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Past Re-Enactors of the Week

We are preserving living history today so that the past will not be forgotten.
Jim Cummings

White Turtle

by Jim Cummings

To nominate a re-enactor of the week.

Our first re-enactor to be featured is a colorful character  known throughout the midwest as White Turtle.

When White Turtle goes into his persona - he goes all the way.

I first met Turtle at a Re-enactment in Shelbyville, KY in 1999. The Long Run Massacre Re-enactment put on by the Painted Stone Settlers in  Shelbyville, KY. You can find out more about The Painted Stone Settlers at paintedstonesettlers.org.

After watching the outdoor drama I was fortunate enough to interview him. After talking to him for an hour (in which he did a terrific sales job) he took the time to introduce me to many of the great, great people at Painted Stone whom I now call friends.

Jim Cummings

AN INTERVIEW WITH WHITE  TURTLE

JIM: Who do you portray and what is your persona's name.

TURTLE: White Turtle.

JIM: What is your real name:

TURTLE: (grinning) White Turtle.

JIM: (grinning too now, realizing how seriously he takes this  hobby) How did you get the name White Turtle?

TURTLE: Actually it goes back to my childhood. My dad caught turtles for food and money, and they called him Big Turtle. When I started going  with him, naturally I was Little Turtle.

JIM: How long have you been re-enacting?

TURTLE: since 1989. I first belonged to a group called AMM (American Mountain Men). I started as a fur trader for 4 or 5 years. From there I got interested in being an Eastern Long Hunter as it became more popular in the 90's.

JIM: Then how did White Turtle come about?

TURTLE: (Slipping into his persona) As a four or five year old white child my family was killed in The French and Indian War. The French traded me to the Shawnees and after a while I was adopted by my Shawnee captors who  raised me.

JIM: So you portray a Shawnee Indian.

TURTLE: No that is not quite so. I portray a captive white man who was raised as a Native American and learned to love their ways.

JIM: What time period do you like best in history.

TURTLE: 1750 to 1795 give or take a few years. In school,  history was my worst subject. I just did not understand it - it was boring. But doing living history - now that is another story. Everything comes alive - in living color. I just can't get enough of it. I read all the time and am on the internet as much as I can be. I learn something new every day.

JIM: Who are your favorite characters in history?

TURTLE: Simon Kenton as a pioneer. He was on a different path  than Daniel Boone. And the native I admire most (and there are many) would be Chief Logan, followed by Tecumseh.

JIM: In closing what do you like about the whole re-enacting scene.

TURTLE: Well, I love the outdoors. I love to camp and doing it pioneer style is a blast. And of course I can't get enough of the history. When  talking living history to a group of students at our camp - just seeing their reactions is wonderful. And their parents - seeing their child's reaction - opens their eyes to the way the pioneers lived.

I hope that this short interview with one of the most colorful re-enactors gives you an idea of why people from all walks of life get into re-enacting.

If you have someone you would like to see  as a Re-enactor of The Week  drop me a line at

GORDON GARRETT

by Jim Cummings

Look for Gordon Garrett at a re-enactment near you - but keep your eyes open because you never know which of his many personas will show up that day!

INTERVIEW WITH
GORDON GARRETT

A truly dedicated re-enactor not only understands his persona but can have more than one. Gordon Garrett has many. He started as a farmer and soon was adding characterizations as the need arose.When a re-enactment is short of natives call on Gordon. Or maybe Filthy Richard will show up to catch the crowd's attention. Or a certain Frenchman may be needed.

 Gordon is a member of The Painted Stone Settlers and was an original in the first Long Run Massacre in 1999. You can find out more about The Painted Stone Settlers at paintedstonesettlers.org.

JIM: You mentioned above that you have been re-enacting since 1999. What drew you to this hobby.

GORDON: History - living history. Being able to recreate what once was. To be able to get the feeling of what my ancestors went through in the 18th century. They were a tough, determined lot of individuals - both men and women.

JIM: How accurate do you try to get in the portrayal of your characters.

GORDON: As close as possible. I do a lot of research on clothing for the different characters.

JIM: Gordon, the character I like best is Filthy Richard. Where did he come from?

GORDON: Filthy Richard is a hoot to play. He is basically a composite of several characters. Basically I'm a shy person but when I get into Filthy Richard I sort of loose Gordon and become this arrogant, abrasive, little dirty guy - part pirate, part trader, part beggar, part Indian fighter with a bit of thief and mugger thrown in. But Richard is a good guy when it comes to damsels in distress.

JIM: What about your other characters?

GORDON: I do what I feel is necessary for the re-enactment to be a success.

JIM: Do you give talks and lectures on 18th century life?

GORDON: Yes I go to schools dressed in persona and give talks about the 18th century. I have a blast.

JIM: Tell us about ``The Warrior's Path" the 3 hour video tape you and a friend have made.

GORDON: Jack Luttrell came up with this idea. All re-enactments have a shortage of Natives. So we decided this was a needed service.

JIM: Tell us about the tape.

GORDON: Jack portrays a full time Native. He details exactly how to portray an Eastern Woodland Indian. Jack has done a tremendous amount of research and he shares this information. But we do not claim to be experts. Every week new information comes to light.

JIM: If Jack talks about the full time native, what do you do?

GORDON: I explain how to switch from settler to native as the need arises, and to do it with the least expense and trouble.

JIM: What else is in the tape?

GORDON: Glad you asked that. Start to finish it took us 5 months of hard work. We put a lot of ourselves in this. First we put over 20 ``How To Projects" in addition to tips on how to dress and paint. Some of these sections are: how to make leggings. breechclout, moccasins, match coat, knife sheath and leather bag.

JIM: So you cover becoming a native re-enactor from start to finish.

GORDON: Yes ``The Warrior's Path" does that. If you are serious about becoming a native re-enactor this will point you in the right direction. (Click here for more info about ordering this tape.)

This concludes the interview with Gordon Garrett. I hope you enjoyed it. Last week's interview with White Turtle was a huge success. We have heard many additional stories about Turtle - some we could print - many we could not.

DEAN PHILLIPS

The Story of Two Brothers

by Jim Cummings

This is the story of two brothers linked not by blood but linked by a kindred spirit - linked by the love of the outdoors. They camp in the most primitive manner possible. They like to hunt with black powder and fish with what they can find to put a string and hook on. Oh yes, they also like to partake in the spirits (not the spiritual kind either). By trade one is an electrician the other a carpenter. Both are philosophers and both are history nuts.

You know of one - he was our first re-enactor of the week - White Turtle. At most re-enactments if you see one - you also see the other.

Our Re-enactor of the Week is Dean Phillips. Dean is one of the best in portraying the young pioneer who came through the Cumberland Gap to settle in Kentucky.

When you look at Dean dressed as a pioneer you would think that you had stepped back in time. When he appeared on a local TV interview show you could see the celebrities were taken aback by the 18th century long hunter in their midst.

We had four re-enactors that came with us that day. Jack Luttrell who portrays a native was dressed, painted and carrying a war club. With Jack at about 6'4" and Dean about 6'2" we were an impressive group. Jack, the native merely had to stand there to be noticed. Dean on the other hand sat with Rachel Platt in his pioneer garb and long blond ponytail and answered every question addressed to him. He was there promoting The Long Run Massacre and Squire Boone's Painted Stone Station.

After the TV interview Dean went back to Clear Creek Park were the Long Run Massacre takes place where he began to give talks to the arriving school children.  The thing that makes Dean stand out is that The Long Run Massacre Re-Enactment was his idea. Dean along with his brother Bobby Phillips,  Harold Raleigh and a few others are charter members of  The Painted Stone Settlers. Dean had the idea for the re-enactment and they all got together and ran with it.

I would like to say thank you to Dean. Your love of history and the outdoors has enabled all of us to get involved. Not a day goes by that we don't discover some new bit of forgotten history.

Dean takes a hard stance on authenticity and is a strong advocate of juried events. But Dean just wants it to be right.

But from our humble start at Painted Stone we have taken it to a new level. We not only continue to improve The Long Run Massacre but we have added other events. Last year we added The Skirmish at Salt River that will be continued this year on July 5 at 2:00 PM and last weeks Pigeon Roost Massacre.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DEAN PHILLIPS

DEAN, WHITE TURTLE and ANNA
 on the BATTLEFIELD

One is portraying a pioneer and one a native. When you see them on the battlefield you would think that they are mortal enemies. At first they just shoot at each other and toss barbs at each other. And finally as a crowd pleaser these two brothers and Anna the Dog go at each other tooth and nail. White Turtle whales the war club around and misses Dean by inches. Then Dean flips Turtle off of him and struggles to best Turtle. But again Turtle throws him over and finishes him off.  To listen to the crowd jeer and cheer you would think they had just paid $20.00 to see Hulk Hogan and Goldberg.

Both men get up from the ground, shake hands for a job well done.

I've seen this done at least 14 or 15 times and it always gives me chills.

JIM: Dean, how long have you and Turtle been friends.

DEAN: For about 15 - 17 years - he's a pretty good guy for a Woodland Indian.

JIM: Is the only time you and Turtle get together at re-enactments.

DEAN: Heck no, we get together as much as possible. We go hunting and camping in the hills next to Salt River. About two months ago we took all the men of Painted Stone to our campsite and had a great time.

JIM: how long have you been re-enacting?

DEAN: Since 1990. I started out in the AMM (American Mountain Men). I'm number 1687 and am still a member today.

JIM: When did you start as a long hunter?

DEAN:  Well my brother Bobby and Turtle got me to do a Longhunter. Bobby showed me all the right ways to do things  and (grinning) Turtle showed me the wrong ways.

JIM: What do you like to do that gives you real satisfaction?

DEAN: Well I like to squirrel hunt - always have and always will. To me there is nothing I like more than to sit in the quietness of the woods under a tree with the wind blowing gently through the leaves with the birds chirping and waiting for the squirrel to come into view and take my shot. Yes sir, there is nothing better than that.

JIM: It has been said that The Long Run Massacre Re-Enactment was your idea.

DEAN: Yes it was my idea, but it took a great group effort from a lot of people to make it happen.

JIM: Do you only portray a Longhunter or do you do any other portrayals?

DEAN: Well I certainly don't do a Woodland Indian! But we have started a Butler's Rangers group within The Painted Stone Settlers.

JIM: You and White Turtle are well known for your fight scenes and very convincing. Have either one of you ever been hurt.

DEAN: Yeas as a matter of fact, Turtle caught me in the ribs one time and I had to have it looked at. But I got him back later (grinning). Turtle and I take great pains to make it look real. We've known each other for  long time and we know each others every move. While we are rolling and clubbing the ground we are constantly talking to each other to see if the other one is ready to quit and to make sure we are not hurting one another.

JIM: One last question. Have either of you ever gotten really mad at the other one.

DEAN: You know Jim I'm going to tell you a little secret. I really don't like Turtle.  The only reason I ride with him is because he has a better truck than I do!

This concludes the interview with Dean Phillips. Brothers  to the End! I hope you enjoyed it. Our  interviews have been a huge success. We have heard many additional stories about Turtle - some we could print - many we could not and I'm sure we'll hear lots about Dean too.

If you have someone you would like to see as ``Re-enactor of The Week"  drop me a line at

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