Wyatt Earp's story still alive

MONMOUTH — Members of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) performed historical reenactments Saturday at the birthplace of Wyatt Earp to a live audience filled with young and old community members, history buffs and gun enthusiasts.

Missing from this year's event for the first time was Melba Matson, who was in Arizona, unable to attend due to her husband, Bob's, current health condition. Others pitched in to help hold a successful event for the crowd.

The SASS group members performed in authentic, detailed 1800's clothing and would only address themselves in their character names. In large part the group makes the costumes themselves. Some of the members also like to make the trip to River Junction Trade Co., an authentic Victorian-era dry goods and clothing store in McGregor, Iowa. Located on the Great River Road across the river from Prairie du Chein, Wis., the store is “like stepping into the 1800s,” said Partner's Partner, one of the reenactment characters. Her husband, Partner, played Frank McLaury in the Doc Holiday portion of the reenactment.

Little Red Malone's husband, Joaquin, made many of the quality hats and suspenders worn by the participants by hand out of beaver pelt. Joaquin was also the event's narrator, giving background information and a history lesson with each portion of the reenactment.

The group is close-knit and considers themselves family. Five years ago when member “Peaches's” son was injured in Iraq, the whole group came together with donations that helped her and her family pay bills for more than two months.

“You're not going to find a better group of people,” said Peaches.

The group also holds various charity fundraisers and was able to donate $45,000 to St. Jude's this year alone from a two-day shoot.

Dan Porter, one of the 95,000 members of SASS, noted that this year's crowd was better than usual, in part due to fair weather and in part due to the event adding attractions such as carriage rides, a petting zoo, meal, auction and children's participation in lassoing demonstrations.

Every first and fourth Sunday of the month, the group gathers together outside of Little York as part of “Shady Creek Shootists,” where they participate in cowboy action shooting.

“Most of us are of the age where we watched shows like 'Roy Rogers' and 'Hopalong Cassidy.' Those shows taught us value and morality. We'd like to keep that going,” Porter said.

Rita's Bicycling Blogs: 2011-05-29 Prairie du Chein, WI to ...

After the climbs, we thought it was going to be a nice ride into Dyersville.  There were rolling hills, much like the Ragbrai rides in Iowa, but then the clouds began to darken, and the next thing we knew it started to sprinkle...and the temperature dropped...and wind came up...and it started to rain harder...and the lightening flashed and the thunder roared!  Bev and I were at the 32 mile mark when the van flagged us down.  Denise strongly recommended we call it a day because of storm warnings.  Bev was ready to make it in the last 14 miles, but we convinced her that would not be a good idea.  Being in the front, we were the last ones to be picked up. One of our riders, Lee Murphy hurt her ankle yesterday.  She sagged today, and decided she better get it checked out.  Denise concurred, so she took Lee to Dubuque Hospital ER.  They did not take an MRI, but took a wait-and-see approach.  Lee is thinking she would go home to the Chicago area for two weeks, get it checked out there, and rejoin the ride in Cleveland.  Bummer, eh?  My interests are cycling, scuba diving, downhill skiing, and I am a professional photographer. Dave and I have been together since 1993. We will celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary this year. Together we have 7 children: Dave's Ben 35, Sam, 33, Annette 30, and mine; Jud 46, Mike, 37, Shelley, 35, and Erik, 32. We have 15 grand children with one on the way! I have been a teacher for 35 years, and retired since 2004. I taught in San Diego, (elementary) Springfield, TN, (high school special Ed) and in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. (elementary, and 8th grade math/reading in middle school.) I have a M Ed in teacher leadership and gifted ed. For 10 years I was involved in Odyssey of the Mind creative problem solving competition as a state problem captain and a world judge.

Remarks made on a tour to Prairie du Chien, thence to Washington City, in 1829

Archaeological investigations at the Sand Hill site, 47-Pt-42, Portage County, Wisconsin

Remarks Made On A Tour To Prairie Du Chien; Then to Washington City, In 1829

Annual report of the commissioner of banking of state and mutual savings banks

Annals of Iowa