Tombstone

Milli Cookson, Marilyn Weaver, Me, and Deen Underwood on Allen Street.
photo courtesy Rod Linkous

Your's Truly spent the Labor Day week end in the town too tough to die; Tombstone, Arizona. It was the 27th annual "Rendezvous of Gunfighters". Hosted by the veteran gunfight re-enactment group "the Wild Bunch", and their ladies, "Hells Belles", Gunfight groups from across the nation are invited to come preform at the famous O.K. Corral. Proceeds from the gate over the week end are donated to various charities in Colchis County. For myself and the Paso del Norte Pistoleros, it's been a tradition to attend every year since 1996. The Pistoleros have preformed 10 of the past 12 years. We're looking at rounding up enough folks to possibly perform in 2009.

Over all it was a good week end. Heidi, the Buckaroo, and I arrived in town Friday afternoon. After checking in with the Traywicks to let them know we had arrived safely, we toured the streets to see what had changed over the year. The East and west coasters have tried to take over, only to be disappointed at the amount of tourist that actually pass through town. Many think that the Rendezvous, Wyatt Earp Days, and Helldorado are the norm for tourist traffic, and are disappointed when they receive only one or two people a day the rest of the year. All I can say is: " Duh!"

Friday evening was the mixer sponsored by the Wild Bunch. This year it was held at the saloon located in "Six Gun City". The proprietor has poured a new concrete slab, and added a over hang for the patrons watching the shows. great improvements and much welcomed. It was a great chance to meet old friends and catch up on the goings ons in their lives. Ben Traywick, "Mr. Tombstone" is looking good, and was in good spirits. His son, Bill, arrived later in the evening with his gorgeous bride, Jeanie.

Saturday morning we hit Allen Street to see who all was in Town. El Paso was well represented. From the County Historical Commission we had the beautiful Deen Underwood and her husband, Ham. As with the Historical Commission, and President of Concordia Heritage Association, Ms Patricia Kiddeny. Six Guns and Shady Ladies were represented by Ken Smith, Frank Baron, and two others. With the folks in town on their own, I counted at least 17 El Pasoans.


The current management of the O.K. Corral seem to be a bit greedy. Admission prices jumped through the roof. The $5.00 admission is now $10.00. Maybe I'm getting matter of fact in my old age, but in previous years, members of participating groups, and judges were admitted free, to watch the other groups performances. Not this year!!!! Took a member of the Wild Bunch to twist an arm for Heidi, Marilyn Weaver, Milli Cookson, and I to get in to watch the Wild Bunch. I was pleasantly surprised with the show. I admit that it's been maybe 8 years since I got to watch the Wild bunch in action. It was well worth the finagling.

Of course, Sunday was the Parade with the costume contest. As usual, there were some great outfits, and there were some outlandish outfits. The one thing that struck me this year was the utter lack of sportsmanship on the part of some of the contestants. Heidi had entered the parade despite the fact I was a judge. She was hunted down and yelled at because the parade was "fixed" and she was gonna win because she slept with a judge. Unfortunately, it was one of the locals, who lost a steady customer because of that incident. Anyone that knows me, knows that when it comes time for evaluation, or judgment, I don't care who you are, it you're stuff ain't right, it ain't right. For my wife and friends, if anything, I'm harder on them. Oh well, enough of that rant. Next year I think we have a solution for that problem.

The awards ceromony was cut short by a sudden down pour. I ain't talking about a 1/4 inch spit, but a driving rain. In the semi open Dragoon Saloon, the rain was blown in as far as the bar. Once we cleared a path, got Heidi and the Buckaroo out of there and back to the hotel. With alcohol mixed in, was getting ugly after the winners were announced.

For those interested, the winners from El Paso included:

Saloon Girl: Third Place to Tina Flynn
Children: Third Place to Shooter Olivias
Towns Woman: Second Place to Rudy Linkous
Cowboy: First Place to Ernie Olivias
Gunfighter: Second Place to Ken Smith

Damn good showing folks!!!

After some final "Power Shopping" Monday morning we all headed back to El Paso. A good time was had by all.

A Hell of a Send Off

Thursday August 6th, 2008 was the Memorial Service for Leroy Grazelle. I still find it difficult to realize he is now training the heavenly gun crews. Why is it, most folks really don't get to know a man until he has passed away? While I knew he had re-enacted for a number of years, I didn't know for how long, nor how many of his immediate family also re-enacted. Heck I wasn't sure if he was still working, or had retired. Leroy was just always there, more than willing to lend a helping hand, provide advice, or crack a joke. Another thing I observed, there was one hell of a crowd present to say their final goodbyes.

Unfortunately I have had to attend quite a few memorials and funerals over the past few years. Some were crowded, mainly to make sure the deceased was dead. But Thursday, the folks at the church had to haul in not one, but three additional loads of chairs to the guests. Even with all the additional seating, there were still people standing at the back of the church, all there to pay their respects and to say "Good Bye." To me that marks the true wealth of a man, the number of friends and family he leaves behind.

Lincoln County

It is with heavy heart I come to the keyboard today. We lost a good friend up in Lincoln Sunday afternoon.

Old Lincoln Days went off wonderfully. Beautiful weather all day Saturday, and Sunday. Ron Grimes from Carlsbad performed his one man show,"From Buffalo Hunter to Man Hunter" about Pat Garrett. Patricia Kidney had a nice stand set up presenting Concordia Heritage Association. Of course I was doing my gambling demonstrations. And the Military Committee from the Friends of Ft Selden had camp set up at the Dolan House. We had a good turn out. Had some interesting questions from the crowd.

After lunch Sunday, we started tearing down camp to head back home. Long about 2:30 the un- thinkable happened. Leroy Grazelle collapsed near his trailer. CPR was administered until the ambulance arrived. Unfortunately, Leroy did not make it to the Hospital.

Leroy Grazelle will be missed. He leaves behind his wonderful wife, Rosalyn, A daughter Annette, and sons Steven and Billy. He had been involved in re-enacting and the Friends of Ft Selden for years. Matter of fact, it was Leroy who tought me how to load and man a mountain howitzer. That was back in 1997 or 1998, at Socorro. To sum it all up, because of his knowledge, open heart and faith, and willingness to give the shirt off his own back to some one in need,Leroy Grazelle was one hell of a man. I for one am going to sorely miss him.

A long Week, and Lincoln

Well, boys, girls, and Submarine Race Fans, yet another week has gone by. Because of this and that, I'm running late on getting around to posting, and I do humbly apologize for that.

The bad news is that my Monthly Old West El Paso Gunfight Tour is postponed untill Saturday August 9th, 2008. And why you might ask? Because Heidi, the Buckaroo and I are heading to Lincoln, New Mexico for Billy the Kid Days. We'll head up Friday evening, deal cards and talk history, then race back Sunday evening. Ought to be fun.

Got an email from the friends of Pat Garrett. From the sound of it, Cal Traylor took his last group out to see the ranch and Garrett Murder/ Kill site. Only had one couple that didn't brave the rain last Saturday. Other than that, a good time was had by all. Did learn that there are some issues about access to the murder site. But they seemed to be under control.

Wasn't sure if there was a meeting of the Concordia Heritage Society. Not sure iffn I'll make the August one either.

And for the trivia for the day, it was on August 1st, 1895 that Officer John Selman Jr. arrested Beulah M'Rose for drunk & Disorderly, and carrying a gun. She was fined $50.00. Some claim that this arrest provoked hard feelings between Jr. and John Wesley Hardin. Personally, it just an excuse of Papa John Selman to killed the famed gunfighter.

Diamond Dick gets new head stone

Monday evening I got a call from a friend, letting me know that Sonny Zambrano was going to install the granite headstone for Ernest St Leon (Diamond Dick). For those of you unfamiliar with the name, Ernst St Leon was a Texas Ranger, Under Cover man, and Frontier Detective. He served with John R. Hughes and Frank Jones. He earned the name Diamond Dick by way of the large stickpin he habitually wore. He was killed in a gunfight in a Ysleta cantina in August of '98. He was taken to El paso's Hotel Dieu. Despite the doc's best efforts, Diamond Dick died of his bullet wounds on August 31st, 1898. He was only 39 years old.

As far back as we can remember, Diamond Dick didn't have any marker at all. Beth Jones of Concordia Heritage Association located the grave in 1999. Hamilton Underwood constructed and installed a very nice wrought iron cross to mark the grave site. There the situation sit until The CHA purchased a new granite marker for him. I got excited when the call came in, and started making calls myself. Besides my usual suspects, I called and or emailed the local media to let them know whats going on.

So yesterday morning there were quite a group waiting for Sonny. Deen and Ham Underwood, Leon Metz, Marilyn Weaver, myself, Heidi, and the little Buckaroo were all waiting. Sonny was right on time. Deen inspected the stone, and the decision was made on just how it was going to be installed. A camera man from KFOX-TV showed up and shot some good footage.


Leon, myself, and Deen made a few comments for the camera, and as the saying goes: A good time was had by all.

Photo courtesy of Ham Underwood