I don't believe the numbers(of members) were inflated under Elgin. I took over the office from the Gates family in 1989....I saw the "Black Books" that had all the members names written in them. I wonder if those books are still around. I do remember mailing out around 9,000 papers(IHMSA News) news every month when we had over 11,000 members listed. A lot of married couples only received one copy. Took a couple of trips to the post office on two-wheeled carts to get everything mailed. Yeah....we did have a lot of members back then. I was there. I lived it every month.

That's very good information, Alvin. It's the first I've ever heard from someone who was "there", as they say.

Thanks Al ! You were deeply involved for a lot of years, and we appreciate it. If the numbers are correct - it is a sad statement of our current membership status. In years past I have reached out to MANY of my former Louisiana members, and received a similar response from each. Simply stated - they had moved on to other interests, and would not be returning. I cannot recall a single instance of a long-ago member (shooter) who has returned to the game in Louisiana !