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NEW POSTAGE STAMPS

Today the United State Postal Department is issuing a new set of Forever Stamps. These stamps will be honoring four great filmmakers. They are John Ford, Frank Capra, John Huston and Billy Wilder.

Of particular interest to western film fans is the John Ford stamp. The background of the stamp recalls a scene from the great classic movie The Searchers starring John Wayne.

The Great Film Directors stamps are being issued in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (5 of each design). I’m sure they won’t be around long, and could become a collector’s item.

I have a picture and sheet of the “Legends of the West” series of stamps that came out back when first class stamps were 29 cents.

May 23, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

CYNTHIA ANN PARKER

On this date back in 1836 one of the Old West’s most tragic events began to unfold.

At the age of nine, Cynthia Ann Parker’s family was killed and she, along with some other children, was kidnapped. The Comanche took her, and she lived with them for 25 years.

She became the wife of Peta Nocona, and gave birth to two boys and a girl. Comanche warriors normally take more than one wife. Nocona was happy with just Cynthia Ann.

In December 1860 a group of Texas Rangers attached Nocona’s village and rescued Cynthia Ann and her daughter.

Rather than feeling she had been rescued, Cynthia Ann felt she was kidnapped a second time. Cynthia Ann resigned herself to a life among a people she no longer understood. In 1863 her daughter died. And she died seven years later of influenza brought on by self-imposed starvation.

Incidentally, her son Quanah Parker became the last great war chief of the Comanche tribe. One wonders if he would have gone to war had Cynthia Ann not been kidnapped.

May 19, 2012 | Categories: Old West History, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

DICK FELLOWS

We see outlaws in the movies riding at breakneck speed to chase down a stagecoach, and then jump from the horse to the stagecoach to encounter the driver and guard. All outlaws weren’t that good of horsemen.

One such person got out of San Quentin Prison on this date back in 1881. His name was Dick Fellows.

Raised in Kentucky, Dick Fellows…An alias…came to California, and falling on hard times decided to rob stagecoaches. He picked the correct stage. It was carrying $240,000. However, as he was getting ready to go after the stage, the stolen horse he was riding threw him, and he was knocked unconscious.

Not one to give up, Fellows stole another horse and held up the next stage. He was successful. After the stage left, he tried to lift the strong box on his horse. The horse startled and raced off.

With night coming on he started walking with the strong box. Next he fell over a high bluff, knocking himself unconscious a second time. He woke up with a broken leg and foot.

Although the strong box has $1800 in it, he never got a chance to spend it, before Wells Fargo Detectives caught up with him.

When he got out of San Quentin, I believe most people would take the hint and go straight. But not Fellows. He went back to robbing stages, only to be caught again and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison.

May 16, 2012 | Categories: Old West History | Leave A Comment »

DR. QUINN MEDICINE WOMAN

We’ve all watched Dr. Quinn Medicine Women…actually it’s still in reruns and still looks as good as it did the first time around. Have you ever wondered where they got the idea for the show?

I’m not exactly sure, but it could have been Bethena Owens. Go to the link below and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411337371

May 14, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

NATIONAL DAY OF COWBOY RESOLUTION

The resolution for the National Day of the Cowboy is under assault in the California Assembly.

An animal rights advocate is maintaining the National Day of the Cowboy isn’t about the pioneer and our western heritage, but ranchers and rodeo. He wants to change the resolution to the day of the rodeo rancher. And then he goes on to talk about how animals are abused at rodeos.

This resolution has always been about all who are part of heritage preservation and cowboy culture. It’s about the music, the art, the artisans, the literature, the cowboys, the cowgirls, poetry, ranching, land and animal stewardship, historic events, cowboy organizations, the cowboy’s horse, landmarks, family stories, ferriers, saddle makers, those who simply love cowboys and our mythical cowboy too.

Anyone from California needs to contact their California State Legislator and express their support of SCR 70 as soon as possible. The vote is this coming Thursday.

May 13, 2012 | Categories: Old West News | Leave A Comment »