Introduction

      What happened over the next 12 months is quite astonishing. March 1996 through March 1997 would prove to be the most critical time period in the formation of the Honourable Company of Homers (HCH). This new fledgeling organization had only an idea, three officers, no established membership, no bylaws, no funding and no firm location as to where and when it would next meet. What it did have was leadership, a dedicated core membership and a strong sense of history. 

Key Highlights 

      Challenges: As both President and Editor,* Russ faced several immediate challenges: (1) He was only able to obtain 41 names and addresses of the 125 individuals who attended the Hornsmithing Seminar at the Mercer Museum, a roster was badly needed. (2) Although the subject of financing was not discussed at the 'post-seminar meeting,' it now loomed as a major concern if the Guild was to survive. A treasury was nonexistent! (3) Publishing a 6 to 8 page newsletter (The Horn Book) posed problems of getting members to support and write articles, not to mention the expense of printing and mailing, plus how often should The Horn Book go out? There was no precedent. (4) The next meeting was a year away and a lot had to occur in the interim. A lot of assistance, help and support was needed to ensure the Guild's survival. 

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      Membership: The first major problem was membership, as the museum kept no attendance record. Russ had to recall those in attendance and inquired of others as to whom they remembered attending. Over time he formulated a list of 41 names, few of which he had neither addresses nor phone numbers. A lot of time was spent on the phone getting the needed information, a time consuming task, but a necessity nevertheless. Russ' list was published in the first issue of The Horn Book.1 

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      The Horn Book & Funding: Over the next 12 months, Russ would publish 4 issues of The Horn Book and although he did the vast majority of the articles and information, he did receive article help from Tim Albert, Tom Ames, Lee Larkin, and Erv Tschanz. What is so interesting is that the HCH had no funds to pay for printing and mailing costs. This publication was an absolute necessity, as it was the only glue that would hold the new fledging organization together between Horn Fairs, if it was to have a future.

      Funding was critical and in the first issue of The Horn Book (March 1996) Russ stated: "At this point, we have no dues. That's fine for now, but as our numbers grow, cash outlays for mailing, printing, etc., will grow beyond the President's pocket book. First the categories of membership need to be decided and then a dues structure. Keeping it minimal seems like a good plan. Any input?"2 Needless to say, the need for a sound financial structure was recognized as being paramount to success, but no financial decision regarding dues would be forthcoming till later in the year. 

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      Coordinating & Planning: During 1996, two meetings were held concerning the formation of the Guild. The first was at Mansker's Station (May 3rd) to scope out potential new members and to make contact with the current ones to keep them updated. Bottom line, it proved to be somewhat of a struggle as this was a new, unheard of organization and many took the attitude of 'not wanting to join, ask me later - maybe I'll sign up then,' or 'I'm a muzzleloader and enjoy the freedom and don't want to tie myself down to something like this.' Equally disturbing was that several well known horners at the time flatly refused to join for various reasons, one of which was not wanting to give away any 'trade secrets.'3

 

      Undeterred, Russ pressed on buoyed by the encouragement of the positive responses received and the invaluable help received from Mike Lea in helping to set up next year's Horn Fair. The May issue of The Horn Book reported that: "Mike Lea presented a packet of information from the Ohio Historical Society (OHS), Columbus, Ohio, where we are considering holding our 1997 Annual Meeting; those present agreed unanimously that the OHS site should be seriously pursued. Mike has submitted the paper work to OHS and we hope to hear back from them soon. The dates are: Feb. 28th through March 2, 1997. There will be a special rate at the Days Inn, within walking distance, for $40 for up to four!"4 Things were beginning to fall into place.

 

      The second meeting of 1996 was held at Friendship, Indiana (June 1st) which Russ described as the Guild's first real interim meeting that lasted about an hour, ending only because of severe flooding conditions. The most significant topic of discussion was to require dues for membership. Up to that date, three sources had underwritten the activities of the Guild: (1) Roland's expense of several thousands of dollars for the seminar and video recording, (2) with planning and advertising assistance from Mercer Museum and Early American Industries Association, and (3) Russ Young's private funding of editing, printing and mailing of The Horn Book, plus phone calls and correspondence.5  All those in attendance agreed that to have a viable organization, it couldn't  continue based on charity - those present unanimously agreed to implement membership dues which would help fund The Horn Book and the costs associated with the upcoming 1997 Horn Fair. 

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      The 'Cadle' Factor': In addition to the 1996 elected officers, those who helped with The Horn Book by writing articles and Mike Lea assisting in the planning of the 1997 Hom Fair, Russ also received invaluable help from Roland Cadle throughout the year. Russ did an extensive amount of traveling that year as he was living in New Mexico, but made multiple trips to the east coast to attend events and promote the Guild. One of his frequent stops was at the cabin of Roland and Kathy Cadle in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Roland recalls that "Russ sort of became a regular house guest."6 Russ was grateful in that Roland shared everything he knew from the basics of horn work to meeting key people of the Longrifle Culture. Having a confidant of this nature helped ensure the survival of the Guild in its early stages. 

1997 - The First 'Official' Annual HCH Horn Fair 

      The Honourable Company of Homers held its 'first official annual meeting' which was spread over a three day period at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus, Ohio. The schedule of activities showed the following: 

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Friday Night (February 28th) 
6:00-9:00 PM Registration table open, trade & display tables set up 

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Saturday (March 1st) 

9:00 AM Welcome from your president 
9:30 Shelby Gallien: "The Tansel Family" 
10:30 Roland Cadle: "Staining horns the Tansel way" 
11 :00 Russ Young: "How to examine horns: X-rays to ultraviolet light"

12:00 Lunch break - you are on your own for lunch 

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Afternoon Demonstrations

1 :30 PM Roland Cadle: "Making lanthome panes" 
2:30 The Williamsburg Craftsmen: "Making a preset horn flask"

4:00 Erv Tschanz: "The art of horn turning" 
5:00 Meeting Rooms closed for the night 

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Sunday (March 2nd) 

9:00 AM Lee Larkin: "John Bush and his horns"

10:00 Annual Business Meeting 

Vote on expanded constitution 

12:00 Meeting adjourns -we must be out promptly!!!! ! 7

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       The annual meeting concluded with the Business Meeting where several key issues were presented, discussed and voted on: (1) A proclamation was passed recognizing the life time achievements of Atlee Crouse. (2) In order to expedite mid-year decisions by the Guild, a process of voting by mail ballot as printed in The Horn Book was approved. (3) The offices of Treasurer and Secretary were created. Although the office of Secretary was already established, it was motioned and passed that "the creation of the offices of Treasurer and Secretary, which may be combined with each other or any other executive office." The Treasurer responsibilities was ultimately assumed by the President, Russ Young for the coming Guild year. (4) Dues were established at the rate of $15 per annum. (5) The newly elected Treasurer (Russ Young) was authorized to disburse funds in payment for annual meeting expenses incurred. (6) Officers elected were Roland Cadle (President), Clay Smith (Vice President), and Russ Young (Secretary & Treasurer).8

 

      The 1997 annual Horn Fair came to a close at noon and proved to be a complete success. Approximately 30 registered Guild members attended, and the display area and lectures garnered everyones' attention. The foundation of the Guild was now set and all were optimistic about its future. ​