J. Richmond
This story is about a young man named Joel McKenzie, who became involved in the movement to push the Seminole Indians out of the Southeastern United States.
It is a story of fiction but involves a lot of historical facts and characters such as Osceola, whom many do not know had an English father. Also, Zachary Taylor, who was briefly involved in the Seminole war and who would later become President of the United States.
Joel will learn much about dueling from the intrepid Taylor. Joel will also learn about Osceola and the two will become great friends. Throughout this adventure, a life long enemy, Billy Boyle, whose unscrupulous dealings include thievery, and even murder, will plague Joel. Because of Boyle’s evil and devious way, Joel will make a vow to himself that he will track down and capture or kill this one who has caused so much trouble for so many. A journey that will take him into Florida where one, if not well versed in the ways of the swamp, could loose his life by falling into quicksand or being bitten by poisonous snakes. A journey that will take him along the rivers and beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and finally into New York City.
Jay Richmond was born August 27, 1934 to Ural and Elizabeth Richmond, who lived near a little town called Saffeu, Arkansas, in the County of Lawrence. He is the second of five children, four boys and one girl.
His father was a farmer and Jay helped work that farm until about the age of fifteen. He thought there must be an easier way to make a living, so he quit the farm and worked at sawmills and various other jobs. When he was eighteen, he got a job driving a truck and has been driving commercial trucks ever since, either for himself or others.
In 1981, he had the misfortune of breaking a leg, and while recuperating there was not much to do but read.
It was during this time that he decided to write a story of his own, and although it has taken about 25 years, at last here is a good story for those who like adventure, love, and action.
It was well past noon when Joel rode into Wilmington. He took Blue Boy to the livery stable and told the stable hand to give him a good feed and rub down. His father would pick him up the next time he was in town. Joel found himself wishing he could take Blue Boy along, but knew there would be times when he couldn’t be properly cared for. Realizing this Joel shouldered his pack which consisted of one blanket, a sewing kit, a frying pan, one change of clothes, a wooden plate and a few other necessities. He figured by the time they stopped by the general store to buy supplies, his pack would weigh about thirty pounds, which he knew he could mange easily. When he came into view of Long’s Tavern he could see a large crowd milling about. Joel soon spied Ben in the crown, sought him out, and asked what was going on. Ben replied that Mr. Long had been robbed and murdered by Billy Boyle and five other thugs.
“How do they know it was Billy?”
“Charley Love, a farmer, was delivering a side of beef to Long’s when he pulled up in back and heard loud voices. Suspiciously, he peered through the window and could see Boyle and the others cursing and threatening Long. Charlie said Boyle told Long they were leaving Wilmington, needed money for supplies, and knew Long had plenty of money and that he meant to have some of it.”
“How do you know all of this Ben?”
“I heard Love telling Constable Walters just how it all happened.”
“Go on, tell me more.”
“Well, Love says Mr. Long tells them he only has about twenty dollars, but that they are welcome to it. That’s when Boyle tore loose to cussin’ again, kicked over a table then turned around and spit in Long’s face.”
“Then what happened?”
“Long hit him, knocked him clear ‘cross the room. Then grabbed Tom Straughn and put the squeeze on him. One of the others hit Long with a chair but he didn’t pay attention to that, he just went ahead shaking ol’ Tom around like a rag doll. Billy regained some of his senses, jumped up pulled his knife and stabbed Long five times in the back!”
“Did they all get away?”
“Naw, ol’ Tom is still in there, and he ain’t goin’ nowhere except maybe to bust hell wide open. Long had such a grip on Tom that he broke his neck. We had to break one of his arms to get him loose. Shore was a stinkin’ mess too.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It seems Tom was scared so bad he crapped all over the place before he died. Huh, serves him right for trying to take something that don’t belong to him.”
“How many of them are there now?”
“Five,” replied Ben.
“Do you know who they are?”
“Love says he recognized Billy, Tom and Ralph Burgen but don’t know who the other three are.”
Joel remembered the fight years ago when Billy and two other boys tried to rob him. He had found out later on one of the boys was Ralph Burgen and considered himself fortunate that Ben came along just in time or he may have been seriously hurt. Ben was a friend indeed and Joel told him so right there on the spot. Ben just shrugged his massive shoulders and said, “Aw, I just figured I’d even up the odds a little.”
