling his dream truck, & severely injuring him. He was forcibly retired from riding broncs and truck driving.

After many months of recovery, Clyde was able to start golfing to work his back and keep it flexible. He eventually started riding saddle horses again. He even bought a sailboat and sailed it from San Diego to Portland!

Clyde was the rodeo director for the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union, Oregon for about ten years. Under him, the rodeo grew and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008!

He still enjoys golfing, riding, and sailing the Columbia River and San Juan Islands!

In 2019, Clyde received the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal for the Lewiston RoundUp, recognizing his impact on the rodeo community. Later that same year, Clyde and Edie were both inducted into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame, solidifying their lasting legacy on the sport.

Being chosen for induction into the Chief Joseph Days Hall of Fame is an unexpected thrill for Clyde, Edie, and the family. Chief Joseph Days holds a treasured spot in his heart – where he competed, consistently won, and made lasting memories with family and friends. Clyde’s dedication and TRY has inspired generations of cowboys and his grandchildren – Rylen, Makayla, Braeden, & Paycen.

Alfred Makin was born in Weiser, ID on 6/17/1915. Una Makin was born in Joseph, OR on 4/22/1912.

What does induction into a hall of fame mean? I have been thinking about that and have concluded that it is the result of dedication to a cause or activity that has resulted in leaving a lasting legacy that improved the cause or activity.

In reflecting on my parents, Alfred and Una Makin’s contribution to Chief Joseph Days and their impending induction into the Chief Joseph Days Hall of Fame, I believe through the years of the 50’s through the 80’s their contribution of Moms years of ticket sales and chairmanship, and Dad’s years of working as a gate ticket taker and usher along with untold hours of chamber meetings and maintenance of the facilities. To highlight a few more volunteer projects, Alfred helped work on the old arena on the lake moraine before the first CJD rodeo and continued to help as the rodeo grew, providing his carpentry skills to help with the old Civic Center building and new arena. He helped with the new Civic Center and was vital in rebuilding the stagecoach in 1966. Along with Joe Naughton, he broke the first team of horses for that stagecoach.

Una served as Advertising Chairperson and Chamber Secretary in the 1960’s. She was also the parade announcer’s assistant until 1983. She oversaw the parade judges for 5 years. She was on numerous other committees over the years and even helped with construction of the arena and parade floats.

The legacy they left behind was the addition of the Chief Joseph Days stagecoach. The coach was the original one that Frank McCulley owned and once ran between Joseph and Elgin. It had later sat on the Boise Cascade mill property for years and had deteriorated to just a skeleton of its original self. In the 1960’s Alfred, Una, Roy Carter and Dr. Blackburn hauled the usable remaining parts up to Alfred’s shop and they began to research its history and construction features and thus began the restoration of the coach. It was a labor of love through the dedication and the construction guidance of Alfred and the labor and skill of the others, the Chief Joseph Days Stagecoach was born, and their legacy continues.

During the 60’s through the early 90’s, Mom and Dad spent many hours, along with many other volunteers hauling the coach, horses and equipment plus the CJD royalty to other rodeos and parades promoting Joseph and its rodeo.

I and my family spent a few years in the 80’s and early 90’s in Joseph being involved in the chamber, working at the rodeo grounds and helping with the Chief Joseph Days stagecoach travels. Dad and I replaced many parts on the stagecoach, most importantly removing the old noisy iron tires on the wheels with new rubber tires.

Alfred and Una were the 1989 Chief Joseph Days Grand Marshals. Alfred passed away on 8/23/2004. Una passed away on 3/14/2012.

I commend all those volunteers who have worked so hard through the years to bring recognition to Joseph, Chief Joseph Days, and Wallowa County. Although we will not be able to attend the induction of Alfred and Una Makin into the CJD’s Hall of Fame we will be there in spirit and wish everyone well.

Wick Prout was born May 12, 1910, to Jasper and Leona Prout on his grandfather’s homestead north of Joseph, OR, on Dorrance Road. He attended school in Joseph graduating in 1928, and worked as a rancher and sheep herder until the early 1930’s. He married Inez Morgan (Crader) in Lewiston, ID on July 7, 1950, and had three stepdaughters, Norma Barton, Gladys Nobles and Nadine Henry.

Having lived his entire life in Joseph, he had been in the US Army and worked in the CCC camps in Wallowa and Baker Counties. After being discharged, in 1944, Wick went to work for the Bulk Oil Company. Volunteerism was in his veins. He was involved with many organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Masons, Rainbow Dad for the Rainbow Girls, he was a member of the American Legion and participated in the Honor Guard, and of course Chief Joseph Days which was affiliated with the Joseph Chamber of Commerce at that time.

In the first years of Chief Joseph Days, Wick and Inez were involved, as many others were, in the promotion of the rodeo. He was a good friend of Walter Brennan, and they traveled around the Northwest for the betterment and continuation of the Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Chief Joseph Days. He was part of the group known as the Flying Chamber of Commerce. They made their first publicity trip in a DC3 in 1949 and visited 10 cities. He took great pride in the endeavor. The same year, that famous sign first appeared in Joseph, “THIS LITTLE TOWN IS HEAVEN TO US. DON’T DRIVE LIKE HELL THRU IT. Wick and Wilbur Reece were the driving force in placing the sign. Anyone who knew him will recognize his sense of humor!

He was a true historian and left accountings and recordings of interviews with his family and of Chief Joseph Days. Chief Joseph Days used to put on a pioneer picnic at Wallowa Lake State Park on the Sunday before the rodeo. He would take a group picture and interview all the pioneers of Wallowa County. When there is a discussion about the “old days” it is almost always asked, I wonder if there is anything in Wick’s accountings about that?”

He was vice president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1951 and president in 1952. After serving as president, he served for several years as a director, Indian chairman, rodeo grounds chairman and wherever needed. Many will remember his raising the American flag before each rodeo performance for years. Those who were teens in the 60’s might remember that Wick and Inez were at most all the civic center dances watching out, so the teens of the county could have a good time. Wick was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of Chief Joseph Days in 1974. Wick stayed involved until his death. He died December 23, 1984, and is buried in the Prairie Creek cemetery in the Prout plot.

It is an honor for Stephens Bros. Rodeo Company to be inducted into the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Hall of Fame. From all the Stephens family we are thankful to receive this amazing honor.

This family story opens when Harley Tucker asked if Billy and Bob Stephens would be interested in helping him with washing, grooming and saddling his grand entry white horses and help with his bucking stock. Later Bill, 17 years old, started picking up for Harley. The seed was planted.

Stephens Bros. Rodeo company begins with an inspired family dream to build, own and operate their own rodeo company. In 1972, Barney and Eppie Stephens purchased C&E Rodeo Company of Cody, WY and the process of growing and operating a pro rodeo company with their 4 boys, Bill, Fred, Bob, and Jake, had begun.

In 1962 the family moved to Middleton, ID where these brothers started bucking bulls and broncs at their home place. Bill and Bob worked for a rodeo company owned by Ralph Stephens, no relation. They worked amateur rodeos around the region while brother Fred started his rodeo career as a rodeo clown. Advancing the company, they would purchase and/or trade stock to acquire the best they could find to own. The rodeo company sub leased stock to Ralph Stephens and Christens Brothers at pro rodeos around the country.

The Stephens Brothers provided livestock to many collegiate and PRCA rodeos over the years, including the NFR from 1974-1978 and 1981-1989. They provided stock for 18 years for Chief Joseph Days from 1974-1991. Many people remember the flashy paint horses they provided for the Grand Entry during those years. Their first string of grand entry horses were palominos and later switched to the paint horses. This idea was from their younger years of working for Harley Tucker and his string of white horses. At one time they owned 30 paint horses. Jake is quick to tell you not all of them were good horses!

In 1980 Stephen Bros. were asked to provide stock for the Pendleton Round Up. They carried out this contract for 10 years. They were also asked to provide their paint horses for the Round-Up Directors to ride in the Portland Rose Parade. Stephens mounted 22 Pendleton Round Up Directors on paint horses. Getting those horses to downtown Portland and back was an adventure.

Trademarks of their Rodeo Company: outstanding bucking stock; string of 22 paint horses for grand entry and pick up horses; four brothers; pick up men; Bill, Bob and Jake; rodeo bull fighters; Fred and Jake; rodeo clown; Fred; uncanny organizational skills to timely manage and operate successful rodeos.

George & Lorraine Dawson were mainstays in the Joseph Chamber for many years. They were owners of Dawson Lumber in Joseph for 28 years. With their business located on Main Street, it was very fitting for them to oversee selling rodeo tickets out of their business for about 25 years. Lorraine was treasurer of the chamber from 1952-1959. She also spent many Saturday nights helping chaperone teen dances held at the civic center. They were a part of the Flying Chamber, promoting Chief Joseph Days in the early 1950’s. George was also very active in local government as he served as Joseph’s mayor three times, twice as a councilman and he served 15 years on the budget committee. Not only did they dedicate their time to the rodeo, they also belonged to Eastern Star. George belonged to the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge. George was honored to be the 1978 Chief Joseph Days Grand Marshal.

George and Lorraine’s niece recalls, her grandparents (Lorraine's parents, Sadie and Clyde Butler) brought us from Baton Rouge, LA to Joseph for summer vacation and it was often in July for Chief Joseph Days. We were city kids with no knowledge of ranching, but we loved the little town and the rodeo. George and Lorraine were always involved in everything and knew everyone, including Walter Brennan, who we always hoped would be in town. He was a big star in those years, and we bragged to our friends that we met him in Joseph. Only the main street was paved then but the air was crisp, the views were magnificent, and the people were warm and friendly. I befriended Darlene Tucker during those summer visits and my brother worked several summers for Harley Tucker, so we have very fond memories of our time there.

George and Lorraine loved Joseph and Chief Joseph Days and worked very hard to help the town and the event thrive.