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.”

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.

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.”

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.

]]> http://medicineparkmarauders.com/2009/11/02/halloween-marauding/feed/ 0 http://medicineparkmarauders.com/2009/08/05/marauders-help-celebrate-tipton%e2%80%99s-centennial/ http://medicineparkmarauders.com/2009/08/05/marauders-help-celebrate-tipton%e2%80%99s-centennial/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:21:11 +0000 http://medicineparkmarauders.com/?p=200 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.

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.”