JULY

July 1 - 7, 2001: POSSE WEEK

Monday, July 2, 2001

*extra*extra*
SILVER CITY DAILY PRESS
OUTLAWS HEAD TO THE HIGH COUNTRY

News has just reached this reporter that the Frisco River Gang led by Fearless Frank have headed up into the mountains, escaping the heat of the border country. They have gone right into the back yard of Ranger Capt. Bates with plans of stripping him of every cow on his range.

At this time there is an on going inquiry into Capt. Bates and his actions of a month ago when he last went after Fearless Frank. Not waiting for a decision from the powers that be in Sante Fe, he has enlisted the help of a local family of nesters formerly from Georgia. Patriarch Butch heads the Huff family. Little is known of him other than his level of common sense must be low to join up with Capt. Bates in this deadly pursuit. His offspring are B.J., John and young, sweet Catbird Catherine. It is rumored that they left Georgia just one step ahead of the law and neighbors who had plans of making them each a few inches longer. Butch we hear practiced medicine but dispensed his cures in one-gallon jugs. B.J. was following in his father’s footsteps and John it seems was in the habit of collecting at the gambling tables, though he never sat in on a game. And young Catbird was learning bad habits and poor social skills from them all. Seems the lack of common sense and morals is a family tradition. Perhaps it’s just blind loyalty that causes them to head off on such a misadventure. No matter what past they may have, if they are willing to run down the Frisco River gang we will forget all and wish them the best of luck. We only hope it’s not another flock that the Capt. is leading to slaughter.

Fearless Frank has a couple new gang members. It is reported that they are a father and son team of rebels from the state of Alabama known only as Slick Sid and Stick ‘em up Stu. Sid is reputed to have been a heck of a riverboat pilot down on the gulf coast before the bottle took a hold of him and he ran himself aground on an island of sin and crime. He took to pirating, rum running and slave trading, none of which are occupations to inspire a healthy upbringing for a young man. Before his 15th birthday young Stu was spending his time along back roads and trails waylaying unsuspecting travelers, sending a few on a one-way trip to eternity. All usually for no more than a few pennies. Fearless Franks’ reputation caused them to seek him out and join up with him hoping to share in some of his fame and loot. We all can only hope they will also share a common grave in some deep canyon of the Gila.

Tuesday, July 3, 2001
The Posse is shaping up to be worthy of the task before them. They hit the trail at about 9am and spent the next 11 hours in the saddle. Covering almost 40 miles they were able to collect $168,000 along the trek. It goes down as the longest Posse ride in history. The entire day not a single track or sign of the outlaws was seen. As the weary Posse was less than a mile from camp they topped a grassy ridge and as they did the outlaws topped it from the other side. Both groups were taken by complete surprise as they were suddenly face to face less than 20 yards apart. It was a mexican stand off. It was not a place to fight. Not a tree or rock within a 1/4 mile, no place to tie up horses. After a minute’s hesitation a few insults were passed back and forth and each group went on their way. Getting to camp the Posse could read the sign that the lazy outlaws had spent most of the day sitting in wait for the Posse to return to camp. We hope that the next few days will prove as successful and safe as this one just passed.

Wednesday, July 4, 2001
A long hot quiet day passed. The Posse was up early and headed to the outlaw camp but they weren’t early enough as the camp was empty. After getting back to their own camp the day was spent in anxious wait, hoping the outlaws would make an appearance. They never showed. That is until midnight. Capt. Bates had gone to their camp. When he arrived he found it again empty causing him to hurry back to his own camp, fearing the worst. When he got back all was quiet. A few minutes later the outlaws arrived but none of the Posse arose to give them a fight. Seems sleep was more important than a gun battle. We hope the dawn will bring a bit more action.

Thursday, July 5, 2001
The day started a bit poorly for the posse.

After arising and having breakfast, the posse was indecisive as to what to do next. Many plans were talked around the campfire, finally one was agreed upon and everyone set to getting ready. Unknown to them all Fearless Frank was lurking in trees around camp, the rest of his gang asleep on the ridge, never leaving the night before. Catbird headed to nature’s call and on her return Fearless killed the poor darling with no remorse. Butch and his sons were in the cabin pulling gear together when Frank opened the door and caught them with pants down. Quickly dispatching all three he then walked up behind the Capt. who was saddling a horse. As he was pulling the cinch tight he heard “You won’t be needing that horse today Capt.” Without a jump or start or even turning around his reply was “Damn you Frank but you are good.” In less than 4 minutes he had wiped out the entire posse without a shot fired.

The posse spent their kill time talking coulda, woulda, shoulda, and learning that Fearless will do what you wouldn’t do yourself. Like staying out on a ridge all night with no food, bedrolls or anything but a slicker and hard ground. All agreed they were pissed but he had earned respect. A few hours later the Capt. spotted the flash of sunlight on a gun barrel way up the ridge. He alerted his crew and dispatched them to positions on the trail. Fearless and his gang feeling perhaps a bit too triumphant walked right into them. The Capt. and Butch were on the other side of the canyon and heard four quick shots fired, then momentarily a yell of victory. Fearless never knew what hit him as a round fired by John struck him square in the heart. Stunned Slick Sid was the receiver of his next round, going down gut shot. Stick ‘em up Stu, now know as Rabbit, high-tailed it but not faster than the speeding bullets of B.J. who brought him down. Retribution had been achieved.

The afternoon was spent with the posse in good spirits and jovial. One pastime that developed was young John standing 20 feet away with an apple on his head William Tell style daring all comers at a dollar a shot to try their skill. The laughter could have been heard in Mogollon. He is now known as Applehead Huff.

About 7pm the celebration ended when it was discovered the outlaws had moved camp just into the next canyon. Capt. Bates, seeming to be back in his old form, went to scout it out. He spotted the camp and saw Fearless and Stu climbing the ridge and soon fell in behind them at a not-too-safe distance. The two outlaws went to the canyon rim and started yelling insults and trading shots across at Butch who was on the opposite rim. Butch knowing the Capt. was up there somewhere played it well keeping the outlaws attention. The Capt. got right behind the outlaws using a large Ponderosa tree as cover. Being the honorable man he is, he wouldn’t shoot even Fearless in the back. Finally the duo turned around and found themselves looking down the barrel of the Capt.’s gun. Not expecting them to give up but hoping he waited till he saw them raise guns, then unloaded on Fearless. Three shots fired, two in the leg and one in the side put him in a heap. Stu at this time was running break neck speed down the ridge, the Capt. calmly took aim at 45 yards and pulled the trigger. With satisfaction he watched the young desperado fall with a round to the head. A short time later farther down the canyon rim B.J and Applehead found Slick and after a short but hot gunbattle sent him to join his partners with a round in the chest.

Night fell and all was restless with an occasional shot being exchanged from canyon rim to rim until dawn. The posse won the day and the outlaws yielded the country and pulled up stakes.

But knowing Fearless Frank he will only round up another bunch of renegades and be back to terrorize us all again.

July 8 - 14, 2001: Summer Ranch Week

Monday, July 9, 2001
A big crew of 12 this week. We have the “cupcakes” back, a group of gals we’ve had the pleasure of having around 4 times. They are Averille from Tx. Katy from Co. Carol from Ok. Averille brought her daughter Carrie this time. We also have Ike from Az. Joe from Oh. Mike from Pa. Linda and Nicci from Ct. Bev, Kim, and Jessica from Ca.

Today was a shake down day getting everyone set with horses and gear. For the first time this year the horses didn’t come in this morning. Lyndsey found them way up at N- Park so it was a late start. They didn’t leave here till almost noon. But no one was complaining when they got in at a bit after 5pm. A pretty good shake down ride. Not a single soul wanted a horse change. Damn but we are good!

In the morning we plan on a horse hunt. Trying to find the bunch of mares and foals and all the two year olds who are running with them. It’s time to start getting the young guys riding a bit. Geeeez seems like we just get the last bunch of kids going and it’s time to start another bunch. Should be exciting trying to find them and pushing in 30+ horses. Always a kodak kinda day.

Tuesday, July 10, 2001
A kodak day it was. Got a good start out about 8:30am. Frank went with Joe and Ike doing a cattle recon...just seeing where things were and that all were ok. They opted for that as they didn’t really want to get caught up in a herd of running horses. Lyndsey and I went out with the others and split into two groups. I went out through Ewe Canyon and she went over Holy Shit Ridge. We moseyed along at a walk/trot and covered some miles pretty fast. After less than an hour we came upon the horses south of Elladean Tank, spread across the meadow. They moved off real well and the drive went fine and fast all the way back to the H.Q. They tried to turn back on us a few times but riders were there to get them back on track. At one point we came over a ridge and there was a herd of about 50 Elk, heck we gathered them up too and they ran along with the horses for about 1/2 a mile till they jumped a fence. Not everyday ya get to do that. We had 21 adult horses and 5 foals. I knew we were missing a few but I wasn’t going to lose what we had by goin’ lookin’.

We got them in the shipping pens and took a lunch break. Then I sorted off the 2 y.o. and a couple other ones I wanted in the corrals and turned the rest out into the water lot. Tomorrow our new stud horse arrives so I have to decide which mares I’m going to breed and which get sold. Always a hard choice.

A few of my group then went out for a short ride on their own. I went and put some salt out all over Negrito Pasture. Lyndsey got in about 5:30pm after spending the day going all over 7HL. She found the two mares and foals we were missing about 6 miles from where we had found the big bunch. At least they got to find some and have a fast drive home too.

The weather has been great, today’s high was 72. Overnight low of 46. Saturday we actually had a fire in the fireplace...In July! It got down to 40 and rained, damp and cool. We have had 2 inches since Saturday, raining in the evening so it hasn’t gotten us while riding at all. It is the best year in the 12 years I have been around here. I’ve seen flowers and plants I’ve never seen before.

Wednesday, July 11, 2001

Bought a new horse today, a big dun horse, 6 years old. A friend, Travis Kiehne brought him up. I rode him as we gathered, what a horse! As good a horse as I’ve ridden. Smart, quick, and quiet. Works cattle great and at one point I had to quick pen the yearlings to get them out of the way and he was awesome cutting them through a gate. His name is “Pounce.” When I paid for him I felt the price was a bit steep but after riding him I knew it was money well spent. Travis also brought up a 3 yo red roan stud colt, very well bred. Poco Bueno on the top and all Hancock on the bottom. Travis heard our stallion was in California and asked if I wanted to borrow him to get our mares bred. I’m just tickled to death to have him. Travis took 6 of our 2 yo colts home to have his sons put 30 days on ‘em, they are real good hands and gentle with young horses. They were all over our dun colt Tom, wanting to trade for him...nope, he’s been my favorite since the day he hit the ground. I sold Chilli last weekend to Sid from Alabama. I know, I said I never would but hey, I’m in the horse business, sold him too cheap though.

71 High temp. Overnight low of 51.

Thursday, July 12, 2001

Everyone broke out boots and chaps and pants around the fire tonight and branded ‘em. And a few pretty damn funny jokes.

Got up to about 75 today before the clouds built up after a low last night of 44.

Friday, July 13, 2001
What a day of good work done! We got out in good time, and headed into the South trap and gathered the pairs we had put in the day before. The gather went really well, seeing a nice herd of Elk as we were out there. I love seeing them so long as they are not in my horse pasture. I’ll let them share the cattle’s grass. Got the cattle in and sorted just about noon then took a nice break for lunch. I love lunch breaks at the H.Q. Cold sodas, and real chairs. I must be getting soft. After lunch we started branding and the crew had it together. We did 17 of mine first and as we were getting done the clouds were getting thick. We then cut Alan’s calves into the pen and started on them. Quickly the rumble of thunder and flash of lightning got closer and the first huge drops of rain started. I am scared to death of lightning. It started snapping and popping all around us and our urgency grew. Keep in mind the banding pens are made out of pipe and steel mesh. With overhead supports and structure 20 feet tall. I hate being in there. As the rain came down the fire did too and soon we had a corral of tied wet calves, cold irons and hot lightning popping every few seconds. My slicker and a few other folks were nice and dry on our saddles in the barn where we left them when we unsaddled at lunch. Within moments we were soaked to the bone but too busy to be cold. No one gave up. We had to shelter the last few calves with people to try and keep them dry as we poured gas on the fire trying to get the irons hot enough to do the last couple brands. Sloshing around in the mud we finally got it done. We were all mighty happy to get to the cookshack and a hot cup of coffee. It was a great week with a great bunch of folks who really helped us get our work done.

High temp 73. low 44 and 4/10ths inch of rain. Great sunset.

July 15 - 21, 2001: Summer Ranch Week

Monday, July 16, 2001
Another big crew, twelve folks in all. Don and his daughter Val, our webmasters, are here for their 3rd or 4th time. Then there are Joy and Kathleen from Wa. Tommy and Joey a father/son team from Al. John and Jerry from Tx. Heather and Katie from N.Y. Bill and Breamand from Ct.

Today was a shake down day. As usual we had no one wanting to swap horses at the end of the day. It was a pretty long shake down with the riders getting in about 4:30pm. It rained about 1/2 inch just at feeding time again. We had gotten the same Sunday evening as well. High temp was about 73. Overnight low 44.

Tuesday, July 17, 2001
John and Alan came up and we decided to keep working over Negrito pasture trying to get out any cattle that we had missed when we gathered last week. We split into four groups. Lyndsey went into Bearwallow with four riders, Alan and Frank headed towards Dog Spring with a handful more. John and I headed to Burnt Cabin Meadow with a rider each. Then we went into the area we call the Negrito Triangle. It’s about 10 square miles that we always get turned around in. Draws and canyons going strange directions, ridges you just can’t figure and lots and lots of trees. John and I have ridden some country and gotten around some wild stuff but as many times as we have been in there we both will swear that we enter some vortex and our sense of direction just goes to the wind. As we went into the Triangle we split up, Val was with me and Bill went with John. Val and I walk-trotted all over out there. Going 6 different directions within a mile due to the canyons and ridges. We saw elk and coyote but no cattle till we had been riding about three hours. We saw three cows on a ridge that took off at a run as soon as they saw us. We eased on up figuring they were going to get babies, but we got to the top and there was not hide nor hair of them. We followed tracks down the hill and then lost them but kept on going that general direction. About 3 miles on we found them less than a 1/4 mile from the gate. We eased them on through and headed back home. Everyone got in within an hour of 4pm. Alan had put through about 20 head, Frank put through 10 and Lyndsey came up with 11. A good day. No rain but cloudy and thunderstorms close by.

Wednesday, July 18, 2001
Alan and the New York girls headed out to hunt some mavericks that had been spotted. The rest of us went out into the North Trap to gather everything and push them all out and save the grass in the trap. It took most of the day to get everything gathered and out.

On the way out Don’s horse Creek stepped in a hole and quick as you blink he went down in a tumble. Don’s knee went out of place, seems it’s happened a few times before. He knew just what to do and had John pull and twist it back into place. Not a pleasurable experience for either. But Don was up and back in the saddle for the rest of the day. Later when John was asked if he’d ever done anything like that, his reply was “No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

High of 77, low 48.

Thursday, July 19, 2001
Lyndsey and the New York gals had a girl’s day sort of ride. Spending the day looking for Indian pottery which they found a bit of and talking about men.

The rest of us trailered out to 7HL and fence Tank, gathered around there and spent the day branding. It’s a great crew and everyone jumped right in. The day was perfect with lots of clouds and a breeze but no rain. We got about 30 calves done getting home about 6pm. I don’t know about the rest of them but I was worn out. When we got back we found a joke was being pulled on Heather. She had been told that Bill and Breamand where getting married after dinner. Everyone had gone along with it. We had them lined up for marrying with Heather as Maid Of Honor on her knees when we finally told her it was all a joke. She took it well.

Friday, July 20, 2001
Val, Heather, Kate, Maggie and I rode out from the H.Q. spending the day gathering stuff out of the North Trap. Cattle have been coming back and knocking down the gate to get to the lush grass we are trying to save for when we come back in the fall. We got them out and pushed a few miles to Elladean tank. On the way I saw some cattle about 3 miles out over in Negrito pasture, which is supposed to be empty. So we headed that way. Before we got there the rain started coming down. A steady soaker. So when we got to the gate into Negrito, Maggie headed home with the New York gals and Val and I continued on to get the strays. We made quick work of it, getting ‘em rounded up and pushed to and through the gate into 7HL.Then headed home getting in about 4pm.

The rest of the crew trailered out towards Fence tank. Some stopping at Cowcamp, unloading and starting to gather there. By the time they got to Fence tank they had over a hundred head. They penned and sorted and corralled the unbranded calves. Then spent the rest of the afternoon branding getting close to 30 done. They lucked out and didn’t get any of the rain that we got a bit farther west. They came home dirty and tired but a good day was worked by all. Doug and Cathy the farriers were here shoeing horses and Doug, who is a master guitar picker and a great singer, played by the fire in a soft rain for everyone before they headed off to bed. Another 1/2 inch of rain fell overnight with a low of 50.

July 22 - 28, 2001: Summer Ranch Week

Monday, July 23, 2001
A small crew this week, just two gals from Hawaii. Nanea and Hokulana. Both good riders and ready to go. Today we were quick out of the corrals and just did a big swing out through 7Hl pasture looking things over. There is water everywhere. Just plain boggy in some places. We had hoped to find the mares just to look them over but saw nothing of them.

Checked the mares that are with the stud horse here near the H.Q. and found he laid his shoulder wide open somehow. John or I will have to take him into Silver city in the morning. Frank and Lyndsey have till Wednesday off. Getting a well-deserved break. 1/4 inch of rain, high 69 low 46.

Tuesday, July 24, 2001
John took the stud horse down to Silver City where he will stay a few days getting his shoulder put back together. Maggie rode with the Hawaiian gals going down into Rocker Canyon. They spent about 4 hours out. The gals are perfect to have here this week as they are as laid back as we are. Not wanting breakfast till 9am. We sure don’t mind the easy attitude as we want to get a lot of things repaired around here. I spent the day cleaning out the barn and doing a bit of road repair with the tractor. All this rain really washed some deep ditches. Then spent a few hours on the roof with a bucket of tar. It’s been time for a new roof for about 5 years now. But I just keep patching it till I can afford to have one put on.

Got 3/4 inch of rain so it was a good test for my patch job that seems to have worked. High was 71 low 48.

Wednesday, July 25, 2001
Lyndsey and Frank came home last night seemed to be well rested and ready to roll. Frank and John spent the day making Jack posts for some new fencing we are planning around the barn corrals. Lyndsey spent the day worming and doctoring horses. The guest gals took the day off from the saddle and walked to the Indian ruins, finding a lot of pottery after all the rains. I spent the day on the guest cabin roofs slapping down more tar on nail holes...lots of fun. We all were chased inside about 2pm when the rain started and boy did it come down. Heavy downpours, and then it would quit long enough to think we could go back to work, but just start again. We got over an inch and lots of lightning. High was 68 low 47.

Thursday, July 26, 2001
John, Frank, and I spent the day replacing the fences around what we call the “Hospital Pens”-- corrals close to the barn for sick and injured horses. We are replacing everything with treated rails I bought a few months ago from a vineyard that was going out of biz. Hopefully they will last a bit longer than untreated rails. It took all day but we got both pens finished and it looks great.

Lyndsey took the gals on a stray hunt up to Burnt Cabin Meadow. There they met up with Alan and soon found two more mavericks and the chase was on. They finally got them home after a lot of wild riding. Then they quickly got Alan’s brand stuck on ‘em.

More rain...3/8 inch. High was 75 low 51.

Friday, July 26, 2001
I headed out early, taking two yearlings we sold to Magdalena where they will be picked up Monday to start a long trip to Michigan. Then I went by to see our two year olds at the ranch where they are being trained. They all were riding around when I got there and looking great. That was my whole day getting home about 6pm.

The girls went out with Lyndsey looking for horses we hadn’t seen all week and doing a little sight seeing. Both missions were accomplished. Frank and John laid out rails and jacks for new fence around what we call the house lot. We will put it up on Monday. More rain…1/2 inch. High of 69 low 44.

July 29 - August 4, 2001: Summer Ranch Week

Friday, July 31, 2001
It was to be a POSSE WEEK this week but due to a death in the family we had 5 people cancel. The others chose to rebook for a later Posse. All except one, Melissa from N.Y. who decided to come along and just be part of the crew for the week. And a good crew member she was. She was in charge of feeding the orphan calves every morning and most evenings. She and Lyndsey also spent a lot of time getting all the yearlings manageable, leading, standing tied, picking up feet. They all are coming along well. One day they hunted for strays in Negrito pasture coming out with three. Another day they rode to Snow Lake. Thursday night was spent out at 7HL Cow Camp sleeping under the stars. And today Melissa rode with John Getting a bunch of Don and Jeanie’s cattle off our range. The weather has held wet and cool, Tuesday we got a real dumping of over two inches in less than 40 minutes. Highest temp all week was 77, afternoons in the 60’s. Overnight lows in the upper 40’s. Frank, John and I spent the week building fence around the H.Q. Working in wet grass that was waist high, lots of boot changes through the week. The corrals are a quagmire of mud. Wednesday they headed to Arizona and got a couple hundred bales of hay. We are stocking up on as much as we can get in the barn so we don’t have to spend the winter chasing hay all over the southwest like we did last year. The last two weeks being pretty light as far as guests go has given us a chance to get caught up on a lot of things around here but now we are headed back into a long stretch of full weeks with lots of help so it will be back to the range, getting the rest of our branding done and cattle moved out of 7HL into Pitchfork pasture.