BILLY THE KID OUTLAW GANG
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
Fall 2007
President's Message
We wanted the 20th Anniversary Annual Campout of the Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang this year to be a special one. And, thanks to the dedicated hard work of the Board of Directors and you loyal members, that wish came true! Despite high cost of travel, members from as far away as Florida, California, Louisiana and Minnesota showed their smiling faces. The field trip to Blazer's Mill arranged by Lucas Speer was a complete success. (We had those trips in the olden days and you can look forward to more such field trips at future campouts.) The meals, the entertainment, the speakers and the enthusiastic participation of the members - from toddlers to the grandmas and grandpas - have left pleasant memories for all of us to cherish.
It would be too lengthy in this short message to express my gratitude to each and every one of you who made the campout a success. You know who you are and I hope I have made it clear-in person-what it meant to me! It has been a rough year but you came through like champions!! I do want to welcome two new members who joined the BTKOG at the campout. Bill Doyle and Andrew "Rug" Miller are now part of us!
Thank You
Joe Hesseling
Lucas Speer Website
If you haven't checked out the website of Lucas, you need to do it!!! He covered the campout with pictures and running comments that put you right there in the thick of it. You can Google the Lucas Speer Website. Go to Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang's 20th Anniversary Campout, and you'll find the pictures.... and much more!
20th Anniversary Annual BTKOG Campout
Joe pretty well sums up the feelings of those attending the Campout. It was a relaxing, fun filled experience. We'll review the events for the members who weren't able to be there and take a trip down memory lane for those who were.
Thursday
The early birds began arriving on Thursday as scheduled. The usual confusion on picking the sites to camp and to mark out places for the various functions of the camp reigned supreme. (By Friday morning the Registration and Name Tag Factory had to be ready to begin operations.) Several tarps were strung for sun and rain protection. New features were in the form of two 10'x 20' canvas car shelters for additional protection. Our faithful Bob Louge set up his electronic system for the weekend background music and a loudspeaker for announcements. The arrival of our Louisiana contingent, the Vining Family, was cause for a Vining show up, the campout is officialy launched.
Friday
Peggy Sproull and Aileen Eastwood running the Registration table
Registraion, Dues, Name Tag Factory & the Silent Auction
These staions were set up and functioning on Friday morning. As the members registered, the members of the party registering were given a choice of a half dollar size wooden (or plastic) 'nickel' Commemorating the 20th Annual BTKOG Campout. From the registration and Dues Table, Peggy Sproull and Aileen Eastwood sent them to the Name Tag Factory to create their masterpieces. Thanks to Katherine Louge and Robyn Jones, the donations for the Silent Auction were tagged and ready for the bidding.
BTKOG members at the graves of Roberts and Brewer
Blazer's Mill Field Trip Lucas Speer and Virginia Clark were great Field Trip leaders. As members signed in they let Peggy and Aileen know if they were going to Blazer's Mill. By about 2:00 PM the expedition got underway with a sizable number of members. We are fortunate to have an article by Lucas covering that trip! Lucas has sent the article plus pictures to Jan Girand for inclusion in the next BTKOG Gazette. Judging by the pictures Lucas put on his website from the Campout, we are in for some wonderful viewing.
Joe Hesseling and Butch Blazer
Butch Blazer, a direct descendant of Dr. Blazer, joined us for the Friday night Potluck Supper. He was a popular guest! Butch was presented two BTK inscribed Bolos in appreciation.
Ron Hadley cooking up some delicious
food while Doc Sproull looks on
Friday Potluck Supper
As expected, the potluck proved a winner. How such meals always seem to work out is a mystery, but they always do. Ron made good on his promise of the Fideo dish and it lived up to its billing. Judging from the number of recipes given out (they called them reciepts in Billy's day) your NL Editor ain't the only one who found it a gourmet delight! No one went away hungry!!
Friday Night Entertainment
New BTKOG member Andrew "Rug" Miller
entertaining the crowd on Friday
We had an impromptu concert Friday evening. Lucas and "Wildfred" (real name, Andrew "RUG" Miller) is a musician from Austin Texas who joined with Lucas for the evening. (Since Rug's e-mail address begins with "Buckshot Roberts", he was in the right place at the right time.)
Saturday
Saturday morning started-as did Friday and Sunday-with donuts delivered by Wes Owens and Coffee brewed by Joe Hesseling.
Registration and Dues, the Nameplate Factory and the Silent Auction Table were doing business.
The Memorabillia Displays were completed. Lots of pictures and a super Scrapbook brought by the Eastwoods. We can't really count Don and Kathy McAlavy as memborabillia, but having Don and Kathy come from Florida to join us has to be prime memorabillia!!! Don was President for so many years that he and Kathy and the BTKOG are somewhat aynonymous.. A wonderful surprise and most welcome!! Don presented us with some Hand Colored Original Prints he had done-and brought material for the next Gazette for Jan.
William Henry Bonney and Jessica Bertelsen
Doc Albersmeyer and Millie and the great grandson of Rooster Cogburn, the little banty rooster named William Henry Bonney, were able to make it. (The hawks did not get Hank since the last Campout.) Hank doesn't play dead as the original Rooster used to do, but he's been trained by Doc to sit anywhere he is placed. And I don't think he had any accidents as he posed on the heads and shoulders of the Kids!
Julian Leyba and Chris Jones
Julian Leyba repeated his highly popular activity of the 2006 Campout. He and the Kids erected a genuine Indian Tepee! It proved every bit as popular as a hangout as it was last year. And it was a wonderful teaching experience! Also this year a new twist was added. Julian conducted a (closely supervised) school on the art of knife throwing.
The kids had a blast during this year's games
and made many new friends as well as memories
The Kids' Games were held and the First Place Winners were as follows:
(The kids were divided into Junior and Senior Groups)
The BTKOG's western themed games
offers fun for the entire family
Roping
Tori Graham
Irene Blevins
Patrick Blevins
Michael Gomez
Bean Bag Toss
Tori Graham
Gabby
Valdez
B.J.Abshire
Casey Valdez
Cowchip Toss
Gabby Valdez
Jessica Bertelsen
Patrick Blevins
Austin Valdez
The Adult Games followed and the First Place Winners were:
Roping
Lisa Valdez
James Brassell
Cowchip Toss
Virginia Clark
Lucas Speer
Lunch
The BTKOG concession stand fed many hungry outlaws
at this year's campout and membrship meeting
The concession Stand did a booming business. The dedicated members who each year run the stand and hardly have time for their own lunch are to be commended. This year saw Paul Blevin, Trudy Leyba, Roger Allen and Robyn Jones manning the ramparts. And there are probably more that I missed!
Afternoon Speakers
We had two speakers after the games. Lucas Speer and Donna Tatting were the speakers. Our sneaky plan is to get them to write up their talks for the next Gazette!!
Trophy Awards
There were a bunch of awards to give out!!! The Trophies for the kids' and adults' games were first presented. Then the other awards were given out-catching many of the recipients by surprise!! We hope no one is missed in this review. Awards that were given at different times are noted elsewhere in the newsletter. (It is comforting to know that the Gazette will be coming out to correct any grievous errors.)
Bob Louge-----Perfect attendance for 20 Campouts!!! and Maestro of Background Music
for many, many, many, Years!
Johnny and Eileen Eastwood-----Special Award in recognition for many years
of dedicated Service on the Board of Directors. True Warriors!!
Ron Hadley-----Framed Presidental Pardon From (Joe to Ron) (Don't Ask!!)
Donna Tatting-----Bob Barron BS Award ( This one takes a little explaining.
So ask Joe about it. Donna is Bob Barron's daughter.
(Lucas has a picture of it on his website.)(Picture on page 12)
Gary Tatting---- Ugliest Outlaw ( We explained to Gary that we have all
recieved this award at least once over the years
Peggy Sproull----Liars' Contest Winner
Chris Jones----Liars' Contest Winner
Don and Kathy McAlavy-----Outlaws who traveled the greatest distance.
Bob and Peggy Sproull----- Appreciation Plaque
Virginia Clark and DeAnndra Bertelsen----Ladies with the Most
Authentic Western Attire.
Julian Leyba---Gentleman with the Most Authentic Western Attire
Julian Leyba-------Tepee Pitching Champion.
Jessica Bertelsen----Young Lady with the Most Authentic Western Attire
Patrick Blevins----Young Gentleman with the Most Authentic Western Attire
Kohen Roger------Young Billy Look-a-Like
Carol Hesseling----President's Award
Bill Allen----President's Award
Joe Hesseling------Outlaw who has spent the most time on-and-of a horse.
(This trophy showed cowboy with an arm in a sling. Ask Joe if you don't know why!)
Evening Meal
Supper lived up to-NO! Exceeded-expectations. With Bill Allen in charge, and Roger Allen helping, there was no doubt! (Names of all their helpers are being sought!!) As promised, President Joe had rustled up two elk roast in addition to the beef roast. The baked potatoes and the onion from the grill complemented the roasts perfectly. And the 20th Anniversary Birthday cake came complete with candles and decorations. With Bill's up-side-down cake and Julian's cobbler we were all in gourmet heaven.
Silent Auction
The winners were tallied and the exchange of cash for Auction winning lasted through the evening. Crystal Vining insured a place in Heaven by being the courier throughout the evening contacting the winning bidders and extracting cash. Lots of leg work!! The BTKOG is grateful to those winners in helping shore up the treasury balance!
Evening Entertainment
L-R Lucas Speer, Julian Leyba, and Mike Sinkovitz
We were royally entertained by a group who could launch a successful Road Show!! The trio consisted of Lucas Speer and Mike Sinkovitz on guitars and Julian Leyba on the bongo drum. They played for hours and were roundly applauded. (A big plus this year was the location of the concert. Joe Hesseling had looked ahead and bought a portable fire ring for the log fire. The perilous uphill trip through the dark to the campfire ring was not needed!!! The set up was in level main campground area.) Mike and Lucas were sometimes a duet, sometimes soloists. Lucas played some of his original compositions. Mike played a song from a Billy the Kid Opera written by his wife, Elizabeth. We heard many old favorites. An additional bonus was offered. Virginia recited some of her poetry! The evening was chilly but no one seemed to mind. The sound of a blender in the background making soothing drinks may have contributed. Our intrepid musicians were all awarded a musician's trophy and Virginia was awarded a speaker's trophy. And if you were sharp you caught Ron playing bass on a shelter guy rope!! (See Lucas' Pictures of the Campout Page 31)
Sunday
Breakfeast
Wes made his final trip run for the year with the delicious calorie free donuts. (They aren't really calorie free, but it made us feel better to make that claim!)
Members Meeting
Some interesting items were discussed. The success of the Blazer's Mill Field Trip led to the motion to try for a Field Trip to White Oaks at the next Campout. If that does not work out, an alternate site will be chosen
An e-mail sent by Herb Marsh concerning The Billy The Kid-Lincoln County War Symposium to be held in Ruidoso on September 29th and 30th was read. Copies were avaliable for all members. (The content of the e-mail is on page 6 of this newsletter.)
Mike Pitel (NM Tourism Office) sent a message concerning the State Tourism Office. One of the projects is a proposed Walking Tour Brochure of Lincoln. If BTKOG members wished to test walk the Lincoln Tour, DeAnn Kessler, Superintendent of Lincoln State Monument, had been instructed to loan them a Brochure to follow. (Unfortunately when members had time on Sunday to do the "Test Walk". the office was closed.) Another interest of Mike is the quest for the GPS Coordinates for the Pat Garrett murder site. The area is now the site of a
sub-division and the marker is rumored to have disappeared.) Several members will be checking this out--when we get past the heat of the summer.) A copy of Mike's communication was also furnished to all members of the Campout.
Joe Hesseling announced that he would not be able to continue to serve as President and asked that the Board of Directors and the members to be considering a replacement to be chosen at the Fall Board Meeting in October. Joe has been a poster child for how a President of the BTKOG should look and act. We will sorely miss him and hope conditions will permit him to continue.
Lazy Day
The remainder of the day was devoted to relaxing and getting ready to depart on Monday.
MONDAY
The Hadley Day
This was the day to load all gear and head for home. Of note is the fact that Ron was finally there for the day that was created for him!!
OTHER MATTERS
Just a few items to cover before we sign off.
Billy the Kid-Lincoln County War Symposium
(This is the e-mail Herb Marsh sent to us for our Campout):
"The Billy the Kid-Lincoln County War Symosium, co-sponsored by the Lincoln County Historical Society and the Hubbard Museum will be held on September 29th, 8:30 a.m., at the Hubbard Museum of the American West, in Ruidoso, On the following morning, Sunday the 30th, there will be a guided tour of Lincoln. Registration fee, payable at the door, will be $25 per person.
Topics for the Symposium will be:
The Regulators vs the Lincoln County War.
Fort Stanton and the Lincoln County War.
Tunstall, Brady & Buckshot. Three Martyrs.
Hispanics in the Lincoln County War.
The Five Day Battle.
The capture & Death of Billy
"Where is Billy Buried: Or is He?"
Women of the Lincoln County War
Supposed Billy the Kid Photos
BOOKS
We have seen an outpouring of books of interest to Billy the Kid historians in the last year or so. The ones I know of are listed here. The Gazette will likely carry reviews.
2007
Bob Boze Bell-------Classic Gunfighters. Vol. Three. (NOT about Billy. Billy knew some of 'em.)
Chris Enns-------Tales Behind the Tombstones. BTK Page(63-68)
Donald E. Kaye-------Nathan Augustus Dudley. Rogue, Hero, or Both.
Fred Nolan-------Tascosa.
Fred Nolan-------The Billy the Kid Reader. (To be published soon.)
Corey Recko------- Murder on the White Sands.
Lynda Sanchez-------Eve Ball. Woman Among the Men.
Michael Wallis-------Billy the Kid. The Endless Ride
James White-------The History of Lincoln County Post Offices.
Old West Magazine,-------February, 2007. Articles devoted to Billy the Kid.
2006
Pamela Brown----All The Women Wanted Billy.(A Novel)
T. Ray Dickerson----Coping With Inlaws and Outlaws.(A Novel)
Elizabeth Fackler----Calendar of the Lincoln County War.
Marc Simmons----Stalking Billy The Kid
Speaking of Books! Elizabeth's Book Store
It is with pleasure that we can announce that one of our own, Elizabeth Fackler, (Author of El Chivato) will be opening her Book store in Lincoln on Saturday, 22 September. The bookstore will be located across from the Courthouse. Elizabeth promises she will be serving Sallie Chisum's Very Good Cake to all who show up!!
DREAMSCAPE DESPERADO
This was well attended exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History from May 13 to July 22, 2007. Special Programs were conducted on May 13, May 24, June 28, and July 12, The Dreamscape Desperado Sypmosium was held on June 30 moderated by Dr. Paul Hutton, Professor of HIstory at the University Of New Mexico. The participants were Michael Wallis, Johnny Boggs, Fred Nolan and Robert McCubbin.
On July 8, Ralph Estes, billed as the oldest living cowboy, sang and told stories of Billy the Kid.
CONCLUSION
We had a great campout and are looking forward to the coming year!!
From the Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang,
You have been a part of the BTKOG -- and your membership is treasured!
Our stated goal is to protect, preserve, and promote the history of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett. (Our unstated goal is to make it an enjoyable journey.) This ongoing job does require financial support and it is from your dues that most of that support is generated.
If you have not yet renewed you dues for the July 2007 to the July 2008 BTK Year we would be most pleased if you would do that! We need you continued support.
If you have friends who are interested in BTK-Pat Garret history, please pass on this information to them.
Name......................................................................
Address.............................................................
City........................ State............... Zip...........
Phone.....................................
Annual Dues:USA.....Single---$25.....Family---$30
Annual Dues:Non-USA.....Single---$30......Family---$35
Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1881
Capitan, NM 88316
Bob Sproull, Newsletter Editor
Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang.
