Wednesday, April 21, 2010
More Movie Pics
Here are some more images from Gary Walkers latest film project being shot at Sipokni West.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Saga Of Carson Blue
Days Of Youth
His name was Carson Blue. Carson would become remembered, in the record of territorial history, owing to a decision of his father and mother.
Carson was born in early 1853. His father would eventually become a confederate officer, and his mother the proud wife of a confederate officer, whose life was dedicated to his support. After the civil war ended in 1865, the Blue’s decided to move westward, leaving the tragedy and memories of the war behind.
The family settled in the south of Indian Territory close to the then settlement of Sipokni West. The elder Blue laid stakes, and claim… whether legal or not, to a patch of land near a pristine clear running creek, name unknown to the Blue’s.
The family would frequent the settlement of Sipokni West, which was quickly growing and soon would become an official township. At Sipokni the family would visit the general store where Carson would always be treated to his choice of hard candy. The feed store was the most visited business at Sipokni, where the Blue’s would load up on stores for their livestock, which was their livelihood at the time.
Just down the road from the Blue homestead was a family known as the Loubet`s. Andre Loubet` came to America with his young wife when they were both mere children. He would take up livelihood as a fur trader in the north. Quickly making a good amount of money they decided to move south to a more favorable climate, and start a ranching operation. Andre and his wife had one child… a daughter named Simone.
Simone was a beautiful lass with raven hair and soft brown eyes. Beautiful at anytime, she was especially pretty in the spring, clad in a simple print dress; running barefoot through the grass; raven hair flowing through the air; a turn and tilt of her head showing a perfect and inviting smile.
Carson had noticed that smile, but being somewhat awkward and bashful at the time, stood afar to take in the beauty directly in front of him. But, the day would come that Carson and Simone would cross paths, and as they did… a look at each other made connection… and they both knew, somehow, the course they wished to take for the rest of their lives.
The courtship started as any innocent courtship would; a simple walk together through the woods; the almost accidental brushing of an arm; the extended hand that was clasped by that of the other; and finally… the tenderness of a soft kiss. Although their passions grew… they held in check the fire they felt for the day they would become wed.
Carson was nearing manhood and had plans on what he was to do in life. Many times he would take Simone by the hand and lead her to the creek bank to share his vision of their future. “Simone, I’m going to join the Calvary to get a record established as a man who can handle himself with situations,” said Carson as he held Simone’s hands. “But, you’ll be leaving me Carson, you’ll be leaving us,” replied Simone, with ever searching eyes. This conversation would take place several times but finally Carson convinced Simone that a few years away from one another would be best for their future.
Carson would join the 4th U.S. Calvary Regiment at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. The 4th was actively involved in the Indian Wars of the time. His regiment would eventually move to Ft. Clark, Texas near the Mexican border where they would launch campaigns against the Kickapoo and Apache tribes; both staging in Mexico, in hopes of reclaiming the lands they considered being of the tribes and owning completely free of the white man’s claims.
In the spring of 1873, Carson was part of a campaign that crossed the Rio Grande and within two days defeated the Kickapoo and Apaches. The remaining members of the tribes were then escorted to Indian Territory.
Carson would soon muster out of the army and return to his homestead. During his four years with the Calvary he became an excellent horseman and was noted for his weaponry skills. His commanding officer noted in Carson’s record that if he had to choose a marksman… it would be Carson Blue.
The trail back to his homestead was a long one. As he crossed the Red River, Carson knew he was only a two-day ride from his beloved Simone. Carson’s father and mother had both died while he was serving in the Calvary. Like so many others, they had succumbed to one of the dread diseases of the day. The good townsfolk of Sipokni made arrangements and buried the Blue’s in Carson’s absence. They were interned on the family homestead.
The death of his parent’s altered Carson’s plans to become an agent for the railroad. He now had a spread to take care of and see to an established cattle operation. But, this seemed fine with Carson… he and Simone could have a good life living as ranchers and farmers.
As he came closer and closer to his home he knew he would first pass Simone’s home and was bursting to lay eyes upon his love once more. However, what Carson didn’t know is that he would arrive at an empty house.
About six months prior, Simone’s father received a telegram from Missouri. His older brother had passed and left a rather large cattle operation in the south of Missouri to Andre. Andre had no choice but to pack his belongings and family and move to run the enterprising cattle ranch.
Upon learning the news from her father, Simone became panicked… knowing she might never see Carson again. Her first order of business was to write Carson a letter telling him of her father’s decision and giving details of where the ranch was in Missouri. She went as far as telling Carson of the closest town to the Missouri ranch and in her last sentence she wrote, “I will check the mail dispatch daily… in high hopes of reading your words of love for me.” Simone took the letter to Mr. Jacobs, the telegraph operator and entrusted it in his care. Mr. Jacobs assured Simone he would deliver the letter personally to Carson upon his return. But, Mr. Jacobs would die three months after Simone’s departure to Missouri, and her letter would remain tucked away in a nook in the telegraph office. Her words to Carson would remain unknown to him. The fact the letter was not delivered to Carson upon his return… would remain unknown to Simone.
Carson’s heart sank when he learned that Simone had moved, and he went directly to the townsfolk of Sipokni asking for any information of her whereabouts. The best anyone could tell him was that the family had moved six months prior headed for Missouri. Carson continued to ask questions, primarily if Simone had left a note, a message, perhaps a sealed letter? But only Mr. Jacobs knew that information, and he took that knowledge to the grave with him.
The days would turn into weeks for Carson, and sometimes the weeks seemed like years, for Simone was constantly on his mind. He walked around half-hearted; moved like a broken-spirit horse; a shell of a young life that ordinarily should be full of vim and vigor.
Some say the only thing that kept Carson from going mad at this time was his friendship with a man known as Little Bill Putman. Putman was also a Calvary man, about ten years older that Carson. Putman had made more of a career of the army than Carson, dedicating ten years. Like Carson, Putman was known as a crack-shot and considered one of the premier marksmen of the 4th Calvary.
Putman was mute, not as a result of birth or defect, but rather from the hands of the Apache. Early in the Indian Wars, he was dispatched as a scout and taken hostage by a band of Apache. The Apache warriors wanted to send a message to the army so they cut out most of Putman’s tongue; then tied him to his horse, and slapped the beast on the quarters. He barely survived and forever lost his ability to talk. However, Carson and he developed their own form of communication and it was most remarkable how the two of them could talk with one another. Their exchanges could be something as simple as raised eyebrow, squinted eyes, nod of the head, curled upper lip, a look-away, or gesture of the hand. Only the two of them knew what was being said.
Little Bill had established a significant cattle operation further south near the Washita River, running approximately one hundred head of beeves. Putman’s ranch was near the Western Shawnee Trail, and quite often a cattle drive outfit would buy his cattle adding them to their herd as they drove to the railheads of Missouri and Kansas. It was a perfect situation for Putman as he turned his beeves quite often.
Two months would pass since Carson’s return, when a turn of fate came about. A young man looking to start a new enterprise in Sipokni purchased the telegraph office once operated by Mr. Jacobs. While cleaning the office the young man came across the letter Simone had left for Carson. Quickly summoning a boy, who would serve as a runner, shiny coins was placed in the young lad’s hand and he was enlisted to deliver Simone’s letter to Carson.
The boy wasted no time in his dispatch, thrashing through the woods, untangling himself in the thorny vines, ignoring the rips and tears in his pants, all in hopes of receiving another commission for his speedy delivery. He handed the letter to Carson at the front door of Carson’s log home. The boy was panting; his mouth like cotton; and he sit straight down on the ground. Carson ladled cool water from a bucket at the doorway, handing it to the boy.
The boy sat silently as he watched Carson open the letter to read. Then, he saw Carson slump against the front wall of his cabin; slowly sliding to the ground himself; clasped hands coming up to his face; with a minute of reflection and understanding following.
Suddenly Carson looked up at the boy and said, “Wait right there, I’ll have a paying chore for you.” Ducking inside the cabin, Carson returned with paper and ink and penned a quick letter to Simone explaining the events the best he could. In his letter to Simone… Carson told her he knew it had been a good amount of time since she’d heard from him but he hoped that her love was strong enough to endure.
The letter was sealed and addressed in care of the mail dispatch at Jericho Springs. He opened the hand of the boy placing the letter in his palm and said, “Tell the driver to run the horses hard. Tell him to make miles pass like a yard.” Coins was placed in the boys other hand and he was off and running.
A month passed and still Carson had not heard from Simone. Although he was considered a patient man, his patience had limits. What Carson didn’t know was when the stage dispatch reached the Canadian River it was ambushed by a trio of marauders. Two bullets in the drivers back and the contents of the stage were ransacked… including Carson’s letter to Simone. The letter laid in the sands of the river where his expressed love for Simone would die. Simone would never have the opportunity to reply to Carson’s letter nor would she ever have the opportunity to read his tender words of love. How can one say they still love when never asked the question? Carson would never learn of the ambush and his letter’s failure to reach Simone. How can one expect a sentiment of continued love when the question is never asked?
On the sands of the Canadian many dreams lay together including Carson’s lost love letter. A chance of lifetime love, possibly taken away forever… by marauders that couldn’t even read the letters they took from other’s hopes.
Next: The Search For Simone
His name was Carson Blue. Carson would become remembered, in the record of territorial history, owing to a decision of his father and mother.
Carson was born in early 1853. His father would eventually become a confederate officer, and his mother the proud wife of a confederate officer, whose life was dedicated to his support. After the civil war ended in 1865, the Blue’s decided to move westward, leaving the tragedy and memories of the war behind.
The family settled in the south of Indian Territory close to the then settlement of Sipokni West. The elder Blue laid stakes, and claim… whether legal or not, to a patch of land near a pristine clear running creek, name unknown to the Blue’s.
The family would frequent the settlement of Sipokni West, which was quickly growing and soon would become an official township. At Sipokni the family would visit the general store where Carson would always be treated to his choice of hard candy. The feed store was the most visited business at Sipokni, where the Blue’s would load up on stores for their livestock, which was their livelihood at the time.
Just down the road from the Blue homestead was a family known as the Loubet`s. Andre Loubet` came to America with his young wife when they were both mere children. He would take up livelihood as a fur trader in the north. Quickly making a good amount of money they decided to move south to a more favorable climate, and start a ranching operation. Andre and his wife had one child… a daughter named Simone.
Simone was a beautiful lass with raven hair and soft brown eyes. Beautiful at anytime, she was especially pretty in the spring, clad in a simple print dress; running barefoot through the grass; raven hair flowing through the air; a turn and tilt of her head showing a perfect and inviting smile.
Carson had noticed that smile, but being somewhat awkward and bashful at the time, stood afar to take in the beauty directly in front of him. But, the day would come that Carson and Simone would cross paths, and as they did… a look at each other made connection… and they both knew, somehow, the course they wished to take for the rest of their lives.
The courtship started as any innocent courtship would; a simple walk together through the woods; the almost accidental brushing of an arm; the extended hand that was clasped by that of the other; and finally… the tenderness of a soft kiss. Although their passions grew… they held in check the fire they felt for the day they would become wed.
Carson was nearing manhood and had plans on what he was to do in life. Many times he would take Simone by the hand and lead her to the creek bank to share his vision of their future. “Simone, I’m going to join the Calvary to get a record established as a man who can handle himself with situations,” said Carson as he held Simone’s hands. “But, you’ll be leaving me Carson, you’ll be leaving us,” replied Simone, with ever searching eyes. This conversation would take place several times but finally Carson convinced Simone that a few years away from one another would be best for their future.
Carson would join the 4th U.S. Calvary Regiment at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. The 4th was actively involved in the Indian Wars of the time. His regiment would eventually move to Ft. Clark, Texas near the Mexican border where they would launch campaigns against the Kickapoo and Apache tribes; both staging in Mexico, in hopes of reclaiming the lands they considered being of the tribes and owning completely free of the white man’s claims.
In the spring of 1873, Carson was part of a campaign that crossed the Rio Grande and within two days defeated the Kickapoo and Apaches. The remaining members of the tribes were then escorted to Indian Territory.
Carson would soon muster out of the army and return to his homestead. During his four years with the Calvary he became an excellent horseman and was noted for his weaponry skills. His commanding officer noted in Carson’s record that if he had to choose a marksman… it would be Carson Blue.
The trail back to his homestead was a long one. As he crossed the Red River, Carson knew he was only a two-day ride from his beloved Simone. Carson’s father and mother had both died while he was serving in the Calvary. Like so many others, they had succumbed to one of the dread diseases of the day. The good townsfolk of Sipokni made arrangements and buried the Blue’s in Carson’s absence. They were interned on the family homestead.
The death of his parent’s altered Carson’s plans to become an agent for the railroad. He now had a spread to take care of and see to an established cattle operation. But, this seemed fine with Carson… he and Simone could have a good life living as ranchers and farmers.
As he came closer and closer to his home he knew he would first pass Simone’s home and was bursting to lay eyes upon his love once more. However, what Carson didn’t know is that he would arrive at an empty house.
About six months prior, Simone’s father received a telegram from Missouri. His older brother had passed and left a rather large cattle operation in the south of Missouri to Andre. Andre had no choice but to pack his belongings and family and move to run the enterprising cattle ranch.
Upon learning the news from her father, Simone became panicked… knowing she might never see Carson again. Her first order of business was to write Carson a letter telling him of her father’s decision and giving details of where the ranch was in Missouri. She went as far as telling Carson of the closest town to the Missouri ranch and in her last sentence she wrote, “I will check the mail dispatch daily… in high hopes of reading your words of love for me.” Simone took the letter to Mr. Jacobs, the telegraph operator and entrusted it in his care. Mr. Jacobs assured Simone he would deliver the letter personally to Carson upon his return. But, Mr. Jacobs would die three months after Simone’s departure to Missouri, and her letter would remain tucked away in a nook in the telegraph office. Her words to Carson would remain unknown to him. The fact the letter was not delivered to Carson upon his return… would remain unknown to Simone.
Carson’s heart sank when he learned that Simone had moved, and he went directly to the townsfolk of Sipokni asking for any information of her whereabouts. The best anyone could tell him was that the family had moved six months prior headed for Missouri. Carson continued to ask questions, primarily if Simone had left a note, a message, perhaps a sealed letter? But only Mr. Jacobs knew that information, and he took that knowledge to the grave with him.
The days would turn into weeks for Carson, and sometimes the weeks seemed like years, for Simone was constantly on his mind. He walked around half-hearted; moved like a broken-spirit horse; a shell of a young life that ordinarily should be full of vim and vigor.
Some say the only thing that kept Carson from going mad at this time was his friendship with a man known as Little Bill Putman. Putman was also a Calvary man, about ten years older that Carson. Putman had made more of a career of the army than Carson, dedicating ten years. Like Carson, Putman was known as a crack-shot and considered one of the premier marksmen of the 4th Calvary.
Putman was mute, not as a result of birth or defect, but rather from the hands of the Apache. Early in the Indian Wars, he was dispatched as a scout and taken hostage by a band of Apache. The Apache warriors wanted to send a message to the army so they cut out most of Putman’s tongue; then tied him to his horse, and slapped the beast on the quarters. He barely survived and forever lost his ability to talk. However, Carson and he developed their own form of communication and it was most remarkable how the two of them could talk with one another. Their exchanges could be something as simple as raised eyebrow, squinted eyes, nod of the head, curled upper lip, a look-away, or gesture of the hand. Only the two of them knew what was being said.
Little Bill had established a significant cattle operation further south near the Washita River, running approximately one hundred head of beeves. Putman’s ranch was near the Western Shawnee Trail, and quite often a cattle drive outfit would buy his cattle adding them to their herd as they drove to the railheads of Missouri and Kansas. It was a perfect situation for Putman as he turned his beeves quite often.
Two months would pass since Carson’s return, when a turn of fate came about. A young man looking to start a new enterprise in Sipokni purchased the telegraph office once operated by Mr. Jacobs. While cleaning the office the young man came across the letter Simone had left for Carson. Quickly summoning a boy, who would serve as a runner, shiny coins was placed in the young lad’s hand and he was enlisted to deliver Simone’s letter to Carson.
The boy wasted no time in his dispatch, thrashing through the woods, untangling himself in the thorny vines, ignoring the rips and tears in his pants, all in hopes of receiving another commission for his speedy delivery. He handed the letter to Carson at the front door of Carson’s log home. The boy was panting; his mouth like cotton; and he sit straight down on the ground. Carson ladled cool water from a bucket at the doorway, handing it to the boy.
The boy sat silently as he watched Carson open the letter to read. Then, he saw Carson slump against the front wall of his cabin; slowly sliding to the ground himself; clasped hands coming up to his face; with a minute of reflection and understanding following.
Suddenly Carson looked up at the boy and said, “Wait right there, I’ll have a paying chore for you.” Ducking inside the cabin, Carson returned with paper and ink and penned a quick letter to Simone explaining the events the best he could. In his letter to Simone… Carson told her he knew it had been a good amount of time since she’d heard from him but he hoped that her love was strong enough to endure.
The letter was sealed and addressed in care of the mail dispatch at Jericho Springs. He opened the hand of the boy placing the letter in his palm and said, “Tell the driver to run the horses hard. Tell him to make miles pass like a yard.” Coins was placed in the boys other hand and he was off and running.
A month passed and still Carson had not heard from Simone. Although he was considered a patient man, his patience had limits. What Carson didn’t know was when the stage dispatch reached the Canadian River it was ambushed by a trio of marauders. Two bullets in the drivers back and the contents of the stage were ransacked… including Carson’s letter to Simone. The letter laid in the sands of the river where his expressed love for Simone would die. Simone would never have the opportunity to reply to Carson’s letter nor would she ever have the opportunity to read his tender words of love. How can one say they still love when never asked the question? Carson would never learn of the ambush and his letter’s failure to reach Simone. How can one expect a sentiment of continued love when the question is never asked?
On the sands of the Canadian many dreams lay together including Carson’s lost love letter. A chance of lifetime love, possibly taken away forever… by marauders that couldn’t even read the letters they took from other’s hopes.
Next: The Search For Simone
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A New Western Movie Production
Currently at Sipokni West Old West Movie Town, there is a new Western being produced for possible DVD distribution. The film entitled "Government Agent", is the work of film producer Gary Walker of Durant, Oklahoma. Gary is both the screenplay writer and film producer of this project.
Based on a true story and set just a few years after statehood, the film depicts the events of the bank robbery of the Bank of the Chickasaws in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and the effort of government agent Luke Masters to track the bandits and bring them to justice... or kill them in the trying.
Walker has plans to present this project at an Oklahoma film festival in August and afterwards possible DVD distribution may take place.
The storyline is simple, true to the point, and the film offers not only suspense, but also pistol-packed action, and surprise.
Based on a true story and set just a few years after statehood, the film depicts the events of the bank robbery of the Bank of the Chickasaws in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and the effort of government agent Luke Masters to track the bandits and bring them to justice... or kill them in the trying.
Walker has plans to present this project at an Oklahoma film festival in August and afterwards possible DVD distribution may take place.
The storyline is simple, true to the point, and the film offers not only suspense, but also pistol-packed action, and surprise.
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