Marauders Help Celebrate Tipton’s Centennial.

Posted on 8/5/2009 at 5:21:11 PM

by Muriel Fahrion (aka Little Britches)

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

Tipton Centennial Celebration became several firsts for the Medicine Park Marauders: our first grand finale, first outing for our new gold domed tent, and the first selling (and signing) of the Marauder Comic book outside the Park. Before the show some of the Marauder’s sold comics and t-shirts and other’s wandered warming up the crowd. Tipton entertainment offered some very talented ladies singers which inspired Slim, Dog & Rattlesnake who stood front and center, took off their hats and listened to “A Rose Among The Thorns” which brought tears to their eyes. However when Rattlesnake thought one might make a good wife she rebuked him with “I don’t date men over 40”. The Marauder’s were next up after the calf judging held on the other end of town, about 7:30 and the crowd drifted back from the judging. The announcer introduced us and it was Show Time. We started off with Madam Olga leading the Marauders in singing the “Ballad of the Medicine Park Marauders’. The song ended we drifted off leaving Madam Olga Seesall to start the action by reading a few palms of the fine people of Tipton. While the Slim, Little Britches, Rattlesnake and DOG cased the local banks lookin’ to make a few withdrawals.

The Outlaws arrived in the center of town and scaring the good town people away from Madam Olga. Slim insisted she read his palm. Madam Olga could barely see through the dirt on Slim’s hand until he spit on it and wiped it on his pants. His fortune was of evil doings and dark trouble. Having received only disastrous news, the gang disparaged the Gypsy’s abilities. A disgruntled Olga walked off in a huff muttering “you will have much sorry for insult”.

The law had arrived in hot pursuit of the Marauders and Madam Olga eagerly informed them of the gang doings in Tipton. The Marshals recruited young deputies from the locals handing, them wanted posters and promising them a reward. In short time the new recruits “brought them in”. Shooting was about to break out when the news that a few stray calves gotten loose from the livestock judging. (Marauders may not respect each other but they do respect cattle).

Little Britches agreed to give Odie the bank bag if he would let them go in exchange for the loot. Slim & Little Britches both grabbed a hostage from the crowd. The Law, remembering how tricky the gang could be, wanted a volunteer to stick their hand in the bag first. Odie tried to get one of the hostages to pull out the contents, but the gang stopped him. As the law suspected the bank bag held a rattlesnake. It was Olga’s missing pet, Wilber. Slim carried another bag; the Law demanded he hand it over. Slim passed the bag off to his hostage and bag was then quickly passed around the outlaws while Odie desperately tried to find out who had it. Miss Goodbody having hid the bag in her bustle, tripped and the bag fell to the ground.

Across the bag the word “Laundry” had been embroidered. The law deduced that it must mean the gang was laundering stolen money. The Law immediately starting digging through bag in anticipation of stolen loot but instead pulled out a pair of drawers with hearts on them. (Odie needed a new pair). Next was unearthed some foul smelling socks, old long johns and some mighty fancy bloomers (which they figured could attract a floozy or two). Yes, the law was tricked again; it really was the gang’s dirty laundry.

With no loot to swap things quickly broke down into a gunfight. The outlaws made a clean get away while gun smoke still filled the air and once again the law had run out of bullets. And so goes the story.

As the Marauder’s rode off after sundown it was remarked that there was never a finer audience than that in Tipton, Oklahoma. Medicine Park Maruader’s thank you for puttin’ up with us.

Marauder July 4th Show Pics – Act III

Posted on 7/25/2009 at 7:54:18 PM

Photos by Lisa Roberts

Marauder July 4th Show Pics – Act II

Posted on 7/25/2009 at 5:53:22 PM

Photos by Lisa Roberts

Marauder July 4th Show Pics – Act I

Posted on 7/25/2009 at 4:36:39 PM

Photos by Lisa Roberts

The 4th of July Showdowns

Posted on 7/22/2009 at 8:11:04 PM

by Michael Fahrion

It was a hot and dusty morning when Seth, Little Britches, Slim & Dog came trailin’ into town. Miss Vycke, local floozy, stood waitin’ by the bridge for them. Seth was a lookin’ fer a gift for his Mama. He couldn’t remember what fer, but figured he was better off with a gift then without. Scouting the Rusty Buffalo he came out with a straw cowboy hat. But the gang informed him his Mama wore only bonnets. Seth wandered on over to Lulabelles where he lassoed a jar of Buffalo Breath Salsa and was about to put his brand on it when the gang reminded him that his mama weren’t to partial on spicy chuck. The next stop the Laughing Lizard where Seth rounded up a dime novel, The Great Stagecoach Hold Up. I reckon he plum forgot his Mama couldn’t read, she taught him everything he knows. The gang reminded him no one could read ‘cept’ Little Britches, and she said she t’wernt gonna camp out a readin’ to his Mama when outlawin’ was more fun.

Headin’ on down the shop trail Seth rode over to the Bliss Boutique. He stunk so bad he was a scaring the real customers and the shopkeeper stampeded him with a double 12 gage. Bustin’ out the door she cut loose a blast to let him know she meant it. That brought the law a running. Marshal Payne quickly spotted the bank money bag Little Britches was totin’ and figured it was them that robbed the Texas bank they had gotten the telegram about. With threat of arrest and hangin’, Little Britches tried to cut a deal trading the bank bag to let ‘em haul freight out of Town. Marshal Odie called the play figurin” they could split the loot and still blame the Seth Gang. Deputy Doc Holyday was all fer it, but Marshal Payne recollected the last time Little Britches made the same deal leaving them holdin’ a bag full of rattlesnake. Odie figured he’d best get someone from the audience to check the bag, but thee were no takers. Marshal Payne noted Slim was a packin’ a bag and told Odie to give Little Britches back the bank bag and cut the same deal fer Slim’s bag.

Odie took Slim’s bag into custody with much protest from the Gang and proceeded to dig for the stolen bank loot. Odie pulled out a worn out pair of under-britches, which he sorely needed. Deputy Doc came up with pair of dirty, threadbare socks & lady’s bloomers. He was sure he could cut a deal with a floozy fer the bloomers. Thinkin’ the loot was hidden deeper Marshal Payne reached in and pulled out a dress. Seth came a runnin’ saying that was his mama’s and we couldn’t have it. Figuring they’d been hornswaggled again and left with the gang’s dirty laundry, Marshal Payne grabbed Seth’s sixgun. “At least we can get the reward fer yer arrest,” he said. The rest of the gang tried to call the Marshal’s play with their Colts .45s. The law raised the anti with their six-guns causin’ the rest of the gang to skedaddled not wanting to wing Seth. The law hauled Seth off to jail with him a hollerin’ fer the gang to tell his mama and she’d come bail him out.

Right after lunch the law was camped outside a make do jail when Miss Vycke and Miss Goodbody, came a strollin’ up the street. Notin’ the good mood of the lawmen they ask what they were a celebratin’. Odie replied we’d done caught Seth who had a big reward on him. They ask to get dealt in on the fandango and everyone could mosey on down to the Shortbranch Saloon. Marshal Payne decided they could not all be a trailin’ off leaving Seth unguarded. A quick vote left Odie to ride herd on him while the rest hauled freight to the Short Branch Saloon. Little did the law know that the floozies, were out to distract the law from guardin’ Seth.

As soon as the they got out of sight Slim, disguised as Seth’s Mama came sashaying up to the jail. Odie said no one could to see Seth until the judge got there. Slim replied, “I’m Seth’s mama and you can’t keep a Mama away from her boy.” Odie relented and let her go on in. As soon as Slim got into the jail he tried to free Seth, but the cell door was stuck tight. Slim passed a gun to Seth, hitched a rope to the cell door and came out getting’ the drop on Odie. The rest of the gang came in and hired on some young hands from the crowd to haul on the rope and spring Seth. After a couple of hard tugs the door sprung open freeing Seth. The gang got so excited one of them cut loose with their Colt. The shot brought the rest of the law running. The outlaws cut a trail for the bridge out of town with the law givin’ chase with hot lead. But they ran out of bullets before the posse could saddle up as the gang lit out fer the hills.

By late afternoon and things had quieted down when the Seth Gang decided to head to the Short Branch Saloon to bend an elbow. As they rode into town they spotted Miss Goodbody & Miss Vycke which they lassoed in and herded along fer a good time. The floozies threw in with the gang, but Miss Goodbody had to use the facilities of the town outhouse first. No sooner then she got the door closed the law cut the gangs trail and rode up. The law’s attempt to arrest the Gang soon broke into an exchange of opinions from six-guns. As the Seth Gang ran out of bullets one of them pulled dynamite from the loot bag, lit it and tossed it at the posse before skedaddling. Marshal Odie, always alert for littering, pick the dynamite up and brought it over to the rest of the lawmen. Panicked by the smoldering fuse Marshal Payne and Deputy Holyday told Odie to get rid of it. He tried to give it to the audience as a souvenir, but no one was wantin’ to be dealt in that game. Not wanting to litter, Odie tossed the dynamite in the outhouse. The door being locked he just put it through the moon opening in the door.

BLAM! The blast shook the town and smoke billowed. When the smoke cleared and the dust settled the towns only outhouse was history. Standin’ in the rubble amid fluttering boa feathers was a tattered Miss Goodbody, who noted that “Buffalo Breath Salsa was pretty powerful stuff”. All Odie could say was: “Blast it All.”

Medicine Park Marauder’s Comic Book is Here!

Posted on 5/28/2009 at 7:35:41 PM

That’s right, The Great Stagecoach Hold-Up, is now shipping! Limited first edition (first printing 150 copies). Each copy is numbered. 20 page full color featuring some of your favorite Marauders. Story by Muriel & Michael Fahrion, edited by Muriel Fahrion, illustrated & Layout by Michael Fahrion from Photos used to generate illustrations by Robert Dean. Price is $5, $1.75 shipping. Will also be available locally from the Laughing Lizard Trading Post or contact Michael Fahrion 529-2920.

Appearing in Stagecoach Hold-up

The Medicine Park Marauders, Medicine Show and Perils Thank you for your order!

First Medicine Park Marauder Comic

Available NOW! Click here to purchase online.

The Short Branch Saloon

Posted on 5/24/2009 at 6:31:35 PM

By Michael Fahrion,  photos by Kim Fahrion & Lulabelles

Early Saturday the Medicine Park Marauders rode into town. A strange partnership between the lawmen and the outlaw gang brought an uneasy piece to the streets. Both sides were heavily armed but not a six-gun barked all day. It seems they had a mutual investment in a new enterprise: The Short Branch Saloon, a temporary establishment quickly set up in a tent in Town Center. Law and outlaw worked side by side like old pards a peddlin’ beer. They were also running a side line of fresh minted t-shirts.

Marshal Payne, Calamity Lee, Doc Holyday and Miss Vycke along with help from the beer delivery crew and the fire department, quickly pitched camp along side Medicine Creek and hung out the Short Branch shingle. They picked a good day as a large herd of folks had gathered in town for the Red Dirt Ball. Doc Holyday and Miss Vycke volunteered to take on the first shift tendin’ bar. Little Britches and Marshal Payne trailed in and took over around 2:00.

Twern’t long before the afternoon heat caused a stampede and beer was  a flying out faster then Rattlesnakes could draw his gun. Speakin’ of Rattlesnake he came ridin’ up just in time to lend a hand with the beer slingin’. Seth and Slim were spotted handing around. Both were disguised to blend in the crowd. Guess they didn’t trust the truce with such a high price on the wanted poster, but the law honored the agreement and let ‘em go.

It was gettin’ near 5:00 when Calamity Lee came back from tendin’ chores on her ranch to pitch in with driving that herd of beers to market. Shortly after Calamity rode in Marshal Payne & Little Britches headed out looking for the chuck wagon.

A late evening thunderstorm rolled in causing an early closing of the Short Branch. But the two feuding factions had only agreed to a one day truce anyway. With the tent stowed away for another day the Marauders rode off with good days take. Which will most likely end up with another gunfight between the lawmen & outlaws over the dividing of the loot.

Marauders in Lawton Armed Forces Day Parade

Posted on 5/16/2009 at 8:45:27 PM

by Little Britches

The morning began with “are the guns loaded?” in place of the usual “good morning”. Both the cellphone and land line were ringing at the same time checking to see if everyone would be on board. Rain or even more rain the Lawton/ Ft. Sill Armed Forces Day parade was going to happen. So we strapped on our guns and headed into town. The Medicine Park Marauders: Rattlesnake, Little Britches, Marshall Payne, and Miss Vycke were aboard the Medicine Wagon along with Fortune Teller and Ms. Goodbody our local Floozy. Following us was the Giant, can’t miss it, Rubber Duck representing Medicine Park’s  annual Rubber Duck Race accompanied by Marshal Odie and Slim.  Seth Wright and Pack Mule rode on the Firetruck, piloted by volunteer fireman Andy and copiloted by fire dog William along with Paisley Pam.

The first part of the parade the giant yellow ducky seemed to grab all the attention is least from younger set. Making Miss Vycke to wonder out loud why she had even bothered gussying up this morning. Some of the audience demanded we fire our guns and we obliged. The fortuneteller promised to read the fortune of any one coming to the Park. And the Marauder’s took turns letting the audience know about the Red Dirt Ball next weekend. Miss Vycke (the softer side of Marauder’s) with the help of Rattlesnake and Marshal Payne handed out carnations to ladies that lined the parade route. Later as we passed by the troops that had come to rest near the end of the parade route, all eyes turned toward Miss Goodbody, perched atop the Medicine Wagon wielding a double barrel shot gun. She let loose with Medicine Park Marauder’s “Shoot Out, Shout Out” to all those serving to protect and defend the US.

Random Marauding for Mom’s Day

Posted on 5/10/2009 at 9:18:15 PM

The lawman, Marshal Payne, joined up with the outlaw Little Britches declaring a truce on account of because it was Mom’s Day. They were there to welcome the Moms visitin’ Medicine Park on their special day.  They cobbled together a card with a little silk rose as a token of the Marauder respect for Moms. Yes, even them gun totin’ Marauders have Moms. While Little Britches handed out the cards and best wishes, Marshal Payne offered to arrest any kids that were bein’ to rowdy fer their Ma.

We crossed trails with Nancy Mace of the 107 Broadcasting Ranch. She was honoring her Grandma. And who’d we’d meet up with none other than Sheriff Kenny Stradley treatin” his beautiful Ma and his pretty bride to good eatin’s at the Old Plantation. His Ma said she was blessed and proud of her son and she keeps him in her prayers.

It was fun and not even the damp drizzlin’ rain seem to deter the crowds coming out to dine. We gave out ‘most 100 cards, bringing the Moms a little smile and a nice remembrance of Medicine Park.

School Tours

Posted on 5/8/2009 at 12:54:55 PM

by Little Britches (aka Muriel Fahrion)

Medicine Park played host by students from Lawton public Schools. On Tuesday the first graders Crosby Park came with their teachers and some parents and grandparents.  And on Wednesday it was the 3rd graders from Whittier. Charley Wright, who brings the book, Trapped in Death Cave, to life, held court again as he furnished details on the local writer’s, Bill Wallace, book. He explained what part of the book was fictional and what parts of the book were based in reality. Charley has taken on the role for a seemingly endless parade of schools and school children. Odus Hennessee, who has been a partner in these presentations, brought out his guitar and sang the Possum Song which has become the unofficial anthem of Medicine Park. And enjoyed by visitors of all ages.  The Marauders showed up as well with Michael Fahrion as Marshal Payne, Randy Hansen as DOG, Lee Hibbetts as Calamity and yours truly, as Little Britches joining in to help tell the history of the Park. Always part  of the presentation is Charley’s guided tour of the Park pointing out places that were referred to in the story. More groups are scheduled in including the Burkburnett and Ft. Worth Texas school kids.

Thanks, Charley