Texas Freedom! by Ross Dana Fuller

Author:Ross, Dana Fuller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Western stories, Pioneers -- Fiction, Historical fiction, Pioneers, Texas, Texas -- History -- Fiction
ISBN: 9780786028177
Publisher: New York : Pinnacle Books
Published: 2012-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Freedom Train Begins Journey

Readers of this newspaper have been made aware by previous articles, herein printed, of the plans of Mr. Justin Good, a lawyer of the community, to start a new free state. For the journey, Mr. Good has assembled some two hundred and fifty believers, plus a wagon train consisting of seventy-six units. He calls the train the Freedom Train.

In order to make his venture successful, Mr. Good, in addition to seeking political support in the halls of the national congress and state legislature, will have with him one hundred thousand dollars in gold. This money will be used as seed money to establish the new government, of which he identifies himself as Governor Pro Tern.

The Freedom Train, which consists of seventy-six wagons has well over two hundred

pilgrims, and has drawn men and women of prominence, among them, Ian McKenzie, a businessman who is well known in Austin for his honesty and willingness to help others.

He will also have, as one of the pioneers of his enterprise. Captain Paul Nelson. Captain Nelson, most readers will recognize, is a genuine hero of Texas, being the last to leave the Alamo, later to fight at San Jacinto, the battle which secured for us our independence from Mexico, and more recently, a veteran of the Mexican-American war. Captain Nelson had long been a member of the Texas Rangers, leaving that organization to become a deputy United States marshal, only when that body was disbanded. He has now resigned that position in order to go off on this new adventure.

There is no doubt but the presence of these two stalwart gentlemen in Mr. Good’s enterprise will attract others who are eager for adventure, and anxious to better their lot.

San Saba, Texas—June 21, 1848

The stagecoach from Austin brought not only passengers, but a few newspapers as well. One of the newspapers found its way into the hands of Frank Hardin, who was, at the time, enjoying a beer in the La Cabeza del Toro saloon.

Frank Hardin read the article about the Freedom Train with great interest. He was especially engrossed by one part of the story.

In order to make his venture successful, Mr.

Good, in addition to seeking political support

in the halls of the national congress and state legislature, will have with him, one hundred thousand dollars in gold. This money will be used as seed money to establish the new government, of which he identifies himself as Governor Pro Tern.

One hundred thousand dollars was a lot of money, enough money to tempt Hardin. The same article had also mentioned that Paul Nelson would be a member of the wagon train party, and Hardin found that just as tempting.

Hardin folded the paper over and smiled broadly. If, somehow, he could rob that wagon train and kill Nelson in the process, he could leave Texas and go east somewhere, perhaps Philadelphia, or New York, or Boston. He would have enough money to live like a king for the rest of his life.

But it was much easier to think about than to do.

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