Larry A. Smail's Blog

George Miller showing Laurie some things of interest.

This morning, Laurie and I, attended the Antique Firearms and Indian Artifact Show. This annual event was held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds near Brookville, Pennsylvania. This would be Laurie’s first time on her feet for an extended time since her back surgery. She did well!

Reconstructed pottery from a dig.

This event is spearheaded by my friend, Ken Burkett from hawthorn, Pennsylvania. Ken  is an archeologist. He has done much work locally at the Parker’s Landing petroglyph site along the Allegheny River. he was instrumental with dogs at the Fishbasket site along the Armstrong, and Clarion Counties. He, and I, are members of the North Fork Chapter. His wife, Cheryl was helping. Other friend were, Ed Kaufman. I had met Ed a long time ago when he, Ken, and I visited the Parker’s Landing site to prepare for a painting. I saw local friends, Rob Watt, and Rich Schall, too. These fellows are actually neighbors with me. Another dear friend, was George Miller. I met George a long time ago on a trip to the National Wild Turkey federation headquarters at Edgefield, South Carolina. We became instant friends. George, at that time, was a commissioner for the Pennsylvania Game  Commission.  he was active in atlatl throwing competition. George played a prank on a young fellow. he gave this lad a copper pipe sating it was a deer call. the lad bit blowing on the call. The result was powder on his faith. (I fell for such a trick years ago, only water was used.)

Lots of firearms, and nobody was shot! Imagine that!

Another friend who showed up was Dana Gould of Distant, Pennsylvania. We have been friends for a long time as well.

Atlatl throwing.

Members of the Venango Chapter #30 had a display of a large clay, and dirt ball surrounding many pieces of Indian pottery. he would demonstrate the method of removing the surrounding dirt. Once completed, the tedious task of working the broken pieces together begins. Thankful people take the time to save such artifacts.                                                              

Cleaning away the dirt!

Along with seeing friends, many muzzleloading rifles , and such abound. powder horns, artifacts, and about anything one can imagine from our early history can be viewed . Flintknappers showed interested people how the Indians chipped away at flint to make beautiful , and lethal points.

We managed about half a day before deciding it was time to head home. (This was, of course, after lunch!)

There were a lot of flintlocks, percussion rifles, Civil war era rifles, swords, knives, tomahawks, and yet no killings occurred.