and the Devil himself...

and the Devil himself...

Monday, November 22, 2010

Outlaw Caves and Other Roadside Attractions


First we stumbled upon a now-defunct and utterly amusing miniature golf course - Joe's Diner and 50s miniature golf features this eager to be consumed  hot dog was just one of a number of wonders - dancing fries, burgers, ice cream cones and a girl on skates with a car overhead are on their way as soon as I dowload them from my phone.



What I didn't know was that an even odder, but closed, course was near by - Golfgotha! (Well, it's not called that but it would have been a good title for the Biblical ballery - Golgotha. It's a shame they were closed. I'm not normally a fan of the whole put-put thing but these would have been entertaining. Can still be seen at 3162 Mammoth Cave Rd.



Another vintage hi-light were antique coin operated horses, (and one covered wagon). I rode one a lot like the one above and I tell you, they don't make them like that now. It bucked and bolted enough to throw a small child - I had to hold on to the reins.


Inside The Olde General Store, nestled among every odd thing you can think of - from vintage PBR cans and cool metal signs to cow skulls and an infinite array of stones was an assortment of Briar Patch goats milk soap, featuring unusual scents like muscadine and kudzu blossom.

Frank and Jesse James

Last but not least - and hopefully to be revisited Friday - the Outlaw Cave, where Jesse James hid out and a stop at the Jesse James riding stables below. (Links in my previous blog.) 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

5 Cool Things That Happened This Week

Art by Wes Freed

1.Wes Freed stars in the second showing of his new film by Jim Stramel, Degenerates Ink (Trailer), at the historic Byrd Theater in their native Richmond, Va.


 
2. Lost River Cavemen performed at the Lamplighter in Lexington, Ky.

3. Katelan Foisy's Beneath the Half Moon Full Moon Circle Tarus Moon on a Blue Moon


4. A new poster by Bob Masse,  "Lebowski Lanes" for Lebowski Fest.

5. Michael O'Neill was on the road and took this amazing photo of one of his Arizona evenings:

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Attractions on an Offbeat Path


1. A replica of Stonehenge in Munfordville, Ky.


 2. Munfordville is also home to the largest Amish community in Kentucky.


3. A Wigwam Village motel, built in 1937.
 

4. An Indian burial ground dating to 680 B.C. at Onyx Cave, not far from the Wigwam Village.


5. Lantern tour of an Outlaw Cave nearby; where Jesse James and others hid.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Top 5 Things to Eat in Kentucky


1. Hot Brown

The signature dish of the Brown Hotel, created in the 1920s, (when F. Scott Fitzgerald was featuring another landmark Louisville hotel, the Sealbach, in "The Great Gatsby").

From the Brown's website:

Ingredients (2):
2 oz. Whole Butter
2 oz. All Purpose Flour
1 Qt. Heavy Cream
1/2 Cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, Plus 1 Tablespoon for Garnish
Salt & Pepper to Taste
14 oz. Sliced Roasted Turkey Breast
2 Slices of Texas Toast (Crust Trimmed)
4 slices of Crispy Bacon
2 Roma Tomatoes, Sliced in Half
Paprika, Parsley

"In a two-quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined and forms a thick paste (roux). Continue to cook roux for two minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk whipping cream into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer, about 2-3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

"For each Hot Brown, place one slice of toast in an oven safe dish and cover with 7 ounces of turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and set them alongside the base of turkey and toast. Next, pour one half of the Mornay sauce to completely cover the dish. Sprinkle with additional Pecorino Romano cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until cheese begins to brown and bubble. Remove from broiler, cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top, sprinkle with paprika and parsley, and serve immediately."



2. Bread Pudding With Whiskey Sauce

12 to 14 cups 1-inch cubes day-old French bread
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
4 cups whole milk
6 large eggs
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
Confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350

Put the bread in a large bowl. Grease 9 by 13-inch casserole dish with tablespoon butter.

Combine heavy cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and raisins in a large bowl. Whisk. Pour over bread, stir. Sit at room temperature 30 to 45 minutes.
Transfer to casserole dish and bake until the center is set, 50 to 60 minutes.

Garnish with confectioners' sugar and serve warm with warm Whiskey Sauce.

Whiskey Sauce:

2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup bourbon
Pinch salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

In saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, milk, and sugar. Whisk cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the bourbon in a small mixing bowl. Pour into cream mixture and bring to a boil. Once the sauce begins to boil, reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove sauce from heat, add salt, and stir in butter and remaining 1/2 cup of bourbon.



3. Benedictine

A dip/spread cretaed by Louisville's Benedict's restaurant for Derby time. Insanely good on BLT's.
 
1 large cucumber
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons grated onion
1/4 tsp salt
1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Pare, grate, and drain cucumber. Combine with remaining ingredients in food processor.



4. Corn Pudding

5 eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 can whole kernel corn
2 cans cream-style corn
   
Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.

In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add melted butter, sugar, and milk. Whisk in cornstarch. Stir in corn and creamed corn. Blend well. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish.

Bake 1 hour.


5. Sorghum
 
A molassesy syrup; preferably made by the Amish.

Friday, November 5, 2010

How to Tell Fortunes With Dice

Ancient Roman Dice
Divination with dice is one of the oldest methods known and originally, readings were done with knucklebones, (the reason dies have 4 sides). Dice predictions are said to come true within 9 days.

Yes/No Questions (One die) An even number is yes, an odd number no.

Readings With Three Dice

Draw a circle. Throw three dice, one at a time; casting into the circle three times. The first cast represents the situation in general, the second career and finance, the third relationships. 

Meanings of dice that fall outside of the circle:

One die - difficulties. 
Two dice - arguments. 
Three dice - luck. 
Dice on the floor - problems, worries.
Dice landing on top of one another - important gifts. 

In each cast, the first die represents:

6 - Secrets, good and ill omens. 
5 - Determination, ambition. 
4 -Luck, joy.
3 - Messages, journies, searching. 
2 - Death, transformation.
1 - Complications, things aren't as they appear. 

The second die represents:

6 - The unexpected, change of direction, strangers. 
5 - Family, home. 
4 - Treachery, lies, arguments, death. 
3 - Love, passion. 
2 - Birth, new ideas.  
1 -Success, power.

The third die represents:

6 - Good luck with money and property. 
5 - Entertainment, celebration.   
4 - Opportunities, new doors opening, solutions to old problems. 
3 - Promotion, acomplishing things that are meaningful to you. 
2 - Rapid action, destruction, be more careful.  
1 - Think things through, lay low.

Casting then adding the sum of all three together:


3 - A happy surprise.
4 - Dissatisfaction.
5 - Getting what you want.
6- Obstacles, particularly in your career.
7 - Rumors, people getting in your way.
8 - Situations affected by people outside of them.
9 - Return of love.
10 - Beginnings. 
11 - Leaving someone you love. 
12 - Good news.
13 - Sad developments.
14- New friends, help from others. 
15 - Beware of false promises. 
16 - Travel. 
17 - A change in plans.
18 - Success.

How to make Hex Signs

How to Make Hex Signs


The origin of  the word 'Hex', to describe these often brightly painted signs is of disputed origin. Some claim it's root is the German "Hexe"/Dutch "Heks", which means witch. Some claim that it derived instead from the word "sechs", which means six. They are believed to have originated in the practice of painting runes on buildings in Europe. Hex signs also believed to be derived in part from Frakturs, documents used to keep track of family histories that were decorated with many symbols found in the signs today, like tulips and birds.

Hex signs adorned not only barns but birth certificates, gravestones, furniture, pottery and textiles.  Each design a sort of painted prayer, with the intent of bringing the ideas expressed in them from the spiritual into the physical realm. In general, they were thought to keep away bad spirits and brought good luck, particularly for crops and livestock. It was common practice to say a blessing over the Hex sign after it was painted.

Distelfinks


Some Common Hex Designs:
 
Rosette: to keep away bad luck and evil.

Eight Pointed Star: goodwill.

Double Eagle: strength and courage.

Daddy Hex: double luck - an outer Rosette with 12 petals, smaller for added luck at difficult times.

Triple Star: good luck and happiness.

Tree of Life: love, happiness, God's abundance.
 

Daddy Hex

Some Symbols and Meanings in Hex Signs: 


Birds of Paradise - the deep beauty and profound wonder of life.


Circle - eternity.

 
Crescent Moon- the seasons.

Distelfink - luck, joy; 2 crossing one another, friendship; 2 double luck.

Doves - friendship, peace, joy

Eagle - strength, bravery, clarity 

Heart - love from God, the source of all love; lace around the heart represents marital love

Horse Head - (in a star) protection from lightening, protection of livestock

Maple Leaf - contentment

Oak Leaf - endurance

Pineapple - welcome

Raindrops - abundance, fertility

Scallops - ocean waves, smooth sailing 

Stars -in general good luck, hope, love, peace, energy, 4 points - bright days, 5 points - protection against fire and lightning, protection for animals, 8 points - (most often blue) good omens, light, protection.

Sun Wheel - fertility

Tulips- 3 represent the Trinity and faith, hope, charity; trust in both yourself and your fellow man

Wheat - abundance

Triple Star


Colors and Meanings

Black - protection, binding symbols together

Blue - protection, peace, spiritual strength

Brown - earth, friendship, strength; a brown ring, as above, represents the cycle of life

Green - success, ideas 

Orange - abundance in things that have been lacking

Red - passion, creativity

Violet - indicates things that are held sacred

White - purity, the moon

Yellow - health, connection to God

How to Tell Fortunes With Dice

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

More From Hoodoo & Lizzie Brown's Dodge City Gang, Outlaw J.J. Webb


Continuing to look at the wildest town in the wild west, Las Vegas, New Mexico, and the wildest bunch of outlaws the frontier ever saw, The Dodge City Gang...

The Dodge City Gang consisted of of men formerly from Dodge City including Justice of the Peace, "Hoodoo Brown"; City Marshal, Joe Carson, Deputy U. S. Marshal "Mysterious Dave" Mather, police officer John Joshua (J.J.) Webb, and a number of gunfighters and outlaws including "Dirty Dave" Rudabaugh, William P. "Slap Jack Bill" Nicholson, John "Bull Shit Jack" Pierce, Selim K. "Frank" Cady, Jordan L. Webb (no relation to J.J.), and a number of other hard cases. While Rudabaugh, Jordan Webb, Cady, Nicholson, Pierce, and the rest committed acts of thievery, Neill, Mather, Carson, and J.J. Webb, helped to cover the outlaws' tracks.


J. J. Webb was born on February 14, 1847, in Keokuk County, Iowa. For most of his adult life he was a lawman but for a while he was part of the Dodge City Gang. It proved to be his undoing.

Webb traveled west in 1871. He was a buffalo hunter and then a surveyor in Colorado. He drifted from Deadwood to Cheyenneto Dodge City. In September, 1877 he rode with Ford County Sheriff Charlie Bassett and Under-sheriff Bat Masterson to Lakin, Kansas in pursuit of Sam Bass and his gang who had recently robbed a Union Pacific train of $60,000 at Big Springs, Nebraska.
By January, 1878, Bat Masterson had been made the new Ford County Sheriff, and he deputized Webb along with two other men by the names Kinch Riley and Dave "Prairie Dog" Morrow, to help him track down six outlaws who had robbed the westbound train at Kinsley, Kansas, two days earlier, including "Dirty Dave" Rudabaugh.

They were caught within days. During the arrest, when Rudabaugh went for his gun, Webb stopped him and forced him to surrender. The other four accomplices were arrested later. Rudabaugh  informed on them. They were sent to prison, but Dirty Dave was soon released, drifting to New Mexico and returning to thievery once again.

In September of 1878, Cheyenne Chief Dull Knife and his band fled their reservation in Oklahoma for their home in the Black Hills. Exaggerated reports of killing and thievery committed by the Cheyenne on their journey began to be told in Dodge City. Most of the soldiers at nearby Fort Dodge were sent out to corral the Indians, leaving only about nineteen troops to protect the area. Dodge City citizens wired the governor requesting arms and ammunition.

The weapons got there and Webb and a few others to scout the area. The men soon brought back word that some 200 warriors were nearing and the rumors of their acts continued to grow. It was all smoke and mirrors, however, and things ultimately returned to normal.
Webb moved on to Las Vegas, New Mexico and found his friends from Dodge City there; "Doc" Holliday, "Mysterious Dave" Mather, Wyatt Earp, and his old nemisis, "Dirty" Dave Rudabaugh. Webb partnered with Doc Holliday in a saloon, where Doc spent most of his time gambling.
On July 19, 1879,  a former army scout, Mike Gordon, began yelling at one of a saloon girl he'd been involved with in the past. He'd tried to convince her to leave town with him and she'd said no. Gordon stormed out, shouting and cussing. Doc followed him outside and Gordon shot at him. Doc shot once. Gordon died the next day. Doc fled back to Dodge.
In 1880, Webb became Marshal of Las Vegas, joining the Dodge City Gang. For two years, the members of the Dodge City Gang robbed stage coaches and trains, rustled and were responsible for multiple murders and lynchings.

On March 2, 1880, the Dodge City Gang were responsible for the murder and robbery of a freighter named Mike Kelliher. The Ford County Globe of March 9, 1880, reprinted the report from Las Vegas Daily Optic:

"About four o'clock this morning, Michael Kelliher, in company with William Brickley and another man, entered Goodlet [a member of the Dodge City Gang] & Roberts' Saloon and called for drinks. Michael Kelliher appeared to be the leader of the party and he, in violation of the law, had a pistol on his person. This was noticed by the officers, who came through a rear door, and they requested that Kelliher lay aside his revolver.

"But he refused to do so, remarking, "I won't be disarmed – everything goes," immediately placing his hand on his pistol, no doubt intending to shoot. But officer Webb was too quick for him. The man was shot before he had time to use his weapon. He was shot three times–once in each breast and once in the head... Kelliher had $1,090 [$1,900] on his person when killed."

Webb was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang. On April 30th, Rudabaugh and a man named John Allen burst through the Sheriff's office to free him. The jail break was unsuccessful and Rudabaugh murdered jailer Antonio Lino in the attempt. Webb's sentence was appealed and commuted to life in prison.
It's been speculated that he was set up by Hoodoo and Dutchy, another member of the gang who left with Hoodoo soon after the incident. It's assumed the pair were motivated by both greed and a desire to get back at Webb for some undercover activities. Webb insisted at the time that he'd been given the impression that Kelliher wanted to kill him/it was a kill or be killed situation. The amount of money that Kelliher had on him had also been misrepresented to Webb, and Hoodoo made off with the bulk of it. The local press and townspeople seem to have had a hard time believing Webb guilty at the time.

After Dirty Dave’s conviction, he found himself in jail with Webb. Soon, the pair along with two other men tried unsuccessfully to shoot their way out of jail on September 19, 1881. One of them was killed.

Two months later, Webb and Rudabaugh, along with five others, chipped a stone out of the jail wall and escaped out of a 7"x19" hole. Rudabaugh and Webb raced to Texas and then to Mexico where Webb disappeared and Rudabaugh was later killed

Later, he returned to Kansas, where worked as a teamster under the name of Samuel King. Somewhere along the line he moved on to Winslow, Arkansas, where he worked for the railroad. In 1882 he died of smallpox.