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Headlines---
Fannie Mae's November portfolio shrinks 7.9 pct
Warren Capital Acquires Western States Leasing
Form to Help Brokers Cover Expenses and Costs
Cartoon---Menkin Chooses the Wrong Door, by Mistake
Merchant Capital/Mainstreet Finance Affiliate
Piggott/Oxby New Key Equip. European Directors
Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Index Reaches Record Low
NetBank New Directors Catherine A. Ghiglieri/ Tamara L. Adler
Christmas Gifts---Meaningful presents Leasing Industry
Second Most Meaningful Christmas Gift
Oh, No Mr. Bill! The Wrong Year!!!????
Business Leasing News---December issue
More Statistics from the Survey of Industry Activity 2003!!"
Wells Fargo Financial Resources to present Lessors Network
This Border ##### Denotes Press Release (Not Written By Leasing News)
Fannie Mae's November portfolio shrinks 7.9 pct
ABSnet
NEW YORK,) - Fannie Mae, the No. 1 U.S. home funding company, said on Monday its portfolio growth fell 7.9 percent on an annualized basis and its duration gap risk measure was minus one month in November.
That drop in its portfolio is the largest this year and leaves the month-end mortgage portfolio balance at $906.38 billion. Year- to-date portfolio growth is 15.5 percent, Fannie Mae <FNM.N> said in a release.
The duration gap, which reflects how well the company is matching its assets and liabilities, stood at plus one month in October. Both the October and November readings are within Fannie Mae's target range of plus or minus six months.
The housing giant said its retained commitments rose to $13.1 billion, reflecting narrow mortgage-to-debt spreads in November. Also, mortgage portfolio purchases in November were $17.6 billion. Liquidations for Fannie Mae's mortgage portfolio and mortgage-backed securities outstanding fell in November.
Fannie Mae's November portfolio liquidations were $22.4 billion, while mortgage-backed securities liquidations were $34.2 billion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARREN CAPITAL ACQUIRES THE BUSINESS OF
WESTERN STATES LEASING
Warren Capital announces it has acquired the business of Western States Leasing, a thirty-year-old leasing company serving the food processing and packaging industries.
Based in Marin, Western States Leasing served over 800 equipment vendors and clients nationwide. The company was founded by Lou Funston of Belvedere, California, who passed away this fall. According to Kathy Funston, “Western States had a close relationship with Warren Capital for over 15 years. This acquisition was the best way to honor Lou and continue to provide his clients with access to capital.”
Warren Capital Corporation is a 20-year old specialty finance company that has completed over $1 Billion of financing transactions for over 2,000 businesses throughout the United States.
This is the letter from Kathy Funston to Western States accounts:
“As you may have hard, Lou Funston passed away recently from pancreatic cancer. He
remained active in his business virtually until the end and did all he could to provide service to his vendors and clients.
“As we cope with this tremendous loss we are committed to ensure that Lou’s business continues. He spent 30 years building Western States Leasing and he would have wanted to see it continue to flourish. To honor his work and as a source of income for our family, I have arranged with Warren Capital Corporation to assume responsibility for Lou’s accounts.
“Many of you may already familiar with warren Capital since Lou occasionally referred his clients to them. He maintained a 15-yar relationship with Warren Capital and they often cooperated on financing.
“I chose to have Western Sates Leasing join venture with Warren Capital because I know that they are best suited to deliver the level of service, professionalism and integrity that initially attracted you to Lou’s company.
“Clay Stephens, President of Warren Capital, has been a trusted business colleague and friend of Lou’s for many years. After working with Clay these past difficult weeks, I can understand why Lou as fond of him. He has made the transition pleasurable.
“Besides Clay, Ted Levinson of Warren Capital will be calling you in the next few weeks
to introduce you to warren Capital. Others involved in the business are John Hudson and Scott Shapiro. I hope you will give them every opportunity to earn your business. They can be reached at 415-898-1875. I am sure you will be hearing from them directly...”
For additional information on Warren Capital, contact Linda Rieschel at 415-898-1875, email Linda@warrencapital.com, or visit our website at www.warrencapital.com.
Warren Capital Corporation
505 San Marin DRIVE SUITE 240
415.898.1875
415.892.7075 (FAX)
http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Louis_B_Funston.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form to Help Brokers Cover Expenses and Costs
“I think a pool of companies is a great idea. I'm in. I have modified my
agreement a bit already. I'll fax you a copy later today.”
Paul Behechti
Bridge Capital Leasing
--
“I'm in for the $200.”
Gary Saulter
Chase Industries, Inc.
800-968-5000
Fax: 616-459-6822
--
“I support your efforts.
Hope all is well, keep up the good work.”
“Your leasing buddy,
Tree”
Theresa Kabot
Kabot Commercial Leasing
--
“Count me in I will be glad to help out and be a sponsor. A copy of a
standard proposal letter and broker agreement would be a good result.
Your’s in leasing...”
Warren Hawkins
---
Leasing News is collecting forms in use that when signed by both parties
spell out what happens to the money advance whether it be
a “commitment fee,” “earnest money,” “advance rental,” “security
deposit.”
While we do not want to give legal advice, particularly realizing that
states differ and there are also licensing issue, we asked Ken Greene
for some "generic" help.
He has agreed to perform this service, review the forms, and then
devise a “generic one” to help brokers retain expenses, particularly
if an application is not approved or terms and conditions change.
“If 10 companies share the cost, it's only $200 each. I think you get what you pay
for, and if they want a "free" form, they will not get the comfort level I
would want if I was in their shoes, “ Ken said. “ And though they don't want to pay, I am sure the companies who have been sued on this issue, and who have paid
thousands of dollars in attorneys fees have ended up paying much much more,
not to mention the hassle of litigation.
“I am glad to help if a pool of leasing companies would like to get together
and hire me to put together a thorough form. It can still be simple, but it
should be internally consistent and not appear to be punitive in nature.”
Ken
Kenneth C. Greene
Law Offices of Kenneth C. Greene
980 Magnolia Avenue Suite 6C
Larkspur, CA 94939
Vox: 415 461 3777
Fax: 415 461 3733
E-Mail: keng@kengreenelaw.com
Website: www.kengreenelaw.com
For those who participate, Ken Greene is willing to do extra work for a minimal fee on the form for their specific needs. Each company will sign an agreement regarding this form to cover expenses incurred should a lease not go forward, plus give other clauses for specific terms and conditions to be covered in the proposal. Should we not obtain the $2,000 needed, all money will be returned. As per our policy, we also reserve the right to refuse a sponsorship. editor
From Winter, 1998, “Leasing Logic,” a publication of the National Association
of Equipment Leasing Brokers:
“From the Desk of Joseph G. Bonanno—Legal Counsel:
“VI. Preventative Medicine.
‘These laws are very new, the application is even newer and the enforcement is uncharted territory. Attorneys are not yet certain as to what could occur in any of the above stages, but some preventative items (which are untested) that may help are the following:
“1. Certainly, registries with the states in which the broker is doing business.
“2. Provisions in all commitment letters and/or proposals that(1) a portion of up front fees(specify the dollar amount) are to be applied to documentation fees and costs of obtaining credit information on the applicant, such as credit reports,(2) these funds are strictly to reimburse the broker for the normal costs associated with processing the lease application,(3) these funds are not advance fees but costs that shall be deemed to become the property of the broker upon receipt of these funds by the broker,(4) that the applicant authorizes the broker to expend these funds in the application of process.
“3. A further provision in all commitment letters and/or proposals that states the first and last rental payments for whatever advances are being collected) are (1) advance rental payments and not fees or commission to the broker for the services or procuring a loan,(2) are deemed earned by the broker upon notification of credit approval from the broker to the applicant as consideration for the efforts of the broker in obtaining financing for the applicant and (3) shall become the property of the broker upon notification of credit approval form the broker to the applicant whether or not(a) the transaction closes or (b) the equipment is accepted by the applicant.
“VII. Conclusion.
“We have all been aware that government regulation in this industry was on the way and I believe that it has finally arrived. What makes it arrive is the fact that a lessee’s attorney from Illinois is aware of the loan broker statute and used it as leverage against a lessor/broker in a dispute over the return of advance rental payments. This indicates to me that end users and/or their attorneys are aware of these registration requirements and in my opinion, brokers should be aware of and comply with these requirements as well.
As always, be aware that the within advice is general advice, and you are interested in for more details on the loan broker statutes.”
From Spring, 2000 “ Leasing Logic” a publication of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers:
“From the desk of Joseph G. Bonanno-Legal Counsel”
“V. Conclusion.
“To protect advance fees, first and foremost, be ethical. A broker is not entitled to advance fees until they are earned. The definition of when fees are earned must be specified in the lease contract so that the fees are deemed earned by the broker upon the occurrence of a particular event, usually acceptance. Note, however, that other events can define the earning of fees. I have recently seen one set of documents that states that the advance fees are earned upon the documents being sent out by the funding source to the lessee. I very much question the enforceability of such a document. In all cases, question the enforceability of such a document. In all cases, keep the advance fees in a separate escrow account and if the fees are large enough, utilize the services of an escrow agent. Finally, review your lease contracts to be certain that there is as much protection in the language of the contract as possible. Recognize that there is no concrete answer as to what will and will not work if a lawsuit results over advance fees. The approach to take in this area is to be as prepared as possible in the event a dispute results.”
Hopefully, we will have more sponsors to help us print a form for all brokers, and tomorrow, we will quote more from this article, and others that the present legal counsel for the National Association of Equipment Brokers has Joseph G. Bonanno has written
on the subject.
Cartoon---Menkin Chooses the Wrong Door, by Mistake
http://two.leasingnews.org/cartoons/TRAINING.gif
___________________________________________
### Press Release #####################
MERCHANT CAPITAL TO BECOME A MAINSTREET FINANCE AFFILIATE PARTNER
Affiliate Partnerships are one of MainStreet's strategies for expanding market presence.
KIRKLAND, WA. - MainStreet Finance Corporation announced today its newest Affiliate Partner - Merchant Capital, a Portland, Oregon company providing equipment lease financing and SBA loans throughout the western United States. Merchant Capital is headed by Travis Foxx.
"Travis Foxx and Merchant Capital bring a great mix of business finance expertise, and established marketing presence in the Portland market for MainStreet Finance" says Cliff Monlux, Senior Managing Partner with MainStreet Finance.
"Merchant Capital understands the value of offering multiple finance programs to businesses." says Travis Foxx, President of Merchant Capital. According to Travis "this is a great opportunity for us to broaden our finance offerings and leverage the marketing strength of MainStreet Finance. We can now expand our business activity with existing clients and provide marketing and service support for MainStreet's programs with equipment finance companies, CPAs, banks, and other channel partners."
As an Affiliate Partner, Merchant Capital will become a part of the MainStreet Finance Corporation. Merchant Capital will maintain their offices in Portland, Oregon and will pursue continued business development for MainStreet. Merchant Capital's credit service and funding operations will be transferred to MainStreet Finance Corporation offices in Kirkland Washington.
About MainStreet Finance Corporation
MainStreet Finance Corporation is a Washington company headquartered in Kirkland Washington, specializing in providing specialty business finance for businesses in the US, working through CPA firms, banks, equipment manufacturers and equipment finance companies. MainStreet provides a broad spectrum of financing services from SBA loans, PO and AR finance, leasing, real estate and other forms of asset based lending. For more information, visit MainStreet's Website at www.mainstreetfinance.com.
About Merchant Capital
Merchant Capital specializes in working with entrepreneurial businesses, providing financing for equipment, real estate and SBA loans. Merchant Capital's strategy is to focus their business development efforts on particular industries and develop a competitive advantage by better understanding their customers business and finance needs. This also allows them to work not only with established companies, but also with young companies and even start-ups.
MainStreet Media Contact:
Cliff Monlux, Senior Managing Partner, MainStreet Finance Corporation
866-889-6886, ext. 228
cliff@mainstreetfinance.com
Merchant Capital Media Contact:
Travis Foxx, President, Merchant Capital
800-333-5513
Travis@merchantcapital.net
### Press Release ############################
KEY EQUIPMENT FINANCE
NAMES
PAUL PIGGOTT & MICHAEL OXBY
EUROPEAN DIRECTORS
SUPERIOR, CO, -- Key Equipment Finance, one of the U.S.'s
largest bank-held equipment financing companies, has announced that Paul
Piggott has been named European business development director, and Michael
Oxby has been named regional sales director for the United Kingdom and
Ireland. Both work within Key's global vendor services business. Their
offices are located at Key Equipment Finance's European headquarters in
Ascot, England.
Mr. Piggott will be responsible for various business development
activities, including prospecting for new programs, researching new
markets/industries and new program development negotiation. Prior to
joining Key Equipment Finance, Mr. Piggott was head of sales finance for
Fujitsu Siemens Computers. He previously was U.K. managing director for
Heller Vendor Financial Services. He also held senior positions at G.E.
Capital Equipment Finance and ABN AMRO.
"Paul has 17 years of experience in the European equipment financing
industry where his record shows consistent sales achievement," said Karen
L. Larson, president and chief operating officer, global vendor services,
Key Equipment Finance. "His focus on the customer's needs and his ability
to build high performing teams will be a great benefit to Key."
Mr. Oxby will spearhead sales efforts in the U.K. and Ireland. Prior to
joining Key Equipment Finance, he was in charge of large enterprise
customer financing for Fujitsu Siemens Computers Ltd. He also held the
position of European business development manager at Heller Global Vendor
Finance UK Ltd. before being promoted to sales director for Heller
Commercial Equipment Leasing, a new joint venture established in the U.K.
He had previously been director at European Capital Finance Ltd. (ECF).
"Mike is a proven sales leader with pan-European business development
experience for both direct and vendor-driven business covering a wide
variety of high and low technology assets," said Karen L. Larson. "His
equipment financing experience will be an asset as he takes on his new
responsibilities at Key."
Key Equipment Finance is an affiliate of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) and provides
business-to-business equipment financing solutions to businesses of many
types and sizes. They focus on four distinct markets:
businesses of all sizes in the U.S. and Canada (from small business
to large corporate);
equipment manufacturers, distributors and value-added resellers
worldwide;
federal, provincial, state and local governments as well as other
public sector organizations; and
lease advisory services for manufacturers' captive leasing and
finance companies.
Headquartered outside Boulder, Colorado, Key Equipment Finance oversees an
$9.3 billion equipment portfolio with annual originations of approximately
$3.5 billion. The company has major management and operations bases in
Toronto, Ontario; Albany, New York; London, England; and Sydney, Australia.
The company, which operates in 24 countries and employs more than 600
people worldwide, has been in the equipment financing business for 30
years. Additional information regarding Key Equipment Finance, its products
and services can be obtained online at KEFonline.com.
Cleveland-based KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) is one of the nation's largest bank-
based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $85
billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial
banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to
individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain
businesses, internationally. The company's businesses deliver their
products and services through KeyCenters and offices; a network of nearly
2,200 ATMs; telephone banking centers (1.800.KEY2YOU); and a Web site,
Key.com®, that provides account access and financial products 24 hours a
day.
__
Lisa A. Miller, Corporate Development
Key Equipment Finance
NY-31-66-0900
P.O. Box 1865
Albany NY 12201-1865
Phone: (518) 257-8235
Fax: (518) 257-8821
### Press Release ######################
Fitch Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Index Reaches Record Low
NEW YORK----During third quarter 2003, Fitch Ratings' equipment lease asset-backed securities (ABS) delinquency index fell to its lowest level since its December 1997 inception, according to the latest edition of 'The ABS Equipment Expo'.
As of September 30, 2003, total delinquencies over 30 days past due fell 52 basis points from the second quarter to reach 2.45%. Likewise, the three and 12- month moving averages dropped 123 basis points and 59 basis points, respectively. While the economy built muscle and investors embraced a surprising 8.2% annual GDP growth rate during third-quarter 2003 clearly, ABS issuers within the leasing industry have strengthened in-step as evidenced by the index's decline.
Aside from DVI, issuers within Fitch's index remain stable and have delivered solid performance over the past two years. Given the unique nature of the DVI bankruptcy situation, combined with the fact that the company's ailments are not representative of the leasing industry's current health or correlated with its peers' performance, Fitch presents its Equipment Lease ABS Delinquency Index both with and without DVI's third-quarter data.
Overall, the equipment ABS market continues to build on the positive momentum evident through the first half of 2003. While fewer players are financing through the ABS market than in years past, the consolidated sector is dominated by healthier equipment lease ABS issuers.
In addition to highlighting the delinquency index, Fitch's 'ABS Equipment Expo' newsletter features a Leasing Industry update from Fitch's Financial Institutions Group, an update on the DVI, Inc. bankruptcy situation and a spotlight on the CNH Equipment Trust 2003-VA transaction, which closed in October 2003.
All public and 144A Fitch-rated ABS equipment lease transactions since December 1997 are included in Fitch's index, which now tracks the performance of 97 transactions over a five-year period. 'The ABS Equipment Expo' is a publication that follows equipment lease ABS performance, industry trends and developments within the securitization market. Both current and historical editions of the newsletter are available on Fitch's web site at 'www.fitchratings.com' or by contacting the Ratings Desk at 1-800-893-4824.
CONTACT:Fitch Ratings Sara Grohl, 212-908-0564 Matt Burkhard
## Press Release ###########################
NetBank, Inc. Appoints Catherine A. Ghiglieri and Tamara L. Adler to Its Board of Directors
ATLANTA----NetBank, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTBK), parent company of the country's first commercially successful Internet bank, NetBank(R) (www.netbank.com), today announced Catherine A. Ghiglieri and Tamara L. Adler have been appointed to its board of directors.
The board's Corporate Governance Committee recommended both individuals after completing a candidate search and preliminary interview process. The company's full board voted unanimously to approve their appointment, citing their backgrounds in the fields of bank regulation and finance. Ghiglieri will serve on the Compensation Committee, and Adler will serve on the board's Corporate Governance Committee.
"Catherine and Tamara are great additions to our board," said Douglas K. Freeman, chairman and CEO, NetBank, Inc. "Both are seasoned professionals with specialized experience within the financial services industry. Their respective regulatory and securities backgrounds enhance our board's depth. It was also important to further diversify our board to better represent the interests of the large, varied customer base we are fortunate to serve."
Ghiglieri currently serves as president of Ghiglieri & Company, a management consulting firm she founded four years ago after an extensive bank regulatory career. Ghiglieri served as Texas Banking Commissioner for seven years and was responsible for the supervision of the third largest state banking system in the United States. Prior to that, she spent 18 years in various positions of responsibility with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Ghiglieri received her bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from Georgia State University. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of RateGenius.
Adler is a senior finance professional and lawyer with more than 20 years of structured finance, corporate and real estate experience in the United States and Europe. Most recently, she was the managing director and head of the Structured Finance group within Debt Capital Markets at JP Morgan Chase. Prior to joining JP Morgan, she served as the managing director and head of Deutsche Bank's European Securitization Group where she was also a member of Deutsche Bank's Global Markets Management Committee. Adler was also a partner at Hogan & Hartson, LLP in Washington, D.C.
Adler's formal education includes a bachelor's degree in political science from Wellesley College and a law degree from the Northwestern University School of Law. She has served as the Chairman of the Bond Market Association's European Securitization Forum and as a member of its European Advisory Board. Adler is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the e-Learning Foundation (United Kingdom).
Ghiglieri, whose term expires in 2005, replaces Ward H. Clegg who retired from the board this summer. Adler, whose term expires in 2006, fills a newly created position. The company intends to have its shareholders ratify both appointments at its 2004 Shareholder Meeting.
About NetBank, Inc.
NetBank, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTBK) operates with a revolutionary business model through a diverse group of complementary financial services businesses that leverage technology for more efficient and cost-effective delivery of services. Its major subsidiaries include NetBank(R) (www.netbank.com), the country's first commercially successful Internet bank; RBMG, Inc., a wholesale mortgage lender that generates residential mortgages through a nationwide network of independent brokers and correspondent lenders; Market Street Mortgage Corporation, a retail residential mortgage lender that conducts business in 39 states; Meritage Mortgage Corporation, a wholesale mortgage lender that originates non-conforming residential mortgages through a nationwide network of independent brokers; Republic Leasing Company, Inc., a wholesale originator and servicer of commercial business equipment leases; and NetInsurance, Inc. (formerly known as RBMG Insurance Services, Inc.), an online insurance agency representing some of the nation's leading insurance companies. NetBank is a Member FDIC. NetBank, RBMG(R), Market Street Mortgage(R) and Meritage(R) are Equal Housing Lenders.
CONTACT:NetBank, Inc., Atlanta Rich Jeffers, 678-942-7596 rjeffers@netbank.com
### Press Release #############################
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Gifts---Meaningful presents for the Leasing Industry
We weren’t kidding. These are great presents to give to a colleague,
or even, a banker!!!!
http://two.leasingnews.org/Books.htm
Here are two excellent books:
“Power Tools for Successful Leasing”
"Selling Leasing In A Tough Economy"
http://two.leasingnews.org/Books_Direct.htm#power
or
Marketing the Equipment Lease---Ted Parker, CLP
(also on CD with the book)
http://two.leasingnews.org/Books_Direct.htm#marketing
If not for a colleague, buy the books for you to read over
the holidays. Now is the time!!!!
____________________________________________________
Second Most Meaningful Christmas Gift
Food Network Kitchens Cookbook
More than 160 recipes and 300 photos!
$24.95
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, No Mr. Bill! The Wrong Year!!!????
“Congratulations on the Emeritus Award. It appears that two "firsts" are
involved here though, based on the picture. It is the first award of this
type given and it is also the first "postdated" award as the date on the
award is December 11, 2004. Looks like the printer goofed. Regardless,
congrats again.”
Ronald J. Brodt
SVP Credit & Syndication
Amsource Capital Ltd.
972-221-7285 (Office)
214-222-0691 (Fax)
972-849-2742 (Mobile)
ronbrodt@amsourcecapital.com
(Wow, I didn't catch that. No one else did either. It even now has coverage
in the local press. For the record, it was given to me on December 11,2003.
Kit Menkin.)
http://www.leasingnews.org/archives/December%202003/12-12-03.htm#menkin
Business Leasing News---December issue
If you have not received the December issue, please go here:
http://www.pattonboggs.com/Newsletters/Bln/Release/bln_2003_12.htm
Perhaps not all the topics will interest you as you may not be an attorney
or an accountant, but there are specific articles you should read, such as
“Positive Economic News from the Federal Reserve Bodes Well for Leasing.”
This is the only article that takes the information from the Federal Reserve Beige
Report and applies to the leasing industry; definitely worth the “read.”
*** announcement ***************************
More Statistics from the Survey of Industry Activity 2003!!"
Have you ever wondered how many employees are allocated by functional area (human resources, accounting, sales, etc) inside a leasing company? Allocations vary by ticket size and type of lessor, but overall, Servicing Activities (19.5%), Sales/Origination: Outside Field Sales (13.4%), and Booking Activities (11/3%) are the largest employment areas within a leasing company. The Survey of Industry Activity also benchmarks several different metrics by Full-Time Equivalent employees: net earning assets, loan & loss reserves, net income, new business volume, etc.
The 2003 Survey of Industry Activity is the preeminent resource for financial and statistical data about the $204 billion lease finance business. It is a must-have for lessors interested in comparing their operations and performance to their industry peers, a critical management tool for any business trying to compete in today's challenging leasing environment. The 2003 Equipment Leasing Association survey can be purchased today on the ELA store by following this link:
Member Price: $295
Non-Member Price: $49
http://www.elaonline.com/ELAstore/index.cfm?
fuseaction=view_product&prod_id=1095
*** announcement*****************************
Wells Fargo Financial Resources, Inc to present at Lessors Network Lease
Funding & Distribution Showcase
ATLANTA, - (Lessors Network) - Wells Fargo Financial
Resources, Inc joins a prestigious list of funding sources from the
commercial and municipal equipment lease markets, participating in the
Lessors Network Lease Funding & Distribution Showcase scheduled March
11-12, 2004. Last year more than 60 exclusive funding sources
represented over $10 billion in buy/sell opportunities at this event.
Alexander I. Dunlap, Vice President, Wells Fargo Financial Resources,
Inc, will participate in the Commercial Funding Source Showcase,
delivering an overview of Wells Fargo's 2004 buy/sell investment
strategies. Mr. Dunlap will be available to meet privately with
attendees in the Networking Suite immediately following showcase
presentations.
Remaining speaker opportunities will be assigned on a first come basis
for both the Commercial Funding Source Showcase and the Municipal
Funding Source Showcase. Parties interested in presenting their
company's 2004 buy/sell investment strategies should submit their
attendee registration ASAP.
Additional details are available at - http://www.lessors.com
*** announcement *******************************
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Gimme That Wine"
S.F. Business Area Biz Journal Rates "Wine Industry Lenders"
http://busjrnl.com/htmlos/0011123.1.1144415481910262659
Guenoc Winery Owners Depart; California Property May Be Sold
http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,2285,00.html
Wine shopping center to debut/Starting in Washington State
http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2003/12/15/story6.html
Only five in stock at Amazon---best wine book $10.47
You may find it at Barnes and Noble, or other “fine” book stores. This is one
of the best, if not the best wine books, in short story form, for all levels
of wine appreciation, I tell you this is the best to date. To me, this
is the Strunk “Rules of English.” And a lot more entertaining. Kit Menkin
This Day in American History
1773-In the celebrated Boston Tea Party, a group of Boston patriots dressed as Indians boarded three British ships in Boston harbor and threw their cargoes of tea,3 42 chests worth 18,000 British pounds into the water. The action was the climax of growing colonial opposition to the growing set of import taxes, including the Tea Act. The British were trying to help finance their wars in Europe..
1828 –Birthday of John Beatty Brigadier-General (Union volunteers), died in 1914
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/6734/mcms.html
http://famousamericans.net/johnbeatty1/
1862-Confederate
President Jefferson Davis names General Joseph Johnston commander of the
Army of Tennessee. Johnston replaced Braxton Bragg, who managed to lose
all of Tennessee to the Union during 1863. He fought at the First Battle
of Bull Run and commanded the Army of Northern Virginia during the early
stages of the Peninsular Campaign in 1862. When he was wounded at the
Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, Lee replaced Johnston. After recovering
from his wounds, Johnston was sent to coordinate the operations of the
armies the Tennessee and Mississippi regions. Since he did not have a
command of his own, Johnston resented this duty. In 1863, Johnston made
a futile attempt to relieve John C. Pemberton's army at Vicksburg. He
wanted Pemberton to fight his way out of Vicksburg, but Union General
Ulysses S. Grant had Pemberton trapped. The surrender of Pemberton's army
put additional stress on the already strained relationship between Johnston
and President Davis. After the campaigns of 1863, however, Davis felt
he had little choice but to name Johnston commander of the Army of Tennessee.
The Confederates were losing large sections of territory to the Union.
Bragg was literally maneuvered right out of Tennessee during the summer,
although he engineered a victory at Chickamauga before laying siege to
Union troops at Chattanooga. When Grant broke the Confederate hold on
Chattanooga in November, Bragg resigned his command. Davis reluctantly
appointed Johnston to save the situation in the West. Johnston took the
field with his army in the spring of 1864, when Union General William
T. Sherman began his drive toward Atlanta. Johnston employed a defensive
strategy that avoided direct battle with Sherman but which also resulted
in lost territory as Johnston slowly backed up to Atlanta. Johnston's
command lasted until July 1864, when Davis replaced Johnston after the
Army of the Tennessee was backed into Atlanta. Ironically, the Union Army
considered him one of the best leaders of the Confederate troops, as he
was quite effective. Jefferson Davis did not see it that way.
http://tennessee-scv.org/camp28/johnstonbio.html
http://www.swcivilwar.com/jjohnston.html
1863-Birthday of George Santayana, Philosopher and author born at Madrid, Spain. At the age of nine he emigrated to the US where he attended and later taught at Harvard University. In 1912 he returned to Europe and traveled extensively. It was Santayana who said, “
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. “ He died at Rome, Italy, September 1,1952.
1864 - Union troops defeated Confederate forces on the second day of battle at Nashville, essentially knocking the Confederate Army of Tennessee out of the Civil War. Union General George Thomas attack on the army of Confederate General John Bell Hood at Nashville is a major defeat for the Confederacy. Hood's drastically outnumbered force retreat, and only some heroic rear-guard action prevented the total destruction of the Confederate army.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec16.html
1867- Elizabeth Johnson Harris birthday, one of the first African-American female writers.
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/harris/#sarah
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/collections/african-american-women.html
1869
-- US: Decree by US Emperor Norton I, historically America's greatest
& most enlightened ruler, demands that Sacramento clean its muddy
streets & place gaslights on streets leading to the capitol.
http://www.zpub.com/sf/history/nort.html
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/norton.html
1870-Negro Methodist Episcopal Church founded in Jackson, TN. Its name was changed in 1954 to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The denomination today is comprised of approximately 3,000 congregations.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0405018851
/absolutsearch05/104-3547695-1517507
1884-William Henry Fruen of Minneapolis received a patent for a vending machine that dispensed liquid automatically. When a coin was inserted in the slot, a uniform supply of liquid was released from a reservoir.
1893-Anton Dvorak’s New World Symphony premiered at the newly erected Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic playing. The composer attended and enjoyed enthusiastic applause from the audience. The symphony contains snatches from black spirituals and American folk music. Dvorak, a Bohemian, had been in the US only a year when he composed it as a greeting to his friends in
Europe.
1901 - The famous story, "Peter Rabbit", by Beatrix Potter, was printed for the first time, complete with Potter’s watercolor illustrations. Ms. Potter had come up with the Peter Rabbit concept eight years earlier when she sent a story, told in pen and ink drawings, to a five-year-old who was sick in bed. The first story about the ill-behaved rabbit was meant to cheer up the little boy. Of course, all good little boys and girls remember that Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail were the good little bunnies who went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight to Mr. McGregor’s garden, and squeezed through the gate. First he ate some lettuce and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes ... and he got too fat ... and Mr. McGregor is coming ... and we gotta get out of this garden ... and it’s getting late ... we will have to finish this later. 1905 - Sime Silverman published the first issue of "Variety", the weekly show biz magazine. The first issue was 16 pages in length and sold for a nickel. "Variety" and "Daily Variety" are still going strong. 1901- Margaret Mead birthday - U.S. anthropologist who revolutionized thinking about primitive life and female adolescent sexuality by raising questions about the assumptions of rigid social mores in all cultures. In1949 she published Male and Female: A Study of the Sexes in a Changing World which contrasted gender roles in various societies, the importance of the mother in the development of the children's adult lives, and the different opinions on women's roles in . It examined traditional male- female relationships, using observations from the Pacific and the East Indies for reference in discussing such topics as the mother's influence in perpetuating male and female roles and the different concepts of women's roles in marriage.
http://www.mead2001.org/Biography.htm
1907 - Eugene H. Farrar became the first singer to broadcast on radio. He sang from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. The song? "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" 1916 -- Writer Theodore Weiss born Reading, Pa.
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/news/03/q2/0418-weiss.htm
1915-Birthday of trombonist Turk Murphy
http://www.sfmuseum.org/bio/turk.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/collection.html
http://www.jazzbymail.com/artists/tmjb.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html
http://www.sftradjazz.org/92.html
http://www.ragtimebymail.com/albums_mmr/mmr11.html
http://www.jazzbymail.com/albums_mmr/mmr09.html
http://www.stompoff.com/albums1000/1027.html
(I have in my shellac collection, the first record he made with Lu Watters, too
I saw him many, many times in San Francisco at his own club and the Fairmont.
Tony Bennett was a big Dixieland fan and was often there. Turk Murphy began playing in Frisco dance bands as early as 1930. In 1939 he teamed with the legendary Lu Watters, joining Waters’ Yerba Buena Jazz Band which began a steady engagement at the Dawn Club in the basement of the Monadnock Building on Market between Third & Annie streets. In 1960, he opened his first “Earthquake McGoon’s” on Broadway, named for the then-popular Al Capp cartoon character. ).
1917-Birthday of A.C.Clarke, Minehead, UK. Sorry to break
the tradition of American History, but being a science-fiction
buff, he is one of my favorite writers, so he is now an adopted
American. Yes, I am a “Trekkie,” too. I have all the badges on
my office wall, plus many Star Trek items on my bookcase. Also
a Western fan. At age 14, I wrote four western paperbacks that
were published ( I made $40 each.)
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/aclarke.htm1928 -- Science-fiction great Philip K. Dick born Chicago, Illinois. American science fiction writer par excellence. Author of Flow My Tears the Policeman Said, Crack in Space, Man in the High Castle, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Time Out of Joint, etc.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/pkdick.htm
1930-Birthday of flute player Sam Most, Atlantic City, NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~wigwise/sammost.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~wigwise/index.htm
1930-Golfer Bobby Jones won the first James E. Sullivan award as the nation’s best amateur athlete. The award was established by the Amateur Athletic Union to honor its former president and is presented annually to the athlete who “by his or her performance, example, and influence as an amateur, has done the most during the year to advance the course of sportsmanship.”
1933-Birthday of organ player Johnny “Hammond” Smith, Louisville, KY
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,543346,00.
html?artist=Johnny+%22Hammond%22+Smith
1937 –The first escape from Alcatraz, San Francisco.
http://zpub.com/sf50/alcatraz/
1940 - Bob Crosby and his Bobcats backed up brother Bing as "San Antonio Rose" was recorded on Decca Records.
1941-The fi9rst submarine from the United States to sink a Japanese ship in World War II was the USS Swordfish, commanded by Lt. Chest Carl Smith, which torpedoed the 8,662-ton Japanese freighter Atsutusan Maur under destroyer escort off the coast of Indochina. The Swordfish was 311 feet long and displaced 2,350 tons. The Ship was destroyed by a mine on its 13th patrol in January 1945, near Okinawa, with the loss of all aboard.
1944 German V-2 strikes Antwerp bioscope (638 kill)
http://www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/gal114/SpaceRace/sec200img/213l3p3.jpg
http://www.hrw.com/science/si-science/earth/spacetravel
/spacerace/SpaceRace/sec200/sec210.html
http://www.nasm.si.edu/galleries/gal114/SpaceRace/sec200/sec211.htm
1944-US
2nd Infantry division occupies "Heartbreak Crossroads" Wahlerscheid
http://ranger95.crosswinds.net/divisions/99th_elsenborn_ridge.html
1944- Birthday of guitarist John Abercrombie, Port Chester, NY.
http://www.ejn.it/mus/abercrom.htm
http://www.johnabercrombie.com/
http://www.guitarspecialist.com/johnabercrombie.htm
1944-Battle of the Buldge: A German offensive was launched in the Belgian Ardennes forest, where Hitler had managed to concentrate 250,000men. The Nazi commanders, hoping to minimize any aerial counterattack by the allies, chose a time when foggy, rainy weather prevailed and the initial attach by eight armored divisions along a 75-mile front took the Allies by surprise, the 5th Panzer Army penetrated to within 20 miles of crossings on the Meuse River. US troops were able to hold fast at bottlenecks in the Ardennes, but by the end of December the German push had penetrated 65 miles into the Allied lines ( though their line had narrowed from the initial 75 miles to 20 miles). By that time the Allies began to respond and the Germans were stopped by Montgomery on the Meuse and by Patton At Bastogne. the weather then cleared and allied aircraft began to bomb the German forces and supply lines by December 26. The Allies reestablished their original line by January 21.
1945 - Prince Fumimaro Konoe, twice Japanese prime minister, committed suicide rather than face war crimes charges. In the 1920s. he had worked to curb army powers and prevent an expansion of the war with China. He helped engineer the fall of the Tojo government in 1944 but was suspected of war atrocities.
1945---Top Hits
It
Might as Well Be Spring - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Billy Williams)
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
It’s Been a Long, Long Time - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal:
Kitty Kallen)
Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight - Bob Wills
1951 - In a special preview courtesy of "Chesterfield Sound Off Time", "Dragnet" made it to television. The police drama opened its official run on television January 3, 1952. Trivia fact: Sergeant Friday’s boss in the preview was played by Raymond Burr. . My father Lawrence Menkin wrote several of the episodes of the early editions. They were based primarily on true episodes, including actual police consulted on and off the set for authenticity. It starred Jack Webb as stoic and determined Sergeant Joe Friday, a man whose life was his investigative work, and who was recognized by his recurring line, Just the facts ,ma’am.” My father
said he was “almost everything” in the series from producer to story editor, a workaholic, very hard to deal with, and one of the reasons he was able to sell
him scripts, he made many Los Angeles police friends, meaning the guys on
the street, not from the PR department, and brought them along to “pitch stories.” Friday had partners, Barton Yarborough played Sergeant Ben Romero for three episodes, for the rest of the season Barney Phillips played Sergeant Ed Jacobs and Ben Alexander played his comedic sidekick, Officer Frank Smith. A new version appeared in 1967 with Webb and his new partner, Officer Bill Gannon(Harry Morgan): “Dragnet” is also known for its theme music and its narrative epilogue describing the fate of the bad guys. ( Here’s a side note, my father was driving a 1951 two door brown Pontiac. One day leaving the studio, he got in, said he
had a hard time turning the key, but it worked, and when he got home, he
didn’t have the scripts in the car. He then discovered it was not his car. So
he drove to the station where he knew some policemen, and they all had a big
laugh, got his car back, and they used the story in one of the episodes but
it was Friday’s sergeant, I believe, who started the wrong car.
1952-Buck Clayton All-Star group jams, Hucklebuck, Robbins’ Nest, Christopher Columbus, NYC, on Columbia label.
1953---Top
Hits
Rags to Riches - Tony Bennett
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Ricochet - Teresa Brewer
Caribbean - Mitchell Torok
1960 - Lucille Ball took a respite from her weekly TV series to star in the
Broadway production of "Wildcat", which opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York City. The show ran for 171 performances.
1961---Top
Hits
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
The Twist - Chubby Checker
Walk on By - Leroy Van Dyke
Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
1961 -- US: Martin Luther King, Jr., 266 others arrested in Albany, GA.
Considered a major turning point in history, as evidenced by his own words
in his autobiography:
“On December 16, 1961, the Negro community of that city made its stride toward freedom. Citizens from every quarter of the community made their moral witness against the system of segregation. They willingly went to jail to create an effective protest.
“I too was jailed on charges of parading without a permit, disturbing the peace, and obstructing the sidewalk. I refused to pay the fine and had expected to spend Christmas in jail. I hoped thousands would join me. I didn't come to be arrested. I had planned to stay a day or so and return home after giving counsel. But after seeing negotiations break down, I knew I had to stay. My personal reason for being in Albany was to express a personal witness of a situation I felt was very important to me. As I, accompanied by over one hundred spirited Negroes, voluntarily chose jail to bail, the city officials appeared so hardened to all appeals to conscience that the confidence of some of our supporters was shaken. They nervously counted heads and concluded too hastily that the movement was losing momentum.
“I shall never forget the experience of seeing women over seventy, teenagers, and middle-aged adults-some with professional degrees in medicine, law, and education, some simple housekeepers and laborers-crowding the cells. This development was an indication that the Negro would not rest until all the barriers of segregation were broken down. The South had to decide whether it would comply with the law of the land or drift into chaos and social stagnation.
“One must search for words in an attempt to describe the spirit of enthusiasm and majesty engendered in the next mass meeting, on that night when seven hundred Negro citizens were finally released from prison. Out from the jails came those men and women doctors, ministers, housewives-all of whom had joined ranks with a gallant student leadership in an exemplary demonstration of nonviolent resistance to segregation.
“Before long the merchants were urging a settlement upon the city officials and an agreement was finally wrung from their unwilling hands. That agreement was dishonored and violated by the city. It was inevitable that the sweep of events would see a resumption of the nonviolent movement, and when cases against the seven hundred odd prisoners were not dropped and when the city council refused to negotiate to end discrimination in public places, actions began again. “
http://www.stanford.edu/group/king/publications/autobiography/chp_16.htm
http://pbsvideodb.pbs.org/chapter.asp?item_id=7897&chap_id=2ed in Albany, Georgia.
1962-Birthday of William “ The Refrigerator” Perry, former football player, born Aiken, SC.
1967 Wilt Chamberlain of NBA Philadelphia 76ers scores 68 points vs Chicago.
1969---Top
Hits
Leaving on a Jet Plane - Peter, Paul & Mary
Someday We’ll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes
Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival
(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again - Charley Pride
1971 - Melanie (Safka) earned a gold record for her single, "Brand New Key", about roller skates and love. It hit #1 on Christmas Day, 1971.
1971 - Don McLean’s eight-minute-plus (8:32) version of "American Pie" was released. It became one of the longest songs with some of the most confusing (pick your favorite interpretation) lyrics to ever hit the pop charts. Disc Jokey’s also liked the song because it allowed them time for “potty breaks” from the microphone. "American Pie" hit #1 on January 15, 1972.
1972 - The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season. The Dolphins beat the Baltimore Colts to earn the honor. Larry King, incidentally, did color for the Dolphins this year on radio..
1972 - Paul McCartney’s single, "Hi, Hi, Hi", was released. It peaked at #10 on the top tune tabulation (February 3, 1973).
1975-“One Day at a Time” premiered on TV. This sitcom about a divorced mother raising two girls in Indianapolis starred Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli as daughters Julie and Barbara Cooper. Other regulars included Pat Harrington, J., as too-belt-wearing maintenance man Dwayne Schneider, Richard Masur as David Kane, Ann’s boyfriend, Mary Louise Wilson as neighbor GinnyWroblicki, John Hillerman and Charles Siebert as Ann’s bosses, John Putch as Barbara’s boyfriend and Nanette Fabry as Ann’s mother. During the course of the series, all three female leads got married and Ann opened her own ad agency.
1976-Andrew Young named Ambassador and Chief US Delegate to the United Nations. He resigns his congressional seat on January 29, 1977 to take the position.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=Y000028
http://search.eb.com/blackhistory/micro/650/54.html
http://www.manchester.edu/Academic/Programs/departments
/econ/files/museum/black/andrew.htm
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-famous/andrewyo.html
1977---Top
Hits
You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
How Deep is Your Love - Bee Gees
Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt
Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton1978- Cleveland, Ohio, become the first
city in the post-Depression era to default on its loans. Plagued by political
sniping between its mayor and city council, as well as an eroding economic
base, Cleveland managed to pile up $14 million in debt to a number of
local banks.
1982-Operating Capacity of Factories Plummets. Heading in to the 1980s, America's economy was hardly in the best shape. Indeed, years of mounting debt and rising inflation had taken their toll on the nation's fiscal health. Alas, the first few years of the '80s provided little change, as the economy did not take well to Reaganomics, President Ronald Reagan's strategy of tax cuts and spending hikes. And, throughout 1982, the government released a stream of financial statistics that suggested that the situation was only growing worse. In July, the Census Bureau announced that the poverty rate had risen to 14 percent, which marked a rapid-fire 7.4-percent increase over its mark in 1980. That same November, the Labor Department revealed that the cost of living had suffered a 6-percent increase during the past twelve months. And, on December 16, the Federal Reserve released a report indicating that the operating capacity of U.S. factories had plummeted to 67.8 percent, the nation's lowest mark since the indicator was introduced in 1948.
1983-
Replacing Billy Martin (91-71, third place), Yogi Berra is hired for the
second time to manage the Yankees.
1985---Top
Hits
Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie
Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
Nobody Falls Like a Fool - Earl Thomas Conley
1992- IBM said it would make its first layoffs in fifty years. The company announced it would trim its staff by 25,000 employees and dispose of some of the assets of its mainframe business. IBM had long been the leading maker of mainframe computers, but in the late 1990s, demand declined as personal computers became increasingly powerful.
1993 -- Woman-harassing Senator Robert Packwood (R-OR) finally surrenders his diaries to a judge who turned them over to the Senate Ethics Committee. Some of the tapes had been altered. Women's groups had argued for years that Packwood should be brought up on charges of sexual harassment. According to information released to the press, Packwood had a long history of groping women, forcing himself on them using his political power, and in general being a leech. He would
eventually resign from the Senate.
http://www.lectlaw.com/files/cas22.htm
1998 - Hundreds of missiles were fired on Iraq in response to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's refusal to comply with the mission of United Nations weapons inspectors.
2002- After being invited to the Dominican Republic by President Hipolito Mejia, Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh meets one his favorite players, island resident Sammy Sosa. The Dominican outfielder, who is one homer shy of the coveted 500, will have to hit several hundred more to reach the mark of 868 set by the 62-year old during his 22 seasons playing for the Yomiuri Giants.
Bonus---Extra for American History fans----
I stopped printing “This Day in American History” when I did not have an edition
of Leasing News ( if there is not enough news to print, we don’t go to press----it’s
that simple.) It appears not that many are interesting in “real” American History, although I have written one as an e-mail signature for over ten years at American Leasing ( I named my company American as I am extremely proud and not afraid to
say that, and am especially proud of my only son who serves in the U.S. Navy.)
Yesterday had many interesting items, such as did you know there were originally 12
Bill of Rights, but the states only ratified ten of them:
“ Originally both houses passed 12 amendments, but two of them---on the proportion of representatives and on compensation—failed to secure the requisite number of states and ratifications.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec15.html.”
I wanted to include this extra, from December 15, 1890, especially for my very good friend Fred. St. Laurent, who is part real American!!!!)
1890-Sitting Bull is murdered by soldiers after he had surrendered, then claimed
he was trying to escape. Famous Sioux Indian leader, medicine man and warrior of the Hunkpapa Teton band. Known also by his native name, Tatanka-yatanka, Sitting Bull was born on the Grand River, SD. He first accompanied his father on the warpath at the age of 14 against the Crow and thereafter rapidly gained influence within his tribe. In 1886 he led a raid on Fort Buford. His steadfast refusal to go to a reservation led General Phillip Sheridan to initiate a campaign against him which led to the massacre of Lieutenant Colonel George Custer's men at the Little Bighorn, after which Sitting Bull fled to Canada, remaining there until 1881. He later joined the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and toured the US and Europe. When the government tried to take more land from the Indians, he became active again. A copy of the days newspapers about his death is
noted below, and this is from Don Russell, “The Lives and Legends of Buffalo Bill(Norman, Okla, University of Oklahoma Press, 1960., page 132:) “At the
outbreak of the Ghost Dance War, the War Department ordered the arrest of Chief Sitting Bull. Although the Sioux chief was , by 1890, quite old and had lost much of his power within the tribe, the army still feared him as a great anti-white leader. Forty-three Indian policeman, with the backing of two troops of the Eight Calvary just three miles away, were sent to make the arrest.
“ An hour before dawn the Indian police arrived at Sitting Bull’s cabin. At first the old chief offered no resistance; but when a few policemen tried to speed things up by dressing him roughly, he became angry. A crowd of Sitting Bull supporters gathered. Almost ready to leave, the chief demanded that the Indian police saddle his horse.
“Sitting Bull’s was no ordinary horse, but an equine from the staged, show time West. It had belonged to Buffalo Bill, and Sitting Bull had performed special tricks with it when the Indian had traveled with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. When Sitting Bull left the show to return to the Indian nation, Buffalo Bill, in friendship, gave the trick horse to him as a gesture of the showman’s gratitude.
“As the Indian police dragged and pushed Sitting Bull from his cabin, words were exchanged between the chief’s supporters and his abductors. Suddenly, Sitting Bull announced that he was not going. Shots rang out, and with the first volley Sitting Bull was struck dead, one bullet entering from the front and another from behind. Both bullets were fired by the Indian police.
“Oddly, when the shooting started, Sitting Bull’s horse took the cue for his act in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. With bullets flying everywhere, Indian police and Sitting Bull partisans scurrying for cover, the horse began to perform his tricks. Right in the middle of the newly anointed battlefield, he sat down and raised one hoof. Terror-stricken, some of the Indian police thought Sitting Bull’s freed spirit had entered his horse and made the animal do the act. The battle continued for thirty minutes. Fourteen people, from both sides, were killed.
“ Sitting Bull’s horse, incredible, was not injured, and an Indian policeman rode him to Fort Yates with news of the battle. Eventually, the chief’s horse was returned to Buffalo Bill, who put him back to work in the Wild West Show. In 1893, at the Chicago Columbian Exposition, the Wild West Show’s cavalry standard bearer rode Sitting Bull’s old horse.”
http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=14051
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/woundedknee/sitbull.html
http://www.powersource.com/gallery/people/sittbull.html
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/1048/mcms.html
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/12621/mcms.html
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/1376/mcms.html
http://www.picturehistory.com/find/p/17502/mcms.html
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