America's Worse Case of Horse Cruelty -- Part Two

Dear Friends, 

As I stated at the end of Part One of this story, knowing that my readers will want to know what was done to save this horse, especially in such a severe case of cruelty as this is, I really believe you will want to read the updates provided by Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue Founder Natalee Cross.

So in this Part Two, I have included the exact notes provided by the great folks at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue who have cared for Rudy.

And please note that none of the notes have been edited by me. I post them here no differently than I would if I extracted information from an 1881 article in The Tombstone Epitaph. This is all an attempt by me to furnish you with what exactly took place.

While this may seem long, please know that the work by the wonderful folks at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue is absolutely inspirational!

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue

Below are the updates of Rudy's Condition after arriving at their rescue facility. 

Rudy arrived at the Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue facility on January 2nd, 2015, by way of the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division.

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue Founder Natalee Cross wrote:

"Rudy came into our rescue program on January 2, 2015. Rudy came into our rescue program from the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division. Rudy is a Beautiful, Palomino/White, Paint, Gelding. Rudy is estimated to be 15 years of age. Rudy is a survivor, despite his former owners discarding him and not even giving him the care or chance he deserves.

Rudy came to the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division when they received a phone call from the owner requesting that they come out and remove a dead horse on New Years Day. Since OKC-AWD was closed for the holiday, they informed him that they would be out on Friday.

Animal Welfare arrived on the scene to find a horse still very much alive and completely tangled up in a fence, with his ears chewed off and multiple wounds and injuries. How can someone not even take the time to fully check on their horse?

Instead, he was just wrote off. He didn't want to provide the horse any veterinary care. So, he was signed over to OKC-AWD. He was released from what he was tangled up in and taken to OKC-AWD, where they called Dr. Charlotte Kin with Exclusive Equine Veterinary Services.

Dr. Charlotte Kin walked into the barn and witnessed a horse with a lot of blood on his face, no ears, and severe wounds all over.

Although Rudy was in horrific condition, he neighed to her. Rudy knew he was going to receive the care he needed. He wanted to Survive! His wounds and injuries are critical, and he will require a lot of extensive care, wound cleaning, bandage changes, and antibiotics for an extensive amount of time. But, if Rudy is willing to fight to survive, then we will certainly fight with him and give him a second chance he deserves.

Rudy has extensive facial injuries. The most dramatic was the fact that both of his ears had been torn off, as well as a large portion of the right side of his face. He also has corneal ulcers in both eyes, and both his upper and lower right eyelids had been torn off. He has a fractured jaw, and a large piece of bone was removed. He has numerous lacerations and punctures on his head. He has numerous lacerations and punctures to all of his legs, including a possible septic tendon sheath.

We are asking for your help! Please consider making a donation towards Rudy's extensive medical needs and rehabilitation. He has a very long road of recovery ahead of him. He isn't in the clear yet, but we are praying that he will continue to fight and pull through this. We created a "youcaring" site to help raise funds to cover Rudy's medical needs. You can view the link and see additional pictures, etc., here:

Rudy's Fight to Survive"

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 3rd, 2015:

" I can't even begin to thank all you wonderful people for supporting Rudy. I know some don't agree with our decision to help him, and some feel he is better off being euthanized. I am sorry that you feel that way. But Rudy is here. He has survived the worse part of this horrible ordeal. 

Rudy was down on the ground for 2 days, trapped in chain link fencing, being attacked by dogs, in the freezing ice, and he never gave up. He fought to survive, and we are fighting with him.

So, here is a quick update. We are on day 4 since Rudy was attacked. He is doing really well. He is starved for attention and can't get enough of the loving. If you try to leave, he tries to come with you. He spent the morning itching his head all over me. We got his wounds cleaned up, and they are looking great. His wounds are healing as they are supposed to. Yes, his wounds look horrible, but the wounds itself are not life threatening problems, as most of it is just skin. However, we have to watch for things like Tetanus, since we don't know his vaccine history.

So far, nothing appears to be infected and he is on strong antibiotics and pain reliever. He doesn't act as though he is in pain. He is chewing, eating, and drinking. He can see out of both eyes. We are leaving one eye covered with antibiotic ointment in it, so that it can heal. He can hear also, as he knows when I am coming and can hear me open his stall door. So far, he isn't showing any lameness in his legs, most of those wounds appear to be superficial. We are watching one wound, as we want to make sure it is not in his tendon sheath. So far, that appears to be good also.

Here is the deal guys, this horse has a fighting chance and will have a good quality of life. His jaw has one fracture and so far no signs of it affecting his sinus' etc., We are watching that closely and if he shows any complications with his jaw, we will pursue surgery. Right now, everything looks good.

Please keep the prayers coming. There is power in Prayer. Even if you don't support our decision, it is still God's will if he survives. The least you can do is pray of him."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 4th, 2015:

"Rudy is an inspiration! I can't tell you how much this loving soul has captured our hearts here at Blazes Tribute Equine Rescue. I truly feel as though he can sense how much we, and every one of you out there, are pulling for him. Today, he is doing wonderful! His wounds are continuing to heal and are looking very good. His eyes are shiny and gaining that awareness that all us horse-owners know so well. He was even interested in his surroundings enough that he enjoyed a walk outside in the yard. He perked up, and paid attention to all our distractions that we offer around here! Please continue to send prayers for this sweet boy; they are working!"

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 5th, 2015:

"I simply can not thank each of you enough for your continued prayers and support for Rudy. I honestly can not put into words how much each of you mean to Rudy and I. Rudy is an amazing horse, and I honestly don't know how to describe his personality. He is the single most trusting horse, I have ever met. He just met us on Friday, and he already trusts us completely. Rudy has had several visitors and it takes him a moment before he is accepting of them. But, his wonderful soul is always quick to capture all those that come into contact with him. Rudy has a long road to recovery, and we will take each step with him. He is doing amazing and continues to show the world how much fight he has.

If you took one second to meet Rudy, you will quickly understand why we choice to give him the chance he begged for. Thank you for standing beside us. We don't take these decisions lightly. We see extreme neglect and abuse everyday. We know when a horse has given up and we respect those wishes and end the suffering humanely. Rudy has not shown those signs at all. The complete opposite. Rudy is a beautiful horse, inside and out.

I know several of you are concerned about the former owner. Rest assured that Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is pursuing charges against him for animal cruelty."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 7th, 2015:

"Yesterday, Rudy had a follow up with our wonderful veterinarian Dr. Kin. They got him all cleaned up and debrided the wounds. We had to make sure to remove any dead tissue, so that he can continue to heal and granulate healthy tissue. He is progressing wonderfully. We now have both eyes uncovered, which he is very happy about. You can tell how much he appreciated have full vision again. Dr. Kin believes that she will be able to repair his eye lids. Of course, we're not quite at that stage yet, but that is in his future. So far, no sign of infection!

Today, as I was attempting to put the ointment in his eyes, he wanted to show me how froggy he was feeling and decided that he would fight me. I have to admit, while I was struggling to doctor him, I had to take a moment to laugh, as he wanted me to know that he was feeling good.

His feisty side is starting to show, which is great. It is hard to believe that we are now on day 6 of his recovery. He is doing so good! I am so happy with his progress. He looks wonderful and feels wonderful too. He even took a little jog in the yard the other day.

Once again, I can not thank you all enough for supporting Rudy. I truly believe because of all the people that are praying for him, he continues to thrive. I tell him every day that he is more loved than he will ever know, from people all over the world. If this sweet boy never felt the love before, he is probably overwhelmed with it now. He soaks up all the attention he can get. This sweet guy is a true love bug. He can't get enough of me scratching under his chin. And, he enjoys putting his face on my chest and scratching himself. I enjoy being his itching post, but he is a strong boy and this post doesn't stand on her own as easily. lol He has a lot of personality and he makes me smile everyday.

I have said this before, and I will continue to say it, this boy is an amazing fighter and has a very strong will to survive. I have read numerous comments and emails from everyone and one of the things some are concerned with is his quality of life. He will have a Full and amazing quality of life, once he fully heals. The only thing that he will lack, is his ears. Many horses, cows, dogs, cats, etc., live happy lives without their ears. That is merely a cosmetic issue and has no bearing on his quality of life. He has full vision, he has full hearing, he is sound and healthy, despite his current status. I just don't understand why so many felt that he wasn't worth the fight and the quick easy answer was to put him down. For those that know me, Know that I always root for the underdog. I always say, if God leads me to it, he will lead me through it.

I am in this for the long haul with Rudy. If it takes 6 months for him to heal, that is fine. I will doctor him everyday until he is better. I made a commitment to Rudy and Thank God that I did!"

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 10th, 2015, from Veterinarian Dr. Charlotte Kin:

"Rudy is doing really well. He enjoys going out on walks and eating his alfalfa cubes. He is able to chew and eat normally now. The wounds on his legs are healing well and he remains sound on them. The wounds to his head are covered with health granulation tissue now. We continue to cover them with wet to dry antibiotic bandages to draw out contamination and keep the tissues moist. The edges of the wounds are beginning healthy contraction and we should see skin cells start to migrate across the wound soon. The good news is that part of his lower right eyelid is intact and healthy. This will make reconstruction of his lower lid much easier. Many people have asked how he will do without ears and can he still hear. Yes he can still hear as the inner ear is intact. We are keeping them packed with gauze so the ointments will not get inside of his inner ear at this time. We will reconstruct his ears so that they are protected and many people have offered to make him a custom fly mask. He will not look "normal" but he can live a healthy life without ears. Numerous people have shared their pics of their animals who are missing ears with well wishes for Rudy. Although his injuries appear very dramatic we are treating them as we would any large wound. His vitals are stable, his bloodwork looks good, he is eating and drinking well and he is not showing any signs of distress. Thank you again for all of your support. Rudy has brought attention to animal neglect and cruelty something we see way too often."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 12th, 2015:

"We are so happy with Rudy's progress. Rudy continues to thrive and improve daily. His wounds are looking great with healthy granulation tissue. He is bright and happy! Every day, you can tell this boy feels better and better. We are so happy with his amazing progress. Dr. Kin visited Rudy today and is very pleased with how he is coming along. He is such a survivor! I know we have touched on this several times, but once again, I want to say, he has full vision in both eyes and full hearing in both ears. He may not look like a normal horse, but his ears are fully functional and they will continue to serve the purpose they are meant too. He will live a happy, normal life without issues or infections! He just won't have the normal appearance of ears. That does not make him any less of a horse. He can still communicate with other horses, as well as, people. Trust me, I don't need to see his ears to know when he is frustrated or upset with us. It is all about knowing your horse. We have 125 horses in our rescue program. All come from severe neglect and believe it or not, they each have a full respect for each other. What one horse may lack, there is always another that is there to help out. Rudy is beautiful inside and out, and how superficial it is to believe that a horse has no value of life without his ears. All our rescue horses are amazing! All have a purpose! Rudy's story is just beginning!

For those in the Oklahoma City metro area, you can see Rudy tonight on Channel 9 news at 10:00 pm. Keep in mind, Rudy was sedated for his clean up, so he isn't going to be his bright self. For those that aren't local, we promise to share a link to the story, as soon as one is posted.

I do want to take a moment to add how much we appreciate all the wonderful comments of support, notes of prayers, and assistance all of you have offered during this time. It truly means a lot to us to know how many stand behind us in our effort to heal Rudy all over the globe.

For those that feel the need to make ugly and disrespectful comments towards us and Rudy, it will not be tolerated. We have devoted the last 14 years to rescuing horses and saving those that we can. We work very closely with law enforcement, such as Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Canadian County Sheriff's Office, Garvin County Sheriff;s Office and many others.

We do not ever allow a horse to suffer and know when it is time to assist them to the rainbow bridge. I can respect the opinions of those that disagree, when done so in a respectful manner towards others. If you are one of the ones that feel that Rudy should have been euthanized. I am sorry you feel that way. I'm sorry you haven't been able to meet Rudy in person and see his thirst for life, his love for attention, his spirited personality and his disliking of his antibiotics. I'm sorry that you can only assess his condition from behind a computer screen and instantly determine a fate of an animal without any facts, without being a veterinarian and without seeing what Rudy wanted.

All I have to say is I am so glad that Rudy's fate was not ultimately in the hands of those that wanted him dead. If you do not stand beside Rudy and his fight you are against him, and I kindly ask that you keep your negative thoughts to yourself, as we would like to keep this page, and his progress positive."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 18th, 2015:

"Rudy continues to thrive and is doing wonderful! He is now out of one of the leg bandages and only has 2 wrapped. Both of those wounds are doing well and healing. I suspect he will be able to get out of another leg bandage soon, only leaving him with the hind leg wrapped, which is the one that was injured the worst with suspicion that it may have been in the tendon sheath. It is doing great and healing nicely, but that one will take a bit longer. He continues to make great improvements with the wounds on his head. They continue to retract and have healthy pink granulation tissue. His eyes are looking good and the wound under his eye, where the fractured occurred is doing great.

Rudy has been with us 2 weeks now. I will admit, the last two weeks have been extremely hectic. When we asked for assistance for Rudy, we never dreamed it would go as far and wide as it has. To know that people from all over the world are standing beside Rudy and praying for him, does my heart good.

I want to send a huge thank you to all the people that have brought treats/Alfalfa cubes to Rudy. A huge thank you to the sweet person that shipped Rudy the extruded horse feed. That was an extra special gift, as Rudy can't have hay at this time. Thank you to the sweet ladies that volunteered their time yesterday and helped clean up a couple of the horses that just came in and was infested with ticks. Thank you to the family that donated horse blankets, alfalfa cubes, etc., to Rudy last weekend. Everyone's support has been amazing. Thank you to everyone, everywhere, for all your kinds words of encouragement, support, prayers and friendship. We can't do this without you! Please remember, we are a family owned rescue, no paid staff, all volunteer based. We truly want to answer everyone's messages, phone calls, emails, etc., but please be patient with us, as it has been difficult to keep up, since our focus is on the 137 horses in our program.

Thank you to our wonderful friend/volunteer Pam, who spent some time loving on Rudy yesterday. As you can see, he is a ham for attention."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update January 25th, 2015:

"Rudy continues to thrive and doing wonderful!! His wounds continue to improve, getting smaller everyday. He is down to only having one leg bandage on. He had his feet trimmed on Friday and every day, he gets more normalcy in his life. He nickers when he sees a new horse enter the barn and is happy to greet you when you enter his stall. He continues to show an amazing personality, one full of gratitude and happiness. On nice, sunny days, he likes to go outside and see what the other horses are up too. We continue to thank everyone for all their wonderful support and prayers."

Pictured with Rudy is Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue Founder Natalee Cross and Board Member, Jennifer Bates.

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update February 1st, 2015:

"It is so hard to believe that exactly 1 month ago today, Rudy arrived into our program. I still remember it like yesterday. Rudy has come so far in such a short period of time. His personality makes me smile everyday. However, Today, his personality left me just shaking my head. lol I went to check on him and give him his eye medication. As I approached his stall, I found a bloody Rudy. Apparently, Rudy had an itch that he just had to scratch and he got a little overly excited scratching his good ear. His bandage was bloody and I swear Rudy just looked at me with a "Yep, I did it, and it felt great"! I never knew a horse could "smirk" until Rudy! ;-) His eyes hold more expression than any other horse I have been around. He continues to inspire me on a daily basis. His will, strength and attitude speak volumes.

Rudy continues to improve daily. His wound on the right side of his face is now about half of the original size. He has skin and hair growing back and it looks amazing. We are still working with the right eye, as that has been a bit more of a challenge, since he can't blink right now. He is blinking with his third eyelid, but that doesn't provide enough moisture. We are medicating his eye as much as possible throughout the day. He is such an amazing boy!!"

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update March 1st, 2015:

"I know everyone has been patiently waiting for an update on our favorite boy! So, here is your Rudy Update!

We are now 2 months in with Rudy's injuries. He has come so far, in really such a short period of time. I decided to show you guys his amazing progress by giving you some before and after pictures. We don't have much more to go on his wounds and then we can start focusing on doing some work to his ears. His wounds look amazing. His fracture has healed, his legs wounds have healed, and he only has about 20% of the large wound on his face left to heal. The only thing that we have struggled with, and continue to struggle with, is his right eye. Since he isn't able to blink, he can't provide the needed moisture to his eye. Despite the meds we have been putting in his eye, many times, a day, it just doesn't look like we will be able to completely save his vision in his right eye. But, I am okay with that and Rudy seems okay with that, because regardless how that eye is doing, he is alive!!

I have to admit I have a bond with Rudy like I have never experienced before. We have an equal respect for each other and if Rudy is uneasy about anything, as long as he can see me or I am beside him talking him through it, he is fine. He is so calm and trusting as he allows me to scrub his wounds and bandage him up. However, he isn't as sweet and compliant if anyone else attempts to do it. He likes to shake his head and put up a little fight. I have to admit, it makes me laugh. He is so smart and he knows exactly what he is doing. Everyday, I walk into the barn and I instantly yell Rudy's name. He will quickly turn around and face me with an eager look of joy, as he waits for me to enter his stall. I recently learned that Rudy's original name was Buttermilk, but I am certain that he never knew it, because he responds to Rudy like he was born with that name. I have learned that since Rudy was 5 months old, he lived with his former owner. I am not sure what happened to Rudy, how he ended up trapped in a fence, or why, but what I do know, is God lead me to a beautiful horse, inside and out, that was obviously meant to be here. Everything happens for a reason, sometimes we just don't fully understand why. I don't question it, I just ask Rudy where he has been all my life!

Rudy Update May 30, 2015 Rudy continues to thrive and is doing wonderful! Rudy, along with his buddy Double D, joined us at our 4th Annual Blaze's Ride to the Rescue Trainer's Challenge on May 30, 2015. We wanted Rudy's supporters to have an opportunity to meet him in person and see how wonderful he is doing. Rudy and Double D had a great time romping in the arena. I hope you all enjoy this video of Rudy, as much as we do. You can see Rudy and Double D's Showcase here: Rudy & Double D's Showcase"

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update December 24th, 2015:

"Rudy is doing amazing!! It is hard to believe that we are quickly approaching a year since he came to us injured. He continues to love life! He is such an inspiration to us all and a true blessing. If you are local to the Oklahoma City or Tulsa area, please watch Channel 9 and/or Channel 6 news. The picture above of Rudy and Founders Natalee & Shawn Cross is featured in their commercial, titled "We believe in Oklahoma". They truly did a beautiful piece representing all the inspirational stories they have covered throughout the year. You can also follow us on Facebook to see a small clip of the commercial, if you are not local. We will update on his 1 year anniversary, as we have a surprise planned for this sweet boy, along with his best friend Double D, and all his prayer warriors that supported him and followed his story. Thank you all for all of your amazing support! We couldn't do what we do without each and every one of you!"





Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update  January 2nd, 2016:

"It's hard to believe today marks the 1 year Anniversary of Rudy's journey to our rescue from such an unbelievable chain of events that nearly left for him for dead. His remarkable will to survive truly touches all of our lives. Of course, we wanted to celebrate his anniversary, along with his best friend Double D, in style. We decided to take them for a little play time while our wonderful Photographer, A'Lissa DeVorss with Fat Cat Photography, captured them at their finest. They started off so pretty and clean, they quickly turned themselves into muddy messes and enjoyed some carrot cake! These two do everything in style!! Thank you all for supporting their journey and helping with their huge medical bills! We can't do this alone! Many more horses just like Rudy and Double D will come into our program. Together, we can save those who otherwise would be discarded, and provide them the future they have always longed for! I hope you all enjoy the photos, as much as we enjoyed taking them."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update March 4th, 2016:

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce the loss of our beloved Double D. Double D was Rudy's Best friend! And it breaks our heart to see Rudy grieve.

As you know, Double D has been battling cancer for the last year. He went through 4 surgeries where we tried to get ahead of the squamous cell carcinoma of his eyelids and his penis sheath, where large masses were excised by our Veterinarians. Each time, they treated the cancer with cryosurgery and implantation of chemotherapy slow release beads. Sadly, each surgery only provided him a couple of months before the cancer returned.

Over the course of the last month, the cancer spread rapidly and the growth rate was excessive. I could see a difference in personality and how the cancer had quickly taken a toll on him. I prayed there would be other options available.

Upon examination, the cancer had grown larger than ever and he was struggling to urinate. As we waited with Double D while our wonderful Veterinarian reached out to see if there was another surgery option available, I could see that he didn't want to fight it any longer. He had grown tired and his eyes seem to beg me to let him go. We had run out of options! We lost the battle!

My heart is broken and it leaves me feeling so many emotions. I'm angry, because despite all our best efforts, it wasn't enough. I'm angry, because his previous owners allowed him to live like that, no treatment, no surrendering him to get him help.

Perhaps, if we could have gotten to Double D much sooner, maybe, just maybe, he would still be with us. Instead, I am left with a broken heart. His best friend, Rudy is left with a broken heart. It is never easy to say goodbye.

Double D, please know that I fought so hard for you and loved you as my own. You will always have a special place in my heart. I know you are no longer suffering and you are complete again, cancer free, running in greener pastures. Rest In Peace my sweet boy! You will forever be missed."

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue update March 17th, 2016:

"They say everything happens for a reason! Sometimes the reason becomes crystal clear if you watch closely. Rudy took Double D's death hard. He rarely used to lay down, but I would find him just laying in his run often. The run that was built for Rudy and Double D, where they spent many hours together.

Rudy wasn't eating like he used too and when I would come over to love on him, I swear he would cry! The loss of Double D was hard enough, but watching Rudy grieve, broke my heart.

I knew I needed to do something. One morning last week, I opened his run where he could go outside. He was able to talk to the horses on the other side of the fence. Once outside, he would just call out for Double D. I had some things to do, so I proceeded back into the house.

A couple of hours later, I looked outside to see what he was up too, when I found him playing with Crash on the other side of the fence. That may not seem like a big deal to others, but it was to me, and the message was clear.

See, Crash just returned to our rescue the same day we lost Double D. I was disappointed to see Crash come back, specially what led to his return, but it all became clear in that moment.

I have said from day one, If God leads me to it, He would lead me through it.

The loss of Double D and the return of Crash was no accident. Later that evening, we collected Crash out of the pasture to see how he and Rudy would do together. At that moment everything seemed right again.

Crash and Rudy are getting along great and becoming fast friends. Of course, Crash can never replace Double D, but he is certainly helping a friend cope with the loss and putting a smile on our faces."

-- end of updates.

So now maybe you can see why I waited over a year to put this article together.
While what happened to the horse who came to be known as Rudy is the worse case of horse cruelty that I've ever seen, his recovery is the greatest that I've ever seen. And yes, from their work, I really believe that the great folks at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue are some of the best doing Horse Rescue.

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue was established in early 2001. They are located in Jones, Oklahoma. They are a non-profit 501(C)3 organization that strives to improve the lives of neglected, starved and abused horses.

According to their website, they say, "We provide equine rescue regardless of age or disability. We provide Rehabilitation, Education and Adoption Services. We promote and teach horse care and humane, natural methods for training horses. Our primary focus is Animal Cruelty Cases. We work closely with the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office with their Equine related Animal Cruelty Cases. We also assist any other local/rural County Sheriff's Office who request our assistance."

Since December of 2001, Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue has rescued 1,301 horses. And yes, a total of 1,066 of those horses have been adopted. You can see the remaining horses, available for adoption, on their Rescued Horses page.

This article is compiled of information from their website in an effort to be accurate with what took place after Rudy arrived there, and to relate what was done medically and emotionally for this horse. 

Rudy's tenacity, his desire to live, even after being attacked and left for dead, and then losing his companion Double D, provides a glimpse into what horses are made of. They are a great deal more than most will ever understand. 

Yes, the happy ending to this story is that Rudy survived even though there are people like Rudy's previous owner in the world. He survived because he wouldn't give up, but mostly because there are good and decent folks like those at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue in the world.

Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue Founder Natalee Cross said "there's no excuse for this." And frankly, I agree 100%. 

While I can only hope that the person or persons responsible for what was done to Rudy get exactly what's coming to them, I tip my hat to Natalee Cross, her husband and crew. And along with my respect, I send a prayer their way for all of their incredible works and deeds.

May God Bless those great folks at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue, and of course Rudy as well!

Tom Correa

America's Worse Case of Horse Cruelty -- Part One

Dear Friends, 

I've seen the results of horses being attacked, stabbed, and even shot by people who we will never find. And yes, I've heard of owners not feeding their horses to save money. I've seen horses starved for one no good reason or another. I've heard of owners not tending to horses with wounds that would be very easy for anyone to attend to -- but left to fester and become infected.

In my lifetime around horses, I've known "know-it-alls" who should have been jailed for the way they've treated their horses, and dogs. I've seen so-called "trainers" who have used training methods that were only sadistic and cruel in nature. 

But as for horses being in trouble and simply left to die by an owner, with the owner who could have rescued his own horse from the terror of being attacked by vicious animals, this is the absolute worse case of horse cruelty on a single horse that I have ever heard of in my entire lifetime.

And frankly, the horror, the shear terror that that horse went through, no one, neither man or beast, should have gone through. To be trapped starving in tangled in barb-wire fencing and left there to be attacked, that my friends is as horrible a fate as I can think of. 

Yes, that is the story of a horse which became known as Rudy.

It is a story that I wan't to report on over a year ago but couldn't because it would have not been the story it is now -- over a year later.  And as with the picture in beginning of this article, please understand that Rudy's pictures are graphic and heart wrenching. 

Rudy's story started on January 2nd, 2015, when a nearly dead horse had been rescued in Oklahoma. The news story spoke to the fact that the Oklahoma City Animal Control said it's pursuing charges against a man who called in to say that he had a dead animal for them to come out and pick up. 

That "animal" was a horse, but it wasn't dead. To say the horse on the 7000 St. Bernard Street was "badly injured" was an understatement.

Animal control said the horse had become entangled in barbed wire fencing. They said the horse was missing both ears, both eye lids, he has an extensive skull fracture, and multiple lacerations all over his body.

"They didn't even go out there to check on him to see if he was alive. They didn't call a vet to come out and help or anything like that, and I think that's the most distressing thing," said one of Rudy's rescuers.

Oklahoma City Animal Control Supervisor Trace Lyons said there are also clear signs the horse had been attacked repeatedly by other animals. “I don't know what his motive was for saying it was dead, either he was just guessing because it was just laying in the mud in the cold and rain, but when we arrived we realized the horse was still alive.”

Oklahoma City Animal Control is currently pursuing charges against the man who called them.

Since horse people who come to my website will want to know what was done to save this horse, especially in such a sever case of cruelty as this is, I really believe you will want to read the updates provided by Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue Founder Natalee Cross.

So in Part Two of this story, I have included the notes provided by the great folks at Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue who have cared for Rudy.

Tom Correa

Wyatt Earp -- The Peoria Bummer

Wyatt Earp

Dear Friends,

A reader wrote to ask why Wyatt Earp was known as the "Peoria Bummer"?

As most of us know, the slang term "bummer" used today usually refers to "an unpleasant or disappointing experience." The term "bum" still means, as it did in the 1850s, "a loafer or vagrant."

During the Civil War, a "bummer" was a term used to describe marauding or foraging soldiers. Although armies on both sides often had rules against foraging or stealing from private residences, some soldiers often found ways to do so. And yes, back in the 19th Century, a "bummer" was also a term used for an orphan lamb that lives by robbing others of their mother's milk.

The Peoria Daily National Democrat reported in September of 1872:

Some of the women are said to be good looking, but all appear to be terribly depraved. John Walton, the skipper of the boat and Wyatt Earp, the Peoria Bummer, were each fined $43.15. Sarah Earp, alias Sally Heckell, calls herself the wife of Wyatt Earp.

With the The Peoria Daily National Democrat labeling Earp the "Peoria Bummer," the newspaper in essence included him in a class of what was called contemptible loafers who imposed themselves upon hard-working citizens. They were part of society's criminal element of chronic lawbreakers. Besides bummers, they were also known as crooks, brigands, desperadoes, con artist, pimps, outlaws, raiders, robbers, highwaymen, hooligans, men of "poor moral character." 

So why would The Peoria Daily National Democrat label Wyatt Earp, the "Peoria Bummer"? Well it had to do with the criminal element that he associated with, and the number of times he was arrested as a pimp.

Wyatt Earp had been arrested as a pimp aboard a floating brothel which supposedly he owned. The name of the floating whorehouse was the Beardstown Gunboat. He operated the prostitution barge with a woman named Sally Heckell who did in fact refer to herself as Wyatt Earp's wife.

So how did Wyatt Earp arrive at such a place? Well, in Lamar, Missouri, he replaced his father to become the local constable on November 17th, 1869. It is said that he had to put up $1000 bond for the position. But as with most law enforcement positions at the time, he probably figured that being a local constable would have money rolling in. 

On January 10th, 1870, Wyatt Earp married 20-year-old Urilla Sutherland. It is said that she was pregnant and about to deliver their first child when she suddenly died from typhoid fever. 

He was reelected as constable in November of 1870. But just four months later on March 14th, 1871, Barton County, Missouri, filed a lawsuit against Wyatt Earp. It was an effort to retrieve school funds that Wyatt Earp kept for himself instead of turning them over to the town. It was a habit that he would repeat later as a police officer.

Earp was in charge of collecting license fees for Lamar, which funded local schools, and he was accused of failing to turn in the school fund. Instead he pocketed the fees. Once he was identified as doing that, he was immediately fired as constable.

Then on March 31st, James Cromwell filed a lawsuit against Wyatt Earp, alleging that Earp had falsified court documents about the amount of money collected from Cromwell to satisfy a judgment. To make up the difference between what Earp turned in and what Cromwell was owed, the court seized a mowing machine which belonged to Cromwell. The court sold it for $38. Cromwell's suit claimed that Earp owed him $75, the estimated value of the machine.

Not waiting to appear in court, Wyatt Earp than left Missouri before the case could be settled. But it wasn't too long after leaving Missouri that he is arrested in modern day Oklahoma for stealing two horses. 

Yes, on March 28th, of that same year, 1871, Wyatt Earp, along with Edward Kennedy and John Shown were charged with stealing two horses, "each of the value of one hundred dollars" from William Keys while in the Indian Country. 

On April 6th, Deputy United States Marshal J. G. Owens arrested Wyatt Earp for stealing horses. Commissioner James Churchill arraigned Earp on April 14th, and set bail at $500. 

On May 15th, an indictment was issued against Wyatt Earp, Edward Kennedy, and John Shown. And right after the indictments came down, John Shown's wife Anna came forward to make the claim that Earp and Kennedy got her husband drunk and then threatened his life to persuade him to help them. 

On June 5th, Edward Kennedy was acquitted. But the case against Earp and Shown remained on the docket. Not waiting to appear in court, Wyatt Earp saw that he was looking at serious jail time so he climbed out through the roof and escaped from that jail. 

There are some Earp fans who call those years, his lost years. Even his own biographer Stuart Lake wrote that Wyatt Earp was hunting buffalo during the winter of 1871–72. But that's not true at all. 

Fact is Wyatt Earp was on the lamb and ended up in Peoria, Illinois, probably because Virgil was said to be working there as a saloon-keeper. And while the stories of being a shotgun messenger and buffalo hunter sound great, they aren't the truth. The truth is that after breaking out of that jail in modern day Oklahoma, Wyatt Earp began working as a pimp in the prostitution trade of Peoria. 

It was an occupation that got him arrested a number of times in the Peoria, Illinois, area during that period, and put him on the local Police "watch-list".

Police watch-lists were something used to help departments keep track of criminal types in their jurisdiction. A "watch-list" is a list of people that the police have reason to keep a particularly close eye on. It is usually a list of criminals, repeat offenders, and those known to associate with known criminals. 

Just as a point of trivia, Wyatt Earp would be on the police "watch lists" of almost every big city police department up and down the West Coast after his involvement in the fixed Fitzsimmons vs Sharkey Heavyweight Championship fight in San Francisco and again later during his senior years when he was arrested for running a swindle in Los Angeles.  

In Illinois, besides the police watch lists, Wyatt Earp could be found in the Peoria city directory during 1872 as a resident in the house of Jane Haspel who operated a whorehouse there. 

In February 24th, 1872, Peoria police raided Haspel's brothel and arrested Wyatt Earp, his brother Morgan, and one other man, and four prostitutes. The men were charged with "Keeping and being found in a house of ill-fame" and fined $20 plus court costs. On May 9th, Wyatt Earp and Morgan were again arrested for the same crime -- but this time they were arrested at the McClellan brothel. 

The Daily Transcript on May 11th, 1872, reported the following:

That hotbed of inequity, the McClellan Institute on Main Street near Water was pulled on Thursday night, and quite a number of inmates transient and otherwise were found therein. Wyat [sic] Earp and his brother Morgan Earp were each fined $44.55 and as they had not the money and would not work, they languished in the cold and silent calaboose. (May 11, 1872)

In August of 1872, Wyatt Earp was detained by authorities in Henry, Illinois, and fined. Then a month later on September 10th, 1872, he was arrested as part of a raid which netted 13 people associated with prostitution in Peoria.

During that arrest, The Daily Transcript referred to Wyatt Earp as an "Old Offender." But it was The Peoria Daily National Democrat that labeled Wyatt Earp as the "Peoria Bummer."

And yes, because of the war on prostitution that was being waged in Peoria at the time, it's said that after Earp paid the $43.15 fine, the "Peoria Bummer" simply left the area.

Such is the story of Wyatt Earp, the Peoria Bummer. 

Tom Correa

Republicans of Low Moral Character

Republicans supporting Hillary Clinton over the Republican nominee are again raising their heads in an attempt to persuade more Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton.

And talk about scare tactics, these supposed Republicans sound like Democrats!

In a letter which was reported by The New York Times, the Republicans who served in the administration of president George W. Bush question Trump’s knowledge of the U.S. Constitution as well as saying that Trump has no understanding of the importance of strategic alliances. They even go so far as saying that Trump does not understand the democratic values.

These so-called Republicans say that Trump "would be the most reckless president in American history."

Imagine that for a moment! This group of 50 former Bush administration officials did not come out to take Hillary Clinton to task over her emails which was indeed a breach of National Security, the Clinton Foundation's suspicious criminal activity, Hillary Clinton's lies, or her responsibility in getting Americans killed in Benghazi, Libya. 

By the way, all of what I just mentioned is proof Hillary Clinton has no knowledge, or completely disregards the U.S. Constitution; has no understanding of the importance of strategic alliances; and does not understand America's democratic values.

Those former Republican officials say that Donald Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to serve in the office. Yet they do not address that fact that Hillary Clinton's sleazebag character is not what we need in the White House. They don't say Hillary Clinton's lack of values, morals, and ethics are not the same as the rest of America. And no, these so-called Republicans do nopt address how our experience with Hillary Clinton, the scandals, her breach of National Security, her dis honesty, makes he ineligible to serve as the leader of our nation. 

But you think they targeted Hillary Clinton's shitty record? No! Instead they are working for the Hillary Clinton campaign by attacking Donald Trump.

After finding out about the letter as reported by The New York Times, Donald Trump appropriately summed up their comments by saying, "The names on this letter are the ones the American people should look to for answers on why the world is a mess. We thank them for coming forward so everyone in the country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place."

While all on the list of Trump attackers are indeed career politicians, one Republican in name only, RINO, on the list is former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. And frankly, because of his sketchy past, I was surprised that he would be involved in saying that Donald Trump would be "the most reckless president in American history." 

Why was I surprised? Well first, since Donald Trump has no record as a politician, so I can only guess that he and the others are basing their opinion on what Donald Trump has said while on the campaign trail.

Second, I would really think that Tom Ridge would have thought twice about saying something like that considering his past actions and deeds. His record of recent involvements really stinks! 

Tom Ridge is the same ultra-Liberal Tom Ridge who in 2013 was a signatory to an legal brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage.

But more importantly, this is the same Tom Ridge who supported the removal of the Iranian terrorist group known as the People's Mujahedin of Iran from the United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations within the last few years.

The Islamic Communist terrorist group known as the People's Mujahedin of Iran were placed on the list for killing six Americans in Iran during the 1970s and attempting to attack the Iranian mission to the United Nations in 1992.

The group was listed on the State Department list from 1997 until September 2012 when President Obama and Hillary Clinton had the Iranian terrorist group removed from America's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. 

Tom Ridge, along with other former government officials and politicians including Democrat presidential candidate Howard Dean, were criticized for their support of the Iranian terrorist group. 

When subpoenaed during an inquiry about who was paying his speaking fees, Ridge and others did not deny receiving money from that group. Instead, they wrote an article for the National Review stating their position that the group should not be classified as a terrorist organization because only the United States listed it as a terrorist group.

Does that make sense? No. But it does have me asking how Tom Ridge who supposedly got speaking fees from an Iranian terrorist group thinks he's qualified to make the comment that Donald Trump would be "the most reckless president in American history"? 

Tom Ridge has supported a terrorist group within the last few years. So yes, I would think people would take that into consideration when hearing him campaign against Donald Trump and for Hillary Clinton.

So while it is a surprise that Tom Ridge would want to put himself in the spotlight after openly supporting an Iranian terrorist group, it is no surprise that Ridge would come out to say such a thing considering he endorsed Jeb Bush and then John Kasich after Bush's withdrawal from the 2016 Republican presidential primaries.

And yes, Tom Ridge has stated as early as last March that he would never endorse Donald Trump even if he were to become Republican nominee. Like Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Ted Cruz, and other Republicans in the Washington establishment, Tom Ridge would rather see Hillary Clinton win the White House.

Tom Ridge and the other so-called Republicans, all of those who penned that letter in The New York Times, actually want to see Hillary Clinton in the White House despite her criminal actions and deeds, her lies, greed, and dishonesty. 

Because I see people who support Hillary Clinton as being of the same ilk, I see her so-called Republican supporters as being individuals without honor, pride, or concern for America. I see Clinton supporters as people of low moral character.

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

Tom Correa

The Legend Of Johnny-Behind-The-Deuce

By Terry McGahey
Associate Writer / Old West Historian

Among the many legends behind Wyatt Earp, the story of his heroic stand protecting his prisoner, Michael "Johnny-Behind-The-Deuce" O'Rourke, against an armed lynch mob in Tombstone is just that, a legend.

No one knows how this legend actually began but over the years this story was told many times until such time it became thought of as fact. Even in the movie Wyatt Earp, with Kevin Costner, the final scene depicts this legend. 

The Tombstone Epitaph was a great defender and friend of Wyatt Earp, and if such a heroic deed had been accomplished the Epitaph would not have missed the opportunity to write this story in a fanciful fashion.

Not to say that Wyatt wasn't a man with a lot of sand, because sand was not something he lacked, but when an individual is of tough character, stories begin to take on a life of their own with people of the time period who admired this quality in a person. Also, given the writings of Stuart N. Lake about Wyatt Earp which idolized and promoted his legend beyond reality, many people have taken these legends to be pure fact in this day and age. 

Below is the actual article written about the Michael "Johnny-Behind-The-Deuce" O'Rourke incident in Tombstone by the Tombstone Epitaph on January 17th 1881:

SLAUGHTERED

Brutal murder of an Upright Citizen at Charleston

by a Desperado

Again, the bloody hand of a murderer has been raised against a peaceable citizen; again the law is scoffed at and Justice rided. Yesterday's sun rose bright and cheerful over our neighboring village of Charleston, mellowing the crisp night air with its rays. Once more her toilers began their daily avocations with re-newed energy, little dreaming of the damnable deed that, in the glowing light of noonday, was to await one of their number.

Sometime since the cabin of Mr. W. P. Schneider, chief engineer of the Corbin Mill, was entered and robbed of several articles including some clothing. Circumstances pointed very strongly to two parties, one of whom is so well known by the cognomen of "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce"that we were unable last night to obtain his real name, but direct proof not being sufficient, no arrest was made. 

Yesterday at noon Mr. Schneider left his duties and went to a restaurant where he was accustomed to take his meals, and on entering approached the stove and, noticing a friend standing by, entered into conversation. Having just left the heated engine room the air without felt cool which brought Mr. S. a remark to that effect. "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce" who was also in the room, then said, "I thought you never got cold." 

Not desiring to have anything to do with one of his character, Mr. Schneider turned and said, "I was not talking to you sir." This raised the lurking devil in the diminutive heart of "J-B-the D.," who blurted out, "G-d D--n you I'll shoot you when you come out," and left the room. After eating his dinner Mr. Schneider passed out the door, and was proceeding to the mill, when, true to his promise, the lurking fiend, who had secreted himself with hell in his heart and death in his mind, drew deadly aim and dropped his victim dead in his tracks.

Immediately after the shooting the following telegrams were sent to Mr. Richard Gird, the superintendent, who was in the mine here at the time:

Charleston, Jan. 14, 1:30 p.m.

To Richard Gird; Schneider has just been killed by a gambler; no provocation. Cow boys are preparing to take him out of custody. We need fifty will armed men.

Charleston, Jan. 14, 1:35 p.m.

To Richard Gird; Prisoner has just gone to Tombstone. Try and head him off and bring him back.

Charleston, Jan. 14, 1:50 p.m.

To Richard Gird; Burnett has telegraphed to the officers who have the murderer in charge to bring him back to appear at inquest. See that he is brought back.

Considerable delay occurred in getting these dispatches to Mr. Gird, who at the time was in the mine, and just where was not known; but as soon as he received it, prompt action was taken, and a number of the miners were ordered to report to the officers, to resist any attempted rescue of the prisoner. Owing, to some delay in delivery at the office of the company, and subsequent loss of time in finding Mr. Gird, over an hour elapsed, we are informed, after transmission before the dispatches were opened, and during this time the murderer was flying over the road toward the city, reaching the corner of Fifth and Allen a few minutes after the dispatches had been read. 

It is asserted that the officers, fearing pursuit, sent the murderer, who was on horseback, on ahead. However, this may be, it is certain that he came in ahead, his horse reeking with sweat, and, dismounting in front of Vogan's saloon asked for protection, acknowledging that he had kill his man. In a few minutes Allen street was jammed with an excited crowd, rapidly augmented by scores from all directions. By this time Marshal Sippy, realizing the situation at once, in the light of the repeated murders that have been committed and the ultimate liberty of the offenders, had secured a well armed posse of over a score of men to prevent any attempt on the part of the crowd to lynch the prisoner; but feeling that no guard would be strong enough to resist a justly enraged public long, produced a light wagon in which the prisoner was placed, Guarded by himself, Virgil Earp and Deputy Sheriff Behan, assisted by a strong posse well armed. 

Moving down the street closely followed by the throng, a halt was made and rifles leveled on the advancing citizens, several of whom were armed with rifles and shotguns. At this juncture, a well known individual with more avoirdupois than brains, called to the officers to turn loose and fire in the crowd. But Marshal Sippy's sound judgment prevented any such outbreak as would have been in the certain result, and cool as an iceberg he held the crowd in check. No one who was a witness of yesterday's proceedings can doubt that but for his presence, blood would have flown freely. The posse following would not have been considered; but, bowing to the majesty of the law, the crowd subsided and the wagon proceeded on its way to Benson with the prisoner, who by daylight this morning was lodged in the Tucson Jail.

Scarcely had the outfit got out of sight until stories of all descriptions regarding the killing and attending circumstances grew rife. One was to the effect that Schneider had chased "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce" out of the restaurant with a drawn knife. This grew and brought forth a revolver in the other hand. Then it was reported that Mr. Gird had turned his mine loose for the purpose of lynching the prisoner. Again it was said by some of the pals of "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce," that he was an honorable citizen, etc, etc. 

With the regard to the knife story the facts given by an eye-witness and borne out by the character of the decease, prove them to be false. Concerning the charge that the miners were turned out to defeat the law, we have it from Mr. Gird himself that they were ordered to report to the officers, in keeping with the tenor of the dispatches received by him, to sustain law.

In view of the diabolical and unprovoked crime committed, it is not to be wondered at that some of them should have joined the crowd that followed, desiring vengeance. As to the honorable character of the martyred kid who sails under the banner of "Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce" it is a well known fact that he was driven out of Tiger District by the best element of that camp, about a year ago, and tonight he will repose at the county expense in a jail on whose walls are inscribed horrid mockery of justice blazoned in the names of other murderers who have par-taken of county refreshment to be turned loose again to fasten themselves on the Tombstone public, a living curse. Today the clods will fall over his victim, silent in his last long sleep, no more to be a staff to parents who having passed the summit of life's divide with whitened locks already stand beneath the descending scythe of time. Mails will come and go, anxious hearts with eager beat will note perhaps the postman's knock. No news from day to day until at last the sad tidings will cross the threshold, and bending under the weight of woe two more souls will gladly welcome death.

Jan. 17, 1881

-- end of article, the Tombstone Epitaph, January 17th, 1881. 

As I have mentioned in the beginning of this article, Wyatt Earp, defending Michael "Johnny-Behind-The-Deuce" O'Rourke against a bloodthirsty mob on the streets of Tombstone is nothing more than legend and never took place. 

If Wyatt had been there the Epitaph surly would have listed his name in this incident being that the Epitaph was an adamant defender and friend of Wyatt Earp. I guess it's possible he was there but he would have been nothing more than just another deputy with several others which in count added up to fifteen total.

Michael O'Rourke, or Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce as he was known, broke out of jail on April 18, 1881 and was last seen in the Dragoon Mountains. He was well mounted and well equipped and believed to be heading for Texas. He was indicted by the Grand Jury on May 19th but never stood trial for the murder. There is no proof of what happened to Johnny-Behind-the-Deuce, he seemed to appear out of nowhere and he vanished in the same way.

About the author:

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)

American Flag Mural In Florida Is World's Largest

It was reported today that an American flag mural painted on a marina in Florida was confirmed Tuesday by the Guinness World Records to be the largest flag mural in the world.

The mural, which measures 554 feet by 299 feet -- or just shy of three football fields -- was painted by Robert Wyland, an artist known for his marine paintings, according to Northwest Florida Daily News.

The flag, which was originally painted in 2004 at Legendary Marina in Destin, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base -- one of the largest in the world. In 2015, the mural was expanded and dedicated to the U.S. military and first responders.

“When we painted the first flag in 2001, it was only painted on the north end of the roof,” Peter Bos, Legendary’s owner. “Impressive as it was, I wished we could have done more to show our appreciation to all those that keep our nation and ourselves safe and free.”

The flag was brought to life by Wyland, the Wyland Foundation, Legendary and Sherwin Williams.

I've seen a number of works by Wyland, especially when I visited his gallery on Oahu in Hawaii. For some who don't know, artist Robert Wyland is commonly known as Wyland. He is an American artist best known for his 100 Whaling Walls, large outdoor murals featuring images of life-size whales, and other sea life.

What many also might not know is that he is a native of Madison Heights, Michigan, where he began painting as a child and attended Detroit's Center for Creative Studies in the 1970s.

Wyland's connection with whales began when he was 14 on a visit with his family to Laguna Beach, California. It is said that that visit where he saw the ocean for the first time and witnessed several gray whales migrating down the California coast towards Mexico, changed his life.

In 1977, he moved to Laguna Beach and in 1981 painted the first of his 100 Whaling Walls at a Laguna Beach parking lot.

By 1997, his commercial work , sold through 25 Wyland galleries, and licensed merchandise sold at zoos and other outlets had become a multimillion-dollar business. 

His artwork has been used on specialty license plates in California and Florida and for a series of four United nations stamps issued in 2010 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

In 1993, he founded the non-profit Wyland Foundation "to help children rediscover the wonder of the ocean through art," and to finance his Whaling Wall murals.

Wyland's 100th and final Whaling Wall was painted in Beijing in 2008. His foundation has since expanded its work to include other environmental initiatives such as sponsorship of the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.

Wyland lives both in Laguna Beach and in Hawaii. As far as I'm concerned, his whale murals are both beautiful and outstanding, but I love this American flag!

To my way of thinking, it's what America needs more of!

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

Tom Correa

Thomas W. Wood -- Miserable Ending of an Old Soldier, 1882

The San Francisco Call newspaper, 1882:

GRAVE NO. 1,116

Where Thomas W. Wood is Buried in Potter’s Field.

Miserable Ending of an Old Soldier After Thirty-five Years’ Service — Death Preferred to Dependency.

“What is the number of Thomas W. Wood’s grave?”

 
“About when was he buried?”

 
“Yesterday.”

The Superintendent of the Potter’s Field—dreary burial place of unclaimed and indigent dead—took down a common bill file, and soon turned to a “permit to inter,” bearing the name “Thomas W. Wood.”

“Number 1,116,” the Superintendent said.

The number was marked in pencil on the top margin of the permit. On the bottom margin was the single word “Morgue.” The number was the Superintendent’s memorandum of the grave.

The word “Morgue” was the City Undertaker’s memorandum for the driver of the dead wagon. Thomas W. Wood’s body was taken from the Morgue by the City Undertaker and buried in grave No. 1,116, in the Potter’s Field. 

The cause of his death was suicide. Such was the brief history shown by the official “permit to inter,” to which the Superintendent turned. The permit further showed that death occurred February 11th, burial the 16th, and that the age of the deceased was fifty-seven years.

What did the unusual length of time between the death and burial mean?

This: That Thomas W. Wood had served in the Army and Navy for thirty-five years, and the officers at the Morgue thought some other than a pauper’s burial was due him. They had kept his body, therefore, as long as possible. Their efforts to find some society willing to give the body a Christian burial were unavailing.

The be sure, he had only been a private in the Army and a Marine in the Navy. Yet from 1847, when he was but twenty-two years old, until only a few weeks ago, worn out, and fifty-seven years old, he had served faithfully.

“Will you direct me to his grave?” the reporter asked.

 
“Certainly,” the Superintendent replied. “Come this way.”

THE SOLDIER’S GRAVE.

The path led through a field in which a few sturdy sage-brushes were beginning a war on the prevailing sand dunes. On the opposite side of a broken-down fence stood a black dead-wagon and a mournful-looking, dirty, white horse.

Beyond the dead-wagon a man stood in a put up to the waist, digging a grave in the soft, find sand. He threw the sand into a half-filled grave, separated a foot from the one he was digging. The half-filled grave was marked by a plank, painted a rusty white, and numbered, in black figures, “1,118.” Another next beyond was “1,117.”

“That’s Wood’s,” the Superintendent said, pointing to the third grave from the digger.

He pointed to a rusty white plank, nearly buried in the drifting sand, marked “1,116.” There was no mound, no grass, no fence or flowers. There was a drifting waste of white sand, studded with four thousand one hundred and eighteen rusty-white and weather-beaten planks.

“Have you put in this morning’s two?” the Superintendent asked of the half-buried gravedigger.

 
“Yes sir,” the man said, nodding out of the sand between him and No. “1,116.” 

Then he bent over his work and threw more sand from the half-made grave into the half-filled grave, marked with plank No. “1,118.”

 
“The two brought out this morning have been buried,” the Superintendent said to the reporter. 

“Why is he digging another grave, then?”

 
“Oh, it saves work. A grave has to be filled up, and it may as well be filled with the sand from the next grave made.” 

“But the drifting sand may fill this before it is used.”

 
“It won’t have time. We average forty a month. That’s more than one a day. Two to-day.”

WHERE THEY COME FROM

“Where do they come from?” 

“From the Morgue, mostly. Some come from the City Hospital, some from the Poor House, and some from the Foundling Asylum.”

A wire “straight line” ran along the row of graves in which the digger worked, that each plank should be placed in exact line. Long even rows of numbered planks stretched away toward the Golden Gate.

“How many are there?”

 
“I numbered up to three thousand, and then began with “one” again, and he is now digging 1,119 for to-morrow.”

The reporter looked down the long silent aisles formed by the thousands of planks, in exact rows, and then thought of the sources which supplied the bodies over which the white sand drifted. “Found in the bay;” “midnight brawls,” “resulting in murder;” worn-out tramps, who waysided in the Poor House before lodging finally in Potter’s Field; and among them all the body of Thomas W. Woods, native of Fairfax, Virginia, who had nothing in his pocket, when searched at the Morgue, but a bundle of “Honorable Discharges” from the army and navy.

“Does each plank mark a single grave?”

 
“Not all. Sometimes we get two foundlings at once, and then we put two in one grave. It saves ground and the cost of a head-board. Such graves only have one number, but the records are marked ‘head and foot,’ which shows that two bodies are in the grave.

A SOLDIER’S LIFE.

ON June 3, 1847, young Thomas Wood enlisted for the Mexican war. He was honorably discharged July 13, 1848. He reenlisted at various times for various terms, never remaining out of the army more than a few days until 1870. 

After serving through the war of the Rebellion, he was discharged in 1865, reenlisted for five years and received his last honorable discharge from the army October 30, 1870. This last certificate of honorable discharge, found in his pockets with all the others, is countersigned, “Character very good.” 

On December 21, 1870, he first enlisted in the marine corps of the navy, at the Navy Yard, in Washington, D. C. His last two honorable discharges from the Marines are countersigned, “Character excellent.” 

All of the certificates state that the honorable discharges are granted for expiration of term, except the last, dated Mare Island, November 27, 1881, which states that the discharge is granted upon report of “Board of Medical Survey.”

After thirty-five years of continuous service, —— or old hulk, worn and battered by campaigns and cruises, by battle, and action, and ——; the poor old hulk, condemned after over a third of a century of service, is supplied with a parchment certificate of good character, and sent adrift, and old hulk, indeed, it were better if he had been, for the craziest old worthless hulk in the navy, after years of service, is laid up in ordinary, and kept, if not in decent repairs, at least from going to pieces.

The Board of Medical Survey condemned him as too much worn for further effective service, and knowing no way, at his time of life, to earn a living, having given his youth and middle-age to his country, he drifted to this city, without occupation, home or friends. 

He had in the world $25 and the red tape certificate of the Board of Medical Survey, that, having worn out in thirty-five years honorable service for his country, the honorable Board had cut him adrift.

At the Morgue, the hotel man, with whom Wood had deposited all his money, told the rest of the story. It is simple. Wood was temperate; drew only such money as we necessary for a bare cheap living, and when his money was all gone and no more to come, the old man, rather than find himself a penny in debt, or ask for a penny he did not earn, poisoned himself.

In his pockets were his bundle of honorable discharges, nicely tied with red tape, and a number of affectionate letters from a married daughter living near the old home, back in old Virginia.

The Coroner’s deputies, accustomed as they are to stories of hopeful or faithful lives, miserable ended, saw something in this which appealed to fraternal sympathy and to the fraternities of Veterans of various titles. To the Navy and Army department offices they appealed while the body remained at the morgue, but in vain.

The burial could be delayed no longer. The dead wagon carried away the old private’s body, and the burial, according to stipulations, took place at a cost of $2.60 to the City and County of San Francisco.

The dead wagon drove over the field where the sage brush battles with the sand, to the sand dune beyond the tumble-down fence. The contract box, with the old soldier’s body, was dumped into grave 1,116, and the sand from graves 1,117 and 1,118 was shoveled over the box, with no one by to say even the poor words “dust to dust, ashes to ashes!”

The Superintendent field away the permit to inter, which alone shows, that Thomas W. Wood, thirty-five years a Soldier and Marine, lies beneath the white sand in grave 1,116.

-- end of article, San Francisco Call, February 18th, 1882.

Editor's Note:

The newspaper article above is from the San Francisco Call. I have not edited it or changed it at all. It appears here as it did on February 18th, 1882. And yes, some stories of the Old West leave me speechless. This is one of them.

Tom Correa

Clay Allison -- "Never Killed A Man That Did Not Need Killing"

Clay Allison was a cattle rancher, cattle broker, and shootist. He fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, and was known for violence.

Some would say he had an extreme concept of justice? Some would say Allison was involved in several violent confrontations because he didn't back down. Some would say he didn't take anything off of anyone when he was felt wronged.

On August 6th, 1878, the Ford County Globe noted that "Clay Allison, one of the Allison Bros., from the Cimarron, south of Las Animas, Colorado, stopped off at Dodge last week on his way home from St. Louis. We are glad to say that Clay has about recovered from the effects of the East St. Louis scrimmage."

On September 10th, the Ford County Globe mentioned that Clay Allison was again in Dodge on September 5th.

Then on March 2nd, 1880, the Ford County Globe printed a letter written by Clay Allison in which he defended his reputation by explaining what took place during the "East St. Louis scrimmage."

As published in the Ford County Globe, March 2nd, 1880:

A CARD FROM CLAY ALLISON

To the Editor of the Globe:

About the 26th of July there appeared in one of the St. Louis papers an account of an altercation between myself and one Tisinger, in East St. Louis, in which account there appeared several gross misrepresentations which I desire to contradict.

1st It was alleged that I was murderer of fifteen men. In answer to this assertion I will say that it is entirely false, and that I stand ready at all times and places for an open inspection, and anyone who wishes to learn of my past record can make inquiries of any of the leading citizens of Wayne county, Tennessee, where I was born and raised, or of officers of the late rebellion, on either side. I served in the 9th Tennessee regiment, Co. F, and the last two years of the service was a scout for Ben McCulloch and Gen. Forrest. 

Since the war I have resided in Mexico, Texas, and Kansas, principally on the frontier, and I will refer to any of the tax payers and prominent men in either of the localities where I have resided. I have at all times tried to use my influence toward protecting the property holders and substantial men of the country from thieves, outlaws, and murderers, among whom I do not care to be classed.

2nd, It was also charged that I endeavored to use a gun on the occasion of the St. Louis difficulty, which is untrue, and can be proven by either Col. Hunter, of St. Louis, or the clerk of Irwin, Allen & Co. It was also stated that I got the worst of the fight. In regard to this I also refer to Col. Hunter. I do not claim to be prize fighter, but as an evidence of the correct result of this fight. I will only say that I was somewhat hurt but did not squeal, as did my three opponents.

My present residence is on the Washita in Hemphill county, Texas, where I am open for inspection and can be seen at any time.

Clay Allison.
Dodge City, Feb. 26, 1880.
St. Louis and other papers please copy.

-- end of article

The final reference to Clay Allison being in Dodge City was this short item in the Ford County Globe, August 17, 1880: "Clay Allison came up from the Pan Handle Sunday."

In 1881, Clay Allison married and moved his ranch to the Texas Panhandle. His wife eventually bore him two daughters. While it is speculated that family life mellowed him some, but it is also said that he still had his moments of violent rage. For example, there is the story of him visiting a dentist in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

The story goes that the dentist began drilling on the wrong tooth. After having his bad tooth repaired by a different dentist, Clay Allison returned to the offending dentist. It is said he pinned him down, and extracted a few of his teeth, although one report said it was just a single tooth, with a pair of pliers. Imagine that!

"Never killed a man that did not need killing"

So now, a reader wrote to ask about Clay Allison's famous quote about how he "never killed a man that did not need killing." My reader asked, "how did he know who 'needed' killing?

The simply answer is that every one of his gunfights, and his knife-fights, every one of his opponents wanted to kill him. So yes, every opponent of his "needed killing" if he wanted to stay alive.

If in a gunfight, whether it's Clay Allison, or you and I, the first rule is that we need to survive. So yes, an assailant who wants to kill you really does in fact need killing. 

This is something that I was taught more than 40 years ago in the Marine Corps and I find that it still holds true today, So yes, to me, it sounds like Clay Allison understand the basic common sense law of survival in that we either kill those who want to kill us -- or get killed.

Yes. it's very understandable how he would see an opponent as someone who "needed killing." And remember, he did not put himself in the same class "thieves, outlaws, and murderers." He believed it was all self-defense.

Of course there is another point to be made. Contrary to the way movies depicted shootouts for many years, no one shoots someone to "wound them" in a gunfight. If you are in a gunfight, your brain better tell you that that person shooting at you needs killing -- and needs killing quickly.

If there was someone out there who had the time and skill to actually place a round in the desired spot on an opponent to inflict what movies called a "flesh-wound," then they never fought in a gunfight in the Old West. Besides, it's relatively impossible to try to do such a thing if you are serious about staying alive.

That's why the ludicrous idea of a police officer shooting someone "just to wound" them is so ludicrous. If an assailant attacks, there are only seconds to respond in a manner that will keep you alive.

The harsh truth is that in those seconds, that assailant needs killing. And frankly, if a police office does not think so -- he will be a victim of a shooting and not a survivor of a shooting.

Most gunfights in the Old West were no different than what takes place today in that an armed confrontation occurs as a close encounter situation between 3 and 10 feet. Of course, there were those shootouts in the Old West were bullets were flying -- all fired with the hope of just hitting who's shooting at you.

The idea that any assailant needs to be stopped, "needs killing" so that you may live, is just common sense survival. And while no one really knows what Clay Allison was thinking when he said that, one can only hope that he meant that he never killed a good man and only killed bad men.

And frankly, I can accept the killing of bad men as a consequence to their bad ways. And as for his train of thought to kill and not be killed in a fight, whether it's a gunfight or knife-fight, I can understand and appreciate his honestly and desire to stay alive. After all, Clay Allison was known to have survived several one-on-one knife-fights and gunfights. So frankly, it just makes sense that he thought the way he did. 

That's just the way I see it.

Tom Correa

WikiLeaks Founder says, "Saying Russia Is Responsible for DNC Leak is a 'Diversion'"

In the wake of the massive leak of internal emails from within the Democratic National Committee, the Democrats are not addressing the substance of the emails, or even who in the DNC wrote such horrible things. Instead, Democrats want to know "who" leaked the emails and who ratted them out?

They don't care what the emails show or that their Party has been shown to be unethical, criminal, ultra-Racist, anti-Gay, or anti-Jewish. Yes, they only want to know to who squealed on them. And guess what, they want us to think the Russians did this. Imagine just how stupid they think we are.

So now, there Diversionary Tactic is to now blame the Russians and Donald Trump in an act of collusion against the Democrats.

It's true, I watched Governor of Maryland Martin Joseph O'Malley repeat the Democrat diversionary line of crap that the Russians had made a deal with Donald Trump because they want to see NATO disbanded.

Martin O'Malley on historic nomination, DNC chaos, Trump

Click the above link to see the person in my opinion is the dumbest ass in a party that uses the jackass as it's symbol! 

Yes, it does not matter that Donald Trump said that he wants NATO members to "contribute more" to the cost of NATO or that Trump wants NATO to be active against Islamic Terrorism, the Democrats lie and lie.

Yes, instead of just coming out and saying that they are going to clean house on those in the DNC who have show themselves, by way of the evidence of their emails, that they are in fact anti-Gay and anti-Jewish, or extremely Racist, they refuse to do so and instead blame Trump.

Now the Democrats have another problem which they refuse to acknowledge. While the Democrats are holding to the story that Russian intelligence and Donald Trump is responsible for the hacked emails, the founder of WikiLeaks said there is "no proof whatsoever" of that.

WikiLeaks Founder says, "Saying Russia Is Responsible for DNC Leak is a 'Diversion' By the Clinton Campaign."

"There is no proof of that whatsoever,"Julian Assange told NBC’s Richard Engel in an interview on Monday.

"We have not disclosed our source, and of course, this is a diversion that’s being pushed by the Hillary Clinton campaign. That’s a meta-story. The real story is what these emails contain and they show collusion."

"The very top of the Democratic party, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, is now being forced to resign," he continued, referencing the impending resignation of the DNC’s current chair, "and other people from the party, which is meant to be neutral, subverting the process in order to make sure Hillary Clinton won the campaign."

Mr. Assange is the editor in chief of WikiLeaks, a government watchdog publication founded in 2006.

The DNC has faced increased scrutiny since the leak for emails seeming to show a concerted effort by many party officials to damage Bernie Sanders' campaign and to aid Hillary Clinton in her race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Moments after the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia began, incoming interim DNC chair Donna Brazile issued a statement, apologizing to Sanders and his supporters for the "inexcusable remarks" revealed in the internal email hack.

But friends, other than Democrat Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz jumping ship and coming out of the closet to formally join the Hillary Clinton Campaign -- which of course that in itself speaks to the caliber of people on the Clinton staff -- no one in the DNC has been held accountable.

And yes, that seems to be the message that we should get loud and clear. The message is: Democrats can be criminals, unethical, racists, anti-Gay, anti-Jewish, and even anti-American, and be not held to any sort of accountability.

Their actions are inexcusable and would be held unacceptable if they were Republicans. This just shows the world how low Democrats will stoop to win an election -- especially when they know they can get away with it.

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