A colorized postcard of a group of burros carrying water in front of the OK Livery Stable. Today this area serves as the Lyric Theatre parking lot. The front caption on the bottom left reads: “5834 Bisbee, Arizona. Burro Water Train." The written front caption in ink on the bottom left reads: “They pack wood and coal also-one can see burros on the street almost any time A.R.T.” The postcard was postmarked Bisbee Ariz Nov 25, 1907 7:30 and was sent by A. Roy Tietsort to Miss Grace E. Murdoch at Bay Park Huron Co. Michigan. The message on the back in ink reads : "Bisbee, Ariz. Nov. 24, 1907 Dear Grace, Have not written you in about 3 days if I am correct- I am sorry- I have only about 3 hours that I am not engaged in working and sleeping - I get my own meals and have to work to keep clean in house. So it takes time away from you, but I must manage some way. I have worked overtime and made ½ time extra - $5.25 work every day in the month. Am going to Ranchlight. Nev. As soon as I can- in about 2 months-gold camp beats copper- Have much to write when I get a chance. Lovingly Roy." Along the side: "Have not had one opportunity to attend church - sad but true." The postcard was published by C.W. Barker Bisbee, Arizona as part of the PCK series. Lynn Nadeau Collection.

Before Bisbee had proper infrastructure and pipelines, the residents of Bisbee used burros to bring their supply of water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. These beasts of burden were highly relied upon during the early years of Bisbee. Before automobiles, they transported water, firewood, ore, laundry, and the construction materials to build Bisbee’s first homes. Mexican businessmen owned water burros that carried two twenty-gallon canvas sacks and took them from door to door to Bisbee residents. They sold the water for fifty cents ($14.60 in 2021) per twenty-gallon bag. The price was once at twenty-five cents, but was doubled due to scarcity during drought and a desire for better profit margins. Bisbee’s children also favored these animals as they were patient enough to allow the youngsters to ride on their backs. The affection for burros was so strong that in July 1911 when 5,000 wild burros were to be slaughtered to make soap, a number of Bisbee residents protested for them to be spared.

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