Friday Feel Good Stories
Photo by Ed Runyan | Kenneth York stands near the back door of his Hall Street Northwest home in Warren, describing how a man broke out a piece of glass in the back door and came through the back door at 1 a.m. Tuesday. York was on the other side pointing a gun at the suspect, later identified as Billy R. Morrow Sr.
More poor victim selection skills.
Warren homeowner shoots man who had broken into his house
By ED RUNYAN
WARREN
Kenneth York, his wife, Heather, and their dog woke up to noises outside of their Hall Street Northwest home at around 1 a.m. Tuesday. They were sleeping on the first floor.
Kenneth got up and armed himself with a handgun he was keeping not far away and headed toward the noises at the back door.
It was dark there, but Kenneth could see a large man breaking a glass panel in the door, apparently with a shovel.
“I asked, “What the hell are you doing? Get out of here,’” Kenneth recalled Tuesday afternoon.
“I mean he came in anyway, so I backed up behind the refrigerator that’s in the other room, stuck the gun out and said, ‘I got a gun. I’ll shoot you.’
“And he come right at me. He kept coming at me. I said ‘Stop, stop,’ so I backed up a little bit. He come through the doorway, and I shot him. He went back in the kitchen.”
As if that were not enough, then the burglar said to Kenneth: “What size a gun is that?’ I said, ‘big enough to kill you.’ And he come at me again. And then his arm started hurting and then he must have got dizzy or something. I said ‘Sit your [butt] down.’ And he kind of collapsed in there.”
Find the rest of the story at The Vindicator
Category: Feel Good Stories
“What size a gun is that?”
Does it have a flashlight?
It was big enough apparently…
Apparently NOT if the a.h. could still talk about it!
From the Stupid Does question selection board…
The story was reported in The Vindicator newspaper. Poetic justice. A feel good story indeed.
Hee, Hee, in our area of the country, 3 kids tried to steal a car after one assaulted the driver. Unsuccessful as none of the three knew how to drive a stick shift. They’ed be better off trying to learn to break dance the old way, ie, trying to steal hubcaps off moving cars.
The article says that Billy Morrow Sr is the perp. Which means there’s a BM Jr, and possibly more pollutants to the gene pool.
And no, that “log” in the pool isn’t a candy bar.
True, but there’s also the possibility that Jr. is a good kid who doesn’t want to be his shithead father, part II. Personally, that’s the scenario I’d rather hope for.
You mean it wasn’t a Baby Ruth floating in the pool by the “Caddy Shack”.
That top picture is interesting.
Wearing a kilt, a sporran (top black belt), and a revolver in a left hand cross draw holster.
Could also be a right-handed twist-draw rig, in the style of Wild Bill Hickok. I would think a cross-draw holster would be more angled. Whichever it is, evidently it works for him.
The twist/reverse draw works best with angled cross-draw holsters, especially with the period long barrels. (Range officers often object, for some reason.)
The advantage of the “Cavalry” rig is that it allows the gun to be held in either hand. For example, one may draw both sword and pistol if un-horsed. Or, one may chose either weapon right-hand while mounted.
Modern “range safety” and the 180-rule has somewhat constrained practical holster practice. (If the range even permits drawing a loaded gun.) Shoulder rigs, crossdraw, small of back, gun bags, etc, all get “not on my range!” Thus little practical practice.
Then again, there -are- reasons for those limits…
I understand the reasons, but if one is to practice with one’s carry rig, then there needs to be a place one can do that.
I don’t use any of those methods [currently] but most local ranges won’t let one practice drawing from concealment. Fortunately, we have a place on our property where I can safely practice draw-and-fire routines. But there ought to be some way for the city-bound to do the same.
I was looking at that as well, DBW.
I’m wondering if the pistola isn’t reversed as a safety precaution during a quick-draw Cowboy-action type of contest. I know they have to do that. The holster looks as if it could take the pistol butt-forward or -backward (not the same as adz-backward or some such).
It could also be, as you say, for a left-hand cross-draw, or the old (and seldom used) right-hand twist-draw.
But the kilt adds a whole different layer to the puzzle….
Would vote for the safety thing.
Location back of the hip would seem to preclude a cross-draw. The cheesy grips and gold finish on the grip frame scream “toy”. The gun is unmarked, and most of the very few folks I know who would carry a single action would either a)have a much worn gun from lots of practice or b)are wannabe cowboys/tough guys. Seems to me I remember this photo from one of those pro-Constitutional carry rallies where everyone struts around with unloaded ARs like Billy Badass. (Not an open-carry fan here.)
Brass frame, plastic grip, probably a replica cap-n-ball gun, an 1851 “Navy” from the grip shape.
Also probable: holster moved to that position for the photo, to juxtapose gun and tattoo. Posed shot.
David,
I’m not seeing “toy” but a brass-framed reproduction of a single-action cartridge or cap-and-ball blackpowder revolver, with some artificial ivory grips.
All that is readily seen is the grips and frame, so I don’t know where you get the “unmarked” concept, nor the idea that the bearer is some sort of ‘wannabe’. The holster, at least, appears to have seen some regular use – it is not in as-new condition.
I have no idea where the subject of the photo was, what he was doing, what his beliefs are, what his purposes for carrying that pistol at that time were, or anything else; therefore I will refrain from any of that type of speculation. He may or may not be an idiot, but that fits most of us TAHellions, anyway.
Jumping to conclusions about his purposes, outlook on life, and attitude is unwarranted, IMHO. YMMV.
Another thought: new gun, not dinged yet. Or a seldom worn item. The holster shows considerable wear markings.
While I prefer concealed carry, I certainly have no objection to open carry. It has advantages. It is also a visible reminder that a Right is still protected.
It is one thing to say one has a right if one hides it. Quite another to dare the worst to strike.
You don’t have to participate, or even approve. But think of them as the canary in the coal mine.
Because -you- are next after they get banned. It is not a trade off. It is who gets stomped first. So I say “no one”.
+1, 11B.
That’s the way the US Army Cavalry troopers back in the day wore the holsters.
Yes, all the U.S. cavalry holsters back in the pre 1911 days were butt forward on the right hip. Interesting factoid: In Cowboy Action Shooting, using these holsters is verboten because you have to sweep your body with the muzzle when you draw your pistol and also break our 180 degree plane golden rule. So, the dudes that want to dress up as cav troopers have to use butt to the rear holsters.
It was my understanding the pistol was a left hand cross draw because their saber was always used in the right hand?
No, the pistol holster was always carried on the right hip. It counter balanced and offset the weight of the saber, which was suspended from the saber hangers on the left side of the saber belt. The horse cavalry did not use cross-draw holsters. The only thing cross-drawn was the saber. All weapons were wielded with the right hand and the reins were held in the left. Once you learn to ride that way, it is quite natural, except for left handers. The lefties have to learn to be right handed. I had to learn to shoot my carbine right handed, both on horseback and on foot. But since we were shooting blanks, my left eye dominance didn’t matter. I suppose you could find a picture somewhere that shows someone not wearing a saber but with a pistol in a holster on the left. The cavalry in the West was notorious in ignoring uniform and equipment standards. After the 1860’s they frequently left the “long knives” in the rear. None of Custer’s troops had them at the Little Big Horn. There are also many pics of officers wearing non-reg butt to the rear holsters. But issue holsters pre 1900 were right hand, butt forward configuration.
Thanks.
The reason I gave, was told to me by my oldest brother when I asked him why the saber buckle I had dug up appeared to hook up backwards from a normal belt buckle.
I went and checked my multiple period correct military saber belts and buckles. They all fasten on the left side of the buckle (belt plate), but modern large western buckles fasten on the right side. I don’t know why they did it that way on saber belts, as one has to feed the belt plate (buckle) through the loops on holsters and cartridge and cap boxes, which can be a pain when the loops were made a little too small.
So , you are saying that the U.S. Army has a long history of making their LCE/LBE a pain to deal with? 😉
Yes. Much of the gear was designed by people that never had to actually use it in the field. One example is the cross- shoulder strap on the saber belt. By the time I had attended my second re-enactment, I noticed everyone had ditched that strap. All it did was get in the way and make it take longer to gear up. I removed that strap by the 3rd event. Later, I noticed photos of original CW saber belts with that strap cut off.
It has been a matter of some dismay to me that Dixie Gun Works does not seem to know about the twist draw, but talk about the reproduction holsters they sell being “Worn on the right side, butt forward for left hand draw, according to military regulations.”
FWIW, reading the comments from those who have purchased these holster, they are poorly made in Pakistan using light cotton thread that wears out quickly.
I’m beginning to fear the current owners of Dixie Gun Works are less knowledgeable than the founders.
Correct. I bought one of these holsters back in the early 1990’s. It was such junk I cut it open and used it as a pattern to make my own holster.
Dental floss, waxed, works surprisingly well for leather work and repairs.
Al Stohlman, a master leather crafter, would be horrified to hear you say that. Six cord flaxen threat was all he ever used. His books taught me how to leather stitch with it. But dental floss is better than nothing.
When I was a broke student, working in a friend’s forge, I had to make do. It was better than nothing. The items I still have that were flossed have held up amazingly well.
Frank Zappa loves you.
https://youtu.be/220xlHky1SY?t=10
I’d use multiple strands to make a thicker thread, but I use some artificial sinew that I got for my fur-trade era accoutrements for all of my large work.
I used the flaxen stuff early on and it wore out way to quickly for me. YMMV
It has to be waxed with beeswax. I have leatherwork I did 25 years ago and it has never worn out or broken and my horse is a professional halter breaker. He has broken at least half a dozen leather CW halters. The leather breaks before any of the stitching. Tandy sells waxed nylon thread that is indestructible.
I have my grandmothers’ beeswax cakes they used in their sewing. I still use them from time to time.
But I used the flaxen stuff on moccasins – so the abrasion factor was somewhat higher.
I probably need to load my sewing awl with the nylon stuff when I do holsters and such.
Circa 1859 to about 1870. Although, the shell jacket was only worn for dress after the war until superseded by the new style uniforms in the 1870’s.
That is man not to be trifled with.
Slight correction. The top black belt is a kilt belt. The sporran is on a chain. I prefer 3/4″ leather strap belts on my sporran for day-wear and chain for evening-wear.
I agree the pistol is probably a repro black-powder pistol; I’ve not seen good brass on toy pistols.
Yes, that is patina-ed solid brass on that grip back-strap. Based upon the grip size and contour it is likely an 1851 Navy repro with after market plastic grips.
This forum is not “weaponsman.com”, but does occasionally make me miss Hognose terribly.
I’ve got some nice pre-ban ivory grips on my Colt’s SSA (cal .357, 4-3/4” bbl.) and my grips look as white as those in the photo. Granted I don’t shoot often so no sweat or oils have transferred. I had hoped that after 35 years they would have looked like the Duke’s…. but NOOOOOOOO.
I have three Colt SAA’s with real elephant ivory grips. I bought blanks and made one set of one-piece ones. I have one SAA with factory two-piece grips that are about 30 plus years old and have turned a nice mellow off-white creamy color due to aging.
Fossil ivory is another nice grip material. The mastodon and mammoth stuff also has the advantage of being outside the elephant ivory rules. The grain positively identifies it as non-elephant.
Not cheap, but usually less pricey than Jumbo.
Sadly, the ivory-ban-insanity screwed up the fossil-stuff market.
That ban is going to render elephants extinct. The poachers will see to it, because the prohibition value is spectacularly higher than lawfully hunted and managed.
One possible bright spot: elephants are apparently showing a genetic tendancy for small tusks, and almost none in females. If that happens fast enough, there may be enough breeding females left to save the species.
Noteworthy: where managed properly and hunted within limits, there are enough elephants to relocate elsewhere. Where hunting is prohibited, they are almost gone
Has to do with the value given by the locals. Where rich folks blow megabucks to hunt, the critters are a resource. The locals usually rat out the poachers, who are effectively stealing from the locals. The locals will put up with elephant habits if the money is decent.
Where hunting is prohibited, they are giant pests that eat crops, wreck huts to get at stored foods, and are occasionally deadly menaces when annoyed. Here, the locals aid the poachers.
But “save the elephant! Ban ivory!” is what the “smart” people say, so… bye bye Jumbo.
Yet another exhibit in why Lars’ handlers are bat-guano crazy.
?
The inference is eminently logical, Poodle, given reasonable assumptions based on your previously stated political and environmental beliefs and positions.
You really should try logicial reasoning from time to time. Might threaten your political beliefs, but it also might keep you from looking foolish in public on occasion.
Please Lord, deliver us from the mindless envirowackos.
“What size a gun is that?’ I said, ‘big enough to kill you.’”
Should have said, “Anything bigger is on wheels”. Maybe that would have sent him retracing his steps. Hey, even a .22 can do serious damage. Wouldn’t be my first choice, though.
Many people are killed by other people shooting them with .22’s every year. My nephew, a detective, solved a murder where the victim’s husband was killed by his wife with a Ruger .22 single action. Of course, she plugged him with all six shots, two in the back of the head when he was laying face down in the yard.
rgr769 – I’m trying to understand who shot whom with the Ruger .22 single action.
“the victim’s husband was killed by his wife”?
Are we talking about a couple of biological males who thought they were married?
A woman who was one of two wives a guy had, who was killed when wife A found out about wife B?
Huh?
No. The female wife was convicted of murdering her husband. She claimed her husband was shot by a prowler until my nephew found the pistol hidden in her grandfather clock.
My big sis was a court reporter in Riverside county, had a court case where a woman sued the County for excessive force. Her claim was that the deputy did not need to shoot her boy 8 times to stop him. Case went to shit when the deputy testified that 1 round of 00 buck makes 8 holes. Or 1 large hole. YMMV.
The judge would have had to evict me from the courtroom, I’d have been laughing so hard at that.
And the deputy effective stopped little ol’ didndonuffin right there.
I’da loved to have seen his Mama’s face after that bit of testimony. If she was smart enough to know that her case had just blown up in her face.
I see what happened with my confusing comment. Auto-correct decided it would fix my words “victim husband.”
Understood and accepted.
I’ve said it before, but I hate autocorrupt.
Very true. One of my friends was killed when he answered a burglar alarm, by a guy with a .22 revolver. One shot, which entered just under his clavicle, and, according to the ME, “bounced around” until it had damaged both lungs, his heart and aorta.
I was witness to an AD with a .22 pocket pistol. The owner fumbled loading the old singe-action, and the “bang” was caught by the intended footlocker of old clothing on top of ammo boxes.
Weirdly, it took over 30 minutes to find the slug. The round had penetrated the thin plastic of the box, then caromed around in the clothing, finally coming to rest inside a rolled up wool sock. We had to take out and shake out everything to find it. What it did and did not penetrate was bizarre. The round was a CCI Stinger, a fast holowpoint, which was slightly smooshed on one side, probably from hitting an ammo can.
Still can’t quite map the path of travel. I think it may have teleported at one point.
https://youtu.be/8Xjr2hnOHiM