My first perception of lawmen in the old west was from the television show Gunsmoke. Marshal Dillion always got his man and Miss Kitty was always there to help and pour him a drink. As a girl I often wondered what I would be if I lived in the old west--a farmer's wife or a dance hall girl like Miss Kitty. Of course I didn't have a clue what girls in saloons did.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Marshal and a Sheriff? I have and while writing
My Heart Will Find Yours, I decided it was time to find out. A sheriff is an elected official of the county, and a marshal is an appointed officer, either federal or state. A marshal covered a large territory and deputy marshals were placed under his command. A town could also appoint a Marshall and often deputized men to form a posse.
Typically, a sheriff would want o keep his constituents happy. And on occasion wealthy ranchers helped someone get elected and expected favors in return. How many movies have we seen where the town sheriff was in the pockets of the guys trying to take small landowner's land, tear down fences or run off homesteaders? Who did the town call on if the sheriff was crooked. A state or federal marshal.
Here is a blurb of the short time travel in PDF Format,
A Marshal of Her Own. I'll be giving away a copy to one person who comments and
leaves their email address.
Despite
rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter
Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in
2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery
that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the
Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.
Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade
is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she
knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke
Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own,
and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.
Excerpt:
Dessa stood still and watched
as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation.Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg
was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she
made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in
his eye froze her in place.
“He needs first aid.”
“He’s fine. The Doc will tend
to him when we get to the jail.”
“You could at least call 911
and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with
his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die
on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”
“Lady, no one is going to
hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand
not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you
blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”
Her head swam for a moment,
and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep
gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not
to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are
you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold
blood.”
He looked
at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are
talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this
county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”
My newest time travel is Birdie's Nest. It's available at
Don't forget to leave me a comment to be entered in my drawing as well as the grand prize drawing. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
Use this link to return to Cowboy Charm so you can continue your journey.
Good luck and Happy Reading and Writing!
Linda
www.lindalaroque.com
