One Saturday with Six Eminence, MO Callmakers WARNING-Picture heavy

[GSLAM95]

I had one very interesting visit Saturday to the Eminence, MO area with the opportunity to visit historic folk artist/Turkey call makers David Ferguson, Jake McCormac, Dan Searcy, John Spurgin, Jim Chilton and Jack Burrus.  Here is the short version of a 12+hr visit and how it evolved.

I saw a thread here started by Porter about a fence post caller from one Mr David Ferguson.  After exchanging pm's, emails and phone calls I asked David if he thought he could put the deer scene from my business card on a call.  A short time after sending him the pdf file I received an email with the artwork on one of his callers  

The pictures simply do the call no justice and it runs as nice as it looks!

The phone conversations and email exchanges with David showed me just how dedicated this man is about preserving and carrying on the heritage and tradition of the Eminence community.  The next picture is David, Harley (his son and next generation call maker) and myself in his wood shop.  

[West Augusta]

That is one beautiful call and the woodburning is absolutly top notch.  Looks like you had a great time.

[Porter]

David and his family our fine fine people.  I always enjoy my time in the Eminence area!  David sure knows his history and I've had a blast meeting many of the call makers down there! 

His wood burning is top notch too!  You got you a good caller there!

[GSLAM95]

I have the 3 books written by Earl Mickel and I like getting as many signatures as possible of the call makers that I am fortunate enough to meet.  Dave had contacted Mr Francis "JAKE" McCormac who lived up the road and he arrived shortly after I did at the Ferguson's.

Jake is a very knowledgeable person and his area ancestry in Shannon county dates back to the early 1800's!  

Jake told us a lot about the local area that even included some civil war history and he was in the Army during WWII and Korea.  Jake showed me some of his calls and I am proud to have acquired these two before he left.

Another item introduced in the conversation that I had never even heard of was a "bow-gig".  After a big grin from Jake and David they showed me a few and after finding out that Jake also hand forges these bow fishing points I had to learn more about them as well, especially since I am heavily into bowhunting.

That did it, now I had to have one!  Here is Jake notching a nocking point on the shaft of my new "bow-gig" arrow.

I enjoyed the morning and hope to visit with you again some day Jake.

[Dcoleinpa]

It didn't work out this year but someday I want to visit Eminence. Looks like you guys had a great time!!

[GSLAM95]

After Jake went home we went into town for a burger at the local diner, it was there that we ran into the son of Bud Fry who is a deceased call maker from the area.  I was starting to feel a turkey callmaker karma that follows David.

After lunch it was on to meet Dan and Letha Searcy who are two of the most genuine people you would ever want to meet.

Dan's talent goes without saying and to be able to pick up and handle the pieces of art that he creates was an honor that I will always treasure.  They allowed me to take pictures of his wifes collection that she understandably treasures so well.  As she will quickly tell you "Those are not for sale!". (So please enjoy the pics but don't ask)

Here is Dan holding my personal favorite.



A part of call making history that many do not know about is the call made by Dan's father R.E. Searcy back in 1912!!!!  This is the call that Dan won the first annual Eminence, MO turkey contest with in 1968.

After seeing some of R.E. Searcy's work it was obvious that Dan's talent was indeed something passed down from one generation to the next.

Here is Dan running his fathers call that will be 100 yrs old next year!

Ferguson & Searcy - Two fine Eminence folk artists in my opinion

[3CB]

Thank you for sharing that History with us, I am truly grateful!

[GSLAM95]

I am pictured out for now but we also met with John Spurgin, Jim Chilton and Jack Burrus.  All of whom signed their page in my books and gave me memories to cherish.  These six call makers are all in the Eminence area.  

[augiedog55]

Man, Looks like you had a ball in Eminence. It is a special place for sure.  So much call history down there.
 It looks David knocked it ouit of the park on your call . His woodburing is second to none.
 PS I've got Harleys #1 call sitting right here at my desk... Its a great caller from a fine young man.

[fargobox]

Oh my...where to begin on this one.  Heritage and tradition rank very high on my list of personal interests.  I have exchanged many emails with David and followed his work for some time now--he is as genuine as I believe one can get from what I can tell and his work, well that speaks volumes for itself.  Without him knowingly aware Dave is largely responsible for my push in wood burning...I became so fond of his work and a BIG admirer that it inspired me.  This deer scene by David is truly fine fine work   *bowing*and the whole scene on the other rail, well what can I say, IMO he is following in the footsteps of the talented company he keeps down there in Eminence and with work like this...he isn't far behind.

I think every call maker should make a pilgrimage to Eminence to meet David in his shop and all those call makers that remain.  The stories I am sure are at lest half the enjoyment and value that comes from such a visit.  I have been wanting to contact David to build me a call, but unsure what to have him burn on it....nice to see his talents continue to blossom and seemingly have no bounds.  I suspect I'll be calling him before the summer is over and get on his long waiting list.

We are very lucky to get a peek into the wonderful worlds of these legends and those soon to be.  Thanks so much for sharing this--this has been a fulfilling thread indeed.
Scott

[GSLAM95]

augiedog55 - I totally agree with you.  
PS - I'm on the list for #2 from Harley and yes he is a fine young man that would make any father proud.  Hey was the Ferguson watch dog Gobbler around when you made your visit?  My cousin took a video of him struttin and gobbling on the front porch while he stood guard.  He is getting a pretty good set of hooks on him.
 

[gbblr-killer]

GEEZ WHAT A TRIP! that is a day that you wont soon forget...

[AlanKrow]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this.. all that call making history.. Congrats on very fine looking caller..

[J.L. Erb]

Great Post. 

[wiltznucs]

You got to see a lot of turkey call history and call making royalty.  I'd love to have the opportunity to meet them myself one day.

I'm very envious..