[The Linotype & the Typesetting Race]

Thanks for the memories, Dave!  Long time since I heard the sound of a Linotype in operation...!

My first job after high school was as a laborer in a 3-person small-town weekly newspaper office/ job shop printer.  Mrs. Wilson owned the place, was the reporter/editor/salesperson.  The printer went by the name "Young Bill", while the Linotype operator was "Old Bill."  I was not an apprentice, so didn't get the title of Printer's Devil, but did many of the tasks just the same.  One of the jobs after a press run was to help Young Bill break down the assembled type. Then I got to melt it down and cast it into the long ingots the linotype machine used.  The ingots were about two feet long, and around 2 1/2 inches wide. After the ingots were cooled, I had to carry them back to the Linotype machine and hold them in place while Old Bill physically hooked them to the chains - NO ONE but him was allowed to touch ANY part of the Linotype, not even the boss! The handles on the molds were convenient for moving them around in the melt shed, but I soon learned the hard way that they were not for carrying the ingots back inside...2-foot long chunks of tin, antimony and lead can do bad things to a floor, or a dumb kid's foot when they shrink and fall out of the mold!  Picture of molds is attached 

[Trail Markers]

The Illowa Irregulars and the Illinois River City Regulators are sad to report that our long-time friend and competitor, Will Dunn., aka Robert Gauley, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021.  Will was a highly competitive shooter, who posted wins in every category in which he competed, often dropping down to a better-supported category, just to take on - and often beat - the "youngsters," even when he was eligible for "El Patron." He was always ready with a good story, or joke -or three- and was hardly ever seen without a smile on his face.  An accomplished amateur gunsmith, Will was always available to help solve a problem for any other competitor, and quietly mentored many of the new shooters who came into our sport.  His laugh, smile, and firm handshake will be missed by all of us. 

 

The photo was taken at Gunsmoke, 2017, when Will won his Regional Championship.  He is pictured with his long-time traveling companion, Fillmore, who passed away in 2019. 

 

Obituary is available at https://www.wheelanpressly.com/obituary/Robert-Gauley

 

Count Sandor, T.G.

[People of Cowboy Action Shooting]

My son, Colonel Kit Coyote...anyone remember the source of the alias?

[People of Cowboy Action Shooting]

Finally! The photo really I wanted to include back in Post #5 - found the thumb drive lurking in the bottom of my travel bag!

Also, adding a photo of Bookworm Sandy, who passed away a few years ago.

[People of Cowboy Action Shooting]

Alias: Count Sandor

SASS # 74075

From: Rock Island, IL

Shooting: 10 years

[Someone explain this to me]

My diploma reads "Bachelor of Science in Education in Geography." That meant that I would spend the first eight years of my career teaching only literature, grammar, spelling, and anything else that was covered by my minor in English. The rules were such that both the major and minor fields were covered by the "in Education" part. Of course, I taught a number of other subjects, but had to have more than 1/2 my class load in the major/minor fields.

 

CS

[Dam Site Old School]

Creeker:

 

This past September, the theme for our annual, Fall Round-Up, was "New School vs. Old School." Half the stages incorporated some things we don't usually do much any more. According to the surveys I received, the "Old School" stages were well received. One example: a full sized cutout of "Little Johnny," the brat who tormented you all through grade school. Shooter started standing in school house doorway with an old fashioned felt chalkboard eraser in one hand, ready for revenge. Starting line..."Hey, Johnny!" At the beep, toss the eraser at Little Johnny, step forward and retrieve rifle. etc. I awarded a 3 second time reduction for the stage for a "hit" on the brat - about the same amount of time it took to react, throw, and actually start shooting. Most everyone hit Johnny, but some of the misses were monumental, and provided some interesting "talking points" at the socials.

 

CS

[Cowboy Memorial Page Updates]

Thanks again, UB.

[Trader Dave has passed - additional]

Perhaps someone could submit his info.

Cowboy Memorial Site

Will be done as soon as we get everything taken care of. I really appreciate the site, but it seems to me I have had to make too many submissions in the last couple of years.

 

CS

[Poly Coated Boolits with Real Black ?]

I have seen them successfully used with APP. Nothing there to keep the fouling soft with Holy Black, so not a good idea, IMHO.

 

CS

[Trader Dave has passed - additional]

BTT for info. in original post.

[Trader Dave has passed - additional]

We have just learned that the Illowa Irregulars' former TG Trader Dave passed away this morning after a long illness. Dave was my mentor when I first came into Cowboy Action. He took me under his wing, introduced me to "the power of the darkside," and eventually passed the TG baton to me. Although he hasn't been able to shoot in a while, his presence has been felt at every match, as he was the driving force behind the construction of Camden Mills, our cowboy town.

 

Arrangements are pending. I will post them as they become available.

*******************************************************************************

 

I have added a link to Dave's obituary and visitation information.

 

http://www.wheelanpressly.com/notices/David-CatherSr

 

I think perhaps it would be appropriate to consider a "yellow shirt day" in honor of Trader Dave at the Illowa Irregulars' first monthly shoot in April '17. We can discuss this at our annual cowboy meeting Jan. 15.

 

CS

[How do you handle food at monthly matches?]

The Illowa Irregulars have coffee, donuts, and occasionally breakfast pizza available during sign-up. During and after the match brats and hamburgers are grilled on-site, and chips/drinks are also available. These services are provided by the ladies of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, international collegiate and service sorority. ESA's primary philanthropic efforts are directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital, and all proceeds from our food sales go directly to St. Jude.

 

Since our "cook shack" is centrally located on the cowboy range, some of our shooters choose to "eat on the run" during the match, others while scores are being tallied and awards presented. We do not have a formal break during the match.

 

CS