Testimony: God's Deliverance

By Mary Jackson

Testimony: God's Deliverance is a true story that God told me to write, which has become a testimony from me to all who reads this book. God made sure that this book would help both the saved and the unsaved. If you are saved and do not know how to have a personal relationship with Jesus, then this book is for you. If you are unsaved and do not know who Jesus is, then this book is for you. To everyone reading Testimony: God's Deliverance, your life will be changed forever as mine was. This is a book that you will want to share with all your loved ones because when you find out that Jesus wants to make your life so much better, you will want to tell everyone about this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645595366

Book preview

9781645595366_cover.jpg

Life and Times of Jace Tanner

Roger K. O’Neal

ISBN 978-1-64670-059-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64670-060-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2020 Roger K. O’Neal

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Story of Jace Tanner

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

About the Author

Story was created in my mind and thoughts.

What my life would have been like if I had been born in 1841 instead of 1941.

Story begins as the Tanners open a trading post in Central Texas in the years of our Lord 1817.

Story of Jace Tanner

From the time Jace was born to manhood and how his life progressed through civil war and how he became a federal marshal, the events that followed as he hunted the outlaws who killed his wife and how he helped bring justice to Casa Grande, Arizona.

Chapter 1

The Beginning

George Tanner, his wife, and kids loaded their wagon with all their goods and left South Texas and headed to Central Texas in the year of our Lord 1817. Once in Central Texas, he established and built a trading post. It was built to trade goods with trappers, also with Indians. One year later, Camp Worth was built in 1818. It became a cavalry outpost to protect traders and wagon trains coming west. In years to come, George Tanners and only son, Jesse Jace Tanner, soon joined the cavalry. He was fifteen years old when he joined the US cavalry. Jesse Tanner was top soldier with the cavalry stationed at Camp Worth. After seven years with the army, he received the stripes of top soldiers.

Jace’s mother met his dad while trading at Camp Worth. Her name was Morning Star. She was born early morning as the last star in the sky faded from sight. Morning Star was full blood Comanche. Her father was Chief Big Bear of the Comanche nation.

Jesse Tanner and Morning Star were married by Comanche law and later married at the fort by the post chaplain. They were married two years before their daughter was born. Their daughter was born as Robin Carolyn Tanner, December 18, 1839. Their son, Jace Tanner, was born on February 7, 1841. He was born on a cold Monday morning.

Camp Worth would soon change from Camp to Fort Worth, a much larger cavalry outpost.

Jesse Tanner, top soldier of Fort Worth, retired in the year 1840. After retirement, he was given the rank of colonel, chief of scouts out of Fort Worth.

It was March 27, 1845. Colonel Tanner was sent out ahead of an army supply wagon train headed to Fort Brand in New Mexico. Just before Colonel Tanner mounted up to leave, he said goodbye and kissed his wife and daughter Robin. Colonel Tanner told his wife (Morning Star) that the detachment would return in six to eight months.

Jesse looked at his son, a little man of four years old. Take care of your mother and sister, Jace. You will be the man of the house till I return. Colonel Tanner rode out ahead of the column by two hours. Colonel Tanner never returned.

Nine months later, Captain Johnson rode into Fort Worth, leading the column. The column was brought to a halt to a dismount and dismissed. Captain Johnson told the men to care for their horses first, then go to the mess hall.

Morning Star saw the column come in. She hurried across the parade field to meet and welcome Jesse home. Upon arriving in front of HQ (Post Commander), Morning Star did not see her husband Colonel Tanner with the detachment, but fearing he had been killed, Morning Star ran to Grover as he dismounted, went to him and asked, Where is the colonel?

Grover was one of the scouts and a close friend of Colonel Tanner. As he started to speak, Captain Johnson walked up and asked Morning Star to accompany him into the commander’s office. She knew then that her beloved Jesse was dead.

Upon entering the office, Captain Johnson saluted the major. The salute was returned. Major Jones said, Please be seated, Captain, Morning Star… Captain, your report, sir.

"After we left the Fort about four hours out, we met up with Colonel Tanner. His report was clear so far. I dismounted the troop for a short break. Tanner and I talked for a while about if he had spotted smoke or seen any hostiles. His answer was not at this time. We finished talking. He mounted up and rode out. I remounted the troops and moved out.

"We had gotten almost into New Mexico. We were about eight days out from Fort Brand. Colonel Tanner rode into camp and came to my tent. Told me all was quite so far and had not seen any sign or trail of any apache. At 4:00 a.m., I had the men up breaking camp, mounted and riding by first light. We were on the trail within the hour. Three days out from Fort Brand, Tanner rode into the column, slumped over in his saddle, two apache arrows in his back. Grover dismounted, ran to Jesse as he fell from his horse. He died while Grover held him. Before he died, Colonel Tanner told us to be careful. Apaches on warpath. With his last breath, he told Grover, ‘Tell Morning Star, I love her very much, love the kids too.’ One day out from Fort Brand, we were hit hard by an apache war party. We circled the wagons, didn’t have time to unharness the mules. We started firing as soon as they were in range. We fought for what seemed like hours when we heard charge being blown, and in the distance, we caught sight of two troops of cavalry. They hit the apache hard. We came out from behind the wagons, firing. We had the apache in a cross fire. The apache broke and scattered, not to be seen again. As the captain continued his report, I talked to the commander of the detachment. He told me that the Indians who struck our wagons are reservation jumpers. They had hit several ranches and killed a number of people.

The detachment was out of Fort Brand led by Captain James. I asked how he knew we needed help. We heard gunfire and war hoops. I knew that they were hitting a stage coach or wagon train. After they made it to Fort Brand, both captains reported to the post commander. Captain Johnson wrote in my report that I told Colonel Wagner. We brought in the supply wagons and did not lose one wagon. We were attacked by apaches one day out from Fort Brand.

Colonel Wagner said to Captain James, I want those hostiles brought in.

James saluted the Colonel and said, We will bring them in. He did an about face and left the office. Captain James caught his troop sergeant on the parade field, have them up, and in the saddle with rations, ready to ride by first light in the morning. Have a wagon with more rations ready to roll at first light. We may be out for three or four days.

Sergeant Peters asked, What’s up, sir?

The colonel said, "Bring those renegades in before they cause more problems.

Colonel Wagner asked, Captain Johnson, how many men did you lose in the attack?

Captain Johnson told him, Four dead, two wounded. One of the dead was my chief of scouts, Col. Jesse Tanner. Colonel Wagner told me that he knew Tanner and had served with him many years ago.

Major Jones turned and spoke to Morning Star, We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great man. Jesse was a great soldier and even a great scout and a good friend to all here at the Fort. He will be missed.

Major Jones escorted Morning Star back to her quarters, leaving her. Major Jones returned to his office.

Jace started school in September 1847 at the age of six. He attended school on post. At the end of school, June 1848, Morning Star took the kids, left Fort Worth to spend the summer with Chief Big Bear (her father). Before leaving post, she went to Major Jones to let him know that she and the kids were leaving for the summer and where they would be. They returned a week before school started. For the three months, they lived with the Comanche. Jace learned a little about how to live as the Comanche did.

In May 1853, five years and eight months after the death of her beloved husband, Colonel Jesse Jace Tanner, Maj. Ken Jones asked Morning Star to be his wife. They were married four days later by the post chaplain. In the year of our Lord, 1857, two exciting things happened: Jace turned sixteen, and Major Ken Jones was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Colonel Jones stayed on as post commander of Fort Worth.

After school and in his free time, Jace enjoyed watching the horse soldiers train. Jace thought of being a horse soldier, even as a little kid. Always pretending to be an officer in the cavalry. But now as a young man, to join the army, become an officer in the cavalry, Jace figured it would take fifteen to twenty-five years just to make second lieutenant. So Jace started thinking West Point, New York, the thought of going to West Point was always in Jace’s mind.

Two months after turning sixteen, Jace got work at the general store on post. He met Jim West at the general store. Between school and work, he and Jim West became friends. Jim, one day while talking, told Jace that he was the post blacksmith. Jim West was a tall and strong black man. He cared for the horses when brought into the stables. Three weeks later, Jim and Jace were out back of the stable, sitting on two overturned buckets, talking. Jace asked Jim, "Tell me a little about yourself.

Jim said, Okay, I will tell you something no one else knows about me. At one time years ago, I was a gunfighter and marshal in Montana. During a bank robbery while being marshal, I shot and killed an innocent bystander. The robbers were soon caught and brought to justice. Because of what I did, it was hard to live with. Being black, and it was a white man I shot. So I took off my badge, guns laid on my desk, walked out, and never looked back. I took them the belongings I had mounted up, left Montana, and came to Texas. I had started learning to be a blacksmith in Waco. About two years ago, I rode into the Fort looking for work. I was told that they were looking for a black smith. So I took the job. Been here ever since.

Jim said to Jace, Time for me to get back to work, and you back to school. What I told you here, keep it to yourself. No one else knows.

Don’t worry, Jim. I won’t tell anyone. Jace headed back to school.

While visiting Jim at the stable one afternoon, on his way to work at the general store, he stopped for a few minutes. Jim, may I asked you something? Jace said.

Sure kid.

Will you teach me how to handle and shoot a gun.

Do you own a gun, Jace?

No!

Jim asked Jace, Do you want to be a fast gunhand?

No, sir! Protection for myself.

Jim said, Okay, you get a gun. I will teach you to shoot and how to handle a gun.

Jim, when I get the money, will you buy me a good gun and holster?

Yes! said Jim.

Jace got more work at the general store, also helping load and unload freight wagons.

After a couple of months, Jace had enough money. He gave the money to Jim to buy the gun and holster. Jace met up with Jim on Saturday morning. They rode several good miles out from the Fort. Jim taught Jace how to fire his gun. After a few days, Jace started learning to draw. Learning to draw and fire took Jace about a year to master. Jace had a Colt 45 peacemaker.

When Jace wasn’t out practicing, he left his gun and holster with Jim at the stable. Two years later, at the age of eighteen years old, Jace was getting better at his fast draw and hitting his target. Smaller the better, Jace got to where he could clear and fire his Colt 45 in three seconds. Still on his mind, he wanted to enter West Point Military Academy. Jace wanted to become an officer. He wanted to become a cavalry officer, ride with a troop of cavalry. Jace went to the post commander, Lt. Col. Ken Jones. He walked into the orderly room asking if the colonel was in; the answer was yes. The sergeant told Jace that he was talking with one of the scout. Jace thanked him, knocked on the door, and the response was come in. Jace entered. Grover and the colonel were talking.

What’s up, Jace? asked Colonel Jones.

May I have a few minutes of your time?

Sure. Grover told Ken I can wait. Colonel Jones told Jace to sit. What is on your mind, son?

Well, just one question, can you help me get into West Point Military Academy now that I have finished school?

Why do you want to go to West Point?

I want to become a cavalry officer—I think, no, I will become a great officer. I know I will.

Chapter 2

Okay was the reply.

I will send a wire to Washington tomorrow. It may be a week or two before I receive an answer.

Jace got up to leave, turned to the colonel, and said, Thank you.

As Jace started out the door, Grover said, Good luck, boy.

Jace spent more time practicing his fast draw. After a few hours, he headed for his work at the general store. Jace stopped at the stable to tell Jim the news that he may make it to West Point. On entering the blacksmith shop, there was a stranger shooing a horse. Jace asked, Is Jim out back?

The older man asked, You mean Jim West?

Yes, sir, he’s the one.

Well, young fella, no one knows why, he just saddled up and rode out. We found a note on an anvil said, Jace, take care and hope you make it to West Point Military Academy. Good luck! Your friend, Jim West.

Jace thought to himself, I may see him again someday along the way. As Jace turned to leave, he said to the older man, It was good having him as a friend. With this, Jace turned and walked away.

Two weeks later, Ken left headquarters, headed across to his quarters with a letter in his hand. He was home for lunch. As they were eating, Ken looked across the table, winked at Morning Star as he handed the letter over to Jace. This is the answer to the message I sent to Washington. I picked it up at the telegraph office on the way to our quarters for lunch. Ken asked Jace, What does the letter tell you?

As Jace began to read it, he became very excited, jumped up, and said, Mother, I have been accepted to West Point.

Carolyn asked her brother, When do you leave?

Soon, Jace said, have to report in by fifth of September 1859. This is early July, so I need to leave by early August. Jace went to tell his friends that he had been accepted to West Point. He wanted to tell Ollie and Grover of his good news. They were very happy for him and wished him good luck.

As August approached, Jace started getting his gear ready. He bid farewell to his family and friends as he boarded the stage coach and left Fort Worth headed north to West Point, New York. The date he left Fort Worth was August 10, 1859. Jace reached West Point,