Fort Cummings and Cook's Canyon

Ruins of Old Fort Cummings, New Mexico

By Terry McGahey

Associate Writer/ Old West Historian

More Deadly Than Apache Pass

Fort Cummings, located in Southwestern New Mexico, never received the acclaim that Fort Apache in Arizona or Fort Wingate in New Mexico received. Fort Cummings was first established in 1863 to 1873 and again reestablished in 1880 to 1884 and for the last time in 1886. 

The fort was primarily garrisoned by the Buffalo Soldiers and established by Captain Valentine Dresher, Company B, 1st California Infantry, to protect travelers passing through Cooke's Canyon by attacks from hostile Apache Indians. Over the years this fort was garrisoned by Company A, of the 38th Infantry, as well as companies D, and I, of the 25th infantry and Company M of the 3rd Cavalry.

Ten-foot high adobe brick walls enclosed the fort with a sally port on the South side, a suttlers store to the west, built just outside of the fort along the west wall, and several one-story buildings. The buildings within the interior of the fort were supply buildings, officers quarters, barracks, armory, and so on, all of these buildings were also made from adobe bricks.

 

The dump was located a very short distance to the South and many objects are still visible within it. The fort was supplied by water from Cook's spring, which was a never-ending supply of spring water. In fact during my last visit to this site around 1996 the spring still had an ample supply of water.

Fort Cummings is located at the eastern mouth in the upper part of Cook's Canyon which leads to Cook's Pass which is a narrow gap along the route to California through the Cook's range. In 1846, lieutenant Colonel James Cooke led his Mormon Battalion through what became known as Cook's Range, Cook's Canyon, and Cook's spring. 

In 1857 James E. Birch established mail and passenger service through Cook's canyon which connected San Antonio, Texas and San Diego, California. The following year in 1858, John Butterfield also began providing stage services through the canyon but he took it to a much larger scale by connecting St. Lewis, Missouri to San Francisco, California. This became the world's longest stagecoach route covering 2,800 miles. Both companies used the spring as a stage stop where the crew would change the teams and feed the drivers and passengers. 

From 1848 to 1861 this pass was a very dangerous route to travel. Many travelers, reaching into the hundreds, were ambushed and killed by the Apache Indians for over the period of a decade, giving this pass the terrifying name known to travelers upon this route as Massacre Canyon. During this time period the Apaches were being led by Mangus Coloradas, Chief of the Chiricahua Apaches and father in law to the better known Apache leader, Cochise. 

By the year 1861 the two Apache leaders set up headquarters near Cook's Peak in order to kill as many whites as possible. The Apache called the peak "Dziltanatal" which loosely translated means, "Mountain holds its head up proudly."

Shortly after establishing Fort Cummings in 1863, a board of officers commissioned the graveyard. Travelers along Cook's Canyon registered several complaints about the many human skeletons, which could be seen from the trail all too easily. The soldiers were ordered to gather the remains and bury them in a mass grave within the newly built rock wall cemetery.

Closed down in 1873 because they believed the Apache threat to be over, Fort Cummings was once again garrisoned in 1880, due to the result of the Apache leader Victorio leaving the Apache Tularosa Agency.

Despite the forts presence, Victorio and other Mimbreno Apaches killed a man by the name of Samuel Lyons along with three others in Cook's Canyon on June 5th 1880. 

Several skirmishes took place in Cook's pass while the army was escorting travelers resulting in the deaths of both soldiers and Apaches. Cook's Canyon was likely more dangerous than Doubtful Canyon on the Arizona New Mexico border, or even Apache Pass in Southeastern Arizona, and it is claimed that the death toll of Cook's canyon is larger than the other two combined. 

For some reason this canyon is not nearly as well known as Apache Pass, which reason I attribute to Hollywood. Apache Pass makes for better title then Cook's Canyon.

While on a woodcutting detail in an area called Oak Grove about five miles from the fort, a six-man detail was attacked by Apaches at breakfast time. Corporal Webber was in charge of the detail and on the 16th of January 1866 he went back to the fort for more provisions. 

When he returned the following morning he found privates Matthews and Goldsberry stumbling along the road with private Goldsberry having an arrow in his hip. The men told him they had spotted forty or fifty Indians creeping up on their camp so the detail took up their arms and began firing at the Apaches. Privates L.S. Hunter and Charles Devlin fell wounded, then Matthews and Goldsberry ran to a clump of trees nearby while being pursued by the Indians. 

At this point they were able to reload, then made it to a small hill where they made a desperate stand. 

Webber then took one of the mules from the wagon team and sent a messenger to the fort. Lieutenant John D. Slocum was the only available officer at the time because Captain Burkett and Lieutenant Edgar were on patrol with a sizable force. Slocum, taking every available man except the guards, rushed to the wood cutting camp finding the troopers bodies horribly slashed.

In the graveyard near the old Butterfield stage stop they buried the troopers and carved a headstone reading:

Sacred to the Memory Of 

Thos, Ronan aged 49

L. S. Hunter aged 33

Chas. Devin aged 28

Thos. Daly aged 26

Late privates of Co. C 1st Veteran Infantry Cal. Vols. (California Volunteers) killed by Apaches at Oak Grove N. M. Jan. 17 1866.

Fort Cummings had been closed once again in 1884 but reopened for a short period of time in 1886. Geronimo had surrendered at Skeleton Canyon in Southwest New Mexico in that same year which brought an end to the Apache wars so Fort Cummings was no longer needed as a strategic site.

I have been to this site a few times and there aren't much of the walls left anymore. There are two graves under the trees near the spring and if you decide to travel the old canyon trail you will see a few more depressions of graves and a few rock covered graves. 

Also, if you do decide to take the drive you can expect some desert pin striping along the side of your truck from the brush. I would recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle for the ground clearance also. By following this trail you will come out on highway 180 which runs between Deming and Silver City.

The best way to reach this site is to take Highway 26 between Deming and Hatch New Mexico. About fourteen miles after entering highway 26 watch for an old wooden windmill on your right. 

Go left on the dirt road just passed it and drive along the fence line on the West Side of the road. At the end of the fence line turn onto the dirt road to the west and follow your nose. It will wind around through the hills, past the fort old graveyard, then down the hill to the fort location. Again, take a vehicle with decent ground clearance.

Terry McGahey is a writer and Old West historian.

This once working cowboy is best known for his fight against the City of Tombstone and their historic City Ordinance Number 9, America's most famous gun-control law.

He was instrumental in finally getting Tombstone City Ordinance Number 9 repealed and having Tombstone fall in line with the state of Arizona. If you care to read how he fought Tombstone's City Hall and won, please click: The Last Gun Fight -- The Death of Ordinance Number 9 (Chapter One)

 

Abandoned At Age 30 After Years Of Abuse

Dear Friends,

A few days ago, a friend sent me this to post here. After I read it, I decided to do so just as it was sent and unedited by me. I'm sure you will love this inspirational story as much as I do.

Abandoned At Age 30 After Years Of Abuse, He Found A Home With A Woman Who Never Gave Up On Him

By THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE

Arthur, a Belgian draft, spent most of his life as a work horse in a farming community in New England. But once he turned 30, they no longer needed him. From there, he went from auction to auction and dealer to dealer.

During his journey, he met another horse named Max who he grew very close with. The two of them were headed to a high-kill auction in New Holland, when Cindy Daigre, founder of Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary in Tennessee, rescued them.

Daigre saw the two horses on a website where the horses were being brokered out. She saw how emaciated and in such bad shape these horses were, that she knew she had to do something to save them.

“I was told that Arthur was purposely starved while waiting to go to the next auction and the man that had him often sold thin old horses to the ‘cat man’ with exotic cats for meat,” Daigre told The Dodo. “I was horrified.”

So thankfully, with the help from others, Daigre was able to hire a transporter and get both of the horses to her sanctuary.

Even though the horses were now safe, Daigre knew they would have a long journey to recovery. Arthur was so skinny and weak that he couldn’t even stand up on his own. He was exhausted and would just lie on the ground with no appetite for food or fun.

Eventually, Arthur settled into the sanctuary and began to eat. He began to grow stronger every single day. But recovery wouldn’t be as easy for his best friend Max.

“Max has a back injury with neurological issues as well as feet issues,” Daigre said. He also has scars all over his body from past abuse. “He was physically abused and was so full of fear upon arrival and had no use for people. He was actually dangerous to work with.”

Although working with these horses was a challenge, it wasn’t one that Daigre ever gave up on. Within a year of the rescue, she had started to see drastic improvements with Max. Now, two years since their rescue, both horses are extremely healthy, strong and so sweet.

Arthur also now has a long, beautiful mane which they braid in the summer to keep him cool. Both Arthur and Max are still the best of friends and love spending time together. “They have a friendship formed through tragedy and then compassion,” Daigre said.

You can keep up with Arthur and Max’s journey on the sanctuary’s Facebook page.

The Animal Rescue Site is a place where people can help provide food and care to millions of animals in need, both in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to sharing personal rescue stories, shopping for the cause, and signing petitions, visitors can take just a moment each day to click on a purple button to help animals. Visit The Animal Rescue Site and click today – it's free!

-- end article.

Editor's Note: 

For me, I love stories where the good triumph. In almost every story where that takes place, there is one constant that holds true: Good people get involved and do great things.

Besides saving this wonderful horse, that beautiful giant, that is what I like about this story and people at animal rescues. They all step up to do truly great works and deeds. That is the case with The Animal Rescue Site. And yes, God Bless them all for that.

Thank you for your great work.
Tom Correa

4th Of July In The Old West

Happy 4th my friends! 

One of our nation's founding fathers and second president, John Adams wrote that the Fourth of July "ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other."

Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities. Whenever they heard it, patriots erupted in cheers and immediate celebration of all sorts would follow.

A year after the signing in 1777, it is said that Philadelphia celebrated the signing and our declaring our independence by ringing guns, firing guns, setting off fireworks even while our War of Independence dragged on, The tradition was widespread and was taking place throughout the war in spite of hard times.

In the Old West, the 4th of July was celebrated as well. From the smallest mining camps to towns to the bigger cities, Americans had picnics and dances, gatherings for speeches, rodeos, horse races, foot races, turkey shoots, parades, and more. There were historical pageants, and later baseball games, watermelon-eating contests, and even regional specific traditions started to come about like clam bakes and celebrations at beaches. The city of San Francisco was known to shoot off fireworks over the water on its coast over near the Cliff House.

It may be a surprise to know that even in the 1800s, Native Americans who had thrown their allegiance to the United States celebrated the 4th of July with rodeos, pow-wows, gourd dance, war dances, stomp dance and many other dances. And yes, the pageantry of those celebrations is legendary.

Yes indeed, John Adams, wrote to his wife, Abigail, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other."

From Texas to Montana, from California to Maine, as for south as the Florida keys, to Hawaii and Alaska, we have done exactly what John Adams said we would do.

I read this and happily pass it on to you:

"In 1868 the Nevada mining camps of Hamilton and Treasure Hill comprised of a few hardy miners and even fewer women. However, it was decided that they would have a 4th of July celebration.

They formed the flag committee, the music committee and the dance committee. The music committee’s job was simple, yet complicated. There was only one man in town who had a musical instrument, a violin. The complication was that he tended to get drunk. So, they had to regulate the flow of whiskey to the musician.

The dance committee comprised of all the women in town…a total of two. Like volunteer committees sometimes do, the flag committee waited until the last minute to get a flag. And then it was to late to travel the 120 miles to the nearest store. So, good ol’ American ingenuity took place. They found a quilt with a red lining, and some white canvas material. A traveling family camped nearby had a blue veil.

This was doubly good because the family included a mother and four girls which meant more women for the dance. But the girls didn't have shoes, making it impossible to dance on the rough planked floor. So, a collection of brogan shoes was taken up among the miners.

On the 4th of July, a parade formed at Hamilton and with the makeshift American flag proceeded to Treasure Hill. Speeches were made. Sentiment ran high."

I read where they decided to form a new town called the White Pine Pioneers. Unfortunately, as with many mining towns of the time, the town disappeared. But whether its a Nevada mining camp with a "few hardy miners and even fewer women," or an Arizona town where rodeo and a town size bar-b-q picnic was held with all of the townspeople attending, Americans old and new celebrated our declaring independence in the Old West.

So if anyone asked what they did in the Old West to celebrate the 4th of July, tell them that raised hell and drink, they dances and listened to orators who spoke about the greatest of being unencumbered by government. They fired of guns and rang bells and lit candles, all really understanding that their grand-parents and great-grandparents suffered under the yoke of oppression of a government who saw themselves as something akin to slave owners instead of simply a governing body.

While today, probably because of our horrible educational system, many do not even know why the 4th is even celebrated, or the significance behind this day. Thankfully, there are still many of us who understand that today we take a moment to celebrate and reaffirm our nations beliefs.

This day is the anniversary of our birth as a nation. It is the day when a small single page document changed the entire coarse of human history. Yes, we did that!

John Hancock, the president of the Second Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Hancock's sprawling signature is prominent on the document, "just so King George can read it!"

And yes, all 56 men who ultimately signed the Declaration showed great courage as they put their lives on the line with their signature. Remember that they were America's representatives and by their formally announcing America's desire for independence from Great Britain, that in itself was in fact an act of treason which was punishable by death. Add to that that the mere fact of writing such a piece of paper and putting their names to it, they were looking to be hanged,

The one page document that would get them hanged was a Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson and revised by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and William Morris. And yes, today America's Declaration of Independence itself has become one of the most admired and copied political documents of all time.

The Declaration of Independence is our justification for revolution. Its assertions that all men and women are free under God encapsulates the ideal of the American Revolution, citing grievances against the government of Great Britain and King George.

I don't know if they really understood it at the time. I really don't know if those who risked their lives and honor to pen their death warrant really understood what impact that document would have on the entire world.

It is said to be a landmark philosophical statement that affirms that since all people are creatures of God, or nature, that we all have certain natural rights, or liberties, that cannot be violated. And yes, since that 4th of July in 1776, our Declaration of Independence and our American Revolution have inspired freedom-seeking people all over the world to do the same.

Why you ask? Read this and then ask yourself if this doesn't strike a cord that goes to the very heart of all men and women who don't like to be bound in any way?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. 

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

This is the idea that we celebrate today. This is what we thank God for.

Our Declaration of Independence speaks to who mankind is in that it speaks to our desire to be free. It asserts as a matter of Natural Law, the ability of a people to assume political independence. It acknowledges the reasons that independence is reasonable, explicable, and it is clearly explained.

Our Declaration of Independence outlines our general philosophy of government that justifies revolution when government harms the natural rights of the people. Natural rights meaning not rights "granted" by governments, but by God.

Our Declaration of Independence explained Americans' rights and liberties. And yes, the world has not only agreed but has said that they to have rights and liberties and that their governments need to change or step aside.

Yes, besides inspiring all men and women to be free, this is the part of our Declaration of Independence that has inspired celebration for more than 200 years -- including during the period of the Old West where American individualism was at its best and maybe just a handful of Americans were there to celebrate with.

Tom Correa

Let's talk about Rattlesnakes

On June 28th, it was reported that there has been a record number of rattlesnakes making their way into yards due to the drought that we've experienced here in California over the last few years.

Los Angeles television station CBSLA reported that Southern California is becoming known for its sun, sand, and snakes. And thanks to our ongoing drought, rattlesnakes are making their way out of the hills and into our yards in record numbers.

"They’re out in full force right now," said Bo Slyapich, who is known as the "Rattlesnake Wrangler" who specializes in snake removal, relocation, and prevention. Mr. Slyapich has been working with snakes for more than 50 years and says homeowners are giving the rattlers exactly what they are looking for.

Mr. Slyapich said, "If you build it. they will come. Just because you build them a cave, leave the door open, garage door open, put a cement pond in the backyard, make it green all around, maybe throw some mice and rats around. They love us humans."

He suggests prevention measures such as "building a box around your property, installing one-quarter-inch fencing around the entire perimeter, and reducing landscaping." He also recommends "checking seals, and bringing bushes up off the ground. In essence, eliminating all of the hiding places."

"By taking away shrubbery as much as you can, you take away the rodent, the food source, which eliminates the snakes," he said.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates there are about 800 rattlesnake bites every year, with one or two being fatal. These bites can also sting your wallet, potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for anti-venom and treatment.

For those who are bitten, Mr. Slyapich warns against cutting, biting, and sucking the venom, saying, "That’s Hollywood. We're not on a wagon train six weeks from civilization, OK? Dial 911. Keep it simple, tell them 'I’ve been bit by a rattlesnake.'"

He also reminds us to "respect the rattler." He said if you see a rattlesnake, just back away from it.

He said, it is "Real simple: rattlesnakes don’t want to have anything to do with us, they won’t approach us, they will not come after us, they do not fly, leap or jump,” he said. “We are bigger. They are smaller. They will protect themselves."

As for its rattle, although many snakes have the tail vibrating behavior, rattlesnakes possess a unique rattle that others don't. Now that summer is here, let's talk about how rattlesnakes are out and about. And how they use their rattles as a warning when "they" feel threatened. 

Yes, if you hear their rattle. You have been duly warned!

The problem today is urban sprawl. We are now building more and more developments on or near their habitats. It's the same reason that more coyote and mountain lions, and other critters are being seen in residential areas, we are now building homes where they live. And yes, that's no different in the case of rattlesnakes.

Occupations at risk of contact is really anyone working outside. But even though that's the case, it is said that the greatest danger to humans from rattlesnakes is that small children may be struck while rolling and tumbling in the grass.

Though the California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates there are about 800 rattlesnake bites every year, with one or two being fatal, on the overall there are about 1,000 people bitten and less than a dozen people die from rattlesnake venom each year in the entire United States.

While that is great news in as far as the odds goes of getting bit, especially in a population of millions of people, but how many of those millions work outside or live in an area where rattlers are more plentiful. Yes, when taking in those factors, all of a sudden those "great odds" don't look that great anymore.

In residential areas, they may be found under bushes and here and there in all sorts of the hiding places. In the country you may find them sunning themselves near logs, on and around boulders, in the middle of deserted roads as well as other open areas.

Don't fool yourself thinking they would never be in your areas. Rattlesnakes are known to be found in all sorts of habitats including the mountains, prairies, deserts, towns, cities, and even on beaches.

For me, when I'm out pleasure riding, or out fishing, I try to keep my ears open and listen for their warning. I've found rattlers on dirt roads and when riding in areas with tall dry grass in the woods on a shaded path, and even in a building.

My first experience with rattlesnakes came many years ago when I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, California. Station there, I found that we Marines come in contact with them all the time -- but especially when out in the field on training. We were always advised to stay alert in the field and listen for their warnings.

Of course, there was that one day when we returned from the field and found a rattler in our barracks. It was obvious to all that it decided to get out of the scorching Southern California heat outside and find a nice cool spot on the cement floor in the corner of our Quonset hut.

I remember this when thinking about how rattlers seek out prey and comfort. The one we found in our barracks was nestled behind canvas seabags piled in a corner. After that happened, we started making sure we didn't give another one a home and started taking more precautions. It seems that's always the case. People will do what's needed after an incident already took place.

Known for their distinctive rattle at the end of the tail, all species of rattlesnakes can strike at amazing distances and catch their victims by complete surprise. Rattlesnakes are usually identified by their warning rattle -- a hiss or buzz -- made by the rattles at the tip of their tails.

A rattlesnake is born with a button, or rattler, and acquires a new rattle section each time it molts. Rattlesnakes also are distinguished by having rather flattened, triangular heads.

Rattlesnakes range from sea level to perhaps 11,000 feet in California and 14,000 feet in Mexico, although they are not abundant at the higher elevations. They are found throughout the Great Plains region and most of the United States, from deserts to dense forests and from sea level to fairly high mountains.

While I've seen them out "sunning" themselves, it is said that they need good cover so they can retreat from the sun. They are very common in rough terrain and wherever rodents are abundant.

Rattlesnakes are a truly American family of pit vipers and all but two of the existing 27 species are found in the U.S. or Mexico. Rattlesnakes belong to the pit viper family "Crotalidae" name because all possess visible loreal pits, or lateral heat sensory organs, between their eye and nostril on each side of their heads.

The facial pits enable rattlesnakes to seek out and strike, even in darkness, warm objects such as small animal prey, as well as larger animals that could be a threat. The vertically elliptical eye pupils, or "cat eyes," are also a characteristic of rattlesnakes.

Identifying a dead rattler whose rattles are missing can be done by looking at the snake's scales on the underside in the short region between the vent and the tip of the tail. If the scales are divided down the center, the snake is harmless. The scales on rattlesnakes are not divided.

Rattlesnakes come in a great variety of colors, depending on the species and stage of molt. Most rattlers are various shades of brown, tan, yellow, gray, black, chalky white, dull red and olive green. Many have diamond, chevron or blotched markings on their backs and sides.

There are Different Species

Rattlesnake species include Eastern Diamondbacks, Western Diamondbacks, Mojave Rattlesnakes, as well as the Sidewinder, Timber rattlers, Rock, and Pygmy rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes vary in size from the 18 inches of the Pygmy rattler to the 84 inches or more of the Eastern Diamondback.

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a species that inhabits the coastal areas of North and South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida including the Keys. They are found in pine woods, scrubs, palmettos or swamps. And yes, believe it or not, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are capable of swimming many miles out in the Gulf of Mexico to reach some of the islands off the Florida coast.

As stated before, the Eastern Diamondback can reach up to 84 inches which makes it the largest venomous species of Rattlesnake in North America. It has no natural enemies and is considered the top of the food chain. Experts say Eastern Diamondbacks can be quite irritable and readily defends itself if it feels threatened. I've heard they attack for no reason as with most rattlers.

As for more trivia regarding the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, believe it or not, back during the founding of our nation, the Eastern Diamondback was almost selected as the National Animal of the United States. Yes, there were some who wanted it as America's symbol instead of the American Bald Eagle.

As for the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, this very aggressive rattlesnake is found in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas. Actually, it is very common over to find them throughout the West in grasslands, deserts, woodlands, and canyons.

The Western Diamondback is known to stand its ground and defend itself vigorously, the first step being when it coils and rattles. This species of rattlesnake is responsible for many bites and injects a large amount of venom when it does bite.

Although rattlesnake venom isn't as deadly as some other snakes in other parts of the world, the large volume of the injected venom makes rattlesnakes particularly dangerous. And yes, because of this, rattlesnakes are considered one of the most dangerous snakes in North America.

The sex of a rattlesnake is not easy to determine. Even though the tail of the rattlesnake, the distance between the vent and the rattles is quite short, it is much longer in males than in females of the same size.

Snakes never close their eyes, since they have no eyelids. They are deaf, but can detect vibrations. They have a good sense of smell and vision, and their forked tongues transport microscopic particles from the environment to sensory cells in pits at the roof of the mouth. A rattlesnake uses these pits to track prey it has struck and to gather information about its environment.

Snakes have a large number of ribs and vertebrae with ball-and-socket joints. Each rib is joined to one of the scales on the snake’s underside.

The snake accomplishes its smooth flowing glide by hooking the ground with its scales, which are then given a backward push from the ribs. Rattlesnakes often look much larger when seen live than after they have been killed.

This happens because their right lung extends almost the full length of the tubular body, and when the snakes inhale they can appear much fatter and more threatening. The expulsion of the air can produce a hiss.

Rattlesnakes, like other snakes, periodically shed their skin. When the new skin underneath is formed, the snake rubs its snout against a stone, twig, or rough surface until a hole is worn through.

After it works its head free, the snake contracts its muscles rhythmically, pushing, pulling and rubbing, until it can crawl out of the old skin, which peels off like an inverted stocking. Each molt produces a new rattle. Some rattles usually break off from older snakes. Even if no rattles have been lost, they do not indicate exact age because several rattles may be produced in one season.

FANGS!

Mature fangs generally are shed several times a season. They may become embedded in the prey and may even be swallowed with the prey. When one mature fang in a pair is lost, it will soon be replaced by another functional mature fang.

A series of developing fangs are located directly behind one another in the same sheath at the roof and outer tip of the mouth. If a newly replaced fang is artificially removed, it may require weeks or longer before another replacement will be fully effective. One fang can function while the other in the pair is being replaced.

Female rattlesnakes are "ovoviviparous." That is, they produce eggs that are retained, grow, and hatch internally. The young of most species of rattlesnakes are 6 to 8 inches when born. They are born with a single rattle or button, fangs, and venom.

They can strike within minutes of birth, but being so small, they are not very dangerous. Average broods consist of 5 to 12 young, but sometimes twice as many may be produced.

VENOM!

Rattlesnakes cannot spit venom, but the impact of a strike against an object can squeeze the venom gland, located in the roof of the mouth, and venom may be squirted. Their venom is "haemotoxic", which means that it "prevents blood from clotting and destroys tissue." The potent and haemotoxic venom causes great pain and damage to tissue and death.

When a rattlesnake strikes its prey or enemy, the paired fangs unfold from the roof of its mouth. Prior to the completion of the forward strike motion, the fangs become fully erect at the outer tip of the upper jaw.

The fangs are hollow and work like hypodermic needles to inject a modified saliva, the venom, into the prey. Rattlesnakes can regulate the amount of venom they inject when they strike.

Rattlesnakes usually see humans before humans see them, or they detect soil vibrations made by walking. They coil for protection, but they can strike only from a third to a half of their body length.

Rattlers rely on surprise to strike prey. Once a prey has been struck, but not killed, it is unlikely that it will be struck again. Experienced rodents and dogs can evade rattlesnake strikes.

Rattlesnakes may appear quite aggressive if exposed to warm sunshine. Since they have no effective cooling mechanism, they may die from heat stroke if kept in the sun on a hot day much longer than 15 or 20 minutes.

If a rattlesnake has just been killed by cutting off its head, it can still bare its fangs and bite. The heat sensory pits will still be functioning, and the warmth of a hand will activate the striking reflex.

The head cannot strike, but it can bite and inflict venom. The reflex no longer exists after a few minutes, or as long as an hour or more if it is cool, as rigor mortis sets in.

The venom, a toxic enzyme synthesized in the snake’s venom glands, causes tissue damage, as it tends to quickly tenderize its prey. When known to be abundant, rattlesnakes detract from the enjoyment of outdoor activities.

They say the human fear of rattlesnakes is much greater than the hazard, and death from a rattlesnake bite is rare and the chance of being bitten in the field is extremely small.

Cowboys and farmers can usually identify rattlesnake bites on people or on livestock without much difficulty, even if they did not witness the strike. A rattlesnake bite results in almost immediate swelling, darkening of tissue to a dark blue-black color, a tingling sensation, and nausea.

Bites will also reveal two fang marks in addition to other teeth marks, all snakes have teeth but only pit vipers have fangs too. Rattlesnakes often bite livestock on the nose or head as the animals attempt to investigate them.

Sheep, in particular, may crowd together in shaded areas near water during midday. As a consequence, they also frequently are bitten on the legs or lower body when pushed close to snakes. Fang marks and tissue discoloration that follows in the major blood vessels from the bite area are usually apparent on livestock that are bitten.

The best protection for humans when traveling in snake country is common sense in choosing protective foot and leg wear. When climbing, one should beware of putting a hand up over rocks.

Rattlesnakes might be waiting there for a rodent, and the warmth in a hand may cause the snake to strike reflexively. Care should be taken at night, when snakes are more active, and the chance of stepping on a snake is greater. Thankfully rattlesnakes try to avoid people.

Dial 911!

The best first aid for a venomous snake bite is to seek immediate medical care and to keep the victim calm, warm, and reassured. Do not drink alcohol or use ice, cold packs, or freon spray to treat the snake bite or cut the wound, as was once recommended.

If a victim of snake bite is several hours from a car and medical aid, apply a light constricting cloth or other band on the bitten limb, 2 to 4 inches from the bite and between bite and heart.

Make sure it is not as tight as a tourniquet. It should be easy to insert a finger under the band. Loosen it if swelling occurs. Apply suction at the wound for at least 3/4 of an hour by mouth if one has no mouth sores, or with a snake bite kit. But again, do so only if medical assistance is several hours away.

The causes of human death from rattlesnake venom are varied, but usually occur from extended hypotension and cardiopulmonary arrest. Usually within a few minutes after being struck the victim will experience pain and swelling at the wound site.

This information was compiled from various sources, and I hope it helps you.

Tom Correa

The United Kingdom Is Free Once Again

God Bless The United Kingdom!
They Have Their Freedom Back!

For years many of my readers in Europe have complained that the European Union has become completely void of any sort of scrutiny or democratic rule. Yes, many have wanted accountability from the completely undemocratic EU which has too many powers and a seemingly endless amount of Socialist desires.

Well now British subjects (citizens) have had enough with foreign oppression from Brussels! The British have overwhelmingly voted to leave the European Union federation of member nations.

From what I remember, back in the 1970s when the European Union was talked about, it was supposed to be an "economic alliance" to rival the United States economic might. It was supposed to be an "economic alliance" that would rival America by using Free Market Capitalism and less government restrictions. 

That is not what the European Union did! It actually strayed far afield from the initial concept. And yes, the problem was it's Socialist societal demands that it made on its members. Yes, mainly Socialist, Political Correct, self-serving demands.

And friends, a number of people on television are talking about the economic impact of the Great Britain's vote to leave the European Union, but no one is talking about how Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom, was being oppressed by the European Union (EU).

EU legislation and anti-British policies?

Yes, laws were being made in the EU Capital of Brussels, Belgium, and were being pushed on British subjects. Many of those law were in complete defiance of the laws of Great Britain. And no, that did not stop the EU "leadership," an un-elected body, to legislate and make as many laws as they wanted.

It was so bad that 60% of all laws with the British people were living under did not come from their government -- but from the European Union's Socialist leadership in Brussels. Belgium.

Yes, I have stated Brussels, Belgium, a few times for a reason. The EU established their headquarters there, and the leadership which has been passing laws is not representatives of the British people. The EU leadership is an un-elected body making laws that supersede the laws of their member nations.

Friends, this would be the exact same thing if we were to allow the United Nations members nations legislate the laws of the United States.

This is about British Sovereignty!

Yes, the United Kingdom lost it's sovereignty as an independent nation because it joined into an "economic alliance" with an organization which was never supposed to be writing laws for peoples of different nations. And yes, demand that they do or be threatened with sanctions and other penalties.

 
Among the oppressive EU demands is the limiting of the British working class to prosper. What the EU did to the working class in the United Kingdom is make the minimum wage the maximum wage in many sectors. 

And from what I've read, it is a fact that even the British Government's own statistics, as well as that from labor unions, show that the EU has intentional kept down wages for the working classes in the United Kingdom. And frankly, that doesn't surprise me since one of the tactics of Socialists is to milk all of the money they can get off of a great economic powers and bring them to their knees. 

The EU tried to bring down the United Kingdom which is still a great economic power. I believe the economy of the United Kingdom is ranked 5th in the world. And with that, despite the shitty attitudes of the EU spokesmen in Brussels, the EU knows that it is definitely the loser with Great Britain pulling out of the federation. 

Of the main concerns, as a result of the EU superseding the United Kingdom's sovereignty, the EU has been forcing uncontrolled Muslim immigration into the United Kingdom and other member nations even if that nation did not want them. The EU sponsored the Muslim influx by demanding that member nations keep their sovereign borders open to the Muslim hordes.

While Socialism is the European Union's stock and trade, the EU refuses to come to grips with what many of their member countries are finally recognizing -- that the Muslim migration is nothing less than a Muslim Invasion. 

For the EU, it appears they could care less about the concerns of members who are worried their security. The EU has issued threats to member nation Poland who have refused to open their borders. And yes, the EU has even pressured France to reopen their national borders which were closed after the Muslim terrorist attacks last year. 

Can you imagine how we would react if one day we find out that the United Nations is demanding that we Americans throw our borders wide open even if it means that our security is at stack? Can you imagine if the United Nations passed laws in direct conflict of our Constitution and stated that we no longer have rights under our Constitution? 

That's exactly what's taken place in the United Kingdom, and I'm darn proud of the British for making the United Kingdom great again. For years many have complained that the European Union has become an completely void of any sort of scrutiny, having no accountable, and completely undemocratic, with too much powers and Socialist ideals.

What Does The United Kingdom Get From Exiting the European Union? Freedom! 

So now, was it wrong that the vast majority of the British people finally got fed up with EU laws superseding British law? Is it wrong to regain one's freedoms and sovereignty? No! In fact, it should be applauded.

I truly believe that the EU over-stepped its boundaries in it's actions and the British people said enough is enough! Now that the June 23rd vote has gone through, the people of the United Kingdom regain a great deal including:

• Above all else, the British will now reintroduce full legislative powers back to their elected government in Westminster, England.
• The British now regain their freedom. 
• The representatives that the British elect will now be accountable and not impervious to the demands of the British people.
• The British people can regain a sense of who they are. Not European, but British. And yes, that is a title that men and women have fought and died for.
• They can now take their new found sense of National pride and show the EU that they are the losers and not the United Kingdom . The loss of the United Kingdom  to the EU is bad for the EU and good thing for the United Kingdom. 
• The United Kingdom can now stop the Muslim horde which has been forced on them and return to being a Christian nation with Christian values. 
• The United Kingdom can now ignore the demands of the EU and co-operate with other nations who do not support Muslim terrorism. 
• The United Kingdom is now free to work against global crime and terrorism.
• The United Kingdom is now able to assert its own Immigration policies and controls.
• And yes, now there is absolutely no chance of changing from the Pound to the Euro.
• As for Free Market Capitalism and Free Trade, since the United Kingdom is a world power, the British will have their own treaties just as before it ever became entangled with the EU.
• While British taxpayers have been forced to bail out other European Union member nations, now they can determine what if any actions they take as an independent nation. 
• Another point on the economy is that now British jobs can go to the British people and not be taken out of their country.
• Yes, in many respects the EU will no longer be a drain on the British economy.
• And the great part of this exit is that the EU, which is undemocratic and unaccountable, can now be the concern of others who are not happy with the EU's policies and Socialist ideals -- or its desire be part of the One World Government in some sort of New World Order.

That brings me to my last bit of encouragement for our British cousins. Fact is, whether they EU leadership wants to admit it or not, the European Union and it Socialist policies is unraveling right now! 

Germany has been threatening Poland because of it's desire to keep Pole borders closed to Muslim "refugees." Greece and Italy are under siege and sinking. France is now awake and fighting the Muslim threat. And right now, Portugal, Spain, and the Scandinavian nations in the EU are taking a long look at the decision that the British have made. Many citizens of those nations want the same in their future. 

The people of the nations which belong to the EU do not see themselves as citizens of the EU, but as Poles, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and so on. They too see an EU which is undemocratic, unaccountable, and oppressive. 

Many in Europe see the EU as over-stepping their boundaries in the same way that many Americans see the United Nations over-stepping their's in an effort to form a One World Government. 

I really believe that we will see the demise of the European Union and it's idea of a One World Government sooner than later. And as for the United Nations, I see them as corrupt, as Socialist, as anti-democratic as the EU.

Yes, I see the attempts by the UN to "legislate" and supersede our laws the same as what the EU has been doing to the United Kingdom. And frankly, because the UN has violated its own charter in that it not supposed to be a governing body, I would certainly love for our nation to exit the UN and send them packing.

And yes, that's just the way I see it.

Tom Correa

Products & Technology Of The 1800's

Dear Friends,

Ever wonder about some of the products and technology that we pretty much take for granted today? Ever wonder how many products and such started out in the 1800s? Well, since you, my readers, wanted me to talk more about my claims that many products which we use today were in fact already around in one form or another back in the 1800s, here's a small list that I hope you find it as interesting as I did when I put the list together.

In another of my articles,  Life In 1881 Tombstone Was Very Civilized, I said, "For those who wonder what products were around back then that are still around today, you should be comforted to know that one could find Heinz ketchup and vinegar (1876), Philadelphia Cream Cheese (1880), Tabasco Sauce (1868), Fleischmann's Yeast (1868), Campbell’s Soups (1868), A-1 Steak Sauce (1873), Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (1838), Underwood Deviled Ham (1822), Saltine Crackers (1876), Pillsbury Flour (1872), Graham Crackers (1829), Schweppes Tonic Water (1783), Angostura Bitters (1824), among other things that are still around today. I put the dates of when those products first went into production just so we can see how many things we have today that were already available back then."

Besides these products, there was in fact a technology boom which was taking place in the 1800s. It was an important time in our history because a lot of the products and technology that we use today was first invented and/or patented back in the 1800s.

Most folks think that many of the things which we have today only came about in the last few years. But like the Ferris Wheel that is found at just about any carnival around the country, not only were inventions in 1800s important as a place to start in the development of many things which we take for granted today, I believe we actually still use many of the names of those inventions today -- and are returning to some of them because of one reason or another.

Take a look at the list of inventions below and look at the year they were invented or patented. Then if you would, ask yourself if these products don't look or sound familiar to you. And think about this, many of these items were around long before Jesse James was robbing trains or the gunfight at the OK Corral.

Below is a list of inventions from the 1800s. The list is by name of the invention, the year it was invented and/or patented, the country the invention originated, and the inventor or inventors:

• Ultraviolet Radiation Discovered, 1801 Germany, Johann Ritter
• Self-contained Firearm Cartridge, 1808, Swiss, Jean Samuel Pauly 
• First Ark Lamp, 1809, England, Humphry Davy
• Tin Cans, 1810, England, Peter Durand
• The Miner's Lamp, 1815, England, Humphey Davy
• Hydrogen Peroxide, 1818, France, Louis Jacque Thenard
• First Steam Locomotive, 1814, England, George Stephenson 
• Photograph, 1814, France, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
• Suspenders (Braces), 1820, England, Albert Thurston
• Waterproof Raincoat (Mackintosh), 1823, Scotland, Charles Mackintosh
• Portland Cement, 1824, England, Joseph Aspdin
• The Electromagnet, 1825, England, William Sturgeon
• Internal Combustion Engine, 1826, United States, Samuel Morey
• Matches, 1827, England, John Walker
• The First Microphone, 1927, England, Charles Wheatstone
• Typewriter, 1829, United States, W.A. Burt
• Graham Crackers, 1829, United States, Sylvester Graham
• Braille printing, 1829, France, Louis Braille 
• Sewing Machine, 1830, France, Barthelemy Thimonnier
• Refrigerator, 1834, United States, Jacob Perkins
• Mechanical Calculator, 1835, England, Charles Babbage
• Wrench (Spanner), 1835, United States, Solymon Merrick
• Postage Stamps, 1837, England, Rowland Hill
• Morse Code, 1838, United States, Samual Morse 
• Vulcanized Rubber, 1839, United States, Charles Goodyear
• Platform Scale, 1839, United States, Thaddeus Fairbanks
• Bicycle, 1839, England, Kirkpatrick Macmillan
• First Hydrogen Fuel Cell, 1839, England, William Robert Grove
• Blueprints, 1840, England, John Herschel
• Stapler, 1841, United States, Samuel Slocum
• Grain Elevator, 1842, United States, Joseph Dart
• Fax Machine, 1843, Scotland, Alexander Bain
• Mercerized Cotton, 1844, England, John Mercer
• Anesthesia, 1846, United States, William Morton
• Antiseptics, 1847, Hungary, Ignaz Semmelweis 
• Safety Pin, 1849, United States, Walter Hunt
• Sewing Machine, 1851, United States, Isaac Singer
• Gyroscope, 1852, France, Jean Bernard Léon Foucault
• Pasteurization, 1856, France, Louis Pasteur
• The Pullman Sleeping Train Car, 1857, United States, George Pullman
• The Rotary Washing Machine, 1858, United States, Hamilton Smith
• The Internal Combustion Engine, 1858, Belgian, Jean Lenoir
• Bicycle, 1861, France, Pierre Michaux
• The Cylinder Lock (Yale Lock), 1861, United States, Linus Yale
• Machine Gun (crank operated), 1861, United States, Richard Gatling
• Man-Made Plastic, 1862, England,  Alexander Parkes
• Dynamite, 1866, Sweden, Alfred Nobel
• First Modern Typewriter, 1867, United States, Christopher Scholes
• Air Brakes, 1868, United States, George Westinghouse
• Tungsten Steel, 1868, England, Robert Mushet
• Traffic Lights, 1868, England, J.P. Knight
• Metal Windmill, 1872, United States, J.S. Risdon
• Mail-Order Catalog, 1872, United States, A.M. Ward
• Barbed Wire, 1873, United States, Joseph Glidden
• Telephone, 1876, Scotland, Alexander Graham Bell
• Motion Pictures, 1877, United States, Eadweard Muybridge
• Incandescent Light Bulb, 1878, England, Joseph Wilson Swan
• Toilet Paper, 1880, England, The British Perforated Paper Company

• Automatic Player Piano, 1881, England, Edward Leveaux
• Photographic Film, 1884, United States, George Eastman
• Rayon, 1884, France, H. de Chardonnet
• Fountain Pen, 1884, United States, Lewis Edson Waterman
• Smokeless Gun Powder, 1884, France, Paul Vieille
• Automobile (with Internal-Combustion Engine), 1885, Germany, Karl Benz
• Gas-Engine Motorcycle, 1885, Germany, Gottlieb Daimler
• Machine Gun (gas operated), 1885, Germany, Harim Maxim
• Coca Cola, 1886, United States, John Pemberton
• Dishwasher, 1886, United States, Josephine Cochran
• Contact Lenses, 1887, Germany, F.E. Muller and Adolph Fick
• Radar, 1887, Germany, Heinrich Hertz 
• Pneumatic tire, 1888, United States, John Boyd Dunlop
• AC motor and Transformer, 1888, United States, Nikola Tesla
• Match-Book, 1889, United States, Joshua Pusey
• Cordite, 1889, England, James Dewar and Frederick Abel
• Escalator, 1891, United States, Jesse W. Reno
• Radio, 1891, United States, Thomas Edison
• Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion Engine, 1892, Germany, Rudolf Diesel
• Vacuum Flask (thermos), 1892, Scotland, James Dewar 
• Zipper, 1893, United States, W.L. Judson
• Rubber Heel, 1896, United States, H. O'Sullivan
• Motor-Driven Vacuum Cleaner, 1899, United States, J.S. Thurman

Yes, on February 11th, 1809, Robert Fulton patents his steamboat and soon after begins offering services on major rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

On October 11, 1811, steam-powered ferry service begins between New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey.

In 1818, the American steamship "Savannah" crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 29 days.

In 1835, Samuel Colt received a British patent on his improved design for a revolver. He receives two U.S. patents in 1836.

As for an 1843 Fax Machine being attributed to Alexander Bain? Here you go! Bain worked on an experimental facsimile machine from 1843 to 1846. He used a clock to synchronize the movement of two pendulums for line-by-line scanning of a message. For transmission, Bain applied metal pins arranged on a cylinder made of insulating material. An electric probe that transmitted on-off pulses then scanned the pins. The message was reproduced at the receiving station on electrochemically sensitive paper impregnated with a chemical solution similar to that developed for his chemical telegraph. 

His May 27th, 1843, patent is described: "improvements in producing and regulating electric currents and improvements in timepieces, and in electric printing, and signal telegraphs," he claimed that "a copy of any other surface composed of conducting and non-conducting materials can be taken by these means".  The transmitter and receiver were connected by five wires. In 1850, Bain applied for an improved version but was too late. Inventor Frederick Bakewell had obtained a patent for his superior "image telegraph" two years earlier in 1848.

Bain's and Bakewell's laboratory mechanisms reproduced poor quality images and were not viable systems because the transmitter and receiver were never truly synchronized. As a result, it wasn't until later, in 1861, that the first practical operating electro-mechanical commercially exploited telefax machine, the Pantelegraph, was invented by the Italian physicist Giovanni Caselli. And yes, as a matter of fact, Giovanni Caselli actually introduced the first commercial "telefax service" between Paris and Lyon at least 11 years before the invention of workable telephones. Imagine that! 

On May 24th, 1844, Samuel B. Morse sends the message, "What hath God wrought," over the first telegraph line from Washington, DC, to Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1852, Henri Giffard built an airship powered by the first aircraft engine.

On March 23rd, 1857, Elisha Otis installs the first elevator safety brakes. Otis became the man who solved the elevator safety problem which in turn made skyscrapers possible. While Elisha Otis is generally known as the inventor of the modern elevator, in 1852, he in fact came up with a design that had its safety brakes.

On August 27, 1859, drilling is completed on the first productive commercial oil well in Titusville, PA.

On May 10th, 1869, ceremonies at Promontory, Utah, take place to celebrate the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

On August 2nd, 1873, Andrew Hallidie tests the first cable car system in San Francisco, California.

On December 7th, 1877, Thomas Edison demonstrates the phonograph at the offices of the "Scientific American .

On September 4, 1882, Thomas Edison's Pearl Street Station in New York City begins generating electricity to supply 400 street lamps and 85 customers with electrical power.

At noon on April 22nd, 1889, a starting gun announced the start of the "Oklahoma Land Rush." Approximately 50,000 would-be settlers rush to stake their claim to the 1.92 million acres of land previously given to American Indian tribes.

On May 17th, 1890, Comic Cuts became the first weekly comic strip. It was published in London

On April 1st, 1891, the Wrigley Company is founded in Chicago, Illinois, originally selling soap, baking powder. By 1892, they will start selling chewing gum.

On May 20th, 1891, the first showing to a public audience, the convention of the National Federation of Women's Clubs, of Thomas A. Edison's new strip motion picture film took place at Edison's West Orange, New Jersey laboratory.

On June 21st, 1891, alternating current (AC) is transmitted for the first time by the Ames power plant near Telluride, Colorado, by Lucien and Paul Nunn.

On April 15th, 1892, the Edison General Electric Company merges with the Thomson-Houston Company. Yes, this is the start of the General Electric Company. 

In 1893, the world's first Ferris Wheel was erected by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr.. at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In February of 1893, Thomas Edison finished building his first motion picture studio.

On September 20th, 1893, the Duryea Brothers road-test the first-ever, American-made, gasoline-powered automobile in Springfield, Massachusetts.

With Coca-Cola having been trademarked in 1893, the Coca-Cola Company was able to sell its produce in bottles for the first time on March 12th, 1894 in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

On September 7th, 1894, the fight between heavyweight boxing champion  Gentleman Jim Corbett and Peter Courtney is caught on motion picture film by Thomas Edison at the Black Maria studio of his New Jersey laboratory.

Thanksgiving Day 1895, that was the day of the first race of gas powered cars. Six motor cars left Chicago's Jackson Park for a 54 mile race to Evanston, Illinois and back racing for a 1st prize of $2,000 provided by the Chicago Times-Herald Newspaper. Car Number 5 driven by inventor Frank Duryea, won the race in just over 10 hours at an average speed of 7.3 mph.

On November 5th, 1895, the first United States patent for the automobile, #549160, is granted to George B. Selden for his two stroke automobile engine.

On September 1st, 1897, the era of the subway begins when the first underground public transportation in North America opens in Boston, Massachusetts.

On February 14th, 1899, the United States Congress approves the use of voting machines in Federal elections.

By 1900, the first electric bus became operational in New York City and Kodak introduced the "Brownie" camera for personal use.

So yes, I'd say there was a lot more technology being created between 1800 and 1900 than we think. In fact, I'd say we still use much of the technology that was invented and patented back then and don't even know it.

Many of us today probably don't realize that many of the early versions of what we take for granted were created long before our great-grandparents were even thought of. And while I couldn't cover everything invented or patented during the 1800s, I hope you found what I did as interesting as I did.

Tom Correa 

Do Republicans Hate Trump And Want Clinton?

Dear Friends,

There is no doubt in my mind that some Republicans want Hillary Clinton as our next president. Yes, that's exactly how I see it. Yes, I really believe that some Republican low-lives will stoop as low as they can to get her elected.

I try to keep up with the news concerning politics. I watch news reports. I listen to debates between political pundits. I read a number of different views on what's taking place. I try to keep track of how Democrats are attacking Donald Trump. I was even keeping track of how Republicans are attacking him.

I understand how Democrats lie and cheat and steal to win elections, how they create phony issues of "concern," drum up non-issues, and even how they fake indignation while they smear Republicans and their families. I understand how Democrats have no core values and will screw over anyone if it means winning.

Frankly, I've never seen Republicans do the same until lately. And yes, sorry to say, but I've seen this in attack after attack on their own Party's presumptive nominee Donald Trump.

So now, now I've come to the conclusion that there are Republicans working within the Republican Party who are working to put Hillary Clinton in the White House. What other reason can there be to refuse to support or help fund Donald Trump? What other reason is there to attack our party's nominee? What other reason do they have for their hate for Trump? The only answer to these questions is that they are actively working get Hillary Clinton elected.

Yes, that's the conclusion that I've come up with when taking a look at the actions of Republicans this year. And friends, I'm so angry at them that I'm thinking about leaving the Republican Party over this.

Granted that I have sworn my vote to anyone, anyone, who runs against Hillary Clinton. I see Hillary Clinton as worse than Obama because she's more conniving than Obama is.

Hillary Clinton as president will be over-regulation, more government intrusion in our lives, more of the same of the Obama administration and worse. There will be even more graft and corruption, more favoritism and cronyism, and more Socialism and out of control spending.

If Hillary Clinton is elected than I see someone in the White House who will sell out America without giving it a second thought. And why do I feel that way you ask? It's because Hillary Clinton is an open book. She is a contemptuous liar whose track record shows these things that I'm talking about. She has repeated shown that she cannot be trusted with our nation's highest office.

But friends, that doesn't seem to matter to Republicans who are supporting Hillary Clinton. Not even Hillary Clinton's past criminal behavior matters to Republicans who hate Donald Trump.

I hear so-called Republicans on television attacking Donald Trump mercilessly, all the while spreading lies about Trump and his family. While I shake my head, I always come away from watching those interviews with those so-called Republicans "Insiders" with the thought, "Why can't you find such venom when it comes to taking about Hillary Clinton, her past, or her family?"

Hillary Clinton is tapping into the Republican hate for Donald Trump. She has even launched a website called, "Republicans Against Trump".

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is targeting those RINOs who are said to be frustrated and don’t support Donald Trump. The Clinton campaign is buying ads to promote the website, and promises all of her Republican supporters a free "Republicans Against Trump" bumper-sticker.

For that bumper-sticker, Hillary Clinton is asking her Republican supporters to take the following pledge: "Donald Trump is not qualified to be president. He does not represent my beliefs as a Republican and, more importantly, my values as an American. He does not speak for me and I will not vote for him."

And please, make no mistake about it, there is no way for Republicans to make a "mistake" when they take the RINO pledge. Text on the website makes it clear that the website is "Paid for by Hillary for America."”

So Why Do Some Republicans Hate Donald Trump? 

Besides the Republican "insiders" who are mostly sore losers in that their RINO candidate didn't make it, why are Republicans supporting Clinton over Trump? And really, why not use the same venom by asking about her breach of National Security, the FBI criminal investigations of her actions, or how she has gotten over $20 Million for her campaign from Saudi Arabia for starters?

They won't, and instead Republicans attack Donald Trump for his "insensitivity" and supposed lack of knowledge of how politics works.

Friends, many of us are sick and tired of how politics works. For me, "sensitive" is code for "Political Correctness." And frankly, the last time I heard a Republican speak his mind instead of being "sensitive" was Ronald Reagan.

While some of the young punks in the Republican Party are too young and dumb to remember, Ronald Reagan called a spade a spade and said it like it is just like Donald Trump has been doing. His reputation for taking action prompted a lot of our enemies around the world to straighten up. If that is achieved with electing Donald Trump, I'm all for it. 

And as for some saying Donald Trump gets angry, I say "Great, because a lot of us are angry as well!"

Like many of us who are voting for him, we like that he doesn't take crap off of anyone. Many of us are sick and tired of having a bunch of sensitive pantywaists in the Republican Party. Many of us are tired of the wimps who consistently bent over and take it again and again from Democrats.

Republicans like Paul Ryan, John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Jeb Bush, Marko Rubio, and Mitt Romney are Liberals. They are not Conservatives. They are the gutless wonders who sold out all of their Conservative principles for power.

These people are not for smaller government, or fiscal responsibility, or reining in corruption, or stopping the Federal government's overreach or its over-regulation. These Republicans are Liberals. They are the same as the Democrats who see nothing wrong with an all powerful Federal government controlling every aspect of our lives.

These Republicans are the one's too afraid, too timid, to transgender, to stop Obama and his cuts to our military while increasing funds to Muslim refugees. These are the same weak kneed Republicans who won’t stand up and fight against racial problems coming from minority communities all because they don't want to be called "racist".

Yes, these are the Republicans who are too damn afraid to be Conservatives and instead now attack Donald Trump and support Hillary Clinton.

So Why Do Some Republicans Want To See Clinton Elected? 

The answer to why is that these so-called Republicans see more money and power under Hillary Clinton than they do under Donald Trump. And yes, that is really what the Republican Party "establishment" is all about.

Yes, from what I can see, there are a lot of Republicans who are working to get Hillary Clinton elected. They will do anything to attack Donald Trump. They will try to stop his message from getting out, stop him from raising needed contributions, and will ultimately put Hillary Clinton in the White House. I believe those Republicans will be the downfall of the Republican Party.

Are they all bad? No, but some Republicans are no different than Democrats.

To them, money and power makes it OK to do what they do. It makes it OK to make excuses for their being wimps and never getting anything done. It makes it OK to lie to us, to make promises which they have no intentions of keeping, to supporting Clinton over Trump. Yes, to them, money and power make it OK to screw us over. And yes, I really believe that these traitors will be the downfall of the Republican Party

And yes, that's just the way I see things.
Tom Correa

Why The Movie "High Noon" Got It Wrong

Dear Friends,

I truly appreciate your email and comments. And yes, I've gotten a lot of email lately regarding something in my article The Buntline Special vs Colt's Sheriff's Model.

No, it's not about the mythical Buntline. Instead it's about how I describe how truth and historical fact takes a backseat to sensationalism and fiction in Hollywood -- even when Hollywood advertises a film as being a "true story."

I believe part of the problem has to do with these screenwriters and some of the Old West historians out there. Screenwriters write fictional stories, and of course "dramatizations" of history. Many take what some so-called Old West historian puts out there as the truth when in reality it's all simply conjecture, speculation, fiction, romanticizing, and embellishing of what others have already put out as fact.

For example, I remember hearing one very well-known Old West historian claim that Wyatt Earp would have made a great bouncer in a biker bar in today's world because he was just that tough. From the facts that I've found, with all that I have read on Wyatt Earp and newspapers and records, I really believe that that's just wishful thinking at best. Like it or not, Wyatt Earp was simply not what we have been lead to believe.

Yes, some so-called historians are fans and have lost the objectivity, the ability to be neutral, the ability to look at history as an impartial observer. And frankly, that might be the problem with Hollywood screenwriters as well.

Of course, they may be simply being dishonest and are avoiding the truth and going with the myth. In the case of Wyatt Earp, a lot of so-called historians have based their reputations on championing Earp that they can't tell the truth simply because it goes against their best interest.

So, does Hollywood purposely get it wrong or is that they simply don't care? Or, here's another thought, is it that they intentionally get it wrong because they don't know their ass from applesauce?

As stated in The Buntline Special vs Colt's Sheriff's Model, Hollywood's idea of a "true story" versus a story being "historically accurate" are really two different things.

And yes. the historical accuracy pertaining to the movie "High Noon" is only present in the costuming and the scenery. Other than that, the movie is not an accurate portrayal of life in the Old West. Yes, its premise goes against what really took place in the American frontier.

As stated in my other article, the movie "High Noon" portrays the town's people as cowards unwilling to fight for their own town. This is really how people today rewrite history and pass it on as "being accurate" when in fact it is not an honest portrayal of the history. And while I love the movie for its stars and scenery, and of course it's theme song, it is not historically accurate at all.

Why isn't "High Noon" historically accurate? 

Americans in the Old West, those who came west to the American frontier, were hardly, adventurous, enterprising, tougher than nails folks. They were willful, strong, courageous, resilient, resourceful, and fearless. None of these personal characteristics are portrayed in the movie "High Noon".

Friends, people who did not have that "pioneer spirit," that determination, that steadfast desire to make better lives for themselves remained back East and simply did not have what it took to fight the odds and migrate to the frontier.

Pioneers coming West had the courage to travel down unknown trails into perilous territory, all to be the masters of their own destiny. They braved coming around the horn by sailing ship, grueling heat and horrendous cold. They forged ahead when disease struck and water and food were scarce. They died along the way and endured hardship and pain to achieve better than they had back East. 

Miners came looking to better themselves and their families fought the elements, hostile natives, bandits, bushwhackers, and con men among others. Ranchers and cowboys fought all of the same to get their herds to a railhead.

Town's folks such as shopkeepers and restaurateurs braved all of the same and rolled the dice time and time again in their pursuit of making money and living better lives. Farmers plowed earth that never saw a plow and fought dust storms and clouds of locust, dry wells, drought, and famine, yet still persevered.

Does this sound like people who would quake in their boots over 3 outlaws coming to their town?

They faced life head on. They armed themselves and took on the threats just as they had getting to where they were. They grew up  farming, hunting, using firearms, digging wells, storing food, preparing for tomorrow, and fighting to survive. They formed militias, vigilante committees, citizens groups and banished anyone who didn't want to pull their weight.

In the 1860s through the 1890s, many of those in the West were veterans of the Mexican War and the Civil War. Many saw killing first hand and had fought in tougher fights than we can imagine.

Friends, if ever there were a people in our history who were meant to exist at a certain time in history because of their toughness -- they are them! They were not to be messed with!

So again, I have to drive this point home, does this sound like the sort of people who would cower and hide when faced with the aspect of only 3 outlaws coming to their town?

No, and more importantly we can thank God that the cowardly citizens of the fictitious town of Hadleyville in the movie "High Noon" did not exist in the real Old West.

Why didn't it exist? The answer is simple: It is a proven fact that people in the Old West fought back time and time again against desperadoes, bandits, killers, crooked lawmen, swindlers, con artists, and other scoundrels who should be dangling at the end of a rope.

Granted that the perfect example of a town fighting back against desperadoes, was how the people of Northfield, Minnesota, shot up the James - Younger Gang during that attempted raid. And yes, part of the reason people did in fact fight back during a bank robberies in those days was because the money in the bank really did belong to the people there -- and there was no such thing as being insured for loss during a theft as there is today.

Here is another fact that demonstrates just how responsive townsfolk were to bad men. I read where "before 1900, there were no successful bank robberies in any of the major towns in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, or New Mexico, and that only a few robberies took place in California and Arizona."

The reason was that people fought back and people carried concealed weapons. Since bad men like easy pickings and usually will not chance getting their butts shot off, they saw bank robberies in most towns as being potentially hazardous to their health. Let's be frank here, even today criminals aren't as likely to pick on people who are willing to fight back or are known to be armed.

The townsfolk in most towns in the West were more like that of the townsfolk in Northfield, Minnesota, up North. In tough situations they reacted like most pioneers did in the Old West. They did not cower, they did not hide or seek out a safe place, or close up shop, or search out their town Marshal and have him face a threat alone.

In more situations than not, townsfolk took the initiative themselves and acted. They used their skills and bravely faced threats both individually and as a group.

Yes, besides taking on the bad guys alone, they were known to band together to form posses, militias, or vigilance committees. When no law was there, they formed their own justice systems which included using age old alert systems such as the "hue and cry".

The "hue and cry" was what was used to sound the alarm and alert the citizenry that a crime has taken place. When a criminal acted, the public raised a great hue and cry. They would yell out and make a clamor to alert other citizens so that all would get in on the pursuit. With loud shouts to alert others, all who were in ear shot were legally obliged to join in the chase. 

As for a town's people allowing three outlaws to tree a town? Friends, there were all sorts of vigilance committees throughout the West. In San Francisco the vigilance committee there had over 2,000 members and actually took over the city to clean up the actions of a few bad apples -- criminals and corruption in government. And yes, that sort of thing went on all over the West. 

While I know that an involved citizenry may sound a lot more like today's Neighborhood Watch than a Police organization, please remember that vigilance committees were also very para-military as far as their organizational setup goes. In most instances, vigilante committees were supported by the townsfolk because they were the first responders of their time -- especially in the days when their was no organized law. 

Neighborhood Watches are set up as eyes and ears to give alarm if there is a problem. In many towns in the West, citizens committees were well regulated and put out the "hue and cry" when needed. They were the security of the time.

But frankly, the "hue and cry" is where the similarity between a Neighborhood Watch and a citizens committee ends. Fact is they not only spread the word, citizens committees took action. And yes, in most cases if their town did in fact have a City Marshal or Police Department of some sort, the citizens committees are known to have worked with them -- or told them the law to step aside.

Now I am not saying that the West did not have some of the greatest lawmen alive, they certainly did. But some vigilance committees were not organized because there were no established law enforcement, but rather because the law could not always be relied on or was itself corrupt -- as was the case of the San Francisco vigilance committee, and what took place with Montana's vigilance committees. 

Unlike the movie High Noon where people were allowing their petty grivances with the city marshal to override their sense of community, people in the West learned to rely on themselves and each other. In many cases they did so by putting such things aside during hard time or times of eminent danger.

If a member of their community, camp, town, big or small, didn't step forward, the word usually spread that he was a "shirker". And back then, if one was seen as a "shirker", as someone who will not step up to do one's civic duty -- then they may as well pull up stakes and leave. In most cases they were shun, and in other cases they were driven out.

Carrying one's weight in the Old West meant pulling your own weight. It was seen as all a part of one's "civic duty." And frankly, back then civic duty meant a lot more than just serving on a jury.

Civic duty meant being part of the bucket brigade during fires, posses when called on and even the local militia. It meant volunteering to make the town work by rolling up your selves and doing the dirty jobs of digging a community well, building a jail, building a town wind mill, helping others during barn raisings, and much more.

Towns back then didn't depend on others to do what was needed to make things better. They did it themselves because there was no one else to do it. They looked to the people who lived there. When talking about our pioneers, and saying they built their towns. That's not a figurative statement, that is a literal statement of what they did with their own two hands.

Citizenship was something that meant stepping forward to pitch in to fulfill one's duty as a citizen. And yes, that included serving on posses, being deputized, serving on the local militia when called, and providing law enforcement to their towns.

Whether it was a mining camp in California's gold country, a small town or big one, or even a city, citizens stepped forward and banded together to provide towns with a way of dealing with threats from criminal types when organized law simply didn't exist. Citizens also stepped forward and banded together to provide towns with a way of also dealing with situations when the law was out and out corrupt and useless. 

And yes, that's what we are talking about here. We are talking about their willingness to take responsibility and fight back if need be, and that's what the movie "High Noon" consciously fails to portray. 

Historian Roger D. McGrath stated, "Communities were recreated quickly and relatively easily again and again across thousands of miles of frontier. Part of the explanation lies in the natural affinity the people had for one another: with only a sprinkling of diversity, they were united not only by religion, language, traditions, and history, but by character. The weak and feckless, the slothful and dull witted, the timid and unadventurous, did not often put themselves on the frontier. The frontier and its conquest was left to the most ambitious, intelligent, hard-working, enterprising, and courageous -- and those characteristics coupled with the natural bonds of blood and culture are what made America's westward march across the continent not only irrepressible but also our Homeric era."

So again I ask, does this match those who people in the movie "High Noon"? Does Hollywood's portrayal of frontier Americans, portraying them as being scared of three outlaws sound close to being factual or historically accurate?

I don't think so because they left out the spirit and character of the townsfolk who build the West. The people who truly fought the odds, yet persevered and made the West flourish. And yes, that's what we are talking about here.

We are talking about how they stepped forward time and time again to be deputized and join posses, stepped up to chase criminals, stepped up to do their civic duty, and how they did not cower as Hollywood likes to portray them.

We are talking about the very character of those pioneers who crossed the plains in wagons, many on foot, weathered all sorts of hardship, fought illness, hunger, pestilence, hardship, fought for life, and watched loved ones die along the way.

Yes, we are talking about how Hollywood should be more concerned about being fair and honest and real. And really, we are talking about how Hollywood should learn to give credit when credit is due. Those who came West were a lot tougher than Hollywood portrays.

And yes, that's just the way I see it.
Tom Correa