Uncle Joe — Unsuspecting Hero circa 1945

 Since the community of Tiller had just a store, post office and gas pump in those days, we often went on to Canyonville for supplies. On one such trip, Joe became the town hero. An old timer, we'll call 'Tait,' went off his rocker. Whether from consuming too much of his own home-blend or some other cause, I don't know. But he drove his old pickup into town, climbed out of it, then reached across the seat and pulled out a .30-.30 Winchester. Folks began to take notice when he filled the magazine, jacked one into the chamber, and with a kind of vacant stare, looked around for a target. Now Canyonville never had crowded streets in the 40s—except on Saturday nights, but in seconds it was totally deserted except for one or two citizens making a dash for the town Marshall's office. Every two or three minutes a car or pickup would drive through town on old Highway 99. Tait would mutter "There goes the SOB..." and try to get a bead on the driver. Fortunately, Ed Hamlin, the town Marshall, and one or two other armed citizens arrived and set up positions up and down the street, trying to figure out how to end this stand off without someone, including Tait, getting killed. A few people ignored the efforts to flag them down, and oblivious to any danger would drive right on into town. When Tait would start to aim their way, Hamlin would step out as though to rush him, then, as soon as his attention was diverted, he'd duck back seconds before Tait could fire. A gutsy performance by one cool-headed old Marshall. That is ended without gunfire is a miracle. During all of this, Joe was upstairs in an apartment over a store building, unaware of the drama below. As he came down the stairs and stepped out on the boardwalk he saw his old acquaintance, Tait, standing with his back to him the rifle in hand. Joe took a couple of steps put one hand on Tait's shoulder and lifted the gun right out of his hands saying "By golly, that's a beautiful old gun! Let me look at it!" Only then did Joe realize the hammer was cocked and gently let it down. Needless to say the whole town flew out of hiding and rushed the surprised pair. It took a few minutes for Joe to understand what had happened—and that he had become the town hero.