Hope this letter finds everyone well and happy with life. I
would like to use this to introduce myself to all the COHT members
in Texas.
I, at the request of Brad Pickle-South Central Governor, and
at a weak moment, agreed to become the Texas State Representative.
Since there are only about six of us, it seemed like I could
handle it. We shall see. Now, a few of you know me so for those
who don’t, I portray a mid 18th Century Frenchman in the
southeastern North America. So, most of my approach toward gear,
events, research will be from that side of history. I hope to
get to know all of you soon as possible. I am new to the organization;
some of you have been members longer than me, so I could always
use the help getting through the process of helping out as state
rep.
I intend to post the letters to you by e-mail since it looks
like all of you have it. If this is a problem, please let me
know. The first letter will go out by e-mail and snail mail to
make sure it gets to everyone.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The members over in Arkansas are putting together a Spring Trade
Fair in May. It’s posted on the COHT web site and, I believe,
Mark Thurman is the point of contact for the event. I intend
to go since I have never been to one of their events would like
to see their block house.
I’m heading over to Ft. St. Jean Baptiste at Natchitoches,
Louisiana this weekend so that is my event for March, not that
I wouldn’t do another but I don’t know of any near
by that is associated with my period.
I’m also attending the meeting a Ft. Des Chartes at Prairie
du Rocher, Illinois. I committed to being there quite awhile
back so I am not sure about making the Ft. Osage National Gathering
in April; everyone knows about it, right?
Fort Toulouse, in Wetumpka, Alabama, is having their F&I
event on April 8 and 9. It’s by invitation only but if
anyone is interested, I will get them the point of contact at
the fort.
Anyone interested in any of these events can contact me about
them and I will try to get them in contact with the organizers.
I miss some things that don’t pertain to what I normally
do and since the time period for members covers a lot of ground,
it’s easy for me not to hear about them. So, please let
me know of anything going on that you are attending or have heard
about so I can spread the word.
TREKS AND HUNTING
I usually head to the Crockett National Forest before and after
deer hunting season but since a burn ban has been in effect,
I have stayed away. However, the ban has been lifted and I am
thinking about trying to make a trip to the woods this month,
time permitting. Anyone interested, let me know.
Turkey season starts for the eastern counties on April 1 and
runs through the 30th for those interested in entering the National
Forest with anyone who can buy a shot gun - good luck! However,
if you have property or a lease, then you are probably pretty
safe.
BOOK REVIEWS AND RESEARCH
I am currently reading through Volumes III, IV and V of the
Mississippi Provincial Archives. They are a collection of letters
and correspondence pertaining to the French rule of Louisiana.
That is, everything south of Illinois, west of the Carolinas
and Spanish Florida and east of Spanish Texas, beginning with
Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville in 1701 and ending with the
French ceding Louisiana to Spain. I have not located Volumes
I and II for sale but will save them for a latter date. This
is not a review and is incomplete, as far as the reference to
the editors, publishers, etc. I will post all this latter.
When I get board with that, I am reading Indian Tribes of the
Lower Mississippi and Adjacent Coast of the Gulf of Mexico by
John R. Swanton. I should have read this book a long time ago.
To me, both the Mississippi Archives and Swanton’s book
are interesting and entertaining; a source of never ending amazement
to my family. Again, I will report on these books in the future.
Anyone wishing to include a book review in the future please
contact me.
Well, that is all for now. I’d like to hear from everyone
so I will leave the following address:
Dudley Toelke
3306 Candleknoll
Spring, Texas 77388
Cell-713-303-6599
Personal e-mail dud@flash.net
COHT e-mail tx-rep@coht.org
Au revoir
Just wanted to remind folks about the upcoming events this next
month.
March 10-12, 2006 The 3rd Annual Greybeard Bash will again
this year be at MACINTOSH contact Carlos 678-334-1390
March 11-12, 2006 French/Indian Site: Fort St. Jean Baptiste
Location: Natchitoches, LA Contact: James Prudhume (Curater)
130 Moreau St., Natchitoches, LA 71457-3154 1-888-677-7853; 318-357-3101;
318-357-7055 Email: fortstjean@crt.state.la.us Or Email: fortstjean_mgr@crt.state.la.us
URL: http://www.crt.state.la.us/crt/parks/fortstj/ftstjean.htm
An F&I event along the banks of the Cane River (was a tributary
of the Red in those days). Largest replicated French fort in
the US. Participants must be juried.. Please email to pre-register,
and send info on your sleeping accommodations.
March 18 - 19, 2006: Fort Cooper Days, Inverness, FL. POC Fort
Cooper, 3100 S. Old Floral City Rd., Inverness, FL 34450. (352)
726-0315. Re-live Second Seminole War activities that took place
on this site. Battle reenactments at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Also features living history demonstrations, modern and period
art and craft vendors, entertainment, food and refreshments.
March 24 - 26, 2006 Trek in Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain,
GA. Set up a light camp Friday the 3rd. Break camp Saturday morning
and trek for 2 days through Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain,
GA. Our attempt will be to stay in period the entire time. We're
hoping for a good learning trek, not a punishment. *grin* A great
opportunity to test your gear & to learn new skills. POC
David Wiese 229-649-6036 OR ga-rep@coht.org.
March 24 - 26, 2006 * Scottish Heritage Days, Fort King George.
A 75th Anniversary Event ~ This celebration of the first Scottish
settlers landing in Georgia in 1736 will include 18th century
crafts, demonstrations, Scottish foods and music. Georgia's founder
James Oglethorpe will be on hand as the Scots attempt to expel
Spanish invaders from Georgia during this historic reenactment.
Fort King George Historic Site, P. O. Box 711 Darien, GA 31305
(912) 437-4770
March 25 - 26, 2006 Anniversary of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend,
Daviston, AL. POC Ove Jensen, Horseshoe Bend National Military
Park, 11288 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Daviston, AL 36256. (256) 234-7111,
or www.nps.gov/hobe