C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

               

Festus D. Deputy

First Place

May 2006

Meeting Notes from our Secretary

Howdy Y'all,

 Early morning at the May shoot was beautiful, or so I hear.  I wasn't able to shoot this month due to sinus problems and the after-effects of Sudafed.  I did manage to arrive in time for lunch though and WOW what a lunch it was.  For someone who couldn't breathe too well I sure did manage to "inhale" a delicious steak dinner.  It was great to see everyone again and I'm glad we are able to share such a "cool" event as SASS!  What a lucky bunch we are to live in the land of the free. 

We are now six weeks away from our Fourth of July Celebration.  Our primary focus right now is getting the range ready.  During our meeting we talked about what we needed most:  manpower.  As a lady I can certainly appreciate the need for manpower; there's just an awful lot of things out there needing to be done that requires a man's strength and initiative.  Think of it as my little "Honey-Do" List and honey, I do appreciate all your hard work.  If you have questions about anything to do with the range and aren't sure of what to do next, ask Shawnee Lee for direction.  He's the range boss and will be able to answer any question you may have.  The back fence row still needs to be cleared out, fences still need to be put up, and in general we've got to make the place shine so if you show up and are the only person there, then take a look around and if you see something that needs work you've got a green light to git 'er done as you see fit.  The remaining work days will be listed in the newsletter. 

If you have ANY kind of suggestion or question, remember something we might need, think of something we might NOT need, or WHATEVER partaining to the 4th of July Celebration, call Angie Oakley.  I'm keeping the One, the Only, the Final MASTER LIST of all things related to the Celebration.  I'll take that single list and keep in contact with Cherokee Maddog et. al. so we can be sure we're all working on one list so your suggestion will NOT be forgotten or overlooked.  All my contact information will be listed on the newsletter.  You can call me at home, on the cell, or at work.  If I don't answer leave me a detailed message with your name, alias, phone, and message. 

We still need volunteers (hey wives-- you can help too!) for the day of the shoot to help direct traffic in the morning and ensure parking space is used to its maximum; we'll also need folks to make sure the side

matches are run properly.   I've only gotten 3 volunteers so far so if you can help, gimme a call and I'll mark you down.  For the first half of the day we'll need help getting everyone parked and signed in, the second half of the day we'll need help managing the stage matches.  I'll be happy to direct anyone that isn't sure of where to go or what to do.

Schedules, timelines, and a more detailed list of events will be forthcoming on the website and in the June newsletter. 

Best wishes,

Angie Oakley

angieoakley@bellsouth.net, 423-332-0689 and 423-443-9358.  Leave me your alias cause that's how I know you, and phone number and where you want to help volunteer. 

SPIRIT OF THE GAME AWARD

Rockn Rooster

REMINDER:  If you would like to order a TMM Badge, please let Jamesie McNeyman know so he can call the order in.  His phone number is 423-479-8465 and email is:   Jneyman8465@charter.net

 

 

 

 

Cherokee Maddog SASS Life 48430

Volume 7 – Dateline 21 May

It has been several months since I have been able to put pen to paper and bring everyone up to date on the goings with that Tennessee Mountain Marauder bunch out at Mystery Dog Ranch.  What with the gold being found up in the Deadwood Creek area, the news about railheads moving south toward the big cattle ranches, the Indian uprisings, and sheep wars, this reporter has been pretty busy. 

I had the pleasure to meet up with those Tennessee Mountain Marauders and posse up with a great bunch of cowboys and cowgirls, who ride for several brands, over at Mystery Dog Ranch this past Saturday.  Turns out several head had “wandered off”, or were wandered off by some rustlers.  Either way, we set off to track them.  After several days on the trail, we found our little wandering herd all bunched up with some hard-case cowhands sitting around a fire nearby.  They invited us to step down and have some grub, not knowing who we were, or that we had been tracking them.  By the time they found out, it was too late.  Once the smoke cleared, all that was left to do was round up the herd, move on back to the ranch and leave the rest for the buzzards.

On the way back, we stopped in the little town of Rio Lobo where the marshal was having some problems with one of the local ranch owners.  He needed someone to back his play as he went into the saloon to arrest the big man himself.  We were to bust in the front when he was ready.  Needless to say, nothing went exactly according to plan, but the state saved a lot of money in room and board for that bunch.  The marshal was thankful for the help and we did our good deed for the year.

As the sun was heading down the sky, we decided to make camp a little early.  Pulling our little herd up close, we were getting ready to bed down for the night when we heard some riders circling the herd at quite a distance.  We pulled out all our irons made sure they were dry and loaded, then move out to hunt some rustlers.  Sure enough, just at the edge of the trees were some riders who obviously thought they could make off with our little herd, figuring there was probably only one rider.  They didn’t realize they were up against an entire posse.  I wish I could have seen their faces when we opened up on them.  Must have looked like Gettysburg and at sunrise the next morning there was several laid out.  Heck, buzzards, coyotes and bugs got to eat.

About midday , the next day, we met up with a wagon master headed into town for supplies.  Since he was carrying a sizable amount of cash to buy some more supplies for his outfit, we decided to ride along with him into the next town.  We rode all the way into town with him and when he stepped into the bank, a gang of outlaws decided they wanted his cash and whatever else they could get from the bank.  Being the good citizens we are, we decided we would throw in with the wagon master and when the shooting was done, the money was safe.

We decided we would go on over to the saloon and throw down a couple cold beers, just to cut the dust, if they had any.  It took a little while for our eyes to adjust to the darkness in the room, but when they did, guess what we saw.  The ragged outlaw remnants of that ner-do-well bunch who had tried to rustle our herd on the trail.  Well they took exception to being shot up so bad and we took exception to them taking exception.  The room quickly filled with smoke and lead was flying thicker than flies around a manure pile.  In the end, we made sure the rustling days of several no-accounts were ended once and for all.  They’ll be no more cattle rustled by that bunch.

About noon the next day, Miss Dixie Ree and Shawnee Lee showed up with the chuck wagon and prepared a feast for all the hands, big and small.  Everyone enjoyed a big old beef or pork steak, potatoes, greens and some home-made banana pudding.  It was hard to get back into the saddle after that meal, both because we all needed a nap and it was hard to get them full bellies moving in one direction with any conviction.  That chuck wagon crew really out did themselves this time.    

We only had one river left to cross before our little herd of “lost sheep” were back home and them cow folk could head off to their own ranches.  But, when we crossed the river, it was up a bit because of the rain and everything got soaking wet.  Based upon everything that had happened to us, we decided we needed to empty out our irons and replace the wet bullets with dry ones.  About that time someone laid down a challenge to see who the best hand was with long gun and pistol.  In spite of being tired, hungry, and ready for a bath, several of them gun hands was up for a little competition, so they used an old stump for a target and went at it to see who was the best gun hand.  Right in the middle of all that shooting, some prairie hens got scared up, so everyone was reaching for a scatter gun to put some vittles on the table tonight.  Some got away, but enough was brought down to feed the bunkhouse that night.

All in all, many a cowboy and cowgirl had a good day.  Good friends riding together, sharing big lies, great grub and reveling in the cowboy way.  I hope to see you out at Mystery Dog Ranch in June when those Tennessee Mountain Marauders will be up to something I am sure.  So until, June 17, keep this great country in your thoughts, your powder dry and your family close to your heart.

 

JUNE CHUCKWAGON MENU

Deli Meats/Sandwiches

Chips, Veggie Tray, Fruit Bowl

Banana Pudding

Tea & Water

 

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later!!!! 

TOP TEN OLD WEST PHRASES THAT WILL NEVER SOUND THE SAME AFTER “ BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN ”

1.    “I’m gonna pump you fulla lead

2.    “Give me a still one, barkeep!”

3.    “Don’t fret---I’ve been in tight spots before.”

4.    “Howdy, pardner.”

5.  You stay here while I sneak around from behind.”

6.  Two words:  “Saddle Sore.”

7.  “Hold it right there!  Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like.”

8.  “Let’s mount up!”

9.  “Nice spread ya got there!”

10.  Ride’em cowboy!"