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My, you are in the know.

I can tell you exactly where Harry's .35 Whelen is, but I'm not sure the present owner would want it advertised. As Harry's executor, I had the sad task of auctioning off his guns, and the vast majority of them went to long time friends who would never part with them, including the .35 Whelen and Harry's .220 Swift, with the apple wood stock, and his several high walls.

Yes, I know Bill Cude and I know how he got the name. I was the original owner of Battle Ground Armory and know all about Bill's unfortunate business venture with Kerry Hazlewood, who worked for me from age 18 up until shortly before his untimely death.

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Bill, you probably would remember me. I actually went to your house once when you lived over near Triune (if I remember correctly). Harry had built a .416 Rigby for me on a Ruger No.1 action. Having gotten tired of it, I traded it to you in partial payment for a Hollis 12 ga. full rifle. You remember it, I'm sure. It was the one that you sent to Fajen to be restocked, with instructions that they should match the butt to the forend (which was not to be replaced). Unfortunately, the forend had a very plain piece of wood and that is what they used for the butt stock.

I lived in Franklin for a couple of years and worked at Murray. I was at BGA EVERY WEEK - trading and so forth. On Saturdays, I would get to the store around 7:15 AM and visit with Harry most of the day. He seemed to like me and I know that I liked him.

I saw George Crouse a few years ago and he told me about Kerry's death - I believe he said that was in 1985. Then a few years ago, someone told me that Mr. Charlie Haffner had passed. I was sorry to hear about both of those deaths.

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