even when facts that clearly refute them have also been published.  The difference lies in how the correction to the original error was published--more often than not in a periodical of some kind, rather than another book, because such a correction just would not be worth the expense of book-publication. But whereas books have an indefinite lifespan, centuries perhaps, periodicals usually become, after a short time, difficult to access, if they don't disappear entirely.

What this generalization specifically pertains to is the discussion in the "Photos" section of Ned Robert's military career, where I and several others noted that the title of "Major" was honorary, not a genuine military rank.  That part of the story IS true, but not the part about his having had no true military service, as reported by his close friend Harvey Donaldson, who, seemingly, was in a position to know.

That claim appeared in Harve's very well known & widely read Yours Truly, published after his death by Wolfe Pub. Though most of Harve's recollections of the Schuetzen era are absolutely trust-worthy, it turns out he was dead wrong about Ned.  So who would have the knowledge & reputation to contradict as respected an authority as Harvey?  There aren't many, but one of them is another of Ned's closest friends, not to mention the best gunwriter of the last 50 yrs, Ken Waters.

Harve's book was published in 1980, & in the May 1981 Handloader, Ken set the record straight in a piece entitled "Harve was wrong about Roberts."  Who still has it, or if they do, remembers this article? I never would, if I had not zeroxed it & stuck the copy into the back of Harve's book, where I just found it!

In short, Ken presented records proving Ned's service in the New Hampshire NG from 1883 to 1891, leaving as a Sergeant. Sadly, considering the high esteem in which I've always held Harvey, Ken also relates several instances in which Harve untruthfully, perhaps spitefully, demeaned Ned's reputation.   

Over the yrs, I've run across many similar "corrections" in periodicals to errors in highly prestigious reference books--Madis, Campbell, Brophy, etc.  Rarely does anyone remember for long the corrections, but the errors they refuted continue to be regarded by most as Holy Writ.

I finally broke down and just ordered a copy of the book from ABE books. I guess I'll have to get a copy of the magazine also.

Redsetter, Thank you for this post. I do have the May-June 1981 issue of Handloader magazine. I had read the other post here on major Roberts. And thought someone must post a rebuttal to it. Ken Waters was less than kind to Harvey Donaldson to say the least.

Tom_Trevor assra life no.71 wrote on Aug 17^th, 2018 at 2:30pm:


Actually, it was more the other way around--Harvey's remarks about Ned were not, shall we say, of the kindest variety. But it's quite possible Harve was merely mis-informed about Ned's military service, because he said Ned's wife told him the story; maybe they were married after Ned left the NG, or maybe she just forgot...as old folks are apt to do.  But it's surprising Harve neglected to confirm the story with Ned himself.

And speaking of "forgetting," to give Harve the benefit of the doubt (which I'd like to do because of my admiration for him), he was in his '70s when he began writing for Wolfe.  With the exception of the 3 Rifleman articles, everything else in his book was written many decades after the fact.

JLouis wrote on Aug 17^th, 2018 at 4:21pm:


Can you remember the cartridge that load was for?

JLouis wrote on Aug 17^th, 2018 at 5:51pm:


Must be some other cartridge, as far as Pet Loads (my FAVORITE manual) is concerned--no Unique at all for .32-40.

marlinguy wrote on Aug 17^th, 2018 at 7:12pm:


Many have read or heard it, but what is the original source of that info?  A public announcement by Stevens, or more likely, Savage, after their purchase of the company?   

Destruction by fire is also the standard explanation for Winchester's missing records. 

Not in The Breech Loading Single Shot Rifle, either. They both wrote that one (at least contributed). Some loads in there that we can't do these days, but they look sorta safe. Waters is usually inside safe boundaries, but considering the era that Roberts was involved in they used a few things that we now consider pretty warm, though not dangerous in a good rifle.