I hadn't gotten anything really started for Gunfight Central.  Between work, school and real life, I just haven't had the time.  This February was sort of rough for me for some reason.  The 16th & 24th were always sort of special to me, and for 20 years I have celebrated St Patrick's Day in my own manner.  My post today, is a piece I wrote back on the 16th of February.  I dunno what motivated me to write it, nor to actually start and finish in one sitting.  This is pretty much as it was written, no revising or monkeying with lines.  This was one of those rare ones where the words flowed from mind to pen, and didn't stop or require thought.  Iffn you all can ride this one out, next week I'll be back to the old west and the fun stuff.

The National Anthem and I

The wife seems to find it amusing that I do not like being in public when the national anthem is being played. Something about the gruff old fart bawling like a baby, tears streaming down the cheeks, and choking on his words as he tries to sing it.  Yeah, I admit it very begrudgingly, but it is the truth.  It all began about this date some 20 years ago.

Out in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert in early 1991, our first inkling of the beginning of “Operation Desert Storm” was the flight of B-52s that flew overhead, and the distant thumps of bombs going off a hour or so later.  As the first days progressed nothing really changed.  We watched the camels roam around doing whatever camels do.  In the Morning a flight of B-52’s would approach from their airfields, make a sharp right turn and head into Iraq. We’d hear/feel the thumps of the bombs awhile later, and the B-52s would return, making the sharp left to return home.  From what we were hearing on the Troop radio net, and the short wave, about anytime an Iraqi soldier stuck his head out of a hole, the air force would drive a bomb in the hole after him.  After a bit, I truly began to feel sorry for the poor bastards.

Long about the night of the 19^th or 20^th of February, the air force was carrying out a strike against targets some 15 or 20 miles across the border form our position.  One could hear the rip of the A-10s as they fired the mingun, and feel the concussions as nasty toys fell from the sky.  Wearing night vision goggles, one could see Iraqi tracers arcing towards our aircraft, then the contrails of missiles launched by the A-10s and F-16’s.  Watching this, all I could think of was the 3^rd stanza of the Star Spangled Banner: And the rockets read glare,”

I must have been thinking aloud.  From beside me I heard: “the bombs bursting in air…”.  Then behind me: “Gave proof through the night..”  and then us all: “ that our flag was still there..”  We finished the rest the anthem.  Most have been a hell of a sight.  There myself and PV2 JD Jenkins sitting on the front slope.  PFC Ted Limbach was lounging in his driver’s hole, with SSG Marvin Wilson and SGT Clarence Williams up in the turret.   Marvin and I were the “old men”.  Marvin was a Cheyenne Dog Soldier, and Vietnam veteran.  I had just turned 30, and was wondering iffn I would see 31.  Ted and J were only 18.  We were a hell of a crew.

I flash back to that night when I hear the Star Spangled Banner.  It was a time for extreme emotions for me. A time for praying like hell there wouldn’t be any shooting. A time for praying like hell we’d be given the chance to kick ass, take names, and forget how to write. *  A time of being scared shitless that’s we’d get hurt or killed.  A time of being scared shitless we wouldn’t get the chance to do what we had trained to do. It was one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride until the ground war actually began.

It was a huge sigh of relief as we crossed over into Iraq, weapons loaded, safeties off, ( and discovering after a test fire, that camels can out run Bradly’s and M-1s.) The worrying and wondering about what was gonna happen were gone.  We had a job to do, and we were finally doing it. Scared? Hell yes!  Worried? Hell no!  See much action? Ironically, the only real action we saw was after the Cease Fire was announced.  I guess no one had told the Iraqis that there was a cease fire.  I saw some real heroes there, on both sides.  Am I one of them? Hell no, I just did my job, and got my people home in one piece.

So yeah, I bawl like a baby when the national anthem is played.  After 20 years, I can get through the first part mostly.  I still lose it at the beginning of the 3^rd stanza.  The wife may find it amusing.  I don’t.

Guys, where ever you all got to, I'm still thinking of you.

Oliver Lee and his Trouble near El Paso

The Original stone for Rhodiaus in Concordia Cemetery

Well.. another Saturday morning.  And This one is another anniversary.  The Tulerosa Valley rustling troubles had found their way down to El Paso.  Charlie Rhodiaus and Matt Coffelt had gathered a herd of 25 to 30 head of cattle, and were driving them down towards Hueco Tanks, and further down to Pirate Island.  Unfortunately, they had gathered a few head of cattle belonging to Dog Canyon Rancher, Oliver Lee.  Originality from Texas, Lee and his half-brother had settled in the region in the mid 1880's.  At the time, the basin was lush, and many small ranchers were moving in, as well as farmers.  By the late 1880's the cyclic drought had hit, and hit hard. 

By February 1893 there was a financial panic brewing, and folks were doing what they had to do to keep their families fed.  This is what led Coffelt and Rhodiaus into re-appropriating other people’s cattle.  Just short of Hueco Tanks, the pair learned that the river was up, so the swung the herd west towards Smuggler’s Gap. (Todays’ Trans Mountain Road/Loop 375) 

Oliver Lee along with Bill McNew and Tom Tucker caught up with the herd near where the El Paso International Airport stands today.  When Lee turned to cut cattle from the herd, Rhodiaus snapped off a shot and missed.  Lee whirled around and blew Rhodiaus out of the saddle.  Coffelt decided to get into the gunplay by attempting a shot at Tom Tucker.  Tucker, Coffelt and McNew fired almost simultaneously. Coffelt joined his partner on the ground, dead.

Lee rode into El Paso, wired his attorney and filed a report with Sheriff Simmons.  The three Dog Canyon men were bound over on a $5000 bond to the Grand Jury.  While indicted for murder, the cases were never prosecuted.

Full article from "Gunfight Capital of the World" 

So until next time, Take care, God Bless, and Keep your powder dry.

Geromino Para and other Stuff

Well, today marks an interesting day in and around El Paso.  First, You'll notice a few changes in both the blog, and website.  Yes, Old West El Paso is expanding somewhat.  I'll go into more detail later next month on what some of the plans are, but there's things in the works right now.

Secondly---  We see the anniversary of the last man legally hanged in El Paso County.

Geronimo Para had been a horse thief, rustler and outlaw working out of the Ft Fillmore Bosque, about where Canutillo now sits.  In 1890, he had ran off a herd of horses north east of EL Paso.  Texas Ranger SGT Charles Fussleman and city officer George Herald rode out to find the horses.  They followed the trail of the stolen livestock about 2 miles into the canyon leading up to "Smuggler's Gap".  The horses were spotted, and as Fusselman approached, Para and his men opened fire from close range.  The ranger was mortally wounded with the first fusillade.  George Herald and rancher John Barnes fought a running gun battle as they cleared out of the canyon and returned to El Paso for more men.  then corporal, John R. Hughes spent two weeks attempting to bring Para to justice.  He was ordered to return to camp.  But Hughes never forgot.  Para was arrested and tried for horse theft in New Mexico and serving time at the penitentiary in Santa Fe.  After  Hughes became Capt of Co D, he cut a deal with Dona Ana County Sheriff, Pat Garrett.  He had a man Garrett wanted, by the name of Agnew,  Hughes traded Agnew for Para in 1896.  Para was tried for the murder of Charles Fusselman and sentenced to hang by the neck until dead. 

The execution took place in the El Paso county jail, which had its own hanging room.  It was a double header, and scheduled for noon, February 5th, 1900.  Someone had smuggles a couple pf shanks into the jail cells, and there was a scuffle before things got started.  Deputy Ed Bryant was wounded in the belly, and both prisoners a little worse for the wear.  The first man up was Antonio Flores.  He had been convicted of raping and killing his girlfriend.  He made the final drop without a hitch, and was pronounced dead.  This is where the first hitch occurred in this hanging.  The rope was not properly prepared. ( i.e. it wasn't soaped under the knot)  When the sheriff and deputies went to remove the noose, it was so tight, it wouldn't budge.  The body was hauled up to the scaffold, where it was pried loose.  Para got a front room seat in watching the grisly work.  He was meek enough when it came time for him to drop.  Unfortunately, the noose wasn't adjusted properly, allowing it to slip when Para hit the end of the rope.  The rope slipped, cutting a deep gash in Para's neck and did not break the neck. 
Both mene were buried the next day at Concordia Cemetery.  Unfortunatly, to date no one knows the location of either man's grave.  GEromino Para was the last man to be legally hanged in El Paso County, the state of Texas directing executions to be performed at Huntsville in 1917.

So until next time, Take care, God Bless, and keep your powder dry.

Jimmy Daze Comics

Never heard of Jaime Portillo or Jimmy Daze Comics? Well that’s all about to change. I just finished reading the first four installments of his limited series comic book; Hell Paso; The Dallas Stoudenmire Story. This series is published by Jimmy Daze Comics and Death Moon Comics. All I can say is: WOW!

Issue #1 opens with the storm of gunfire that heralded in the new year of 1881 here in El Paso. Jimmy explores the men of city council and their relationship with City Marshal George Campbell. He also introduces us to the Manning brothers, and their flunkies John Hale and Bill Johnson. The issue closes with the arrival of Stoudenmire to become City Marshal, and his altercation with Johnson.

Iffn you want to know more, you’ll have to buy the books!

Jimmy created, wrote and lettered this project. Arturo Delgado did the artwork on issues #1 & 2, with Rick Martinez drawing #3& 4. Dany Morales did the coloring. It all blended into a very nice piece of work. Now, iffn you are expecting a chapter and verse retelling of the Stoudenmire saga, I’m afraid you will be disappointed. Jimmy himself will be the first to admit that this is a fictionalized version of the story. And what a story he wrote. Personally I found it to be a crisp, refreshing change of pace. Through Jimmy’s eyes, I got to look at these men and their deeds from an entirely different point of view. I had to set back and scratch my head a bit and ponder. A few folks have poo pooed the concept. Ironically these are the same folks that embraced Carlos Blake and his historical fiction on Pancho Villa. Me, I use my old mantra, and take it for what it is, a damned good story with great artwork, that just might get a younger generation interested in our history.

The series is well written. The artwork and color are fantastic. The first four issues are on sale at WWW.INDYPLANET.COM.

Last I talked to Jimmy; he was finishing up issues five and six. I give Jimmy and the crew a two thumbs up, job well done. Iffn He should decide to do another series along the same line, and it garners more interest in the history and heritage of the Pass of the North, all the more power to him!!!!!

untilnext time, keep your powder dry......

It's the beginning of a new year, and it started with a bang. I worked the El Paso Museum of History's "Fan Fest" for the Sun Bowl. Helped Curator Barb Angus with the chuck box and cowboy cooking set up. As always the was a blast.
Jimmy Blaze had a table set up at the Museum as well. Now for those of you into independent comic books, Jimmy Blaze is the creator of the "Hell Paso" series. "Hell Paso" is a mini series of six comic books, dealing with El Paso's turbulent early years and our 2 gunned City Marshal; Dallas Stoudenmire. The first 4 issues of the series are completed and available for sale. Besides at Barnes & Nobles, Hell Paso is also available online. I was impressed with the series, and can't wait to see how Jimmy ties everything up in the final two issues.

The first Old West El Paso Gunfight Tour of the year went off without a hitch. Had several folks from Indiana along. Found it ironic that they flew over 750 miles to hear another Hoosier talk about gunfights. I was personally very satisfied with the turn out. Now I did get asked one question that I have not found an answer to yet. Looking for a difinative book on El Paso's Missions and Presidio Chapel. There are booklets and pamphlets, but not a serious book that I know of....yet.

Was talking to Constable Rick Gammon this week at the court house. The good Constable introduced me to yet another gunfight, another 20th Century one at that. As I research it, I'll get it written up and posted for you folks.

I did get some major work done on the website over the holiday period. Got most the kinks worked out of the digitizing of the Old West Tales booklets. And cleaned up the format for the gunfight listings.

One criticism I received on the listing does need explaining. the former gunfight listing page has been renamed Gunfight Capital of the World. The entries found there are actually the rough drafts of my detailed accounts of each encounter. Believe me, the hard copies have a multitude of crib notes and personal questions scribbled between lines and in the margins. Eventually, all of that will be cleaned up, edited and become my serious book of the same title. So folks visiting the GFCoW page can actually see the book being born. ( and it might take years to finish the research, so don't expect miracles).

That's enough rambling for now. Hope you all had a Happy New Years Keep your powder dry.