I remember in the 1950s, a very famous cowboy by the name of Lash LaRue came to Winona. "Lash” was a popular western motion picture star of the 1940s and 1950s.
Mother took me to the stage performance here at the Winona Theater. He was dressed in black with a white kerchief and had a bullwhip attached to his belt.
Classmate Bob Graves remembered that "Lash" popped a cigarette out of someone's mouth with his whip. It is said that he had exceptional skill with a bullwhip and taught Harrison Ford how to master it for the Indiana Jones character he played in movies.
Following the stage program, "Lash" stood outside and visited with people, according to my mother's account. She said I walked up and questioned him on why his horse was not with him! Mama was laughing when she recalled this incident and said he was amused and got a laugh out of that. Since I loved horses, I thought the horse should be there too.
Others I remember were Smiley Burnett and Gabby Hayes. Bob remembers that Burnett set up a stage in front of Harry Simmons’s Jewelry store when it was located on the corner of Summit and Front Street. Traveling shows became common during these years.
An afternoon at the “picture show” was very special, and to meet stars as Lash LaRue left me and many others with unforgettable memories.
The next time I see Harrison Ford crack the bullwhip, I will think of Lash LaRue and have a little chuckle.
