Justice at Sundown Gulch

By Larry Beauchamp

A small group of pioneers from Alabama looked forward to California to fulfill their hopes of a good life and prosperity in California. Against her better judgment, Alice Snider agreed to take the family on the long, dangerous trip. All was well until they encountered a group of carpetbaggers led by a sadistic leader, Sgt. John McClemmey. His small group of three men were responsible for rape and murder among those in the wagon train. One of the Sniders’ children, Jimmy, had grown fond of another traveler. She was beautiful and the first one to be attacked by one of the carpetbaggers. Jimmy swore he would kill them for what they did to her. After the wagon master was killed by the carpetbaggers, James Snider went with the group as far as Beaumont, Texas. From there, he took his family to Humble, Texas. Annie and her mother went with them as her husband had been killed by the carpetbaggers. As Jimmy grew, he married Annie. A hard worker and diligent to detail, he was made a deputy sheriff and eventually a Texas ranger. One of his assignments was to bring Sgt. McClemmey’s gang in—dead or alive. Seeing her chance to avenge the one who had raped her, Annie went with Jimmy to Sundown Gulch, a ghost town, where the gang was holed up. When she had the opportunity to kill the man, she used his words to trap him. Then they had the others to deal with…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886857528

Book preview

cover.jpg

Justice at Sundown Gulch

Larry Beauchamp

ISBN 979-8-88685-751-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-431-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88685-752-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Larry Beauchamp

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.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Preface

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

About the Author

Preface

The old West—a brutal place to try to work out a living on the dry, unforgiving land. To add to the settler's burden, certain men chose to raid, loot, and kill for their livelihood especially following the War of Northern Aggression. Such men were called carpetbaggers.

Without conscience or remorse, they supplied their needs by drawing from the labors of others. Whole families could be slaughtered and not be found for a week or a month—or ever.

This book contains some graphic scenes but not explicit descriptions—the difference being I present the event but do not elaborate on the details of what occurred. I leave it up to the imagination of the reader to fill in the details if they so desire.

These graphic scenes are essential for the development of the plot and drawing it to a conclusion.

Prologue

The day had started warm as was usual for a July day in Texas, and judging by the sun, it was probably close to 10:00 a.m. James Snider had just finished plowing a row in the hard, dry dirt. He pulled on the reins to stop his only mule, Oscar, from turning to begin a new row. Oscar looked back at his owner as if hoping it was an early end to the day's work. James took a bandanna out of his back pocket and began to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Suddenly James jerked his head back and reached for something that had hit him in the back. It had to have been one of his kids playing around and threw a dirt clod at him, or maybe they had done it to get his attention for something. He wondered what it was as he fell face down on the hard ground. His head turned to his right, and he lay still with glazing eyes staring toward his homestead.

1

These men were called carpetbaggers.

It was the year 1867. The War of Northern Aggression had been over for two years. Most of the men who survived the war did one of two things: They either returned to their families to continue their role as son, husband, father, provider, or protector. Others drifted and stole or killed to get what they wanted. It was a hard time in which to live—especially for anyone who had supported the South in the war effort.

Some of the men who had lived in the north but stayed in the south after the war were looting, harassing, and killing people with wanton disregard. These men were called carpetbaggers. They were most feared of men because of their ruthlessness and cruelty.

*****

Following the war, James Snider returned to his home in Clarke County, Alabama, to his wife, Alice, and four children: Lucas, age thirteen; Susan, age ten; Little Jimmy, age nine; and Linda, age two.

James was a handsome man who stood six feet tall. He enlisted with the First Mobile Volunteers and was well-known in his regiment because of his superior shooting skill. This skill was taught him as a young man growing up on a farm to help the family put meat on the table.

His broad shoulders and narrow waist bespoke of a man well acquainted with labor. Though his arms were not large, they held the strength of two normal men. James had not been in the service long when the company he was assigned to, Company G, Third Alabama Infantry Regiment, was converted to artillery service and called the Montgomery (Alabama) True Blues Artillery Battery. His duties included loading the twelve-pound projectiles into the cannon.

James did not serve in the Confederacy to fight against slavery but to preserve the individual state's rights to govern themselves. In the area in which he was raised, no one was able to afford slaves and the responsibility of housing and feeding them which came along with it. His personal opinion was that no man ought to be able to own another human being.

His personality was pleasant and his disposition easygoing. He loved his family first and foremost and did his best to provide for their needs.

Lucas was a tall, lanky boy. His appearance betrayed the strength he possessed. Even before his father had gone off to war, he had been helping around the house. During the war, he literally had to become the man of the house, doing the chores which his father normally did. He had his father's deep brown eyes and his mother's golden-wheat-colored hair. He had a quiet disposition like his father, but he could take on the best of the boys who lived around them whenever they felt like scrapping.

Susan had her mother's beauty—crystal blue eyes framed by shoulder-length blond hair. James loved all his children, but Susan held a special place in his heart. She was born on a cold November night just weeks before James went off to war. Alice's labor pains escalated so quickly there was no time to go into the settlement for the doctor. James saddled his horse and rode the three miles to the Sanderson's place to see if Elsie Sanderson could come and help deliver the baby. Actually, James did not want her to help. He wanted her to deliver the baby while he was in the next room. Within fifteen minutes of Elsie's arrival, the baby started coming. Immediately Elsie saw a problem which could be dangerous for the baby and deadly for Alice. Elsie whispered a prayer for God to intervene and save the child and, if possible, Alice also.

James had been pacing the floor in the living area when he heard the cry of his newborn child. Soon Elsie brought the baby out and told James, It's a girl. I did all I could for Alice, but she is in a bad way, James. I don't know if she is going to make it or not. Only the Lord is going to see her through this if she lives.

James took the baby as tears began to roll down his face. He said, My sweet baby. I will name you after your mother, Alice Susan, so I can remember her each time I look at you.

Elsie went back into the bedroom to tend to Alice. Alice had developed a fever and seemed to be in a coma although Elsie did not know that for sure. She may have just been deeply asleep.

Elsie nursed Alice all night, continually wiping her forehead and shoulders with cool water. About 5:30 the next morning, Alice opened her eyes and said, Where's my baby? Is it all right?

Sweet Jesus, Elsie said. Yes, honey, your little girl is fine, and you will be too now that your fever has broken.

Little Jimmy was named after his father and enjoyed life on the farm. He especially liked chasing chickens, just being a kid, and playing with their two dogs named Dog and Bones.

He was average build for his age and had brown hair and brown eyes. He was rambunctious and got in trouble at least once a day for pestering his older sister.

Linda was a pretty little child with blond hair and blue eyes. She was a happy child and provided the family with a great deal of enjoyment. Her smile was contagious. She was a two-year-old, for sure, but she was already being taught to help her mama around the house by picking things up and putting things away.

Alice was a true Southern beauty. She was compassionate, generous, and loved her family. She had the type of figure which made the single men turn and stare and made many a married man dare turn and stare knowing he was going to get punched in his ribs by his wife.

Alice was from Washington County, Alabama, which is the next county to Clarke on the southwest side. She and James had met at a stock auction at Monroeville in Monroe County, Alabama.

Alice had accompanied her father, Thomas Johnson, on the trip just to go somewhere besides Chatom, which was the nearest town to their homestead. James had gone to get a breeding bull but found more than he hoped for.

As James was walking around one of the bulls he was interested in bidding on, he accidentally bumped into someone. He looked up and said, Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to… That was as far as he got because his eyes had moved from the man to the beautiful young lady at his side. She had to be the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen. His heart had been taken.

Over the next year, most of their communication was by mail; however, James was able to go courting a few times. On one of those occasions, he spoke with Mr. Johnson about marrying his daughter.

Well, Mr. Johnson said. What do you have to offer her, Mr. James Snider?

Well, sir, I can offer her my undying love and all that I will ever possess.

Does that include the moon? Mr. Johnson asked.

Ah, sir? James said. The moon?

Oh, never mind, James. The wife and I have already discussed the matter, and we feel it would be better to give you her hand in marriage rather than the two of you running off and getting married.

Now James and Alice had been married eleven years and were happy on their small farm, but over the last few months, James had been talking to Alice about how everyone was going out West to claim open land and make a new beginning. Alice usually never said anything in reply, and when she did, it was usually, I don't know, James. We're happy here.

2

James, you've sold our farm?

James had gathered the family around the supper table one night and said, I want to talk to y'all about something. Now I've given this a whole bunch of thought, your ma and me have talked a lot about it, and I think it's something we should do. I was in town the other day, and a few of the men were talking about the opportunities for people to get free sections of land where they could build nice farms and grow several different crops instead of just raising corn like we do on our few acres.

But, James, Alice said. We are established here. We have family and friends here. Our children go to school here, and they have friends. Then there's the church and all our friends there.

Yes, I know, but our farm is small, and we are hardly surviving. The men in town said a lot of people are heading toward Central Texas and beyond. Some are even going as far as California. I have already gotten a buyer for our farm here, and we could—

James, you've sold our farm? asked Alice with shock in her voice.

Of course not, Alice. I wouldn't do that without y'all knowing about it. I just said I have a buyer, and I believe he is offering us a very fair price, James replied.

I don't know, James. I'm not sure this is the thing we should do, Alice said doubtfully.

James looked around the table at his wife and children and said, Well, it's not something we have to decide tonight. We can all think about it for a few days. I guess we ought to get to bed. We can talk about it later.

*****

After James and the boys did their morning chores around the farm, James went to find Alice. He found her hanging clothes on the line outside at the back of their house.

Alice, I'm going into town for a few supplies. I'll be back by supper, James told her and kissed her with the passionate kiss of a couple who had only been married a few months.

As he began walking away, Alice said, All right, but be careful. The neighbors said there has been talk about carpetbaggers being sighted in the area.

I'll be careful. You may want to keep that shotgun close at hand, he said. He went into the barn and saddled their only horse. When they bought the horse, Little James said that since he was the youngest man of the house, he should get to name it.

All right, Little James, his father said. What do you want us to call him?

Little James put on the biggest thinking face he could muster and said, I know. Let's call him Horse.

Horse was well-suited to the family as he had a pleasant disposition especially around the children. The only time he would be a little difficult to handle was when he was spooked.

There was that time when Lucas was eleven years old. He was riding Horse when a rattlesnake coiled and put his rattles to work. Horse reared up, and Lucas slid off the back of him and hit the ground with a bone-shattering thump. Once Horse sensed what happened, he killed the snake with his razor-sharp hooves.

Susan, who had gone with James to the barn, asked, Papa, will you bring us back some hard candy?

Yes, my love. I will bring you each two pieces, he replied.

Susan was a very pretty young girl, and her smile made her beauty stand out the more. James knew one day she would smite the hearts of many male callers until she found the one she could convince to marry her.

You be good and help your ma. I'll be back by supper, James told her.

Yes, sir, Pa, Susan replied and ran back toward the house. She stopped and began handing the wet clothes to her mother, who was hanging them on the line to dry.

The Snider farm was twelve miles from the nearest settlement, and James let Horse set his own pace. The ride was enjoyable in this spring season with the trees bearing leaves, wild flowers blooming, and the air fresh and fragrant with the smell of honeysuckle.

James never went to the post office for mail because he did not know anyone who would want to write him. He and Alice's parents had been dead for some time, and they had lost contact with any other living relatives they may have had. The post office was located in the general mercantile store which was where some of the men in town gathered to talk. They would share any news they had heard from other places or from reading the occasional weeks old newspapers they were able to get their hands on.

Before James arrived at the store, he stopped and dismounted Horse next to a watering trough. He let him drink and then led him to the store's hitching post where he wrapped the reins around it several times. Horse would stay there until James came back.

Suddenly he heard a lot of loud talking and laughing. Movement to his left caught his attention, and his head naturally went toward the sound. He saw four men in scruffy looking clothes riding in the middle of the street. He looked closer to notice they wore mostly worn-out uniforms of the Union Army. The stripes and insignia had been removed from three of the coats, but there was no mistaking what the clothing was. The fourth coat, worn by the man riding in front of the group, bore the stripes of a sergeant.

They rode their horses to the saloon which was on the other side of the street from the mercantile and a few buildings down. They turned and stared at James, and he felt his blood run cold.

After what seemed like a several minutes, they finally dismounted, tied their horses to the hitching post, and went into the saloon. James felt a shiver go through his body as he stepped onto the boardwalk to go into the mercantile.

Well, well, if it ain't ole James Snider come to town, Alex Hammersmith said as James came through the open doors of the store. Dr. Hammersmith was the local sawbones and also served, somewhat, as the area veterinarian. He was in his early forties, rather plump, brown hair that hung down to his collar, serious when he had to be but otherwise was quite a jokester.

Hello, Doc, James said in acknowledgment. Henry, Fred, Sam, Clem, how you boys doing this morning?

The men nodded but kept their seats, which were placed in a semicircle, so as not to get in the way of any customers who might come in.

Oh, we're fine. We were just trying to talk Doc here into springing for some coffee over to the café, but he says business's been slow lately. Seems most folks are in good health and families are delivering their own babies, Henry said.

Henry Fillmore owned the store and operated the post office on the side. As postmaster, he was supposed to get a small check from the government every month, but normally months went by without getting a check. Henry figured that was all right because when folks came to see if they had received any mail, they would stay and do their shopping in his store instead of going to Jernigan's Dry Goods.

Stretching his arms to full length, Clem said, Well, Snider, it's good to see you. We was just talkin' about somethin' you might be interested in.

Clem Stevens was the eldest man in the group and had, at one time, been the sheriff in the settlement. Arthritis had gotten into his right hand so badly that it became dangerous for him to carry a gun and try to enforce the law. His fingers would hardly bend to draw his pistol, and since he was right-handed, he certainly could not draw with his left hand. He carried a shotgun for a while because even left-handed, you could do a lot of damage to someone if it came to that. After a while, he figured it was not worth taking chances and maybe getting into a situation where he needed speed to react but could not.

Was y'all talking about something or about me? James asked as he approached the group and sat down in a vacant chair with his back to the door.

No, no, James, Sam said. We was talking about something. Why, we got a lot more interesting things to talk about than you.

Sam Peters was the local barber, mortician, funeral director, and Baptist preacher on the first Sunday of the month.

Well, to be truthful, Sam said, looking down at the floor. I guess we was sorta talking about you. We was just saying how you had talked to that lawyer, Jerry Smithfield, about buying your farm. We was just wondering…

Before Sam could finish his sentence, James said, No, I ain't sold him my farm. All I done was talk to him. I talked to the family about selling and going out to Texas, but we ain't decided nothin' yet.

Fred spoke up. You mean you ain't told 'em you're selling?

Fred Givens was the local saddle shop and livery owner. He was taller than the other men and weighted less than any of them. He usually had a smile and was a hard worker—once these updatin' sessions were over. At least, that is what they called it while their wives said they just sat around and gossiped like old women.

James held his hands out, palms up, as a way to defend himself and said, Wait now, boys. The missus is gotta be agreeable to sellin' out before I do anything. You know what they say about mama not bein' happy.

You dang well got that right, Clem said with a grin on his face.

The men in the group began laughing and poking fun at James when all of a sudden, they stopped and took on serious expressions on their faces. Someone had just walked into the store.

3

The offer is only good until five o'clock this afternoon.

James saw the men stare at the door, which was to his back. He turned around to see a rather tall man who had to almost bend down to get through the front door. He wore a high-crown Stetson, blue shirt with a rawhide vest, jeans with a Colt .45 at his right hand which was tied down a little lower than most people wore them, and boots which looked like they had seen some hard trail. The appearance of the man unsettled James. He had never seen the man before and certainly was not aware of his intentions for coming into the store.

Good morning, gentlemen, the man said. Mr. Fillmore, it's good to see you again. Were you able to fill my supply list I gave you yesterday?

Yes, sir, Mr. Goodson. All's 'ceptin' the Arbuckle's coffee. I had some but had to send my helper to the settlement to get ten more pounds. It will be here tomorrow. What I got is stacked by the back dock so's it'd be easy to load on your wagons, Fred replied.

Good. I'll send a few men over first thing in the morning to pick up everything, Mr. Goodson said.

Ah, Mr. Goodson, sir, Clem said. This here feller is James Snider. You remember. We was tellin' you 'bout how he was sellin' his farm and movin' to Texas.

James stood up and felt dwarfed by the man. James reached his hand out, and Mr. Goodson took it in a handshake. James Snider, Mr. Goodson. Nice to make your acquaintance. But like I was tellin' these fellas, I ain't decided to sell my farm yet, and besides…

Well, Mr. Goodson said in a burly voice before James could finish. If you're going with me, you better make up your mind soon. We pull out in five days. Good day, gentlemen. Mr. Goodson touched the rim of his Stetson, turned, and walked out the front door.

James sat back down and asked, Who was that?

Who? Oh, Mr. Goodson, you mean? Fred asked.

No, I'm talking about the elf sittin' over there on the counter by the hard candy, you idjit, James said sarcastically.

Oh, well, yes… Mr. Goodson, Fred stammered. Well, you see… I mean, well, he is takin' a wagon train of folks out to the New Mexico Territory and we, well, sorta told him you were…ah, you might be interested in goin' along. I mean after all, you have been talkin' about it. Ain't that right, boys?

Each man's head bobbed up and down, asserting that was a true statement, without looking James directly in the eyes.

Yeah, Fred, James replied as he stood up again. "I been talkin' about it, but that's all. I ain't