Tales of Assumption, Oklahoma (update: 10-02-28 - Assumption: The Final Chapter)

[Hawkeye]

Jet - excellent to hear more tales from Assumption, Oklahoma, and to see more models. Nice. Very, very nice. Are the henchmen all Foundry? The Undertaker model is a really nice one, and the painting on all the models is fantastic. Great stuff!

On a side note, I live in Southern Kansas (not far from Wichita, where Tom Gunne is from), but I think I'm probably going to set my own campaign (when I get it started) somewhere around the Four Corners territory, or maybe in Colorado - I really want some mountains in my game, but I think that's because I live where there are none!

Looking forward to hearing more from Assumption.

[Terrible Tim]

Great stuff, Jet. It is up to your usual high standard!

TT.

[jet]

Are the henchmen all Foundry?

All of my models are Foundry, except the John Duffy model, which is an Artizan Pinkerton model.  Thanks for all of the compliments guys.  It's great to be back at the Old West project again.  And speaking of that...

UPDATE: Shoot-Out at the Storage Yard
The full report and rest of the photos can be found at http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/05/shoot-out-at-storage-yard.html


After a few months of relative peace, the Assumption Defenders, under the capable leadership of young Tom Gunne, were assembled once more to deal with encroaching outlaws. Little was known about the band of rustlers sniffing around the county borders, except that they were run by a ruthless desperado known only as Roscoe.

Some of the villains snuck through the town towards the lawmen.


Sheriff Gunne and his men moved towards the saloon for cover.


Gus and Gabe prepared to moved around the Dry Goods Store and assault the storage yard.


The outlaws held-up in Chafe's storage yard.


The lawmen came around the turn shooting. 


When the dust settled, the bandits fled from the town proper without suffering a single casualty. Although Gunne had driven the bandits away, John Duffy was gunned down in the corral. It was a grim day for the defenders.

The day after the engagement, a travelling preacher by the name of Hezekiah Hargrave rode into town. Tom Gunne approached him.



Sam Blake was standing nearby and reported the following conversation:

Tom: "What brings ya down this way, Preacha."

Hargrave: "God's work son... God's work..."

Tom: "Well, if yer able, there's good men here in Assumption, in need of ministerin'. The JP's been doin' funerals and Bill reads from good book Sunday mornin's on the Bank steps. These are God-fearin' folk Preacha. We could ce'tainly use the helpin' hand of a man of God. We could offer room, board, and few dolla's ta help with the Lord's work. What say ya, Preacha?"

Reportedly, the aged churchman looked up and down main street, closed his eyes, and mumbled to himself while holding the leather-bound bible to his chest. When he re-opened his eyes, he held his hand out to Gunne and spoke;

"Well son, saith the disciple, Acts 22:21, 'And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.' The Lord's sent me to Assumption to minister to these good men. Togetha', we shall do the Lord's work."

"Welcome Reverend," Tom said cheerfully, offering his hand in return. "Now, let's go see about that room..."

[Terrible Tim]

Great story Jet. Can't wait for the next installment.

[jet]

UPDATE: The Rev'd Hargraves Cleanses Assumption
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/06/revd-hargraves-cleanses-assumption.html


When we last looked in on the Assumption Defenders, Sheriff Tom Gunne had just hired a travelling preacher to minister to the needs of the townsfolk. It wasn't long before Hargraves started noticing spiritual matters that needed dealin' with. A posse of Southerners had taken up in the Full House troublin' the locals, drinkin' too much whisky, and generally making asses of themselves. The good reverend swiftly went to the sheriff's office looking to have the heathens driven off.

The preacher quoted the prophet Ezekiel as he approached; "Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive!"


A drunken fool charged Deputy Sam Blake.


When the dust settled, the Assumption Defenders stood victorious, the southerners driven from the town.

[Malamute]

Superb collection, wondeful painting and lovely buildings

[Gluteus Maximus]

This is a great thread, Jet.
Like the others said, the figures, terrain etc are superb. What really brings it to life, however, is the narrative. It reads like one of the better western novels.

I'm looking forward to the next installment 

[jet]

UPDATE: Shotgun Wedding (or "The Abduction of Miss Sue Ellen")
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/08/shotgun-wedding-or-abduction-of-miss.html


The Philiadelphia Kid and some other members of the Cole Elgin Gang had just sauntered out of the Full House Saloon. The drunken Kid stared across the street at the JP's house and saw his lovely daughter, Miss Sue Ellen. The Kid approached and made a lame attempt at wooing the lady. When she dismissed him and tried to leave, the Kid and his companions got physical. Miss Sue Ellen screamed for help.




The Assumption Defenders rush to her assistance.



A desparate firefight ensued as the outlaws dragged the lady out of town.



Meanwhile, the sheriff and his deputies fell for the decoy as the other members of the outlaw gang kept them occupied.



After the dust had settled, Sheriff Gunne and his deputies went to the aid of the fallen. They soon learned that the outlaws had taken the wounded Preacher with them as well. It didn't take much imagination to realize the outlaw's plan. The Philadephia Kid intended to take Miss Sue Ellen as his wife against her will.


Obviously, the next installment will be the attempted rescue of Miss Sue Ellen and the Rev'd Hargraves. 

Until next time,
JET

[TMcNulty]

Excellent figures and terrain.

[Malamute]

Great looking game, lovely figures and terrain.

[jet]

UPDATE: The Green Ridge Massacre
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/08/green-ridge-massacre.html


The Assumption Defenders were en route to save Miss Sue Ellen and the Rev'd Hargraves from the clutches of the Black Cole Elgin Gang (see previous post - J), when the Tom Gunne heard shots being fired near the old abandoned farm at Green Ridge. When the farm came within view, the sheriff and his men saw the outlawed major Eustace Pilesforth and his posse of southerners. Both sides prepared weapons and moved in to engage.



The major, drunk no doubt, galloped hard, cleared the fence, and charged into Ep and Gabe


Meanwhile, the rest of the southerners advanced with guns blazing.


Sam, Jake, and Gus took to the fence for cover. Sam's skill with a hogleg caused one of the southerners to go down.


Sheriff Gunne and Deputy Chafe ran in to the confused melee to help their fellow lawmen. The Major's skill in hand-to-hand combat made up for the outnumbering however, and all but the Sheriff were badly wounded.


When the smoke cleared, Gabe MacIntyre was dragged back to town unconscious after losing much blood, and upstanding citizens Heinrich Epstein and Gus Carver were killed in hand-to-hand combat by the murdering major Eustace Pilesforth.


Although the lawmen drove the southerners off and seriously wounded the major, seeing their friends and fellow fighters shot down delivered a crushing blow to their morale. Sheriff Gunne and his men decided to hire a couple of professional killers who were passing through Assumption the day before. It was time to deal with both the major and his men as well as the Black Cole Elgin Gang. As they headed back to town, Sheriff was overheard saying to Deputy Chafe:

"Don't worry Bill. From here on in, there won't be no prisoners. We'll see em hung... we'll see em ALL hung!"

[jet]

UPDATE: Damsel in Distress
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/09/damsel-in-distress.html


After the massacre at Green Ridge, the Assumption Defenders were still left with the unresolved issue of Miss Sue Ellen's abduction. With a couple of hired killers from the East in tow, Sheriff Gunne and his men headed into the Oklahoma backwoods in search of the Black Cole Elgin Gang hideout. Just when they were about to give up hope, an exhausted Rev'd Hargraves appeared out of the forest before them. He had successfully escaped the outlaws' clutches and was ready and willing to lead the lawmen to their shack.

Black Cole Elgin and a couple of outlaws guarded Miss Sue Ellen's makeshift prison while the rest of the gang were headed into town.


The Assumption Defenders stormed the shack, taking advantage of the outlaws' reduced numbers.


The lawmen moved up with guns blazing. The remaining outlaws ran behind the shack for cover.


After kicking down the door, Preacher and Jake Hackett urged Miss Sue Ellen on, trying to get her across the river and to safety before her unlawful husband, the Philadelphia Kid had time to react.


A vicious gunfight ensued. The lawmen tried to keep the outlaws pinned down while Miss Sue Ellen was ushered to safety.


In the end, both sides backed off under under fire, dragging their wounded with them. The Sheriff and his men succeeded in rescuing the kidnapped lady from the clutches of the godless outlaws.

After their safe return to Assumption, the Preacher and the Sheriff went to interview Miss Sue Ellen. As it turned out, the bride took vows under duress, the wedding license was a forgery, and the marriage was not consummated. Under the circumstances, the good Preacher declared the marriage null and void in the eyes of God.

In the meantime, Deputy Sam Blake was seen tacking the following poster around town the next morning:

[southheaven]

Glad to see Miss Sue Ellen savely back home. Had sleepless nights knowing her to be in the hands of that filthy Kid.
It is always a pleasure to read your game reports. Love your simple, yet beautiful terrain pieces.

[jet]

UPDATE: Corporal Moses Peachtree Meets His Maker
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/09/corporal-moses-peachtree-meets-his.html

Sheriff Tom Gunne and his men were not feeling their most charitable near the end of Summer. After rescuing Miss Sue Ellen from the clutches of the Philadelphia Kid and the rest of the Black Cole Elgin Gang, the Preacher encountered the Kid and some of the Elgin boys on the road outside of town. The Rev'd Hargreaves, ever hopeful of saving any soul in turmoil, tried to reason with the drunken outlaw. Before the others could stop him, the Philadelpia Kid pulled his hogleg and stowed lead right between the preacher's eyes.

The day after the humble man of God was buried, Major Eustace Pilesforth and his Southern bandits entered the town in obnoxious spirits with weapons drawn.


With the melancholy mood handing over the town, the Sheriff ordered his men swiftly into action with the orders, "shoot to kill."


Sam Blake and Jake Hackett led a group across the street to where the bandits were held up.


The Corporal was trading blows with the enraged Sheriff when he noticed that his men were going down and being driven to the woods. The Corporal had no desire to take up residence in the Assumption County Jail and fled as fast as the faithful Traveller would carry him.


When the smoke cleared, Sam and Jake had rounded up two wounded outlaws - Pt. Luke Tate, and more impressively, the infamous outlaw Cpl. Moses Peachtree, Major Eustace Pilesforth's right-hand man. Reportedly, Sheriff Gunne approached Peachtree and kicked him hard in the face before leaning down on one knee. He looked him in the eye as he spoke in an austere tone.

"The JP's gone north on business hill-billy. That means I'm actin' in his place... judge, jury, and exer'cutioner. Yer Moses Peachtree... thievin', rustlin', killin' men. Y'ev kept yerself busy Peachtree."

"What's it to ya...BOY!" His reply was less than respectful. Jake Hackett tensed, expecting Sheriff Gunne to beat the outlaw senseless then and there. Instead, the Sheriff turned and walked away. As he parted, his words shocked all those present.

"Lock'em up Sam. They hang in the morning." The southern men lost their cool at that moment and begged for their lives.

* * * * *


The Sheriff was as good as his word. At sun-up, the charges were formally written-up and read aloud to all present by Deputy Sam Blake:

"Pt. Luke Tate and Cpl. Moses Peachtree. You have both been found guilty of thieving, cattle rustling, and willfull murder. The Assumption Vigilence Committee, under the authority of Sheriff Thomas Hayden Gunne finds you guilty on all counts and orders you hung by the neck until dead."

The stools were kicked out from under the prisoners, and within seconds, the ordeal was over. Tom Gunne walked away from the gallows saying, "cut em down Sam and get'em outta my sight. Now let's see what this Pilesforth has to offer."

[jet]

UPDATE: The Arrival of a Foreigner
All of the photos and commentary are here: http://geektactica.blogspot.com/2009/09/arrival-of-foreigner.html


It was a warm afternoon in September when the foreigner entered Assumption. He approached from the west on foot, carrying his meagre belongings over his shoulder. Those who witnessed his arrival couldn't help but stare. Most of them had never seen anything like it. Jim Cutler was fixing the fence at the livery when he looked up. He called up to the loft:

"Bert.. ye'gotta come down and see this feller. He got long Indian hair and is wearin his per-jammers in the middle of the day?"



At the other end of town, Sheriff Gunne strolled out of the office and called the stranger over. The man approached without any expression or response, and although Gunne wouldn't have admitted it, the stranger's silence unnerved him.



"What brings ya to town stranger?" the sheriff asked.

"Look for room. Place to sleep and work." With that, the stranger turned and walked towards the Assumption Hotel.



After the foreigner disappeared inside the hotel, Bill Chafe walked out of the Dry Goods Store and found Tom Gunne, Cutler, and some of the stablehands talking about the odd arrival. Bill chuckled as he lit a cigarette and spoke.

"Any've you fellers been out west, California way? I tell you what.. that stranger thar is a chinermen. Comes from over the water."

"Over Engerland way?" Cutler questioned.

"Not that water!" Bill responded. "The water off a'California way. Anyways... I gotta map at the store, I'll show ya sometime." He rolled his eyes and turned to the sheriff as he continued.

"Anyways Tom, these Chinermens are quiet, hard-workin folk. I reckon he'll stick around, work a little, and move hisself on again."

"I'm sure yer right Bill," Tom replied. "I"m sure yer right."