Volume 10

Notes from the President: After many months of trying to have club meetings after our monthly shoots, with minimal and mixed success, I spoke with many of the club officers and we decided the club needed to go back to our formal club meetings. So, we set up club meetings for the third Thursday of every month to coincide with our monthly shoots. We picked Thursday because it doesn’t interfere with the beginning or end of the week, or the weekend. We picked Wally’s in East Ridge because it is as centrally located as we could get considering the areas our club members are located.

We had our first meeting on Thursday, 15 March, and I was very pleased and admittedly surprised, at the turnout. Twenty-five members turned out and we had a very diverse discussion on many club topics. I want to thank all those members who showed up and promise that next months meetings will be geared toward setting decisional motions based on the topics we discussed. Since I don’t want to take up a lot of room in our newsletter, I will just briefly touch on as many as I can remember.

Although we didn’t have a formal Treasurer’s Report, we were provided a current balance of $3,981.91, which translates into the fact we are a solvent club with enough current revenue to reinvest in improvements at our range. This led into a very lengthy discussion about what and how we can go about it. In addition to some “work days” we talked about approaching businesses to sponsor stages for us and this sent the conversation off into several directions. Along the same lines, we were discussing repairing, rebuilding, and improving our existing stages and the possibility of adding a 40’ X 40’ pavilion. We had several volunteers who indicated they would like to serve on a committee to put together some definitive plans and I agreed to chair the committee. I hope to have at least one meeting with the group before next month’s club meeting.

We also discussed shooting during the summer months and many ideas were offered from shortening shoots, to making sure we had shade and water available. We talked about heat related illness, preventative measures, stage design during hot weather, and even relaxing the dress code to “tighty whities” and a straw hat. Needless to say, the pros and cons were discussed on several topics at great length and I volunteered to take the suggestions and put them into actionable suggestions for next month’s meeting so the membership could vote upon them.

Angie Oakley was unable to attend, but sent a very well written presentation outlining a suggestion for our club to become more involved with the community, particularly for those shut in assisted living situations. Her plan was to visit and possibly put on some type of show or presentation for these types homes. In asking for a show of hands from the members present, about half indicated they would be interested in supporting some type of activity aimed at this suggestion. I will get in tough with Angie and see if she will be willing to chair a committee to follow up.

Next club meeting – Thursday, 19 April at Wally’s in East Ridge , 6521 Ringgold Road , Chattanooga , TN

DIRECTIONS TO WALLY’S: Coming South on I-75, Take exit #1 Turn right toward East Ridge , Wally’s is on the right. You can see it from the exit.

Coming North on I-75, Take exit #1, Turn left toward East Ridge, Wally’s is on your right. You can see it after you cross over I-75.

Please send any club meeting agenda items to me at traildoggy@aol.com and I will make sure they are added to the topics list.

Old Business. The 5th Saturday worday was cancelled due to the shootout at Oak Ridge .

Cops vs. Cowboys shoot is gaining interest, the details are to be worked out by Maddog.

Repair work to stage props needs to be done, Doc and Maddog will make a list of materials needed.

The Lowes' Building is reported to be approved, Shawnee , Maddog and Tennessee Bountyman will pursue details.

Black Powder Only night shoot will be held a Friday before a regular shoot. Date to be announced.

New Business: Any member could inquire of a business to sponsor a stage building project, it will be good advertising for them.

Angie Oakley submitted an idea that the TMM and AOWC could put on a sort of show for the elderly as they're confined to their nursing homes most of the time. This received positive response and details are to be worked out.

Trailbones brought up having a quarterly barn dance social so that wives and other relatives who don't shoot could enjoy the cowboy spirit. We would need a place, preferably a barn or barn-like structure.

The subject of building a covered Pavilion at the range was discussed. Maddog will chair a committee to discuss the details.

Awful Close brought up the subject of shooting in hot weather. Several alternatives were brought up and Shawnee Lee states we will have shade on the range for the summer shoots. We may start to shoot earlier, and shoot faster stages. Mostly, every cowboy needs to be aware of his own limits and take steps to prevent heat related problems.

New Members: Sam Clay, aka Con Conager, and wife Stacey from Oklahoma were in attendance. We welcome them to the TMM.

Minutes taken by Trailbones, on behalf of secretary Angie Oakley. Thanks Dad! :-)

March Shoot: I didn't get to attend the shoot, but I was told that we have several folks get a clean shooting day!

Trailbones shot clean, as did . I think Josey? We'd need to check the scores to be sure.

Note from Trailbones: "Anyone who has extra or old issues of the Cowboy Chronicle, please bring them to the shoot in April. I need as many as I can get.

It started out a little chilly, but once the sun started shinning through, it warmed up pretty quickly. Some thirty-six cowboys and cowgirls showed up to socialize, ride range and throw some hot lead.

We started off digging a grave for a young cowboy who was shot down by that no account Fast Harley bunch. We had everything loaded in out wagon and was right in middle of plantin’ the kid when guess who shows up? The entire bunch of high smellin’, low down hombres. Well, all we said was “I see you and your bunch are still backshootin’ kids!” and every one of them started reachin’ fer smoke wagons. I don’t understand why they would do that, but we were ready for them. When the smoke drifted away, we had to dig quite a few more holes.

Out in the territories you could always feel pretty safe if you were on the wrong side of the law. You didn’t have to fear any law dogs, since none but a few had any jurisdiction. The problem was always bounty hunters. They answered to no law and didn’t have to play by any rules. Many were as much outlaw as those they chased. Wildcat Wilkey and his band of “deputies” were some of the best, and worst. We made the mistake of stopping in a little cantina when one of the town folk came in and told us Wildcat and his bunch were askin’ after us. It wouldn’t be the first time him and his bunch collected bounty on just any old body strapped over a horse. We got our lead throwers loaded up and ready to go, then waited for them to show themselves. It was touch and go for awhile, but cross Wildcat Wilkey off you list of outlaw threats.

When we got back into town, we was approached by the ramrod of the railroad office askin’ if we was willin’ to ride shotgun on a big gold shipment. Seems they had some $250,000 in gold they need to get to the end of the line. We took on the job and spread ourselves along the train in what we thought was some pretty strategic spots and settled down for the ride. We were approaching the trestle over Buzzard’s Gulch and knew we would be safe when we hit the other side, but the train started slowin’ down and suddenly braked hard. The shout went up to be ready, so when the train robbers come callin’ we was there to answer the door. We threw up a curtain of lead they just couldn’t get through and delivered all the gold on time.

Cookie rolled up in the chuck-wagon right there at the rail head and started servin’ up some of the best grub a cowboy could wrap his mouth around. We had Six Gun Stew, Pinto Beans, Cornbread, Deviled Eggs, Tea, and some of that nanner puddin’ that ol’ Awful Close raves about all the time. Off to the side was some Ribs and Bear Stew fer them cowboys lookin’ fer somethin’ a little different. As always, nobody walked away from the grub wagon hungry. Thanks Shawnee Lee and Miss Dixie Ree.

Back in town, we found out they had arrested our ol’ pard Dead Eye Drew fer shootin’ ol’ Bad Eye Tom and stealin’ his horse. Drew said he was way up to Homestead that day and bought the horse before he headed back to his ranch. He had a Bill of Sale, but the Marshal locked him up until he could verify his story. Problem was, the telegram wasn’t bein’ answered quick enough and it was gettin’ pretty late. Ol’ Bad Eye Tom didn’t have many friends, but the ones he had were drinkin’ heavily and talkin’ of a linchin’. We just wasn’t goin’ ta let that happen. We went down to the jail to lend a hand and it was a good thing we did. The necktie party showed up right after we did, and they was a lookin’ fer the party boy. When the dust settled, our guns was empty and Drew was still safe in his cell.

We have a nice little gold claim that turns out enough nuggets and dust to keep you in vittles, with an occasional trip into town. Our trips into town are very rare and since we pretty much keep to ourselves, it has led to speculation that we are hording all our gold in our old shack. This draws the attention of some greedy ner’ do wells who ride up early one morning lookin’ fer some easy pickin’s. What they found was some hot lead instead. The good news was we hit a pretty big vein of gold while we was a diggin’ their last restin’ places.

It was a great day all the way around. Some cowboys earned fame by not missin’ a single thing they shot at, others said it was there best trail ride ever. Everyone left a lot lighter in lead, heavier in groceries and with a smile on their face. I hope all you cowboys and cowgirls can join us on Saturday, April 21, when the Tennessee Mountain Marauders will be possein’ up out at Mystery Dog Ranch again. As always, expect good stages, fun, friends, and plenty of good eats. Hope to see ya there pards!

Mystery Dog Ranch will be sponsoring the 200 yard Buffalo Shoot again with a Trophy Buckle awarded to the winner; and this year we have added another buckle for the 100 yard shoot! Ladies!!!!. The buckles will be awarded next June 2007, so get in line and try your luck – or expertise - at these skilled events!

NEXT SHOOT – The Tennesse Mountain Marauders invite you to join them every THIRD SATURDAY at the Mystery Dog Ranch for fun, fellowship, and a daisy of a cowboy shoot! The next shoot will be APRIL 21, 2007 with registration, buffalo shoot and coffee from 8:00 to 9:00 and the safety meeting following. If you need directions to the shoot and ranch check out the MDR website - www.mysterydogranch.com See ya there

! ! TOP GUN HANDS ! !

1 – Ocoee Red

2 – Marshal Too Tall

3 – Cherokee Maddog

4 – Festus D. Deputy

5 – Horseshoe John

6 – Tennessee Mongo

7 – Wildcat Wilkey

8 – Double Barrel

9 – Dajango Slim

10 – Purly

! ! CLEAN MATCH ! !

Ocoee Red

Tennessee Hoss

Trailbones

Josey Buckhorn

Coast Wise

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".