The Reaching of a Milepoint
Fifty years ago on the evening of March 4, 1953, a small organization was born in St Johnsville. For some time veterinarians Fred Cairns, and Herbert Snueller, both of St Johnsville, and Willis Barshied Jr had discussed the possibility of starting an organization of local people who were interested in old firearms. At the first meeting held at the VFW room the following people assembled: Fred Wagner, Herbert Smith, Fred Cairns, Max Hook, BR Kiesling, Harald Sreen, John Warn, James Triumpho, Richard Mueller, Donald Willis, Herbert Muller, and Willis Barshied Jr. Elected as officers for a one-year period where: Willis Barshied, President John Warn, Vice President Herbert Muller, Secretary Fred Cairns, Treasurer In the months ahead others joined the fledgling organization that was named the "Tryon County Muzzle Loaders". The organization was incorporated on May 21, 1954. Soon a search began for a fitting headquarters for the new organization. The search continued until a lease w...