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Behind The Headlines: An Oral History Of The 'St. Louis Six,' From Slaughterhouse To Sanctuary

The surviving members of the St. Louis Six are (from left) Eddie, Johnny Cash, Roo, Chico and Houdini.
The Gentle Barn
The surviving members of the St. Louis Six are (from left) Eddie, Johnny Cash, Roo, Chico and Houdini.
The Riverfront Times' Danny Wicentowski joined Friday's talk show.
Credit Evie Hemphill | St. Louis Public Radio
The Riverfront Times' Danny Wicentowski joined Friday's talk show.

Two years ago this spring, six renegade steers who would later come to be known as Chico, Eddie, Houdini, Johnny Cash, Roo and Spirit took to the St. Louis streets. After escaping from a local slaughterhouse, the animals embarked on a winding journey, finally reaching their permanent home more than five months later.

Their story is the centerpiece of this week’s Riverfront Times, with Danny Wicentowski pulling together an oral history of the St. Louis Six that looks at the saga from multiple angles and at every stage.

On Friday’s St. Louis on the Air, Wicentowski went behind the headlines with executive producer Alex Heuer to remember the steers who took the city by storm – and the people who helped them find their way back to pasture.

Also participating in the discussion were Ellie Laks, founder of the Gentle Barn, and local rescue enthusiasts Adam Brewer and Kelly Manno.

Listen to the conversation:

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air producers Alex Heuer, Evie Hemphill, Lara Hamdan and Jon Lewis give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

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Evie was a producer for "St. Louis on the Air" at St. Louis Public Radio.