GUNFIGHTERS HOLD TRIBUTE FOR FOUNDER TOMMY KNOTTS

A tribute to Tommy Knotts, founder of the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters, was held at the Visitors Center on Saturday, April 2. Knotts established the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters and was a staunch supporter of keeping Bandera the Cowboy Capital of the World.

Cattle Company Gunfigheter John "Doc" Cicotte told the attending crowd that the riderless horse signified a fallen brother.

"Tommy was a proponent of the cowboy way," he said. "He was a member of the former Texas Ranger Association and a cowboy reenactor gunfighter for over 50 years. He made friends all across the great state of Texas. He had friends in Arizona, South Dakota, and New Mexico where his family heritage began."

"Most folks are not aware that Tommy was in fact Sioux Indian," Cicotte continued. "The Sioux were one of the largest and oldest tribes in North America dating back 3000 years. The Sioux, or Lakota Nation, were divided into seven tribes. Tommy’s family was from the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, a federally recognized tribe. They were known as protectors of the sacred Pipestone Quarry. Tommy made his own Chanupa. The term peace pipe came from the white man. It is not a peace pipe, although it was used at times to make peace. It was used at almost every Sioux ceremony. It was a centerpiece and Tommy’s people protected it for centuries.”

Doc added Tommy’s Yankton name was Bear Claw.

In honor of Tommy, Cattle

Company Gunfighter Chuck Munson “Shorty” performed a short ceremony to demonstrate the proper use of the Chanupa.

“This pipe is made from the same pipestone that Tommy’s people had been protecting for centuries.” explained Shorty, showing components of the ritual which included the pipe, sage, sweetgrass and an abalone shell.

Munson then acted out the ceremonial cleansing with the sage and the rites of facing the Chanupa to the east, south, west, north, to the sky, then to the ground, and explained the meaning of each position. Facing the east signifies new beginnings, a gesture that Shorty indicated what lay ahead for Tommy.

Friend Genie Strickland spoke fondly of Tommy and his commitment to returning gunfight reenactments to the town of Bandera about 20 years ago.

“I wondered why we were not living our history. Then I got together with Tommy, and he did it. He got it started. I praise God for Tommy” said Strickland.

Doc elaborated, “Tommy’s heart was with the Texas Rangers and with all our law enforcement and first responders. It was with the military and the United States of America, and the great state of Texas. As a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Former Texas Rangers Association, I would ask you to stand to observe the final roll call.”

Upon the crowd rising, he began to call out each member of the Cattle Company, to which each responded “Here."

When he called Tommy’s name several times with responding silence, a voice from the back said, “Tommy no longer rides with us. He rides with the Lord.”

The tribute was concluded by a live reenactment performed by the Cattle Company Gunfighters of a skit called No Guns Allowed in Town, one of Tommy’s favorites.

The Bandera Business Association releaed the following statement: “Tommy Knotts, Cowboy, will be missed by many and was a critical part of keeping Bandera the 'Cowboy Capital' for so many years with the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters, that he founded about 20 years ago, and who perform most Saturdays at the Visitors Center. RIP Tommy.”

Friend Don Head penned, “A real gentleman. In every sense.”

Friend and fellow Gunfighter Dennis Allyn said, “I was blessed to have known him. His legacy will live on.”