Zachariah Gentry (A Novel Built around America’s Historical Events): Part Two

By Clarence Robert Tower

The story continues in Part Two. Imagine if a man could travel back in time and stand on a high bluff in the Rocky Mountains and watch a Pony Express rider on his charge to deliver the mail. Or sit within a hostile Indian encampment, directly facing the legendary Sioux, Chief Crazy Horse, while at the same time being asked to hear the plight of his people, Or be close enough to the Wounded Knee Massacre to hear the sounds of the firing? Or could stand on the brink of the Kingsbury Grade overlooking the Carson Valley, while conversing with the legendary Kit Carson, the very man that brought the valley its name.

If you can imagine such a man fitting this scenario, the author’s main character, Zack Gentry, could have been that person. Not the traditional Western manuscript, More correctly – historical fiction.

Full of romance. A great read for women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clarence Robert Tower
• Release date: Dec 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005770815

Clarence Robert Tower

Principal author Clarence Robert Tower has been a resident of Santa Clara since childhood. As a result, he possesses a wealth of information about the community and its activities. He is a published author of a valley history and the novel The Adventures of Zack Gentry. Coauthor Ken Lichtenstein is a local businessman and community supporter and has been a resident of the city for more than 50 years. Ken was drawn to the writing of this book as a substitute for his late wife, Bea, who was the author of two previous Arcadia Publishing books about Santa Clara.

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Zachariah Gentry

(A Novel built around America’s Historical Events)

Clarence Robert Tower

Copyright 2021 Clarence Robert Tower

Published at Smashwords

PART TWO

Below:

FINAL PARAGRAPH OF PART ONE

Since I had spent a substantial amount of time with the family as they pursued their quest for the money to purchase the land, it was rewarding to gaze over the lands that they now could call their own. As it was with Mary Belle, I promised to return, and then I was on my way.)

I left Santa Clara, with much regret. Having to leave Mary Belle behind ended up as a penalty for keeping a promise.

END OF FINAL PARAGRAPH OF PART ONE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A TRIP TO YOSEMITE

The year is 1868

Three years had melted away from my life since I left Mary Belle in Santa Clara, so I decided to return as I had promised. She was now a graduate of the college, and had met a young man she planned to marry. I was definitely happy for her, but since I had accepted the role as her guardian, there was no chance in hell that I could let her know I was in love with this dear lady./ After a brief visit, I spent the night at the Cameron House, where I stayed previously. Since Mary Belle was now committed to marriage, it left me free to wander.

I was up early the following morning, with plans to explore the Santa Clara Valley and the surrounding mountains in every detail. Even though most of the incoming population saw the surrounding vicinity as new country, it had been growing in development since the late 1700’s.

Mary Belle’s friends referred me to a blacksmith and outfitting shop where I could pick up whatever gear I would need for weeks of outdoor roaming. I stocked up with what I needed, and was on my way the following day. My ultimate goal was to visit the Yosemite Valley as well as the passing country along the way.

With respect to my wanderings, her friends advised me to head south to the small town of Los Gatos, and pass a short distance beyond, where I would find a network of roads leading into the forests. As I approached the town limits, I caught sight of a rather large grove of standing redwoods, which temporarily raised my spirits, in terms of what I expected to see. I thought I had met my goal, but how wrong I was. Apparently the grove was a first-growth stand, protected by local environmentalist to hide the sight that lay beyond. Not too long after I past the grove, a sight came into view, which I was told to expect, but which brought me great sorrow. Complete hillsides in the distance were completely ravaged of their beauty - completely stripped of their majestic trees. Nothing was left, but stumps and stripped-off branches. I was glad someone had warned me to expect this type of carnage.

By the time I was a half mile up the road, a huge, horse-drawn wagon, loaded with long lengths of logged-off redwoods, came rushing toward me. It looked to me as though it was completely out of control. I was sure it was going to crowd me off the road, so I moved aside to a nearby narrow ledge, or I would have been forced over the edge and down a steep slope. If the ledge had not been there, I might not be telling this story. Further up the road, similar wagons were moving down in my direction, while empty ones were moving up the hill, all eventually destined for local lumber mills. I soon began to worry if I would ever witness one of these legendary groves, while still intact.

As I continued up the logging road, I came upon a group of official looking gentlemen, standing alongside several carriages, which had State of California markings. The eldest was a man with graying hair and beard, obviously of importance. He was standing near one of the recently cut stumps and staring seriously at the mountainside full of downed redwoods, most of which, had been first-growth trees, more than several hundred years old. It was obvious that the party was involved in official business, so I approached one of the gentlemen to see if I could gain access to their thinking. He pointed to the distinguished looking man with the beard, and told me That’s our governor standing over there. We’re in the process of checking out the mismanagement of our forests, so we can update legislation.

When I filled him in on my extensive travels and that I was on a trek designed to take in the beauty of this wonderful country, he responded, I am sure the governor will want to meet you. Lets walk over there and I’ll introduce you.

Being awarded this special audience with the governor was an event I will long treasure. I wondered what I could add to his decision-making know-how, but he quickly made it clear he was happy