THIS IS A SPECIAL ALERT

I got home today from taking mom to the DR. I saw something lurking in the grass up by the front porch. I told mom to hold up. I was going to check it out. I went up on the porch and there he was. Sam himself. He started telling me this story on how he needed a place to stay for awhile that he ran into some hard times in Fort Scott and he needed a new start. So he was going to try California for awhile. He asked if there was any thing he could do around here for his keep. I'm going to give him a break. He seems like a pretty good guy. So I'm letting him stay for awhile. I'm taking him off to WalMart right now. I will keep you all posted.

See ya round.

Greg

January 31, 2005

Hey gang I just wanted to let you all know Sam skipped town. I had Johnny taking in my cash to the bank from my horse trading. Well Sam hooked up with Jesse James and held up Johnny. He took all my money,a strong box,a silver derringer and a rifle. He tried getting some of my prize ponies. But was not successful in taking the ponies. I cannot believe after I trusted him with my ponies and the cash that he would do that to me ! Be on the look out. He was last seen wearing a scarf my niece made him and a black hat. He's armed with many guns and allot of cash..He was last seen heading towards Clovis,CA he might have hopped a train. BEWARE

Greg

See Greg's Pictures HERE

Check out Sam's Journal entries too!

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February 2nd, 2005

Hey Ranchers,

Look out! Here I was, minding my own business, working on my latest book (editing some Civil War diaries) and the doorbell rings and there is a
bang . . .

I ran downstairs to see who it was and, lo and behold, it was that charming outlaw, Traveling Sam Cobra!!

He was quite polite and said he'd heard that my place is often used as a hideout for those riding on the Hootowl Trail, that the Outlaws
Rule at my place. I didn't trust him. Something about his eyes . . . but, then, he flashed a huge pile of cash--looks freshly printed to me,
but, hey, we run a little libertarian/anarchist community here, live and let-live, leave people alone . . . and business has been slow lately.

So, I let him in and he headed on down to the Wild Horse Saloon . . .

His arrival has caused quite a stir! The many Barbies who live here are all excited because there's a new man in town. And the many bad buys who use this as their headquarters want to see if this renegade is really as
slick and mean as the rumors say he is. And, of course, ole' Johnny West is really worried about losing property! Last I saw him, he was looking for an insurance agent . . .

I'll keep you informed as things develop . . .

Entertaining Satan/Dealing With the Devil (Sam),

Professor Jim

See Professor Jim's Pictures HERE

Check out Sam's Journal entries too!

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Saturday, February 5th, 2005

Howdy Ranchers,

Hey, everybody be on the lookout for a "stolen" King Cobra gun and holster rig made by Stevo!

It seems that the local general store had just gotten a couple of these fine rigs in, but now one has come up missing. The storekeeper, a
long-time friend of Johnny West, reports that the last time he saw the King Cobra set, there was a beautiful blonde girl--"she looked like
Sharon Stone or Barbie"--wearing black clothes and a pearl-handled pistol looking at it. A witness said he heard her called "Gunfighter
Ellen" and he remembered seeing her at the Wild Horse Saloon with Traveling Sam Cobra the past few nights.

Speaking of the Wild Horse . . . the saloon keeper has reported that somebody stole a new deck of cards and he suspects that it was a tall man dressed all in black, wearing a "very jaunty" scarf, who took the cards.

Be careful! Such thefts might lead to someone playing poker with a marked deck . . .

Hhhhhmmmmm. Maybe the laissez-faire style of life around this Midwestern hideout makes us easy pickings for renegade scoundrels! I'm
sending a telegraph to the nearest authorities, asking them to send in a U.S. Marshal and I'm also sending a man out to Fort Apache to ask
the Army to keep an eye out for the gang that robbed the stagecoach and held up the bank this week.

On the lookout for Sam Cobra and Gunfighter Ellen,

Professor Jim

See Professor Jim's Pictures HERE

Check out Sam's Journal entries too!

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Wednesday, February 9th, 2005

Hey All of You Ranchers!

Be on the lookout for a gang of thieves! The bank here at my place was robbed by a group of desperate ruffians--at least four, maybe five men, and possibly a woman, hit the bank during the lunch hour. They
wore masked and threatened the banker and his wife. They didn't kill them, fortunately, but there have been a lot of crimes around here the past
week--more than usual, even in a hideout like this!

Johnny West reports that there has been an increase in cattle rustling and the Circle X is missing not only a hundred head of cattle, but some horses as
well. Other ranchers and farmers in the area are also missing stock.
Johnny has called a meeting of those he calls "the good guys"
to form a posse to go after the outlaws.

A group of mountain men came down from their trap lines to report that a group of masked men stormed their camp and made off with their furs--thousands of dollars in pelts! They also said that the Indians have been complaining about someone stealing from their pony herds.

Here in town, the owner of the casino and Miss Kitty, who runs the Wild Horse, have reported that there have been complaints of cheating and outright theft at the tables. A group of gamblers claim that a Mexican told them that he saw Sam Cobra marking a deck of cards behind the Wild Horse Saloon the other day. Led by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, those gamblers are irate and want revenge!

On a more positive note, I talked with the Preacher and he told me that Sam Cobra came to church on Sunday! They had a nice talk and he explained his theology to Sam, how he offers both the Word of Life and the Word of Death, with a Bible in one hand and a horse pistol in the other, and
that the man must choose. One way leads to Heaven, the other leads to . . . Well, anyway, Sam Cobra told the Preacher that he really likes that take on the Christian religion and accepted a Bible from the Preacher as a gift to take with him. Hopefully, that rascal will actually take the time to read the scriptures and find the Lord, before it is too late for him and those he'll likely take with him if he remains an outlaw. One of the townspeople reported that Sam spent Sunday afternoon playing the fiddle, accompanying local musicians as they played hymns and that he actually played for a dance on Saturday night as well. Ole' Sam has lots of ability . . .
too bad he always uses it for the wrong reasons!

Finally, there are lots of bounty hunters around these days--they say that the rumor is that Sam Cobra IS here and that there is a big price on his head--he is wanted in Kansas and California, among other places. Some of
the bounty hunters, including one named Clint Westwood or Eastbrook or something like that, were seen meeting with Johnny West's posse earlier today.

Watch out, Ranchers, with this much action, Sam Cobra is likely to run away and find a new place to operate!! I just heard that he is down at the Wild Horse, dancing the night away with a blonde saloon girl--the man told
me that it is NOT Gunfighter Ellen, but some other girl. I'm going to head on down there and see if I can find him . . .

Fighting a Crime Spree, Keeping the Faith,

Professor Jim

See Professor Jim's Pictures HERE

Check out Sam's Journal entries too!

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Howdy Ranchers,

Professor Jim here, just wanting to warn you to be on the lookout because Sam Cobra is on the run, again!!

After a week of action here in Indy, he has left for parts unknown. With
Indianapolis being a major distribution center, there are roads going in all
directions and "trains" of various kinds heading for just about everywhere.

I saw him on his way out of town, but he wouldn't tell me where he was going. He muttered something about women and how "it was all HER fault!," then he politely thanked me for my hospitality, leered lecherously at my wife, then suddenly gave her a charming smile, doffed his hat, said,
"Fare Thee Well, m'lady," and rode off . . .

Just as he topped the hill, he turned in the saddle and shouted, "Adios, Amigos!"

If I had only known! I should have apprehended that desperado right then, but when I got home, I found out the truth . . .

Before he left, Sam and his gang pulled off another major crime--they robbed the stagecoach from Canada! It was loaded with passengers and was carrying three strongboxes of gold and money, plus a big bag of newly-minted greenbacks!

But this time, Sam Cobra messed up . . . While here, he had quite a love affair with a beautiful, but deadly, blonde gunfighter named Ellen. She's quite an outlaw, just his type! But Sam has a major weakness--
women!! He seems to prefer blondes, I guess, because he started seeing a blonde dancehall girl named Katie whenever he wasn't with Ellen.

After the stagecoach robbery, Sam went to see Katie and was dancing with her. Ellen came in and caught them together and, boy, was she MAD! She started calling Sam all kinds of names and then she drew her gun and started shooting at him! He ran like a coward and made his escape out the back way.

Sam IS lucky--just as Ellen started shooting, Johnny West's posse was
closing in on Sam and Ellen. In the melee that followed, Ellen was
captured and we recovered most of the money stolen from the stagecoach. But Sam Cobra escaped.

So, watch out, gang, he's on the run! He may be headed for your place. Be careful! He is so polite and charming, he's actually quite likable. He'll
charm you even as he picks your pocket.

I haven't finished the inventory yet, but he has stolen several things from
me, including a deck of cards (I'm sure they're marked) and that beautiful Stevo rig. At least he took along the Bible the Preacher gave him. Maybe he'll find the Lord . . .

Wait! What's this? Oh, no, bad news for us here at the Midwestern Hideout! It seems that Gunfighter Ellen broke out of jail. Sheriff Garrett suspects that she used her feminine wiles to trick one of his deputies and somehow got the key and made her escape. Boy, what a week!
It started with the grand opening of the new Wild Horse Saloon, was filled
with rumors about a new outlaw from Kansas named Ahumado operating in the area, then the new stagecoach arrived . . . and, THEN, to top it ALL, along came Runaway Sam Cobra!!

Whew! I'm exhausted! I've been staying up until three a.m. trying to keep a handle on all of this . . . things are still hopping around here, but AT LEAST Sam Cobra is gone . . .

Hhhhhmmmmm. You know, I think I miss him . . .

Professor Jim

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Goodies pilfered by Sam

Runaway Sam Cobra's final haul from Indiana was: a little gift-wrapped
box containing a Bible, a pair of dice, a deck of cards, and a lock
of Gunfighter Ellen's hair; and, best of all, a King Cobra Colt and
holster rig made by Stevo.

In addition to these items, he is traveling with a custom black long-barreled
Colt, a Nock Rifle, a silver derringer, and a Lone Ranger Sharps Carbine, courtesy of Noah and Terri. Add to those his jaunty scarf handmade by Greg's niece in California, plus a strongbox full of cash stolen
from Johnny West out there in California.

Quite an inventory as he leaves Indiana! And that's after only THREE stops--watch out for this bad man, folks, he is stealing us blind!

Jim

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Tuesday, February 15th, 2005

Well it has happened! Yesterday when I was shipping the modules, I noticed a black flash. I did not think much of it, but when I was finishing up after about an hour long postal drop, I was missing a Module! I kid you not, a module was missing! Again, I thought I seen a black flash, but could not be certain. I then left to go home. I could not help but think I had black beady eyes looking at my back, it still gives me cold chills thinking about it. The kind that burn holes in your head.

Well, I came home, had some dinner and could not help but wonder about
the series of events. Finally, I went back to my computer and got back to work. Well, it was not over. I still seen black flashes, I couldn't help but think something was up. Could it be him? Could it be the outlaw Greg and Jim had to deal with? 24 hrs later, I still suspect something evil is up. I hope not. Stay tuned.......

Tom

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Sunday Febrary 20th, 2005

Sheriff Goode here. Something Terrible has happened at the Vintage Toy
Room! Sam Cobra has not only taken a module, but has also taken a
hostage! Jane West has been kidnapped! I knew he was up to no good, but
before I could stop him he was gone, and so was Jane! My guess is he is
heading back to the south. I interrogated an accomplice I apprehended,
Jesse James, and he finally confessed to me that he thought Sam was
heading to "warmer pastures". Poor Johnny and the family are taking this
news very hard at the ranch. We know Jane is tough, she will defend
herself and do what she can to break his latest plot. Due to the cold
weather in the north, it is my belief Sam and Jane are on a train, and
moving quickly. He tried to steal a horse, but I stopped him. I have a
bandanna, and a Purse that was dropped by Jane and was left behind. Sam
evidently took her cash and ditched the items. I will give them to
Sheriff Garrett when he gets here. Hopefully it will help him on this
case. We were also lucky enough to get some pictures of him while he was
here, we will share those as well to aid in the investigation.

To my knowledge Sam has taken in addition to previous items; a JWA
Module, Jane West (She was last seen wearing a Skirt, Vest, and a hat
with chin strap), and a pair of black handcuffs he got from his partner
Jesse James. Please be warned, Sam Cobra is extremely dangerous!

Sheriff Goode-

See Tom Heatons photos HERE
Don't forget to read Sam's Journal entries

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Sam landed in Sin City just the other day, stole some cash from my husband's dresser and hasn't been seen since. He left a trail of fried twinkie crumbs, however, so we have a starting place. We'll go out looking for him this weekend. Don't know where Jane is, but there's only so many places an unattended woman in bondage can go in this town.

Stay tuned.

Suzanne in Las Vegas

A breathless Jane West appeared at my door this morning and began to relate a harrowing tale of her recent ordeal. It seems Sam Cobra brought her out west against her will and intended to leave her defenseless in the wilderness of the Spring Mountains near the famous Robbers' Roost cave.
(more info here)

If not for the heroics of a stranger, one tin soldier you might say, who knows what fate would have befell her?

Sam apparently took off when confronted and no one appears to know where he currently is hiding out. Jane, poor dear, is resting safe with me and my family and will return home as soon as she is strong enough (and can get the money together...)

Be on the look out, friends. Sam has shown his cruel and heartless side time and time again. The law here is nowhere to be found. Pray for the denizens of the next city he terrorizes!

Suzanne
aka realroadrunner

By chance there are any other letterboxers on the Ranch besides me and Robin, a series of stamps commemorating this adventure can be found HERE

Go to the listing marked "Best of the West Series #5: Sam Cobra" or click HERE

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I have it on good authority that Sam Cobra was escorted to the Las Vegas city limits this morning after causing a ruckus in the Keno lounge at Sam's Town. The story, as it was related to me, is that Sam took advantage of a bleary-eyed, late night casino host and passed himself off as the Casino-Hotel's high-rolling namesake. He was given an absolutely ENORMOUS line of credit, the penthouse suite, and the company of not one, but two...ah, perhaps you don't need all that detail.

At any rate, Sam was not as lucky at the poker table as he was in getting away from Billy Jack Geronimo. Down to his last few dollars, he frittered away the last of his funds in humiliation playing Keno, which everyone knows is a sucker's game. Furious, he whirled into a dervish rage, kicking over tables and chairs, even those holding sweet little grannies who wouldn't ink ya with a bingo dauber, turning the keno blower upside down, balls flying everywhere,
tripping up a pair of roly-poly security guards who went tumbling badge over belt. "You can't do this to me! I'm Sam Cobra!" he screamed. "I'm vintage Marx, you fools!"

His errant admission raised not just a few eyebrows, since it's common knowledge in these parts that the real proprietor of the joint was Sam BOYD. A crowd of cocktail waitresses, slot hosts, janitors, and pit bosses pinned old Sam in a corner and held him until the authorities arrived. Unfortunately, I didn't have my police scanner on that day, or I would have run right down there and shown them the Wanted poster so they could have booked his sorry black bottom. But, being an undocumented plastic person, there was no record of his past misdeeds and warrants so the authorites merely showed him the professional courtesy of driving him to the outskirts of town with a
stern warning not to return.

I don't know which direction he was pointed, I can only hope it's not towards me.

Meanwhile, Jane was out looking for work today, although I told her she was certainly welcome to stay as my guest until money could be wired to get her home. She is such a strong and resourceful lady, you just have to admire her. She even put aside her normal modesty and considered taking a temporary gig as an exotic dancer, despite the fact that her clothes don't come off. What a gal! Keep her in your
thoughts, y'all.

Yours truly,

Suzanne
aka realroadrunner

Check out Suzanne's Cobra Photo Journal HERE

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Friday, March 18th, 2005

Sam Cobra has been spotted at the Mecca of all capitalism, the Mall of America!!!!!!! Feeling rather lazy, Sam felt that since there are litteraly acres and acres of stores at MOA he could have a grand old heist fest and only have to make one getaway! It is reported that he shot up a western outfitter in the mall when they didn't have boots in his size!

I have had to triple the security around my Black Flame horse to ensure that he doesn't rustle her. He has been spotted staking out the security and looking for weaknesses that he can exploit.

He did visit with his Mexican cousin, who kindly agreed to provide him with a custom Mexican version box and instruction sheet.

My guess is that he will be leaving soon, as he can feel the posse closing in on him. Hope to post some pictures soon, having camera problems.

Sheriff Garrett, where are you when we need you?!!!

John Applequist

Tuesday, March 29th, 2005

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Ranchers

I just seen on our local news that a postal carrier unknowingly has delivered Sam Cobra to a home here in Madison. I hope that I locked all the windows before I left for work this morning. I will keep you posted if I see or hear anything more.............

I'm afraid he is going to cause some trouble here in Madison................

Robin
aka murphyman20032003

Monday, April 3rd, 2005

Ranchers

No one is safe once again with the Mad Bad Man running free.............

His visit in Madison was short but he was able to escape from his box, break into my home and rummage thru my box of treasures until he found what he was looking for..... money. He also was able to view a safe so I do believe he can crack open anything now............ I'm also missing a bundle of dynamite............

Beware and hope he doesn't come knocking on your door next!!

Robin aka Murphyman20032003

Check out Robin's Cobra Photo Journal HERE

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Friday, April 29th, 2005

this just received from the local telegram office…

Sam Cobra has been spotted in Toronto, Canada. Be on the look out for the Renegade Bad Man and Notorious Horse Thief.

…Outside, on a clear spring day, Sam Cobra felt the mailman set his box down on the ground. He knew now was the moment to make his move, so he quickly snuck out of the box and made his way into the nearby building…

Howdy Ranchers,

Early this morning at around 8:30 am, I awoke to hear a light “tap” upon my front door. I went to investigate. I opened the door and didn't see a soul until my eye caught a glimpse of a shadow near my feet. I heard a voice grumble up from the ground.

“Hey, lady let me in!”

I looked down and spied quite a sight, for if it wasn’t the outlaw Sam at my doormat looking up at me dangerously.

Recognizing him immediately, I gasped. “Look,” I said, “I don't want your sort darkening my doorstep. Find someone else to harbour your stash. I'll have no business with hunted men!”

He looked up at me all mean and beady-eyed and presented me with a handful of greenbacks. If it wasn't for the gun cocked at me, I might have protested.

“All right, you can come in, but I don't want you to bring trouble my way.”

“I promise to behave myself.” The dark-dressed outlaw responded with a sarcastic sneer. Not missing the troublesome gleam in his eyes, I mentioned. “There is a Mountie in the area, you best mind your word.”

Cobra snorted and replied in a raw voice, “I ain't look’n for a fight. I just need a spot to rest a spell; I've been on the road for weeks and I've gained quiet a load. Give me one of your rooms and I'll stay out of your way, just call out if you see that Mountie come near my way!”

So Sam came in and met some new friends. I stood back wearily, thinking worrisome thoughts. I've heard word of this man’s actions South of the boarder and Calgary. I'm not sure I want him bunking here without some sort of protection. I think I will contact that Mountie. And maybe the media…

Anxious in Toronto,
Karen

Check out Karen's Photo entires HERE

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Thursday, May 11, 2005

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!

This just in........

Sam Cobra has escaped again!!!

This morning, Sergeant Tad Allen Potts of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Sheriff Goode got a tip as to the location of Sam Cobra. They made an attempt to arrest him; however, they were thwarted in their endeavour by two of Cobra's cohorts who assisted in his escape. Loose again, Cobra is on the run. Look out Ranchers! This renegade, bad man, horse thief, kidnapper, and all around scoundrel could be heading your way.

Check out Karen's Photo entires HERE
Sam's Journal entries can be seen HERE

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Tuesday, June 14th, 2005

A confidential informant has told law enforcement that the renowned
horse thief and renegade bad man Sam Cobra was bragging about how he
planned to 'clean-em out' in Wheeling West Virginia this weekend.

This vital information was passed on to Sheriff Garrett who replied
'Not if'n I get there first.'

Sounds like the race is on!

Stay tuned for news of the 'Showdown in Wheeling'. We'll be away from
our normal broadcast base, but will do our best to get you news of
this breaking story.

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Well, it's been a little over a week since the end of the 7th Marx
Convention and the 3rd JohnnyCon. I think I have FINALLY sorted
everything out here, and can venture a guess as to what happened here.

Apparently, although Our Man Garrett and the posse had Sam dead in
their sites, on the gallows and ready to swing for his crimes, the
dark and mysterious figure in the background actually WAS Jesse
James! Worse, he managed to pull Sam from the jaws of death, and the
two made off for the open range.

Garrett and the boys regrouped and headed out after them, womenfolk
and all in tow, charging up the National Pike towards Dallas Pike, WV
(America's first highway, and it runs by about 100 yards from the
museum). The posse send word back when they reached Fort Washington
(Washington, PA) that the outlaws' trail had grown colder than
Montana in January. They were going to head on into Fort Pitt
(Pittsburgh, PA) and try to gather info there.

Here's where it gets weird. Starting the day after the convention,
and continuing since then, there have been a series of unfortunate
events going on here at the museum. Nothing that I would really call
BAD, but just a bunch of things that we cannot really explain.
Things found out of place in the mornings. Doors unlocked that
should be locked. Missing food and drinks. And worst of all, little
miniature horse droppings on the carpets in the lobby!

We've been poring over the security camera tapes for the past week,
and think that we have found our culprit - none other than
our "friend" Sam! (I'll try to post some security cam stills and
photos of our progress tomorrow). Apparently, the little rat has
circled back to the scene of the crime, figuring that was the LAST
place that anyone would look!
I'll try to keep all of you fellow ranchers "in the loop" as we try
to flush the varmint out, but it IS a 24,000 square foot building, so
this may take a while! We've dispatched a courier to try to bring
back the posse, but if anyone sees them, please head them back
towards Wheeling.

Allan Miller, Curator
Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum

and

Sgt. Stony Smith, Chief of Security
Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum