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Post by linefacedscrivener on Mar 31, 2020 14:56:48 GMT -5
 “Comanche County, lying east of Brown County which in turn joins this county, that the deciding wars were fought between the settlers and the Indians. It’s name alone is mute testimony of its history. Blood ran there like water in the ‘70’s. It was in 1874 that the last Comanche raid swept across what is now known as Central West Texas. Comanche County had a part in the feuds of the cattle country. It was in Comanche town that John Wesley Hardin killed Charley Webb, the sheriff of Brown County. It was in Comanche, that night, that Joe Hardin, John’s brother and a prominent lawyer, and his companions were hanged by the infuriated mob. Three hundred men hunted John Wesley Hardin and his companion across the hills and ravines and mesquite flats of that county, but they might as well have been chasing a wind-blown tumble-weed, for the horse he rode was the finest in the West. After he was brought back by the Rangers from Florida, he was tried in the old Comanche court house, and thence sentenced to the penitentiary.” —Robert E. Howard to August Derleth, July 3, 1933 Ever since I was a police officer, I lost that ability to be fascinated by serial killers, murderers, and outlaws like Billy the Kid or John Wesley Hardin. My sympathies, obviously, lie with the police officers. So, to highlight Hardin's brutal murder of deputy sheriff Charles "Charley" M. Webb (1848-1874), I wanted to include a few links in his memory: The following is his Officer Down Memorial Page: www.odmp.org/officer/13915-deputy-sheriff-charles-webbAnd his entry on Find A Grave: www.findagrave.com/memorial/8385579/charles-m_-webbAnd lastly, a second video clip from Gunslingers featuring my colleague, Mitch Roth: |
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Post by Char-Vell on Mar 31, 2020 15:06:35 GMT -5
I too, have little use for the John Wesley Hardins of the world. One finds oneself wishing they could be "dug up and killed again".
Disturbingly, It seems many lawmen and outlaws of the old west worked both sides of the legal fence.
I'm enjoying your posts here, they are providing me fodder for my next "weird Western" attempt.
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 1, 2020 7:19:59 GMT -5
I too, have little use for the John Wesley Hardins of the world. One finds oneself wishing they could be "dug up and killed again". Disturbingly, It seems many lawmen and outlaws of the old west worked both sides of the legal fence. I'm enjoying your posts here, they are providing me fodder for my next "weird Western" attempt. Thanks, Char-Vell! Glad you like the posts and that they are getting your imaginative ideas flowing. Yep, very true about lawmen and outlaws blurring the lines, but our pop culture argues that that is still common today. It does occur, true, there are many that should not be wearing a badge, but most police officers are good decent people trying to do a mostly thankless and horrific job, that most people would quit at on day one. I am glad I served a little over three years as a police officer, but I am also thankful I am not one today. In regard to interests, my latest fascination, clearly an early one for Howard too, is ancient Mesopotamia. Everything I am a reading and watching gives me ideas for my own Howardian character. Great stuff. |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 1, 2020 12:06:31 GMT -5
 “Fort Griffin is a sleepy little village, scarcely big enough to even be called a village, slumbering at the foot or the hill where stand the ruins of the old fort. But once Fort Griffin was the toughest, wildest and wooliest town on this continent, back in the sixties and seventies when it was crowded with cavalrymen, buffalo hunters, gunmen, gamblers, reckless cowboys, horse thieves – the salt of the earth and the scum of the earth mingled in a mad chaos. It was from Fort Griffin that John Selman fled, riding hard from the shadow of the noose, and the writhing, kicking, straining figure against the sky that was his partner Johnny Larney. Empty handed Jonn Selman fled, but not empty handed he came into El Paso many days later. He drove a flock of sheep he had found herded by Mexican boys in the grasslands. Under the menace of his sixshooter they drove their sheeps to the breaks of the Pecos river. From there on, Selman acted as his own herder. The cryptic vultures that haunt the thickets of the Pecos could tell the fate of the rightful owners of the flock. Selman sold the sheep for a dollar a head, and he drifted on, into New Mexico and the outlaw rendezvous. Later he returned to El Paso and was an officer of the law for years, during which time he killed the famous John Wesley Hardin. Shortly after that affair, he too was shot down in a private quarrel.” —Robert E. Howard to August Derleth, September 4, 1933 The following is an amateur video of some guys visiting the grave site of not only John Wesley Hardin, but John Selman as well. It is well done. |
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Post by Char-Vell on Apr 1, 2020 12:15:22 GMT -5
Ancient Mesopotamia I feel in underrepresented in fiction, a lot of opportunity there.
I have run down a "Bronze Age Collapse/Greek Dark Ages" rabbit-hole. the lack of real historical documentation makes that era ripe for esoteric speculation.
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 2, 2020 7:57:31 GMT -5
Ancient Mesopotamia I feel in underrepresented in fiction, a lot of opportunity there. I have run down a "Bronze Age Collapse/Greek Dark Ages" rabbit-hole. the lack of real historical documentation makes that era ripe for esoteric speculation. Exactly what I was thinking. Plus, throw in the very early Biblical material from both Genesis and Revelation, and things get really interesting. Plus, I thought, if Howard did Atlantis with Kull, fast forward a few thousand years to Conan and Hyboria, and fast forward a few thousand years to . . . Ancient Mesopotamia. Even better, Howard had some excellent poetry on Babylon and Nineveh - so clearly his Mamma taught him his Bible. Fun stuff. |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 2, 2020 10:37:01 GMT -5
 “And in John Wesley Hardin’s autobiography, or rather in that part of it covering his life from his birth, in 1853, to the time he went to prison in 1878, descriptions are made of, or references to, the killings of 66 men. More than half of these were killed by Hardin himself.” —Robert E. Howard to August Derleth, March, 1933 Clearly, REH read the autobiography or was at least familiar with the details Hardin covered in the book, though it is not listed on the "Robert E. Howard Bookshelf." The Internet Archive has a copy of the autobiography online for free. Link to it here: archive.org/details/lifeofjohnwesley00hard/page/n6/mode/2up |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 4, 2020 7:54:06 GMT -5
   “I have often wondered what would have been the result of an encounter between Jack Hayes and John Wesley Hardin, or Billy the Kid, or Wild Bill Hickok. I’m inclined to believe that each would have killed the other. I’m assuming, of course, that it would have been a fair fight. Actually, it probably wouldn’t have been. The skill of a gunman consisted almost as much of getting the drop on the other fellow as it did in drawing and shooting. I believe Billy the Kid was just a flashing fraction of a second quicker on the draw than any of the others mentioned, but I’m not sure. One thing is certain: when their time came to die, they died, and all but Jack Hayes died violent deaths. Billy the Kid died on his feet, with his gun in his hand, but blinded by the darkness that masked his killer; Hardin and Hickok were shot in the back of the head, just as Jesse James was. They never knew what hit them.” —Robert E. Howard to August Derleth, December 29, 1932 Long a source of debate, but notice Hardin, the Kid, and Hickok are almost always at the top of the list. www.becomegunsmith.org/the-10-deadliest-wild-west-gunfighters/truewestmagazine.com/who-had-the-fastest-draw-john-wesley-hardin-wild-bill-hickok-or-doc-holliday/www.thevintagenews.com/2015/12/02/deadliest-gunslingers-of-the-old-west-2/ |
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Post by charleshelm on Apr 4, 2020 12:54:45 GMT -5
I missed how we got on to Mesopotamia, but The House of Arabu by REH is set there. I like it quite a lot.
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 4, 2020 14:17:38 GMT -5
I missed how we got on to Mesopotamia, but The House of Arabu by REH is set there. I like it quite a lot. You're right. That is an excellent story. I think it is in the Horror Stories collection, if I remember right. All my Howards are actually at my office and I am stuck at home now. I did find it online through Gutenberg. I may have to print it out and read it again. Thanks, charleshelm! |
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Post by charleshelm on Apr 4, 2020 15:15:05 GMT -5
My pleasure.
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 4, 2020 16:02:11 GMT -5
 “And I am further grateful to the radio for reviving and giving to the world many old folk-songs and legends of the cow-camps, the cattle-trails, and the southern mountains.” —Robert E. Howard to H.P. Lovecraft, September/October 1933 Having posted recently Gene Autry's classic cowboy song "The Old Chisholm Trail," I have thought more about some of the old songs that were popular with Robert E. Howard, as in the quote above. In the 1920s, REH communicated with Robert W. Gordon, providing him with many of the lyrics of songs he had heard the old timers sing. I thought I would post a series of the songs popular with Howard. Here are just a few to while away the hours at home. First up is "Goodbye Old Paint," by none other than that classic Texan himself, Tex Ritter. Another of the really popular cowboy songs from the late 1800s was "The Streets of Laredo," made popular by Marty Robbins. Here is a version with not only Marty Robbins, but Johnny Cash as well. And I'll end with the famous "Yellow Rose of Texas," by Gene Autry and Jimmy Long, from a recording in the same year REH wrote the letter above. |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 5, 2020 12:20:08 GMT -5
 “Our folk-songs reflect our natures. The greater majority of the songs and ballads which grew up in, or were favorites in the early Southwest, dealt almost exclusively with battle, murder and sudden death. Listen to some of the lines of a few: "And: 'Twas in the merry month of May, when all sweet buds were swelling . . . Sweet William on his death-bed lay, for the love of Barbara Allen.'"
—Robert E. Howard to H.P. Lovecraft, August 1931 “For instance, 'Barbara Allen' at one time sung all over the South and South-west. Its age can be calculated when it is known that the last stanza of the original version - which stanza I have never heard sung, is as follows: “But by and rade the Black Douglas, "And wow, but he was rough! "For he tore up the bonny briar "And threw it in Saint ------ ‘s Loch.” "I’ve forgotten the name of the Loch and so leave it blank." —Robert E. Howard to H.P. Lovecraft, October 1931 "For the Love of Barbara Allen," often shortened to just "Barbara Allen," has been a traditional song dating back an estimated 400 years. There are many varying lyrics, so Howard's memory recalls one stanza that was not very common. Joan Baez did a rendition that became popular and here is her version of the song with lyrics: Of course Robert E. Howard, apparently enamored with the forlorn song, penned a short story that is a must-read for any Howard fan. It is a very different story, but excellent in its craftsmanship, lyrical tone, and touching sentiment. Howard Scholar Barbara Barrett penned an excellent tribute to this Howard story at Black Gate: www.blackgate.com/2016/03/01/discovering-robert-e-howard-my-very-dear-beans-cornbread-and-onions-valentines-day-robert-e-howard-style/ |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 6, 2020 7:32:51 GMT -5
 “This time I have an excuse for not having answered your very welcome letter sooner. Measles! Can you feature a grown man being put into retirement for two months by measles. “I enclose some songs which may interest you and will try to send you more soon.” —Robert E. Howard to Robert W. Gordon, March 17, 1927 THE SCOUTS LAMENT Come all of you my brother scouts And listen to my song, Come let us sing together Though the shadows fall so long. Of all the old frontiermen That used to scour the plain There are but very few of them That with us do remain Day after day they’re dropping off They’re going one by one; Our clan is fast decreasing Our race is almost run. There are many of our number That never wore the blue But faithfully they did their part As brave men tried and true. They never joined the army They had other work to do Like piloting the coming people To help them safely through But brothers, we are falling Our race is almost run The days of elk and buffalo And beaver traps are gone. The days of elk and buffalo! It fills my soul with pain To know those days are past and gone To never come again. We fought the red skin rascals On valley, hill and plain; We fought him on the mountain top We fought him down again. The fighting days are over The Indian yell resounds No more along the border And peace has better sounds We found great joy old comrades To hear and make it die; We won bright homes for gentle ones And now dear West, good-bye. Kit Carson, pictured above, was one of the early frontier scouts the song is referring to (not the Boy Scouts). In looking for a version of this song on line, I came across the oddest version. It is apparently based upon a computer game!? However, watching it and listening to the two grizzled guys singing the song, I was pretty impressed and felt it struck the right cord. |
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Apr 6, 2020 14:13:00 GMT -5
 “Well, Texas is swiftly becoming modernized to suit the standards of big business; very seldom you even hear any of the old range songs any more – ‘Sam Bass’ . . . —Robert E. Howard to H.P. Lovecraft, December 1930 VERSE 1 Sam Bass was born in Indianer It was his native-home An' at the age of seventeen Young Sam begin to roam He first set out for Texas A cowboy for t' be A kinda hearted feller You seldom ever see VERSE 2 Sam used t' deal in race stock Once owned th Denton Mare He matched 'er in scrub races An' he took 'er to th fair He used t' coin th money And spend it just as free He always drank good whiskey, boys Wherever he may be VERSE 3 Sam left th Collins Ranch In th merrry month o' May With a herd o' texas cattle Th Blackhills for t' see Sold out in Custer City An' then went on a spree A harder set o' cowboys You seldom never see VERSE 4 On their way back t' Texas They robbed th UP Train They then split up in couples N' started home again Joe Collins an' his pardner Were overtaken soon With all their hard earned money They had to meet their doom VERSE 5 Sam made back t' Texas All right side up with care Rode int' th town o' Denton With all his friend t' share Sam's life was short in Texas Three roberies did he do He robbed all th passengers N' robbed the express cars too VERSE 6 Sam had four bold companions Four bold an' daring lads There's Richardson an' Jackson Joe Collins an' ole Dad More bold an' daring cowboys Th Rangers never knew They beat th Texas Rangers An' they ran th boys in Blue VERSE 7 Sam met 'is fate at Round Rock July th twenty-first They filled poor Sam with rifle balls N' emptied out his purse Sam now is a corpse An' six feet under clay N' Jackson's in th bushes Trying t' get away VERSE 8 O, Jim h'd borrowed Sam's good gold N' didn't want t' pay The only shot that Jim could see W's t' give poor Sam away He sold out Sam in Barnes An' left their friends t' mourn O, what a scorch'n Jim will get When Gabriel blows his horn VERSE 9 An' sold he sold out in Barnes An' left their t' mourn O, what a scorch'n Jim will get When Gabriel blows his horn Perhaps he's got t' heaven There's none of us can say But if I'm right in my surmise He's gone the other way |
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