Wild Bill Hickok -- In Newspaper Reports

Ever wonder what the newspapers had to say about Wild Bill back in the day? Well, here's a sample.

Leavenworth Daily Conservative, January 30th, 1867

The story of "Wild Bill," as told in Harper's for February is not easily credited hereabouts.

To those of us who were engaged in the campaign it sounds mythical; and whether Harry York, Buckskin Joe or Ben Nugget is meant in the life sketches of Harper we are not prepared to say.

The scout services were so mixed that we are unable to give precedence to any.

"Wild Bill's" exploits at Springfield have not as yet been heard of here, and if under that cognomen such brave deeds occurred we have not been given the relation.

There are many of the rough riders of the rebellion now in this city whose record would compare very favorably with that of "Wild Bill," and if another account is wanted we might refer to Walt Sinclair.

(end quote)

EYE WITNESSES SAY HICKOK HAD HIS PISTOL RESTING ACROSS HIS ARM 
ALREADY AIMING AT DAVE TUTT WHEN HE CALLED OUT "DAVE"
AND FIRED.

Springfield Patriot, January 31st, 1867
Springfield is excited. It has been so ever since the mail of the 25th brought Harper's Monthly to its numerous subscribers here.

The excitement, curiously enough, manifests itself in very opposite effects upon our citizens. Some are excessively indignant, but the great majority are in convulsions of laughter, which seem interminable as yet.

The cause of both abnormal moods, in our usually placid and quiet city, is the first article in Harper for February, which all agree, if published at all, should have had its place in the "Editor's Drawer," with the other fabricated more or less funnyisms; and not where it is, in the leading "illustrated" place.

But, upon reflection, as Harper has given the same prominence to "Heroic Deeds of Heroic Men," by Rev. J. T. Headley, which, generally, are of about the same character as its article "Wild Bill," we will not question the good taste of its "make up."

We are importuned by the angry ones to review it. "For," say they, "it slanders our city and citizens so outrageously by its caricatures, that it will deter some from immigrating here, who believe its representations of our people."

"Are there any so ignorant?" we asked.

"Plenty of them in New England; and especially about the Hub, just as ready to swallow it all as Gospel truth, as a Johnny Chinaman or Japanese would be to believe that England, France and America are inhabited by cannibals."

"Don't touch it," cries the hilarious party, "don't spoil a richer morceaux than ever was printed in Gulliver's Travels, or Baron Munchausen! If it prevents any consummate fools from coming to Southwest Missouri, that's no loss."

So we compromise between the two demands, and give the article but brief and inadequate criticism. Indeed, we do not imagine that we could do it justice, if we made ever so serious and studied an attempt to do so.

A good many of our people - those especially who frequent the bar rooms and lager-beer saloons, will remember the author of the article, when we mention one "Colonel" G. W. Nichols, who was here for a few days in the summer of 1865, splurging around among our "strange, half-civilized people," seriously endangering the supply of lager and corn whisky, and putting on more airs than a spotted stud-horse in the ring of a county fair.

He's the author!

And if the illustrious holder of one of the "Brevet" commissions which Fremont issued to his wagon-masters, will come back to Springfield, two-thirds of all the people he meets will invite him "to pis'n hisself with suth'n" for the fun he unwittingly furnished them in his article - the remaining one-third will kick him wherever met, for lying like a dog upon the city and people of Springfield.

James B Hickok, (not "William Hitchcock," as the "Colonel" mis-names his hero,) is a remarkable man, and is as well known here as Horace Greely in New York, or Henry Wilson in "the Hub."

The portrait of him on the first page of Harper for February, is a most faithful and striking likeness - features, shape, posture and dress - in all it is a faithful reproduction of one of Charley Scholten's photographs of "Wild Bill," as he is generally called.

No finer physique, no greater strength, no more personal courage, no steadier nerves, no superior skill with the pistol, no better horsemanship than his, could any man of the million Federal soldiers of the war, boast of; and few did better or more loyal service as a soldier throughout the war.

But Nichols "cuts it very fat" when he describes Bill's teats in arms. We think his hero only claims to have sent a few dozen rebs to the farther side of Jordan; and we never, before reading the "Colonel's" article, suspected he had dispatched "several hundreds with his own hands."

But it must be so, for the "Colonel" asserts it with a parenthesis of genuine flavorous Bostonian piety, to assure us of his incapacity to utter an untruth.

(end quote)

HE DRESSED LIKE A "DANDY"

Atchinson Daily Champion, February 5th, 1867

"Wild Bill" is, as stated in the Magazine, a splendid specimen of physical manhood, and is a dead shot with a pistol. He is a very quiet man, rarely talking to any one, and not of a quarrelsome disposition, although reckless and desperate when once involved in a fight. There are a number of citizens of this city who know him well.

Nichols' sketch of 'Wild Bill' is a very readable paper, but the fine descriptive powers of the writer have been drawn upon as largely as facts, in producing it. There are dozens of men on the Overland Line who are probably more desperate characters than Hickok, and are the heroes of quite as many and as desperate adventures.

The wild West is fertile in 'Wild Bills.' Charley Slade, formerly one of the division Superintendents on the O. S. Line, was probably a more desperate, as well as a cooler man than the hero of Harper's, and his fight at his own ranch was a much more terrible encounter than that of 'Wild Bill' with the McKandles gang.

(end quote)

HARPER'S VERSION OF HICKOK'S FICTIONAL BATTLE
WITH THE SO-CALLED McCANLES GANG
WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSEDLY SHOT 11 TIMES AND STABBED 13 TIMES.

Henry M. Stanley, St. Louis Missouri Democrat, April 4th, 1867

James Butler Hickok, commonly called "Wild Bill," is one of the finest examples of that peculiar class known as frontiersman, ranger, hunter, and Indian scout. He is now thirty-eight years old, and since he was thirteen the prairie has been his home. He stands six feet one inch in his moccasins, and is as handsome a specimen of a man as could be found.

We were prepared, on hearing of "Wild Bill's" presence in the camp, to see a person who might prove to be a coarse and illiterate bully. We were agreeably disappointed however.

He was dressed in fancy shirt and leathern leggings. He held himself straight, and had broad, compact shoulders, was large chested, with small waist, and well-formed muscular limbs.

A fine, handsome face, free from blemish, a light moustache, a thin pointed nose, bluish-grey eyes, with a calm look, a magnificent forehead, hair parted from the centre of the forehead, and hanging down behind the ears in wavy, silken curls, made up the most picturesque figure.

He is more inclined to be sociable than otherwise; is enthusiastic in his love for his country and Illinois, his native State; and is endowed with extraordinary power and agility, whose match in these respects it would be difficult to find.

Having left his home and native State when young, he is a thorough child of the prairie, and inured to fatigue. He has none of the swaggering gait, or the barbaric jargon ascribed to the pioneer by the Beadle penny-liners.

On the contrary, his language is as good as many a one that boasts "college laming." He seems naturally fitted to perform daring actions. He regards with the greatest contempt a man that could stoop low enough to perform "a mean action." He is generous, even to extravagance. He formerly belonged to the 8th Missouri Cavalry.

The following dialogue took place between us; "I say, Mr. Hickok, how many white men have you killed to your certain knowledge?"

After a little deliberation, he replied, "I suppose I have killed considerably over a hundred."

"What made you kill all those men? Did you kill them without cause or provocation?"

"No, by heaven I never killed one man without good cause."

"How old were you when you killed the first white man, and for what cause?"

"I was twenty-eight years old when I killed the first white man, and if ever a man deserved lolling he did. He was a gambler and counterfeiter, and I was then in an hotel in Leavenworth City, and seeing some loose characters around, I ordered a room, and as I had some money about me, I thought I would retire to it.

I had lain some thirty minutes on the bed when I heard men at my door. I pulled out my revolver and bowie knife, and held them ready, but half concealed, and pretended to be asleep. The door was opened, and five men entered the room. They whispered together, and one said, "Let us kill the son of a bitch; I'll bet he has got money."

"Gentlemen," said he, "that was a time - an awful time. I kept perfectly still until just as the knife touched my breast; I sprang aside and buried mine in his heart, and then used my revolver on the others right and left.

One was killed, and another was wounded; and then, gentlemen, I dashed through the room and rushed to the fort, where I procured a lot of soldiers, and returning to the hotel, captured the whole gang of them, fifteen in all.

We searched the cellar, and found eleven bodies buried in it - the remains of those who had been murdered by those villains."

Turning to us, he asked: "Would you not have done the same? That was the first man I killed, and I never was sorry for that yet."

(end quote)

HARPER'S DEPICTION OF HICKOK AND DAVE TUTT
BEFORE THEIR GUNFIGHT

Henry M. Stanley, St. Louis Missouri Democrat, May 11th, 1867

"Wild Bill," who is an inveterate hater of the Indians, was chased by six Indians lately, and had quite a little adventure with them. It is his custom to be always armed with a brace of ivory-handled revolvers, with which weapons he is remarkably dexterous; but when bound on a long and lonely ride across the plains, he goes armed to the teeth. 

He was on one of these lonely missions, due to his profession as scout, when he was seen by a group of the red men, who immediately gave chase.

They soon discovered that they were pursuing one of the most famous men of the prairie, and commenced to retrace their steps, but two of them were shot, after which Wild Bill was left to ride on his way.

The little adventure is verified by a scout named Thomas Kincaid.

(end quote)

HICKOK'S PISTOLS ON DISPLAY IN A MUSEUM

Kansas Daily Commonwealth, May 11th, 1873

It is disgusting to see the eastern papers crowding in everything they can get hold of about so-called "Wild Bill."

If they only knew the real character of the men they so want to worship, we doubt if their names would ever appear again. "Wild Bill," or Bill Hickok, is nothing more than a drunken, reckless, murderous coward, who is treated with contempt by true border men, and who should have been hung years ago for the murder of innocent men.

The shooting of the "old teamster" in the back for a small provocation, while crossing the plains in 1859, is one fact that Harpers correspondent failed to mention.



And being booted out of a Leavenworth saloon by a boy bar tender is another; and we might name many other similar examples of his bravery.



In one or two instances he did the U. S. government good service, but his shameful and cowardly conduct more than overbalances the good.

(end quote)

HICKOK DRESSED IN THEATRICAL COSTUME,
TAKE NOTE OF THE UNSHEATHED KNIFE.

I've found it pretty interesting how some Newspapers decided to print the truth as they knew it first hand, while compared to how others seemed to have consciously decided to skip the truth and instead go with what was truly a fabricated lie. 

Tom Correa

Calaveras County -- The Changes Are Not Good

Back in the late 1990s, I was in Washington state on business. While at a restaurant, a young man at the next table interrupted my conversation to ask if I was from California?

I had already met a few folks in Washington state who definitely felt a lot of hostility toward people from California. Yes, a few times by then. So I figured this was going to be just another one of those times when someone there wants to tell me how he or she hates people from California. And yes, I was right.

After I replied that I live in California, he then went on to tell me how he was "tired of California people coming to the Sound, and taking our jobs, raising our taxes, and raising the cost of living."

I laughed. And no, he didn't like that. But then his face changed when I looked him in the eye and told him that I was originally from Hawaii. I went on to tell him that I decided to live in California after getting out of the Marine Corps since most all of my immediate family had moved to California. I also told him that I used to hate California as well until I figured out jerks were found everywhere.

Besides, my living in California was my being practical about things. In the 1970s, while Hawaii was great for tourists and people with "connections" to get a job, the economy and the availability of jobs there was horrible. So like many people, I relocated to California for a better life. Yes, I relocated to the "Mainland" where opportunity to get ahead seemed a lot better.

Now as if he found a kindred spirit, he nodded his head and said, "I understand. But I'm sick and tired of people from California coming to Seattle. They sell their big homes, then they pay enormous amounts of money for homes that were half the price before they arrived. They are also taking our jobs."

Again I gave a small laugh. This time he wasn't too happy about me laughing and asked, "What's so funny?"

Since I'd already heard most of his complaint, and knew that a lot of the animosity started when Silicon Valley businesses left the high taxation and over regulation of California for the more business friendly state of Washington. And yes, for you folks who are thinking that the exodus of businesses leaving California isn't still taking place for all the same reasons, it is.

I laughed and said, "And yes, then they get here and want to change the way you live! So how's it feel?"

After seeing his dumbfounded look, before he could answer, I told him that while growing up in Hawaii, we "locals" had no problems with people from California and the rest of the "Mainland" coming to Hawaii and visiting. My family really didn't even have a problem with them coming over and wanting to live there.

I explained to him that just as with what was going on Washington state at the time, people from California, and other places in the "Mainland," moved there after selling their homes and was able to buy homes that us locals couldn't. And of course, people from out of the state came in to take the few jobs there were there. So of course, as with Washington state, property values soared and jobs were looking scarce.

Soon locals couldn't afford to own a home or find a decent job, that is other than work for the hotels which is not what I call making a "decent" living, in the place where their families called home for more than a hundred years. And while all of that pissed off a lot of people in Hawaii, and created a resentment that still lingers today, that wasn't what created the bad blood that locals have had for people from the Mainland.

No, the thing that added insult to injury was the fact that the people moving to Hawaii wanted to change Hawaii. Negatively change Hawaii. Make it what they wanted instead of leaving it the way it was.

They were hypocrites. They went to Hawaii on vacation and loved the weather, the scenery, and of course the ocean. They loved the people, and how the locals had a no rush laid back attitude. They loved the friendliness, the welcome. Yes, they loved the "Aloha" spirit. They loved it so much that they went back to where they came from with a dream of living there one day.

Some negatively changed Hawaii by bringing in things like drugs and such which were never there before. Others brought in the criminal ways. And yes, there are those who arrived in Hawaii to live their dream and make changes politically. As soon as some of them arrived, they wanted to get on the school boards and the city council to make "changes." Because of this, a lot of locals saw the people from the "Mainland" as negatively changing the way we lived while being unwilling to assimilate.

On the other side, the people from the Mainland, fought politically to make changes to the way everyone lived somehow thinking they knew what was best for others. And yes, they did achieve their goal as they soon turned Oahu Hawaii into Los Angeles and San Francisco all in one.

You see, they said they wanted to live in the Hawaii that they visited, but in reality they wanted to make Hawaii into the very place they just left.  And today, today Oahu's traffic and overcrowding resembles Los Angeles. And as for it's politics, it truly resembles ultra-liberal San Francisco.

The young man looked at me and agreed. He said Puget Sound was a different place before the people from California started arriving and making changes. He said they tried to turn that area into "California North." And yes, he admitted that that's what bothered him the most. It was people coming in and negatively changing their way of life, and thinking they had the right to do so.

He mentioned how those relocating to the Seattle area were anti-gun in a state with a great tradition of hunting. He said every crazy Liberal in California went there and immediately wanted to raise taxes and bring in more government regulations. And yes, it pissed him off because he wanted them to simply go back to where they came from -- and take their ultra-liberal ideas of change with them.

Over the years, I've come to realize that what took place in Hawaii and Washington state is also going on in other states where people from California move to even today. And yes, many of my readers write to tell me that's the case in places like Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. I read your and fully understand your complaints about some of the jerks who have relocated to your states from this state.

So let's talk about unwanted changes in Calaveras County

When I moved to Calaveras County, I didn't want to change a thing. I loved the way it is and has been, it's rich history, it's people, my great neighbors. I assimilated into this place. I didn't disturb the great life here.

Too bad others cannot say the same. And yes, from what I understand, animosity for people from the San Francisco Bay Area has been around here for many years. Long time residents don't like many who have moved here with the desire to turn Calaveras County into the San Francisco Bay Area.

Most folks in these parts can tell if someone is from the Bay Area very easily. You can tell because they are in a rush, they are rude, they drive too fast along two lane roads that were never intended for such speeds, they tailgate, they won't move over and let others pass, and they like to flaunt their money. Oh, and yes, they immediately want to install their liberal ideas to make changes to how people live here.

For example, some Liberals have this notion that private property means nothing. They believe that they should be able to hike, cross, wonder on, and basically trespass on your property whenever they feel like it. I was even told that they have formed political groups to help make such things legal.

Friends, this area is one where most folks hunt and have guns, and are now worried about people raiding the wrong properties looking for marijuana to steal. It's not a great idea to think you have some sort of right by way of the United Nations to walk up on another person's property uninvited. It is very dumb.

Since my last article, Calaveras County -- Don't Move Here, some folks have written to tell me how I'm way off base in my fact finding. Some have said the real problem stems from meth and alcohol. Some have told me that I'm against pot and that my drinking is the real problem in our county. Of course, they have no idea that I hardly ever drink but that doesn't matter.

One person wrote to tell me that the vineyards going in are creating problems as well. For the man who wrote a Facebook comment saying how I did not mention in my article that vineyards are creating problems as well, I did reply.

I asked if he knew first hand of the criminal element that accompanies grapes? I asked if he knew of any grape growers who were creating toxic dump sites and pouring the chemicals used to raise THC levels into the ground, or onto their neighbor's properties? I asked if there has been any incidents of armed individuals raiding vineyards and stealing grapes? I asked if he knew of any neighbors who had their families threatened from grape growers?

And yes, I ask him if he knew of any grape growers who were growing grapes illegally? I informed him that if he had that information, that I could use it in this article. I have not received a response from him. Of course, I don't expect a response.

When I post my last article on my Facebook timeline, a great number of people came forward to defend the pot growers. Since many don't live in this county and has no clue what is taking place here, I really don't care what they have to say. Frankly, as we all know, not knowing what you're talking about or not be affected by a situation has never stopped people from telling others how to live. And that's how I look at those folks.

Of course some have told me that marijuana has been here for years and our crime rate is low without too many incidents reported, and that I didn't know what I was talking about. Some have said that I've over exaggerated the problems, that the county is actually very safe.

Some are saying that people like me who wants it limited, supposedly I like government regulation and paying taxes and following the rules. If he ever read any of my posts, he would know real well how much I'm against over-regulation. But friends, some things, especially one like pot that has a criminal element attached to it, needs regulating. And yes, it needs it now.

By the way, the same genius who posted that in Facebook also stated that "the millions in taxes that cannabis growers pay to the county, will help rid the county of the thugs, cartels and bad actors."

My reply is that that's not true. In reality, the money that the county has received from commercial pot licences has gone toward administration uses. And frankly, now we the residents of this county are being told that the funds collected is not going to cover the cost of monitoring the growers. In fact, funds are now going to have to be taken from other county services and directed to the marijuana problems that we are now facing.

Also, there is a real possibility in the future that residents of Calaveras County may be looking at a rise in our property taxes to cover the funds being taken from other services. All because our county sees a shortfall because of the money needed to address the problems arising because of pot growers.

To say that the pot has been here for a long time and it isn't that big a deal is being disingenuous at best. Fact is, though it has been in the county for years, the number of pot growers has never been close to this magnitude.

And frankly, there is part of the problem. The County Supervisors have not allocated any funds for law enforcement. Inspections yes, but not for more deputized Sheriff's Department personnel. And friends, our small Sheriff's Department does a great job with the few Deputies it has -- but it doesn't have the manpower to handle this situation.

This coming election Measure C places a on the ballot. Because of the fact that right now, our Sheriff's Department does not have to manpower and he cannot get assistance from the state. That is why the upcoming election is so important.

We all must vote YES on Measure C to place fees on the growers who are making millions of dollars, to help pay for more law enforcement and equipment. We want to vote NO on Measure D to stop the farce of feel good legislation being passed. Measure D does not help the situation, it makes it worse.

Why is it so important to regulate and tax pot growers? 

First, they tout that they are a cash crop great for the county. If that's the case, then let's eliminate the future financial burden that our county will be incurring with all of these growers being here. Let them pay for being here, no different than other businesses -- if they are indeed a legal business.

Since I know of no other legal "business" that has the criminal element associated with it as pot growers have, let them pay for growing and the services it takes for them to do so freely.

Second, Calaveras County already has a meth problem. Resources will now have to taken from that battle and now reallocated to deal with illegal commercial pot farms. That means needed resources to deal with both legal and illegal pot farms, and the criminal element that accompany them, will be shifted and not be available for other county services. That in itself negatively impacts our county.

Oh, as for the individual who said I was over-exaggerating the criminal element of what's taking place here, or about the concern with out-of-state criminals being here, here's some proof of that by way of a couple of incidents that's taken place in the last week. From The Calaveras Enterprise, exactly how it was reported:

Illegal cannabis grow broken up and six arrested in Railroad Flat

Suspects from East Coast and Bay Area

October 11, 2016

Six men were arrested and cannabis plants and products with a street value of about $2 million were destroyed by the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Friday morning after deputies served a search warrant at 2500 Spruce Creek Road in Rail Road Flat, according to statement from Sheriff Rick DiBasilio.

The cannabis grow was unregistered and illegal, according to DiBasilio.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Anthony Eberhardt said Tuesday that nearly 1,000 plants were collected and destroyed. DiBasilio said 150 pounds of processed marijuana was also collected and destroyed. Eberhardt said the value of the products were nearly $2 million.

Arrested at the grow site and booked into Calaveras County jail on felony cannabis cultivation charges were Ho Lam, 66, and Thu Le Tu, 59, both of 1445 Olympic Drive in San Jose, Tien Nguyen, 57, of Stanton Island, N Y., and Hung Nguyen, 45, Du Tran, 56, and Tin Son, 47, all of Worcester, Mass.

All the suspects were released on bond, according to the Sheriff’s felony booking log. 

DiBasilio reported that "numerous code and environmental violations were observed at the scene."

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Angels Camp Police Department and Public Works Department assisted in the operation, he said.

-- end of article.

Thirty cannabis plants stolen from Wilseyville property

October 6, 2016

Approximately 30 marijuana plants were stolen from a commercial grow site in Wilseyville on Wednesday afternoon, according to Calaveras County Sheriffs Office.

The suspects were still believed to be on the property when sheriff’s deputies arrived to grow site on Mitchell Mill Road at 6:31 p.m. but, upon further investigation, no suspects were found, the sheriff reported.

The crime is being classified as a grand theft by the sheriff’s office. No arrests have been made.

-- end of article.

Now here is something to think about during this discussion.

Supporters of commercial marijuana grows want to try to divert the attention off of the topic of our security and safety concerns.  The issue is the bad actors associated with the grows, not the pot itself.

They don't want to talk about pot growing and the problems that it brings. They want to twist the truth and say this is supposedly about limiting the availability of marijuana. They are trying to get people to believe that this is a fight over one's "right to smoke pot."

Those who are supporting illegal growers are attempting to demonize us who are worried about the criminal activity associated with the product. This is not about pot or its medical wonders. It is about criminal activity and the negative changes that that brings. And friends, I honestly don't think the majority of people out there care if someone smokes pot or not. I know I seriously don't care one way or another.

Knowing that, please don't be fooled by people who are saying, "This is about marijuana." It is not about marijuana. It is about commercial growing on a magnitude never been seen before and the crime associated with it.

The above article by the The Calaveras Enterprise gives a great example of where the outsiders are coming from and who they are. The incidents above and those that I spoke about in my first post, Calaveras County -- Don't Move Here are real.

We are now experiencing crime and negative changes to our county from the outside as never before. I was told that the majority of the pot growers flooding the county are not from here. While doing my research, I was told that the problems are coming from outside of our county.

No, I'm not crazy about the quality of some of people moving here. They are coming here to negatively change the way we live. To negatively impact our community. To intimidate and threaten. To make Calaveras County the same as any Bay Area county.

While the legal growers need to be regulated, the illegal growers need to be stopped. Like it or not, whether you are a pot smoker or not, the fact is that there is the criminal element associated with pot. They bring changes that are not good for our county.

And frankly, many of us are not happy that they're here now. And yes, that's just the way I see it.

Tom Correa

Calaveras County -- Don't Move Here

In my last post titled Let's Talk About Calaveras County, I tried to highlight some of our history before saying how I would not recommend anyone moving to this county -- at least not right now or in the near future. 

A number of my readers have written to say that "Calaveras County sounds like a great place, so why not move there"?

A few readers wanted to know if I was trying to stop overcrowding because that's usually what takes place when people find out about a great place to live? One reader asked me if I was afraid that tiny Glencoe would actually hit the 200 mark as for as population of my "town" goes? A few of you asked if I was concerned about the traffic?

All are great reasons to limit growth here in Calaveras County and speicifically Glencoe. As for the woman who asked if I was concerned about traffic, well that is a real concern lately. We have had a number of people relocate to these hills and drive like they're still in the city -- in a rush and not giving a damn about on-coming traffic when they inevitably pass, even though it is a no passing area. And while these jerks are part of the reason that I say "stay away", they are not the main reason that I'm recommending people not move here.

One reader wrote to ask if, for some reason, I was worried about the safety of those moving here? Well, BINGO!

My reader from Montana suspected that I'm concerned for the safety of others moving here. And yes, she is absolutely correct. That in itself is the number one reason why I'm now telling friends who are thinking of relocating to Calaveras County, "Don't do it!"

Why do I feel this county is no longer safe? Well, there are approximately 1,000 Marijuana Growers in Calaveras County! 

On September 28th, the Calaveras County Planning Department released a list of nearly 1,000 Commercial Marijuana Growers in Calaveras County. Yes, nearly 1,000 pot growers now surround us here.

The Calaveras Enterprise published the list on September 30th. The Calaveras Enterprise filed a Public Records Act request for the information in June.

County representatives said they would release the requested material once they completed a database with the information. While the list of pot growers is available at the County Planning Department, the complete list of applicants is also available on The Calaveras Enterprise website at calavaersenterprise.com.

In the published article in the Enterprise, they state, "the commercial farm registrants include the names of a number of prominent county residents. A cursory review of the records found that the registrants include former county Supervisor Tom Tryon of Angels Camp, Calaveras County Water District Board Chairman Terrance Strange, wealth management business owner Cory Burnell of Valley Springs, West Point News Publisher Richard Torgerson, rancher Tammy Ham of San Andreas and commercial real estate owners Jake and Donna Koplen of San Andreas."

Let's make something real clear. I don't give a damn if someone smokes weed or not for whatever reason. I don't, but I also don't look down my nose at those who do. But while saying that, I feel the problems that commercial marijuana growers are bringing to our county is immense and dangerous.

Unlike in years gone by with a much smaller number of pot growers, the magnitude of the problems that we have now is something our Sheriff's department is just not equipped to handle. They do not have the manpower or the funding allocated to them to handle what is taking place.

As for the the information released by Calaveras County? Well, now the public knows all sorts of information about every commercial marijuana grower in our area. And yes, with all sorts of details. In fact, the Calaveras County Planning Department has now provided names of the commercial pot growers, the names of their "farms" or business, whether a business is conducted as an indoor operation or is mixed-light or outdoor, the addresses, county parcel numbers, zoning designation, and even the number of plants they're growing.

Information for all personal and most "caregiver" growers, who are not commercial operations, is limited to zoning, city, zip code, light source and canopy size. The Planning Department did list names and addresses for some caregivers, but did not indicate why it listed some caregivers but not the vast majority.

Yes, imagine that, on the list are names, addresses, businesses, and even the number of marijuana plants they are growing. Yes, it can all be found on the marijuana registration list available to the public.

So now, whether a grower's application to grow marijuana was certified, or denied or pending approval, their information is out there for the public to see first hand. Yes, that means for anyone.

The concern for the growers is not Calaveras County. After all, by voting to make this happen the county supervisors have shown that they are all for growing marijuana. Of course the big lie being told is that the nearly 1,000 growers are all growing pot for the purpose of "medical" marijuana. The county knows better, but right now all the county can see is the millions of dollars the county is racking in through permits and other fees.

But, as stated in The Calaveras Enterprise, "It's information, some on the list were hoping to keep private."

"We just don't want to be out on front street, and that's basically what it is," said Mountain Ranch resident Misty McCourt. "We don't want to be seen, we want to be left alone."

McCourt's name isn't on the list, but her address is. She lives in a trailer on a property in Mountain Ranch. She says another man on the property applied for a permit to grow marijuana. Now that her address is out there, McCourt fears she could become the victim of a robbery, or worse.

"They are actually putting us in a direct path of harms way," said McCourt.

The Calaveras County Planning Department told FOX40 News that they debated the release of the 23-page list, but after getting multiple public records requests they had no choice.

Now with the information available on the county website, McCourt said she doesn't know what she'll do if people come after the grow on her property.

"How are we supposed to protect ourselves," McCourt asked.

Killings, Human Trafficking, Threatened Neighbors, Robberies Up, Clear Cutting Forests, Toxic Waste Dumps, And Destroying The Environment. 

All growers should be concerned about the list because their locations are now public. Commercial growers should fear the people coming in from all over the nation to grow marijuana here. They should fear the Mexican drug Cartels which are now in our county and sponsoring some of these pot farms. They should fear organized crime which is now here, as evident by some of those being busted for illegal grows. And yes, they should fear the possibility of home invasions and armed robberies and more killings. Yes, killings.

If you think the killings have not started, take a look at what took place in Railroad Flat last year. And yes, Railroad Flat is just 7 minutes South of my home here in Glencoe.

On October 21, 2015, a grower was arrested after gunning down three trespassers discovered in his grow. The three men were shot dead after being confronted for trespassing. Sheriff’s deputies discovered the bodies after they were called to the property near the town of Railroad Flat by someone reporting the triple shooting.

The grower, who actually owns the property and not just leases it as many are doing, found at least three men trespassing on the land early that morning. They were thought to be stealing marijuana. 

He called his brother, and told him to come to the property. The grower fetched a gun and allegedly fired several shots at the trespassers, and supposedly scaring them off. When his brother arrived, he confronted the trespassers running on a road near his brother's pot farm and "allegedly" blasted them with a shotgun.

The owner's brother was arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy. He was being held on $2.5 million bail. His brother who owns the property was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory and conspiracy, and was held on $30,000 bail.

And friends, list or no list, I don't blame my neighbors for being worried. We all know that pot was here before the county opened the doors to commercial marijuana. But frankly, this is a county wide epidemic that needs to stop.

As of the publication of the list on September 28th, we now find out that of the nearly 1,000 pot growers in Calaveras County, only two commercial growers have been certified and subsequently are legally registered to operate. But as we all know, that's doesn't mean a thing to pot growers. Legal or not, they are working their "pot farms" which now some folks are calling "cannabis plantations".

Up in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, what has historically been California's Marijuana Capital, it isn't strange for people to disappear and reappear after the pot harvests. There are all sorts of stories about men and women ending up missing persons, only to resurface to tell their story of being held against their will on some pot farm.

Many report being drugged, beaten, and even sexually abused. The Sheriff’s Offices up in that area have a term for those people. They label them the "voluntary missing adults."

The reason they are such a low priority is that there are those people who go to that area each year to work the harvests on the pot farms. That has been going on for years. They show up to work the harvest and trim. Of course they are in for more than they bargain for. 

As for the growers needing people to work their farms, the growers are hiring. But what happens when these growers can't find cheap labor willing to get paid under the table, or the wannabe hippie wanting to get back to nature and will work for room and board, and drugs? 

Criminals Bringing In Illegals From Mexico, China, Vietnam, And Kidnappings From Around The State

Some bring in Illegal Aliens, as was the case when a bust was made recently. The Sheriff's Department found Hmong workers brought in from the San Francisco Bay Area. And of course, there has been at least one grower who did more than hire, that grower kidnapped laborers and kept them working by threat of death! 

Yes, it's true! On September 19th, just last month, The Calaveras Enterprise reported that four brothers, some of who said they actually fled Mexico in order to escape violence there, found themselves also victims of violence in Calaveras County.

Those Illegal Aliens were said to have been beaten and forced at gunpoint to work on a marijuana farm near the town of West Point, which is just 10 minutes East of my home in Glencoe.

The four men escaped and ran to a neighbor's house to plea for help on July 27th. Their escape launched a chain of events that lead to the eradication of 23,245 marijuana plants on private and BLM (Bureu of Land Management) lands.

While the law came down on them like a hammer, everyone at the pot farm had already fled and no arrests were made that day.

The owners of the pot farm had addresses in Modesto, about 2 hours away, and were arrested on September 14th for human trafficking, kidnapping, battery with serious bodily injury, making terrorist threats, cultivating marijuana, and possession of marijuana for sale. 

The four men, all brothers and all are farm workers, do not speak English. Investigators said they conducted interviews in Spanish or with the help of Spanish translators. They stated that two of the brothers met the female pot farm owner at a doughnut shop in Modesto. The woman hired them before luring them to her pot farm near West Point. 

Once there, armed men appeared and used threats and violence to force the two to work. The pot farm owner then went to where their relatives live in Modesto and took the other two brothers as well. She allegedly threatened the rest of the family and ordered them not to report the situation to police or she would report them to immigration.

When they escaped, the four men all had injuries, including black eyes and bruises. They were taken to Mark Twain Medical Center for treatment before being released to a crisis shelter service and taken to a secret location. One of the men had such severe facial damage that he was sent to a hospital elsewhere for reconstructive surgery.

The men said that during one of the beatings, the captors kicked one of the brothers in the head repeatedly, knocking him out and then kicking him again when he regained consciousness. The men said that they were allowed to have some telephone contact with family members. One of the most severe beatings came after the grower found out that they had told family members that they were being kept by force.

They testified that one of the male captors asked the owner if he could just "kill them now" and was told to wait because the harvest wasn’t over. According to police reports, the brothers decided to escape after they heard they were going to be killed after harvest season was over.

If you think that those are just two isolated incidents taking place in this county these days, think again. Many of those working for growers are not from here and see their "neighbors" as inconveniences and worse -- their enemy.

From growers dumping their toxic chemical wastewater onto their properties and those of their neighbors' properties, shanty towns, and toxic waste dumps, clear-cutting the forest wherever they want, the residents living next door to these commercial growers are now facing all sorts of problems. Yes, including armed threats.

Three commercial marijuana growers setup a roadblock on a public road.

In April of this year, it was reported that three commercial marijuana growers actually had the nerve to setup a roadblock on a public road to trap and threaten their neighbor. Yes, this was caught on film. 

They cursed at the neighbor. And before letting the neighbor pass through their roadblock, they yelled through the passenger window, "If you ever come down here again we'll take care of you!" 

I've had a number of people tell me that these growers intimidate and harass residents all of time. And I ask about notifying the sheriff's department? They, like numbers of other people, are either scared of armed retribution and don't want to make complaints because they don't want their names out there -- or they know our Sheriff's Department doesn't have the manpower to help them. That is a sorry state to live in. 

I've talked to friends who are now thinking a leaving Calaveras County simply because they are worried for their family's security and safety. And rightfully so, since it is just getting worse.

While Calaveras County Sheriff's Department has a great policy concerning Concealed Carry permits, more and more people that I meet, through my position with the local America Legion, are all telling me that they are going to put in for a Concealed Carry (CCW) permit because of what's going on around us these days.

To add fuel to this are reports of things taking place here that only go on in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, or some other big city. There was a recent incident involving armed intruders who attempted to rob a marijuana farm in Wilseyville near West Point. They hit the wrong house. The people there did not have anything to do with marijuana, but the assailants still terrorized that family.

So now, is there any questions why I say, don't move here, don't move to Calaveras County -- at least not until we fix this huge problem. It's just not a safe place to live with all of these commercial marijuana growers. And friends, the incidents that I've mentioned are really just a very small sample of what's going on. And frankly, I'm not degrading anyone other than criminals who are breaking the law, clear cutting the forests, turning areas into toxic dump sites, and are a threat to my neighbors. My concern is for the safety of people here in our county.

My wife and I attended a meeting on Thursday night by a group trying to stop the spread of these problems. I was amazed at how many Liberals, those new to the county who are for commercial marijuana growing, were attending the meeting.

And after the meeting, I walked away thinking how this article understates the severity of the problems facing Calaveras County. Yes, it is apparent that things will get worse before they get better.

And while that's just the way I see things, there's more to come on this.

Tom Correa

Wyatt Earp -- After The Vendetta

Ever wonder what Wyatt Earp did after the killing spree which we now call his vendetta?

Well, within months of the Earp vendetta, the silver production in Tombstone mines dropped sharply, and the boom town went bust. It seemed headed toward ghost town status, but in the 1930s there was a rekindled interest in the now famous shoot-out at the OK Corral. And that led to another boom of sorts, one that brought in enough tourists to keep the old town alive.

Today, Tombstone, Arizona, is a tourist spot where visitors can walk the same streets where the Earps and Clantons and McLaurys once called home. And yes, OK Corral gunfight re-enactors put on shows of how it supposedly happened so many years ago.

Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury and Tom McLaury are buried in Boot Hill Cemetery, Tombstone, Arizona. But some might find it interesting that the McLaury brothers were buried side-by-side in the same grave, and that Billy Clanton was buried right next to them in a different grave.

By 1882, Wyatt Earp was in Colorado working at staying out of Arizona and the murder charges that would hang over his head for the rest of his life. While there, he talked with his friend Bat Masterson to talk with the Governor to stop extradition back to Arizona. He was also able to get Bat to help stop the extradition of all of those who took place in what would 50 years later become known as his "vendetta".

By 1884, Wyatt tried for the final time to be a lawman when the boomtown of Wallace, Idaho, struck silver. Instead of creating a legend, the soon to be infamous Wyatt Earp was sued in the local courthouse for claim-jumping.

Wyatt Earp supposedly married Josephine Marcus in 1887 but there seems to be a problem with finding a record of that event. The two would travel from boom to bust for many decades.

From San Francisco to Idaho to El Paso to Alaska, Wyatt Earp refereed heavyweight boxing matches, mined for gold and silver, sold real estate, raised race horses, ran saloons and gambling halls, and ran into trouble with the law here and there for one reason or another so much so that he was constantly on police "watch lists".

Unlike Virgil Earp, some say Wyatt was always after a fast buck. Some contend that he was a cheat and crooked gambler. Some say he was a con man because of his arrests in scams and con games and even fight fixing as a boxing referee. And while Wyatt is always portrayed as this soft spoken teetotaler, that's all myth.

In actuality Wyatt was known to tell a lot of different versions of the same incident, as well as spinning yarns especially while drinking heavily. Wyatt told some outlandish stories in his time. He said he hunted buffalo with a shotgun because he didn't like the recoil of a Sharp's .50. He said he knew Wild Bill, and he once bragged how he arrested Ben Thompson and ran Clay Allison out of town -- all of which never happened.

In San Francisco in 1896, Wyatt Earp finally found the fame that he wanted to achieve. Actually, it was this incident that made Wyatt Earp infamous not famous.



Wyatt Earp was the referee of the Fitzsimmons-Sharkey Heavyweight Championship fight. He was the key to what was a fixed heavyweight championship fight. And yes, it is believed that Wyatt Earp was picked to referee that fight because he could be bought.

During the fight, Fitzsimmons was clearly outboxing and outfighting Sharkey in the fight and knocked Shakey to the canvass. Immediately, as if on cue, Earp stepped in and awarded the fight to Sharkey claiming Fitzsimmons fouled the downed fighter.

The $10,000 purse was awarded to Sharkey, but Fitzsimmons' side filed suit claiming there was no foul. When the case went to court, testimony showed Wyatt conspired with Sharkey's agents to go against Fitzsimmons. But then again, since prize fighting wasn't legal and Wyatt Earp claimed in court to be broke, the judge declared him an itinerant and threw the case out of court.

In 1897, Wyatt Earp and Josie made their way to Juneau, Alaska, and opened the Dexter Saloon. There were a lot of eye witnesses there on a night when Wyatt had too much to drink and began to create trouble. Yes, unlike the movies and the myth, Wyatt Earp was a boozer.

It took place in 1900, he was brandishing a revolver in front of U.S. Marshal Albert Lowe. Lowe reportedly slapped Earp upside the head and disarmed him.

Its true. An intoxicated Wyatt Earp threatened Marshal Lowe saying he'd show the Marshal how guns are handled "down Arizona way." But instead U.S. District Marshal Lowe took Wyatt's gun, slapped him in the face, and then told him to go home and go to bed.

Wyatt Earp was 49 years old at the time. And frankly, Wyatt Earp was a lucky man, because brandishing a firearm to a real bad hombre like Federal Marshal Albert Lowe could have gotten him killed that night.

The pistol that U.S. Marshal Lowe took from Earp that night was never reclaimed by Earp and now sits in the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau, Alaska.

He didn't fare much better back in California, where, on a visit to San Francisco, he was knocked senseless in a fist fight with a local race horse owner by the  name of Tom Mulqueen. Mulqueen claimed Earp was mouthing off about his exploits and then insulted his friend.

Infamous Wyatt Earp was probably more a legend in his own mind by then, but that didn't matter to Tom Mulqueen who obviously didn't take any guff from Earp. I guess Mulqueen did not realize how much of a bad hombre Wyatt Earp thought he was, because it's said that Mulqueen beat him so soundly that he knocked Earp senseless!

As reported in the San Francisco Call on April 30th, 1900:

GUN FIGHTER IS KNOCKED OUT BY BOLD HORSEMAN

Wyatt Earp Floored by a Single Blow From Tom Mulqueen.

Engaged in a Saloon Row Over the Recent Turf Scandal and the Gambler Gets the Worst of It. Wyatt Earp. gun-fighter and all around bad man, was knocked down and out late Saturday night by Tom Mulqueen, the well-known racehorse man. The trouble occurred In a Market street resort, near Stockton, and was precipitated by Earp. Both men had been drinking at the bar, when Earp brought up the subject of the recent scandal at the Tanforan track. He made several disparaging remarks about a jockey who is on very friendly terms with Mulqueen. 

When called down he became belligerently indignant and threatened to wipe the floor with the horse owner. Instantly Mulqueen grabbed him. and after throwing him against the bar landed a blow on the gun-fighter's face, knocking him out. 

John Farley, the proprietor of the saloon, fearing serious trouble between the two men, managed to induce Mulqueen to leave the place. Earp, after recovering from the effects of the blow, was also led from the saloon and placed aboard a passing street car. Earp was not armed at the time, having left his trusted "gun" with a friend shortly before the occurrence. Mulqueen was around as usual yesterday but refused to discuss the affair. 

He gained considerable notoriety several years ago by calling down Bob Fitzsiminons, the prize-fighter. They were in a saloon drinking, when the ex-champion referred to Jim Corbett as a looking-glass fighter. Mulqueen promptly resented the remark and threatened to break Fitzsimmnns' head if he repeated it. Fitzsimmons, scenting trouble, left the place, not caring to mix it with the plucky horseman. 

Earp first came into prominence in this city when he officiated as referee in the fight between Fitzsimmons and Sharkey several years ago and gave the decision to the sailor on an alleged foul after he had been knocked out, a decision that created general dissatisfactlon.

-- end of article.

In 1911, Wyatt was charged by Los Angeles Police with attempting to "fleece J.Y. Patterson" out of $2,500 by running a crooked Faro game.

On July 22nd, 1911, The New York Times reported:

Earp’s Faro Plan Fails

Marshal who disqualified Fitzsimmons arrested in raid.

Los Angeles, California, July 22nd, 1911 -- Wyatt Earp, Arizona Marshal of early days, who in 1896, as a prize fight referee disqualified Bob Fitzsimmons for a doubtful foul and awarded a decision to Tom Sharkey, was remanded to prison to-day for failure to produce $500 bond for his arraignment on a ‘get-rich-quick’ charge.

Earp and his two companions, Walter Scott and E. Dunne, who are also in jail, will plead next Tuesday. J.Y. Peterson, a realty broker, told detectives that Earp had unfolded to him a scheme to break a faro bank which Earp was operating as an employee.

According to Peterson, he was to appear in the gambling room with $2,500, and by means of marked cards was to be permitted to win $4,000, to be shared with Earp, Scott and Dunne. Peterson pretended to acquiesce in the arrangement, but when the big winning was to have taken place detectives whom he had previously informed raided the place. The faro outfit was confiscated.”

-- end of article.
In that case, the charges against Wyatt were dismissed on a technicality. The technicality was that the Los Angeles police moved in and made the arrest prior to money exchanging hands from Patterson to the conspirators. The police, who had been alerted to the con-game by Patterson, had moved in too quickly.

Wyatt Earp, the last survivor of the fight, traveled for decades in the company of Josephine Marcus, working mostly as a gambler and miner. In 1929, he died in Los Angeles of a chronic cystitis at the age of 80.

In his last years, he gambled on horses, he sold real estate in Orange County, supposedly mined in Neveda, and during the romancitization of the Old West he  worked as a technical consultant for silent movies.

Like many others who found that the renewed interest in the West could be profitable, Earp searched and finally found a biographer and tried to selling his life story. All the while Wyatt Earp painted himself as a great frontier marshal but no one was interested in his story.

The he found writer Stuart N. Lake who became Earp's biographer. And with that Stuart Lake wrote Wyatt Earp's biographyentitled, "Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal," published in 1931.

Some say Lake sought Earp out, and others say Earp sought out Lake. Either way, it is true that Wyatt Earp was seeking a biographer at about the same time. And yes, Wyatt, who was 79, and was supposedly financially motivated to sell his story because he had little income in his last years of life.

During the interviews and in later correspondence, Wyatt went to great lengths to paint his life as something most didn't recognize later including taking credit for things that he never did.

Following Earp's death in January 1929, Josephine corresponded with Lake. He claimed she attempted to influence what he wrote and hamper him in every way possible, including consulting lawyers. Josephine may have threatened to sue Lake. Supposedly Josephine worked hard to see that Wyatt was portrayed in the book in a positive manner, but some say she wanted a cut from the book.

Lake finally published Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal in 1931, two years after Earp's death. It portrayed Earp as "gallant white knight" and was almost entirely void of the truth.

The book drew considerable positive attention and established Lake as a writer for years to come. However, later researchers have suggested that Lake's account of Earp's early life is embellished, for there is little corroborating evidence for many of the book's stories.

Writers such as Steve Gatto, Frank Waters, and Dr. Floyd B. Streeter have cast doubt on the authenticity and accuracy of Lake's larger-than-life depiction of Wyatt Earp. The book "is now regarded more as fiction than fact." In fact, when it was published, the book was quickly denounced as grossly inaccurate by those who knew Earp personally, and Allie Earp, who was Virgil Earp's widow, went so far as to call it "a pack of lies".

William M. Breakenridge's book, Helldorado: Bringing Law to the Mesquite, ghost written by Western novelist William MacLeod Raine, was published in 1928 before Wyatt died.

Wyatt and his wife Josie claimed that much of what Breakenridge wrote was biased and more fiction than fact. That's not too surprising since after Breakenridge interviewed Wyatt Earp in Los Angeles, Breakenridge painted Wyatt as a thief, pimp, crooked gambler, and murderer.
Many of the problems that writers have with believing anything that Wyatt said is due to his contradictions, story telling, his claims that cannot be corroborated.

In an interview with a reporter in Denver in 1896, Wyatt Earp denied that he had killed Johnny Ringo. But then he flip floped his story, and claimed that he had killed Ringo yet he couldn't have because he was no where near where they found Ringo's body.

In about 1918, Earp told Forrestine Hooker, who wrote an unpublished manuscript, and then Frank Lockwood, who wrote Pioneer Days in Arizona in 1932, that he was the one who killed Johnny Ringo as he left Arizona in 1882.

The problem with Earp's story is that he included details that do not match what is known about Ringo's death. Wyatt repeated that claim to at least three other people.

During an interview with his future biographer Stuart Lake during the late 1920s, Wyatt said that he arrested notorious gunslinger Ben Thompson in Ellsworth, Kansas, on August 15, 1873, when news accounts and Thompson's own contemporary account about the episode do not mention Earp even being there.

As for Earp telling Lake that he had hunted buffalo during 1871 and 1872, arrest records show that he was arrested and jailed on a horse theft charge on April 6th, 1871, and arrested as a pimp in Peoria during February 1872.

At the hearing following the Tombstone shootout, Wyatt told folks that he had been the Marshal of Dodge City. That was a claim that Wyatt repeatedly told folks for years, including in an interview that appeared in the San Francisco Examiner in 1896.

Fact is that wasn't true because Wyatt had only been the assistant city marshal there. He was the number two man of a four man police department. In the same interview, Wyatt claimed that George Hoyt had intended to kill him. He said he killed Hoyt when most at the time thought it more likely that James Masterson actually shot Hoyt since they both fired at the same time.

Wyatt also said he and Bat Masterson had confronted Clay Allison when he was sent to Dodge City "to finish George Hoyt's job" of supposedly killing Wyatt. He said that he had forced both to back down. While that was not true, the truth really didn't matter to Earp.

As for Hoyt, James Masterson's account of a wonded Hoyt falling from his horse and dying days later contradicts Wyatt's account of shooting Hoyt dead when he hit the ground. As for Clay Allison, other accounts contradict Earp's.

Credit belonged with cattleman Dick McNulty and Long Branch Saloon owner Chalk Beeson for convincing Clay Allison and his cowboys to leave town. Famed Charlie Siringo witnessed the incident and left a written account of what took place, and he insists that Wyatt Earp had not even met Clay Allison. Of course that fact didn't stop Wyatt from telling folks that he once ran notorious gunmen Clay Allison out of town. He did so knowing he was lying.

But really, none of that matters because all in all most folks say print the legend. And yes, it's kinder for Wyatt Earp if folks would. But frankly, as far as I'm concerned, he doesn't deserve it.

Tom Correa

CCW Renewal with Spartan Defense

By Noon on Sunday, I had stepped out of my Chevy Tahoe at the San Joaquin Rifle & Pistol Range ready to renew my CCW permit.

I checked my gun bag and pulled out my ear protection. I decided that it was as good a time as any to put on my glasses. I also decided to take minute to recheck my 1911 pistols, and the three magazines that I had brought with me. And while I usually only carry one extra magazine, I really didn't know how many that I would be needing that day.

Soon enough, I found myself sitting on a shooting bench at one of the outdoor ranges watching a young shooter practice magazine transitions as he shot a course of 7 targets. With him was an older man wearing a San Joaquin Rifle & Pistol Range Staff shirt. And while I really didn't know if the young man was there taking private lessons, it was very apparent that the young man listened to everything that the older man was saying.

Once they were through, I said hello and commented about how good a shooter he is. That's when I found out that the older man was the young man's dad. And yes, there was no mistaking the fact that he was very proud of his son for all of the right reasons.

Besides being an extremely polite young man, Kyle Hulsey recently became the Junior Champion at the American Marksman Southwest Regional matches in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the end of September. His dad and I spoke for only a minute, and then they left.

I really enjoyed the way he and his dad got along. You could just see the closeness. And friends, have you ever noticed how young people at the range are just so polite?

Mr. Hulsey can take pride in how he's raised Kyle. Besides the fact that Kyle is indeed a great shooter, he really is a gentleman. And in my book, being polite and respectful goes a lot farther than being a jerk. Frankly, the world needs more young people like Kyle Hulsey.

It was only a few minutes later that others were also arriving for the Concealed Carry (CCW) Renewal class. And while a few were there for the first time, I had been to that range when I took my initial Concealed Carry course two years ago.

Since I took my initial Concealed Carry course from Fidel Taylor of Spartan Defense, I contacted him to arrange attending his CCW Renewal class since my CCW permit is due to expire at the end of this month. And for the record, I like the way he teaches his course. Two years ago, I wrote about taking his CCW class. You can find that article here: Spartan Defense of CA's Superior CCW Class.

Fidel Taylor is the owner and Lead Instructor of Spartan Defense. I like his approach to teaching. He is concerned, conscientious, and responsible.

His concern for range safety and the well-being of students there is evident in his constant reminders, and willingness to disqualify someone he feels is unsafe. 

As for his conscientiousness, Fidel Taylor is one of those people who is perfectly suited for his profession as an Instructor. I believe this because one can see that he has the personality trait of being thorough, careful, or vigilant.

He is a man with a desire to be as efficient and organized as possible while imparting the information that his students need. 

And yes, anyone taking his class can see that he takes imparting his knowledge and real world experience very serious.

He sees the responsibility to train his students to the highest of standards as being paramount to his mission of making sure his students are properly trained and know how to handle firearms in a safe and legal manner. And frankly, I believe he would rather fail a student than send one out into the world a hazard to his or her self or others.

That's why I returned on Sunday to take his CCW Renewal course. I looked at it as a refresher course by a man who wants people to have a better understanding and practical application of firearms, their use, and tactics through practical and realistic training. 

Spartan Defense provides a 4 hour session to renew one's California CCW permit. The website for the Spartan Defense CCW Renewal Course states the following:

"We provide CCW renewal certifications for the following counties; Sacramento, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Amador, and the cities within those counties.

This course is for those individuals that already possess a CA CCW and need to complete a 4 hour session to renew their permit. This certification date shall be done within 60 days of your permit expiring.
​​
Our 4 hour sessions are all conducted on the range, with approximately 1 hour of discussion, followed by approximately 3 hours of TRAINING with your primary firearm. YES, we actually make you shoot your firearm. Our goal is to train you the best we can to prepare you for the worse day of your life!

WHAT TO BRING:

Blackhawk Serpa Type Holster

• All firearms to be listed on permit (Calaveras only primary firearm)
• 100 rounds of ammo for your primary firearm, (30 for each additional gun)
• Hat
• Hearing protection, electronic is best (We do not recommend foam plugs
• Eye protection, eye glasses or sunglasses are fine
• Sturdy belt to support your holster
• Holster, Must cover trigger guard, fit firearm and we DO NOT permit the Blackhawk Serpa TYPE holsters for safety reasons. 
• 2 Magazines or speed loaders, must demonstrate reloading
• Flat soled comfy shoes that cover feet/toes-We are on gravel
• Please arrive with firearms/magazines etc UNLOADED, DO NOT handle firearms until instructed
• We do train outside in the elements, please be prepared!"

The California CCW Renewal Course that he offers is $75. And during the 4+ hours on the range, he covers: 

• Range and Safety Rules,
• Dry Fire Drills,
• Drawing and Holstering,
• Loading-Unloading Drills,
• Malfunction Resolution Drills,
• Live Fire Drills,
• Scenarios both with live fire and dry fire,
• and a Qualification Course

There were about 8 others there for the CCW renewal course. And soon after that, the class came back from lunch to join us. All toll, without counting, I believe there were about 20 people there to shoot.

After an hour or so of a great class, which included time for questions and discussion, we lined up in groups. I went to the line and to my left was Emma Bell who is a very nice young lady in her early 20s. I liked the fact that she was getting her CCW permit because I think all women should. Yes, especially these days.

Since she saw that I was wearing a Marine Corps ball cap, she asked me what I did in the Marine Corps? I told her that I was just a Grunt, an "03". She told me that her husband was also a Marine, a Machine Gunner. I told her that that was my secondary MOS until it was changed later in my career. She is one of those people who is as pretty as a Spring morning, very nice, extremely polite, and respectful. Yes, pretty rare these days. Oh, and by the way, she's also a damn fine shooter! But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Just then a young man also wearing a Marine ball cap tapped me on the shoulder to thank me for my service. I thanked him in return as he is a brother Marine. I then asked him his MOS, he said he was an Armorer. I told him that I was jealous because I wanted to be an Armorer but never was. Later, I found out his name is Alvin Knackstedt.

While Emma is one of the nicest gals that you will ever meet, Alvin is one of the nicest guys. He is also one of the best shots that I've seen in years. But again, I'm getting ahead of myself.

When we all stood shoulder to shoulder, I had Emma to my left and Alvin on my right. Once they split us up into renewals and people there for the first time, Emma and I shot on the same target. Alvin ended up shooting on his own because one of the renewal people decided that he couldn't deal with all of the safety demands and left.

During the drills, it was obvious that Emma can shoot. And friends, she is a really good shooter. For example, from my vantage point behind her, I saw her put more rounds in center-mass than many of the others. In fact, more than once she walked up, got in the low ready position, and when the command to "engage" was given, she lifted her pistol and fired her first shot dead center. Then after her transition to a fresh magazine, she did it again. Yes, she is a really good shooter.

While Emma was doing a great job of tearing up center-mass on her target, Alvin was shooting groups about the size of the palm of your hand. No kidding! And friends, rate of fire did not change his accuracy. He was fast and accurate.  He was just impressive.

While I believe they were both shooting 9mm pistols, to be frank I can't remember what caliber either were using. But really, seeing what they both were able to do makes me think that the caliber of their pistols simply wouldn't matter in their being able to shoot like that. That's even more so for Alvin. He's just a natural with a pistol.

And frankly, my friends, as good as I was with a handgun once upon a time, I don't think I was ever as good as Alvin.

We all talked a bit before leaving. Fidel said that he will send my certificate to me in the mail. I then said my goodbyes to Fidel, and of course to Emma and Alvin. It really was great meeting them.

While walking to my vehicle, I heard someone grumble saying that he thought Fidel was too tough when it came to his concerns about Range Safety. I replied, "You have the luxury of feeling that way. You're not responsible for the safety of all there. Heck, I'm really thinking about taking one of his other courses."

And no, I wasn't lying. I'm really thinking of taking one of his other courses. After all, maybe even an old dog like me can learn new tricks. Fact is that I might be a little stuck in how I shoot for defensive shooting. I was trained over 40 years ago, so maybe taking a look at what new methods and techniques are around today wouldn't be a bad thing.

Back when I was first learning how to shoot in the Marine Corps, I was taught to shoot one handed. Besides the military, during those days a number of police departments were still making it mandatory for officers to re-qualify by shooting a pistol with both hands -- one at a time.

Later during my law enforcement training, I learned the Weaver Stance of holding a pistol with both hands. Though I did it, it seemed awkward compared to how I first learned to shoot in the Corps. Now it seems the latest stance is a sort of modified Weaver Stance with a push-pull grip technique. Frankly I like it better than the whole cup and sauce stuff.

So yes, I can see myself going back to take another course in the latest shooting techniques. I like that the training Fidel provides goes beyond the basics and really is more practical and realistic. Besides, as I said before, I like the way Fidel Taylor gives a class. 

Tom Correa

Update, 1pm: I want to apologize to all of my readers. I was tired but wanted to get this article out. I was in too much of a hurry and made mistakes. I've just proof read it again and made the corrections.

I appreciate your understanding.

Tom