My grandfather and grandmother were passing through Nebraska on their way out west.
They were invited to a church congregation banquet feed.

He embarrassed and horrified my grandmother when the Preacher asked "if he wanted some Nebraska corn", and he passed his glass.   

Hello all,

Mike failed to mention that the serial # of his Spencer was an exact match for the listing I found in my SRS Civil War books.  And this is the info I sent Mike:

It doesn't happen too often, but your Spencer Carbine serial # is an EXACT match for one of the serial #s on file in my Spencer research books.

Apparently, your Spencer Carbine serial # 14147 was issued to one of the Tonkawa Scouts stationed at Fort Griffin in Texas in July 24, 1873.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure if your Spencer was assigned to a Civil War unit before this date.

When you get the Spencer carbine remove the wooden forend and check under the barrel for the serial # that should be the same as #14147 located at the top of your receiver.

Some basic info on the Tonkawa Scouts - do a Google search for more info on them.

Hope this helps.
Two Flints

Tonkawa Scouts at Fort Griffin
The Tonkawa Scouts were a small but highly valued group of Tonkawa people who lived at Fort Griffin in the Texas Panhandle during the late 19th century, serving as elite scouts for the U.S. Army and Texas Rangers
Historical background
The Tonkawa were a Plains tribe allied with Texas settlers and the U.S. military, especially during the Civil War, when they scouted against hostile tribes like the Comanche and watched for Federal movements
In 1862, a devastating attack near present-day Anadarko, Oklahoma, killed about 137 of the 300 Tonkawa
Survivors, led by Chief Castile, sought a new home in Texas and were placed at Fort Griffin in 1868
Life at Fort Griffin
At Fort Griffin, Tonkawa men worked closely with soldiers, often leading raids and tracking enemy forces. They were praised for their skill—"a few Tonkawa scouts were more useful than two or three companies of regular soldiers"
Their work included locating Comanche camps, guiding troops, and participating in campaigns such as Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie's Red River Campaign in 1874
One notable figure was Tonkawa Scout Johnson, a skilled tracker and warrior who helped locate and engage Comanche raiders, and who became a respected leader among the Tonkawa
Military role and legacy
The Tonkawa Scouts were considered indispensable to Army operations in the Texas Panhandle. Their knowledge of the terrain, tracking ability, and cultural ties to both Native and military life made them a bridge between the U.S. forces and the local Indigenous population
After the Civil War, they were moved to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), and by 1890 only about 56 Tonkawa remained
Modern recognition
A historical marker near Newcastle, Texas, commemorates their role and the tragedy of the 1862 massacre
Texas Beyond History and other sources preserve their story through oral histories, artifacts, and educational materials
In summary: The Tonkawa Scouts at Fort Griffin were a small but vital military force, blending Indigenous scouting expertise with U.S. military needs, and their legacy is remembered both for their service and for the tragic loss of their people during the Civil War.

The wife's shotgun is of no longer of use to her. I needed something to do and restocked it with a nice piece of American black walnut. Made a bit fancier shape as well. It served her well in cowboy action but we have gotten old. When she was using it I cut long forceing cones in the chambers, color cased the receiver, mounted an Pachmayr decelerator pad and Oxpho blued the barrels. Now I figure to sell it but the shipping is an issue!
IMG_0291 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Not sure where you are located, but a TEXAS Dust Devil is nothing to mes with and sight to ponder.

I recall the movie set I was building years ago down near Del Rio for "Alamo the Price of Freedom"
In the weeks of construction prep we experienced all kinds of weather, including torrential rain the remanences of Pacific side born hurricane.
Then some weeks later under set dressing we had THE Texas Dust Devil from hell. It was bright sunny day, Texas hot and near cloudless sky.
It lifted the thatching off several buildings in the La Villita set, Sherman House and the Long Barricks. Trashed production equipment and one catering tent.
The thatching went 200 feet straight up and scattered hell, except for the Long Barricks which settled almost exactly back in place.


     

Quote from: El Supremo on October 08, 2026, 09:00:06 AMHello, Mike4MSU;

Interesting info on a beautiful one.
If possible, please share other photo's.
Thanks,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

Sure will. Supposed to be delivered this weekend. Once bathed, I'll post photos in the hope that this group can share their n college regarding this carbine.

Quite an experience!  Glad it wasn't worse!

Quote from: Tascosa Joe on October 08, 2026, 10:40:06 AMWhat happened to Yahoody?

Member search shows he hasn't been on CasCity in over 2 years.  Hope he's okay.

Quote from: Major E A Sterner on October 08, 2026, 07:52:37 AMThanks Del, I can assure you that I would never utter the words "That's not how we do it in ny"

The answer for that is get on I-80 and head back where you come from and don't let the Leaving Nebraska sign hit you in the ass on the way out and I have said it several times.

Had one guy I worked with his wife was going to school here and he was complaining about the citrus we got.  Told him who gives a damn when we have such good beef. 

What happened to Yahoody?

Hello, Mike4MSU;

Interesting info on a beautiful one.
If possible, please share other photo's.
Thanks,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny