Wish we had an NCOWS posse in Oregon

[Oregon Bill]

I've never actually shot a CAS match, but having been an observer at a number of SASS matches, I just can't seem to get the religion. I think part of why it turns ME off is that it's such a farb parade from the duds to the smokeless popguns to the rest of the gear. I don't object to anyone letting their inner child have all the fun possible, but it's not for me, nor do I care to be around it any more than I care to be around so-called buckskinners in spotless chrome-tanned commercial deer hide war shirts, shooting T/C Hawkens and keeping their Buds cold in neoprene coozies..
The NCOWS emphasis on historical accuracy is way more interesting to me personally. But SASS seems so entrenched here in Oregon that it might be asking water to flow uphill to try to start a real NCOWS posse -- and especially one dedicated to the use of black powder. It's a shame, as Oregon was the real "end of the trail" though much of the 19th century.
Enough whining. Guess I will just continue to lurk here, live vicariously and take an occasional NCOWS membership.

[Major 2]

Bill, we are of a kindred spirit ...I feel & felt the same way....

"You build it they well come" , was my by word....
It took some time, seemed almost like it would not bare fruit...but it did .

from a hand full of like minded folks (just 3 to start ) , the NCOWs executive board, and some Texas Posse' members help
Florida has the Cracker Cow Cavalry ... I urge you to seek forming your Posse.

I'll help anyway I can , I'm now part of the  NCOWs Executive Board... get er done ..and join us
looking back you will not be sorry .... 

[TwoWalks Baldridge]

Bill, I am shocked to say the least.  I plumb figured you to be whole lot stealthier than that.  Sneak up on them SASS fellows and do it your way.  Wear period correct clothing, shoot a period correct guns out of period correct holsters.  Use the holy black, in other words, do it your way.  You may be plumb surprised how many might join you.  Sort of like start an NCOWS group inside a SASS group and over time and with the numbers become NCOWS.

[JohnsonBarr]

Get with Mike 'Books O'tool' Tathem for the 'easy how to' for your posse set up. Considering Texas is on your Eastern border, I 'spec we'ins would come fer a proper white smoke shoot.

[Major 2]

".... Considering Texas is on your Eastern border, I 'spec we'ins would come fer a proper white smoke shoot.

Texas hasn't been on the eastern border of Oregon since 1836 

[PJ Hardtack]

Who says that you can't shoot to an NCOWS standard within SASS? There's a category for every taste.

For the last three big matches our guys have gone to, three of us have shot "Frontiersman". It started as a silent protest to shame the gamers (impossible to do, as it turns out) and we've had so much fun, we intend to keep at it. We juggle 1st, 2nd and 3rd between us.

Cap & ball revolvers plus BP in your long guns is as Cowboy as it gets! We're also into authentic dress to fit the part. Everyone looks period correct from hat to boots.
Two of our group regard bandoliers (shotgun bras) as non-historic, stuffing shells into frock coat or vest pockets. I use a belt slide on my left hip (I'm used to grabbing 1911 mags there) and they laugh at me. One uses an antique Belgian 16 gauge under lever side hammer shotgun. It has a splinter fore stock that requires him to wear a leather glove to avoid getting burned.

If that ain't Cowboy enough, I give up. We also shoot a lot of side matches out to 200 yds with main match rifles. Those of us into BP and even some of the smokeless (hopeless?) types are having no trouble reaching out there at all. The .38 shooters look and sound silly by comparison.

[Oregon Bill]

Boys, you've given me some food for thought. T'will be a long, frigid winter here in the high desert -- time enough for me to think through my persona, hone my outfit and acquire the proper irons. Come spring, there will be a new stranger in town, and there'll be something about him that smacks of the pure quill...
I think I'd best rejoin NCOWS as a first step.

[OklaTom]

Johnson Barr is dead on.  He and I got tired of the gamer attitude at our local SASS club.  No to mention the lead splash from the targets being so close.  We were members of NCOWS before there was any NCOWS posses in Texas (just a bit east of Oregon).  So, we started shooting that way.  PJ Hardtack is right, you can't shame those fellas - they do what they do and that is OK, as long as they are having a good time doing it.  But we could still do it our way.  We won a few over to the NCOWS way.  The some folks at another Texas SASS club got the religion, and started a posse for NCOWS.  With that came even more interest in our area, and another NCOWS posse was formed at Johnson and my club.  Yep, takes a little work, but it is worth while.

I, too, am on the Executive Committee as the Secretary.  I'd be happy to help in anyway I can.  All it would take is an email to OklaTom@att.net to get me helping.

Johnson is my travel buddy, and we would certainly be open to taking the Buckboard up the Oregon Trail.  Wouldn't be the first time we traveled a long way just to make smoke and noise.

[Paladin Gun For Hire]

I am a SASS shooter,have never been to an NCOWS match,would like to one day. But, I'm sure any NCOWS member would be welcome to shoot at any of our shoots. I certainly would have no problem with it, and would enjoy shooting with you. We are a community of shooters acting out our fantasy's in real life and however you want to do it is fine with me. I don't feel any better that anyone else nor do I want to cause anyone discomfort. Let's go shoot. 

[Oregon Bill]

Well, Tom, as Abilene is about 1,727 miles from my town here in Oregon, that's a mighty generous offer to come all that way. I'll need to think on this some -- and I did just re-up in NCOWS after a multi-year hiatus.

[Major 2]

welcome home 

[OklaTom]

Well, Tom, as Abilene is about 1,727 miles from my town here in Oregon, that's a mighty generous offer to come all that way. I'll need to think on this some -- and I did just re-up in NCOWS after a multi-year hiatus.

Yes sir, Bill.  I got your application in email already.  Welcome back.  We are glad to have you again.  As soon as the banker gets me confirmation on your dues payment receipt, I will get a new card out to you.  Memberships now run Jan 1 through December 31.  Johnson and I have a new friend who has one of them new-fangled flying machines.  That should shorten the 1700 miles down considerable.

If you have any questions, call the NCOWS "hot line" 319-277-6839.  It rings in my humble abode here in Tejas.  You will likely get voicemail, as I do work elsewhere.  But I always return the calls when I get a voice message.

OT

[Oregon Bill]

Tom, you'll find the banker has my funds this morning. Thanks for the kindness.
Just looked up the Berger Sharpshooters -- northeast of DFW. That's a part o' Tejas I've not been to. Daughter went to Baylor, and when I visited we went west, toward Buffalo Gap, where my great grandparents were married in the early 1880s, and to San Saba, where GGgrandfather was murdered in August of 1856.
Will take this NCOWS path and see where it leads me.

[Blackpowder Burn]

+1 what PJ and Oklhahoma Tom said.  I'm in the Houston area at the Thunder River Renegades SASS club.  We have a significant number of BP shooters here, and even the gamers like to see us come smoke up a stage and hear the rolling thunder.  I've finally gotten my all original battery into action - 2 first generation Colts, an original 1873 Winchester and an 1889 Remington hammered double shotgun.  And I'm gradually convincing a few more folks to shoot "growed up" cartridges with black powder.

While I wish we had an NCOWS posse in our area, I have lots of fun with the SASS guys.  We've even had the occasional discussion of forming an NCOWS posse to use our same range.  Maybe one day it will happen.

[Books OToole]

Bill;

You have taken the first step in The Hooplehead's Guide to Starting in an NCOWS Posse:  You joined NCOWS. 
If you attend SASS Matches with NCOWS approved attire, equipment and arms (aside from PC DAs) you will soon find enough kindred souls to establish a Posse.

Good luck.

Books


PS - You may feel free to contact me with any question.  I'm always glad to help.

[JohnsonBarr]

Hey Bill I dun sum quik caculations and it looks like Amarillo is almost half way to Oregon. Well, maybe not quite half. Interesting you mentioned Baylor...Go Bears!!! So, your San Saba saga; Sutton/Taylor feud maybe?

[Oregon Bill]

Johnson: No one is certain why my great-great grandfather was murdered that August day in 1856. His name was Champion Travis Traylor, and he was born in Georgia. My great grandfather, also named Champion Travis Traylor, was born about four months after his father was killed. He taught school, ranched, was school superintendent in Plemmons (now gone) just a few miles up the Canadian from Adobe Walls, knew Mr. Billy Dixon.  He took the same name as his father.

[Tascosa Joe]

My family got to the general vicinity of Abilene/Buffalo Gap in 1867.  Settled south of present day Eastland in 1877.  Then got to the Panhandle in 1926 in time for the oil boom in Borger.

[Oregon Bill]

Joe, I will bet our kin crossed paths in or around Buffalo Gap. GGdad sold his ranch -- and helped sell off part of the XIT Ranch, before retiring to Denver about 1920. He was always sorry he missed the Panhandle oil strike.

[JohnsonBarr]

Hey Bill I did a little poking around and came up with your GGG killed by Indians near Chappel Hill in what is now San Saba County. Here's the interesting part; I've been over Chappel Hill hundreds of times. Not even a quarter mile down the road is the main gate to my good friend Richard Matsler's ranch. Plenty of Matsler's in the cemetery next to the church. Not sure how for back into the 19th century his people go but, here in a couple of weeks I'll go for a visit and see if any Traylor markers are in the cemetery.