|
Western Writers Chat June 2004 Newsletter  JUNE 2004 Vol. 8 No. 6 The highlight of this month was the Western Writers of America conference June 15 -- 19, 2004 at Mesquite, Nevada, hosted by Bob and Jodi Wiseman. A marvelous time was had in the warm Nevada desert. Tours to the Valley of Fire, Lost City and the Mormon Meadow Massacre were very interesting. Many informative panels, meetings with publishers and of course excellent food. Next year the conference will be held in Spokane, Washington and Carol Crigger will host this event in June 14-18, 2005. Keep looking for information about this conference. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Frazer Williamson.
Next day, while they saddled up, word came through from the telegraph operator in Congress who had a soft spot for Molly because he remembered the decoration of her room when she was a saloon girl. Molly telegram in hand told the men. "Governor made John Clay U.S. Marshal. Clay made Con Davis a deputy U.S. Marshal and Sheriff of Congress." "He can't do that," Luke Cameron burst out. "Pa appoints the Sheriff." "That ain't the worst, Luke," Molly said. "Clay's had your Pa arrested and taken off with Tucker Coe to the Territorial Prison, and he's been roundin' up all the others who gunned down the Morgans". "There's only you and Luke, and James and John Hanlon here that was involved in that," said Sam Tracy. "Reckon the rest of us'll be safe enough if we go on home". "Yeah", said Rick Gantry, "if theres no Mayor whos goin' to pay us for what we done and went through on this trip"? "Rick, you and Sam and the others'll be paid", Molly said. "Ill see to it. All we got to do is to stick together. There's enough of us here to take the town back from Clay and Davis." Molly looked to Stretch Benton, her deputy. "What do you say, Stretch?" "They're holdin' the town for the Governor, you can bet on that. Might be best if you and Luke and the Hanlons headed elsewhere." "You're reckon'in they'll let you keep the saloon?" "I reckon it's worth a try." "Clay'll reckon you stole that saloon from the Morgans." "Clay won"t arrest me." "You sure of that?" "The rest of us who got legal right to our land ain't goin' to be bothered that way", said Rick. "I'm headin' home and I ain't goin' to be involved in no gun play to take back the town." "That goes for me too", Sam said. "I had enough of bein' in cages down there in Mexico." "Now wait a minute boys", Luke Cameron said. "I got to ask you somethin'." Rick took his foot down from his stirrup. "Say it." "When I was in the jail house at Morgan, Pa come and busted me out, and I intend to bust him out, but I can't do it myself, so Im askin your help. We all ride down there and bust him out." "That's just plumb crazy, Luke", Rick said. "You know what they call that prison? The Devil's Cauldron. It's right there in the middle of the badlands, surrounded by nothin' and it's built like a fortress. Nobodys escaped, and nobodys been broke out of it." "We have to try", Luke said. Sam came in with, "I ain't goin' into that desert. It's full of dead man's bones." "We can work out a plan", Luke pleaded. "Even if we got your Pa out", Rick said. "It would put us on the wrong side of the law. I got a wife and boys and I don't want to be on the run." He swung easily up into the saddle. "You boys comin'?" He clucked his horse forward and the others with the exception of Luke, Molly, James and John Hanlon and Stretch Benton mounted up and rode after him. Molly watched the backs of her split posse before turning to Stretch Benton.. "Why aint you with them?" Stretch shrugged. "You reckon the five of us could go spring Pa?" Luke asked, hopefully. "We ain't for doin' that," said James Hanlon. "I reckon we head west to California where nobody ever heard of the Morgans. Right, John?" "Right, James." "Stretch, you and Molly could help." "Luke", Stretch said. "What Rick said about that prison was true. It's out there in the desert, built of stone. It's a mile by half a mile, by fifty feet high, with round stone guard stations at its corners. The walls are twenty-foot thick." "How do you know?" "I've been there. To see a friend of mine before they hanged him." "We could work out a plan from what you know." "Forget it Luke. Cant be done. The bars on the windows are six inches thick, and the only thing a prisoners got to look at through them is a stone wall because the back of the cells start eight feet from the outside walls. And, they aint at ground level. Theyre one flight up in the middle between where the prisoners exercise and up top where the Warden has his office and the guards live." "Luke", Molly said. "Maybe your Pa wouldn't want you to bust him out." "I got to try." "Maybe", Molly went on, "maybe hed rest easier if he knew you were somewhere safe makin' a new life, and makin' him some grandchildren." "You folks comin' with us?" James Hanlon said. "You boys go on", Molly said. "Take care. Maybe you should give the Territory a wide birth." "What about you, Stretch?" "I got other plans." "O.K. Boy, what Molly here says is sensible. You got to breed otherwise life is all for nothin'. You're Pad want you to look out for yourself now. He's done his bit. You're all he's got, you get killed and he gets hanged, the whole herds culled. Right, John?" "Right, James." "So you got other plans?" Molly said to Stretch when they'd ridden off. "Thought I'd go and see the Governor." "There are other saloons in other places." "What about you, Molly?" "You sure you want to go see the Governor?" "I could rethink it". "Good, take as short as you like." "East or West?" "How about Montana?" "Good mountains. Plenty of miners." "Want to come Luke? Sure to be some rosy cheeked girls in Montana." "What about Pa?" "Write him a letter. Tell him you're safe. He'll rest easy then."
RODEO CLOWN REUNION Stephenville, Texas George Wilhite, WWA member and author of THE TEXAS RODEO MURDER, was one of more than 40 rodeo clowns, bullfighters, and barrelmen honored at the 2004 Rodeo Clown Reunion in Stephenville, Texas, May 6-8. The Reunion was inducted into the Cowboy Capital of the World Walk of Fame on Saturday, May 8. Each of Gail Woerner's "Fearless Funnymen" received a certificate as an inductee into the Walk. The Reunion is held every two years by Gail Hughbanks Woerner, who founded the event. Woerner is also a WWA member whose non-fiction rodeo histories are required reading for anyone interested in the sport. She has written a history of the rodeo clown, a history of bullriding and a history of bronc riding. Gail was honored at the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum on May 6 for her contributions to the history of rodeo and presented an award by Dr. Vernon L. Williams of Abilene Christian University for her work. She signed books following the presentation. George held a booksigning for his new rodeo murder mystery at a special "Rodeo Clown Tea" hosted by Rebecca's On The Square on Thursday afternoon and also at the clown autograph table before each night's rodeo performance, attired in full clown makeup and "clowning togs," as he calls his clown costume. George was a rodeo bullfighter, barrelman, and funnyman for ten years during the 1970s and '80s, and the hero of his new book is a rodeo clown/college instructor who must find the killer of his old boss at a rodeo magazine. George and the other retired clowns were introduced in the arena at each night's rodeo performance and enjoyed special seats for the rodeo. It was hard, though, for most of these funnymen to sit still for long with a rodeo performance going on. The clowns made friends throughout the rodeo crowd, especially among the youngsters. Included is a picture of George and Steve Scott helping one young rodeo spectator take a picture with them. George is also pictured with world-famous rodeo clown Kajun Kidd, a hero from George's early days as a bullfighter. George Wilhite Author, The Texas Rodeo Murder http://texasrodeo.go.to Coming in Fall 2004: "Coronas N Crawfish," by George Wilhite in Fedora III, a private eye anthology by Michael Bracken (Mystery Writers of America)
ROD TIMANUS CONNECTICUT HILLMAN Casimir Pulaski Elementary School in Meriden, Connecticut 3rd, 4th and 5th graders enjoyed Rod Timanus in his Lewis and Clark costume and his interesting stories about the trails. Rod said the portrayal went over very big with the kids.
 ROD TIMANUS EXPERT RE-ENACTOR  IF I WAS THERE ...... MZTinny reveals the Western Writers of America conference: Y'alls...I guess that's me. I can just imagine being there with you. Today is the 15th. The airport is a madhouse as Western Writers ride the little train through the Las Vegas airport, then climb into the shuttle headed for the Casa Blanca at Mesquite. At the hotel more Western Writers are arriving by car. As they wait to check into their rooms in the lobby...... "Oh , there's Sandy, and Carol. Have you seen Marge?" "Hello, Jack, how's the baby?" "But I made my reservations a month ago, man. Look again! My name has to be there." "Have you seen the pool? I can't wait to take a dip." "Where's the bar? I'm bone dry." "I'm plumb wore out. I'm gonna take a nap." "Oh no you're not! We're gonna meet the gang and go sight seein' , and have dinner, and play the slots a bit, then join everyone for some catch-up visitin'." "Yes, Dear." Have a lovely time all, Tinny ********************************************************************** I can just imagine being there with you. "I just love these Continental breakfasts." "Yes, they're so light and elegant." "Yes, they are a little light." "I really stuffed my face this mornin'. " "On a Continental breakfast?" "Continental breakfast my foot. I went to the dinin' room and had me some ham and eggs, and 'taters, and a big stack of toast with lots of them little pats of butter and little thingies of jam. Plus I had a big glass of orange juice and a pot of coffee. Now That's Breakfast." "Well, of all the pigs." "Sounds good to me." "Which way is the dinin' room?" "Hey, you guys. Wait for me!" Have a good 'un Y'alls TINNY ******************************************************************* being there with you. "Has anyone talked to any of the agents yet?" "Well, Andy seen that new one from Western Whoop-te-do. Said he's been workin' on Teen Tattles or some such." "Old Byup Anythin' in here again for that rag of his." "He publishes porno...don't let him take anything you got!" "I just hope someone shows interest in my ms."Wilma Wonder Finds Love Under Wide Open Western Skies With Big Cactus." "Fer Pete's sake, Myrtle, are you still trying to peddle that thing after ten years?" "I told her to leave it at home. It's gettin' downright embarressin'." "It's a Beautiful romance!" Best of Luck Y'alls, Tinny ***************************************************************** being there with you. "The ho-tel is just ahead. This has really been some sightseein' trip." "Thank heavens. This sprained ankle is killin' me. Help me from the bus, I can't hardly..OHhhhhhh" "Well, I told you not to be chasin' lizards like some kid." "I never seen such rock formations in my life." "All of this used to be under water you know." "I've got blisters from so much walkin'." "Oh, Myrtle, with those shorts and halter you're red as a beet, all over." "Don't touch me!" "Too bad you forgot your sunscreen. You shoulda used mine." "But my skin is delicate,and my cream is from Paris." "Oh! Well........ Stop pokin' me Mr.B." "I'm bone dry again. If you need me I'll be in the bar." "Don't forget everyone! There's gonna be dancin' after dinner tonight." "Oooooooohhhh" Speedy recovery Y'alls. Tinny ******************************************************************* there with you. "My, wasn't that SPUR awards dinner and all just wonderful?" "Shore was. Nice speeches and all, too." "I wanted to win that soooo bad, but maybe next year..." "Look what I got at the auction." "Oh Myrtle, that's beautiful." "It oughta be beautiful. It cost me a mint. She Would have it...and just kept biddin' on it." "Yeah, I noticed she raised her own bid a few times." "You Did? Where's your head at?" "But I won, Honey." "Oh, my Gawd. You're gonna be the death of me yet woman." Happy biddin' Ya'lls. Tinny ****************************************************************** with you. "Be sure to check the closet and dresser drawers. I don't want to leave anything...like we did last year." "Yeah, my good suit looks odd without pants." "All aboard for the airport." "I told you to set on the right side, the sun comes in the left side all the way to Vegas." "Thanks for bringin' me a sandwich Darlin'. Just hit the spot, hand me the water." "Oh Honey, I forgot the water." "Myrtle you'd ferget your head if it wudden't hooked on." "This has been a mighty fine trip. Sure was glad to see all of you'all." "Yeah, it seems almost like a family re-union don't it?" "Hey everyone, how about a song while we are all together?" "Fine" "Great" "HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN........." Happy Trails Y'alls, Tinny SOME GREAT PHOTOS AT THE WWA CONFERENCE  Tres Amigos Rod Timanus, Steve Shaw, Kirby Jonas 
Kim Johns, Marsha Ward, Rod Timanus, Marge Bzovy   Marsha Ward, Kim Johns, Denzel Holmes, Marge Bzovy  Rod Timanus selling all of his On The Trail Series Books CELEBRATING THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL 
Senor Rod and Senorita Kym That's for June folks. Hope you all enjoyed this months newsletter. Hopefully, we'll have all the photos on the home site so all can view them. 'Cause if ya ain't on AOL, ya can't see the photos. Be looking for ya' next month. Special thanks to Rod Timanus and Ed Bzovy for the great photos. Marge, Sandy, Kim WESTERN WRITERS CHAT WEBSITE Our website is now updated and ready to use: WESTERN WRITERS Home Page http://members.aol.com/avtopaz/westernw.htm
© 1997 - 2004 Western Writers Chat on aol. All rights reserved.
|
