Texican Star. A Publication of the Texican Rangers An Authentic Cowboy Action Shooting Club That Treasures & Respects the Cowboy Tradition

Transcription

1 Texican Star A Publication of the Texican Rangers An Authentic Cowboy Action Shooting Club That Treasures & Respects the Cowboy Tradition SASS Affiliated January 2015 WHATCHA LOOKIN FER Howdy, Texican Rangers Officers 2015 Dues-Pay Now Test Your Knowledge Message from CD Match Director The Marshal Who Fought With His Fists Addresses Happy Birthday Texicans Calendar of Events Monthly Shooting Schedules SASS Affiliated Clubs Longhorn Bullets 2015 Dues/Waiver CD Registration Form Howdy Texican Rangers! The New Year is PO Box Kerrville underway and already the plan failed at the first contact. We had everything in place to shoot on the second weekend in January for the first time since I can remember, except for the weather. I had previously remarked that as I get older I do those shiverin shoots less and less. But I figured shiverin and slippin was too much to bear. We do have a backup plan in place so we will try to hold both a Wild Bunch Match and a Cowboy Action Shooting Match at the same time on January 31 st. We talked about having one match in the morning and the other in the afternoon but with the need to complete all shooting between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM it seemed just too close and nearly impossible with a lunch in between. So if you want to shoot both try the Wild Bunch on Saturday and come back on Sunday for the Cowboy match. We should easily be done in time for the game. The weather on the second weekend of this month also killed our chances of getting folks from the SASS Convention in San Antonio to swing by for some shooting before they headed home. I thought that maybe I would get a chance to swing by the Convention if roads weren t too bad but then the flu struck and I spent the weekend in bed. But I heard that Sheriff Robert Love and Shooting Iron Miller showed up to help Tombstone Mary and General Burleson staff the Cimarron Firearms booth and Handlebar Bob was in attendance and managed to take in some of the seminars. If you get a chance to talk to these folks they can surely give you some feedback on that event. (continued on page 2) The January Monthly Match had to be cancelled due to weather but it has been rescheduled for: January 31 st -February 1st On Saturday you will have the choice of shooting either 5 stages of Wild Bunch or 5 stages of Cowboy. On Sunday we will offer 5 stages of Cowboy. 1

2 OFFICERS President - Yuma Jack John Thomas San Antonio, TX (210) yumajack61@gmail.com Vice President- GeePee Gary Powell San Antonio, TX (830) powellg@gvtc.com Secretary - Agarita Annie Janie Thomas Camp Wood, TX (936) agarita_a@yahoo.com Treasurer - Madam Ella Moon Joann Messer Kerrville, TX (830) madamellamoon@live.com Range Master Nueces Slim Johnny Thomas Camp Wood TX (936) nuecesslim@yahoo.com Territorial Governor Dusty Lone Star Don Hathorne San Antonio TX (210) dustylonestar@sbcglobal.net To submit articles to the Star, please send to: Texican Star texicanrangers@yahoo.com HOWDY, TEXICAN RANGERS (continued from page 1) This time of year people traditionally make New Year s Resolutions that, at least when they make them, they are committed to carry out over the following year. I suppose as President I ought to throw some Resolutions out there to see if any stick. Some I have brought up before as some ideas I wanted to act upon but this gives me the opportunity to bring them up again sort of like a reminder to myself to get busy. So here goes, I resolve to: 1. Get some version of improved By-Laws approved by membership. 2. Get CY 2015 Budget approved by the Executive Committee. 3. Officially establish three new categories to be available during monthly matches: a Modern and Traditional b. Bolt Action Military Rifle c. Civil War Cartridge Rifle 4. Develop/publish a Manual of rules specifically unique to the Texican Rangers. 5. Establish a Speed Stage that will remain unchanged for the calendar year. 6. Develop a club publicity program. 7. Develop a New Member orientation program. I have had some resolutions suggested to me like, make less editorial comments on material others have written and don t cancel any more matches because of weather and try to write all stages so that good shooters can complete them in less than 20 seconds. I am just not sure I can measure up to any of those because they are so subjective. But I will add the following resolutions to my list: 8. I will cancel future matches only if weather or other circumstances present unsafe conditions or at the property owners request. 9. I will try to ensure that stage scenarios are clear, straightforward and fun. I suppose I should take advantage of the segue that the first resolution above gives me to mention that we did send out the proposed By-Laws revision back in December and to date I have not seen any questions or comments. I m going to take that as a good sign that encourages me even more to call for a vote on Jan 31. Hopefully I can check off one resolution before the year gets two months old. (Continued on page 3) 2

3 HOWDY, TEXICAN RANGERS (continued from page 2) There have already been three planning meetings for Comancheria Days We hope to make this 20 th Anniversary a very special event with some new and not recently included activities. I anticipate that, as always, you Rangers will jump right in to contribute your time and skills to assist in any way you can. At the very least I hope you will sign up to participate in what I expect to be a memorable experience. The past couple of matches the property owner has requested us to leave the gate at the barn open. If that practice is to continue we will post a sign on the gate to that effect. If there is no sign, please close the gate after passing through. I look forward to seeing y all on Saturday morning, January 31 st. Texican Rangers, let s ride! Yuma Jack TIME TO PAY YOUR DUES Well the rescheduled January shoot will be here before you know it! You can speed up the process of registration and posse sign-up at the shoot by getting your membership form and dues in now. At the back of this newsletter and on the website you can find a copy of the membership form/waiver. Please make a copy and go ahead and fill it out and send it in. The more folks that pay their 2015 dues now, the faster the process will be in January. Thanks Agarita Annie Which actor WASN T one of The Magnificent Seven? Steve McQueen Lee Marvin Yul Brynner Charles Bronson (Lee Marvin) What movie are these lines from? There are two kinds of spurs, my friend. Those that come in by the door; those that come in by the window. You see, in this world there s two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig. Tuco and Blondie in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 3

4 MESSAGE FROM THE CD MATCH DIRECTOR Plans are well underway for Comancheria Days 2015 where we will be celebrating 20 years for this event at Stieler Ranch. I d say that s quite an accomplishment. I am proud and honored to be your Match Director this year and to have a fine bunch of Texican Rangers to help out. I really appreciate the fact I have a hardworking committee, dedicated to making this year s event one that you will remember for years to come. It takes a lot of people to pull off an event such as this. Volunteers work many months before the event, and continue to work all the way through to the end of the event. But most of all, I have to say I appreciate your participation and enthusiasm as a shooter in the past. It has contributed to the overall success of this very special event. I m happy to say registrations are coming in daily now. We had 158 shooters last year and we have high hopes of attracting even more this year. There s still time to send in your registration and receive free stretch raffle tickets! The first 50 that sign up will receive them when they check in for the match, so what are you waiting for? Mail your form today, along with a check, of course, and be sure to arrange for a hotel if you need one. Our theme is Shots from the Past, so we ll reminisce a little by incorporating scenarios that were done in past Comancheria Days. The Stieler Ranch site is rich in history of the Old West. Comanche and Apache Indians raided all through this area of Texas, while the Texas Rangers worked to protect settlers. You ll say scenario lines taken from The Searchers, since the real-life story that was the basis for John Wayne s classic movie took place not far from our Texican Rangers range site. We do hope to see you at Comancheria Days this year. Whether this is your 100 th Cowboy Action Shoot, or your 1 st, just know that shooting this event will be one of the most fun Cowboy Action Shoots you ll ever experience. And I can guarantee you will meet and shoot with some of the finest cowboys and cowgirls you ll ever hope to know. Your Comancheria Days Committee for 2015: Shooting Iron Miller Match Director Culebra Blaze Assistant Match Director Grouchy Spike Vendor Coordinator Yuma Jack TR President GeePee TR Vice President Agarita Annie Secretary Madam Ella Moon Treasurer Nueces Slim Range Master At the back of this newsletter you can find a registration form. Watch the website ( for all the most up to date information on the event. Shooting Iron Miller 4

5 THE MARSHAL WHO FOUGHT WITH HIS FISTS Thomas James Smith was born sometime around 1830 in New York. Little is known about his early life as there are no known records. Smith has been described as having been a handsome man, 170 pounds and 5 11, with a thick mustache and a trait of an almost fearless nature. There are numerous reports indicating Smith would refuse to back down despite whatever odds might be against him. He was a middleweight professional boxer before joining the New York City Police force. He used his skill as a boxer throughout his law career and became known as the marshal who fought with his fists. Smith worked in law enforcement in quite a few different states. He served as a police officer in New York City where he was involved in an accidental killing of a young boy. After this incident, he resigned from the police department and began working for the Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska, the beginning of his westward journey. Smith received the nickname Bear River from a stand he made during a skirmish with vigilantes while serving as a lawman in Bear River City, Wyoming. A group of armed vigilantes killed an employee of the railroad because they claimed the man was guilty of murder. A massive fight occurred between the vigilantes and the railroad workers. Much of the town was destroyed by fire, but Smith managed by sheer will and some brutality to keep the entire town from being utterly destroyed until troops from Fort Bridger arrived and imposed martial law. When Joseph McCoy built the Great Western stockyards in Abilene, Kansas in 1867, turning the town into a cattle shipping railhead, the town mostly consisted of sod homes and dugouts. By 1870 much had changed. The town had numerous saloons and brothels and up until that point law enforcement was all but nonexistent. Abilene had become a town of transients, cattle drivers. When cowboys arrived in Abilene, they had been on the trail for months. On the trail discipline was strict because if not, cattle could be lost or someone could be injured or killed. Once the cattle were delivered, the cowboys were paid their wages. They would clean themselves up, get a haircut and buy new clothes. Then it was time to hit the saloons where they could drink and gamble their money away, in some cases the cowboys would visit one of the brothels and spend their money on a lady of the night. Fights over poker games would occur and although most of these fights were fistfights these cowboys were wearing six-shooters so shootings did occur. These out-of-state cowboys bringing the cattle to Abilene became very disruptive to the city. Smith was hired as Abilene s first marshal on June 4, 1870 at a rate of $150/month and $2 for every conviction he made. Smith was actually hired for the position for one month but he stayed on until his death in the fall. Smith was a Deputy US Marshal and was insistent that he could police Abilene using his hands and wit rather than using guns. On one occasion, shortly after taking office, Smith singlehandedly overpowered two men known for (continued on page 6) 5

6 THE MARSHAL WHO FOUGHT WITH HIS FISTS (continued from page 5) their bad temperament, Big Hank Hawkins and his partner Wyoming Frank. Smith banished them both from Abilene, after beating them both using only his bare hands. He enforced the law of no guns in town limits. With this law, everyone arriving in Abilene was required to check in their firearms with the proprietor of the business until they were ready to leave town. Smith received praise for was closing down the red light district. In the Abilene Chronicle, September 8, 1870, it stated that Smith told the vile characters to close their dens-or suffer the consequences. According to the article, all of the houses of ill fame quickly closed down and the women involved in that work left very shortly thereafter. Some folks didn t appreciate Smith and he was extremely unpopular with many of the cowboys that drifted through town, he survived two assassination attempts. Several other incidents and arrests led him to develop a solid reputation and he became widely respected and admired by the Abilene citizens. As reported in the Abilene Chronicle, November 2, 1870: In late October a local farmer named Andrew McConnell had an argument with his neighbor John Shea. Shea had been driving his cattle across McConnell s land and McConnell being unhappy about this confronted Shea. After the confrontation, Shea ended up dead. McConnell was brought in for questioning but claimed that he shot Shea in selfdefense. A man named Miles backed up McConnell s claim, so he was released. Other neighbors claimed that Shea was not the aggressor and that McConnell was guilty of murder. A warrant for McConnell s arrest was issued. On November 2, 1870, Smith and a temporary deputy named James McDonald, attempted to serve a warrant on Andrew McConnell and Moses Miles. McDonald and Smith located the suspects in a small settlement ten miles outside of Abilene. A gunfight erupted, in which Smith was shot in the chest. Smith returned fire and wounded McConnell. The deputy fled back to Abilene to get some help. Smith was getting the better of McConnell but Miles stuck Smith with a firearm, knocking him to the ground. Miles picked up an ax and chopped at Smith s neck nearly decapitating him. McDonald raised up a posse but when they returned to the dugout Smith was already dead and the murderers were gone. McConnell and Miles were captured three days after the killing. McConnell was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Miles was sentenced to 16 years. What is most surprising about Smith s death is that it occurred at the hands of two farmers rather than two cowboys. The town of Abilene returned to its lawless ways until the next marshal could be hired, James Butler Wild Bill Hickok in April, Dwight Eisenhower reportedly considered Smith a personal hero and visited Smith s gravesite on numerous occasions. Smith was buried in the Abilene cemetery. At that time it was not a very lavish grave. In 1904 Smith was reburied and a unique stone, a red granite rock weighing about 2¼ tons, was used to mark his grave. The stone still marks Smith s grave today and reads: Thomas J. Smith Marshal of Abilene, 1870 Died, a Martyr to Duty, Nov. 2, A Fearless Hero of Frontier Days Who In Cowboy Chaos Established the Supremacy of Law 6

7 JANUARY Big John Mesquite Blacky Vela Block Creek Kid Chasen Aces Doc Eliott Hawkeye Leather Lug Skyhawk Hans Happy Birthday Texicans! FEBRUARY Bar Diamond Rider Charlie Reynolds Charlie Saringo Dirty James Doc O Bay Doc Smiley Dusty Lone Star Howdy Nabor Long Juan Major Samuel Clayton Newt Ritter Shooting Iron Miller Sombrero Negro Tricky Tunes Will Peso Yuma Jack 7

8 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Head Um Up Move um Out TEXICAN RANGERS 2015 Jan 31-Feb 1...rescheduled Monthly February 14..Monthly Match February 15 Monthly Match March 14.Monthly Match March 15.Monthly Match April COMANCHERIA DAYS 2015 May 9...Monthly Match May 10. Monthly Match Jun 13...Monthly Match June Monthly Match July 11...Monthly Match July 12...Monthly Match August 8...Monthly Match August 9...Monthly Match September 12...SHINDIG September 13...Monthly Match October 10. Final Shoot of 2015 November/December... range closed Jan Feb 23-Mar 1 Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr 25 Apr 30-May 3 Jun Oct New Mexico State Championship Winter Range Louisiana State Championship Trailhead Arkansas State Championship Jail Break Oklahoma State Championship SW Black Powder Championship Regulators Revenge SASS TX State Championship End of Trail (EOT) SW Regional Las Cruces Phoenix Lake Charles THSS Fort Smith Oakwood Outlaws Oklahoma City Magnolia Green Mountain Plum Creek Founders Ranch Oklahoma City CENTRAL TEXAS MONTHLY CLUB SHOOTING SCHEDULES 1 st Saturday Plum Creek (Lockhart) 1 st Saturday South Texas Pistoleros (San Antonio) 1 st Weekend Fort Parker Patriots (Groesbeck) 2 nd Saturday Texas Riviera Pistoleros (George West) 2 nd Saturday Travis County Regulators (Smithville) 2 nd Sunday Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (Pharr) 2 nd Weekend Texican Rangers (Comfort) 3 rd Saturday Tejas Caballeros (Dripping Springs) 4 th Saturday Tin Star Texans (Fredericksburg) 4 th Saturday (Cowboy) and 4 th Sunday (Long Range) Green Mountain Regulators (Marble Falls) 8

9 SASS AFFILIATED CLUBS IN TEXAS WESTERN AREA Bounty Hunters (Levelland) (2 nd ) Butterfield Trail Regulators (Anson) (3 th ) Canadian River Regulators (Clarendon) (2 nd /3 rd /5 th ) Comanche Trail Shootists (Midland) (1 st ) Concho Valley Shooters (San Angelo) (2 nd ) El Vaqueros (Breckenridge) (1 st ) Gruesome Gulch Gang (Plainview/Kress) (3 rd ) Lajitas Rangers and Rogues (Lajitas) (2 nd ) Purgatory Ridge Rough Riders (Slaton) (4 th ) Texas Tumbleweeds (Amarillo) (1 st ) CENTRAL AREA Green Mountain Regulators (Marble Falls) (4 th ) Plum Creek Shooting Society (Lockhart)(1 st ) Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (Pharr) (2 nd ) South Texas Pistolaros (San Antonio) (1 st ) Tejas Caballeros (Dripping Springs) (3 rd ) Texas Riviera Pistoleros (George West) (2 nd ) Texican Rangers (Fredericksburg) (2 nd ) Tin Star Texicans (Fredericksburg) (4 th ) Travis County Regulators (Smithville) (2 nd ) EASTERN AREA Badlands Bar 3 (Clarksville) (3 rd ) Berger Sharpshooters (Greenville) (3 rd ) Big Thicket Outlaws (Beaumont) (3 rd ) Buck Creek Bandoleros (Nemo) (1 st /3 rd ) Comanche Valley Vigilantes (Cleburne) (4 th ) Lone Star Frontier Shooting Club (Cleburne) (2 nd ) Magnolia Misfits (Houston) (4 th ) Oakwood Outlaws (Oakwood) (2 nd ) Old Fort Parker Patriots (Groesbeck) (3 rd ) Orange County Regulators (Orange) (1 st /3 rd ) Red River Regulators (Texarkana) (3 rd ) Tejas Pistoleros (Eagle Lake) (4 th ) Texas Historical Shootist Society (Columbus) (3 rd ) Texas Peacemakers (Tyler) (1 st ) Texas Tenhorns Shooting Club (Leonard) (Last Full Weekend) Texas Troublemakers (Brownsboro) (1 st ) Thunder River Renegades (Magnolia) (1 st ) Trinity Valley Regulators (Mansfield) (3 rd ) Willow Hole Cowboys (North Zulch) (3 rd ) [information obtained from Cowboy Chronicle] 9

10 Longhorn Bullets Hopalong Herbert Donald Herbert Rick Page Caliber Weight Config PRICE/500 PRICE/ RNFP FP RNFP FP RNFP RNFP FP SWC RNFP RNFP SWC RNFP SWC RNFP COLT 160 RNFP RNFP RNFP RNFP MM 124 RN CN S&W 180 FP ACP 200 SWC RN RN FPT

11 THE TEXICAN RANGERS WAIVER/MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION OR RENEWAL Texican Rangers; PO Box ; Kerrville TX Alias: SASS Number: Name (Releasor): Address: City: State: Zip code: Address: Birth Date: RO1 RO2 Phone: (h) (c) ANNUAL DUES Individual Membership - $24 Family Membership - $48 Cash/Check # Cash/Check # Family Member(s): Date/Amount Paid: EMERGENCY CONTACT: In the event of an emergency on the range, who should we contact? Name: Relationship: Phone: ( ) Cell: ( ) GENERAL RELEASE FROM LIABILITY, WE REQUIRE ALL SHOOTERS TO ASSUME ALL RISK BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE. WAIVER Voluntary participation by guests may involve observing, handling, and firing various firearms of the type(s) used during the period from 1836 through A guest may participate in handling and loading live ammunition into such firearms. During a match the firearms are fired, using lead bullets, at steel targets. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ASSUME ALL RISK BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE FROM LIABILITY. I, the undersigned, will abide by the safety rules of SASS and the TEXICAN RANGERS, INC (hereafter referred to as TR) including the Club Rules while on Stieler Ranch. I recognize the inherent dangers of injury and/or death associated with Cowboy Action Shooting and will not handle or discharge firearm(s) in a manner that may be unsafe to others or me. I understand that the range is a cold range and that my firearms must be unloaded at all times unless I am on the firing line and under the supervision of a range officer. I am aware of the potentially injurious noise level associated with the discharge of firearms and the possibility of being struck by rebounding bullet particles. I will always wear eye protection both on and off the firing line, and insist that my guest(s) do likewise. I understand that ear protection is also recommended. I grant TR the right to use photographs of me participating in TR events or at the Stieler Ranch for any lawful purpose, including without limitation, printed and electronic content. I, the undersigned, do hereby release and discharge (1) the TR and their representatives, agents, servants, directors, and employees, (2) Becky Patterson, her children, heirs and successors, (3) the Stieler Ranch, its owners and their successors, and (4) any and all operating facilities associated with the TR or the Stieler Ranch, from any and all liability of every kind and character, howsoever arising, including bodily injuries and loss or damage of property, sustained by me, my guest, and any other person or entity, having or asserting claims or rights, by, through, or under me; and I do covenant and agree to HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY the said entities and persons from any claims of the nature released or discharged, arising by, through, or under me INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CLAIMS ARISING OR ALLEGED TO ARISE FROM THE SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY SUCH INDEMNITEE. I AM SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE AND CONSIDERATION EXPRESSED AS MY FREE ACT AND DEED. This is a legal and binding obligation from date of signature to 31 December 2015, inclusive. Signature: Date: Parent or Guardian: Date: 11

12 Shots from the Past The Texican Rangers Old Time Cowboy Action Shooting April 09 April 12, 2015 Located on the Stieler Ranch, a historic Old West working cattle ranch from the 1870 s 8 miles north of Comfort, TX miles south of Fredericksburg, TX on Hwy 87 Name Alias SASS# Address City State Zip Phone Posse Request: Wednesday RO I & RO II Classes Contact Agarita Annie texicanrangers@yahoo.com Thursday Friday Wild Bunch Long Range Side Matches Mandatory Shooters Meeting 5 Main Match Stages Posse Shoot Side Match Awards Shooter Costume Awards Covered Dish Supper Saturday Mandatory Shooters Meeting 5 Main Match Stages Posse Shoot Awards Banquet BYOB (No Glass) ENTRY FORM ONE PER ENTRANT Main Match Category (Check one below): Buckaroo Duelist Young Gun Senior Duelist Cowboy Silver Senior Duelist Wrangler Gunfighter 49 r Senior Gunfighter Senior Frontier Cartridge Silver Senior Frontier Cartridge Duelist Elder Statesman Cattle Baron Gran Patron B Western Classic Cowboy Ladies (check if applicable) Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter Frontiersman Cody Dixon Lever Cody Dixon SS Other Wild Bunch Category (Check one): Traditional Modern Open I am certified R.O. I R.O. II (Check all that apply) One entry makes a category - Trophies awarded three deep - No award for Wild Bunch Open. Individual $110 $ YG & Buckaroo $ 50 $ Banquet Guest $ 30 $ Camping $10/Night $ # attending Friday Dinner # of Nights TOTAL $ Make check payable to Texican Rangers, Inc. Send to Texican Rangers, P.O. Box , Kerrville, TX Registration confirmation will be ed or mailed. Additional fee applies if registering day of event. Questions? us at texicanrangers@yahoo.com 12