© 2002
The Nugget Newspaper
Sisters, Oregon
All rights reserved

Send us an email

Display Advertising

One Arm Bandit wows rodeo crowd
By Jim Cornelius

The One Arm Bandit was a Sisters Rodeo highlight.

With the wicked slide guitar riff of "Bad to the Bone" blasting over the arena speakers, the massive truck and stock trailer of the One Arm Bandit Gang rumbled into the Sisters Rodeo Arena during each performance last weekend.

John S. Payne thrilled the crowd with a display of acrobatic horsemanship made even more remarkable given that he controlled his steed with his knees, while maneuvering three massive Watusi-longhorn cross cows up onto the roof of his towering trailer.

One hand, his left, was occupied cracking a long stock whip. The other was tucked at his side, the forearm ending in a mechanical hook.

Payne lost his right arm in a work accident, when he was electrocuted by a 7,200 volt surge through a high power line.

The Oklahoma native was actually dead -- resuscitated by CPR after his heart had stopped.

With a new lease on life, Payne reinvented himself in many occupations -- saloon owner, gambler, rancher. Since 1988, he has been a rodeo entertainer.

Judging from the reaction of the Sisters crowd, he's earned respect as one of the best.

Back to front page