| EARL TUDOR - 1961 Hello Pete, Well it was good seeing you along with the other boys at the big show. I tell you, Trahan is doing a fine job with the conventions. I think this last one was the best yet. Everyone seemed to enjoy every minute of it. And, that feed he put on was the best yet.. I notice more talk on the breeding, lately they are talking a lot of Colby. Well, I think John P. Colby bred more good ones than any man. But just who has his old strain now? I have had them all, and will say that his dogs were the best. Now, there is a man doing about as well as Colby. He has bred about 15 that has won the past three years, I believe that he has a better record than Colby had for the short time. That is no other than Heinzl of Arizona. I had about run out, but he took pity on me and let me have the old Dibo dog. Now I have nothing in my yard but Dibo dogs. Have fought, or had fought 8 in past two years with 8 wins. Well Pete, here's hoping to see you at the next meet, until then, take it easy, Your friend, Earl Tudor Dawnrest reprint by Earl Tudor |
| LETTERS |
 |
|
| EARL TUDOR - 1939 - Original quote appearing in letter "If you tell a man there are 270,678,984,341 stars in the universe, he will believe you. But if you put up a sign saying "KEEP THESE DOGS SEPARATED, OR THEY WILL FIGHT", that man has to make a personal investigation". Dawnrest reprint by Earl Tudor - Appeared in U.K.C. BLOODLINES |
| MAURICE CARVER - 1966 I would like to give you and my fellow fanciers notice of death of my brother, John D. Carver. He was 53 years old. He left two children and five grandchildren. I lost him November 19th, 1966. He was a thirtysecond degree mason. He had been a deputy sheriff for the last sixteen years. He was a counter agent during World War II, and a C.I.D. agent following the war years. He was a graduate of Tulane University. He helped me a great deal in the mating, breeding and trying out of our dogs. Above all sports he was truly a pit dog fancier, but his work and family kept him from getting his feet too wet. He helped my father with his dogs and went to the matches with him when the game was quite active in South Texas and Mexico. He was truly a believer in the Colby bloodline. He always copied from my father's saying that "The Colby blood was as important in a fighting dog as the Claret blood was, in the fighting cock". Dawnrest reprint by Maurice Carver, Rt. 3, Box 176B, (area code 512, OL-6187) San Antonio, Tx. |
| BOB HEMPHILL - 1961 - Link to the Past and Quotes Harvey and some other breeders had put some old Colby blood in the Red Nose dogs, some of it through Tudor's Ch. Fighting Peter and I was anxious to get a male dog out of a litter that I had heard of. This was the litter that produced Hemphill's Gold Dust, Ferguson's Centipede, Hemphill's Banjo and Ham Morris' Pinkie. The reason I wanted one of these male dogs was because Dan McCoy had already sent me the Brokejaw dog, Owen's Red Lill and the Buckskin Bitch which I later sent to McClintock to be used as a brood bitch. John P. Colby had made a mating of a daughter of his famous Colby's Tige back to the old Tige dog for the express purpose of producing a bitch for W.J. Lightner. This was a famous Colby's Tige X Colby's Neitz mating and the bitch Lightner got was Colby's pick of the litter. Much of the background being of Colby's Topsy, later Lightner's Topsy was from the same famous dogs that produced the great Masterson's Jack dog and Lightner was obsessed with the idea of breeding Jack to a linebred daughter of Tige. This mating was made and from it came Lightner's Vick. Most of the old records of that time were about Eastern dogs and Vic was not known so well since his record was made in the West but he certainly was one of the great all time pit dogs and in my opinion established the GAMEST FAMILY of pit dogs ever bred. "The old Colby breeding was a big improvement in the fighting ability of the Red Nose dogs". "My Red Nose dogs today probably have a far closer link to the old Colby dogs than any dogs being bred". "I know Howard Heinzl and two or three other breeders will read this with delight for they have long been aware of the old Colby background in the Red Nose dogs". Dawnrest reprints by Bob Hemphill |
| FRANK FERRIS - 1960 - A.D.B.A. - Plaistow, New Hampshire Pete, You ask about Ed Crenshaw's Colby Rusty. He is a dog that Crenshaw had and won with, he let Hobbs have him for a stud. Crenshaw also has a real good one, won with him at the convention, a son of Rusty's, Paddy Mac. He said that Rusty was as game and as good a pit dog as he ever saw. Full brother to Colby's Tex but don't know if he was a litter brother or not. About the bitches fighting, I really know of three real pit winners and they were very game, their dam never took a hold of anything. Just would not fight and she was seven years old the last time I saw her. I believe that if the blood is there, the offspring will show it. But, I would rather test out the bitches. Of course, dogs and fowl are two different kinds of animal life, but look at game fowl. Most breeders want mild, quiet hens, claim they have better stags. So I believe breed the best you can get to the best, and pray. Ten below this a.m., I'm just about ready to give up. Dawnrest reprint by Frank Ferris - A.D.B.A. - Plaistow, NH |
| JACK KELLY - Circa 1960's Pete, Enclosed are LUCK's registration papers, I don't think even George Saddler could do anything with him. Funny thing is that the first time we tried LUCKY, he looked like a real dog, against Hinton's big Colby dog. We tried him twice after that and he showed nothing much. He sure didn't look like a fighting dog last Saturday night. As a matter of fact it was a pretty sorry night all around, which confirms my beliefs that drinking and dog fighting don't mix well. I've rolled a lot of dogs with Hinton, and when he hasn't been drinking he's a pleasure to be with, but last Saturday night I think he had a few too many. If nothing else, I learned that when I make a match again, I will also draw up a contract, with forfeit money in the hands of a reliable stakeholder. Well so much for that dismale affair. I'm just sorry you fellows had such a long trip for nothing. With LUCKY gone, we have a vacant dog house, so I'll be looking around for a tenant. I'm going to try and get something from Mike and Lou Colby first, the more I see of the Colby dogs the more I like them. I would also like to get a dog from Walter Komosinski, if he has a good grown one available. If you have something that you think might be good or hear of anyone with a good one, let me know. Pete Harrell was saying that he has a match for June 14, I think I can get away that week-end, so if you could let me know about where it is being held, I'll be there. That's all for now Pete, except to say it was a pleasure to be in the company of you, Pete Harrell, and all the other boys that drove up with you Saturday. Some of the boys seem to think a dog fight is a good excuse to get so blind drunk they can't say the intelligent word dogs or anything else for that matter. Please don't print this it might make somebody sore, and I'd rather avoid doing that, but if the match between Pete and Jim Lyman comes off at my place on July 4th, there won't be a drunk in the place, because I will personally bounce the first one out into the alleyway. Dawnrest reprint by Jack Kelly, 77-05-171st Street, Flushing, 66, N.Y. |
| POP HUNTER - HUNTER'S MUGGER - HUNTER'S RYE - 1957 Whitman Massachusetts Dog Again Mother of 11 For the second successive year, Hunter's Rye has become mother of 11 puppies. Owned by Irvin E. (Pop) Hunter, 26 Carver Avenue, Whitman, Mass.. Pop writes that he ran up a boarding bill of $110. on his two dogs while he was undergoing surgery recently. He had three operations, beginning with a colostomy on May 27th, then another operation on June 20th, and a final going-over on July 3rd. He would probably still be in the hospital if it wasn't that Rye whelped on July 13th, so, with the aid of his cane, Pop is hobbling about caring for his brood. Rye is a red red-nose with cropped ears which Jack Gardner purchased from Bob Wallace a couple of years ago. The litter is sired by a young dog Pop calls Mugger, who in turn was sired by Henneberger's Hunky. Pop writes that Hunter's Mugger is a dandy stud dog, a fine companion, and an all-around gentleman. Living in a trailer, Pop has Mugger in the trailer with him most of the time. Pop just turned 71, and with this operation, is in no condition to carry on his breeding program, so will be getting rid of some mighty fine dogs - a good chance for the boys in that area to get some good stock. Dawnrest reprint by Pete Sparks & Pop Hunter |
| HOWARD HEINZL - 1967 Dear Pete: Sorry to hear about Hemphill. We corresponded, but I had only met him twice. He called me after Clancy's sister, "Big Polly" beat Howard Teal's "Dolly". He said he went to the motel rooms the night before the "Go" covering all the Polly $$$. He said he thought that any bitch that could beat his Amber, was a cinch against any dog living. He lost $800. (all he could get covered). Still, he called and congratulated me on raising Polly. That's the kind of Sport, and good loser Hemp. was. The fancy will miss him. Guess that's it. Dawnrest reprint by Howard Heinzl |
| BOB HEMPHILL - 1967 In memory of Robert H. 'Bob' Hemphill, 6-26-1901 to 6-15-1967. This letter was written by Bob Hemphill the day he died, 1967. Dear Harry & Betty, 'Clark', Surely was glad to get your two letters. I have several pictures and other data you sent at various times that needs to be returned and will get it together when I get back home. Harry, I am improving every day but still under strict medical care. Have lost 30 pounds and having to buy new clothes. I bred "Bama IV" 10 days ago to her litter bro - "Kokey". She is a great grand daughter of the old "Chocolate" bitch you got for me from 'Everett' Cappy Ross and Ham Morris. On her dam's side, her grand mother "Pinky" was a litter sister to your last dog "Copper". This is a fabulous pair of young dogs and she is the only bitch I kept. None of the pups will be for sale. Just for me and my friends - and you head the list if you want one more around the house. I had Jake Wilder breed bro and sister because he did not have a dog near him that was good enough to breed to that bitch. She is now bred the 3rd time to her brother. No one seems to know anything about Hernandez getting shot or Tudor punching some one, except your informant. Have had 4 letters about the fights down there. I let Ira Bush in Alabama have my "Red Lill", "Gold dust VI", and "Red Ace", all worth a good bet. He is matched at 25# against the Boy from Dallas that has been winning so regularly. I have been helping Ira plan his conditioning and he should be hard to beat from now on as he was already a fair country conditioner. I have put everything I own in my Wifes name so she will not have any complications if I pass on real quickly. My business looks good and I am now proceeding with a liquidation plan that will let me quit in a couple of years. Hope this finds you and Betty feeling better - you may be slipping physically but your brain is still sharp and for that all of us should be thankfully. Love to you both, Bob P.S. I will be home this Friday. Dawnrest reprint by Bob Hemphill In other writings and conversation, Bob and others considered the blood from this "Chocolate" bitch to be the best he ever had. This is also evident in the words he wrote, "I had Jake Wilder breed bro and sister because he did not have a dog near him that was good enough to breed to that bitch. She is now bred the 3rd time to her brother." This was different than pure Hemphill rednose and Hemphill's "Chocolate" wasn't a rednose. The bottom side was "Pinky", a.k.a. "Pinkie", being an inferior name and was mainly good Hemphill breeding. "Chocolate", a.k.a. "Coco" was sired by "Tudor's Black Toddy" and owned by a few different men. Joe Medlin and Charlie Tenerowicz is strong in this blood and it is found in lines down from dogs like Medlin's "Reb", Hurd's "Smoky", Tudor's & Tenerowicz' "Coffee" and Winningham's "Tanner". Bob was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Ice Co.. On July 1st 1967 he was to become owner of the Summerville branch but he died June 15th 1967 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta,Ga. Not too long before passing, Bob disposed of most his rednose dogs for various reasons. Bob also raised Clarets. Maurice Carver's father use to say, "the Colby blood was as important in a fighting dog as the Claret blood was, in the fighting cock". Some men in the last 30 or 40 years never understood that Hemphill and Wilder rednose and other more recent rednose bloods were down from pure Colby lines, related black nose lines and rednose lines from imported foundations in northeast New England, same as others. by Dawnrest |
| LONZO PRATT - 1967 Dear Pete: Just to say hello and boast a little about my pups; about these Bull pups that came out of the Louis Colby bitch that Loposay got from you in 1966. They are 16 months old now, three males and one female, I kept out of the litter. They started rolling on their own at seven weeks of age. And at twelve weeks of age I had to separate them, they haven't met anything yet they couldn't handle. Loposay brought some grown dogs down when they were eight months old and told me his dogs were twelve months old, and my pup stopped him in ten minutes, later I found out his dog was two years old. He brought another one down a week later, and my pup stopped him in fifteen minutes. Loposay said he was twelve months old, so Loposay don't want to roll anymore. These pups out of this bitch have proven to be the best in this part of the country, so to get a roll now, I have to go to Howard Teal. I was at Teal's just before Christmas and had a good fifteen minute roll, with one of these pups. My dog had the roll all the way, but I had to stop him because he was to fat, and Teal said I had a good pit. I was at Teal's a little earlier with a twelve month old pup and had a ten minute roll, Joe and I, and Teal's dog never got a hold, so I believe I have some pretty good strain started as of now. And, the dog stamps, about three hundred of each, that's all the news for now. Sincerely, Lonzo Pratt [The Colby bitch mentioned above is Orday's Fay, which the editor "farmed out" with Loposay, for 1/2 the litter, and Loposay sold her to Lonzo Pratt. Editor.] Dawnrest reprint by Lonzo Pratt |
| In Rememberance of PAT CARVER/SENKEL - 1986 When I met Pat Carver, I was 21 years old and she was 19 years of age. It was at a Louisiana Convention in the early 60's, my first, in fact. The people I met that day were the cream of the crop in the dog world, wealthy, elegantly dressed, sophisticated. But it was a natural for them, they were not phonies nor did they flaunt themselves. Their dogs were of the highest caliber, the best conditioned - a true representation of what the pure bred Pit Bull should be. I felt like an insignificant peasant suddenly dropped into the middle of the King's Court and allowed a glimpse of how the other side lived. I met some of the greats that day - Earl Tudor, Bert Clouse, Maurice Carver, Frank Fitzwater. These men would have such an effect on my life. They became my heros, friends and teachers. It is with my deepest regrets to have to tell you we have lost another great -- Mrs. Pat Carver. Pat was born October 18th, 1941 in Kansas. At an early age she married Maurice Carver and lived in San Antonio, Texas for 20 years and was very active in the dogs. After the death of Maurice, Pat married Clarence Senkel of Litton Springs, Texas. Her love for the dogs stayed in her heart until her death on May 13th, 1986. She suffered a massive heart attack. She is survived by her husband Clarence Senkel, her mother, step father, two sisters and two brothers. Those who knew Pat will always remember her fun loving personality. She, indeed, was a person who loved life and lived it to it's fullest, as it should be. Not only we, the dog people, but the world has suffered a great loss of her beautiful spirit. Dawnrest reprint by Bobby Hall |
| HOME | COLLECTIBLES | E-MAIL |
| . |