How we started

The Cossacks Motorcycle Club was founded in Tyler, Texas in 1969 by a group of six bikers: Earl Swift, Charles Hanks, Butch Cheatham, Paul Henley, Tom Eliason and Carl Blair. The club was named after historical Cossack horsemen of Ukraine and southern Russia. Membership eventually grew in number, with many chapters currently established across the state of Texas and other states in the US. We are still growing and going strong.

Our center patch was originally inspired by a 1967 issue of Hot Rod Comic Magazine, redrawn by Tom Eliason. This detail is not widely known in our history. Initially, our patches featured Red and Gold colors with a Texas bottom rocker. The reasons behind our changes in colors and rockers are not entirely clear to current members, but it is said that the Bandidos expressed a desire to be the sole club in Texas with a state rocker. They requested that we adopt county rockers and change our colors, with the understanding that they would refrain from establishing support clubs with county rockers in areas where we were already present.

Much of the previously mentioned is accurate, as many of our conflicts with the Bandidos originated from their establishment of support clubs with county rockers in areas where we were already present, violating the terms of our agreement. This led to numerous altercations, including bar fights. Consequently, we began wearing the Texas bottom rocker for the second time. Following an attack on our members by a group of Bandidos outside Tyler, and with Zeke resuming the presidency, negotiations with the Bandidos were initiated. It was agreed that we would revert to the original agreement and remove the bottom rocker. While some members were initially reluctant to wear the rocker, and others opposed its removal once adopted, ultimatlly, everyone followed the club's leadership decision.

Before putting on the Texas bottom rocker, as previously mentioned, we were actively involved in the Confederation of Clubs (COC) and United Clubs (UC) coalitions, with some members even serving on their boards. However, due to the aforementioned issues and the additional requirement that we pay membership fees per member per chapter, the club collectively decided to withdraw from the coalition.

Leading to Waco

Following the aforementioned events and the ongoing challenges we faced with the Bandidos attempting to dictate our actions and repeatedly violating the agreement, our leadership decided to proceed with wearing the Texas rocker. A meeting was arranged to directly inform the Bandidos of our decision. During this face-to-face discussion, we made it clear that we intended to wear the Texas rocker once again and that this time, we would not be removing it.

We were requested to allow three months for them to align their support clubs with our actions. In response, we extended this period to five months before donning the rocker. I believe the Bandidos' response to our decision to wear the Texas rocker was to grant the Texas bottom rocker to all their support clubs. This development did not concern us, even as other clubs, such as the Scorpions, also adopted the Texas rocker. However, this is where the true issues began to emerge.

Over time, the situation settled into relative peace, with occasional bar fights that were not particularly serious. However, tensions began to rise when we learned about a decision from the opposing side expressing their disapproval of us wearing the rocker. This sparked a series of retaliatory actions, eventually culminating in the events at Waco. We started receiving reports from Confederation of Clubs (COC) and UnitedClub (UC) meetings suggesting that the Cossacks were allegedly removing colors from other groups. This claim was unfounded; we never took colors from any group during that period. Our belief has always been that if a group can maintain its independence, it has the right to wear whatever it chooses.

So on May 17, 2015, the shootout occurred in Waco, Texas, that has been the subject of various narratives, each containing a mixture of truths, misconceptions, and assumptions. Reports differ depending on the perspective and source, but the presence of such a large number of Cossacks was unexpected. Contrary to some claims, there was no premeditated ambush. Anyone with tactical experience, especially those with military backgrounds, would recognize the strategic disadvantage of positioning oneself in confined spaces such as doorways or open porches during a shootout. When it became known to the Cossacks leadership that a large gathering was planned, efforts were made to discourage attendance and turned back groups of memebers. Despite these efforts, a large group was already amassed and congregated at Twin Peaks on the porch. What was intended to be a dialogue with the Confederation of Clubs (COC) to clarify the position on club colors unexpectedly escalated into a violent confrontation.

Blame for the incident can be attributed to overzealous individuals on both sides or even to law enforcement, but ultimately, it was pride that ignited the conflict in the parking lot, with neither side willing to concede. Depending on the biker news source consulted, different perspectives offer varying accounts of the event, each with its own narrative. Regarding the stories about Zeke, it is true that he talked with law enforcement, likely due to his parole status. However, there is no indication that he provided any information that could be considered harmful, as he would likely have faced immediate consequences if he had.

On that day, we lost some good brothers, one I was actually drinking with not 6 hours before as it was his birthday. All that died that day were my brothers... friends...

The Split

Following the tragic events in Waco, communication significantly diminished, and silence prevailed. Zeke and some others attributed the events in Waco to Big O. Rumors began to circulate, suggesting that drug distribution and other activities in that area were the underlying causes. While I cannot confirm whether these were the true reasons for the incident, it was suggested that, although there was no concrete evidence against Big O personally, certain members of the crew there were involved in such activities. This conduct was contrary to our mandate. Nevertheless, Big O began to feel ostracized due to the circulating rumors and his association with the chapters around Waco.

Eventually, Big O formed a small faction with the intention of forming a new club, wearing the 1% diamond. For context, his son, Chain, was among those killed in Waco, which deeply affected Big O. I believed he struggled with the cessation of hostilities between the Bandidos and Cossacks, feeling a sense of betrayal, which in itself is understandable. Ultimately, Big O decided to gather his followers and depart from the club. He communicated his departure via text and introduced a new patch, still bearing the Cossacks name.

Upon receiving Big O's message during a regional gathering, our leadership resolved to inform the Bandidos about the factional split. We communicated that the new faction was using the same colors and name but adopted a different center patch. We made it clear that if any of our members were mistakenly targeted by the Bandidos, we would return to our pre-Waco stance. Additionally, we emphasized that this new faction was completely independent from us, not affiliated with us, and not under the protection of the Cossacks Motorcycle Club in any capacity. They were free to manage their affairs without fear of retaliation from our side.

If you review the reasoning on the 1% Cossacks website for the split, it states: "did not live up to that motto after the Twin Peaks incident." Let's examine this claim. At the time, we had over 75 members incarcerated, each held on a million-dollar bond. Our club exhausted every dollar from national and chapter funds to secure our brothers' release once the bail amounts became manageable. While some members did seek assistance from their families, we provided as much support as possible. We even covered the living expenses of family members awaiting bail. I know of brothers who spent over $35,000 to pay the bills of those in custody. We also paid off Big O's motorcycle while he was in jail and ensured his family's rent was covered. We extended this support to as many as we could. Therefore, the narrative presented by Big O is based on a lie. Furthermore, Big O did not establish the new club until rumors about his crew's involvement in illegal activities surfaced, coupled with pressure from Zeke, who was seeking to remove him from the club..

Regarding the other national members, there have been instances where law enforcement has reached out to us. Law enforcement agencies in the areas where we operate are well aware of our presence and continually seek or provide information about us or others. While we receive all information, our responses are deliberately vague and do not disclose any substantive details. All communications with law enforcement are reported through the chain of command. It would be imprudent not to consider unsolicited information provided by them, as it allows us to assess and weigh it against current circumstances effectively.

A new Beginning

Following the events involving Big O, significant changes have occurred within our organization. Zeke was voted out as National President, and subsequently, three Cossacks were incarcerated for the killing of a member of the 1% Cossacks. We currently have a member who is awaiting trial for the incident in which he allegedly killed two members of the 1% Cossacks near Waco. The act was in self-defense following their attack on him. In several instances, when told the truth and history, some 1% Cossacks members have voluntarily given their colors to us, literally "Didn't know that, I don't want these." It appears there are no longer any original members left in the 1% Cossacks. A lot of them still live in a lie, but you can not convence everyone of the truth.

Their club now accepts all types of bikes, including sport bikes and metric bikes. Nothing but a stain on the outlaw culture. Additionally, we have voted Doc out of the position of National President due to gross incompetence, and he is currently facing the possibility of life imprisonment for his involvement in the death of the 1% Cossack, the sergeant of arms that took over from me after my accident, turned state's witness against him. As a result of these changes, our club has emerged stronger and better, with improved leadership and a more cohesive brotherhood. We are bigger and stronger than we have ever been.

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