Olly, Olly Oxen Free!

From the Daily Leader Bicentennial edition, Mary Becker Hatcher archives -- courtesy of Bettie Hatcher Cox and scanned by Deenie Tallant.

John Case reports that oxen were preferred over mules because mules could get frightened of soft earth, and thinking they are sinking, and start to "quick step."  Oxen were less intimidated by unsure roads and "kept a steady pull."  This per Burt Parnell of Bogue Chitto.

I had to ask myself a question I've often asked and never sought the answer to: just what is an ox?  Turns out, it's more complicated than I thought.  Here's a link for those who might be so inclined to read more about it.