What is History? History is what happened yesterday and all the yesterdays till the beginning of time. Today we are making history. So let’s make sure it is good history in the Cowboy Spirit in order to have pride in the family atmosphere at Gunsmoke in all the years to come. In other words what is happening today will be History tomorrow and in 2050.

Our Memories of THSS, Gunsmoke, TX
as remembered by 
Country Girl Linda and Danny Ringo


I (Linda "Country Girl Linda" Hass) remember when we first came to THSS at Gunsmoke. Danny "Danny Ringo" Hass had been reading some of the Shoot Magazines and dreaming about getting a rifle for personal use around Hass Country. He read about Gunsmoke and said this might be a good place to do some research so we came out for the day. This was in October of 2001. We were impressed but we didn’t give it much thought. The next month in November we visited Tin Star. Then the Christmas holidays came and went. 

In January2002, we decided to visit Gunsmoke again. We got to know some of the great members like Star and others. We were so impressed how friendly and helpful everyone was. Danny was smitten. We joined that month. About that time we had a windfall so Danny thought he would be able to get his guns. I said I would enjoy the dressing up in the 1800’s garb and taking photos of everyone. I have been known as the camera lady ever since. 

Danny heard about the work parties on Saturday’s and said that is something that he might like to do. I agreed. At that time we both had Saturdays and Sundays off work. We started getting to know the great partners and pardetts that did so much of the work that kept Gunsmoke and THSS going and ready for Trailhead each year. The workers were like family working together to make our club the best it could be. I worked for two years then I started working Saturdays and couldn’t go to all the work parties but I still helped with the banquet and in the Marlin house during all the Trailheads along with my picture taking. Danny has been a part of the work parties every year. He enjoyed being a part of the building crews that built Ft Finn and the Livery Stables. Everyone was just having a good time while getting the work done. 

At the shoots Danny gradually built his confidence to the relaxing stage where he now enjoys the shoots no matter whether he shoots well or not. He enjoys the comradery with his cowboy compadres. I continued to shoot my camera. 

The ladies that did not shoot met at the Marlin Building. We staffed the Marlin House, greeted the guests and answered questions. We sat on the porches or around the wood stove, depending on the weather, and shared news, sewing ideas, and even had a hat-making workshop. Some brought spinning wheels and made yarns while other quilted much like they ladies did back in the 1800’s. We had so much fun in the process of adding the old western town atmosphere. 

I continued to take photos at almost every shoot and Trailheads. I made print outs to bring as gifts to some of the other members, for a while. 

October 8, 2002, I introduced Gunsmoke Exchange Interactive website to the club where we could share photos, news, guns, history, recipes, and fun stuff, between shoots. We have sent out over 300 invites, had at least 150 reply at least once, 100 of those are regulars, contributing photos, share family fun, serious news, ask and answer questions. The Exchange belongs to its members at THSS and their interest and replies are what make it excitingly interesting and keep it going. 

In early 2005 the Officers and Board recognized that our public website need to be redone. Mamie Fosset and myself have taken on this job. We have had more fun collecting the information history and photos then putting them all together to help prospective members find the info they need to make their decisions on whether to join our club. 

We have had Western Action Shooting since it inception and this is the most exciting part of the activities at Gunsmoke. But side matches have played a part as well. We have had Long Range Rifle on the Hill and Cowboy Rifle competition at Ft Finn since their beginning. The cowboys really enjoy this. Dogie and Pressy Pearline Jones has just introduced a new side match called Texas Fast Draw. They have had similar side matches at other clubs for years. Up until now, I have never had an interest in shooting in the competition in all the years we have been at Gunsmoke. But I found the Texas Fast Draw to be more to my liking. I only need to be shooting a pistol. The ammo is wax so not quite so dangerous. No big guns. I only had to tell Danny Ringo I might be interested. The next thing I knew, he had ordered me a .38 Lightening with Birds head grips decorated in flora da lis and a fast draw rig to go with it. Yeaaaa Haw! So now I am a “pistol packing “grey’ ma”…Look out here I come!” When I told all my pardetts about my new gun they said "Now there is no stopping her. She is smitten." The cowboys love Fast Draw. I am hearing that many of the women are interested in this new match so watch out guys. You are going to have some competition. Having fun is where it’s at. 

Keeping our club fresh with new ideas that will interest new members and bring back the old is what we need to make our History something to be proud of. But most of all we want to keep up the Cowboy spirit of fair play in our fun and mutual respect. All of these things are what we believe makes our club more like a family and will help THSS at Gunsmoke sustain for many years to come. 

Country Girl Linda 2006