General Fiction posted January 17, 2025 | Chapters: |
2 3 -4- 5... ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Empty handed but in victory.
A chapter in the book Lawmen
The long way home
by Charles D Ezell

I sat and drank the beer he ordered while listening to how for the past two years he was in and out of Mexico selling wild cattle and could have not killed anyone. In fact, he had his hat in the ring to run for Town Marshal in Pecos.
I said, "well, one of our general stores owners says otherwise. He claims you bought a shirt and a belt around the time the murder took place."
"It is not true. I admit I was in your county and did buy those items, but the man is wrong about the time. Like I said, for the past two years, I have been where I said. And have witnesses to prove it."
Miller motioned for a woman who sat with customers and told her to fetch a person called Juan.
The man was Mexican and spoke broken English but enough to understand Miller was telling the truth.
Perplex was hardly the word as I sat pondering if the store owner had his day and time mixed up. I knew the old storekeeper and considered his age could have things wrong.
Miller remarked, "Marshal, you have come a long way for nothing, I admit killing my share of men but none in your county. In two weeks, I will know if I have won the bid for Town Marshal in Pecos or not. If I am Marshal, I will send proof to your county of my innocence. Is that fair enough?"
I sat finishing the last of the beer realizing the man had given me much to consider. I asked,
"Is there a telegraph in this town? I need to let my superior know about this."
"Outside and across the road to your right. Two buildings down. Tell Marty who you are, and I sent you. He will send it."
I followed the instructions and sent the wire asking what to do? To my surprise, the response was closed. "Void the pursuit, man confessed, come home, Stay safe."
I walked back to Miller's saloon and told him about my message. His response was a smile and a hardy handshake.
I said, "Well, got all that cleared up. I wish you the best in your election. No doubt you will make a good town marshal."
I left the town in much better weather than when I started. The sun was high noon and I had miles yet to travel.
Miller, was man of question and the first of my meeting such. I suspected he was everything said about him, and glad neither of us need to prove our skills.
I said, "well, one of our general stores owners says otherwise. He claims you bought a shirt and a belt around the time the murder took place."
"It is not true. I admit I was in your county and did buy those items, but the man is wrong about the time. Like I said, for the past two years, I have been where I said. And have witnesses to prove it."
Miller motioned for a woman who sat with customers and told her to fetch a person called Juan.
The man was Mexican and spoke broken English but enough to understand Miller was telling the truth.
Perplex was hardly the word as I sat pondering if the store owner had his day and time mixed up. I knew the old storekeeper and considered his age could have things wrong.
Miller remarked, "Marshal, you have come a long way for nothing, I admit killing my share of men but none in your county. In two weeks, I will know if I have won the bid for Town Marshal in Pecos or not. If I am Marshal, I will send proof to your county of my innocence. Is that fair enough?"
I sat finishing the last of the beer realizing the man had given me much to consider. I asked,
"Is there a telegraph in this town? I need to let my superior know about this."
"Outside and across the road to your right. Two buildings down. Tell Marty who you are, and I sent you. He will send it."
I followed the instructions and sent the wire asking what to do? To my surprise, the response was closed. "Void the pursuit, man confessed, come home, Stay safe."
I walked back to Miller's saloon and told him about my message. His response was a smile and a hardy handshake.
I said, "Well, got all that cleared up. I wish you the best in your election. No doubt you will make a good town marshal."
I left the town in much better weather than when I started. The sun was high noon and I had miles yet to travel.
Miller, was man of question and the first of my meeting such. I suspected he was everything said about him, and glad neither of us need to prove our skills.
Over the next couple of years, Miller traveled the TexasâÂÂMexico border region and operated a saloon in San Saba County. In Reeves County, Miller became a deputy sheriff and later town marshal in Pecos. During this time, he gained a reputation for killing Mexicans, claiming that they had been attempting to escape.[1]
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 





You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2025. Charles D Ezell All rights reserved.
Charles D Ezell has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.