Lately, I have been enjoying some old articles written by Charles A. "Skeeter" Skelton. I know he was originally from Hereford, Texas (in the northern panhandle), and was living at Demming, New Mexico at the time of his death in El Paso. I cannot seem to find where he is buried anywhere. Does anyone here know? Just curious? Maybe I could pay my respects if I should pass that way. I know Bill Jordan is buried at Linden, Texas and Elmer Keith at Salmon, Idaho. Don't know that I will ever get to Salmon, Idaho, but I pass through Linden, Texas a few times every year. Maybe I will stop by next time I have a little extra time.
Skeeter was a good writer. He could actually step away from the real writing and do fiction that was enjoyable to read. (That from me, who is not a fan of fiction.) I wish that someone would write a biography of him. He seems to have lived an interesting life, occasionally giving brief glimpses into it that left me wanting to know more.
According to Find-A-Grave, his wife is buried in Deming, NM so I would bet she is buried with him; Mountain View cemetery.
A great writer has the reader along side, participating in the topic, part of the action.
That's a gift. Don't think they can teach that in college...
IMO, great story tellers are born. They can fine tune their craft, but it has to be first of all a gift.
DF
When I can't find anything else to read, I dig out one of Skeeter's books. For me, his writing never gets old.
When I can't find anything else to read, I dig out one of Skeeter's books. For me, his writing never gets old.
I wish I could find some of Skeeter's books at an affordable price. They can be had, BUT out of my price range. Same with Elmer Keith's "Hell, I Was There". I sure wish I had bought a copy years ago. Now they are out of my price range as well. Strangely, there seem to be plenty of Elmer's other books available at reasonable prices. Another hard to find is Bill Jordan's "Tales Of The Rio Grande". I had an autographed copy of Jordan's "No Second Place Winner" years ago, but made the mistake of loaning it to someone. Gone forever. However I scored another copy at a resale shop a few years ago.
A great writer has the reader along side, participating in the topic, part of the action.
That's a gift. Don't think they can teach that in college...
IMO, . Great story tellers are born.They can fine tune their craft, but it has to be first of all a gift.
DF
As are writers - and we spend way too much time banging our heads and the heads of students against the wall forcing them to "learn" creative writing.
Skeeter was a good writer. He could actually step away from the real writing and do fiction that was enjoyable to read. (That from me, who is not a fan of fiction.) I wish that someone would write a biography of him. He seems to have lived an interesting life, occasionally giving brief glimpses into it that left me wanting to know more.
I have always enjoyed reading Skeeter Skelton's work in Shooting Times, along with his books "GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKY" and "HOGLEGS, HIPSHOTS, AND JALAPANOS". I have the book that his wife wrote, "I REMEMBER SKEETER", but I don't remember too much about it. I particularly enjoyed the "Me & Joe" stories and the stories about fictional characters Dobe Grant and Jug Johnson that centered on Grant's Turkey Track Ranch. If there was a compilation of those stories, I'd buy a copy.
Skeeter Skelton's writing influenced me to embrace the .44 Special cartridge, Ruger Single Action revolvers, and S&W Double Action revolvers, particularly the N-Frame Models 24, 27, 624, and 625. Skeeter was a fan of the 5" S&W 27 and a fan of the .44 Special, so I mated the two by having Ahlman's pistolsmiths shorten the barrel on a S&W 624 from 6.5" to 5" and reinstall the front sight. I liked this configuration so much that I had two of them done, the second after the first was stolen out of UPS on its way back to me after being engraved by S&W.
[quote=Henryseale]Lately, I have been enjoying some old articles written by Charles A. "Skeeter" Skelton. I know he was originally from Hereford, Texas (in the northern panhandle), and was living at Demming, New Mexico at the time of his death in El Paso. I cannot seem to find where he is buried anywhere. Does anyone here know? Just curious? Maybe I could pay my respects if I should pass that way. I know Bill Jordan is buried at Linden, Texas and Elmer Keith at Salmon, Idaho. Don't know that I will ever get to Salmon, Idaho, but I pass through Linden, Texas a few times every year. Maybe I will stop by next time I have a little extra time.
I was born about 12 miles from Linden in Atlanta. Linden is the county seat of Cass County. I didn't know Bill Jordan was buried there. I have a very close friend that was from Austin that has ended up living just outside of Linden and several Cousins still in Atlanta. Next time I go up that way I'll try to remember to take the time to visit Mr. Jordan's resting place.
'
A great writer has the reader along side, participating in the topic, part of the action.
That's a gift. Don't think they can teach that in college...
IMO, . Great story tellers are born.They can fine tune their craft, but it has to be first of all a gift.
DF
As are writers - and we spend way too much time banging our heads and the heads of students against the wall forcing them to "learn" creative writing.
Square peg, round hole.
But you can fine tune that gift.
JOC had a masters degree in Journalism, taught in college. Elmer was a cowboy who could barely type. Both were great story tellers, both excelled at their craft. Elmer’s copy may have needed more editing.
DF
Henryseal,
I bought a new copy of GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKEY during the fund-raising auction at the Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage Center in Lewiston, Idaho in June. It wasn't exactly cheap, but I tend to overspend there, for the good cause (the center is not only a fine museum, but helps in youth shooting programs). I have been savoring it for the past several months.
Luckily, I bought my copy of HELL, I WAS THERE! back when it was first published....
Was he the one who wrote in vernacular? If so, I could never stand that writing style. Never liked it in Western fiction either: "I'm a-fixin to go to tha boardin' house and et me some hens' aigs."
Blech, I can never make it past the first paragraph of any of that, including Skelton or whoever the gun writer was that wrote like that. To each their own. Just not for me.
Was he the one who wrote in vernacular? If so, I could never stand that writing style. Never liked it in Western fiction either: "I'm a-fixin to go to tha boardin' house and et me some hens' aigs."
Blech, I can never make it past the first paragraph of any of that, including Skelton or whoever the gun writer was that wrote like that. To each their own. Just not for me.
Skeeter most definitely did not write in what you describe as "vernacular." The quality of his writing stands alone among gunwriters. Try, for example, his short story "The Golden Spurs of Dobe Grant."
If I recall, his ashes were scattered in the mountains near his New Mexico home.
Was he the one who wrote in vernacular? If so, I could never stand that writing style. Never liked it in Western fiction either: "I'm a-fixin to go to tha boardin' house and et me some hens' aigs."
Blech, I can never make it past the first paragraph of any of that, including Skelton or whoever the gun writer was that wrote like that. To each their own. Just not for me.
Skeeter most definitely did not write in what you describe as "vernacular." The quality of his writing stands alone among gunwriters. Try, for example, his short story "The Golden Spurs of Dobe Grant."
If I recall, his ashes were scattered in the mountains near his New Mexico home.
The Golden Spurs of Dobie Grant was a great story, I wish that I knew what issue of Shooting Times it appeared in.
i grew up reading Skeeters stuff, have his books, didnt know that his wife wrote on tho! I know he was sick for awhile and had to sell guns, it sucks as I had to go thru this myself! I also have many of Elmers books, and a signed copy of Bill Jordans hand gun book!
Was he the one who wrote in vernacular? If so, I could never stand that writing style. Never liked it in Western fiction either: "I'm a-fixin to go to tha boardin' house and et me some hens' aigs."
Blech, I can never make it past the first paragraph of any of that, including Skelton or whoever the gun writer was that wrote like that. To each their own. Just not for me.
Skeeter most definitely did not write in what you describe as "vernacular." The quality of his writing stands alone among gunwriters. Try, for example, his short story "The Golden Spurs of Dobe Grant."
If I recall, his ashes were scattered in the mountains near his New Mexico home.
Must have been some other writer then. Could have swore it was him. The joys of getting old.
When I can't find anything else to read, I dig out one of Skeeter's books. For me, his writing never gets old.
I wish I could find some of Skeeter's books at an affordable price. They can be had, BUT out of my price range. Same with Elmer Keith's "Hell, I Was There". I sure wish I had bought a copy years ago. Now they are out of my price range as well. Strangely, there seem to be plenty of Elmer's other books available at reasonable prices. Another hard to find is Bill Jordan's "Tales Of The Rio Grande". I had an autographed copy of Jordan's "No Second Place Winner" years ago, but made the mistake of loaning it to someone. Gone forever. However I scored another copy at a resale shop a few years ago.
Both of Skeeter's books had been out a few years before I got around to buying either one of them, but I think that I bought "I Remember Skeeter" not long after it was published.
A few years ago, a wealthy friend who lives in Manhattan asked me to recommend some reading dealing with guns--especially handguns. I pointed him to Skeeter's books. He went and looked on Abe Books and was flabbergasted to find that copies were selling for $200-$300 or so apiece. I offered to mail him my copies to read, if he would agree to return them.
He suggested that I not ship them, but if I did, to use UPS and insure them for no less than $500 for the set. I have to admit that I was somewhat taken aback by how much they had appreciated in value.
Every once in a while I check their value on used book sites, and it looks like these days, their selling prices may have declined somewhat from those of several years ago..
Way back in high school, 50 some years ago, I was wondering the riverbank waiting on dad to finish filling the truck with wheat during harvest. That old 1959 Gleaner Model "A" only had a 50 bushel tank and 13 ft header so it took a while to fill the truck for the trip to the elevator. I happened on an illegal trash dump and spotted a copy of Shooting Times in decent shape. As a young gun nut in a family not interested in guns or hunting, it really kindled a fire in this guy. The story that caught my eye was Skeeters article about casting bullets for his revolvers, especially the 358156 and 429421. Man I wish I had a reprint of that old article. I was a lifelong convert, with Skeeter occupying a pedestal just about as high as JOC. Nowadays I shoot more cast than jacketed, I really enjoy the whole process from scrounging the lead to the shooting.
I was an instant Skeeter fan after discovering Shooting Times in my youth, and was lucky enough to get a couple of his books for reasonable prices back before prices went crazy.
A friend lives in Deming and his wife worked at the school with Sally until she retired some years back. I always intended to come up with an excuse to make a pilgrimage to Skeeter's back yard shooting range out there, but never got around to it.
I enjoyed his writing on cast bullets. He said 357 brass was harder to come by and he didn't use it for plinking . Used 38 Spl brass , seated the bullet to OAL of the 357.
Shooting Times had two special editions that were nothing but stories written by Skeeter. If I remember correctly, one was published while he was alive and one some time after his death. Every three or four years I will get them out and read them. "My Friend the 357" is probably my favorite Skeeter story.
I don't suppose that I could entice you to scan a copy of that to me, please? Never hurts to ask.
Henryseale,
I just saw your post. PM sent.
I don't suppose that I could entice you to scan a copy of that to me, please? Never hurts to ask.
There is a Shooting Times special edition from 10/80 titled "Skeeter Skelton On Handguns" that regularly shows up on eBay for as little as $25. If you're patient, you'll find one in good condition for a reasonable price.
http://www.darkcanyon.net/skeeter_skelton.htmFound this site years ago. Bill Roser started it and his widow has continued it.
I too enjoyed his writings! In fact he is responsible for me buying and hording S&W model 24 spl handguns! I tell you he WAS onto something! Something about a 240 gr hardcast swc @ 1000 fps....
I too enjoyed his writings! In fact he is responsible for me buying and hording S&W model 24 spl handguns! I tell you he WAS onto something! Something about a 240 gr hardcast swc @ 1000 fps....
I enjoyed Skeeter's writings but never saw the great appeal of a 44 splc revolver. A 44 mag can do double duty IMHO
I too enjoyed his writings! In fact he is responsible for me buying and hording S&W model 24 spl handguns! I tell you he WAS onto something! Something about a 240 gr hardcast swc @ 1000 fps....
I enjoyed Skeeter's writings but never saw the great appeal of a 44 splc revolver. A 44 mag can do double duty IMHO
I have one each of the Lew Horton 3 inch round butt guns in 44 mag and 44 spl as well as the 4 inch sqare butt in 44 mag and 44 spl. The spl guns feel and handle better to me. While it is true the mag gets more power, 99.5 % of the time it is not required and I much favor the special for the reduced recoil and muzzle blast. YMMV.
I too enjoyed his writings! In fact he is responsible for me buying and hording S&W model 24 spl handguns! I tell you he WAS onto something! Something about a 240 gr hardcast swc @ 1000 fps....
I enjoyed Skeeter's writings but never saw the great appeal of a 44 splc revolver. A 44 mag can do double duty IMHO
I have one each of the Lew Horton 3 inch round butt guns in 44 mag and 44 spl as well as the 4 inch square butt in 44 mag and 44 spl. The spl guns feel and handle better to me. While it is true the mag gets more power, 99.5 % of the time it is not required and I much favor the special for the reduced recoil and muzzle blast. YMMV.
I too enjoyed his writings! In fact he is responsible for me buying and hording S&W model 24 spl handguns! I tell you he WAS onto something! Something about a 240 gr hardcast swc @ 1000 fps....
I enjoyed Skeeter's writings but never saw the great appeal of a 44 splc revolver. A 44 mag can do double duty IMHO
I have one each of the Lew Horton 3 inch round butt guns in 44 mag and 44 spl as well as the 4 inch square butt in 44 mag and 44 spl. The spl guns feel and handle better to me. While it is true the mag gets more power, 99.5 % of the time it is not required and I much favor the special for the reduced recoil and muzzle blast. YMMV.
I agree with your assessment that the .44 Special will do the great majority of what the .44 Magnum covers and can do it with less recoil and muzzle blast in a lighter, more manageable, revolver. At least it does for me.
Although I have 8 revolver chambered in .44 Special, my favorite .44 Special is a .44 Magnum, the S&W 329PD. The 329PD is a great platform for the .44 Special size and weight wise, but is too light for most people to shoot well with full power .44 Magnum loads. The .44 that I carry the most is also the least expensive, a Rossi 720. Only a few years ago a person could find these nice little stainless revolvers in minty condition for between $250 and $300, but not so today.
my favorite writer, have all his books and magazine specials
Thank you very much for this link. It has some great articles and is a real treasure for those of us into the S&W products from the "Old Days".
Thank you very much for this link. It has some great articles and is a real treasure for those of us into the S&W products from the "Old Days".
+1
+2 Thanks you, some good reading.
To this day, whenever I am tempted to leave powder in the hopper of my powder measure, I think about "Skeeter Skelton Cow-Killer Loads" and I promptly empty the hopper!!
I can't remember how to set up and solve quadratic equations, but I remember that story from what...about 45 years ago?
If you were going to try to add one or two of Skeeters published books to your collection, which would you choose today. I am interested in both his fiction and non fiction work.
If you were going to try to add one or two of Skeeters published books to your collection, which would you choose today. I am interested in both his fiction and non fiction work.
If I was going to have one of SS' books it would be GOOD FRIEND, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKEY. If two, I'd add HOGLEGS, HIPSHOTS, AND JALAPENOS.
There are also a couple of soft cover Shooting Times compilations of his work, basically thick magazines.
Henryseal,
I bought a new copy of GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD GUNS, GOOD WHISKEY during the fund-raising auction at the Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage Center in Lewiston, Idaho in June. It wasn't exactly cheap, but I tend to overspend there, for the good cause (the center is not only a fine museum, but helps in youth shooting programs). I have been savoring it for the past several months.
Luckily, I bought my copy of HELL, I WAS THERE! back when it was first published....
I have both & they are both great reads !!
I enjoyed his writing on cast bullets. He said 357 brass was harder to come by and he didn't use it for plinking . Used 38 Spl brass , seated the bullet to OAL of the 357.
That’s where Lyman’s 358156 bullet design came into play for him. The lower crimping groove for loads with 38 Special brass and the top groove for the 357 gave about the same capacity for his loads with Herc 2400. Works like a champ. I have a hollow point version of it and a four cavity mold for solids after seeing Skeeter writing about them so many times.
Way back in high school, 50 some years ago, I was wondering the riverbank waiting on dad to finish filling the truck with wheat during harvest. That old 1959 Gleaner Model "A" only had a 50 bushel tank and 13 ft header so it took a while to fill the truck for the trip to the elevator. I happened on an illegal trash dump and spotted a copy of Shooting Times in decent shape. As a young gun nut in a family not interested in guns or hunting, it really kindled a fire in this guy. The story that caught my eye was Skeeters article about casting bullets for his revolvers, especially the 358156 and 429421. Man I wish I had a reprint of that old article. I was a lifelong convert, with Skeeter occupying a pedestal just about as high as JOC. Nowadays I shoot more cast than jacketed, I really enjoy the whole process from scrounging the lead to the shooting.
Good chance that article is in one of his books. If I was home I'd look. Skeeter's books are pricey nowadays, but they are a good read cover to cover. My favorite Skeeter story is the Dobe Grant tale of putting a SAA together in Grant's workshop using Dobe's stash of parts.
Skeeter was a good writer. He could actually step away from the real writing and do fiction that was enjoyable to read. (That from me, who is not a fan of fiction.) I wish that someone would write a biography of him. He seems to have lived an interesting life, occasionally giving brief glimpses into it that left me wanting to know more.
I liked Skeeter, and read everything of his that passed my way. But I thought most of his writing was based on fiction or imagination...
His son Bart died a few months ago
my favorite writer, have all his books and magazine specials
How is Jug Johnson these days?
His son Bart died a few months ago
Yeah, age 62. Skeeter died way too young, too.
DF
Influenced by Skeeter I had both a S & W M624 and a M29 shortened to 5". I also adopted his load of 7.5gr. of Unique in both .44 Special and .44 Magnum, loading 200gr. RNFP bullets in both calibers. Seldom shoot anything else, in fact I built a dedicated powder measure that throws that charge. My favorite Skeeter story is entitled "Bustamonte I hate you" about finding a nice Colt Single Action down in old Mexico, only to turn it over to find where some Mexican had scratched his initials into the frame with what looked like a railroad spike.
His son Bart died a few months ago
Yeah, age 62. Skeeter died way too young, too.
DF
Yeah, I got to be pretty good friends with Bart. Never met Skeeter but always admired his writing--as I probably mentioned previously in this thread. Learned many things from reading Skeeter, and not just about guns but writing....
I think he had college degrees that greatly contributed to his writing ability. I can't remember what they were. I have several of his magazine pieces, but sadly no books.
I have Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey, which is one of several books by older gun writers I re-read periodically. For me it's definitely worth owning, even at the prices copies go for these days.
Mule Deer;
Good afternoon sir, I hope that you and Eileen are having a decent start to the Labor Day Weekend.
Thanks for the nudge to re-read my copy which I picked up when it first came out in the late '80s.
My goodness you're correct over what they're asking for copies of it now, I just looked it up.
As an aside, I've told my good wife and the girls that if I pack it in, they shouldn't just take the library down to whatever book recycling depot is available as apparently some of them are still worth something to others.
Actually that's rather nice to see on several levels as it does mean there's still folks out reading good writing.
When we were a few hours north camping this summer I re-read my copies of your "Life of the Hunt" and "Born to Hunt" which I try to do every few years.
All the best to you both and good hunting this season.
Dwayne
My departed uncle gave me a copy of Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey many years ago. Then after he passed I was given his copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Someone borrowed that one from me and no one will own up to it, so it's gone. I just spent $135 smackers for another copy of my own just this afternoon because I figure I'll never see my original copy again.
I loved Skeeter's "Me 'n' Joe" stories, and still do. They remind me so much of my adventures and misadventures as a kid...I feel like I could be either of those boys, and see it all happening through their eyes as I read the words.
I took my wife to Angel Fire, New Mexico last Fall, and as my habit is now to avoid interstate highways altogether and stay on the more desolate paths, I passed through some unfamiliar and downright lonesome country in the Texas panhandle on the way home. I'll be damned if I didn't drive over a small bridge spanning Tierra Blanca Creek. I didn't have time to loiter (I shoulda made some time) at all...but Skeeter would have been happy to hear that it had water in it and it appeared to be flowing nicely. IIRC, he lamented the creek's poor condition during the latter days of his life. Next time I'll stop and take a closer look at it.
I have Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey, which is one of several books by older gun writers I re-read periodically. For me it's definitely worth owning, even at the prices copies go for these days.
John, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapeños...it reads just as well. I am somewhat embarrassed by what I had to pay for my copy, but don't regret it. Glad I have picked up your books before they command high prices!
Great shooter and writer. Too many today are writers first and shooters second.
I have both, want to sell them plus "Ruger and His Guns". Just cannot load pictures. Figure 250 shipped is fair. Great books, always enjoyed his writings. He and Charles Askins are mt favorites.
Thank you very much for this link. It has some great articles and is a real treasure for those of us into the S&W products from the "Old Days".
That is a good link. I also liked that piece on Charley Askins.
Lots of good info.
DF
This has been another expensive thread....thanks, guys.
My departed uncle gave me a copy of Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey many years ago. Then after he passed I was given his copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Someone borrowed that one from me and no one will own up to it, so it's gone. I just spent $135 smackers for another copy of my own just this afternoon because I figure I'll never see my original copy again.
I loved Skeeter's "Me 'n' Joe" stories, and still do. They remind me so much of my adventures and misadventures as a kid...I feel like I could be either of those boys, and see it all happening through their eyes as I read the words.
I took my wife to Angel Fire, New Mexico last Fall, and as my habit is now to avoid interstate highways altogether and stay on the more desolate paths, I passed through some unfamiliar and downright lonesome country in the Texas panhandle on the way home. I'll be damned if I didn't drive over a small bridge spanning Tierra Blanca Creek. I didn't have time to loiter (I shoulda made some time) at all...but Skeeter would have been happy to hear that it had water in it and it appeared to be flowing nicely. IIRC, he lamented the creek's poor condition during the latter days of his life. Next time I'll stop and take a closer look at it.
Was that up close to Hereford, TX ?
I first started reading Skeeter in 1970, he was never boring for sure. One of his articles was comparing a S&W Model 34 to a Walther PPK/S .22 LR with an MMC rear sight (made in Deming).
I just had to try one out.
Of course the Walther was more accurate, Skeeter said so..
I saw a sad looking 624 4” about 15 years ago in a pawn shop for $400, looked like it had been drug behind a gravel truck. I’d have bought it but it was so bad I didn’t think S&W could get it back looking decent.
Brought back my memories of his love for the .44 Special, though.
I think that I kept my subscription for Shooting Times for only one year after Skeeter’s passing……it just wasn’t the same! memtb
I feel fortunate that I bought Good Guns & Hoglegs decades ago & having read & re-read them many times. Just good stuff across the board, both fiction & non-fiction.
Hell, Dobe Grant stories had my minds eye working overtime picturing the Adobe cabin, lay of the land, the remoteness of it all, etc. Broke my hearty when someone that should know, Taffin, told me that those stories were fictional.
One of my favorites in the day.
I was never much of a Skeeter Skelton follower but I read all of his gun publications material, beginning in the '60s. I didn't care for the wild tales; I preferred to read about guns and handloading, topics his articles covered to a limited extent. However, a couple of the very best gun articles I've ever read were written by Skeeter Skelton. As I recall they were 100% gun articles and were written forty years ago. I don't have copies. These were SHOOTING TIMES articles about the limited re-introduction of the Smith & Wesson Model 24 as the 24-3 in about 1982 or '83.
After reading the articles, I had to have a new 24-3. I don't know whether the guns were actually avaialble for sale when he wrote the review/ test piece as it took many months for me to find a 4" gun. It was worth the search.
My departed uncle gave me a copy of Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey many years ago. Then after he passed I was given his copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Someone borrowed that one from me and no one will own up to it, so it's gone. I just spent $135 smackers for another copy of my own just this afternoon because I figure I'll never see my original copy again.
I loved Skeeter's "Me 'n' Joe" stories, and still do. They remind me so much of my adventures and misadventures as a kid...I feel like I could be either of those boys, and see it all happening through their eyes as I read the words.
I took my wife to Angel Fire, New Mexico last Fall, and as my habit is now to avoid interstate highways altogether and stay on the more desolate paths, I passed through some unfamiliar and downright lonesome country in the Texas panhandle on the way home. I'll be damned if I didn't drive over a small bridge spanning Tierra Blanca Creek. I didn't have time to loiter (I shoulda made some time) at all...but Skeeter would have been happy to hear that it had water in it and it appeared to be flowing nicely. IIRC, he lamented the creek's poor condition during the latter days of his life. Next time I'll stop and take a closer look at it.
Was that up close to Hereford, TX ?
I guess it had to have been, Neal. There is no doubt that it was Tierra Blanca Creek, and I was out in the middle of nowhere in the panhandle. Cut me some slack for not knowing exactly where I was---I grew up with a mountain in sight at just about all times, and sometimes was right smack dab in the middle of em. If I don't have mountains to look at I sometimes am not real sure where I am.
I feel fortunate that I bought Good Guns & Hoglegs decades ago & having read & re-read them many times. Just good stuff across the board, both fiction & non-fiction.
Hell, Dobe Grant stories had my minds eye working overtime picturing the Adobe cabin, lay of the land, the remoteness of it all, etc. Broke my hearty when someone that should know, Taffin, told me that those stories were fictional.
One of my favorites in the day.
IIRC, SS wrote that Dobe Grant and his Turkey Track Ranch were modeled on LTC Evans Quiros and his Shipp Ranch near Oilton in Webb County, TX.
I want to say this is a feeble recollection of a Skeeter tale, but if wrong we’ll have to play Name That Writer. Seems the border cops had 2 buses of I believe the term used was wetbacks, headed to a drop off point in the dark of night. The writer was in the first bus being harangued to no end by one troublemaker which incited the rest of the attendees to join in the chatter. Having had all he could take writer proceeded have the bus stopped, collared the loudmouth, dragged him to the front and off the bus and to a spot near bus #2 and out of sight of #1.
At this point he unholstered his revolver, fired a shot into the night, loaded loudmouth onto bus #2 and returned to his seat. As the story goes the remainder of the trip was quite peaceable. If this was not a Skeeter tale it probably should have been.
I think that I kept my subscription for Shooting Times for only one year after Skeeter’s passing……it just wasn’t the same! memtb
After buying copies from the rack for a long time, my subscription started with the first issue from which he was missing. I did not renew.
I want to say this is a feeble recollection of a Skeeter tale, but if wrong we’ll have to play Name That Writer. Seems the border cops had 2 buses of I believe the term used was wetbacks, headed to a drop off point in the dark of night. The writer was in the first bus being harangued to no end by one troublemaker which incited the rest of the attendees to join in the chatter. Having had all he could take writer proceeded have the bus stopped, collared the loudmouth, dragged him to the front and off the bus and to a spot near bus #2 and out of sight of #1.
At this point he unholstered his revolver, fired a shot into the night, loaded loudmouth onto bus #2 and returned to his seat. As the story goes the remainder of the trip was quite peaceable. If this was not a Skeeter tale it probably should have been.
Sure sounds like a Skeeter story to me, but honestly I am not able to recall that from my memory banks (although that means little).
Kinda reminds me of when he spied one of the local troublemakers sitting on the curb one Sunday morning while patrolling and stopped to see if there was a reason to collar the dude. To impress him, he grabbed his quart bottle of beer in its paper sack, threw it in the air and shot at it while airborne---and missed, after which the beer bottle landed next to its original owner fully intact. And fully embarrassed, Skeeter said "...and let that be a lesson to you" and got in his car and left. Pure Skeeter! His sense of humor was unmatched and his writing style couldn't possibly have been better.
River Rider, I think that was in an article on his most embarrassing misses. I enjoyed that article!
I bought a Walther PPKS in 22 LR and fitted it with MMC adjustable sights like Skeeter did in the end figured Skeeter was a much better shooter than me!!