The Long hunter's Journal
The newsletter of the Utah ALRA
March 2005
Grant Davis, Lieutenant
James Chandler, Sergeant at Arms
Steve Gish, Scribe
Muster
Patriots: Lyle Gingery (9), Terry Pendley (12), Gregg Hansen (100), John McCann (155), Grant Davis (217), James Chandler (225), Steve Gish (231), Kirk Davis (237).
Prospective Members and Guests: Trent Isaacson, Kevin Molett, Curt Butters, Pat Lakin.
Lieutenant's Message
I want express my thanks to James and Steve for the shoot they organized for the last meeting. It was challenging and very enjoyable. James, Steve, and I are set to depart very shortly for the National Gathering at Fort Des Chartres. It will be good to meet many other ALRA family from around the country. We will do our best to represent Utah in an honorable fashion. We have the opportunity this coming Easter weekend to help Fort Buenaventura with their spring rendezvous. We have been asked to do historical demonstrations and I think we have some good things planned. This is our chance to repay the fort for the usage that we enjoy. Let's do our part to support the Fort.
National Ballots
The Lieutenant reminded Patriots to send in their votes regarding amendments to the bylaws and National Factor and Western Partisan positions.
Fort Buenaventura Easter Camp
The Lieutenant reminded everyone that the ALRA will participate in the Flag Raising Ceremony. Everyone should muster at the Camp ground office at 7:30 a.m. Donuts and drinks will be provided.
The Lieutenant will set up his Marquee that will be used for 18th Century period demonstrations throughout the weekend. A signup list was made available for two-hour blocks of demonstrations. The two hour blocks will run 10-12, 12-2, and 2-4 both Saturday and Sunday. Demonstrations will include candle making, spinning, char cloth making, leather working, ball casting, tatting, weaving, moccasin making, and knitting. If you have a skill you can demonstrate please feel free to join us for any time you can.
May Camp
The proposed salt rendering on the Great Salt Lake has been moved to Fort Buenaventura. The Lieutenant was informed that the Great Salt Lake has the highest lever of mercury in any body of water on earth! A brine solution will be used to render the salt. Rex Ward will also be teaching us how to finger weave. Anyone interested in learning to finger weave needs to bring a few yards of at least two colors of yarn and a piece of 5/16" or 3/8" dowel that is about 18" long. The May meeting will be the first weekend on May 6 & 7. There will be a group of us spending the night. Note: There will not be a meeting in April as the spring rendezvous counts as our April meeting.
Membership Dues
Dues were reported earlier this year as thirty dollars; ten dollars to be retained locally and twenty forwarded to the National Factor. Five dollars of that sum would be used for the National Insurance Policy. However, it was found that the five dollars only applied to last year. Therefore, the five dollars paid by most members will be retained in the local account.
Shoot
Sergeant of Arms James Chandler set up a challenging shoot consisting of metal gongs, a turkey paper target, and wood stakes. The distance was from 20 to 80 yards. After the turkey was missed by one patriot. The word "charge" was sounded and he promptly ran the turkey through with the bayonet on his Brown Bess Musket.
The stake was no match for the newest Patriot, Kirk Davis (237) who broke it with the first shot from his 75 caliber round ball. "Charge" was heard again!
Prizes were awarded following the shoot. The lowest shooter (YMHS) selected a nice period correct fork, but, it was soon taken from him by a higher shooter. All in all, each shooter received a nice prize.
Historical Notes
Five hundred leather hatchet cases have been lately made by order of government the use of the pioneers in America. Virginia Gazette, December 9, 1775, Page 2, Column 2.
This evening is was, that some of our companions, who stomachs had not received food, for the last forty-eight hours, adopted the notion, that leather though it had been manufactured, might be made palatable food, and gratify the appetite. Observing their discourse, to me the experiment became a matter of curiosity. They washed their moccasins of moose-skin, in the first place, in the river, scraping away the dirt and sand, with great care. These were brought to the kettle and boiled a considerable time, under the vague, but consolatory hope, that a mucilage would take place. The boiling over, the poor fellows chewed the leather, but it was leather still: not to be macerated. My teeth, though young and good, succeeded no better. Disconsolate and weary, we passed the night. John Joseph Henry Journal of the Campaign against Quebec, 1775. Pennsylvanian Archives, Series 2, Volume XV, Page 105.
As there are some people who, from religious principles, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intends no violence to their conscience, but earnestly recommends to them, to contribute liberally to the relief of their distressed brethren, in their several colonies, and to do all other services to their oppressed Country which they can consistently with their religious principles. Council of Safety, Pennsylvanian Archives, Colonial Series, Volume X, Page 317.
Last week a Gentleman at Sally's Chop House call'd for a Pen and Ink, and wrote the following lines, which he left upon the Table, viz.
Dear SALLY, Emblem of thy Chop-House Ware,
As Broth reviving, and as white bread fair;
As Small Beer grateful, and as Pepper strong,
As Beef-steak tender, as fresh Pot-herbs young;
As sharp as a Knife, and piercing as a Fork,
As soft as new Butter, white as fairest Pork;
Sweet as young Mutton, brisk as bottled Beer,
Smooth as in Oil, juicy as Cucumber,
As bright as Cruet void of Vinegar.
O SALLY! could I turn, and shift my Love,
With the same Skill, that you your Stakes can move;
My Heart, thus cook'd, might prove a Chop-house Feast,
And you alone, shou,d be the welcome Guest.
But dearest SAL! the Flames that you impart,
Like Chop on a Grid-iron, boil my tender Heart;
Which, if thy kindly helping hand ben't nigh,
Must, like and unturn'd Chop, his, burn and fry,
And must at last, thou Scorcher of my Soul,
Shrink, and become an undistinguish'd Coal.
The Pennsylvania Gazette - April 19, 1733