4x4hunter lives!

It was difficult for us to find this discussion page and it has taken a lot of deciphering of an old laptop and help from our IT department to pull various threads together and make some sort of sense as to what had transpired on this board. Much we still do not know and this might appear to have gaps.

It is even more upsetting to have read of the continued accusations. Now we intend to put an end to this nonsense

Nightstalker is correct in ALL that she writes of 4x4hunter, Lysander and Calliope. She had more than board contact. There are other startling coincidences and we know of what she intimates. Her family gave Lysander the privilege of a sacred trust. He was very honored to have been the recipient and must rest, at ease, in the knowing that Swamper carries on that responsibility.

DRT (Dana) initially contacted one of our family's businesses, via E Mail. She made reference to 4x4hunter in the present tense and was proud of the fact that she "had found him, alive and well, on various internet sites.” She had stumbled across various family, company and personal entries on various web sites, all innocuous and innocent. Her E Mail was passed to me and I passed it on to 4x4’s widow, PJ. She responded to DRT (Dana) and gave an explanation for each of DRT’s “findings.” That was a mistake, whereas, (I would have advised DRT to shove it, though not so politely,) DRT wrote PJ back, even more shrill, demanding and rude and “refused to accept” PJ’s explanation as “things didn’t add up.”

Well, Nancy Drew DRT Dana, here’s the explanation, yet once again. As to the AKC or various cocker spaniels sites you “discovered.” PJ and 4x4 raised that breed and had many champions. PJ continues to participate and also fund rescue dog efforts in her and 4x4’s name.

The “camping” web site you discovered with 4x4 entries were actually mine. If you had read the entries more carefully, you’d have discovered that one of our new trucks had broken down in California, over the 3 day holiday weekend, and I was discussing, with other technical persons, the problems that that particular diesel engine was experiencing. The nom-de-plume “4x4hunter” is used by our various companies on many, mostly, technical web sites. It’s expedient, for our techs, mechanics, etc. to use this one password for one membership rather than several dozen. It was I who posted the Veteran’s Tribute poem by Major Mike O’Donnell. Matter of fact, I originally passed it to 4x4, years ago, and I’m glad that he had posted it to this board. He especially found it poignant, being ex-SAS and always felt veterans, and the public, too soon forgets their sacrifices. He had plaques made which are prominently displayed at several of our offices.

The genealogy site you found had entries, made under his name by PJ. She explained that to you. Her side of the family tree is complete but she’s still working on ours. We’re related to Sir Francis Drake and Francis Bacon, but the names, Francis, Franklin, Henry and Harry were popular with us, long before these two gentlemen had them. We even have a town in England that bears our family name.

The nickname “4x4hunter” was not exclusively his, it was used before and after by other family members and we have no patent for sole usage. Many other individuals use it, as I’m sure you discovered whilst conducting your “search.” With the exception of two other relatives, no other family member posted to this board, so he used 4x4hunter. I’m sure there are other DRTs out there.

As to 4x4 living in the Dallas area? Again, that’s me and my family and one of our smaller companies that you came across. 4x4 lived in Wyoming, most of and West Texas some of the year. At one time he did live in Dallas but that was years ago, before the Internet became popular.

Any other Internet “discoveries” you’ve made are purely coincidental and as, Nightstalker has so wisely stated, probably have simple explanations.

DRT, you chose to ignore PJ’s answers to you questions. You became downright belligerent and rude in your refusal to accept them. Your demands of our family now border on the ghoulish. Cease and desist! You claim to have been his very good friend, yet insist on upsetting, not only us, but also many of his friends on this board. To have upset Nightstalker enough that she posted her eloquent rebuttal to your “4x4 lives” and for you to not recognize her anguish in her so doing, reaches beyond the realm of cruelty. Only 4x4, Lysander and Calliope were aware of much of what she had gone through. We only discovered, some of these, in deciphering many of the entries in that old laptop. She is one fantastically brave and resilient lady and how could one not admire and befriend her, as they did?

Now here’s something that will really blow your skirt over your head, DRT. See if you can follow this? My grandfather and his were brothers in England. That made me his cousin. His actual name was not Frank. It was Francis. My name is Frank(lin). We both were called Frank. He was a junior, as I am. He had no children, other than Lysander, who was actually his nephew. I have two children and my son also has my given name and also lives in the Dallas area. I’m wondering if you have any of his Internet entries, also adding to this mess? For you to search the Internet, to attempt to disprove an occurrence that transpired way back in 1999, makes us sad for you. Can things really be that boring and small in your life?

But enough of this subject. The past can’t be relived. We have grieved and want that to remain private and resent your dredging it up. Our family prefers to move on, pausing to remember the happier times and the hilarious memories that bring a smile. True DRT, he was a prankster and jokester, without equal, but never a cruel one. The first to right a wrong, encourage and extend his friendship was this 4x4, as some of you have pointed out. We continue to miss him and always shall. As you, DRT, have said “What a guy.”

Nightstalker, we now comprehend the story behind the sweatshirt he gave me. You’ll remember he ordered more than one in the largest size you could get. He was a large individual and his was too small but mine was fine, even though I’m stoutish. PJ wants you to know that your and Swamper’s Arabians are dropping beautiful foals in the UAE. We now know how they got their pet names – Nightstalker and Swamperette.

On a lighter note. 4x4 was a master chef and did he love to eat! As several of you received his recipes but have lost his famous BBQ ones here they are, courtesy of PJ. They’re actually two-fold consisting of the rub and the table sauce. Do not lose them again as they won’t appear again.

Barbecue Mop – makes 1 quart

1- ½ tsp. salt
1- ½ tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. ground bay leaf
1 tsp. chili powder
1- ½ tsp. paprika
1 tsp. Louisiana Hot Sauce
2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2- 2/3 cup beef stock
1/3 cup cooking oil

Combine all ingredients and use to mop meats that are barbecuing. Leftover sauce will keep well in the refrigerator. You will notice that as you stick the mop in the sauce the color darkens and becomes more chocolate brown because the meat juices are blending with the sauce. This enhances the flavor of the sauce and will make it better the second time you use it. You can use this mop for beef, pork or chicken with equally good results. As you can see, this sauce has no tomato and no sugar as to have so would burn and char the meat surface.

Table Sauce for Barbecue – for 6 pounds of meat

If you are BBQ’ing with a dry seasoning and/or with this mop sauce, this makes an excellent table sauce. 4x4 liked to get a good smoky flavor in this table sauce but refused to use bottled smoke. He’d get his flavor by cooking the below ingredients on the edge of his grill, for an hour or so, while the meat was being barbecued. You may notice a few ashes floating in the sauce. So what? Stir them in. If you wish to make the sauce inside, add a little artificial smoke if you like, but it won’t start to compare to that cooked outside.

This sauce will also keep well in the refrigerator. You can use it for oven barbecuing if you keep the temperature low, around 275 deg. and cover the meat, but never use this table sauce for outside barbecuing. It will char meat as it contains both sugar and tomatoes.

¾ cup cider vinegar
¾ cup warm water
1 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
1 tsp. Hungarian paprika
2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 tbsp. dark molasses
3 tbsp. dry mustard
½ cup catsup
¼ cup chili sauce
3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, pressed
2 tbsp. onion, minced very fine
1 cup butter

In 2-cup measure, combine vinegar and water. Stir in salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, molasses and dry mustard. Set aside to steep. Combine catsup, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion and butter in medium-sized saucepan. Raise to a boil over medium-heat. Stir in vinegar water. Transfer to outside cooker and simmer uncovered for 1 hour or so, stirring from time to time. (If cooked indoors, simmer about 30 minutes.) Stored covered in refrigerator. Serve hot over the barbecued meat.

As 4x4 would say “ENJOY!”

Writing these provokes many pleasant memories, especially the settling down with full stomachs and lighting up 4x4’s Cubans, sipping his Courvasier Brandy and exchanging war stories into the wee hours.

Our family wishes you all the very best of friendships, laughter and memories and as he’d admonish, in signing off…

“Read the books! Read the books! Read the books!

Just checking by and it's nice to see familiar names still around .. and a tear or two for a not too distant past filled with laughter and silliness from a time gone by.

warm wishes to all!

FrankC

PS: BH remembers 4x4hunter for having the wherewithall to see through his outrageous charades!!

Hey, GSC! Haven't we met somewhere around here before??

> Well, whatever happened, it's a long time ago and
> wherever he, and Lysander and Caliope are, I hope
> they are at peace and happy.
>
Well said, Sarah. I quite agree. And I'd love to have that BBQ recipe too, if you have it. :p

Oh dear, that's one of the recipes I don't think I kept I have a coleslaw one (makes enough for about 1,500 people) and a cookie one, which I've never made, but someone in our office did - and they were wonderful!

Sorry about the BBQ sauce - Night, pleeeez don't turn Swamper lose on me with that bazooka.......

Nightstalker,

I have ample reason to believe a hoax was played, and the explanation provided to me fell far short. No evidence was provided, only insults.

By the way, I did not initially write to 4x4's family. I wrote to the last address that was 4x4's personal account, and my letter was addressed to him. I only responded to someone claiming to be his wife.

I am told the NTSB database includes data on all fatal crashes, whether the investigation was done by the FAA, NTSB, or local law officials.

No evidence has ever been provided of 4x4's accident. No obituary, no official death notice, no newspaper account, no Social Security death record, no nothing. If one single piece of evidence of the accident can be produced, I'm sure that would settle the matter.

I was fond of 4x4, we shared e-mail daily for a number of months. He had a tremendous impact on my life in the Summer of 1999, and I will never forget his kindness. But I also know that he was a prankster of the first order. If I am right that a hoax was played, I can't believe he did it with any intention to hurt anyone. I do believe however, that I and others deserve to know the truth, and asking for some piece of evidence is not too much to ask.

DRT

It is good to see you Michelle. Its been a long time, and I believe I still owe you a paper piecing.

I appreciate your honesty. Let me start by saying that DRT earned her nickname "dirty girl" honestly. Or dishonestly, depending how you look at it. It was her cruelty and vicious attacks that caused Swamper to leave this board so abruptly and vow never to return. She is still adament today. But it was precisely that knowledge of what DRT was capable of that drove Swamper to do something rather drastic. Yeah, she was worried about me too. I was racked with guilt for such a weak defense of these honorable people, but at the time I could not confirm or deny DRT's accusations. 4x4 didn't care much for fence sitters, and I tell you, its not a comfortable seat, especially picket. Anyway, Swamper contacted 4x4's widow. She confirmed all three deaths, her pain is very real and very strong. She also went on to tell Swamp that hers was not the first such inquiry. She reported receiving a number of very rude and nasty emails some weeks ago (I'm not sure of the date) sent by none other than DRT. Sent to a business, no less. She demanded answers and explanations. Patient and poised, 4x4's widow provided DRT with answers to all of her demands. I wonder why DRT never mentioned that here.

Additionally, I do have third party confirmation on the deaths of Lysander and Calliope. My source at FAA contacted Lockheed Martin in late 2002 to request additional publicity pics of Lysander. As you may remember, Lysander wasn't just a Navy flyboy, he was top Navy flyboy. After explaining the nature of the relationship, subject at Lockheed expressed condolences on the lost of him and his bride. Lockheed even had more details than I did. Now if this is a hoax, its a pretty extensive one. This was a very involved board at one time, but really, would we have warranted all that?

Lysander had a sacred bond with someone I value above my own life. If there was one doubt in my mind over validity of his death, I assure you, I would be on the first plane to TX with that cricket bat that Za sent me.

One of the last things 4x4s widow said to Swamper was, if we truly cared about 4x4, Lysander, and Calliope, we would defend them as they would have us. She need not ask me, I would have been here anyway. But as I think back to a time when 4x4 applauded Butthead when no one else got his humor or the time we saw him lose his temper when Miss Hornblower was being attacked, or the countless other times when 4x4 was the first in the water when others feared to tread. Them are mighty big shoes I just stepped in. Better yet, I'll defend them as Nightstalker would, passionate, a tad neurotic and most importantly, unbudging.

I'm moving old-home week to another thread. I will shortly be requesting this post be removed. That has always been my intention, I just wanted to provide those shocked by DRT's dribble to get a chance to read the rebutal.

This is not a DRT smear campaign, though I'm sure DRT will think so. It was not my intention to air such old dirty laudry. But it became apparent that it was necessary to undo some of the damage that DRT's little game caused. I can't ease 4x4's widow the pain that the intrusive and brutal emails caused, but maybe I can give some reassurance that your grief was not for naught. As you said, Michelle, death is not something taken lightly, death hurts. From what you remember of 4x4, was it in his character to cause so much pain? There is not a day that goes by when something doesn't trigger a memory of one of them. I wish I could tell you what they did to change so many lives, without ever wanting credit. But I can not without breaking trusts and possibly embarassing others. If you need further, Michelle, to be at peace with this, I will have someone with mutual contact provide you with my information.

I'll end here, as I'm sure DRT is itching to be done reading so she can dazzle us with more nonsense. But let me just say this, do you believe that an honorable man whom we all admired and trusted died an honorable death? Or do we give merit to the claims of someone so narcissistic to order that the board give her a wake so she could leave in style, never to return, only to have her show up the next day as if it never happened? hmm...