Six Men Dead - Part 1

© 2011 (by Jim Sularz) (The true story of Frank Eaton – AKA “Pistol Pete”) At the headwaters of the Red Woods Branch, near a gentle slope on a dusty trail. On an iron gate, at the Twin Mounds cemetery, a bouquet of dry sunflowers flail. In a grave, still stirs, is a father’s heart, that beats now to avenge his death. Six times, murdered by cold blooded killers, six men branded for a son’s revenge …. Rye whiskey and cards, they rode fast and hard, the four Campsey’s and the Ferber’s. With malicious intent, they were all Hell bent to commit a loving father’s murder. When the gunsmoke had cleared, all their faces were seared, in the bleeding soul of a grieving son. Ain’t nothin’ worse, than a father’s curse, to fill a boy with brimstone and Hell fire! Young Eaton yearned and soon would learn, the fine art of slinging lead. Why, he could shoot the wings off a buzzin’ horsefly, from twenty paces, lickety split! Slightly crossed eyed, Frank had a hog-killin’ time, at a Fort Gibson shootin’ match. Upside down, straight-on and leanin’ backwards, he out-shot every expert in pistol class. By day’s end when the scores were tallied, Frank meant to prove at that shootin’ meet. That he would claim the name of the truest gun, and they dubbed him - “Pistol Pete.” In fact, Pistol Pete was half boy, half bloodhound, a wild-cat with two 45’s strapped on. In District Cooweescoowee - bar none, he was the fastest shot around! Pistol Pete knew his dreaded duty had now arrived, to hunt down those who killed his Pa. He vowed those varmints would never see, a necktie party, a court of law. Where a man is known by his buckskin totem, in hallowed Cherokee land. There, frontier justice and Native pride, help deal a swift and heavy hand. Pete was quick on the trail of a killer, just south of Webber’s Falls. Shannon Champsey was a cattle rustler, a horse thief, and a scurvy dog! Pete ponied up and held his shot, to let Shannon first make a move. The next time he’d blinked, would be Shannon’s last, to Hell he’d make his home. With snarlin’ teeth and spittin’ venom, Pete struck fast like a rattlesnake. Two bullets to the chest in rapid fire, was Shannon’s last breath he’d partake. Pete galloped away, hot on the next trail, left Shannon there for a vulture's meal. Notched his guns, below a moon chasing sun, and one wound to his soul congealed. (Continued on Part 2)