PRESENTING THE ORIGINAL PYM PUZZLER in which was first posed the question PURPORTEDLY answered in the MATCH OF THE MILLENNIUM issue, as to whether the mysterious Western masterpiece "THE TRAPPER'S LAST SHOT'" is actually the artwork of WILLIAM TYLEE RANNEY as is conventionally and even universally accepted, or in fact does not -- as if FAR MORE LIKELY -- represent the work of a completely DIFFERENT WESTERN ARTIST, and one at east as good as RANNEY, maybe better, and who was a friend of JOE MEEK, whom all reasonable minds must agree, is actually represented in the painting , as he makes his lonesome transcontinental journey through MONTANA, and the headwaters of the Missouri River, ON HIS WAY TO WASHINGTON CITY, D.c., to beg for Federal aid for teh American settlers in Oregon !!
1. Presenting for January 29, 2012 THE NEW!
DROMGOOLE’S
P.Y.M.™
PUZZLER
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
Asaph P. Dromgoole, Editor
WHAT’S HIDING IN THIS PICTURE?
or … WHERE IS WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT?
But First ….!!!
2. OCCUPY SF !!
San Francisco streets clogged during P’s funeral -- overlooking Albatross Island in S.F. Bay
SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
P.’s funeral services – as noted in our last issue -- turned into an occasion of congregation among thousands of Players
-- almost a sort of spontaneous “flocking” -- not only in the City and County of San Francisco, but many coming from
Occupy Oakland across the Bay-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4jYdCaHrjQ and from as far away as the
Farralones de los Frayles. Worldwide the crowds have been self-organizing; and the San Francisco crowds that had
gathered in the streets overlooking Yerba Buena (aka Goat) Island – originally Alcatraz island (which is after all, only a
corruption of the word “Albatross” ) shown here, lingered throughout the week: suggesting to some of us, that the power
of P.’s universal genius may be even more influential now, than before his death….
Then, when, due to this death, and to complications attending the administrative dislocation at Pierre’s Youngster
Membership, aka, the illustrious but now shaken and post-posthumous P.Y.M., and especially with confusion reigning
among the editorial staff, [See below -- Ed. ] we were unable to issue a Puzzler for last week, the assembled throngs
paying tribute to P. first grew agitated, and then slightly panicked at being deprived of their usual Sunday stimulation.
Many of them were overheard whispering to many others, saying, to quote the Gospel of Luke (KJV): “I sense a
disturbance in the force ….” But then, as if guided by an unseen hand they seemed to move together as one Player:
forming themselves into one consensus of wordless, instantaneous intention: OCCUPY SF!! But … what next?
It is unclear precisely for how long, but it appears that Puzzler editorial desk will have to maintain itself in San Francisco,
telecommuting with our Wall Street offices, as the F.B.I. investigation into P.’s untimely demise continues, and even the
coroner, who formed the Bleaudry Autopsy Regional Tidelands (B.A.R.T.) has set up a web-page for citizens to alert
the Coroner’s Office, to the appearance of new body parts, and also post clues as to the perpetration of the heinous crime.
Naturally enough, this being America, a pathetic parvenue of Bleaudry wannabes and gross imitators has also moved
themselves into center ring – as if onto the national stage – mocking the grief of you Players, besmirching P’s intellectual
reputation, and sullying their own souls with crass commercialization of the tragedy. We mention only one of the most
degenerate and retrograde of these rascals…..”Pierre Beaudry” indeed!!! http://amatterofmind.org For Shame !!!!
3. OUR CONCERN is, that with the ongoing editorial issues at the Puzzler creating this sort of “crisis,” this etheric almost
unsensible disturbance may continue, engendering additional agitation among Players, their spouses and all citizens of
Our City Planetary (O.C.Py, Earth), generally. But see, Elmendorf, Did Thomas Tennent at the Sign of the Wooden
Sailor, Disprove the Planet Vulcan – Decades before Einstein? (September 7, 2003).
Amidst the confusion, we naturally turned for assistance
to a number of experts and to our professional Puzzling
contacts, as, for instance, to Assistant Professor Stephanie
Beckon, with a request that she might perhaps come to our
recue, and volunteer to head up a newly reorganized
Youngster Membership, to be renamed in honor of herself,
Stephanie’s Youngster Membership (S.Y.M.) !!! We
even had Design conceptualize a radically new format,
suited to the cutting-edge intellect of this mental femme
fatale, and pulled a handful of a feminist-themed items
from the file, for her consideration. One example, at left.
Alas, alack: As it happens, Stephanie B. responded by
deftly changing the subject, having spotted, she says, a
Bigfoot in one photograph in a recent issue, and evidently
thence, adopted a new career path entirely:
To: Asaph Droomgoole
From: Asst. Adjunct Professor S. Beckon, Department
of Cryptobiology, Scappoose Veterinary College of
Holistic Science
Date: 16 January 2012
Re: Erratum
“The photograph of the shadow of Bigfoot (Sasquatch) was on p. 2 (not p. 3) of the most recent PUZZLER [she
refers to the Puzzler for January 15, 2012, and the answer to Where is the Lost Legend of the Lost Frenchman’s
Lost Ledge? --Ed.]. A dozen pardons for the error. A brain fary [sic] contributed to the inability to determine the
correct page placement of the photo. Mirable dictu, [ Italics added – Ed.] the excitement over ascertaining the
image in the lower left corner of the photo was a factor.
“As to the forgetful Frenchman, Louis Belfils, who lost his lode (so to speak), there is some biographical hope.
Born in 1831 in France, Belfils worked as a jeweler in Oakland, California, near Albatross Island, prior to settling
in Oregon. He found Oregon an attractive market for wives: (1) Frances Krieschbaun, married 1 April 1859, (2)
Belle Door, married 1872, died 1875, and (3) Lizzie Matilda Shone, married 1876. Belfils gained a number of
children: (1) Louis M. born 1871, California; (2) Lilly, born 1872, Oregon; (3) Pauline, born 1873, Oregon; (4)
Celina, born 1876, Oregon; (5) Theodore, born 1878, Oregon. Reportedly he also had a son, Victor Hugo Belfils
born to his first wife. Belfils and his third wife and children resided in Roseburg where, in 1880, he was a
"watchmaker." He subsequently moved to Grants Pass where he expired more than a century ago.
“In another matter, M. Droomgoole, my colleagues and I wanted to share with you the motto of the Scappoose
VCHS: "Semper ubi sub ubi." Embracing the best of classicism, our institution has modeled academic rigor and
righteousness since our founder landed in 1871 at the mouth of Svenson Slough on the lower Columbia River. A
determined man of science, he trudged through the forests of Clatsop and Columbia counties chanting the songs of
his youth while contemplating how best to serve the youth of Oregon. As to the SVCHS motto, a rough English
translation (for those not schooled in Latin and just in case that includes you) is "Always wear underwear."
SO IT IS CLEAR, that the PUZZLER does not fit comfortably into her underoos … at least, not now. Although, there
was a time! But her interest in Cryptobiology aligns with our own interest in crypto-entomology: THE GOLD-BUG!
See, Spiked! (Decemberr 31, 2011). Thus refused, the S.Y.M. remaining leaderless for now, and the P.Y.M. literally be-
headed, the crisis continues… Meanwhile ….
5. LET’S RECAP:
WHAT IS NOT KNOWN – except by the Puzzler and you, Players – is the identity of the master artist who painted it!!
Painted it, you say? Don’t be absurd, for — it’s an engraving. Or is it? Recall in How Many Hidden Nooses Can You
Find? that the Armytage engraving was based very, very closely on the Orchardson painting of Napoleon on the
Bellerophon. Q.v. And this engraving indicates, in the lower lefthand corner, that it is based on a painting by W. Ramey:
Painted by Rammey? William Tylee Rammey? All the galleries seem to agree, and the universities, too. Francis Grubar
is certain. There is no dissent. Gargle also returns 616,000 citations in “about .23 seconds” (wow!! ) all confirming that
William Tylee Rammey is the painter. And Rammey’s one of the greatest American artists of the 19th
century – and this
certainly matches his style and subjects. But did Rammey only claim to have painted it …. ? That’s the Puzzler, for sure.
The other end of the picture bears a note, that it was “Engraved by T.D. Booth, of Cinninnati” Was it? Continuing on:
WHAT IS NOT KNOWN about this painting is the identity of the trapper – the mountain man who is depicted. Who is
he? Where is he from? Where is he going? Indeed, another thing completely unknown is the historical situation
which is represented: the moment of decision which is depicted, the nature of the engagement with the Indians in the
background; or their tribe. Are they Crow? Nez Perce? Likewise unknown is the outcome of the inevitable encounter.
Once again: all these unknowns form a completely HIDDEN PICTURE, which is This Week’s Puzzler ! See it yet?
Turn the page, only if you want a hint!
6. And Here’s A Hint:
AHAH!!! The painter of the painting from which this engraving was rendered was a literal “quick-draw” and
none too shabby which his paintbrush either! He got around the west – early -- and his style is distinctive, while his
originals are rare, largely in museums, and otherwise almost priceless -- but nevertheless, art historians don’t include this
painting in his oeveouvre. It is universally ascribed to Rammey.
This masterpiece painting was made (or the original sketches were made) during a life-or-death confrontation with a band
of pursuing Indians, near a lake now in the easternmost hump of Idaho, and not far from the headwaters of a fork of the
Missouri river in flood stage, and the famous painter, working in plein aire method, that’s French for “plains arrow”
or, with Plains Indians firing arrows all around him, captured a legendary mountain man atop his mount, moments
before the trapper raised his rifle, drew a bead, and fired upon the red man.
Was it The Trapper’s Last Shot in his ammo bag? His Last Shot at life?
NEXT WEEK: IT’S THE MATCH OF THE MILLENIUM
It’s JOHN HENRY vs. THE STEAM SHOVEL !!
The Puzzler takes on Gargle – and ….. ?
Next week, if we can get to it, the Puzzler provides the ONE CORRECT ANSWER vs. Gargle’s 616,000 wrong returns --
and reproduces the painting from which the amazing engraving THE TRAPPER’S LAST SHOT was made. ALSO!
The real identity of the painter, and a look at another painting or two of his – little known, for sure.
DON’T MISS IT!! NEWS FOLLOWS:
7. IN THE NEWS …..
By now, you will all have received
your copy of the first SOLUTION
SUPPLEMENT for 2012, as
promised, and as slightly revised and
rededicated to the memory of P. , per
the directive of E.G.S. laRue Al-
Harrouche. Happy reading!!
SOLE SURVIVOR
As I stated above, I, the last surviving
editor of the Puzzler, (unless “cryo-
biological expert” Stephie B. can be
induced to take on the position) have
been obliged by the death of P. – that
is, his murder most foul – to stay on
in San Francisco for, probably the rest
of the cold months at least, to assist in
the ongoing investigation, aka organ
harvesting, of the B.A.R.T. The
F.B.I. has also asked me to remain
available for questions to aid them in
their investigation, and we are
certainly going to assist in whatever
way we can, in order to bring Ramsey
to justice. It is of course, the least we
can do. Also, it is a matter of my
personal safety, and I think it is
likely the F.B.I. will enroll me in the
Witness Protection Program, in which
case, I may have to change my name.
Just a forewarning, in case you one
day receive a Puzzler edited by
someone completely unknown.
I remember vividly the last night I saw P., -- the fond last words we shared, as he left to get my MOCHA; how I told him
it would be my treat…Such a colleague can not be easily replaced. And then, I remember finding that ghastly note on his
desk, when I went to put the last set of HIDDEN PICTURES back on his desk. The shock and horror that come over me
then, cannot easily be expressed. You remember too don’t you? To refresh your recollection, see esp. How Many Hidden
Nooses Can You Find? (December 11, 2011). Then, you can e-mail us with what you remember, at
pympuzzler@rocketmail.com and we’ll relay your observations to these F.B.I. agents.
And I remember the tribute pieces that we have run since then – the Lost Legend of the Frenchman’s Lost Ledge, for
instance, and now this SOLUTION SUPPLEMENT dedicated to his memory: that was another brilliant idea by P., for it
has completely succeeded in siphoning off the gas that drove the insane class action litigation, Suzy Cue, Class of Players
et al., vs. the Globe Press, P.Y.M. Puzzler, and Asaph P. Dromgoole et al., saving the Puzzler for generations to come
Such a debt we all owe P for this idea, that Al-Harouche is proposing that, despite his death, the Puzzler should be
perpetually named for P.! P.Y.M. Puzzler!!! What do you think, Players?
Write and let us know!!
![OCCUPY SF !!
San Francisco streets clogged during P’s funeral -- overlooking Albatross Island in S.F. Bay
SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
P.’s funeral services – as noted in our last issue -- turned into an occasion of congregation among thousands of Players
-- almost a sort of spontaneous “flocking” -- not only in the City and County of San Francisco, but many coming from
Occupy Oakland across the Bay-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4jYdCaHrjQ and from as far away as the
Farralones de los Frayles. Worldwide the crowds have been self-organizing; and the San Francisco crowds that had
gathered in the streets overlooking Yerba Buena (aka Goat) Island – originally Alcatraz island (which is after all, only a
corruption of the word “Albatross” ) shown here, lingered throughout the week: suggesting to some of us, that the power
of P.’s universal genius may be even more influential now, than before his death….
Then, when, due to this death, and to complications attending the administrative dislocation at Pierre’s Youngster
Membership, aka, the illustrious but now shaken and post-posthumous P.Y.M., and especially with confusion reigning
among the editorial staff, [See below -- Ed. ] we were unable to issue a Puzzler for last week, the assembled throngs
paying tribute to P. first grew agitated, and then slightly panicked at being deprived of their usual Sunday stimulation.
Many of them were overheard whispering to many others, saying, to quote the Gospel of Luke (KJV): “I sense a
disturbance in the force ….” But then, as if guided by an unseen hand they seemed to move together as one Player:
forming themselves into one consensus of wordless, instantaneous intention: OCCUPY SF!! But … what next?
It is unclear precisely for how long, but it appears that Puzzler editorial desk will have to maintain itself in San Francisco,
telecommuting with our Wall Street offices, as the F.B.I. investigation into P.’s untimely demise continues, and even the
coroner, who formed the Bleaudry Autopsy Regional Tidelands (B.A.R.T.) has set up a web-page for citizens to alert
the Coroner’s Office, to the appearance of new body parts, and also post clues as to the perpetration of the heinous crime.
Naturally enough, this being America, a pathetic parvenue of Bleaudry wannabes and gross imitators has also moved
themselves into center ring – as if onto the national stage – mocking the grief of you Players, besmirching P’s intellectual
reputation, and sullying their own souls with crass commercialization of the tragedy. We mention only one of the most
degenerate and retrograde of these rascals…..”Pierre Beaudry” indeed!!! http://amatterofmind.org For Shame !!!!](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)