<p>Standing near the fast-draw targets are organizer Ray Thielke of Canyon City (center) with winners Chief Tirico of Canyon City and Jason Miller of John Day.</p>

CANYON CITY – It was as if it was 1862 again.

Ten local gunslingers were aiming for the top spot, and bragging rights, in a celebrity fast-draw competition last Thursday, Aug. 4.

The event, a kickoff for the Oregon State Cowboy Fast Draw Championship, was hosted by the local Great Western Fast Draw Club with Ray Thielke, and the Idaho Shootists club.

Held near Sproul Park with a crowd looking on, the competition included: Doc Holliday (Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer), Six Gun (John Day Police Chief Rich Tirico), Calamity (Cindy Tirico), Money Man (John Day Mayor Bob Quinton), Scooter to Shooter (County Commissioner Scott Myers), The Kid (Kelly Workman), Prospector (Mark Witty), Dean of Mean (Jason Miller), Midnight (County Commissioner Boyd Britton) and Shooter (OSP Trooper Cody Weaver).

Sharpshooters Six Gun and Dean of Mean ended up in a man-to-man shoot off, and Dean of Mean had the best time. His quickest draw in the competition was .724.

The shootists, using .45 Colt single action guns, with real bullets, stood 21 feet from their targets.

The announcer, along with a light on the target, signaled when to shoot, and when the target was hit, a timer above each target displayed the results.

Mississippi Marshall, the announcer from Idaho City, Idaho – a quick-draw himself – said the community of men and women who belong to the fast draw clubs are “a big family.”

He said it’s all about safety, having fun and sportsmanship.

“No one wants to win something underhanded,” he added.

Dean of Mean said he had a great time. The only practice he had for the event was at a fast draw held during Canyon City’s June ’62 Days, he said.

“I hope for more of a challenge next time,” he quipped.