When a movie cowboy finally stops at a saloon to wet his dry throat after his long ride through the dusty wasteland, the order is usually obvious. In this scenario, the cowboy wouldn't even have to say what he'd like to drink; after all, it's written on his face: That's right, we're talking about whiskey!
Besides the usual beer, it appears to be pretty much all that the ladies and gentlemen consumed back then - if you believe the Hollywood myths.
It is true, of course, that whiskey and also beer made up a significant part of the alcohol supply of the time, but of course this wasn't all that the West had to offer.
In the book "Bartender's Guide - How to mix drinks" by Jerry Thomas from 1862, we discover a completely new world, of which many are surprised that it should have already existed at that time: Cocktails - in the widest imaginable variations!
Cocktails were certainly not found on every cattle trek, but they certainly existed in the cities, preferably in establishments where the noble society went in and out.
The book provides a very good compendium of recipes - reason enough for us to take a closer look!
Cocktails with the gins from Sack's Distillery
In January, Marcel Völkel, owner and operator of Sack's Distillery from Weißenstadt, visited us to shoot a new commercial for his new Illegal Outlaw Gin. Without further ado, we asked Marcel if he would like to offer his fine stuff for a cocktail evening in Beaver Creek Valley - which he eventually did!
Marcel Völkel of Sack's Distille visited Beaver Creek Valley to work with Panorama Video Production on a new spot!
read more
So we used our Authentic Camp in August 2022 to treat our guests with something special! We equipped Marcel and his partner Bea with authentic clothes and prepared everything for an unforgettable evening: Cocktails in the Wild West!
Authentic cocktails from 1770 - 1876
Then, in the late afternoon, "M.J." presented his liqueurs, spirits and gin and invited to a tasting. The Wild West had never experienced anything like this before - drinks to be tasted and for free on top of that! The spectacle was musically accompanied by the "Beaver Creek Valley Ramblers"! The mood was cheerful and merry - a nice prelude to the authentic cocktail evening to follow!
The Cocktails
While the tasting of the spirits and liqueurs was already a highlight, the following cocktail evening will remain unforgettable for many. This was ensured by our bartenders M.J. and Colton, as well as the barmaid Bea! On the cocktail menu of the newly established "Jolly Beaver Bar" were four cocktails to choose from.
During the evening, a new creation was created for one of our guests, which we would like to share here: Born was the "King Gin Fizz" – dedicated to our good friend, the "King"!
The King Gin Fizz
4cl Gin
2cl lemon juice
1cl Maraschino liqueur
2cl sugar sirup
Carbonated water
Berries
3-4 twigs of fresh mint
Add all ingredients (except the mineral water) to a shaker filled with ice and shake for about 15 seconds. Strain the contents of the shaker into a highball glass filled with ice and fill up with the mineral water. Garnish with berries and mint.
To the King!
An unforgettable day comes to an end
As is well known, even such beautiful days come to an end. We hope that we were able to serve a new favorite cocktail or two and would like to thank M.J. and Bea who made this wonderful day possible as well as helping to create it.
Maybe there will be an opportunity to repeat such a great day again next year. In any case, we would be very happy about it!
When you enter Beaver Creek Valley through the large wooden gate, you are immersed into another world. A sheriff stands on the porch overlooking the terrain, a cowboy heads to the chuck wagon to secure his portion of the freshly made stew that was just simmering over the campfire. In the background, you can hear the blacksmith working an iron and a banjo player plays his lonely song.
You get the impression that you are right in the midst of the Wild West, which has apparently come back to life - thanks to the performers who have taken on this historical period and authentically portray their roles here in Beaver Creek Valley!
But they are not the only ones living a dream in Beaver Creek Valley - others have the idea to use this scenery for themselves and their ideas, too!
So did a "moonshiner" from the countryside who approached us to do something out of the ordinary in Beaver Creek Valley.
Beaver Creek Valley is like a western movie set where all the performers can re-live their dreams in a historically accurate way.
How a Gin Enthusiast Came to Beaver Creek Valley
So today we want to tell you about an unusual shoot for a commercial, for which Robert came up with the idea. Robert is a good friend of TRP and studied media technology and media production with a master's degree.
In his company, the Panorama Videoproduktion, he turns the ideas and dreams of his clients into reality - a little piece of Hollywood for everyone, so to speak.
Robert had an assignment ready to go, which he described as requiring "Western-style" realization.
So what better place to do it than Beaver Creek Valley?
And as it happens in the film business, this would have to be done very soon, of course, since the spot was also to be distributed very quickly. The shooting date was therefore set for January 2022.
Robert's client at that time was the operator of a distillery from the Fichtelgebirge, whose tradition dates back to 1864: Marcel Völkel fromSack's Distillery in Weissenstadt
The owner and manager of Sack's Distillery in Weißenstadt - Marcel Völkel
Marcel contacted Panorama Videoproduktion, as his new gin creation "Outlaw" from the series of "Illegal Gins" was to be presented in a promotional film.
As a gin lover, this was already Marcel's third gin creation, in addition to the already existing varieties "Bandit" - with real vanilla from Madagascar - and the "Rebel" - a culinary firework of woodruff and lemon.
An Outlaw does not abide by any laws. Especially not the Illegal Gin "OUTLAW", which simply disregards the rules of mass production and mass taste. He knows only a fine individual taste. Be curious about a unique gin pleasure. Real gin impresses with a pure and rounded touch of juniper. Therefore, this unfiltered gin from our distillery contains only fresh and natural ingredients.
The names are of course very fitting for the "Western genre", which is why we were happy to help produce the commercial. We also liked the idea of supporting a regionally located business.
So we dressed up, polished our revolvers and got ready for an exciting day of shooting on set: "Beaver Creek Valley"!
Cast and Plot: The Actors and Storyline of the Commercial
Marcel Völkel – M.J. Morningstar, Outlaw BossAndreas Niemczyk - Zach, M.J.'s right hand manWerner Schmidt – Chet McCay, U.S. Marshal in Beaver Creek ValleyRobert Neuber - producer and camera operator
Outlaw boss M.J. Mornigstar" is imprisoned in the Beaver Creek Valley jail. "Zach", his most trusted associate, one night decides to free his boss. But can he get past the watchful eyes of U.S. Marshal "Chet McCay" without getting into a shootout?
Pictures of the movie
It's hard to believe that behind a 30-second commercial, there's a whole day's work.
Here are a few impressions of the shooting day:
The Shooting Procedure on Set: Beaver Creek Valley in January
First, every single scene was discussed with the protagonists before shooting began. You can certainly imagine that not everything goes as our cameraman would have liked. It happened that a scene had to be repeated many times. For example, the light or the setting didn't fit, there were things in the picture that didn't belong there, the movements were too impetuous or too awkward, and there were smiles where a serious expression was desired.
In addition, the camera had to be rebuilt for each new shot, whether outdoors or indoors.
For the final scenes, we had to wait for evening to capture the campfire setting properly and authentically.
It all happened on Sunday, January 23, 2022. It was a typical winter day for our area; it was freezing cold, wet and the terrain accordingly muddy. But it was magnificent and we are glad we were there!
Such an interesting and exciting day is not experienced too often. Despite the wetness and cold, the shoot with Sack's Distillery was great fun. In the end, we drove home in the middle of the night - frozen to the bone - but satisfied with the result.
For over 150 years, Sack's Distillery has been producing fine spirits and spirituous beverages. Marcel, the current owner and operator continues this tradition.
He produces F.U.K. gin and Feuerwasser for the renowned metal band Hämatom.
By now the distillery can look back on several awards, including the "Company of the Year" awards in 2021 for Bavaria and in 2022 for Germany.
Marcel was in front of the camera again for the Oberfranken-TV. For the cooking show "Einfach Lecker" he provided tasty tips for fine digestifs after dinner.
On Instagram and Facebook Marcel shares news and updates about the distillery!
Besides M.J. is guitarist and founder of the post-apocalyptic metal bandWasteland Clan
Zach Volcanic - aka Andreas Niemczyk In his professional life he is a mechanical engineer and material scientist, in his spare time he is the bass player of the post-apocalyptic metal band "Wasteland Clan".
With Sack's Distille we had another highlight in 2022: The tasting of authentic cocktails straight out of the Wild West!
The Beaver Creek Pioneer will be reporting on this shortly!
Social etiquette in everyday life, Arizona territory circa 1870.
Article contains unpaid advertising
Reading time: approx. 4 minutes.
Saturday, April 03, 2022
Social manners in the United States of America during the founding period were primarily shaped by English influences.
In addition, there were the rules and habits brought by other European immigrants, especially French, German, in the northeast also Dutch, and in the southwest Spanish or Mexican.
While some religious immigrant groups tried not to mix their native customs with others, for the vast majority of Americans it was precisely the breaking away from the traditional and embracing the new that made life in the U.S. so appealing.
The photography studio Maull & Polyblank from London provides some contemporary photographs of the fashion of the time.
The following overview comes from the Arizona territory and reflects etiquette in the Wild West circa 1870.
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This and other interesting facts in the book!
In his new book Spotlights On American History(DE), author Wolfgang Horst Reblinsky highlights special events in American history that are not found in every history book in a total of 45 chapters.
The book's motto is:
"Behind American history are people and behind those people are their stories."
In a short video clip, we've summarized the Arizona Territory's etiquette rules for you. Rancher Chet McCay takes his future wife Gill out to dinner at Beaver Creek Valley's Frontier Tavern.
The rules of etiquette in the Wild West in an overview
Walking as a couple
The lady walks on the right hand or arm of the gentleman. The hands should be at least at hip level. The lady's right hand lifts the dress slightly off the ground. The gentleman's left hand rests at his side or on his back.
Exiting a vehicle
A lady does not leave a vehicle (e.g. carriage, railroad carriage) until her gentleman or an attendant has opened the door for her and can assist her in getting out. The door is not opened until the gentleman is confident that there is no danger to the lady outside the vehicle (riffraff, traffic, upturned dirt, etc.).
Entering / leaving a building or room
When entering or inside a safe building, the lady has the right of way. When entering an unsafe room, e.g. a foyer or restaurant, and always when leaving a building, the gentleman goes first, secures and then holds the door open for the lady; the lady does not push behind the gentleman but waits until he has secured the door.
On the staircase
If it is not possible for a couple to walk up or down a staircase side by side (the lady leaning on the gentleman's right arm), the following applies: The lady goes up first, the gentleman one step behind her. The gentleman goes down first, the lady one step after him. Reason: If the lady steps on the hem of the skirt and stumbles, the gentleman can catch her.
Greeting / Farewell
At that time, one would greet the gentleman first and then the lady. To greet a well-known, familiar lady, an implied kiss on the hand by the gentleman is customary. If the lady is not so familiar, it is appropriate to shake hands and nod to indicate a bow. A lady in the same situation will extend her hand and make a slight curtsy. When saying goodbye, the same applies.
At table
The seating order is that the lady always sits to the right of her companion.
If one has already taken a seat at the table and other table neighbors join in, then the gentleman stands up to greet, the lady remains seated.
If a lady wants to get up from the table, she signals this to her companion. The gentleman rises and moves her chair to the side; when she sits down, he adjusts the chair. If the lady is alone, a table neighbor takes over this activity out of courtesy and deference.
The gentlemen should always endeavor to take care of the wellbeing of the ladies. Drinks are always brought to a lady's table by a gentleman if they are not served by a waiter.
If the food is not served, the ladies can choose their food from the buffet and take it with them or the gentleman accompanies the lady, plates her choice and carries the plate to her seat.
If something falls to a lady, there should always be a gentleman who feels honored to pick up the item.
To be continued...
In the next part of the series "With Fan and Colt - Etiquette in the Wild West", we devote ourselves to festive balls and also go into the secret fan language of the ladies!
Wolf H. Reblin – Beaver Creek Pioneer
About the author
Wolfgang Horst Reblinsky
a.k.a.
Mr. Wolf H. Reblin, Esq., Arizona Justice of the Peace
He has been involved for many years with both the history of American colonization and the era between 1920 and 1980.
He practices his historical representation as a justice of the peace in the Arizona Territory circa 1870 as Wolf H. Reblin along with his wife Eliza B. (Holl) Reblin.
Reblinsky, Wolfgang: Spotlights On American History - (Be)Merkenswertes aus der amerikanischen Geschichte, 2021, 1st edition, tredition GmbH, pp. 79-81.
Artful leatherwork just like from the days of the Wild West
A spotlight on the leather maker Wolfgang Oidtmann
Reading time: approx. 6 minutes.
Sunday, December 05, 2021
The first time I saw an image of "Geronimo's Gun Rig" was in 1998. A year earlier, "TIME LIFE" had published the fantastic documentary "Defiant Chiefs", an appreciation of Native Americans and their chiefs. Particularly highlighted in this report was the Apache war chief "Geronimo" and his revolver holster for a 7 ½" bbl Colt, but with a short-barreled weapon. The picture further shows the corresponding Gun Belt, and his Bowie Knife with matching scabbard. By 2009, I had completed my own research, had the silver fittings made, and designed the cuts for "MY version of the Geronimo set" ... But that's another story; enjoy the photo!
Geronimo Gunrig
Cowboy Accessories – then and now
The book"Packing Iron" (Western holster), by Richard Rattenbury, is the "Leather Bible" for all who feel connected to the "Old West" . However, nothing is mentioned in this book about what it was like in the Old West saddleries during the hay days of the cattle drives: How did the saddler and his customers communicate? What did the cowpuncher have to do to get the desired saddlery products? Joe Gish told me. The old-timer, who passed away in 2011 and whose sole purpose in life was the Old West, lived in his living room museum in Fredericksburg, TX until his death and received Ol' West Buffs from all over the world!
Richard Rattenbury – Packing Iron (DE Edition)
The "old west cowboy" today is called reenactor or hobbyist
The saddleries primarily focused on saddles and horse harnesses, Joe told me. As other services, of course, they also made holsters, spur straps, chaps and all the rest of the "Cowboy Accessories".
Wolfgang Oidtmann in front of his store in Düsseldorf
So if a Drover had the money and the time to 'upgrade' before the cattle trek, then first of all communication was required. The saddlers had as good as nothing in stock. In their store they had small things, such as cuffs, quirts or strap goods, sometimes possibly for sale unclaimed contract work, because the "Maker" always worked off current orders!
As it was then, it is no different nowadays: "I love it when a die-hard Western Reenactor shows up in my Düsseldorf store and discusses with me his ideas of e.g. a new holster! In his head he has pictures from my Old West Outfitter online catalog or from some other non-fiction books with him and then tells me exactly which extras he would like to see realized!
From the pattern to the finished product: In his workshop, Wolfgang Oidtmann turns his customers' requirements into reality.
From universal size to custom made
Take, for example, the legendaryModel 1877 "Rio Grande" Frontier Reproduction Holsterfrom Catalog #63 (1983-1984) of the El Paso Saddlery (EPS). This is a nice example of a finely crafted Tex-Mex holster. It was made by EPS using a contemporary cut. This means that this holster was a bit oversized when it came to its cut. This piece was offered in only ONE size at the time of the cattle treks, accordingly it accommodated quite a few revolver types from various manufacturers, Joe Gish explained to me. So it was not basically designed for a COLT SAA Model 1873 or a REMINGTON Model 1875. It was to fit as many revolvers as possible. That meant less work for the saddler to produce, because there was really only one size that fit all!
From catalog to custom adaptation: the creation of a COLT SAA Model 1873 holster based on the El Paso Saddlery catalog.
Of course, the EPS built this holster in the 1980s to fit all sorts of revolvers individually. However, the large, deep cut was maintained, as a reminiscence of the "Good Ol' Days". One of my customers liked this holster, however, he preferred a slightly less large cut. And then I was again allowed to feel like a Old West Saddler. A new pattern had to be made and the stamping should correspond to the time around 1875. However, he was particularly concerned that there should be no basket-weave pattern (as on the EPS original on the main loop), because that was too "modern" for my cowboy. Furthermore, he wanted a tight fit of the holster, exactly designed for a COLT SAA Model 1873, 5 ½" bbl! This man could also be helped!
Making a holster - from the pattern to cutting, punching, dyeing and sewing - takes at least half a working day.
Complex stamping or braided seams mean even more time.
A gun belt is in the same time pattern.
Making a pair of shot gun chaps or bat wing chaps can take up to 4 full working days. Ultimately, they should match the pattern after completion, the customer should like them and of course they should fit!
Old West Outfitter: Many years of experience guarantee quality
Meanwhile I am 74 years old, I have learned the saddlery craftsmanship - in addition to my educated profession as a decorator - with a Düsseldorf saddler. Over the years I was the owner of three companies with offices in Heinsberg and Düsseldorf. For about 40 years I am - at first 'only' on the side, but now 'primarily' - active in the Old West Saddlery business and work mostly with the same old, reliable tools that my teacher left me.
Wolfgang Oidtmann crafts sophisticated leatherwork in his Düsseldorf workshop.
I also have acquired the calmness and serenity that one needs in this profession.
To deliver an acceptable end product it requires precise handwork and the time that goes with it:
"just like in the Old West!"
See You, Folks!
Zum Schluss noch ein Buch-Tipp von mir:
“Saddleries Of Montana” (Montana’s Makers from Territorial Times to 1940), Lyndes, Reynolds and Sage, ISBN: 978-0-7643-5274-4, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
This book is on par with "Packing Iron"; it blew me away with its fantastic information and pictures. By the way, Joseph Sullivan's saddlery, in Ft. Benton, is also mentioned in this all-encompassing work. I have been offering a replica of one of his holsters in my own store for two years now.
About the author
Wolfgang Oidtmann
Wolfgang Oidtmann is a businessman from Düsseldorf, Germany. Currently he puts the focus on his leather store.
His work can be found online at his website old-west-outfitter.de. He is considered the last German saddler who consistently handcrafts his high-end products in the tradition of the U.S. West; with a consistently high quality of leather made in Germany; for authentic replicas and many types of utilitarian leather items.
If you want to experience him 'live and in color' (besides in his store), you can always find Wolfgang at the meetings of the 'Western-Bund e.V.' or where the 'Oldtimers' of the European Western hobby give their rendezvous and at CAS events!
In his new book Spotlights On American History(DE), author Wolfgang Horst Reblinsky highlights special events in American history that are not found in every history book in a total of 45 chapters.
The motto of the book is "Behind American history are people and behind those people are their stories."
Reblinsky about Spotlights On American History:
This book is not intended to be another classic USA history book, there are plenty around! Rather, the goal is to shed light on the events of American history that are not in every book and that easily fall off the edge of historiography and threaten to sink into the dust of oblivion. The stories are also meant to be typical of the personalities who came to settle America and define it.
Some of the stories will appear, with the author's kind permission, in the Beaver Creek Pioneer of the Two Rivers Privity.
Erhältlich bei Amazon, oder direkt beim tredition® Verlag Online Shop, sowie bestellbar in jeder Buchhandlung Ihres Vertrauens mit der ISBN 978-3-347-36702-9 (Paperback)!
Entertaining stories, historically accurate and informatively presented
Reblinsky covers a wide variety of subjects in American history in his 45 chapters. In a relaxed and informative writing style, he devotes himself, for example, to the historically correct etiquette of the Old West, as well as to modern topics that characterize the 178-page paperback.
Not only history buffs will get their money's worth here, but all those who have always wanted to take a look behind the curtain of America!
From the Two Rivers Privity comes a clear reading recommendation for Spotlights On American History!
We know and appreciate his contributions to the Magazin für Amerikanistik among other publications.
The German Magazin für Amerikanistik also features exciting and interesting topics by Wolfgang H. Reblinsky.
About the author: Wolfgang H. Reblinsky
The author, Dipl.Rpfl.(FH) Wolfgang H. Reblinsky, born in Fürth/Bavaria, is a qualified lawyer and retired geomancer.
He is engaged in American history and, as The Honorable Wolf H. Reblin, Arizona Justice of the Peace, portrays the period around 1870 in the Arizona Territory.
In addition to historical articles in the German Magazin für Amerikanistik, he also publishes on vintage automotive topics related to the United States.
He lives with his wife Beate in Bad Reichenhall and Obertraubling.
Howdy folks and friends of the TRP! Today we want to share our small, internal Authentic Camp 2021 with you, which we held at the beginning of August, on Beaver Creek Valley.
We were very sorry that the big camp - like last year - unfortunately did not take place due to Corona. So the Authentic Camp 2021 took place in a small group of our members, even if we would have liked to have our guests with us!
In this post, we're all about motivating you and keeping you going until next year, when hopefully we can once again greet our guests with a warm:
Welcome to Beaver Creek Valley!
The preparations for our event were initially overshadowed by concerns about Corona. Long discussions with the local office were necessary to find out in which scope we would even be allowed to meet. Some restrictions followed, but thanks to the understanding and great members of the TRP, we could enjoy our time travel Corona-compliant and light-hearted.
We want to tell you about this beautiful week today.
The week started with a summer rain
The first weekend of our Authentic Camp started with a lot of rain! Mud roads and puddles as far as the eye could see. However, the roads to Beaver Creek gave a very authentic picture.
It was quite common back then for the main roads of settlements to be full of mud and dirt at all times. Due to the constant traffic of stagecoaches, carts and other wagons, the grass hardly had a chance to grow back. These roads were usually paved much later, by the turn of the century. In larger cities, people were fortunate enough to walk on paved roads. And so the weather contributed to a characteristic picture at the beginning of the week!
However, the rain soon bid us farewell with a gigantic rainbow, announcing beautiful weather that would hold for the rest of the week. The mood rose and drove away the worry about a rainy camp.
Authentic cuisine - Like the old days
The week began with an extraordinary meal. For this purpose, some settlers foraged for mushrooms in the nearby forests. Of course, thanks to the rain, they found plenty and we were able to add a good portion of freshly collected chanterelles to our meal.
If you are wondering at this point if the pasta in this dish will fit the era, we can reassure you!
Back in the 1780s, none other than Thomas Jefferson himself enjoyed his first serving of pasta in a Paris restaurant. Jefferson was a big pasta fan ever since and even had shipments of boxes sent back to America.
In 1798, the first pasta factory finally opened in Philadelphia. At that time, however, pasta dishes were reserved for the wealthy bourgeoisie, as their availability was very limited. The working class, on the other hand, only began to enjoy macaroni around the time of the American Civil War (starting in the 1860s), when more factories opened and imports from countries like Sicily were no longer necessary.
During this week, there were many more excellent meals that we prepared and ate together at a large community table.
There was, for example, a tasty chicken stew or the legendary "Irish Stew", to name just a handful. So there were all kinds of delicacies again at the Authentic Camp 2021!
Of course, we didn't just eat, but passed the time with all kinds of amusements.
Poque, photo shootings and cozy saloon evenings
We have newly discovered the game of poque for ourselves! "Poch", as it is also called, was already a popular amusement in the Middle Ages and was first mentioned in Strasbourg as early as 1441. French immigrants brought "poque" - as it was called there - to America, from which the later poker developed.
Throughout the camp, young and old were quickly at the gambling table when someone called for a game of poque!
With such beautiful weather, it was natural that our cowboys returned earlier than planned from their "hard working day" and, in compliance to their cowboy code, invited their ladies for a walk into the evening.
But not only for the cowboys the warm light invited to great photos.
After a hearty evening meal together, the party relaxed as they pleased. When the evening came, we got all dressed up and met again for a visit to the saloon.
After the day's toil and trouble, everyone met here to celebrate, discuss, laugh, play cards, have a drink or two and, of course, make music together. Everyone who could play an instrument was invited and many beautiful songs came out, such as this one:
Lil’ Liza Jane – Beaver Creek Valley Ramblers – Live at the Frontier Tavern
Visit to the Museum of Military Tradition in Weidenberg
After a hearty breakfast we started into a new day!
We reserved this day for a planned museum tour and returned to the present reality at short notice for this purpose. The visit to the Museum for Military Tradition in Upper Franconia, Weidenberg, was organized by our friend and museum director Martin Götz. He guided us through the various eras, up to modern times.
Many of the exhibited pieces were accompanied by miniatures. These, meticulously handcrafted figures, were placed in dioramas and complemented the overall picture.
As a visitor, you could thus get a better picture of how the armies and militias were positioned. One also got a good impression of how clothing and equipment interacted and also how the war sites of the time were like.
We can recommend a visit to the museum without any restrictions! Not only military enthusiasts will enjoy it, but also all those who have always wanted to learn more about the area in general.
We were also able to learn a lot and would like to thank Martin very much for taking the time for us!
Campfire Stories & High-Tech in the Wild West
As evening fell that day, everyone gathered around the campfire and listened to stories told by local mayor Hans Walter a.k.a. Mr. Catlin.
He told us about times long past, when Napoleon's troops made the region around Kastl unsafe and how the war changed both the area and the people. But also a few bizarre inn stories, as well as mystical legends around the Rauen Kulm, characterized the evening.
The following day we had a lot planned! For this we invited our friend and photographer Robert of the Panorama Video Production to Beaver Creek Valley. With the help of a large technical setup consisting of video and photo cameras, as well as lighting and microphones, TRP members momentarily became protagonists in a short short film.
What exactly we have realized there, remains a secret at this time! However, we can already reveal this much: It has to do with the publication of a book whose author is a very good friend of TRP.
But that's wasn't all: Robert also highlighted the Indian Territory of Beaver Creek Valley in great detail! There he accompanied a Lakota lady with the preparation of an authentic meal. We are very much looking forward to the finished material, which we will of course present in the Beaver Creek Pioneer!
Very nice pictures were taken again during the Authentic Camp 2021, for example the series "The Law of Beaver Creek Valley", where the law enforcement officers of Beaver Creek Valley presented their strength in front of the Sheriff's Office.
The end of our trail
Just before the general mood of departure spread on the last day, we received a visit from the far north. A delegation of Canadian Mounties visited Beaver Creek Valley. Of course, the "Red Serges" caught the attention in front of our Fort McKenzie and we were able to take some very nice pictures here as well!
We would like to thank all those who squeezed into their uniforms during what felt like the warmest day of the week - but the result certainly speaks for itself:
All in all, we can say that we had a brilliant, beautiful and eventful time at the Authentic Camp 2021. It felt very good to come together once again as a community, to exchange ideas and experience a wonderful time together. We are looking forward to next year, when hopefully we will be able to spend this time with our honored guests again!
Stay safe and keep your powder dry!
So long, Chet McCay & Colton White – Beaver Creek Pioneer
Nebraska Territory, 1862. In the midst of a snowstorm, a certain James Butler Hickok rumbles into a snowed-in horse station. The at that time 25 years old good-for-nothing, gambler and day laborer has not yet taken his role in the just begun war of secession. That's when he meets five outlaws by pure chance in this godforsaken outpost. One of these unlucky ones makes the mistake of brushing Hickok's fur cap off his head. - What follows is a sequence of 20 seconds; between minute 8:37 and minute 8:57; in the cult western "Wild Bill"; starring Jeff Bridges ... - At the end of the scene the outlaws have all been busted and a bone-dry 'Wild Bill' Hickok speaks the famous sentence and at the same time the credo of every Old West buff;
Never touch another man’s hat!
– James Butler Hickok in “Wild Bill“ with Jeff Bridges
An old STETSON cowboy hat from a 'Movie-Town' in New Mexico, U.S.A.; in its heyday STETSON sold 3 million hats a year.
The cowboy hat as a mark of personality
Nothing else identifies the Western hobbyist - in the cowboy section - as clearly as the hat he wears! When I took up the hobby in the 1970s, the advisors who helped me put together my outfit overwhelmed me with their expertise. But there was only one thing these 'old timers' agreed on: the hat had to fit me and my 'alias'! And, of course, it had to be a STETSON ! And since I wanted to portray a simple, nameless cowboy, I got to know the archetype of the 'US-American Cowboy Hat': the 'Boss of the Plains'; or, as it is also called, the 'Austral', the 'Mormon Hat' or simply the 'Open Crown'.
Two STETSON hats: a brown, low 'Open Crown' in "Scout Style"; and a black 'Boss Of The Plains' in 4x buffalo quality.
Two further 'Open Crown' examples; the black hat comes in "Preacher Style"; the light one in typical, worn "Drover Style".
The shape of the hat - reflection of a hard life
Due to the constant use of the hat, the permanent effects of weather and the use for other purposes - it had to serve both as a 'watering bucket' for the horse and as a 'pillow' for the exhausted cowboy - the good piece lost its original shape quite quickly. However, the easy to reshape felt made it possible for the Drovers to bring their hats into shape over and over again. And this is how the various shapes of hats came into being, each of which was ultimately used as a distinctive mark of its owner.
Many hats found their way from the military into the bunkhouses of the ranches. These were often wide-brimmed officers' hats with crowns that were also notable for their height.
Imposing brim widths of 4 ½" and crown heights of 6 ½" give their owners plenty of room to 'style' these hats individually.
John B. Stetson - Hat fashion for cowboys & gentlemen
After John B. Stetson began to manufacture hats, among other things, in his company in Saint Joseph, Missouri, starting in 1865 and threw them on a 'hungry market', the triumphal march of the 'STETSON' cowboy hat was unstoppable. Cattle drives from the South to the Midwest slaughterhouses of the fledgling U.S. had begun in the 1850s. And the young 'drovers' - or 'cow boys' - initially still wore the headgear of their fathers, for example, that they had brought with them from the 'Old World/Europe': caps, knitted woolen hats or hats of townspeople and farmers. There were also hats of Mexican origin.
A traditional company on the rise
However, all of this equipment lacked the size and the expansive brim of the hat that protected its wearer from the weather-related elemental forces on a cattle trek. - John B. STETSON had the solution. His products offered a hat-crown whose height ensured 'plenty of fresh air under the dome'; and a brim that protected the face from direct sunlight and allowed rain to drip off. Far beyond the end of the legendary Cattle Drives that ended at the beginning of the 20th century, 'his' company still sells and continues to sell the legendary Stetson as loved by the cowboy and the hobbyist; but with changing production numbers; with changing quality; and with ever-changing sales philosophy:
In the 1880s, the target audience was the 'cowboys'; after the turn of the century, it was the movie industry and the fancy crowd; and today, the STETSON Co. seems to be looking for a way to reconcile tradition with today's consumer behavior and bring it to a reasonable level ...
Especially Western ladies attach importance to a neat headgear! Many a cowboy can take a leaf out of their book!
A cross-section of Western hobbyists' 'hat fashions'; in the center, legendary German Old West saddler Willi Baumann, † 2015.
The saloon as a catwalk. The pictures were taken by me (authorized reporter) at the 'Western Council 2004' and carry my copyright.
The cowboy hat - it's more than just a "hobby
Since I have been active in the hobby, hundreds of hats have passed through my hands. I have collected them, I have traded them; and I have given them away to friends. The whole "dilemma" continues to this day!
The Boss Of The Plains
The Montana Peak
The High Telescope
The Lawman
The Tom Horn
The Open Crown
The Tycoon
The Gus
The Puncher
The slideshow shows a cross-section of the common hat shapes in the Western hobby. Allowed is what pleases ... and what you want to pay!
If you'd like to learn more about the hip and current hat manufacturers, felt qualities, 'self-made' hat restoration, or how to handle and appreciate 'all things Western Hat', let me know. I would love to continue to share, your
P e t e a.k.a. marshdillion
About the author
Peter Jakob Klein a.k.a. marshdillion
Pete has been at home in 'Western Reenactment' for 50 years; he is a freelance radio and TV journalist and is now retired; he has worked for the German ARD stations.
When it comes to topics of the 'western hobby' or 'cowboy action shooting', you can find his contributions in the VISIER, among others.
When in spring the temperatures slowly rise again and the plants begin to form their leaves and flowers, then it is also the perfect time for the brewer to prepare beer. The recipe we present here, however, has nothing to do with hops and malt, but is based on the young shoots of spruce.
I, as well, have taken advantage of the recent spring to dedicate myself to a long-awaited project - making Spruce Beer.
Already in colonial times, the spruce served as an important source of vitamin C and can still be found in many traditional dishes. In a simple step by step guide, you too will be able to make your own delicious Spruce Beer.
The History of the Spruce Beer
As early as 1536, the French explorer Jacques Cartier drank a tea from a coniferous tree that the Saint Lawrence Iroquois called Aneda. The tea provided a surprisingly high amount of vitamin C, which was especially lacking aboard ships and could thus lead to scurvy.[1] But who is satisfied with tea in the long run, when it can also be beer?
The British Royal Navy took advantage of this knowledge in the 18th century and added spruce branches to existing shiploads of beer to protect against the disease.[2]
The French explorer Jacques Cartier.
Alcoholic Spruce Beer was especially common in the Thirteen Colonies of America, as well as Eastern Canada. This beer was mainly made with red or black spruce.[3]
An illustrious gathering in a characteristic tavern - John Greenwood 1755
Spruces are evergreen, which means they do not lose their needles in winter. Just that was a huge advantage at that time, because the production of beer was possible almost at any time of the year.
Young spruce shoots - in spring collecting is worthwhile!
It is precisely in the springtime, at the end of May, beginning of June, that the spruce forms young shoots that taste particularly intense. You definitely want this aroma in your beer. The shoots can theoretically be nibbled directly from the tree, they taste slightly sour and are a good energy supplier.
But be careful! Know your tree!
Before you set out to collect, you should be sure that the yield is actually the shoots of spruce. As a candidate that can be confused with the spruce, the highly poisonous yew is frequently listed. However, if you compare the two plants directly, you can see a definite difference. An illustrated plant guide provides certainty here. If the spruce is confused with the very similar fir, it is not too tragic, because their shoots are also edible.
The highly toxic European yew (left) and the edible spruce with young shoots (right).
To brew about 8l of beer, I collected about four handfuls of spruce tips, taking care to harvest evenly on each branch to avoid stressing the tree too much.
The young shoots of spruce.
The brewing process - from the raw product to the finished beer
Now it's time for preparation - after all, a beer like this doesn't brew itself! However, most of it is actually done for us by our brewer's yeast. But before that, a little preparation is needed.
What do you need?
Two 8l pots with lid
A ladle
24 empty beer bottles (0,33l)
A funnel for filling
Brewer's yeast
a bottle cap set
Isopropanol 99.9% for disinfecting
a dripping stand for the beer bottles
500ml maple syrup
150g brown sugar
4 hands full of fresh spruce shoots
The basic rule that should always be followed is cleanliness! That is why I highly recommend disinfecting all equipment and hands before brewing.
First, the freshly collected spruce shoots should be roughly cleaned of dirt. After that, simply wash with cold water.
The washed shoots are placed in a clean, disinfected pot with 8l of water and boiled for about 30 minutes.
Then all the shoots are completely removed from the pot.
To the decoction add 500ml of maple syrup and 150g of sugar.
Stir the mixture well and let it simmer for another 15 minutes.
Then remove the liquid from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
Dissolve the yeast in a little water according to the package instructions and stir gently with a (disinfected) finger.
When the decoction has cooled to about room temperature, add the dissolved yeast and stir slowly.
Now let the brew ferment with the lid closed for about 12 hours.
After the rest period, the yeast has worked properly, usually recognizable by already rising CO2 bubbles. My brewer's yeast naturally sinks to the bottom of the pot and forms a sediment. Now the second pot is used. The young beer is now carefully separated from the sediment layer with the ladle.
However, depending on the type of yeast, this process is optional. In the case of yeasts that are specifically designed for bottle fermentation, you can stir again to create a homogeneous mixture once more. This ensures that the same amount of yeast is present in each bottle when bottling. If the quantity is unevenly distributed, individual bottles may burst under certain circumstances.
Whether with or without yeast - now the bottles can be filled and corked.
After 3 to 5 days the Spruce Beer is ready to drink!
The bottles should stand during the "maturation" in a room-warm, dark place - preferably in a way that nothing can happen in case of a bottle explosion. Because I felt the desire, I have designed a bottle logo in the meantime.
After just three days, enough carbon dioxide has accumulated to make the beer a pleasure to drink. Before serving, put it once again in the refrigerator, because no one would like warm beer!
However, Spruce Beer should not be stored in the bottles for too long. The yeast usually works until the sugar has been completely converted. This leads to a higher output of carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the bottle. The beer aged for three days will also taste slightly sweeter than the beer aged for 5 days.
My "sweet spot" was around four days. The beer no longer tasted too sweet and the amount of carbon dioxide was just right, in my opinion.
Taste-wise, the beer was excellent! However, the end product is very difficult to describe. The spruce shoots give the beer a slightly resinous note, but this is by no means unpleasant, but rather refreshing! Other hobby brewers compare Spruce Beer with Cola and wheat beer, which I can not agree with. Through the maple syrup and sugar it still has a sweet note, but tastes just unique!
Cheers!
In the past, the process was somewhat different...
In the past, of course, the work was done somewhat differently and, above all, much less clean. The brew was sometimes boiled with whole spruce twigs, with molasses, sugar or maple syrup and filled into barrels. The "external yeasts" on the twigs then kicked off the brewing process. Of course, this is always a bit dicey, because the beer can quickly turn unpleasant and become undrinkable due to these yeasts.
I also deliberately decided against molasses, because the inherent flavor of this would have been too dominant.
By the way - you can make great food with spruce tips!
Spruce tips are not only suitable for making delicious beer, you can also use them perfectly in cuisine. A really simple and yet incredibly delicious dish is baked salmon with spruce tips, jacket potatoes and sour cream.
Bon appétit
Spruce Tips baked salmon with jacket potatoes and sour cream. The Spruce Beer works great as a drink with it!
Place the salmon skin side down in a baking dish, season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with spruce shoots and bake at 200°C for about 30 minutes. As a side dish, boil potatoes with skin in water until cooked. Serve with sour cream. Done!
Winter is the season of the runny nose and constantly frosty hands. The common cold plagues us and we get sick. All this is by far nothing unusual and we know very well by now how to cure ourselves again. But how did people actually deal with illnesses and ailments in the Old West?
Certainly, at that time there were already practicing doctors, but among them were also some quacks and charlatans, who were able to build a prestigious reputation. With the healing effects of magic in combination with extravagant ingredients, they made their profit from the uninformed people.
Finally, the use of colorful product names such as "Egyptian Regulator Tea" and medicine shows did the rest to encourage people to buy the product.[1]
But who were these men and women and how could so many people fall for them?
Great Britain and the Quack Boom in America
In the 17th and 18th centuries, people still had little understanding of the causes of disease. It was therefore not surprising that so-called patent medicine conquered the market - first in Great Britain and then in the British colonies in North America. In contrast to locally produced and used remedies, the big advertising drum was beaten for these substances. In some cases provided with genuine royal patents, they created confidence among the population and found correspondingly large sales, especially from the beginning of the 18th century.[2]
By 1830, British parliamentary records listed over 1,300 different patented "medicines," most of which were, by modern standards, nothing more than the humbug of quacks.[2]
During the American Revolution and after the War of 1812, the British market lost influence in America. However, the resulting gaps were quickly filled with American products, in order to set themselves apart from England. The golden era of the manufactured products in America was in the years after the Civil War from 1865 onwards.[2]
It's all a question of marketing
Among the first products to be mass produced was "Daffy's Elixir". The inventor of the potion, an English clergyman named Thomas Daffy, is said to have put the brew to paper as early as 1647. After his demise, his daughter Catherine, together with some of his relatives, continued the brand. The product, which was originally only intended to help against digestive problems, was gradually developed further during Daffy's lifetime until it was finally intended to help against any disease. It therefore also had the name Elixir Salutis - the potion of health.[3]
Bottle of Daffy's Elixir Salutis (center).
When more influential companies were able to claim the rights to the elixir, they achieved a breakthrough in America. The brand eventually became so famous that it was even mentioned in Charles Dickens' book Oliver Twist.[3]
The ingredients of the potion, of course, did not help against the multitude of diseases, as originally advertised, and yet it created a large distribution in England and America.
The ingredients of an "irresistible" product
Most potions and tinctures of the quacks consisted mainly of common drinking alcohol, such as brandy. This was often mixed with various herbs, opium and in some cases cocaine.[5]
If one ingested such a brew, it usually provided relief from the symptoms, since opium, for example, acted like a strong painkiller. However, this didn't cure the cause of the respective disease at all. These mixtures promised to help not only against the "simple cold", but also claimed to be effective against complex diseases.[2, 3]
Especially the use of opium was by no means new at that time, but found a wide use until the early 19th century, also in medicine. Besides the pain-killing effect, it helped against diarrhea and aided a good sleep.[4]
Opium in a pharmacist's container (left) and as a plant in the wild (right).
However, the side effects of an incorrect dosage or prolonged ingestion were devastating: from weight loss due to lack of appetite, through muscle pain, to death by respiratory paralysis. It was also common for consumers of the tinctures to become addicted. The ingestion could also have a severe effect on the mental state, accompanied by strong personality changes, up to apathy.[4]
The German immigrant William Radam, even went so far as to dilute sulfuric acid, which is highly corrosive, with red wine.
The "microbe killer" potion was born, which, according to Radam, made it possible to "cure any kind of disease".[2, 5]
Both the short-term relief of discomfort and the addiction to alcohol, opium or cocaine were probably reason enough for the products to be consumed regularly. After all, one actually felt better after taking them and felt a certain craving for more of the miraculous medicine. The big awakening, however, probably came when one noticed that the actual illness did not go away or even new complaints were added.[5]
The Medicine Shows
In the American colonies, traveling peddlers appeared before 1772, roaming mainly through rural areas to sell their dubious medicines. In the course of this, a law was passed prohibiting their activities.[5]
In the 19th century, large-scale shows replaced individual traveling salesmen. The performances were increasingly spectacular and not only took place in front of sales wagons, but also in large tents and even theaters. While the salesman advertised his potent "medicine", he was often supported by artists and musicians. This was especially popular with the rural population, as entertainment on such a scale was rare.[5]
Historical re-enactment of quacks. Two Rivers Privity in Beaver Creek Valley.
The two largest and probably most successful medicine shows, were Hamlin's Wizard Oil Company and the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company. Hamlin's Wizard Oil Company had specially designed wagons with built-in organs and additional space for dancers. Posters, fylers, and fancy advertising slogans did the rest.[6]
Poster of Hamlin's Wizard Oil (1890).
The Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company rehearsed a show based on made-up American Native ceremonies. Fake representatives of the thoroughly real tribe translated for the Natives and sold "Sagwa", probably the most famous quack medicine of its time.[5, 7]
How the quack was caught
In the Netherlands, the first association against quackery was founded in 1881, making it the oldest of its kind. The Netherlands was also one of the first countries to regulate medicine through the state.[2]
In the USA, the Boston Medical And Surgical Journal wrote in 1875:
If Satan has ever succeeded in compressing a greater amount of concentrated mendacity into one set of human bodies above every other description, it is in the advertising quacks.
Tinctures with no effect for a disease, soon became commonly known among the population as "Snake Oil". The term goes back to Clark Stanley's Snake Oil Liniment among others, but broadly means the ineffective elixirs of quacks.[2]
Clark Stanley’s Snake Oil Liniment (ca. 1905).
However, not all of these drugs were ineffective either. Turlington's Balsam of Life, for example, actually had beneficial properties as well. Until the early 19th century, the drug was sold under this name and can be found in British and American pharmacopoeias as "Compound Tincture of Benzoin." However, it is believed that the discovery of the balsam's benefits was merely a coincidence and became known only after the fact.[2]
When we think of the Thanksgiving tradition, we associate it with well-being, being together with the family and a delicious feast. We prepare ourselves days in advance for the festivity, are stressed out while shopping and decorate the house with pumpkins and other autumnal utensils. In the end we hope that the turkey in the oven will be a success and we are finally happy when the family has left the house saturated.
But for what do we actually say "thank you"?
Until today there are different views about the roots of the Thanksgiving tradition. It is not easy to identify a particular country of origin. There is the word-related "Erntedank" Festival in Germany and also in countries like Liberia, Grenada, Brazil and even Japan a comparable festival is celebrated. The common element is always based on giving thanks and sacrifices for a successful harvest.
The first "Thanksgiving" in America
If we take a look at North America, history proves that the first festivities of thanksgiving took place on May 23, 1541. It was held under Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, a Spanish conquistador (Spanish and Portuguese conquistador = "conqueror"). Coronado was travelling with a companionship of about 1500 men in the area of today's Texas, in search of civilizations and great riches, just like many other "conquistadores" in his time.
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado was considered the first European to discover the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, among other places.
Instead of the wealth he hoped for, he only found his disillusioned and starving people. Coronado was lucky when he encountered native Caddo tribespeople who helped him and his troops with food. To celebrate this event, a Catholic mass was held together with the indigenous people to give thanks.
In this case one can speak of America's "first Thanksgiving". However, the tradition we know today is based on a different historical event.
The Misery of the American Pilgrim Fathers - The Origin of Thanksgiving Today
Like the history of Coronado, the initial situation of the Puritan Pilgrim Fathers was based on an emergency situation. When in 1620 the first English settlers crossed the Atlantic to the New World on the Mayflower, they did not land at their originally planned destination. Violent autumn storms caused them to deviate from their course and drop anchor near today's Provincetown near Cape Cod. The settlers realized that it would take a long sea voyage to reach their actual destination in North Virginia. So they decided to stay at Cape Cod and settle down. At least for a short time.
At Cape Cod the crew of the Mayflower felt solid ground under their feet again.
Cape Cod is a narrow peninsula off the coast of what is now Massachusetts. The soil there is sandy and farming is difficult - at least if you consider the puristic tools that were used in those days. With the realization that it was difficult to make a living there, the pilgrims sailed on toward the mainland. By December 21, near what is now Plymouth, the food supply was almost empty. The settlers would probably not have survived the first winter, had it not been for the help of the indigenous population.
Thanks to the support of the Wampanoag tribe, at least half of the newly arrived settlers made it through the winter. The other half froze to death or succumbed to disease. No wonder, since the settlers did not have permanent accommodation at that time, but settled in an abandoned village of the Patuxet – a sub-group of the Wampanoag. Most of the huts were already dilapidated, poorly insulated and were not what the settlers would call permanent structures.
Squanto helped the settlers survive in the New World
It was also the Wampanoag who introduced the settlers to agriculture in the New World. A key role was played by Squanto (alt. Tisquantum), who had already been abducted by a merchant ship to the "civilization" unknown to him. Squanto managed to learn the English language there before he could return to his tribe. Despite the fact that Squanto was abducted, it did not stop him from giving the settlers agricultural lessons so that they could survive in the New World.
Among other things, Squanto helped the settlers to practice sustainable agriculture.
Squanto was the key to the success of the settlers in the Plymouth Colony. He served both as a guide to the region and as an interpreter.
After the settlers learned about the customs of the natives to hold a ceremony at harvest time, they decided to do the same. From now on they were to hold a Thanksgiving feast every year together with indigenous guests. They celebrated extensively, ate and played games together, which led to a lively cultural exchange.
It was the time to say "Thank you".
„The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth“, Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914)
The Two Rivers Privity also says: "Thank you"!
Up to the time we've had a Thanksgiving feast to say "Thank you" as well. To all of you who have remained loyal to us throughout the year, who have visited us at our authentic camps and who have actively assisted us in the upkeep of Beaver Creek Valley.
We have done this in recent years with an invitation to an authentic Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, this year the Corona Pandemic prevented us from doing so, but we still found a way to say thank you to our great community!
In Cooperation with Marie-Louise Lange from Küchenliebelei (DE), we want to share some great recipes with you for your own Thanksgiving!
The tradition of Thanksgiving lives on to this day and is celebrated in the USA on November 26th. Unfortunately, the link to the Native Americans is increasingly being forgotten. They live in the middle of reservations in poor conditions, suffer from unemployment and live anything but the "American dream" of freedom and justice. Yet it was them who made it possible for the settlers to survive and gain a lasting foothold in the New World.
Many of today's Natives live in reservations, like here in Fort McDermitt, Nevada.
Unfortunately, the good relationship between the settlers and the indigenous population did not last long. In the following conflicts, countless natives lost their lives and were gradually deprived of their own land.
We would like to actively draw attention to this grievance and remind everyone of it.
For the upcoming Advent season we are currently planning something, and we will need your help. But all in good time - the Beaver Creek Pioneer will keep you up to date.