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**EXTRA** EXTRA** Alarming news has just reached this office! Just when we thought the peace and tranquility we have enjoyed in our fair county since the demise of Fearless Frank and the Frisco River Gang would long be ours. The news we have received makes us fear other wise. A twisted tale of greed and betrayal it is indeed. For several months word of a map has been going around the lower elements of our society. This map is reported to disclose the locations of thousands of dollars hidden years ago by the gang that once held us all hostages to terror. This elusive map it seems is now in the hands of our beloved former Ranger Loco Lyndsey Hobson. Feeling that the handsome wages she earned during her service with the Rangers was somewhat less than her abilities should command, she has taken it upon herself to find the hidden loot and add it to her compensation. Along with Loco in this endeavor are two other former Rangers obviously lured to the wrong side of the law with promises of riches. These two jumpers are none other than Rowdy Russ Imler and his partner Anything Goes Andrea. Yes, indeed it was a shock to us all when we heard this terrible turn of loyalties. That trio alone would be enough to cause the locking of doors and windows but alas it is worse than just that. They have gathered a gang of known ruffians and cutthroats to assist them. Information we have gathered after diligent investigation is the identities of the new gang, which are as follows: The Cali Brothers, Brad and Jason. They are said to be quiet, unassuming and polite young men who are masters at concealing the murdering madness that dwells within both. The residents of a trail of mining towns in California would attest and bear witness as to the displeasure of their presence. Also riding along are two women from the Seattle area known only as Charlie and Bruiser. Little is known of their past but for two of the fairer sex to be carrying handles such as those it is obvious they would not be the first choice to invite to the Sunday ice cream social. Known to be in the business of shanghaiing sailors to far bound points of the globe they were lately run out of their old haunts. Now we are not without hope nor help in this distasteful matter. Capt. Bates of the New Mexico Rangers is, as we speak preparing to take to the trail in pursuit of his wayward former partners and their new flock of deviants. As usual he has gathered around him an unsavory Company of new Rangers. After inspection of the roster this astute reporter has gleaned the following information. Ranger Lee Bowser of Pennsylvania, a known sneak gun and bounty hunter whose allegiance is to whom ever offers the most reward. Ranger Andy Croop of Georgia, he is Ranger Bowsers’ son-in-law and is said to follow in the opinions of his mentor as to values and morals. Which are always in question. Rangers Julie Boyett and Samantha “Sam” Wilson hailing from the Indian territory of Oklahoma. It is rumored that Julie Boyett is kin to the famous Boyett family of riverboat pirates of long legend. We worry the apple has not fallen far from the family tree and this may just be a concealed plan of treachery. Obviously if the innocent looking Ranger Wilson is her partner it does not bode well of her true intentions. Ranger Kent Grant of California. A sailor by profession it seems he has come to our local with other purposes than just upholding the law. The tale goes that as a young man he was one night enjoying the company of two vivacious women in the Seattle area. After a night of hard drink and lewd behavior he awoke to find himself on a schooner headed to the coast of Africa. Many years of a grudge have brought him here on a mission bent upon revenge. Ranger Frisco previously a well respected citizen of the Gila who traveled back east seeking her fame and fortune. Being as elusive to her as it is for all of us she has found her way back to our sweet community seeking her fortunes by other means. Ranger Jennifer Reynolds of California. It is a mystery to us all as to why an obviously well bred and educated woman such as she would mix herself up in such a stew of deceit. We can only assume that the powerful evil of ill-gotten gains has clouded her otherwise sensible judgment. Ranger Nina Buonaiuto of Santa Fe is a young woman new to our area. We all had great hopes of her contribution to our fine county but recently rumors have flourished that she may not indeed be all we had hoped. Ranger John Cloyed formerly of Iowa recently of our own area is another in which we stored the best of hopes. His fine family background and polite ways set us all at ease. His recent friendship and employment by Capt. Bates of course now has us all suspect. It is not without worry that we watch the badge of the Rangers be pinned on such a lot. But alas we must put hope and prayers to these new Rangers that they may have the courage to complete the duties assigned. As news of this certain deadly confrontation reach our ears you can rest assured our dear reader we will keep you promptly informed. May 30 – June 5, 2004 What a great Posse Week. Great crew and perfect weather made it so. Tuesday the outlaws took to the trail and the posse was not far behind. Midday the posse came upon the outlaw horses tied in the trees along Ten Dead Canyon and decided to make an attack. But a sharp-eyed outlaw scout spotted them and the posse walked into a trap. Within minuets four posse riders fell in a hail of balls and the others wisely withdrew. That afternoon both teams headed to their camps and fortified the places. The posse set up an amazing structure of logs and canvas, the best fort that has ever been built. A restless night passed and in the morning both groups were in the saddle. The outlaws split into two groups and headed two places. Lyndsey took the two Seattle gals way over the mountain to the trappers cabin in search of loot. The posse headed that way as well. When they got close they realized outlaws were already there. Not wanting to get into a gunfight till a loot bag was found they made a new plan. John took the posse all the way back the way they had come with a search of the outlaw camp in mind feeling it was a safe time to do it while the camp was empty. I went on to the cabin, my mission was to keep an eye on the outlaws and throw a little harassment their way keeping them occupied so my posse riders could operate unhindered. That part of the plan went well. I rode around a few hours keeping them on edge. I later found their horses and realized that there were only three riders in the area. It gave me cause for concern as to the situation on the other side of the mountain. But I figured that the posse had seven riders while the outlaws only numbered four, good odds. I figured wrong. The posse headed back home late in the day and being tired and glad to be home walked into their camp without a thought of who may be hidden there. They soon found out as one rider went into the tent and found herself surrounded by outlaws. Not being able to give warning her absence went unnoticed for a while then the suspicions were aroused and the rest of the posse went looking for her. They walked into hot gunfire and within minutes another six posse riders lay still in the dirt. The outlaws had waited five hours for the posse to return; their patience was greatly rewarded. I quit my mission about 5pm leaving the outlaw gals still in the area of the cabin, still looking for loot. My horse had thrown a shoe and my worries had run high so I wanted to get back to my group. It was a lot of walking as Dakota tender footed his way over the rocks. I finally got back and found to my dismay that not only was most of my posse dead but they had found no loot. A very disappointing day. Thursday both groups were riding early, the outlaws headed to the Dead Horse Corral area and had a successful search for the loot they were hunting. The posse went to the outlaw camp one more time and finally had the good fortune of finding a loot bag that was hidden close by. The posse then went over to Ten Dead canyon hunting up the loot that they believed was still there. A long hot day was spent in the canyon with nothing to show for it but empty canteens and sunburn. That evening the Posse camp was a site of depression. They were down ten kills to none and had only one loot bag that was not worth a whole lot. After some campfire talk they rallied for one last try to redeem themselves. The plan was that Pvt. Croop and Pvt. Cloyed being the youngest and fittest would venture to the outlaw camp in the wee hours of the morning and try to take them as they slept. About 10pm two outlaws were spotted in camp raising the alarm to battle stations. The outlaws were Rowdy Russ and Anything Goes, it was no surprise. An hour-long gun battle ensued in the darkness with the Posse finally getting the best of them. Now the Posse was fired up having a couple kills on the board and they all sat up with our valiant scouts sending them on their way about 2 am. I had given instructions as to the way I thought best to carry out the plan and told them to be back to camp by 7am. I was up about 5 am and anxiously awaited their arrival. 7 am came and went and all our thoughts turned to the worst. We envisioned them captive in the outlaw camp and the attitude around our camp was going down fast. Finally about 9am the two Pvts. dragged themselves into camp, foot sore and weary but with the news that made them heroes. They had killed all the outlaws in their beds. The outlaw camp had been spread out and it took several hours to locate them all in the dark but they managed to give them all a very rude awakening. The two Privates cooked themselves a meal at the outlaw camp and just when they were leaving a couple of the outlaws were coming back to life. They took a gamble hoping to get two more kills and take the lead by circling around the camp and coming back again. But not to be surprised the two now alive Seattle gals were waiting for them and after a brief gun battle Pvt. Croop fell with a shot to the head and it was deemed time to pull out and return to camp. It was a perfectly executed plan and now had the Posse down by only one kill, the score being 11 to 10. About midmorning the outlaws were spotted on a ridge about a mile from the posse camp, they lined out and gave Apache yells as they rode into camp. A two hour-long gunfight started up, hundreds of rounds were fired but only a few wounds taken. Finally the outlaws decided the fortified camp was no place they could defeat and mounted up riding west towards town. A few hours later the posse headed the same way expecting an ambush along the route, none came and they were all safely at home by about 3pm. It was a great Posse Week with a wonderful crew of people. Everyone rode hard, fought hard and lived hard. America’s Horse TV Magazine was there to get it all on film. You can watch it October 29 th on the Outdoor Life Network (O.L.N.)
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