LRCHS'56 Memories & Ramblings Archive
The Boxer
From: Smitty
Date: 27 Feb 2008
Time: 22:50:24 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.127.244
Comments
The Boxer Jon White setting at his office desk at the back of the large warehouse did not appear to hear the young lady speak softly standing at the doorway. Signing some papers and shoving them aside Jon looked up and noticed her standing there. “May I help you?” “Are you Mr. White”? “Yes”. “I want to box, my name is Patricia Davao”. Jon from long experience in sizing up people observed the young girl was about 5ft. 4in. and between 110 and 115 pounds. “What makes you think I am looking for any boxers?” “I work in a Sari Sari store a couple of blocks from here and have talked to one of your girls that you are training”. Jon pushed his chair back from the desk and sharply eying the young girl begins to think how he had got into the situation to train young Asia boxers. Now in his early 60’s but in his younger years a strong and upcoming fighter with a 9 and 0 record. But Vietnam interrupted that for he had enlisted in the Marine Corp and ended up for two tours in Vietnam. Then serving the remaining time of 22 years in the Marines found most of the time he served in the Asia area. He became a martial art black belt in three different martial art styles. One from Japan, one from China and the last from Korea, having spent time in all three countries. After mustering out of the Marines he had gone back to the states but found that the life style suited him better in the Far East. Returning to Japan he would eventually marry a Japanese girl and they would have one little girl. Jon was able to get a job at the US Embassy in security and things should have been normal but trouble with his wife made him begin to look elsewhere to live. The two divorced and Jon moved to Thailand for several years and trips out of Thailand found him going more and more to the Philippines. He had been there many times during his Marine career and here he would find his home. In Manila he was once again hired for security at the US Embassy but now was head of security. The pay was good and he was excellent in the job but always deep in his mind was a desire to get back to his roots and the boxing that he had abandon long ago. He married a young Filipino girl (Tess) and they would have one son (Ben) and one daughter (Tricia). Tess would be just what Jon needed for she was a great mother and wife and both could not have been any happier than being with each other. Several years passed and finally Jon had enough and talked to Tess about his plans for training young Filipino boxers. She readily agreed to stand behind and help in anyway she could and for Jon to pursue his dream. Jon begin to look for a suitable place to open a training facility and finally found a rundown two story warehouse and he and Tess taking a large part of the savings bought the warehouse and begin to remodel and get it ready as a boxing training facility. That was three years ago and the upstairs of the warehouse had rooms for up to eight people to live in during there training. For Jon expected no less than total dedication for the young people he chose to train. Down stairs the building was set up for the training and had showers and locker rooms for both the girls and young men he had accepted to train. Currently there were two young men and three ladies in training. Now you have to realize that in the Far East the average boxer’s are not heavy weights but come in as feather weights and light weights with some obtaining the weight for welter weights.. There is a large demand for fighters in all of the Far East and from home town clubs to very large arenas in Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines plus even Australia fights are promoted and large attendance can be expected to watch the fights. “You say your name is Patricia?” “Yes, but everyone just calls me Pat”. “Had any boxing experience?” “No, but I am a fast learner”. “Why boxing”. “Not much future in working in a Sari Sari Store”. “True”. “What time do you work?” “From 9 till 7”. “Hmm, not much time to train to box”. “I will come anytime”. “Whoa don’t quit your job just yet for I don’t know if you are what I want to train?” “Can you be here at 5am tomorrow morning?” “Yes sir”. “Good see you then Pat”. The smile she had seemed to Jon as wide as the Grand Canyon. The Boxer 11 Jon arrived the next morning just before 5 and setting on the steps was Pat. “Glad you could make it, Pat”. “Mr. White, nothing could have kept me away”. Opening the door the two went in and Jon said: “I laid out some equipment for you in the locker room on the bench”. The door on the right is the ladies locker and you can use one of the empty lockers to put your clothes in and then come back here”. “Our normal training does not start until 7 so you and I will have the gym to ourselves and I can find out what you have to become a boxer”. While Pat was gone Jon changed and brought out a pair of gloves and some heavy padded gloves for himself. Pat came back and he motioned for her to come in the ring and the proceeded to put the gloves on her. “Let me see how you stand”. At first Pat not understanding just stood there and Jon: “No, take a boxing stance”. “Ok, just put your left foot forward and bring the gloves up to your face”. Pat put her right foot forward and not the left. “Look I said your left foot”. Left foot goes forward but Pat is standing awkward as her left hand is back and the right hand is forward. “Wait a minute are you right handed or left handed, Pat?” Pat: “Feels better as a left hand”. “Ok, now I want you to jab at my glove with your right hand just snap it out and hit the glove”. “Pop, pop”. “Not bad” “Again” “Pop, pop”. “Thought you said you had never boxed?” “Had a few fights with my brothers”. “Brothers, huh, how many you have?” “Three” “You win any?” “A couple times”. “Keep jabbing”. “What were they about?” “Mostly just brother sister squabbles”. “Any brother in particular?” “The oldest one, Eric”. Pat stopped jabbing at the gloves and Jon from long experience with the young Filipino girls knew that all was not right with Pat and her brother. For he noticed a single tear streaking down her cheek. “He abuse you, Pat?” “Yes” “Try your left hand”. Jon did not expect the force and fury of Pats left hand hook for it knocked his glove back against his forehead. But he just said: “Again”. Once more he felt the power the young girl possessed and knew he wanted to start her in training if that is what she really wanted to do. Leaving the ring he showed Pat the ropes and showed her how to skip and let her work out for the rest of the morning on the skip ropes. Then for the next three weeks he had Pat meet him at the gym at 5 am more so to see if she would show up each day and work out. Impressed with her workouts and her promptness in being on time each day he stopped the workout and said: “Pat, would you like to come here and live and workout with the others?” “Oh yes, Mr. White, nothing would please me better, I’ll go and get my stuff now”. Jon laughing: “Tomorrow would be soon enough to move in”. But after her workout she came back that morning carrying a single sack with all her possessions in it. Jon took Pat upstairs and showed her the room she would be staying in and went back down stairs as the rest of the boxing team were now working out. Pat soon came back down and Jon said; “Pat just watch this morning how we go through our work outs and maybe get acquainted with the rest of the team”. So begin a long three months for Pat as even though she learned quickly Jon would not let her fight at a couple of local arena fights the rest of the team participated in but noticed that Pat was always helpful to the other fighters in anything they needed. The slow development of Pat continued and then came the sparring rounds at the gym with the other three girls (Lorena, April, and Lei). Lorena the more experienced of the three had already had five fights and was undefeated while April and Lei while showing promise had both lost a couple of fights. After a few sessions Jon pulled Pat aside one morning and asked; “Pat, I know you can box better than you are showing during our sparring sessions and you very seldom use your left hand so is there something wrong with the left?” “No sir, but I am just afraid to use it even though we are wearing the padded helmets on the other three”. “Well if that’s the case then I guess I have been wasting my time and money on training you”. “Maybe you should just stop now and find other pursuits to take up for to be a fighter in this business you have to be strong and ruthless if you want to win against others”. “What will it be?” Pat; “I will do better and use the left, please don’t give up on me”. “Ok, get in the ring and spar against Lorena now”. Lorena with her experience was giving Pat a boxing lesson until she threw a right hand and Pat ducked under the glove and countered with her left hook. Catching Lorena on the jaw it snapped her head back and half turned her around and another left came right behind the first and she dropped down on one knee shaking her head. Jon smiling was immediately in the ring helping Lorena up and asking her if she was ok. Lorena; “Man, she has a mean left hook I’m still seeing stars”. So it would appear that Pat was now ready to take the next step in becoming a professional fighter……. The Boxer 111 Pat Davao’s first fight came just two weeks later at a local club in Manila. The ladies fight four rounds with two minute rounds. Jon working in her corner was impressed with how Pat was handling herself and that she was throwing out many stiff jabs at the other fighter. Thinking between the second and third round as he told her now this round start using your left on a follow through with the jab. Midway through the third round after landing several straight jabs that were rocking the other fighter back Pat launched the left that landed squarely on the jaw and the Filipino girl sagged to the canvas out cold. After that first fight Pat discovered that she did possess the fighting instinct to take out anyone with her ability. This made her double up her efforts at the gym and she worked even harder than she ever had before. It wasn’t long before even Lorena did not want to spar with Pat, so Jon started having her spar with the boys and even then Pat held her own…. The next couple of months found her having three more local matches and in the three she had two more knockouts and one TKO to her credit and still she would try to work harder at the gym after each fight. Three more fights followed at local clubs and Pat’s reputation was building among the other Filipino boxing clubs and it became harder for Jon to schedule her any more fights. Now with a sparkling 7 and 0 record with 5 knock outs and two TKO to her credit all Pat could do was wait and see what Jon could find for her to continue fighting. That came about when Jon received a call from a Korean promoter, Chan Lo, to inquire if Jon had any good fighters to bring to Seoul, Korea for a big match there. Jon replied that he felt that he had two ladies and one man that he could bring to Seoul. Chan Lo said; “Good, I will send the contracts out today and after you read and sign them, just send them back. The fights will be in three weeks”……… The next two weeks the three worked very hard and did more road work every morning before working out in the gym. Jon having anticipated that Pat would need to travel out of the country had previously had Pat get a passport to leave as he had already done with the other fighters. Pat ever so excited for she had never flown and never been off the island could hardly wait until they were in the air flying to Korea. Chan Lo had booked two rooms at a hotel and after checking in, Jon left to confer with Chan Lo about any training facilities close by and also to find out just who his fighters would be facing. Then the night of the fights in a very large arena in Seoul and the place was full with mostly Koreans that came to watch and wager on the fights. The first fight found Jon’s male fighter (David) fighting and David in the six round fight was able to win over his Korean match up. Lorena fought her bout two fights later and although Jon knew she had out pointed the Korean fighter suffered her first defeat on a split decision from the Korean judges. Furious with the outcome and voicing his objections did not change the outcome as he consoled Lorena after the decision. Then back to the dressing room to prepare Pat for her bout after the next one. When Pat entered the arena and could see the large crowd there she became very nervous but Jon in a soothing voice just told her to; “Calm down and concentrate on your fight”. In the ring, Pat could now size up her opponent Kim Chun and saw although about the same height as her, she was stocky and well developed in the upper part of her body. Then the instructions and the bell sounded for round one. As Pat approached the Korean fighter, Kim rushed in and begin throwing punches left and right and tried to run over Pat. But Pat ducked to the side and begin to jab out as Kim again tried to rush in and push Pat against the ropes. Then the stinging right jabs from Pat and the occasional left hand had the Korean backing up trying to get away from Pat’s punches. Round one ended and Jon seeing that Pat could control the rushes and hold her own just said; “Keep doing what you have started”. Then midway through the second round Pat caught her with a combination that sent Kim back against the ropes and as she tried to come off was hit with a solid left cross to the side of the head and went down but was able to get up on an eight count and soon after the round ended. The third round started out as the other two had but soon Pat was once again in control but just before the round ended and while Kim had been knocked back against the ropes she reached out with her gloves and grabbed Pat around the shoulders and then pulled her forward while pushing her head out and struck Pat above the right eye. This caused a wide split to instantly start bleeding over Pat’s eye. The referee stepped in and only pointed at Kim and then led Pat over to her corner. Jon was instantly up and started applying a wet towel to the eye. A Doctor was called up and he looked at Pat’s eye and started shaking his head back and forth. But Pat started screaming; “No, No”, and Jon also said; “You can’t stop it for that was a deliberate head butt”. The Doctor just shrugged his shoulders and stepped back down and the referee then motioned for the two to continue the round. Pat was able to finish the round with not much more damage and returning to her corner was doctored by Jon to close the wound as much as possible and apply thick salve to stop the flow of blood. Pat just before Jon put her mouth piece in said; “She will pay for that”. And pay she did as Pat unleashed a barrage against Kim that soon had her wobbly and weak legged and a final combination dropped her for an out count………………………. Then back to Manila but it would take over six weeks for the eye to heal enough with scar tissue for Pat to chance even sparring although she continued to work out and do her road work every day. The Boxer 1V Even after the six weeks were over Jon made Pat wait two more weeks before letting her spar again. There were changes going on at the gym as both April and Lei had decided to quit and pursue other things in there life. Jon eventually brought on two additional female fighters Mai and Ivy. One day while working with the two new boxers, he received a phone call from Won Lee a big time Chinese promoter out of Hong Kong. Jon had known Won Lee for several years but never had the opportunity to have any of his fighters fight in the large arena in Hong Kong. Won; “Jon, this is Won Lee, do you have time to meet me today for lunch?” “Sure, where and what time?” “Ok, I know the place and see you there around one”. After the meal and waiting for fresh drinks, Won Lee leaned forward and said; “Jon, I am promoting an all Asia championship match for all weight classes and only for lady boxers. “I was at the matches in Seoul a couple of months ago and saw your two ladies fight”. Thought one got a bad decision but was really impressed with the other one that won by a knock out”. “By the way, how is the cut healing?” “Its fine now and Pat has started back sparring”. Won Lee; “Tell me if I am correct, Lorena, that is her name right, only has that one bad decision defeat and the other lady is undefeated?” “Yes you are correct”. “Well, these fights will be sanctioned and will be for championship status for all of Asia”. Jon; “What are you offering?” Won Lee; “For both of your fighters and guess one would be in the fly weight and the other in feather weight classification, is that correct?” “Yes, but what else are you offering?” “Each winner of there class will receive $10000 and the loser $5000 plus hotel and air fare does that sound fair to you?” “Yes and when are the fights and how soon will we know who there opponents are?” Won Lee; “My handshake now and I will have the contracts to you this week along with information for each classification and the matches”. “Sounds great”, but Jon was also thinking this must really be big time as the pay off for each winner was very high………………………………..The contracts were delivered and Jon went over them and signed for his fighters and sent them back to Won Lee. Both girls trained hard in the time leading up to leaving for Hong Kong and the fights. But things are not always as they seem for when Jon, Lorena and Pat arrived in Hong Kong and saw the advertisements for the upcoming fights in two days they were very surprised to see while Lorena was matched with the girl in the contract, Pat was now matched with Su Chin who was undefeated and also the reigning champion and a welter weight and the fight was scheduled for six rounds. Jon furious tried to call Won Lee and when that did not work took Pat with him and they went to the arena to find him. Jon confronted Won Lee and said; “What kind of tricks are you trying to pull as you know very well Pat was to fight in the feather weight division and certainly not welter weight. “Now, now, Jon lets be reasonable about this as I did not know of the switch until the ads were already printed and then the advertisement went out on all the TV stations here and across Asia”. “Well guess you have just wasted that money as I will not allow her to fight in the welter weight division”. Won Lee; “Be reasonable, Jon, what’s done is done and we don’t have time to change it, but I am willing to pay your fighter $10,000 win or lose and by the way this is the main event for the evening”. “We don’t ever fight six rounds and I am just not going to allow it”. Pat standing and listening to the conversation begin to pull on Jon’s sleeve and when he acknowledge her, she pulled him off to the side and said; “I want to fight her, Jon”. Jon; “Pat, I have seen Su Chin fight and she is extremely good and besides she is at least five inches taller and 10 or 15 pounds heavier, no, I just can’t allow it”. But Pat was just as insistent and finally convinced Jon to allow the fight to go on………………………………………………………………………………………… The arena was jammed packed with standing room only and there were three preliminaries fights before the championship fights begin. Over 30,000 people mostly Chinese but many other Asian nations were represented also. When Lorena’s fight came up she was very sharp and won her fight in a split decision from a boxer from Korea and Pat congratulated her and waited in the dressing room for the Main Event to start. The small but boisterous Filipino crowd had given Lorena a loud welcome and standing had cheered through the four round bout. The Boxer- Main Event When Pat came down the runway from her dressing room the crowd was mainly silent except for the Filipino’s that stood waving the Philippine flag and cheered loudly. Although many in the crowd did cheer also. Then Su Chin came down and entered the ring to loud and long cheering but when Pat and she met in the center for final instructions from the Chinese referee they grew silent as everyone could see the difference in height and weight between Pat and Su Chin. But that was short lived when the bell rang for the first round as the Chinese cheered as Su Chin came out and with her long reach begin to pepper Pat with those sharp jabs. Pat begins to back up as she seemed unable to get close enough to throw any jabs or an effective punch at the taller fighter. And just before the end of the first round Su Chin caught Pat with a solid right that rocked her back against the ropes. Jon between rounds told Pat she had to get closer if she could and to start using her left hook to the body because the height difference would make it difficult to connect to the head. Pat; “I don’t know as she is very fast and covers very well, but I will try”. But the second round was a carbon copy of the first as Su Chin kept up her attack on Pat and with well placed jabs begins to come behind with right hands that were connecting and causing Pat to only cover up from the sharp blows. Jon between rounds and knowing that Pat had easily been out pointed for the first two rounds came up with telling Pat to begin to circle to her left and keep away from the sharp and heavy jabs that Su Chin was throwing. Then with counter punches after Su Chin threw her right hand punches you can get in some good left hooks to the body. And Pat tried to use that approach in the third round and was able to get in several shots to the body that seemed not to faze the heavier Chinese fighter. But it almost turned out a disastrous round as half way through Pat was caught with two solid right hands and for the first time in her career was knocked down and although able to get up was given an eight count by the referee. Realizing that all was lost if she did not attack when Su Chin came in after the knock down Pat circling to her left threw several left hooks that connected but Su Chin was relentless in pressing her advantage and the round ended with once again Pat backing up. Jon between rounds; “Just keep doing what you are doing but realize you are behind on points for the fight”. “I’ll keep trying but she is very good and hits harder than I have ever been hit before”. The fourth round started with Su Chin trying to press forward but found it more difficult to connect as Pat kept up her left side shuffle and throwing the left hook to the body. The two fought evenly through the round but you have to believe that Su Chin would win the round on points, but just before the end of the round Pat threw another solid left hook and while no one else saw the result Su Chin did and Pat saw her grimace and lean over ever so slightly from the punch. Pat between round four and five; “Jon, she is beginning to feel the hooks and if I can continue them I might have a chance”. “Don’t change then, keep it up”…………………………………… But Su Chin being the reigning champion would not give in easy and the fifth round the two traded blows and then about half way through the round once again Pat countered with a left hook that visible shook Su Chin and she backed up the rest of the round and her right hand was visibly lower in her stance. The crowds sensing that there seemed to be a change happening in the fight were noticeably quieter as final round started. But soon were all on there feet as the two young fighter traded blows and neither would back off and then two good left hooks to the body and Su Chin could not take anymore and trying to back off was caught again on the side of her head and in a slow spinning move sank to the canvas. The Chinese referee moved Pat from one corner to another before starting the count to seemly allow the Chinese fight time to recover but it would do no good as Su Chin ribs just would not allow her to get up from the canvas and she was counted out. The crowd went silent at first although the Filipino’s seeing what was happening were very loud but then the entire crowd begin to clap for they realized they had seen a very good fight between two champions……………………………………. The Boxer- The End Pat Davao would reign as champion for over two more years and then retired. She would meet a young man and they would marry and have two children. Pat stayed in close touch with Jon White and helped him in training young new Filipino girls……………………... Now while this little story is fictional it was loosely based on a friend of mine, Terry, who is an Australian and did box in earlier years. Terry was head of security in Manila for the Australian Embassy and then did open up a training facility for young Filipino girls in Manila. Terry comes to Angeles City on occasions and will talk about his young girls in training. Oh and one other thing he likes to read my short stories and I have sent him many to read.
Neighborhood grocery stores
From: West Side Gang
Date: 24 Dec 2007
Time: 11:01:17 -0600
Remote Name: 76.27.242.136
Comments
MOOSER WROTE: Yep. Remember that "boulevard" area up on Battery Street; that curbed, grassed margin of about 20-30' width separating the opposite lanes of Battery for the length of a long block, the block the Rath's home was on? I remember one evening when we were in grammar school some of us kids from Mitchell and that neighborhood were playing a game of football up there in the dimming light after the sun went down. It must have been in the early autumn because it was still warm. That's when I discovered that Bill Rath, who was there, had a little brother who was out there too. I'm only guessing you were there too but I can't remember for sure, but I'm relatively sure that Donald Cathy was there. Don't remember how it happened that we were there but I distinctly remember starting home after Rath's mother had called him in and the street lights were coming on while the western horizon wore a thin cummerbund of blood red BILL HARMON WROTE: Yes, and Patsy Tabor lived about mid-way up the grassed margin toward Wright Avenue. We had a great childhood. GAYLON MULKEY WROTE: Thanks so, so much for sending me the attached information about the Rath’s and Tabor families. Also, you are correct, the open grassy field area on Battery Street, was always the playground for kids who lived in and around that area. Your memories are remarkably accurate MOOSER WROTE: You'll get a laugh out of this, maybe. Before Patsy Tabor's family (mom, dad, Patsy -- no siblings) moved to that location their residence was the very tiny, attached living quarters behind a really tiny store front that fronted Cross Street between W. 33rd and W. 34th. You might remember the structure; its exterior was lap board painted a mid tone earth yellow (ochre)that looked even more dull due to the coating of road dust swirled up off Cross Street which was unpaved in those (our) days. The front entrance stoop/porch to the store front must have been originally built as a loading dock because it was about truck bed height and had no setback from the street edge, and was covered by a posted overhang extending out from the old fashioned store front facade. The interior store space couldn't have been more than 15' wide and 20' deep. The entrance screen door was a common one of the time, stenciled with a diagonal "Colonial Bread" -- still there years later when I last passed by. This was Tabor Grocery before Mr. Tabor moved his business, maybe around 1947-48, to a much larger building over on W. 12th Street in the Lee School district. When my family first moved to W. 34th Street the closest store other than Tabor Grocery was at 24st & High Streets, Meyer's Grocery, which was maybe twice as large as Tabor’s but was stocked about the same -- canned goods, white bread, candy, no fresh vegetables or refrigerated goods other than chilled pop. Something unrealized by latter generations is that up until the '50s fresh vegetables were purchased off local farmers who had routes through the neighborhoods and dairy products were delivered by "milk men". Drug stores and ice cream shops were the more common sources for frozen desserts except in the upper income districts which were graced with newer, larger stores stocked with a greater range of product choices, including the then new-to-market packaged frozen foods selected from freezer cabinets unaffordable to the tiny neighborhood stores. The little neighborhood stores such as this early Tabor Grocery started disappearing when in the late '40s and early '50s increasing affluence and mobility afforded more extravagant shopping farther afield, making feasible the larger stores (beginning to be referred to as “markets”) that displaced them. At about the time Mr. Tabor acquired his bigger store over on W. 12th I experienced my first Safeway, located up on Arch Street at about 28th. If my memory serves me right it had turn stiles at the cashier’s counter that customers had to pass through to get to the pickup end of the check-out counter where groceries ended up only after payment was made. Remember? As was common with neighborhood grocery stores of that era my family had a running "open" account at Tabor Grocery until about 1945. Those accounts were kept very simply: small, lined "account" pads for each account and into which the owner made hand written entries of all "charges" made during the month, with the account settled at the end of each month by payment. Such crude system of accounting did often result in dispute about account entry mistakes and the total for end of month amount owed. Such was the time. BILL HARMON WROTE: I worked at Green's Grocery on 27th and Wolfe Street while growing up. It was almost across the street from Edwina Keith's home and the store was next door to the Buddy, Kitty, Roy and Delilah Burkes' home (Mr Burkes owned Burkes Wrecking Company were my Mother worked as an accountant/secretary for a few years to earn our college money). Jimmy Srigley (sp?) was across the street on the corner and Woody & "Little" Jimmy Williams lived down the street toward Roosevelt Road until Mr. Williams moved them to the Heights where he owned the Drug Store across from St. Mary's Academy. He was called "Little Jimmy" because Jimmy Srigley was "Big Jimmy". You will remember little Jimmy Williams as the best dancer in Little Rock, bar none! The Greens lived in the attached house to the grocery. I would deliver groceries on my bicycle until I was old enough to drive and Mr Green would allow me to use his delivery truck. About half of our customers were black which was about the mix of population down South Wolfe and to the West toward the Stock Show Grounds. Some of the kids in the neighborhood were of course Mooser and George Hebling, Alfred Fowler, Max Hall, Donald Cathy, Johnny Tanner, Marcella Roland and Sam Narkinski to name a few. Many people charged their groceries until the end of the month like Mooser describes and then when the pay checks came in everyone would settle up in cash or by cashing their checks with Mrs. Green who ran the checkout counter, Mr Green was the butcher, and David Green and I would restock and bag groceries. When an elderly patron came in and got groceries, regardless of race, Mr Green would say as I was bagging the groceries, "Billy take Mrs. Bessie's groceries home and put them up for her and be sure to put the milk and eggs in the ice box". When I rode my bike I would always beat them home, go in the back door and put the groceries up before they got home. After I started driving I would take Mrs Bessie or whomever and put up her groceries while she watch. This kind of customer service and trust among blacks and whites in mixed neighborhoods, where doors were rarely locked during the late '40s and '50s, has been totally overlooked and swept away by sensationalist writers who like to portray all of us> as un-hooded KKK slave holders. GAYLON MULKEY WROTE: Hello Bill, I lived at 1219 Dennison, when Flacks grocery store was in the 1200 block of Dennison next door to Spears drugstore on the corner of 12th and Dennison (Janet’s father ran the drug store). I used to deliver on my bicycle groceries for the Flacks to all the neighbors in and around this area. Bess Flack who owned this store also hired a couple of blacks who lived nearby on 12th street, to deliver groceries also, there names were Calvin and Sammy Taylor, I used the same method you described to deliver the groceries, , just walk in the back door and place the good on the kitchen table, Done deal. Nothing ever locked up. Screen doors only INVITATION: Why don't some of you other LRCHS56 graduates contribute your own remembrance of neighborhood stores of our era?
Noel
From: Smitty
Date: 19 Dec 2007
Time: 17:14:23 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.126.240
Comments
NOEL… The little town of Noel was located in the southern part of the state. At one time it had been a thriving little town but the giant paper companies had bought up all the land around the town and many folks had just moved away. Now only 42 people remained living there. All of the men left in Noel either worked for one of the paper companies cutting timber or worked as an independent cutting pulp wood or at one of the three little saw mills close to Noel. Jed Miller worked for the paper company as a surveyor in looking over timber stands the company was planning on cutting in the near future. He was an expert in estimating the board feet that would come out of the stand of timber to be cut. Jed had lived in Noel all his life and had married his high school sweetheart, Mary, and they had a son, Bobby, now 15 years old. There white frame house was just off the main street of Noel and had belonged to Jed’s father and mother in the past. The family attended the small church and the only one left in Noel every Sunday. But this was a Monday morning and Jed had driven out to a large stand of virgin hardwood timber to estimate the board feet that would come out of the cut. This was one of the very few hardwood stands of timber left in that part of the state as most had already been harvested and replanted with pine trees. This one hundred acre’s of timber had belonged to another old time resident of Noel, Ezekiel Tabor, and his family for many, many years. Ezekiel had passed away about three months ago and the remaining relatives that no longer lived in Noel had sold the acreage to the Jasper Timber Company and the one Jed worked for. Pulling his pickup truck into the front of the old but still livable house that Ezekiel had lived in all of his life until his death, Jed stepped out of the truck. The house was to be razed after Jed completed his survey and the space used to bring the logs out to be loaded on trucks to be delivered to the company’s sawmill located in the next county. Jed reached into the truck and took out the bag that carried the tools and other assorted gear he carried when doing survey and going around the house started into the woods. He immediately noticed the wide variety of hardwood timber growing in abundance and there was red oak, white oak, beech, maple, and other hard wood just a few yards into the woods. He was amazed at the size of some of the trees and knew from past experience that the trees on this acreage had never been cut and it was truly some very fine virgin timber. But then he noticed the trees still had all there foliage and the leaves were all green and how could that be when it was the last part of the year and all other trees had long ago lost there leaves. Deep within his thoughts were what a shame to see all these beautiful trees being cut down to satisfy some ones dreams of new homes or furniture from the trees. But his job required him to put those thoughts aside and begin to do the survey that would give his company the information they were looking for. Just as Jed started deeper into the woods he flushed up a covey of quail and walking deeper heard the bark and saw several Fox squirrels on high tree limbs looking down on him as he walked through. Three times he saw deer off in the distance and they would just stand and watch him as he went about his work ……………………………………….. All that morning until almost lunch time he continued to mark and survey the timber and then taking his lunch break found a very large red oak tree and set down and took out his thermos and sandwich that Mary had placed in his bag that morning. Jed figured that he was close to the middle of the timber and noticed that it was even more beautiful here than any other area he had went through. The limbs of the large trees hung down majestically and some almost touching the limbs of the other trees. So much so, it seemed to Jed to be much darker in this part than any where else he had encountered. Finishing his sandwich and drinking the last of the coffee in the thermos he put it back in the bag and as he stood up he noticed a strange glow coming from not far away. “What could that be glowing and where is it coming from”, were Jed’s thoughts. He started toward the light and having to duck under some of the limbs would lose sight of the light but then it would always reappear and seemed to be drawing him toward it. Then as he ducked under another long space of over hanging limbs Jed stepped out into a small clearing and was at first shocked then just amazed at what was in the center of the clearing. For standing proud and tall was the most perfect Christmas tree he had ever seen. It stood over ten feet tall and was adorned with beautiful crystal balls and ornaments and the lights were placed just ever so perfect and was the lights he had seen and had walked toward. Jed at first just stood and admired the tree and all the while wondered who, what, where and why a Christmas tree was doing here. Then walking around the tree from a distance he noticed there was no cord or seemingly any way the tree could have lights that were now changing colors and flickering. Then he noticed a small angel dressed in white adorned the very top of the tree and looking closer the small wings on the back seemed to be moving back and forth slightly. “Now that can’t be and must be the wind that is making the wings move”, but then noticed there was no wind moving the leaves of all the trees around him. Then not knowing why he just turned and walked away from the tree wanting to bring Mary and Bobby to see the tree. Jed had to wait until Bobby came home from school and then drove them to Ezekiel’s house and started into the woods without telling them why but had to put up with many questions from Mary and Bobby until they reached the tree. The tree was as before and his wife and son were just as amazed and bewildered as Jed was about where or why this particular tree was standing and where did the lights come from. The three spent some time at the tree talking and then left to go home. Jed would put off his company and not finish the survey telling them he needed more time and did this until church services the next Sunday. The three returned several times during that week back to the tree and all were calmed and feeling peaceful from observing and looking on the tree. That Sunday and before the preacher begin his sermon, Jed asked to be heard; “I have something I want all of you to see after the service and I pray you all will follow me and be as amazed as I was”. There were many questions asked by the 10 people at the service but the preacher stood up and said; “I had prepared a hell fire message for today but something tells me I should forgo it and we go see this thing that Jed wants us to see”. So all the people of the small church in Noel left and followed Jed to Ezekiel’s house and made the journey with the Miller’s to see the Christmas tree. From that visit all the residents of Noel and many from surrounding towns came to observe the tree. After a couple of weeks and not having finished the survey Jed was called into the timber office and given a time to finish the survey or lose his job. Not knowing what to do it was Mary that suggested Jed call the main office and try to talk to Mr. Jasper and explain his dilemma. Making the call and it only being a two days before Christmas Jed was surprised that Mr. Jasper was there and picked up the phone and listened to Jed and then another surprise when he said he would be there in the morning and see for himself. Jed met Mr. Jasper the next morning at the timber office and then drove him to Ezekiel’s and took him to the tree. Both Jed and Mr. Jasper were surprised when upon reaching the tree all the towns residents were there along with many others. Mr. Jasper; “Well I never”. “Where does the light come from?” Jed; “We don’t know”……………………………………………………………………... Then as they all stood looking a voice came from the little white angel at the top of the tree; “Soon it will be Christmas day and this tree was placed here for all of you to see its beauty and observe and remember why we have Christmas”. Many trees like this one are placed all over every year and many never see or find out the reason or remember why but just go by”. “So for all of you gathered here this morning that have seen the tree and feel and know the reason for Christmas, I wish you a very Merry Christmas…………………………….. From my family here in the Philippines, Virgie, Brenton and Me and my stateside children Kim, Mike, Kent, Kerry and grandchildren and great grandchildren, We wish you a Very Merry Christmas and always observe your Christmas Tree……………….
Liberties
Jimmy Martin
From: Storie Mooser
Date: 07 Dec 2007
Time: 14:30:26 -0600
Remote Name: 76.229.105.222
Comments
Facing a blank mind about how to write this somewhere within the dark of my conscience flashed a light. Not just a light, but actually the visage of a lighthouse with its revolving light sweeping luminescence on distance fog banks before scanning around to a blinding flash in my direction. And that was it; the realization that I was undertaking to describe an experience that could very well be a reference point in the lives of many of us alumnae of Central High. It goes like this….. Jimmy Martin is as close to an icon of our time as anyone or anything I can think of, more so than the ’55 Chevrolet, more so than Bill Haley and the Comets, more so than Elvis or James Dean – even more so than Dean’s wreaked Porsche Spider, now the crumpled shrine to Dean’s passage into immortality. Thinking of those times my mind is an attic of troves heaped and strewn about, all tangled in such way that when one remembrance is tugged at others are dragged out with it, locked together like sweaters statically charged from tumbling in a clothes dryer. The first time and place I laid eyes upon Jimmy was in the lingering cool of the morning when those who were going out for football that day had clustered in the shade of the oak trees on the southwest corner of West Side Jr. High’s football practice field. That square city block of vacant hard scrabble tufted here and there with feeble patches of grass, cattycornered from the old Baptist Hospital , W 13th & Marshall Streets . The time was August, 1952, first day of the two weeks of two-a-day practices before classes were to begin. In my remembrance Coach Adams appeared just momentarily and then was gone, almost like he had dropped by only for a brief officiating in the public unveiling of some new object of civic pride and adoration; or like the owner of a gleaming new car he’s just parked in the driveway, then quickly disappears into his house so as not to distract from the dazzle the car was causing among neighbors. I don’t remember Jimmy walking up with Coach, it was like he just dropped out of the sky – and from his god like appearance that would have been believable. I say “god like” appearance because that’s the correct description. I was actually somewhat spooked at first, like I had witnessed a piece of Classical Greek sculpture animated suddenly into actual life – Apollo, Adonis? The guy was just unbelievably beautiful, as flawlessly toned as the air brushed models on magazine covers. Charisma would be an understatement (if I had known the word then), and I’ve never seen anyone since who so embodied the meaning. Everyone – and I mean everyone -- was immediately in his magnetic thrall, timorously so, much like the apes in the movie “2001, A Space Odyssey” -- the scene where they first encounter the giant monolith, timorously reaching toward it wanting to confirm its reality by touch but flinching back. I’ve since tried to remember who would have been West Side’s quarterback that year had Jim not shown up that day, but I can’t. Like everything about him it just seemed ordained from a higher realm and who among us ordinary mortals was to question it? Did Coach Adams scout him out, who knows? That’s how he entered our consciousness and how he remained, the bellwether against which all the rest of us guys measured ourselves, for attractiveness, for popularity, for athletism, for personal charm and grace….and, yes, even for drawing admiring attention from teachers and administrators. Damn, I envied him everything, and probably like many had difficulty in fighting off tendency toward sycophantic fawning! Jim and I were never close personal friends. In fact, had I not been a close friend of others among his entourage we probably would have never had occasion to be in one another’s company, but that’s how it was and so I had that much more opportunity to know him better than countless others who hoped for the status of orbiting close to him. Sometime in our sophomore to junior year the nexus of us guys closest to Jimmy became dubbed “The Boys” by some number of Heights girls who we dated. That clutch included Jack Barnhouse, Gerry Brown, Frank Plegge, Fred Marshall, Charles Smith and Gene Roehm and…..well, you know. Probably by some dynamic of personality neutron/proton phenomenon Wayne Young became the only Heights guy to fall into our gambit. Jimmy’s favorite female vocalist was Sarah Vaughn, who’s satiny but throaty voice never lilted his favorite song which was the Johnny Mercer classic Laura. You know, “….Laura is the face in the misty light… Footsteps that you hear down the hall… The laugh that floats on a summer night that you can never quite recall… And you see Laura on a train that is passing through… Those eyes how familiar they seem …She gave your very first kiss to you ….That was Laura But she's only a dream”. Yeah, all us guys had that dream, congealed somewhere in our DNA as a template frame into which a certain girl at a certain moment materialized (and we knew instantaneously when it actually happened). Jim, no doubt, was the dream to countless girls. As he passed in the corridors of Central they’d almost stumble in his wake, feigning a swoon with open mouth as though breath was difficult to draw, almost dropping books to free one hand to clasp over the heart, eyes rolled upward till mostly only white showed. It was cartoonish, silly, but poignant. On one of those beautiful, brilliant crystal clear winter days common to Little Rock as I remember it, The Boys were down at the rock crusher -- that old quarry up in the Heights at the end of Scenic Blvd. This might have been during the Christmas holidays of 1954, or maybe as late as the following February. We were standing around the trunk of somebody’s car (either Jack Barnhouse’s pale green 1950 Ford or Jim’s chartreuse 50 Ford, I believe) in which was the case of beer we’d finagled a Black guy over on West 9th to buy for us from the liquor store there. Shoulders hunched against the chill of the day and the cold beer we were swilling, passing time playfully jibbing one another with high jinks and jokes, suddenly from high up the wooded slope toward the Little Rock Country Club property we hear a high pitched Jim-m-m-mie-e-e-eeee, repeated over and over. It was Carolyn Hundling of course. Accompanied by two other girls Carolyn had recognized Jim at such a great distance (probably due to his signature stance of ballet 1st Position) that from our vantage we had difficulty in spotting them on the brambled and treed hillside, down which Carolyn was already launched through the overgrowth, the other two girls reluctantly following. Dressed for Sunday services in billowy petticoats under full circle skirts and wearing only flats (those period piece casual dress slippers girls so commonly wore then) their descent was a struggle against losing footing on the uneven and debris cluttered pitch of terrain, the consequence of which would have been an uncontrollable tumble headlong (what we gaping onlookers fully expected). It was one of the most touching displays of unabashed lover attraction I’ve ever seen. Jimmy moved toward where it appeared they’d clear the wooded area but with steps that looked tentative, as though he was conflicted between making any move that might encourage Carolyn against her own safety while at the same time wanting for her company. When she got down to Jim it was like the others of us ceased to exist, they being so absorbed in one another. Awkward hellos bounced between us guys in Jim’s company and the two girls accompanying Carolyn, like what we’d just witnessed of “power of attraction” caused some squeamishness between the sexes. Following at a respectful distance the two girls tailed along while Jimmy slowly escorted Carolyn to where Scenic Drive ended in the quarry and from where was to begin the girls’ long walk (via roadway and in inappropriate footwear) back to the topside district of the Heights where they’d started out. True to the requisite of literary drama that make for iconic romances (Steve and Laurie’s in American Graffiti, Danny and Sandy’s in Grease, or Jim and Judy’s in Rebel Without a Cause) there was a momentary hiccup in Jim and Carolyn’s, the full details of which I never fully learned, but I was singular as a witless bit player in the episode and in receiving collateral consequence. As fate would have it -- and maybe as Johnny Mercer would have written it into his song lyrics – the hiccup was due to a pretty girl, a grade behind us, named Laura (wouldn’t you know) who was making a very public stir about her obsession over Jimmy. I once had occasion to witness the extent of Laura’s obsession, expressed though in a way that while giving me the gratification of being seen as casting some glint of Jimmy (however superficial) it also demonstrated that Jimmy was the gold standard against which all other boys were hopelessly behind in ever meeting. By circumstances not recallable, one Saturday I happened to be at the home of one of Laura’s friends, just off N. Cedar and W. Markham I believe. Entering the house with my companion (not certain who that was) who was my connection to the scene, I see Laura half reclining on a couch. Pausing in front of the couch deciding where I should sit down I made a slight pivot on my feet, giving that slightly splayed stance which approximated Jimmy’s characteristic one. Riveted as Laura was by any perceived nuance associated with Jimmy’s appearance she reacted with the classic startled reflex of jerking her hand up to cover mouth gaped open in disbelief, shot up from the couch and bolted out of the room muttering “He reminds me of Jimmy”. For me it was at once embarrassing, causing me to search my studied repertoire of Jimmy’s body language hoping that in that way I could extend the impersonation. I wasn’t successful, of course. Carolyn got wind of Laura’s infatuation and reacted by enacting a plan aimed at making sure that Jimmy’s attention wasn’t drawn away from her – whether actual or imagined. In the aftermath of it all I made an attempt to reverse engineer Carolyn’s use of me in her scheme. Well, all’s fair in love and war and in Carolyn’s calculus of what sacrifice was least for the greatest advantage I was used as the pawn. Taking events as they unfolded and considering my relative position in that constellation known as The Boys I could only conclude that Carolyn must have intuited that I was close enough to Jimmy to hint of a close-quarter betrayal, yet I was outer most on that circuit revolving around him so my loss would be the least to him. This is how it played out: On a winter night during our junior year I got a phone call from Carolyn. The phone call itself was puzzling to me -- I could think of no pretext for it. As stated, I was farthest away from Jimmy in that pack (The Boys) and connection between Carolyn and me was strictly tangential and secondary, based exclusively on the fact that Nancy Long, my steady of the time, was one of her close friends. Carolyn’s demeanor was perplexingly awkward too, conveyed through inconsequential small talk that felt forced and mechanical, like dry courtesies tossed out before pressing the real purpose. Pulling a deep breath she plunged home the point of it all with the question, “If you and Nancy broke up and Jim and I weren’t steadies would you be interested in dating me?” Wow!, I was flummoxed: Do I offend the girlfriend of the most popular guy (the Idol) in school by telling her a flat “no” (based on the truth that there was no “chemistry” between us, plus it was absolutely obvious that the rest of us guys were just a loose shuffling of names significant only in terms of proximity to Jimmy), or do I protect myself by dodging the hypothetical which I thought would never arise (being as stuck on Nancy Long as I was)? Rather than answering truthfully I stuttered, “Sure”. She hung up immediately with the ending remark, “That’s what I wanted to hear.” That following week the hear-say word was that Jimmy was angry with me, which bothered me very much for the simple reason that I, no less than everyone else, admired him, but even more so because due to my own lack of forthrightness with Carolyn I had become Jimmy’s Judas. Fortunate for me, Jimmy was his gracious self, never making more of it, and probably with the higher aim of guarding the intimacy of his relationship with Carolyn. And,……as you all know, they were anointed Valentine King and Queen in the PIX. It was appropriate, IT IS ICONIC OF OUR TIME, serving us all as a meaningful reference point so that those times will not be lost from memory.
Lieutenant Calhan 1X & X
From:
Date: 25 Jan 2007
Time: 21:16:18 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.101.4
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan 1X The next three years were happy and successful times for the Calhan’s running the AF Flying Ranch and little Beverly growing was a happy loving child. Dan and Ann both loved her to death and then Ann became pregnant again and would have a bouncing baby son they named David. The Penny’s came out to the ranch often to visit and Dan and Ann with Beverly and now David would go to El Paso and visit and also pick up supplies and clothing for the two children. Walter on one of there visits took Dan aside and told him that there was 5000 acres along side the AF Flying Ranch for sell and if Dan would oversee and agreed to there joining the two together he would buy the land and the two would become partners And it was not long after that they received word that Alistair Fleming had died and now the ranch belonged to Dan and Ann. With the additional 5000 acres Dan increased the size of the herd and that too would be profitable for him and Walter. Charlie was a great foreman and took care of the wranglers and the day to day business of maintaining the growing number of cattle on the larger acreage. So the years ahead would seem to be good times for both the Calhan’s and the Penny’s. But then one day the unexpected happened and would at first hurt and dim the happy times for the Calhan’s. For one day Charlie came to Dan and said; “Dan I have something you need to see and although I probably could have taken care of it just thought you might want to see first”. The two saddled horse’s and just a short ride from the ranch house Dan could see a tepee set up along a small ridge and now very curious rode up the ridge and stopped in front of the tepee. He hailed who ever was inside if any one was but then an old white haired Comanche stepped out and making the peace sign said; “I’m am Aphoe (Father) of Jesnis and I have come a long distance to see my granddaughter”. “What makes you think you have a granddaughter here?” “I just know and also know that I probably don’t have many days left on this ground but you took my only son and I just want to gaze on his flesh once more”. “Your son was a vicious man and killer of women and children, what makes you think I would let you if it were even true see anyone here?” “Yes, I agree with you but Jesnis was only doing the Comanche way to preserve his heritage and the land we lived on and your people have been just a vicious against mine”. “I’ll give you my decision tomorrow”, and with that Dan and Charlie ride away……………………………. Of course on the way back to the ranch and after Charlie took his horse Dan just set down on the porch of the house and thought how do I approach Ann or should I even allow this to go any further but just send the old man away tomorrow. So it was while they were eating that night and Dan being silent and not scolding Beverly when she spilled some food that Ann asked; “Darling, what is bothering you?” “Nothing, why?” “Now Dan I have known you and your moods long enough to know when something is on your mind and I hope you will share with me?” “I don’t think I should” “Dan, please” “Just remember this is our decision together and if you do not agree or want anything to do with it I’ll completely understand and really don’t want to tell you”. “Dan, I’m waiting” With a deep sigh Dan explained about the Comanche who claimed to be the grandfather of Beverly and why he was on the ranch. It was like a cannon ball had hit the room and Ann gasping and standing said: “How could you have, you have no sense and why did you even tell me but just sent him away or kill him as I don’t care”. With that Ann threw her napkin at Dan and crying rushed out the room. Dan hanging his head and knowing he had made the wrong decision just pushed his plate back as Beverly said; “Daddy why is Momma crying?” “Momma is just upset and you finish eating and I will take you and David and put you to bed” “Ok Daddy, but why is Momma crying?” Dan put the children to bed and came back and cleaned off the table and then went out on the porch and set down to think and wonder why he let this thing go that far. He set there and watched the lights go off in the bunkhouse and still he set and it had to be after midnight when he heard the door open and Ann came and set down beside him. “I’m sorry but that was such a shock to me and I could not help myself but I have thought about it and if you want to have the Indian see Beverly I will not stop you”. “Ann darling, I have no idea what is right or wrong with this but I certainly did not want to tell you and now wish I had just sent him away”. “I told you it would be our decision not just mine and I meant that”. He turned and took Ann in his arms and they kissed for several moments. Then Ann; “That was a horrible time for me but if it had not been for you there would have been a even greater time of horror for me and even though it never leaves my mind being here with you, Beverly and David have made it all seem so distance but now I just don’t know?” “Then I’ll send him away in the morning”. The two get up and go into there bedroom and prepare for sleep. The next morning Dan wakes early and sees’s that Ann is not in the room and dressing quickly he goes out into the kitchen and finds her drinking coffee and motioning for him to set and have a cup with her. “Dan I had a dream last night and in it were you, Beverly at the bottom of a hill and at the top was a strange light that I could not make out but it seemed to shine down on you and Beverly but it did in my dream give me comfort and a peaceful feeling”. “The old Indian has his tepee on the little ridge about a mile from here; you know the one I am referring to”. “Yes and will you bring the buckboard around this morning and we will go and visit Beverly’s grandfather if you agree?” “Are you sure, Ann?” “Yes my darling”. When the buckboard pulled up the ridge and stopped by the tepee Aphoe came out and probably wearing his best clothing for just this journey again gave the peace sign and said; “I am so happy to have you visit for last night I had a vision of her standing down below and I could see her plainly”. Ann grabbed Dan’s arm and squeezed tightly saying nothing. Then while Dan held David, Ann gets down with Beverly and walks up to Aphoe and says; “Her name is Beverly” “Beverly this man has come a long distance to see you”. With Dan translating the Comanche language to Ann and Beverly he says; “My child I had to see you one time before I leave this land and I see you have been well taken care of and are a happy child”. With that he held her hands for a moment and then placed a beaded necklace around her neck and then breaking into an Indian chant waved his hands over Beverly’s head. Then to Dan’s surprise Ann said; “Dan, will you invite Aphoe to come back with us to the ranch?” “Huh?” “You heard me, silly”. When Dan invited him to come with them Aphoe broke out in a toothless smile and picking Beverly up climbed into the back of the buckboard and set down holding her and Beverly seeming to understand that something was important about this person allowed him to hold onto her. Lieutenant Calhan X Aphoe would live with the Calhan’s and Beverly for over ten years. Dan fixed up a nice room in the large barn at the back and Aphoe proved to have talent in a variety of things that would always surprise Dan and even Charlie who always kept his distance from the Comanche. Beverly at first was shy around the old Comanche but his caring and loving ways soon won her over and she only at first but then as David grew older he too became good friends with Aphoe and his first ride on a pony that Dan had bought was the handling that Aphoe showed David in how to ride at first without a saddle. David and Beverly both became excellent horsemen from the ways of the Comanche’s riding skills and handling of horses. Even Ann seeing Aphoe working and helping the children plus various other chores around the ranch proper seemed to accept him and felt that he was good for the children and maybe there was closure for her from those years before. Ann had written her first letter to her father some time before and he wrote back in wanting to visit with her, Dan and the children. Now retired from the Calvary and living back east he made the trip to El Paso and Dan went into town and brought him back to the ranch. He told Dan on the way back that he realized that he had made a horrible mistake in sending Ann back east those long years ago and was grateful to Dan for having found and rescued her and making her happy. Ex-Colonel Wilson would stay with the Calhan’s for two years watching his grandchildren grow and even he and Aphoe spent time together but whether they ever became close friend is not known. Agnes and Walter Penny came for a visit one day and Walter told Dan that he had sold the mercantile and warehouse and would like to build a house out here for him and Agnes and there old age. Dan and Walter found an idea spot and going into El Paso arranged for carpenters and material to be delivered and the house was built not far from the ranch house………………………... So this ends a story of Once Upon A Time In The West………………………………………….
Lieutenant Calhan V111
From:
Date: 22 Jan 2007
Time: 18:16:51 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.101.130
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan V111 Dan took the job the next morning and the hours were long but he would always check on Ann in the morning and at lunch time. Agnes true to her word set with Ann most days and was finally able to get Ann to set up some and then come out on the small porch and set. The days passed and then weeks but as of yet Ann had not acknowledge or talked to Dan. This disturbed him and he would talk to Agnes about it but she would only say be patient Dan. Several times Dr. Ching came to examine her and told Agnes and Dan that she had recovered from all the physical hurt but was still trying to deal with the emotional hurt and given time he felt she would overcome most of that. Then one day about three months later, Agnes came to the warehouse and told Dan he needed to go see Ann. Not knowing the reason but leaving and walking back to the house and going in found Ann setting at the small kitchen table and crying. Dan walked around behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and for the first time Ann did not pull away. Then setting down beside Ann he waited? Then in a halting trembling voice Ann; “Dan I know you have been beside me and taken care of me all these months and for that I love you and can never tell you how much it meant to me”. “I have recently been able to get around and think now I can take care of myself, so if, you have a desire to leave and go on with your life I will understand”. Dan; “Darling, don’t you know that me staying with you and finding you was because I loved you and these last few months here with you have been the happiest time of my life”. “I am so happy that you are recovering and want you to know that together we can have a happy life together for what ever we end up or where we live”. Ann then crying harder and almost sobbing blurted out; “I’m pregnant, Dan”. Dan reaches for Ann and holding her tightly as she continued to cry; “Then we will face that together” Then holding her he waited until her crying subsided and telling her that he loved her and together they would make it and meet anything together. Ann finally pulled back and looking at Dan; “But don’t you understand the father was that horrible man Jesnis?” “I know, I know but it does not stop me loving you and we will raise your child together if that’s’ what you want”. Looking at Dan and saying; “But Dan the child will be half Comanche and how could you love it”. “I will always believe the child is yours only and will love and raise it as just if it were mine”. With that Ann comes back into Dan’s arms and lovingly says and; “I Love you Dan”………………………… Dr. Ching came and examined Ann and Agnes on hearing the news told Walter to order more baby clothes and a baby bed for the new child. The next months passed swiftly and Ann each day was happier and recovered more from her ordeal and Ann and Dan had been married three days after she had told Dan she was pregnant. Agnes and Walter Penny were part of there life and Walter had made Dan the foreman at the warehouse. But who could foresee what would happen when Ann was eight months with child. For Walter had came down to the warehouse and took Dan aside and said; “Dan, I have a good friend that owns a large ranch about twenty miles south of El Paso and he has told me that he is going back to England to take care of business and wanted me to recommend someone that would take over and run his ranch”. “I have told him about you and if you are interested he will be in El Paso next week on his way back and would like to talk with you about taking over the ranch”. “Talk it over with Ann and you two make the decision whether you would be interested and let me know”. “I would hate to lose you at the warehouse and also for you two to move away and I know Agnes will be heart broken but then the ranch is not that far away”. Dan had just stood and listened to Walter and his mind was racing and thinking about the prospect of running a large cattle ranch. So he had many questions to ask of Walter and the two talked through the early part of the afternoon and Walter explained and told Dan all he knew about Alistair Fleming the owner and the ranch. At home that evening he told Ann about the offer and her eyes lit up and Dan could tell that she was for the move and maybe it was for her to have the child and not be around town people when the child was born………………………………….. The next week Fleming came to El Paso and he and Dan met in Walter’s office and talked over the prospect of Dan running the ranch. Fleming admitted that he might not return from England and had no relatives and if Dan would just send any extra money from the ranch from time to time they could draw up a contract and give Dan power of attorney and if Alistair Fleming did not return the 2000 acre ranch would revert to Dan and Ann. Dan was flabbergasted with that arrangement and when he tried to protest was quickly hushed by Alistair as it was the right arrangement for him. The contract was drawn up the next two days and Dan and Ann made plans for Dan to ride out and see the ranch and then come back for her. Dan did go see the ranch and was very impressed with everything about it and met with the foreman and explained the agreement between him and Alistair Fleming and showed him the contract. The foreman (Charlie Banks) showed Dan around the ranch and where the cattle were being held and introduced him to the wranglers that worked the ranch. The large ranch house was comfortable and well furnished and Dan felt that Ann would be very happy with the house. The trip took three days to see and get acquainted with Charlie and the wranglers and all the surroundings and then Dan returned to El Paso. Alistair Fleming had left for England when Dan returned and with the Penny’s help he hired a wagon to take the furniture and there belongings back to AF Flying Ranch. Agnes promised to visit and be with Ann with the child when the child was ready to face the world. Ann loved everything about the ranch and especially the house and even though heavy with the baby cleaned and scrub the inside as much as she could. During the ninth month, Agnes and Walter came to the ranch and stayed several days and then Walter went back to El Paso alone. Then one early afternoon with Dan pacing in the large den in the house heard the little cry of the baby and rushed to there bedroom as Agnes was washing the baby and wrapping it in a blanket Dan went to Ann’s bedside and she with glowing eyes said; “Dan, it’s a girl”. “Are you ok?” “Yes, I’m fine”. Agnes handed Dan the baby girl and he looked at the pretty features and the light brown hair the child had and then handed her to Ann. “She’s beautiful like you are, my darling”. “Do you think so?” “Yes”. Agnes stayed with the Calhan’s for one month although Ann was up and about soon after the birth of Beverly Ann Calhan as she was named. For Beverly while having some features of an Indian had mostly the features that Ann possessed and after a short bout with colic was a happy and smiling baby girl and a delight for the three that cared for her.
Lieutenant Calhan V11
From:
Date: 20 Jan 2007
Time: 18:35:04 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.101.50
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan V11 Dan then slowly walked to where Ann was sitting, softly calling out her name as he walked up. There was no response from her and he noticed the cuts and scratches on her back and arms. She was only wearing a breech cloth and was bare from the waist up; her long beautiful hair was tied up in braids and hung limply down across her shoulders. Realizing he would need to get her to medical help and hope for the best he begin to look for the Comanche’s horse and finding it gently lifted Ann up on its back and put the Indian blanket she was setting on around her shoulders. Then finding the trail that led back down off the hill he made his way back to Jackson and then thinking which way to go and just how far is it? He opted to head for El Paso, Texas as that was the largest town anywhere close to where he figured they were. The journey took three days and nights and not one time did Ann even acknowledge his presence but only set and stared blankly at the ground. Reaching El Paso and looking as they rode down the streets and receiving many stares from the people he found a sign that said Dr. Walker and tying up the horses helped Ann into his office. Dan thought he should explain part of the problem of Ann’s to the Doctor but after listening to only part of it he said; “Why would you want to stay with some one that has been with a Indian?” Dan reached across his desk and grabbing him by the shirt started to smash him in the mouth but just pushed him back and getting Ann’s hand started toward the door. The Indian blanket covered Ann’s body but Dan knew he had to buy some decent clothes for her. But then seeing a sign that said; Dr. Ching decided to try once again to have her examined first. The Doctor was Chinese but he listened to Dan and then took her into another room and they stayed there for over one hour. Dan was just getting ready to go into the room when it opened and Doctor Ching came out and motioned for Dan to set down. He explained that from his examination he had determined that Ann had been deeply traumatized and was in total shock and her recover would be slow and a long time coming if at all. “It will take a lot of tender loving and care if she will ever respond again”. “Are you staying here in El Paso?” Dan; “I don’t know we just arrived and right now have no place to stay and something she really needs”. “Ah so, wait here for a minute”. Dr. Ching goes out and then returns with an older woman with grey hair tied up in a bun. “Sir, I would like you to meet Agnes Penny and her and her husband Walter have the mercantile store next door”. I told Agnes some about your problems and they have a small three room house to let out if you would be interested?” Dan; “I have very little money left with me but I’m sure I can raise it for the rent”. Agnes; “What is yours and the ladies name?” “I’m Dan Calhan and the lady is Ann Williams”. “You’re not married?” “No” and Dan told the story of leaving the Calvary and pursuing the Comanche’s that kidnapped Ann. Agnes; “Then a handshake is all you will need now for the house and I would like to meet Ann now, Dr. Ching”. She stayed in the other room with Ann for over thirty minutes and when she came out said; “Dan, Ann is going to need a woman to have around and I would be happy to be that person and one other thing do you have a job here”. “No”. “Well, first things first, let’s go see the house and get her settled in and then you come back and talk to Mr. Penny and we’ll see about getting you some work”. The little house just one street over from the store was nicely furnished and Dan felt it would be an idea place for Ann to recover or at least he hoped so. It had one nice size bedroom and with Agnes’ help they put Ann in the bed and Agnes said; “You go talk to Mr. Penny and I’ll help Ann clean up and then be along and get her some decent clothes to wear, now git”. “Yes mam”………………………………………. Walking back to the store and not knowing what the man looked like he walked up to the counter and a very large and fat man came from the back with a smile that was at least a mile wide. “Names Penny, can I help you sir?” “Well I don’t know as I have just rented your house and met your wife and she said something about getting a job here”. Walter with both hands on the counter leaned back and with a very loud and shaking of his belly laughed so hard that Dan had to join in and laugh too. “Well son, I see you have met Agnes”, when he could catch his breath and talk some. “But it just so happens that I have need of a good hard working man in our warehouse located at the end of the street and what be your name?” “Dan Calhan” “Are you a hard working man, Dan Calhan?” “I will handle my end, Mr. Penny”. “Fine, you’re hired”. “Go see a Mr. Dobbins in the morning and tell him I sent you down to work”. “Thank you sir” Just then Agnes came flying in the store and went to the ladies apparel and begin to pick out clothing and then turned to her husband and said; “Walter, would you mind getting some grocery staples and food together for Dan and I’ll explain to you later”. “Yes, Agnes” and again laughing begin to lay can goods and other items up on the counter. When Dan picked up the two heavy baskets of food and started to the door Agnes spoke; “Dan, I’ll see to your’s and Ann’s supper tonight as I have already made a large pot roast for Walter and me and I’ll bring along these new clothes for Ann then”. “Yes mam”. Going back to the house and entering he placed the baskets on the small table and noticed a large wash tub against the wall filled with water but then slowly and softly opening the door into the bed room saw Ann under a white blanket curled in a fetal position but could see her hair had been washed and some of the deeper cuts and scratches on her arm and shoulders had bandages to cover them. Ann appeared to be in a deep sleep and Dan softly shut the door. He first carried the wash tub out and emptied it and then begin to put up the groceries from the baskets. Looking around at the small house he tried the door off to his right and found a small but adequate little bedroom for him to sleep in. Then thinking; “I don’t know how this day could have turned out any better for Ann and I vow to be beside her for what ever happens from this day on”…………………………………………………………….
Lieutenant Calhan V1
From:
Date: 18 Jan 2007
Time: 19:12:24 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.162
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan V1 Dan lay there in his own thoughts for the stakes were buried deep and the rawhide thongs were already beginning to cut into his wrists and ankles. “Damn, so close to Ann and then make a foolish mistake like this, you’d think as long as I have fought Indians I would know better”. But during the night lying spread eagle he continued to pull and try to loosen the stakes and then came daybreak and the sun begin its relentless climb to the top of the canyon walls and begin to shine down on him as he lay struggling with the rawhide straps. But one stake was beginning to show signs of coming loose and he continued to pull and push against the stake. But it would be late afternoon before the stake came up enough to pull out and the sun had done its work on Dan’s exposed body but never stopping the stake pulled free and he quickly set up and loosened the remaining stakes and then stood up in the middle of nowhere wearing nothing but his birthday suit. Then remembering his horse (Jackson) whom he had rode for several years had pulled away when he went over the mare’s neck and maybe just maybe the Indians had not been able to catch Jackson and he would have a mount again to pursue them. Dan’s lips were dry and somewhat swollen but he tried to whistle as this was something he had taught Jackson over time to respond and come to his whistle. He finally was able to get a sizeable whistle to echo down the canyon walls but there was no Jackson to appear. “I am not going back so I’m going to continue to chase Jesnis and one day we will meet again”. Then walking through the canyon but ever so often whistling for Jackson and it was with great relief on hearing the horse answer and come running up to Dan and he took hold of the reins and just laid his head on the horse’s neck. For the mare being smaller he had kept most of his extra supplies and clothing in the bedroll on Jackson. There were pants and a shirt in the saddle bag but no boots and a spare pistol and even his Winchester rifle in the side scabbard. Dressing quickly he then mounted and continued through the canyon. Just as he cleared the steep sided canyon and coming out onto flat ground in front Dan noticed a cloud of dust in the distance and it appeared to be heading in his direction. He backed Jackson up behind a large rock and dismounted taking his Winchester and waited to find out what was making the dust cloud. As it came closer he could make out thee ponies ridden by three of the Indians with Jesnis and he levered a bullet into the chamber and waited until they came closer. He figured that Jesnis had sent these three back to make sure he was still staked down or maybe just to finish him off but they were going to get a big surprise when they got a little closer………………………… When they were no more than 40 yards away, Dan stepped out and fired, taking the first one down and then the second brave hit the dirt. The third continued toward Dan and at close range came flying off his pony and charged into Dan and they both went down only to quickly get up and face each other in a deadly fight. The brave wielding a tomahawk came running at Dan but he stepped aside and swung the rifle at the Indians head and with a loud crack he fell to the ground. Dan’s thoughts were this evens the odds up s little as there should only be Jesnis and one brave left to get to Ann. He then took the moccasins off the Indian and put them on his now tender feet. Mounting Jackson he started off in the direction the three had came across this flat……………………………... Riding across toward the distance hills, mountains Dan’s thoughts were on Ann. For the words of Jesnis; “I have had her many times and when I get tired of her, I will let my braves take her too”. How will she be when I get her back for there was no thought of not wanting her but would she still want him? Then just reaching the first of what again was steep sided canyons and hills he noticed one Indian standing on the summit of the closest one and then just in front of him Jesnis stepped out behind a rock and with folded arms said; “Lieutenant, I see you are a hard man to kill but I have grown tired of your pursuit of me and this time I will see you dead”. Dan moved his hand down to the pistol and said; “How will this be or do I just shoot you now”, and pulled the pistol out to point at Jesnis. “I would think of you as a man of honor and we meet in hand to hand to the death”. “Jesnis, I don’t think you have ever been a man of honor but if that is your desire then so be it”. For Dan knew Comanche ways were a challenge of hand to hand was always carried out with no surprises. Dismounting and reaching into his saddle bags for the only weapon he possessed for hand to hand was a large knife and he turned with it to face Jesnis. Jesnis then produced a tomahawk in one hand and a knife in the other and started toward Dan. They circled each other and then Jesnis rushed in swinging both the knife and tomahawk at the same time. Dan was barely able to slide under the swings and even so took a cut across one arm from the knife. Then feinting to his right and moving the knife to his left hand Dan struck back and the blade cut deeply into Jesnis’s right arm and the tomahawk he was holding fell to the ground. Now snarling and hollering Jesnis charged again and the two locked up in a struggle and being about the same size it would be nip and tuck as to which one would gain the advantage. Then Dan locked his left leg behind Jesnis’s right leg and shoved backward with all the strength and with the useless right arm, Jesnis could not help but stumble backwards and fall on his back. Dan then watching out for the knife in his left hand dropped down and plunged his knife into the mid-section and twisted it before Jensis could respond. There was one short shout from Jesnis and then he slumped back and was still. Now only one to go was Dan’s thoughts. Then looking up where he had seen the brave standing on the summit but he was not visible now. Dan took the pistol and pushed it down into his pants and started looking for a way up to where he figured the Comanche probably guarding Ann was. Finding a place he begin to climb up the side and reaching the top and lying on his belly surveyed the area around him. Ann was sitting on a blanket with her head hung down and not making any movement so Dan stood up and started toward her when the last Comanche came rushing out from behind another large rock and shouting charged at Dan. Dan just pulled out the pistol and fired twice to put the Indian down and out………………………………
Lieutenant Calhan V
From:
Date: 16 Jan 2007
Time: 18:15:33 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.162
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan V…………………………….. Arriving at the fort, Dan dismissed the platoon and gave his horse to Amos and went into the Colonel’s office and smartly saluted and waited for a response. Colonel Wilson; “Well Lieutenant, I see you carried out your orders properly or you would not be back here yet”. “Just to let you know the telegraph has been cut between the fort and Hobbs and also Carlsbad”. Two of the companies have returned and both were in battle with various bands of Indians and both received causalities”. “Sir, I believe I can explain the reason for the Indians unrest and attacks?” “Well, what is it Lieutenant, I don’t have all day”. Dan explained about the Militia and the self appointed Colonel and there attack on the Indian village. “Damn the militia and the destruction they cause”. “But Lieutenant, I have another matter to discuss with you as three days ago I sent Ann along with an escort to Hobbs for her to catch a stage to the rail head and go back East”. “You did what?” “Don’t be impertinent, Lieutenant”. “Sir, with all the Indian unrest you would send your daughter with just an escort, I can’t believe it”. “How many troopers and who commanded?” “I sent the new Lieutenant Baxter in command along with four troopers”. “I can’t believe you would endanger your daughter’s life and only send four troopers and a green horn Lieutenant to see to her safety”. “What I am trying to say is we have not had any word of her arriving at Hobbs with the lines cut and I want you to take a platoon and make sure she arrived safely and caught the stage east to the railhead”. “Why in heavens name would you at this time send her out to catch a stage, I can’t believe you?” “Lieutenant, you are walking a thin line with me, but to answer your inquiry, Ann was infatuated with you and I don’t mean for her to saddle up with a Lieutenant in this god forsaken wilderness, now will you carry out your orders?” “No Colonel, I don’t believe I will” and with that Dan pulled out the slip of paper which stated that his enlistment in the Calvary had expired and laid it on the Colonels desk and turned and walked out of his office. For his only thoughts were to ride toward Hobbs and follow Ann to the east if that was what had transpired during his absence. With purposeful strides he walked to his quarters and begin to gather his personal belongings and making a blanket roll turned around and surveyed the room and walked out of his career with the US Calvary. Then finding Sergeant Butler explained and together they saddled Dan’s personal horse (Jackson) and shook hands and Ex-Lieutenant Dan Calhan rode out of Fort Jackson to what ever lay ahead for him and his search for Ann……………………………………………………. Knowing the escort would take the short route to Hobbs and Dan settled his horse into a trot to follow what he felt would be the route that they would take. Guess it was about half way to Hobbs that Dan spotted buzzards circling off to his left and he turned and breaking into a gallop headed toward the area. What he found was not a pretty sight as the four troopers and the Lieutenant were staked down on the ground, naked and the sun had done its work as all of them were dead from dehydration and three from either bullet wounds or arrows still protruding from there bodies. Examining the bodies and the arrows he could see they were Comanche’s that had killed the troopers and frantically he looked for any sign of Ann but she was not there. How could the Indians come down on the escort in this open country and not be seen nor was there much sign of battle or fighting around the area. Just a question unanswered. Knowing that he would have to travel on to Hobbs to have the troopers bodies picked up would delay his search but before leaving the area he found the tracks of unshod horses heading south toward Mexico and would use that for his guide on returning. Of course his thoughts on the ride to Hobbs was the Comanche’s would have at least a three day head start and still not really knowing if Ann was with them but that had to be his best guess that they would take her with them for that was the Comanche’s way……………………………………... Arriving in Hobbs and giving directions to the Sheriff to bring in the detachment and get word to the fort and also give the report that Ann Wilson had been taken by the Comanche’s Dan bought supplies and was able to purchase a bay mare as believing with the head start the Indians had he would need to ride fast and using first one horse and then resting it while riding the other could help him cut the distance in catching up. Then not wanting to delay any longer he started back to pick up the trail of the Comanche’s and find out the fate of Ann. Reaching the trail and figuring there had to be at least 20 Indian ponies but did find a couple of places where one horse was shod and that was a big relief for now. The trail was pretty easy to follow as it headed to the south east and making good time in riding one of the two horses Dan followed. Then reaching the Ile de Plains of western Texas and there he saw the Indians had split up and maybe 15 had gone further into Texas and from the hoof prints it appeared that 5 or 6 had turned toward the west and then south to go into Mexico. Souring around the prints going west he finally found several hoof prints of a shod horse and continued to pursue this group of Indians. The land turned rocky and it became harder and harder to find the trail they were taking, but maybe a overturned rock or a scrape on a rock kept him going in there general direction or at least Dan hoped so. Then into rocky outcroppings and deep arroyos and box canyons the hoof prints continued south. Some of the canyons with steep sides were straight and others would turn and twist and have two ways to go at some point. Only by being able to read the signs did Dan feel he continued on the right trail. Then as it was growing dark he considered waiting until morning to continue the pursuit but noticing a full moon rising felt it would give enough light to make it through the next canyon and then rest for the night. But this particular trail turned and twisted and had several places that branched off and coming around one hard turn he did not see the arrow that came and hit the bay mare in the neck and the mare folded from the front legs and threw Dan over into the canyon floor. Then as he tried to rise up he felt the presence of several Indians around him and just lay still in the dirt. Jesnis; “Ah, Lieutenant we meet again and this time I don’t think I will be as tolerant to you”, “Where is the girl and what have you done to her?” “She is one fine filly and I have had her many times so don’t think you would want her back anyway”. “Kill you for this, Jesnis”. “But Lieutenant you will not be able to kill anyone for I should just shoot you and be done with it, but I have a better plan for you and expect you will die slowly, ha ha”. “Strip him and stake him out and let the sun take care of the Lieutenant tomorrow”. “It will be cool or cold tonight but tomorrow as the sun rises higher you will feel the burning and thirst rising in your body and if tomorrow does not finish you then the nest day will”. “I will take care of the girl until I get tired of her and then let my braves have there fun with her”. “So adios, Lieutenant”……………………………………….
Lieutenant Calhan 1V
From:
Date: 14 Jan 2007
Time: 17:31:27 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.23
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan 1V……………………………… After gathering the herd together Dan placed part of the cavalrymen on each side of the herd about 200 yards away. Figuring this would discourage the Indians from trying to attack the herd again. It was slow going and was nightfall before reaching Hobbs. Once there Sergeant Willis with ten troopers from the fort was waiting and informed Dan the wagon train had reached the fort and the Colonel had sent this detachment to help out in getting the cattle to the fort and provide extra protection. The six injured cowboys were treated by Doc. Brown in Hobbs and four were able to ride again after having there wounds treated but the other two would have to remain in Hobbs. Dan had asked the trail boss Pat if they wanted to continue on toward Carlsbad by way of the fort or keep the herd in Hobbs. Pat; “Well Lieutenant, reckon it just be better if we keep on moving toward Carlsbad as that was what we were paid to do”. The next morning they left Hobbs and headed toward the fort and on three occasions spotted Indians riding off to the side of the herd but again Dan had placed his troopers out away from the herd and the Indians did not try to come any closer. But Dan thoughts were; “Never seen them trying to take a whole herd of cows and what has made them take up the paint again?” The drive to the fort was slow but they eventually were able to bed down the cattle close to the fort. Dan went into the Colonel’s office to report in and was rewarded for taking the action he had in getting both the wagon train and the herd of cattle to the fort. Colonel Wilson then told him that the next morning he was sending out four companies of Calvary in different directions to scout out the reason or to fight the Indian uprising that was getting worse from the Apaches and the small group of Comanche’s in the territory. For apparently there had been reports of numerous feints and attacks against people living in the territory. Colonel Wilson ordered Dan to escort both the wagon train and the cattle on to Carlsbad and assigned him the third platoon to accompany. Later that morning as Dan was leaving his quarters and walking toward the company office and as he rounded the corner of the board walk he ran smack into Ann who was walking with another officer’s wife. He mumbled an apology; “Oh me, Miss Wilson I am afraid that I was not watching closely as to where I was going, I hope you accept my apology?” Ann with a big smile; “Mr. Calhan no apologizes are necessary as I too was not watching where I was going”. The other officer’s wife continued toward her quarters and left Dan and Ann to carry on a short conversation alone. Ann; “May I call you Dan and I wish you would just address me as Ann?” “But your father has forbidden any of us to even talk to you but now I am glad I was not watching where I was going”. “My father cannot always know what is best for me and having been raised in the East has given me a mind and feelings of my own”. “Like I enjoyed dancing with you at the last ball and think about you often”. With a twinkle in his eyes; “Ann, I too was very happy to have that dance with you and just wish we could have more together someday”. “Oh, we will, Dan you can count on that”. And then she leaned over and kissed Dan on the cheek and with that gesture the two parted and Dan felt like he was walking about two steps above the board walk as he continued toward the company office………………………………………………………………. The next morning the four companies that were to go out on the patrols against the Indians gathered on the parade ground and with the regimental band playing they passed in review of the Colonels staff and proceeded out to carry out there assignment. It would be two days later with Dan having talked with both the wagon master and then Pat, the ramrod for the cattle would they start out for Carlsbad. He placed the cattle in front of the wagons and divided his troops to ride as outriders along each side and although he felt his troops were extended to the utmost it was the best arrangement he felt would work. The trip took seven days and on the fourth day Dan riding at the front of the cows saw where many horses had crossed there path and dismounting could see they had been Calvary horses and from Company A that was to patrol to the west of the fort. Examining the long strides the horses had made came to the conclusion that the company had been in a hard gallop when they had crossed here. Then just a few miles out of Carlsbad one of the Navaho scouts for Dan had replaced the Apache scouts with the Navaho after being led into that ambush came riding up and said; “Lieutenant, spotted smoke coming from over there”. Leaving Sergeant Butler in charge and taking three troopers they rode toward the smoke and what might be causing it. Reaching the site they found a settlers adobe hut still smoldering and all the stock was missing and then finding the man, woman and two children lying on what remained of the floor of the house. Not a pretty site but one that Dan had seen many times before. Dan ordered the troopers to dig graves for the family and they would bury them before continuing on to Carlsbad. For what happened to that family in locating far from a town or fort was repeated all across the territory when ever the Indians took up the paint and begin there deadly raids………………………………… After reaching Carlsbad and getting the wagons and cattle settled, did Dan find out the reason for the Indian uprising going on now? It seems that a self appointed Colonel of the Militia for the territory, (Tom Wiggins) had raised a company of Militia promising them rich rewards for there efforts. They had attacked a village to the north of Carlsbad of Mescalero Apaches and killed 60 old men, women and children while the braves had not been there. It had been an unprovoked attack and certainly the reason and cause for all the unrest and attacks going on in the New Mexico Territory during this time. Dan felt he needed to get back to the fort and report this to the Colonel and would have confronted Tom Wiggins but the Militia was not in Carlsbad but had set out on another killing raid two days ago. Finding Sergeant Butler and telling him to have the platoon ready to travel in one hour and getting: “Yes sir” They soon were on there way back to Fort Jackson. While riding along, Dan took out a slip of paper that showed his enlistment had ran out two days before and thinking I need to get the reenlistment papers when I get back to the fort he put the paper away in his tunic and forgot about them……………………………..
Lieutenant Calhan 111
From:
Date: 12 Jan 2007
Time: 19:17:30 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.23
Comments
Lieutenant Calhan 111……………………….. Then the next morning he was called into the Colonels office and ordered to take a squad into Hobbs to meet a platoon of fresh troopers out of Texas and escort them back to the fort. As Dan turned to leave the Colonel; “Lieutenant, I don’t want another episode like your last one as very soon we will bring in or eliminate the hostile Indians and furthermore, you Sir, stay away from Ann”. “Yes sir”. Dan went out and found Sergeant Butler and told him to have four others ready to make the trip into Hobbs in one hour. Leaving the confines of the fort from the last few weeks was welcome relief for all that were selected as they were all tired of the constant drilling and lectures. Dan knew the exercises’ were good for the troopers and having been on the frontier for so long also knew the extra training could come in mighty handy. For no other officer had drilled the troopers as hard as he had. Not taking the single road from the fort into Hobbs but cutting across country for the shortest route the six rode along with just the jangle of gear slapping against the leather saddles. Amos; “Sir, when do you think this new Colonel will allow the regiment to go out on patrols again?” “Sergeant, very soon I’m afraid”. “Sir, I’ve been meaning to ask you what you would have done if that Comanche had not allowed us the water.” “Guess we would not be taking this leisure trip right now, Sergeant”. “Yea that’s what I thought”. The ride took most of the day and arriving in Hobbs Dan found the platoon of cavalry camped on the other side of the town. He introduced himself to the young 2nd Lieutenant Bill Baxter who had been in command of the platoon from Texas. Lieutenant Baxter fresh out of West Point was very anxious to leave but Dan said; “I have met the wagon master of the group of settlers and they cannot be ready for us to escort them back to the fort until morning. “I was not expecting to find a wagon train here going west into the territory but that is part of our responsibility to insure there safe journey through our area”. “So for tonight just bed your troopers down and we will leave at first light”. “How many troopers are in this platoon of cavalrymen?” “Sir, we have 32 troopers and three Sergeants plus myself and I must add that most of them have not had much training although there are maybe 5 or 6 that have been in longer and the Sergeants all are seasoned troopers”. “Hmm, that will be all for now, Lieutenant, and thanks”. But later that evening as Dan and his squad were getting ready to bed down two wranglers came riding into the camp and one speaking very rapidly said; “Dang good thing we caught up to you as we have a sizeable herd of cattle heading this way and for the last three days we have been attacked by Indians and they were able to drive off some of the herd and have wounded three of our men”. “How far out are you from Hobbs?” “They should be here by morning as no one wanted to stop so they decided to just keep driving the herd into town during the night”. “Have any idea what kind of Indians?” “Some said Mescalero Apaches but I don’t rightly know for sure”. The next morning the herd had not reached Hobbs and Dan felt he had to make a decision to handle the situation they were now in. He called Lieutenant Baxter and Sergeant Butler aside and said; “Lieutenant you will take the green troopers along with Sergeant Butler and escort the wagon train to the fort and I will take your five seasoned troopers plus two of your Sergeants and my four troopers and go out to find that herd of cattle and escort them to the fort or let them stay here according to there choice, any questions?” Both men saluting smartly replied; “No Sir”. Waiting until the wagon train had started out and then gathering his newly formed squad Dan explained there situation and what his plans were as the two wranglers had stayed in town and were going to ride back with them. “Lieutenant, they should have reached here late last night unless them Indians attacked again”. “Well we will just have to ride out and find out and hope for the best until we reach them”. With that they started east out of Hobbs at a trot to find the herd. Just a couple of miles out of town and Dan begin to spot small groups of cattle scattered across the land. Then faintly he heard the sound of gunfire and ordered his troops to break into a gallop and ride toward the shots. Reaching a crest overlooking a wide expanse of the arid land Dan spotted a large number of cattle being driven by several Indians but apparently not very successful as the unruly cattle were breaking off into small groups and without hesitating he ordered his troops to charge and down the crest they came and the Indians on seeing Cavalrymen coming straight at them turned and begin to ride off to the side and away from the herd. Continuing on toward the sound of the gun fire and Dan could see the chuck wagon and several cowboys under or beside it firing at a 30 or 40 Indians circling the wagon. Ordering line abreast to the troopers they continued toward the wagon and whether the Indians thought they were part of a larger number of cavalry or had enough they gathered together and then whooping and hollering they rode away from Dan and his men. Reining up beside the chuck wagon and the cowboys now shouting too started to come out from under the wagon and around from the side. “Man, are we glad to see you as they would have killed all of us pretty soon”. The trail boss (Pat Light) walked up to Dan and stuck out his hand and said; “Lieutenant I have never been so happy or prouder to see someone as I am right now”. “How many of your men are wounded?” “Don’t know yet, but Jesse, how many hurt you know?” “Six altogether now”. “Where you taking this herd?” “Well the owner is still in Texas but we were hired to drive them to Carlsbad”. “Can the six ride in the chuck wagon or they hurt to bad to move?” “Jesse, can they travel yet?” Jesse; “Don’t think any of them want to hang around here any longer than they have to so guess they can travel”. Dan; “Looks like they left your remuda when they rode off we’ll gather them up and then help you round up your cattle and be on our way to Hobbs”. Several of the troopers had experience with cattle and helping the remaining cowboys but it taking the better part of the day they finally were able to start the journey into Hobbs………………………………………………………..
Lieutenant Calhan
From: Smitty
Date: 09 Jan 2007
Time: 18:12:06 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.23
Comments
Lieutenant Dan Calhan……………….. The three pulled there horses up overlooking the desolate land that lay before them and the lieutenant said: “Lippy, are you sure there is water bout ten miles from here?” The Mescalero Apache, Lippy, answered; “Lieutenant, I knowed it was there a couple of years ago”. “The ting I doesn’t know are der Comanche’s using that water hole”. Lippy a Apache scout for the US Calvary and called Lippy because he had no lower lip as well as a crooked right arm and one long scar down the left side of his face. All the result of a long ago battle with a band of Comanche’s. Lieutenant; “Well guess we have no choice but to try and make that water cause none of us and these horses can last much longer”. Nudging the flanks of his horse he started down a slight incline and the other two pulling travois’s with two wounded soldiers in them followed him down. The Lieutenant a veteran of more than six years in Indian country and fluent in Comanche, Navajo and Apache languages and many skirmishes’ with all of them. The patrol that he had been in charge of had been ambushed four days ago as a result of there other scout Big Nose leading them into the ambush with an Apache war party. Six day of trailing and tracking the Apache’s had ended in a bloody battle in an arroyo that left six of the Calvary soldiers’ dead and two wounded. Only by continuing to fight and killing twelve of the Apaches were the six men left to try and get back to Fort Jackson. And one of the twelve was Big Nose that the Lieutenant had personally shot off his horse. For the land that the US 6th Calvary regiment stationed at Fort Jackson had to deal with were both the Apaches and Comanche’s in there raids and killing sprees on the settlers and cattlemen living in that part of New Mexico Territory. The other two soldiers both veterans of Indian fighting were Sergeant Amos Butler and a very large black and one excellent fighter and good friend of the Lieutenant. The other was Corporal James Black and had also been with the Lieutenant for more than four years………………………………………………. The ride to the water hole would take most of the day but sometimes walking and sometimes riding the remains of the Calvary patrol pulled up and surveyed the dip in the landscape where the water was coming up from a shallow hole in the rock and sand.. Calhan took out his binoculars and looked for any sign of movement and spotted several horses and men around the water hole. Giving the glasses to Amos and saying; “Looks like Comanche’s down there and just hope they are filling up and moving on”. “Don’t think so, Lieutenant, looks like they plan to spend a spell there”. “Well you two stay here and I’m going on down to talk”. “Now Lieutenant, you know me and Corporal Black aint going to let you go down there alone, so we just be tagging along also”. But the Lieutenant had already started down toward the Comanche’s. The two followed down behind him. Just about one hundred yards from the water hole the Comanche’s spotted them and came storming out toward the patrol. Then stopping about twenty yards away in a show of horsemanship with clouds of dust rising up around the twenty or so braves they reined in and waited. The Lieutenant making a peace sign and then; “We only want to replenish our water and mean you no harm”. One brave on a big pure white horse moved away slightly from the other Comanche’s. “You must be ready to die for riding up on us like that and so few of you too”. “I am “Jesnis”, (Brave One) and even though you make the peace sign we are at war with you and your kind”. Calhan; “We have seen enough battle for now and just want to get the water and will be on our way”. Jesnis; “Then it is a good day to die for you and the rest”. “Maybe but I will kill you first and then what have we accomplished?” “Ha ha, no one can kill Jesnis” “I can and will”. “You talk brave for a white soldier, what be your name?” “I am Lieutenant Calhan and we have fought a battle with your enemies the Apache’s and now need water to treat our wounded and horses”. “You fight the Apaches?” “Yes”. “How many?” “Twenty or more” “Kill any?” “Twelve”. “I still think I will kill all of you”. “Well we can’t outrun you so if that is what you desire then make your move as I am tired of talking”. Then Jesnis’s horse reared up and created a cloud of dust but when he came back down he was looking at the gun barrel of Lieutenant’s Calhan pistol and it never wavered from the chest of Jesnis. The Indian braves behind Jesnis all brought up there rifles and were then pointing them at the Calvary patrol but Jesnis; “Lieutenant you are a very brave man and I admire and respect a brave man, so I think we shall move on and you can get your water”. “But know this we will meet again”. “I look forward to our meeting, Jesnis”. With that said the Comanche’s stormed past the Calvary patrol and Jesnis as he rode by the Lieutenant lightly touched him on the shoulder with the barrel of his rifle. Calhan smiled and knew that Jesnis had counted coup on him. Then riding on in to the water hole and they begin to take care of there wounded soldiers. They would stay there for two days to allow the wounded to regain some strength to be able to make the four day journey back to Fort Jackson…. The New Mexico southern territory was a harsh land dotted with cacti, yucca’s, creosote scrub brush and sage grass, rocks and deep ravines and required a strong person to survive and live in the territory. The western half was not the harsh land as the southern part as several rivers provided green lush grasses for raising cattle. The Navajo Indians and Apaches, Pueblo along with small groups of Comanche have all lived in the southern part. All of the western part of what would become the US during this time was constantly changing from armed conflict, treaties and purchases from Mexico in adding the new territories. Lieutenant Calhan 11…………………… After the two day rest at the water hole they started the journey to Fort Jackson and reached there on the fourth day in the afternoon. All weary and tired from the 17 days out on the arid plains of the territory. Dan got off his horse and gave the reins to Amos and went into the headquarters to report in to Colonel Williams. The Colonel new to his post and having just arrived three days ago was not happy with losing the troopers and came down quite hard on Dan but there was nothing he could do but to stand at attention and take the tongue lashing. For he too felt that he should have been more cautious and leery of the Apache scouts desire to always be on the side of the Calvary. Leaving there and walking down the board walk to his quarters and going inside. There were two rooms to each junior officer’s quarters. The quarters had one window looking out beside the single door that opened into the living room and one door leading into the bedroom. Sparsely furnished but satisfactory for Dan he took off his gun belt and then went out to go to the small hospital at the fort to check on the troopers that had been wounded. On the way over he ran into Amos and the two went on to the hospital together. Dan found the two men to be recovering and talking to the Doctor was satisfied with there treatment. Finding Lieutenant Ryan Walker also at the hospital the two left together and started the walk across the parade ground to there room. About half way across they met a young lady wearing a full length dress of white and green and a straw bonnet carrying a parasol. Dan was awe struck as they passed and she did not acknowledge the two officers as she went by. Dan; “Who was that beauty?” Ryan; “That my dear friend is the Colonel’s daughter”. “Well, well maybe things are looking up around here for a change”. Ryan; “Just so you know, Dan, the Colonel had all the officers in his office and strictly forbid any contact with Ms. Ann Williams while she is here”. “Why is she just visiting?” “That was my impression”. Dan; “I have got to get out of this uniform as have been wearing it for the last three weeks, see you later, Ryan”. As Dan went into his room the Navajo squaw (Hok’ee) that worked in the fort was laying out a clean uniform for Dan and motioned that his tub for a bath was ready. For just outside of the fort a large group of Navajo’s had taken up semi-permanent residence and many worked in the fort doing cleaning or other chores. Fort Jackson was built with earthen walls around four sides as timber for the walls was in short supply in this arid part of the territory. The walls were about ten feet high and steep on the outward side and the main gate was the only wooden part of the perimeter around the fort. Located between the town of Hobbs and Carlsbad and not far from the Pecos River. The New Mexico Territory was cede to the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The territory included Arizona and part of Colorado……………………………………………………………………………. The next few weeks found the 6th standing down from any patrols but drilling constantly from the orders of the new Colonel. Long boring days of close order drill with the horses and hearing Colonel Williams lecturing the troops in being the finest of the fine as members of the 6th Calvary. The only break for the officers was a formal dance to welcome the Colonel and his daughter to the fort. Wearing class A uniforms and having all the ladies of the married men attending and the single officers standing off to the side while the regimental band played. There was one dance though where the single men were to dance with the ladies and by chance or just happened Dan found himself dancing with Ann. He found her quite adept and nimble and the two danced so well that soon all the others had left the floor and left Dan and Ann dancing alone. On one swirling and turning move Dan had glanced over at the Colonel and saw him with a deep frown on his face but just smiling he continued to dance until the band stopped playing. Then as he released the beautiful young Ann was that just the slightest squeeze of his hand he felt or just his imagination? For the only contact he had ever had with her was the time they passed each other on the parade ground. “Oh heck, Dan you are just dreaming now”, were his thoughts………………………………..
Lieutenant Calhan
From: Smitty
Date: 09 Jan 2007
Time: 18:12:06 -0600
Remote Name: 210.4.100.23
Comments
Lieutenant Dan Calhan……………….. The three pulled there horses up overlooking the desolate land that lay before them and the lieutenant said: “Lippy, are you sure there is water bout ten miles from here?” The Mescalero Apache, Lippy, answered; “Lieutenant, I knowed it was there a couple of years ago”. “The ting I doesn’t know are der Comanche’s using that water hole”. Lippy a Apache scout for the US Calvary and called Lippy because he had no lower lip as well as a crooked right arm and one long scar down the left side of his face. All the result of a long ago battle with a band of Comanche’s. Lieutenant; “Well guess we have no choice but to try and make that water cause none of us and these horses can last much longer”. Nudging the flanks of his horse he started down a slight incline and the other two pulling travois’s with two wounded soldiers in them followed him down. The Lieutenant a veteran of more than six years in Indian country and fluent in Comanche, Navajo and Apache languages and many skirmishes’ with all of them. The patrol that he had been in charge of had been ambushed four days ago as a result of there other scout Big Nose leading them into the ambush with an Apache war party. Six day of trailing and tracking the Apache’s had ended in a bloody battle in an arroyo that left six of the Calvary soldiers’ dead and two wounded. Only by continuing to fight and killing twelve of the Apaches were the six men left to try and get back to Fort Jackson. And one of the twelve was Big Nose that the Lieutenant had personally shot off his horse. For the land that the US 6th Calvary regiment stationed at Fort Jackson had to deal with were both the Apaches and Comanche’s in there raids and killing sprees on the settlers and cattlemen living in that part of New Mexico Territory. The other two soldiers both veterans of Indian fighting were Sergeant Amos Butler and a very large black and one excellent fighter and good friend of the Lieutenant. The other was Corporal James Black and had also been with the Lieutenant for more than four years………………………………………………. The ride to the water hole would take most of the day but sometimes walking and sometimes riding the remains of the Calvary patrol pulled up and surveyed the dip in the landscape where the water was coming up from a shallow hole in the rock and sand.. Calhan took out his binoculars and looked for any sign of movement and spotted several horses and men around the water hole. Giving the glasses to Amos and saying; “Looks like Comanche’s down there and just hope they are filling up and moving on”. “Don’t think so, Lieutenant, looks like they plan to spend a spell there”. “Well you two stay here and I’m going on down to talk”. “Now Lieutenant, you know me and Corporal Black aint going to let you go down there alone, so we just be tagging along also”. But the Lieutenant had already started down toward the Comanche’s. The two followed down behind him. Just about one hundred yards from the water hole the Comanche’s spotted them and came storming out toward the patrol. Then stopping about twenty yards away in a show of horsemanship with clouds of dust rising up around the twenty or so braves they reined in and waited. The Lieutenant making a peace sign and then; “We only want to replenish our water and mean you no harm”. One brave on a big pure white horse moved away slightly from the other Comanche’s. “You must be ready to die for riding up on us like that and so few of you too”. “I am “Jesnis”, (Brave One) and even though you make the peace sign we are at war with you and your kind”. Calhan; “We have seen enough battle for now and just want to get the water and will be on our way”. Jesnis; “Then it is a good day to die for you and the rest”. “Maybe but I will kill you first and then what have we accomplished?” “Ha ha, no one can kill Jesnis” “I can and will”. “You talk brave for a white soldier, what be your name?” “I am Lieutenant Calhan and we have fought a battle with your enemies the Apache’s and now need water to treat our wounded and horses”. “You fight the Apaches?” “Yes”. “How many?” “Twenty or more” “Kill any?” “Twelve”. “I still think I will kill all of you”. “Well we can’t outrun you so if that is what you desire then make your move as I am tired of talking”. Then Jesnis’s horse reared up and created a cloud of dust but when he came back down he was looking at the gun barrel of Lieutenant’s Calhan pistol and it never wavered from the chest of Jesnis. The Indian braves behind Jesnis all brought up there rifles and were then pointing them at the Calvary patrol but Jesnis; “Lieutenant you are a very brave man and I admire and respect a brave man, so I think we shall move on and you can get your water”. “But know this we will meet again”. “I look forward to our meeting, Jesnis”. With that said the Comanche’s stormed past the Calvary patrol and Jesnis as he rode by the Lieutenant lightly touched him on the shoulder with the barrel of his rifle. Calhan smiled and knew that Jesnis had counted coup on him. Then riding on in to the water hole and they begin to take care of there wounded soldiers. They would stay there for two days to allow the wounded to regain some strength to be able to make the four day journey back to Fort Jackson…. The New Mexico southern territory was a harsh land dotted with cacti, yucca’s, creosote scrub brush and sage grass, rocks and deep ravines and required a strong person to survive and live in the territory. The western half was not the harsh land as the southern part as several rivers provided green lush grasses for raising cattle. The Navajo Indians and Apaches, Pueblo along with small groups of Comanche have all lived in the southern part. All of the western part of what would become the US during this time was constantly changing from armed conflict, treaties and purchases from Mexico in adding the new territories. Lieutenant Calhan 11…………………… After the two day rest at the water hole they started the journey to Fort Jackson and reached there on the fourth day in the afternoon. All weary and tired from the 17 days out on the arid plains of the territory. Dan got off his horse and gave the reins to Amos and went into the headquarters to report in to Colonel Williams. The Colonel new to his post and having just arrived three days ago was not happy with losing the troopers and came down quite hard on Dan but there was nothing he could do but to stand at attention and take the tongue lashing. For he too felt that he should have been more cautious and leery of the Apache scouts desire to always be on the side of the Calvary. Leaving there and walking down the board walk to his quarters and going inside. There were two rooms to each junior officer’s quarters. The quarters had one window looking out beside the single door that opened into the living room and one door leading into the bedroom. Sparsely furnished but satisfactory for Dan he took off his gun belt and then went out to go to the small hospital at the fort to check on the troopers that had been wounded. On the way over he ran into Amos and the two went on to the hospital together. Dan found the two men to be recovering and talking to the Doctor was satisfied with there treatment. Finding Lieutenant Ryan Walker also at the hospital the two left together and started the walk across the parade ground to there room. About half way across they met a young lady wearing a full length dress of white and green and a straw bonnet carrying a parasol. Dan was awe struck as they passed and she did not acknowledge the two officers as she went by. Dan; “Who was that beauty?” Ryan; “That my dear friend is the Colonel’s daughter”. “Well, well maybe things are looking up around here for a change”. Ryan; “Just so you know, Dan, the Colonel had all the officers in his office and strictly forbid any contact with Ms. Ann Williams while she is here”. “Why is she just visiting?” “That was my impression”. Dan; “I have got to get out of this uniform as have been wearing it for the last three weeks, see you later, Ryan”. As Dan went into his room the Navajo squaw (Hok’ee) that worked in the fort was laying out a clean uniform for Dan and motioned that his tub for a bath was ready. For just outside of the fort a large group of Navajo’s had taken up semi-permanent residence and many worked in the fort doing cleaning or other chores. Fort Jackson was built with earthen walls around four sides as timber for the walls was in short supply in this arid part of the territory. The walls were about ten feet high and steep on the outward side and the main gate was the only wooden part of the perimeter around the fort. Located between the town of Hobbs and Carlsbad and not far from the Pecos River. The New Mexico Territory was cede to the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The territory included Arizona and part of Colorado……………………………………………………………………………. The next few weeks found the 6th standing down from any patrols but drilling constantly from the orders of the new Colonel. Long boring days of close order drill with the horses and hearing Colonel Williams lecturing the troops in being the finest of the fine as members of the 6th Calvary. The only break for the officers was a formal dance to welcome the Colonel and his daughter to the fort. Wearing class A uniforms and having all the ladies of the married men attending and the single officers standing off to the side while the regimental band played. There was one dance though where the single men were to dance with the ladies and by chance or just happened Dan found himself dancing with Ann. He found her quite adept and nimble and the two danced so well that soon all the others had left the floor and left Dan and Ann dancing alone. On one swirling and turning move Dan had glanced over at the Colonel and saw him with a deep frown on his face but just smiling he continued to dance until the band stopped playing. Then as he released the beautiful young Ann was that just the slightest squeeze of his hand he felt or just his imagination? For the only contact he had ever had with her was the time they passed each other on the parade ground. “Oh heck, Dan you are just dreaming now”, were his thoughts………………………………..
A Christmas Story
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