In the Shadow of the Alamo

About the Book

Joy Pettigrew and Harry Honeycutt met under difficult circumstances. Joe has just become an orphan at age thirteen. Harry had left his affluent home in Chicago to find excitement. Each was knowledgeable about some things, but ignorant about others. A strong bond was formed. They just want to be left alone to raise quality horses, but it seems that was not to be. With a slight change in strategy they put an end to the attempts on Joe´s life.

They ride fast and they ride far. All the while testing the horses, all the while keeping an eye out for a better mare to add to their growing herd.

Harry Honeycutt turned twenty one and rebelled against his banker father in Chicago. He went south looking for adventure. He did not stop until he arrived in Oakville, Texas. He found a company of Texas Rangers and they accepted him. Joe Pettigrew was born and lived all his thirteen years at the family ranch near Catarina, Texas. Joe´s father had been a school teacher in Boston before changing his life´s work to cattle ranching. Joe learned many things from his father´s large library. Joe´s mother, was a Mexican woman and she taught him much about the Mexican way of life and a good deal about the Indians in Texas.

When Harry met Joe they liked each other from the start. Harry was out of his element. He was well educated, but this was along the lines of banking and law. He knew almost nothing about cattle and horses. Joe, on the other hand knew just about all a young lad could know about the ranching life.

In eighteen- forty the battle of the Alamo was four year old history. Feeling still ran high on both sides. The lack of an agreement as to the Border between Mexico and Texas was further cause of unrest.

As if that wasn´t enough some people were taking advantage of the rapid changes and trying to obtain title to large ranches. Thus Joe became an orphan and vowed to avenge the death of his parents. Thus began a three year quest and the two young men were relentless.

The rode many miles and they rode fast horses. Joe´s ambition was to raise good quality horses. Almost without really trying the long fast rides eliminated the weak animals and the best horses were those that could take the pace and bounce back for more.

Joe rebuilt the family home place with the help of friends and his many cousins. At any moment they might come under attack. It was obvious that someone wanted Joe dead. With him out of the way his family ranch would be easy pickings. Joe rode west to the Pecos river in search of Mustang mares to start his breeding program. He had help and they caught many Mustangs, but Joe culled out most. He brought back a few of those that showed promise.

Just about the time things were going good another hired killer would try his luck at earning the blood money. That was a big mistake on their part.

About the Author

Like many men my age I was raised in the country and moved to the city right out of high school. I was seventeen years old and took employment with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in San Antonio. I enlisted in the Navy, just before turning eighteen to avoid the draft. After boot camp I opted for Submarine School. My navy records show seventeen months sea duty, all aboard the USS Proteus AS 19. The Proteus has been retired now, as have I.