Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
John Wayne, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers didn't show up, but dozens of other cowboys were there over the weekend.
And they had their guns blazing.
Cutter's Raiders Cowboy Action Shoot was held Saturday and Sunday at the Warsaw Rifle and Pistol Club, County Road 150W.
Men and women, dressed as cowboys pre-1900s, competed in the annual event that featured 10 main match stages. Overall winners were "One-Eyed Rider" in first place, "Seven" in second, "Pike Bishop" in third and "Sun-Down Jones" in fourth place.
"We have shooters here from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois (and one from Wisconsin). We draw quite a few from the southern part of the state," said "Midnight Desperado," also known as Allen Black.
All guns used in the two-day competition are single-action guns. Live ammunition is used and shooters aim at steel targets. The theme of the weekend this year was "McElroy Hill Pass Ambush." Each stage of the competition was a different scenario.
"It's sort of a loose re-enactment," said Mike Foreman.
Shooters must be 12 years old to participate, according to rules, but younger gun enthusiasts have participated in the past.
"Twelve is the rule but there are a lot of 10-year-olds, 9-year-olds who can shoot," said Black.
Also on hand were vendors who sold cowboy clothing and mementos. Tombstone Outfitters from Georgia was there,
as well as Coon Creek Reproductions from Tucson, Ariz., and J.B. Outfitters from South Bend.
The weekend event is one of many events held across the world sanctioned by the Single Action Shooting Society. The head governing body is based in California. The sport started in the late 1980s. There are matches in the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe.
The late Jeff Hurps started the event in Warsaw six years ago.
"We're just out here for the fun of it," said Glenn Helser.
Cutter's Raiders Cowboys hold action shoots every first Saturday of the month. The next three monthly events will be July 3, Aug. 7 and Sept. 4.
