Border Boss: Captain John R. Hughes - Texas Ranger - Softcover

Martin, Jack

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0938349503 ISBN 13: 9780938349501

Publisher: State House Press, 1990

Synopsis

Capt. John R. Hughes' exploits in tracking down horse thieves led not only to his earning the enmity of the Wild Bunch, the desperados led by Butch Cassidy, but also to his becoming a Texas Ranger. Originally published in 1942 with a new introduction by Mike Cox. Illustrations are by Texas native, Frank Anthony Stanush.
 

About this title

About the Author:

Jack Martin, noted magazine author and former New York City feature syndicate writer, was born in 1901. Little else is know about Martin. 
Wick Fowler states Martin was a "former New York City newspaperman and Texan 'by adoption.'" Border Boss is the only book written by Martin.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

According to Hughes' calculations, the outlaws would arrive shortly after midnight, during the first few minutes of Christmas Day. And his calculations proved correct. At exactly, quarter past twelve, the waiting men heard the hoof beats of approaching horses. He hissed a low signal, made certain that Outlaw and Terry were ready, then took position beside Aten.

The moon was shining brightly, and soon they saw the two horsemen coming slowly up the trail. Hughes recognized them as the Odle brothers, and nudged Aten with his elbow to convey the identification.

He and the sergeant waited quietly until the horsemen were almost upon them, then stepped simultaneously onto the trail.

"Texas Rangers!" Hughes shouted. "You're surrounded--throw down your guns!"

The startled horsemen drew in their mounts. For a moment there was complete silence. Then the leader moved quickly in his saddle. "Let 'em have it!" he yelled.

His pistol cracked, and instantly the air was full of flying lead.

The fight was over in thirty seconds. At the end of that time, the outlaws lay in the roadway, and their mounts were galloping wildly across the range. Will Odle was killed almost instantly. Alvin Odle died within a few minutes.

When news of the battle and the extermination of the dreaded brothers reached Vance and Barksdale, citizens prepared a note of thanks which was sent to Captain Jones. With the Odles properly disposed of, the message read, ranchers could breathe easier again.

About this edition

• Publisher: State House Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0938349503
• ISBN 13: 9780938349501
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 270
• Illustrator: Stanush Mr. Frank Anthony