Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Nestled along the Laughery Creek lies the small town of Friendship, population of nearly 100. According to Mildred Kamman, former postmaster for 31 years, “It’s a quiet town where everyone knows each other.”

But, twice a year, in June and again in September, the population of Friendship dramatically increases as nearly 20,000 visitors arrive to participate in the National Muzzle Loader Rifle Association’s (NMLRA) national shoots or to visit the flea markets. This year’s shoot is especially poignant as this marks the 75th anniversary of the NMLRA. The organization was formed in 1933 in Portsmouth, Ohio, by 30 people who wanted to preserve a vanishing part of the American heritage. Later, the NMLRA moved to its current location in Friendship in the 1950’s according to Jim Lemon Sr., a lifetime resident of Friendship. In fact, the original 52 acres where the event takes place, was sold to the NMLRA by Lemon’s father.

Special events have been planned for the spring shoot, which will be held from Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, June 22. In honor of the anniversary, opening ceremonies will be held in front of the clubhouse at noon on opening day, featuring music by the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. Along with shooting competitions and the living history classes, the NMLRA museum will have special exhibits including a display of firearms from famous western movies and artifacts from Fort Ouiatenon, the first white settlement in the state of Indiana.

But, perhaps more important than the shooting competitions, the living history exhibits, or the vendors on commercial row, is the camaraderie that the participants feel during the week-long event. According to Terri Trowbridge, director of publications for the NMLRA, “people come back because it is a wonderful place to meet other people who share an interest in black powder shooting.”

“It’s mainly about the people,” said Dan Kindig of Lodi, Ohio. Kindig has participated in the NMLRA since 1945, as soon as WWII was over, he said. Once a competitor, Kindig is now a vendor selling guns and books related to antique guns. He says he has so many memories. He finds the competitions fun, but his favorite part of the shoot is “meeting all the wonderful people from around the country and the world.” He has served as president of the association for three years from 1977-1980 as well as on the board of directors.

Competition in the shoot sometimes is a family affair. The Don Warner family from Wapakoneta, Ohio, has three generations that compete. Warner said last fall two of his three sons and four of his seven grandchildren competed. The whole Warner family is in the NMLRA record book.

Warner has participated as a competitor since 1964. Currently, he uses a long range slug rifle which is a replica of a sniper rifle used in the Civil War. “It doesn’t seem to matter a person’s occupation, what’s important is the character of sportsmanship,” said Warner. Trowbridge agrees, “What you do in your ‘real life’ doesn’t matter in Friendship.”

Clark Frazier of Rawson, Ohio, was first introduced to muzzle loading in 1944. “I was just fascinated,” he said. Frazier, who attended his first shoot in 1950, still competes in the bench liners. He said shooting in a competition is not an easy task. Factors such as the correct load, wind direction, and knowing one’s rifle are all to be considered with every shot.

Frazier and his family attend every year. “It’s a family affair,” he noted. His three daughters and their husbands along with the grandchildren, participate in muzzle loading competitions. “We just love it,” he told The Versailles Republican.

“The shoot has been a greater part of my life,” said Michigan resident Homer Dangler. “I enjoy meeting so many people.” The custom gun builder, who sets up a booth in commercial row, has not missed very many shoots since 1957 when he attended his first. Although he does not compete, he said he does enjoy shooting.

Jim Lemon Sr., who has lived in Friendship all his life, participated in his first muzzle loading competition in 1932, when he was six years old. According to Lemon, the competition was held in front of the school house in Friendship a year before the NMLRA was organized. He became a member in 1942 and has served as treasurer and on the board of directors.

Lemon calls those who attend the shoot “good neighbors.” He continued, “The shoot doesn’t cause any problems except for a few complaints about the traffic.”

According to local history, Friendship was so named because “friendship built the settlement.” And, that is the reason why so many return to the quiet little town every year. Even the rising cost of fuel has not changed any minds. Kindig, who is from Ohio, said, “The cost of fuel will affect the shoot somewhat, but folks will come anyway.” He feels that there might not be as many who come to look and buy. Trowbridge noted, “I think we may see an increase in local attendance because we are close. Between the shoot and the flea markets on either end of town, there is something for everyone to enjoy.” She noted that some of the members are car pooling with others in their state to cut costs.
Trowbridge, who has been with the NMLRA for 13 years, commented, “The best part of the shoot is getting to see old friends and meeting new ones. There are so many people who come here, and each one has a story.”

For more information on the NMLRA or for a schedule of events for the spring shoot, go to www.nmlra.org or contact the NMLRA office in Friendship at 812-667-5131.