Born April 4, 1903, Austin, (King) Doolittle started rodeoing as a teenage boy. He was a promoter at Belton, Texas’ first rodeo in 1924. He was one of Central Texas’s first rodeo producers, producing the Grove, Texas show from 1930 to 1939. His shows were remembered for his “eight mule turnout” all chutes open.
He worked on some of the more famous ranches in the United States, including the 6666 and Spade Ranch in Texas. King Doolittle was one of the elite group in saddle bronc riding and calf roping. He was still breaking horses at the age of 72. When asked about retiring, he replied, “I may wear out, but I won’t rust out.”
