Medicine Park Marauders
“Live ain’t in holding a good hand but in playing a poor hand well.”
— , Wolfville Days
A look at out shootout shows.
Pictures compiled from several different shows. Be sure to check our schedule for the next show. Or you might catch an impromptu gunfight on a Saturday afternoon.
by Michael & Muriel Fahrion
The Medicine Park Marauders rode for three days last week (May 20, 21 & 22). Starting with the Crosby Park 1st grade coming to Medicine Park on Thursday morning (See the previous post). That evening rehearsal for Friday’s and Saturday’s shows included new lines to practice for a never run skit and a new original song.
Friday the Marauders rode into Lawton for three shows at Central Middle School where the theme was Americana Days. (Our appearance was arranged by Dwight Cope.) We started each show with a little history about the Old West in Oklahoma Territory. Little Britches related the exploits of the real Little Britches & Cattle Annie, and Marshal Payne followed the tale with how they were captured by the law. Calamity Lee, spoke about the history of the Wichita Mountains, Medicine Park, and how and why the Marauders were formed.
Odie took center stage to lead the audience in the Medicine Park anthem, “The Possum Song”. The kids were warned they must sing along to the chorus or they would be brought up in front to help lead the others. Lee, Little Britches, the Marshal, Rattlesnake, Dog and Cactus Jack rounded up a few from each class and one teacher to come up front and lead.
It could not be a Marauder Show without a gunfight ending. Calamity Lee brought out a bag of loot, which she claimed was the lunch money from the school. She no sooner got to talkin’ when one of the outlaws grabbed the bag and took off hiding among the kids. The culprit was soon found and the gunfight was on, ending when they ran out of bullets. The outlaw left holding the bag was brought up and the bag returned to Lee, but the Marshal demanded a reward. A volunteer student was picked to draw the reward from the bag which held Wilber, the rubber rattlesnake and led to much screaming.
Medicine Show photos by Larry Morefield
Memory Walk Photos by Michael Fahrion
Saturday was the Southwest OK Alzheimer Memory Walk fund raiser in Medicine Park and we performed the Buffalo Elixir Medicine Show. The Medicine Wagon was setup down by the Old Plantation. The show kicked off with Seth Wright and the outlaw rowdies causin’ trouble. The law told them if they settled down they could stay and watch. Odie did the possum song and the Marshal made the outlaws temporary deputies to watch for non-singers. Calamity Lee, with an outlaw chorus, sang her (Lee Hibbetts) new song, “Seth Wright & the Wrongs”. The premiere of the new skit “The General Store” followed. Little Britches played the proprietor with Cactus Jack as her new employee. Odie, Dog & the Marshal filled in as customers. I’ll leave out the details so’s not to spoil it when you come out to the next Medicine Show.
Calamity pitched the Buffalo Elixir and Elle Mae, Dog & Rattlesnake acted as shills to show the wonders of Buffalo Elixir. The pitch over, Lee brought out the money bag with the show’s take which the outlaws quickly grabbed. “They’re robbing the stage!”, Lee shouted. Which brought in the law for a rousing gunfight. Out of bullets the outlaws surrendered. The law, with the money bag in hand, demanded a reward. A lady was picked from the audience to pull the reward out, starring Wilber the Rattlesnake.
During the final bows the Marshal got a telegram with a warrant for the arrest of Keili McEwen fer walking without a permit. Keili is the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association lead in charge of the Memory Walk. The warrant was just a ruse to get her up on the stage where she was presented with flowers and a thank you for pulling off the successful event, doubling last years turnout as her mother-in-law, Vycke McEwen, Southwest OK Memory Walk Chairperson, beamed from the sidelines.
The weather for all three days was hot and very humid. After all the running around in the heavy cowboy outfits the Marauders were certainly “put up wet.”
By Michael Fahrion
Every spring we have groups of school kids come to Medicine Park on a field trip. The book; “Lost in Death Cave” is required reading in area schools and the book is set in Medicine Park. The author, Bill Wallace, lives just north of here in Chickasha, OK and, as a boy, spent summers in Medicine Park as his family’s cabin. The tours are met by the Medicine Park Marauders. Seth Wright, aka Charley Wright, ask the kids about the book and explains about the history of Medicine Park and the surrounding area. Seth always points out Odie as the great-great grandson of the character, Odie, in the book.Whatever Marauders can make it back Seth up.
After a question & answer session about the book Seth tells them they must learn the Medicine Park anthem before they can go on the tour. Of course the anthem is the Possum Song. Odie leads the singing and the rest of the Marauders make sure all the kids, and teachers, sing along to the chorus. Caus’ if they don’t they have to come up in front a lead the singing of the next chorus.
After singing the Possum Song Seth leads the kids on a tour around Medicine park pointing out the places that are in the book, and Bill Wallace’s family cottage. The cottage is no longer used.
The pictures are from May 20th when the kids form Crosby Elementary School where here. We have kids from as far away as the Fort Worth, TX area. The largest group this year was 146 kids from Burkbernett, TX. For one of the field trips this year we actually had Bill Wallace come down and he too sang along to the Possum Song.
by Michael Fahrion
Bein’ a special day fer Moms, Little Britches and Marshal Payne decided to call a truce, pardner up and ride into town to see if they could round up a few Moms and give ‘em a big Marauder howdy. The town was regular stampede of Moms all gussied up with their kin in tow. Why it was so down right crowded it was hard to find an empty spot at a hitchin’ post. There were Moms a paradin’ down the street, a shoppin’ in the stores, waitin’ fer a place at the local chuck wagons, and of course chowin’ down.
They finally found place to to park their ride and trailed off on foot. Little Britches quickly strode over to a likely bunch and said; “Any Moms riding with this outfit? We’re holding up Moms to give ‘em a howdy and a little token on their special day.” Why with that fine remark the Moms quickly fessed up. Little Britches was a totin’ an old bank “withdrawal” bag that was full of Marauder cards with little roses attached. All them Maws were left holdin’ one of them cards and wearin’ a big smile. Little Britches also had a pocket full of Marauder reward tokens. If the Maws said the youngins were bein’ good she gave them a reward token fer it.
The Marshal & Little Britches trailed on up to the Old Plantation where good sized herd of Moms and their young ‘ins were corralled the porch, which made fer an easy roundin’ up. They soon roped a sizable bunch of Moms and went into their Mom Day Howdy. Leavin’ that herd with Marauder cards and happy faces, Little Britches and the Marshal headed down the street. Comin’ onto the stores they found a crowd of stray Moms which they cut out and Marauder Carded. The two Marauders moseyed on to the Riverside restaurant leaving more happy folks on their back trail. There was a small herd in a jail right in front of the Riverside chuck wagon. Marshal said he reconned they’s was put there so’s not to get away befer a table was ready. Seemed like a good bunch even if they was jailed so Little Britches gave the Moms a card and the youngins a reward token.
Inside the Riverside was another passel of Moms ready fer a Marauder Card and a Howdy. The Marshal went up to one table with a passel of adults and a couple of kids and said; “Looks like there’s Mom or two here, or they’ve been out roundin’ up strays.” Turned out there were four Moms in that bunch.
Little Britches and Marshal Payne started out with 75 Marauder special Mom Day Howdy cards and in just 45 minutes they was plum out. Why they sure could a used a bunch more. All the folks really enjoyed it and some remembered when they did the round up last year.
Marauder Style
by Michael & Muriel Fahrion
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the bunkhouse
Not a creature was stirring, ‘cept an old field mouse;
The boots were placed by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
Marauders in bedrolls were all snuggled down,
With visions of six-guns shooting up the town;
I was a hangin’ my hat up for the night
Geared up to bed down ‘n blow out the light,
When out in the corral there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Grabbin’ my six-gun and cockin’ the hammer,
I slipped to the window in a shifty manner.
The moon on the brown grass of the prairie below
Gave the objects a strange, spooky glow,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature wagon, with an eight mule team,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his mules they came,
And he whistled, and hollered, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the fence! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As tumble weeds before the wild tornado fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the mules they flew,
With the wagon full of loot, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I holstered my gun, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was all duded up in homespun, from head to foot,
And his outfit was all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of loot he had flung on his back,
Why he looked like a peddler opening his pack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks all sun burnt, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
His jingling spurs were shinny and bright,
And glittered and sparkled in my lamp light;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
I squinted and stared at that dusty old sprite,
A thinkin’ he was the outlaw Seth Wright.
No gun belt was circling his middle spread,
Which gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He weren’t a jawin’, but went straight to his work,
And filled all them boots; and turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his wagon, to his team gave a whistle,
Off they skedaddled like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him hollar, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
by Michael Fahrion
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009
Marshal Payne, the only lawman on duty, was making the afternoon rounds when the outlaw Little Britches came riding into town all by her lonesome. Well almost by herself, she did have Wilber, the gang’s pet rattlesnake, wrapped around her neck. Knowin’ she was bag of tricks the Marshal eased his hand toward his six-gun. Little Britches stopped short and called fer him to hold his play til’ she explained the game.
Little Britches said, “Now I ain’t dealing no tricks today, I just got a bag treats fer the youngins and other visitors.” With that she tossed a bank bag to the marshal sayin’, “Here’s my anti fer today’s game.” Checking the bag Marshal Payne found it did contain a lot of loot, but not from any bank robbin’. The bag held a bunch of candy corn attached to a Halloween special Marauder card.
A quick look around showed there were no other outlaws trying to cut in, so the Marshal said, “I recon that sounds like right good idea. Deal me in. I’ve got a bag of Marauder Bucks with which I’ll call yer bet.”
With a temporary truce in place the outlaw and lawman headed out together. They went through town and the eating establishments wishing everyone a happy Halloween and handin’ out reward treats and Marauder Bucks. The youngins got a real kick out of it and the adults enjoyed it too.
The game played out with no gunshots rattlin’ the town. As Little Britches rode off, Marshal Payne watched her go glad he did have to go over to town hall and ask fer more bullets.
by Michael Fahrion
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 –
The Medicine Park Marauders held a gunfight show this afternoon in Town Center. Seth Wright, Rattlesnake and Cactus Jack played the outlaw’s hand, while Marshal Payne and Sheriff Odie pinned on their badges as the law.
The show began with the outlaws going through the Riverside having fun with the visitors and promoting the gunfight. While the Seth Gang was causin’ trouble on that end of town the law moseyed into the Plantation asking if anyone had seen the outlaws. At one table sat a family with two boys, the youngest around 6. Odie pointed to his dad and ask if that guy was giving him trouble, and if we should arrest him. Odie then ask; “If arrest him do you got any money to bail him out.” The boy dug out three quarters. Marshal Payne said; “Hold on there Odie. If we arrest him the kid’s only got 75 cents fer bail and the reward is a dollar. That’d leave us short 25 cents.” So Odie decided we’d better not arrest him.
After making the rounds of all the tables the law headed out looking for the outlaws. The laws met up with them down near the Riverside where one outlaw fire off blast from a shotgun. The law drew their six-guns, but Seth claimed they were only shootin’ a squirrel fer dinner since they didn’t have money fer the eating establishments. The gunfire quickly drew a large crowd to watch the fun.
The law told the gang to get on out of town. Words flew and quickly escalated into a fast draw showdown between Rattlesnake and Odie. Now to keep things fair Seth pick young lad from the audience to start the showdown on a count of three. But since the Marauders cain’t count and would not know if the counter was right or not, we choose to have him drop a hat. The shootin’ was to commence when the hat hit the ground. But the starter did not have a hat so Cactus Jack lent him his.
Now Rattlesnake complained that he couldn’t watch the hat and Odie at the same time. The was solved by moving the starter into into the middle. Marshal Payne figured the lad was short enough that they could just shoot over him. The hat fell, Odie and Rattlesnake drew and fired. When the smoke cleared both side were claiming to have the fastest shooter. The argument quickly broke down to the gunfight. And the outlaws made a clean get away as everyone ran out of bullets.
by Michael Fahrion
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 Cache, OK celebrated Old West Days with two Medicine Park Marauder Gunfight Shows. Madam Olga, Marshal Payne, Little Britches, Seth, Slim, Rattlesnake, Doc Holyday, Miss Vickye, Pack Mule and Cactus Jack rode into Cache to shoot up the town.
The first show was scheduled for 2:00, but we went on a little ahead of time when the act preceding us ended early. The first show was a gunfight showdown, where Rattlesnake & Marshal Payne face off in the middle of the street. Doc had broken his toe earlier and wrapping the foot in a cowboy bandanna, he played on like real trooper. We quickly adjusted the script and added the line for the Marshal; “Rattlesnake’s such a poor shot the last time he fired at me he hit Doc standin’ way off to the side.”
Of course, the two contestants needing a fair start decided they’s draw and fire on Slim’s count of three. But Slim couldn’t count that far. Little Britches, the only one of the bunch who can count and read, stepped in to start the showdown. But the Marshal, wise to her tricks, did not trust her to not cheat. Slim took on himself to pulled a woman, who said she could count, from the audience to get the shootin’ started. She was position to one side, but the Marshal figured that since neither he or Rattlesnake could count how would they know when she got to three? Especially if she did some of that fancy countin’ like algebra.
After a bit of discussion it was decided that the shotting would commence at the dropping a hat. Rattlesnake & the Marshal would draw and fire when the hat hit the ground. At that point Marshal Payne dropped his hat and fired when it hit the ground. This brought a chorus of protest from the outlaws to whit the Marshal said; “Nobody say what hat.” The rest of the law agreed and Madam Olga git the audience to add their vote. It was clarified that it was to be the hat dropped by the lady from the audience.
The showdown was about to commence when Rattlesnake said; “I can’t be watchin’ her hat over to the side and the Marshal at the same time so’s he don’t cheat again.” The Marshal and the lawmen proclaimed it was the outlaws that were cheaters. It was decided to move the started into the middle, right between the two gunfighters where they could watch her and each other at the same time. It was suggested that if she stood sideways maybe they could shoot around her, and she was ask if she could duck real quick.
With the drop of the hat two six-guns roared and both sides claimed victory. Of course this lead to a big shootout over who had won the showdown. Shots echoed and gun smoke filled the air until everyone’s six-guns only held empty cartridges. The spent shells were tossed on the sidewalk where they were quickly gather by souvenir hunting kids.
The second show was set for 4:00, but this time the preceding act ran longer and we did not get underway until about 4:20. For act two we did the Jail Break. We started off distributing wanted posters for some of the outlaws who were scattered around the audience, and asking for help in rounding them up. Madam Olga was using the microphone on the stage to make sure those in the back could keep track of the plot. Kids jumped in along with a bunch of over enthusiastic teenage girls. Seth, Little Britches and Cactus Jack were quickly brought in. The law was left figuring what to do with since they’d only brought a small portable holding cell big enough for one.
Since Little Britches was too short to be big trouble, and Cactus jack was new to the gang, the law decided to arrest the gang’s leader, Seth. Besides as leader the reward was bigger on him. Seth was no sooner in the holding cell behind the stage then the gang sent a floozy by to distract the lawmen away. The floozy persuaded the law to go off with her to celebrate the capture of Seth and spend the reward money. But law decided they had to leave someone behind to guard the prisoner. Since Doc couldn’t go dancin’ with a floozy with his wounded foot, he was left behind.
As the Floozy lured the lawmen off to the local saloon the rest of Seth’s gang quickly over powered Doc. They tried to spring Seth but the cell door was jammed. Needing more help they rounded up a herd of local kids, attached a rope the cell door and had them pull together. The door was sprung and has the made off a shot was fired which brought the rest of the law back. The Seth Gang made a clean get way in a hail of gunfire as the law ran out of bullets once again.
by Michael Fahrion
The third annual Mayor’s Blues Ball in filled Medicine Park on September 5th & 6th with large crowds out for good music and fun. The Medicine Park Marauders opened the Shortbranch Saloon again with a “Beer for Bullets” sale to raise funds for their dwindling ammo supply. A large tent was supplied by Budweiser to house the Shortbranch and they even pull a refrigerated wagon up alongside to keep the beer nice and cold.
Things were hoppin’ at the Shortbranch on Saturday when the Seth, along with Little Britches & Rattlesnake, came ridin’ into town. They were lookin’ fer some fun, but the town folks were mighty impartial to their brand of high jinx. After stirrin’ up the citizens a bit they spotted the Shortbranch and headed that-away bragging that their hard work had paid off in Texas and now they were looking to party. As they neared the saloon Marshal Payne, deputies Doc Holyday & Miss Vycke moved in to cut short their rowdy play.
The Law demanded to know what they were doing back in Town. They said they were just back from Texas where they’d been workin’ hard and were just lookin’ to enhance the local economy with some Texas money. Little Britches was totin’ a mighty suspicious looking bank bag which they claim was full of their hard earned money. Knowin’ the Gang’s old tricks the Law told the bar-keep to not sell them any beer less they produced real cash money. Little Britches offered to let the Marshal reach in and check the money, but he was might to leery of bein’ made a fool of again. He took the bag but went and tried to coax one of the onlookers to reach in. After a drawin’ a pass from several, one brave young gal reached in only to find a rattlesnake. She quickly play that hand by tossin’ the snake into the street. With the snake let out of the bag, the Gang skedaddled back down the street with the Law in hot pursuit. Six-guns were playin’ some hot gun smoke blues but the Gang got away as the law ran out of bullets. After the Gang vamoosed the rest of the day was right peaceful with the good folks enjoyin’ some mighty good Blues music.
The next day business was brisk at the Shortbranch when the Seth Gang decided to try stirring things up again. This time Slim came along making four of them varmints causin’ trouble. As the Gang came stampedin’ through town Seth spotted the bank sign (bank is one of the few written words he can savvy) and decided they should make another one of their “withdraws.” Now we don’t have a real bank right in the middle of Town, just one of them ATM machines. Them illiterate outlaws didn’t know about machines and they rode over drew down on it. The bunch was befuddled but the machine’s lack of concern fer the four Colts .45s aimed at it. Seth figured there must be a mighty brave teller inside to just stand there calmly askin’ fer a card. Rattlesnake said he had 52 cards. Seth said deal him in and we’ll just win that loot sos the law cain’t says we stole it. After few hands the Gang was cleaned out and wandered off grumblin’ leaving their Texas “withdraws” sittin’ on the ATM.
Little Britches still had the bank bag and they’d caught another rattler so they decided to try to hold up the Shortbranch. Being Sunday most of the lawmen were off leavin’ only Marshal Payne on duty so they figured they had right good chance of getting away with it. As the neared the saloon the Marshal came out to confront the gang. A local citizen known as Critter stepped in to add his .45 to the Marshal’s play. Little Britches said they were just in fer some fun and they had money in the bag fer buying some drinks. Marshal Payne said he wasn ‘t about to be fool by the same trick twice. Slim came over and tried to convince the Marshal that it was real cash money this time, but the onlooker who checked the contents said otherwise. Bullets were soon flyin’ and with Critters six shooter lendin’ a hand the Gang was soon high tailin’ it out of town.
The Shortbranch Saloon has done used up it’s two day permit and closed down. It was a fun, but tiring weekend and we can refill our ammo supply for confrontin’ the Seth Gang when they ride back into town. The Medicine Park Marauders owe a mighty big debt of thanks to the volunteers who stepped up to help behind the bar over the two days.
by Michael Fahrion
On Saturday, Aug, 29, the Seth Gang came ridin’ into town. Seth, Slim, Rattlesnake and Dog started up the main street causin’ trouble, disturbing the shopkeepers, citizen and visitors. The general rowdy ruckus soon brought Marshal Payne, Marshal Odie And newly deputized, Miss Vycke a runnin’.
The lawmen quickly cut the gang’s trail and threw up a blockade on their shenanigans. The Law told them they were supposed to stay out of town. Seth threw in a protest saying they ain’t done nothin’, but the law insisted they knew otherwise. Sharp words flew and six-guns were drawn, with a few Colts tossin’ some lead in the general direction of their adversaries. In order to prevent too much lead flyin’ around town it was agreed that Marshal Payne would go one-on-one with the gangs best gun hand. The outlaws quickly pushed Rattlesnake forward advertising him as the fastest gun in the Wichitas. Rattlesnake walked over to the Marshal and said; “I can out gun you with one ear tied behind my head.” To which Odie offered a rebuttal: “Can I shoot him now.”
It was decided to start this here lead slingin’ on the count of three. Seth told Slim to git over along side the road and do the countin’. The two contestants faced off in the middle of the street awaitin’ the count while a large crowd of gawkers lined both sides. The law protested the fairness of Slim countin’ being he was siding with Rattlesnake. And Miss Vycke said he couldn’t count that fer anyway. So it was decided that in order to get a fair and impartial start to this shindig they’d have to pick someone from out of town. Slim coerced a feller from the audience to come on out and count. But since the shooters couldn’t count and wouldn’t know if he was countin’ right it was decided to have the feller drop his hat and the shootin’ would commence as soon as the hat hit the ground. Odie came over and handed over the loan of his hat.
While the details were bein’ ironed out Marshal Payne dropped his hat, and when it hit the ground he drew and cut loose at Rattlesnake. The outlaws protested, but the Marshal stated: “Ain’t no body clarified which hat.” Which brought an agreement from Miss Vycke and Odie, but was disagreeable to the opsin’ party. It was pointed out that it would be the hat dropped by the starter, and no other hat.
But before things got underway Rattlesnake said; “Rein this dance in a minute. How can I watch the hat over yonder and watch the Marshal over there at the same time sos he don’t cheat again?” To wit the Marshal replied: “Me cheat! You dirty Sidewinder! But he’s got a point. I needs to to able to watch both at the same time too.”
After a bit of figurin’ they decided by placein’ the starter right plum in the middle between Rattlesnake & the Marshal they could both observe the hat droppin’ and each other. With much protest from the hat dropper he was pushed into positioned and told if he stood sideways they might be able to shoot around him. Odie inquired if he was right quick at duckin’.
Now I ain’t certain if hat was dropped intentionally or just kinda slipped out of nervous hands, but when it hit the ground both adversaries drew and fired. Them two Colts .45s both spoke so quick it was hard to tell who’s six-gun barked first. The sound of the twin shots hadn’t quit bouncin’ around town when both sides proclaim victory. With no clear winner the argument soon proceeded to fill the air with lead and gun smoke, and send people divin’ for cover. The shootin’ was soon over as both sides ran out of bullets and the Seth gang made a clean get away.
