By Charles D Ezell
An overview of the story so far.The Idea of allowing the reader to know and fell the day of Texas History. It is meant to separate Hollywood for the real thing.Though the story is fiction. It is created from true Texas History.
The touch of smoke filtered the air as I walked from my office to Hazel's diner.
Bryce's canyon is on fire again, I thought.
Twice, the place had burned in my lifetime and each time it said the cause came from Mother Nature.
It was true, sometimes the prairie can become hot enough to burst into flames as old timers said. Now whether it was true or not, I had no clue but what I did know was my family and other ranchers took advantage of the new grass it would produce. Twelve hundred acres or more of free government land could make the difference in the cattle having new growth for weight gain or not.
This meant more money per pound, and I knew nobody would turn down more money, especially my family.
It was the fifth year as the town Sheriff for me. I was proud of the record I had achieved. So far, my faith in the Almighty has spared my life five times and had even blessed our little community into affording two deputies, people call the Kansas brothers.
They were the Baxter brothers, Charlie, and Joe Baxter from Ellsworth Kansas, one of the roughest places said to be in their state. However, it had settled down much since the people hired a new Marshall by the name of Earp.
Our little community could never offer what larger towns had but we did have two general stores, a diner, Saloon, and other businesses. The most important thing we had was a railroad spur and four large cattle pens known to hold two thousand heads in a good roundup, other times, less, but it all meant prosperity for the ranchers which intern spent much with our local businesses; we had a bank as well. Nothing as fancy as the big cities but a safe place where people kept their savings.
To my knowledge robbed only once, and it was when I was a boy just after the Civil WAR ended and my brother James knew one of the bandits. Those fellows now accepted two six ft spaces in our local graveyard.
At the edge of the main road leading to the heart of our community stood two large trees. They both barred small green berries which turned yellow in the hot summer. I think all of us children at one time or another tried eating them but learned they were bitter and not fit to put in your mouth. Pastor Reynolds had a name for them. He said they were China- berry trees. I never questioned the man but thought it strange for it to be called that when the only Chinese I had seen was in our school history books.
My state of Texas had many strange things growing in various places, some had names the old timers called loco weed, the more modern version in my day they called it ditch weed but if a horse eat it , drove them mad and hard to control. My Poppa burned it off our grazing lands, so we had none of it to contend with.
However, we had our moments and worries as well, but mainly the weather, something nobody could control. Harsh winters with much snow, hot summers which had many trying to find shade but the times and hardships for much of the state seemed to have kept drifting cowboys coming through our area looking for work.
Most of our ranches stayed filled with what some called regulars, men who had proved themselves year after year during roundups.
My family had some regulars and seemed to be satisfied with their work, but it never stopped drifters coming through chasing rumors with hope of finding some kind of employment. However, nothing appeared, and they went west.
Even my two deputies faced layoff. The commitment was for ninety days, and the town treasury said one had to go. I was faced with the decision of who?
Joe was swift as a deer drawing his side arm, but his brother Charlie was older and more level headed.
When I confronted the men with the problem, there was nothing to consider, Joe quickly volunteered to leave and let his brother have the job.
I suspected it had to do with Hazel and Charlie's ideas. The two made plans to marry but then it was still a mystery of when.
By Charles D Ezell
Everyone thought Hazel would live out her life as an old housekeeper. She was far from beautiful and almost forty years of age. However, the sweetness of always having a positive attitude about things made up the difference. I suspected this was what captured Charlie.
In a joking manner, Moss, the owner of the town livery stable said, "If Charlie likes good cooking, then he is marrying a good thing. She is a lot better cook than beauty, but I suppose none of those traits matters."
At church on Sundays, we had substitute flowers in front of the podium. It was some of the ladies' job to gather wildflowers near Bryce's Canyon and since the fire destroyed them. It was Mrs. Sanders, insisted on calling sister Sanders' job to bring roses from her flower bed.
Old man Fletcher, who always sat on the front pew to hear, had to move four pews back because of an allergy. Roses made him sneeze, but soon got under control.
I like Pastor Reynolds sayings about God always made things right. The entire two thousand acres of the canyon had burned out and now come the blessings of fresh green grass shoots causing a good feeling for every rancher.
The following morning as I rode into town and stopped by Foster who had a telegram addressed to me. It was from my friend Sheriff Clark in an adjoining county. It was a warning saying I may have visitors coming through our area who were not of the best characters. He had not seen any wanted posters on the men, but it was no sign none existed.
I read the message twice and prayed silently they would pass us by and travel north toward Kansas or south toward Mexico but either way, Charlie Baxter or I were no match for any gun play. My only solution was carrying the double barrel shotgun with the hope of not using it.
Have been in Therapy, but determined to finish this for you who have faithful supported this saga
More to come after the first of year. Sending blessings to all.
By Charles D Ezell
(This saga takes the reader into the state of Texas during the Civil War era. The story is told by Ralph Hendricks of what he remembers about his family as a boy and lawman. Names are changed to protect the innocent.)
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Previous;
For your remembrance.
The following morning as I rode into town and stopped by Foster who had a telegram addressed to me. It was from my friend Sheriff Clark in an adjoining county. It was a warning saying I may have visitors coming through our area who were not of the best characters. He had not seen any wanted posters on the men, but it was no sign none existed.
I read the message twice and prayed silently they would pass us by and travel north toward Kansas or south toward Mexico but either way, Me or Charlie Baxter were no match for any gun play. My only solution was carrying the double barrel shotgun with the hope of not using it.
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__ New
Late evening as the sun angled toward a downward turn, two strangers tied their mounts to the railing in front of Kelley's saloon and just stood for minutes looking around to see if they were sizing our community. We had little to offer but two general stores, a livery stable, and other buildings with a barber shop in between. At the very end was the bank, minor compared but held more than fifty thousand dollars displayed on the front window.
I had asked Mr. Buskins not once but other times to remove the information saying, "Its like placing cheese on a trap hoping a rat would ignore it."
Only ignorance would accept a saying like that, and Baskins was not ignorant.
I watched the men slowly go inside the saloon. I suspected if they came to cause problems then I would know about it soon enough. I had sent Charlie to check on a complaint at one of our general stores. Someone was complaining about being short changed and upset. Mr. Daniels, the owner, was trying hard to convince the lady she had the right money, and nothing was out of the ordinary. However, she still insisted the law get involved so Charlie was there counting and recounting money.
Seeing Foster emptying the saloon's trash, I told him when he finished, to go and tell Charlie I needed him to come where I was but arm himself with one of the shotguns just in case.
My hunch was a long shot, but it was always playing it safe then reap problems. Hours later, the men finished with their drinks and never gave any impression they were but only drifters no doubt looking for work. However, I was wrong, they were two new hired men for the Wilson Ranch and had come to town looking for a poker game. Kelley said they acted cordially and apparently won a few dollars stating they would be back another time.
Later, the following day, I received another wire from Sheriff Clark stating there was trouble at the Capitol concerning the Governor's election and he would keep me posted about the happening.
I knew there were disturbance toward the two parties, (Democrat& Republican) disagreements concerning the election but I suspected it would be like west Texas winds and blow its self out.
I could have never been more wrong. Texas now had two governors and they both were locked inside the capitol for safety. The Democrat elected,(Coke.) And harped to Washington for the President to send Federal troops but to his disappointment none came but instead a firm warning to get things in order causing the current governor to quit and let Coke have it.
When I heard what had happened, my heart sank with disbelief suspecting Texas was in for a vast change and the ranchers, including my family would feel the results. My hope was the man had leadership qualities and would be an asset instead of a passivity
.
Our little town was at a standstill when measuring growth, but our farming community was doing fine. I sometimes marveled at people who I was raised with and how determined they were to send their children to our new colleges, especially learning Agriculture.
The Priest family was interested in their sons attending especially having to deal with the former Harding situation.
Personally, I consider the Priest family a cut above the others. Lucy, my wife said, "Claudia Priest could plant a stick, and the thing would sprout roots and grow." Of course, she exaggerated, but it sounded nice.
Our state of Texas was in for a big change both good and bad, and it was the bad I knew would come which made my job more challenging.
Offered me more challenges.
Governor Davis had support by members of the radical faction of the Republican Party still believing he had a friend in the White House. However, the president let him know there would be no federal troops at his fingertips and not to expect any help, but Davis continued to fool himself into thinking he had federal help anytime he needed it. He was looking to fool a bunch of radicals allowing them to take control of the lower level of the Capitol building. This caused tension among armed citizens and violence loomed.
I received three telegrams from Sheriff Clark promising to keep me posted on what was happening in Austin.
The last thing my family and I wished to see was having a Democrat as governor, but we as others prepared for the change never knowing it would last for years to come.
WISHING ALL A HAPPY AND SAFE 2025.
| Author Notes | From true Texas History and real life adventure. |
By Charles D Ezell
As the new year brought spring, it meant caving. Finding newborn calves blending into a lush green background bawling for their mothers was beyond words..
It was work with the family as usual as I left the house at daybreak and rode to the families lower one hundred and twenty acres. The idea of spring roundup meant our herd was heading to the railroad pens for market.
My brother, Matt, had always managed the sale of our cattle but this year for unknown reasons, my brother James was in charge.
I never question the reason knowing James could manage things well. Later, I learn, Matt was entertaining something the family would need to vote on. Textile mills were springing up throughout the south and the price of cotton was escalating. The farms who were raising cotton were doing great and showing profit each year.
The young Priest boy, the one everyone addressed as Shorty, was home from college with much to share about cotton farming. Matt was fascinated with the idea but there was one thing standing in the way. We were ranchers and knew nothing but raising cattle and I doubt there would be any changes.
The three thousand acre ranch our parents had left us would stay the same. It would be much like James said, “Someone needs to feed the nation with beef and let others make our clothes while doing it.”
I must admit, James was right. As our farming community grew, our cattle markets did likewise.
This made our town grow as well. Our two general stores were expanding, and we were seeing more new faces wishing to find work and settle. Even our bank was getting more deposits, and the funds grew as well. I would say, the population had grown another fifty families adding two new offices, one a lawyer from the east another freight hauling company.
Though we were enjoying our little peaceful community, I personally hoped it would stay that way. The only time our jail had company was to let a drunk cowboy sleep it off only to awaken the following morning to pay a small fine and be on his way.
By Charles D Ezell
For the following months, the railroad was also expanding their enterprise. Building larger cattle holding pens to bringing special made box cars for hauling refrigerated vegetables to eastern markets. We were already acquainted with innovation concerning beef preservation. However, keeping vegetables for weeks at a time would offer challenges.
I had my doubts about farmers who were raising vegetables for eastern markets and often wondered if the product was fresh as when first gathered.
The Overseen family no doubt had an answer to this doubt. I watched them often when loading crates of beautiful ears of corn fresh from nature's garden. Sometime crates stacked reaching to the top of the boxcar packed solid as the door closed.
This new trend of contracting to eastern buyers brought more revenue to our growth, especially our bank. The question of how long it will last until eastern farms take control and boost our farmers out of business was yet experienced.
My Poppa always told us boys, "A little rain will always soften things. It is the storms a person needs to prepare for."
I had little doubt with our new community growth and our bank's growth as well would trigger the minds of greed causing the storm clouds we needed to prepare for.
I shared this saying with Charlie, my deputy and he agreed saying we needed to hire his brother back just in case of gun play. However, it would depend upon the mayor's approval and if the town could afford him or not.
Problems coming
By Charles D Ezell
On the morning of April 9th, the first sign of troubling weather with more than nature allows was certainly a challenging moment with the threat of hail and a twister or two. In my lifetime, I had experienced what Texas tornadoes could do but lived to remember the events.
It was our farming community which concerned me. The Wheat farmers especially if it did hail then the crops would suffer. As a boy when my Poppa was alive, we had a bad hailstorm costing the life of young calves.
It looked as if we were in for two different storms, the telegram I received from Sheriff Clark warned of another type of storm.
An Arkansas born boy who had grown to be an outlaw had a gang made up men wanted by the law for various crimes. They were calling themselves, the Bill Doolin gang who did crimes not far away in Oklahoma, Indian territory.
Although Sheriff Clark said they would never drift toward us, it would still be wise to keep watch in case.
I always paid attention to what the man advised and spent time in silent prayer. I was hoping we would remain a peaceful community. However, time would tell. If Bill Doolin, and his bunch come our way, then we were ready as we could be. I had no doubt it would gun play and innocent people hurt or killed.
I went to my office and tried finding information on the subject but there was little to learn. An old wanted poster on the man never said much but only a $2500 reward and a rough sketch of what he looked like. I had nothing concerning any of his gang and doubted I would know them if they did come. My hope lay with Kelley and his distinct way of learning who he was serving.
The weather would be little concern if the Doolin gang hit our tiny town. No doubt the bank was first on their list, and it would take time before a posse could track them. They were smart and would do their mischief in the rain with the hope of their tracks being washed away.
I must admit, the thought of dealing with so many outlaws sent me to Pastor Reynolds requesting prayer. It was certain me and what few men who volunteered was simply no match for such.
Late evening at home during our evening meal, I was vexed and hardly touched the food . Lucy, the wife asked, "Care to tell me the problem?"
I had no intentions of telling her and made excuses claiming worry about the hail destroying the wheat and how much of a loss it would mean to the community.
She took my hand and softly said, "Lets pray God will spare us any destruction."
The following morning, the sky was clear, not one storm cloud in sight. I marveled at what my oldest boy, Paul, said. "Dad, with mother's prayers, God always answers."
As I walked out the door, I responded, 'Yes, sure seems that way."
By Charles D Ezell
As I walked out the door, I responded, 'Yes, sure seems that way."
New
Days later, after spending time looking through recent reward posters, I learned Doolin had teamed up with another bunch of outlaws by the name of Dalton. My friend Sheriff Clark wired me with news about the entire group trying to rob two banks at once in Coffeyville Kansas.
It was a total failure; the law knew earlier, and the Dalton's killed but the gang escaped with Bill Doolin leading the task.
Clark warned not to take Doolin's escape lightly. He could be coming my way or going into Oklahoma territory and hid.
I gave my deputy Clark's message and let him read what we may be facing and with caution be prepared.
Charlie already knew of Doolin's activity in Kansas, especially the bank robbery in Spearville. His remarks were, "That fellow is doing his dirty work near to my home. It will give me immense pleasure to put a bullet through his skull."
I responded, "It will give me a greater pleasure if he keeps riding and find refuge elsewhere."
The last thing our little community needed was trouble from a gang of cut throats and losing the people's lifelong savings. Remembering Clark's warnings, I wondered if Doolin had ties with another bunch calling themselves, (The Wild Bunch.)
I knew of their activity. Clark had mentioned having a friend by the name of Heck Thomas investigating their actions, but my understanding was Doolin was the leader of the wild bunch and I doubted he would come through Texas but hid somewhere in what was known as the territory, (Oklahoma).
The only way we would have any dealings with the group was them to ride toward Mexico and then it was possible for a shootout. However, I was taking Clark's advice and kept Charlie and self-ready for the unexpected.
By Charles D Ezell
I had no idea at the time, the gang was in Oklahoma hiding at one of the gang members (Oliver Yantis) sister's place.
The telegram I received from Clark gave temporary relief, The law had tracked them to the sisters' farm and participated in a shootout killing Oliver, but the gang managed to escape. Clark said, "Stay alert in case they flee to Mexico, no doubt they will stop either in your town or somewhere close, but for now, information is, they are still in Oklahoma but might make a run for New Mexico."
Days later, I learned the gang was traveling with two teenage girls. (Little Britches) a name Bill Doolin called her. The other, Cattle Annie. The girls were proved informers, always letting the gang know when law enforcement was near. However, Clark informed the group was back in Kansas robbing banks and trains.
This removed hidden pressure as I tried placing their actions as a game of hide and seek. Kansas was easy picking for them and Oklahoma offered refuge. I suspected it was but matter of time before
Doolin was either killed or captured. Two weeks later, my suspicion earned Merritt. Clark said Doolin received wounds during a robbery but he never knew the extent.
On the way home, I stopped at my brother James's place. He lived a single life after loosing the only love of his life. James was seated on the porch smoking his pipe. I was greeted with pleasure and his asking, "What do I owe such pleasure? Get down and sit awhile. What brings you this way?"
"Just wanted to pick your brain about something."
"Pick away."
"When you were a ranger, did you ever deal with gangs of outlaws?"
"No, I never did. Those crazy Kickapoo Indians had most of my time. Why do you ask? You got gang problems?"
"No, not yet, but I might have. It is a bunch that call themselves the wild bunch. They are doing their crimes mostly in Kansas and hide somewhere in the territory."
"Little brother, I would not be concerned if they are there, I doubt they will come this far west and besides, if the law is searching, then it will be but a matter of time, things will come out in the open and the law will handle them. So, let all that pass on by and go home to your family and rest easy."
I took James's advise and rode home to a fine meal and a restful night. Spending family time was like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day.
The following morning as I rode to my office, I was intrigued by seeing such peace our town had achieved. No gangs, no killings, and most of all our bank still had the people's savings.
I was thankful to the Lord for his blessings, but I knew we would have our day of trials. My hope was in believing God would continue prospering our citizens even though many of those I had known most of my life was now reaching old age. It was their children and advanced education no doubt would create stability.
| Author Notes | Based upon true Texas History |
By Charles D Ezell
(This saga takes the reader into the state of Texas during the Civil War era. The story is told by Ralph Hendricks of what he remembers about his family as a boy and lawman. Names are changed to protect the innocent.)
Story.
Twenty-seven years had slipped by since the Civil War ended, sending my three brothers' home without a scratch. Since then, my parents were deceased, and the estate was ours to share and enjoy.
Matt, my oldest brother, had now reached the age where he gave the responsibility to his oldest son, Elliot, named after a dear friend of the family. Elliot was wise with a college degree. His goal was to make the ranch more profitable, but he wanted nothing more but to raise cattle and show a profit each year.
Despite what Paul, my son, thought toward raising cotton and hedging the textile market, the vote was in favor of Elliot's' ideas of learning more about the habitat of other breeds of cattle.
Cattle had been our lifeline when poppa came home from fighting the Mexicans and from the looks of things our ranch would stay the same.The Source of sharing the profits with all of us was our savings for retirement, if I lived to reach the mark.
Sometimes being law enforcement created doubt especially, learning about others killed in the line of duty.
My mind was captivated with Doolin's actions and if he would chance leaving his hiding place and come our way. I must admit, Clark's warnings had much of my attention. I had never dealt with gangs before and hardly any lawbreakers. They were only stories and other officers' dealings but mostly hearsay.
At spring roundup, I had help from my sons, I must say they did well at finding newborn calves and getting them to the main herd. Days later, things were set in motion for branding.
Sometimes, I was amazed at how our herd had grown and it made me think about my son's future. Many questions plagued my mind toward progress and how the state of Texas was growing.
Most of our youth were getting a good education and their parents I had gone to school with were now gloating with pride of accomplishment.
Although, my son. Paul lost his hope toward raising cotton and the desire to better our farming community, I could tell somewhere within his mind, it still existed.
However, it would be yet something to consider.
As the year of 1893 seemed to ease by, my thoughts toward Doolin and gang activity also vanished when receiving news about the man.
Oklahoma turned out not to be safe heaven for him at all. The town of Ingalls got a surprise visit from 14 U.S. Marshals causing a fight with the gang still spoke about for years.
Clark's message brought sadness but also a measure of gladness. Three marshals lost their lives along with two innocent bystanders. Doolin now added more charges to his actions when killing Marshal Richard Speed however, three gang members also wounded and captured allowing Doolin and others to escape.
My thoughts rushed toward my brother's words about doubting they would come in our direction, but in my line of work, a person never knows.
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