Mary Jackson - Testimony: Gods Deliverance

Story of Jace Tanner

From the time Jace was born to manhood and how his life progressed through civil war and how he became a federal marshal, the events that followed as he hunted the outlaws who killed his wife and how he helped bring justice to Casa Grande, Arizona.

Chapter 8

Jace left Georgetown at first light around six oclock and headed to Austin. When Jace arrived, he rode straight to Johns office. Dismounting, he tied his horse to the hitch rail and walked into the office.

Good morning, John.

Morning, Jace. What brings you up into this part of the country?

Not a social call, John. We need to talk.

Marshal Sams said, Lets go over to Delmoncos and get some lunch and talk.

They sat down at a table to be waited on. Marshal Sams asked, What is on your mind, son?

I am going to tell you straight out. Nancy was killed a week ago. She was expecting our baby. She was four months along. I had gone to Waco to deliver a prisoner, and when I got back four days later, my deputy told me that she had been gunned down on our front porch. The man who killed her is Jack Montell, wanted for murder and robbery in at least three states. Jace told John, I am going after him and his gang. After he shot Nancy, he mounted up, and two other men rode out with him. My deputy, Bill Taylor, will keep peace in Georgetown. John, I trust Bill to do his job. Marshal, I wanted you to know before I pulled out.

Before you go, Jace, come over to my office, and I will get a warrant for Montell and his gang.

Jace said, I will bring them back sitting up in the saddle to meet the hangman or strapped across their saddle for boot hill. One way or the other, I will get them.

They both left Delmoncos and went over to the office. Ten minutes later, Marshal Sams handed the warrants to Marshal Tanner; he stuck the warrants in his vest pocket. As Jace left the office, he shook hands with John. The last words said to Jace, John said, Ride easy and be safe. Find them, Jace boy.

With all that said, Jace mounted up, turned his horse west, and rode out. Marshal Tanner rode across Texas into New Mexico, stopping at Hobbs, and rode up to the sheriffs office. Jace dismounted, walked into the jail, and introduced himself. I am a federal US marshal. The name is Jace Tanner. I am down from Austin, Texas. Marshal Tanner reached into his inside pocket of his vest and showed the wanted poster to the sheriff. Have you seen this man?

Sheriff Owen said, No, but I do have posters on him. I know he is not wanted in New Mexico as of now.

Marshal Tanner said, He is wanted in three states for murder and robbery.

Ill keep an eye out for him, Marshal.

Jace left Hobbs and headed to Casa Grande, Arizona. Marshal Tanner had ridden for several days. He was camped about five miles out of Casa Grande. Early sun was bright and hot. Jace had some hard tack and coffee to eat, then saddled up and ready to leave when he saw four cowboys riding toward him. A thought came to the marshal, Maybe one of these cowboys may have seen Jack . With the sun in his face, Jace didnt realize he was facing Jack Montell and his gang.

From a short distance, one of the ridders said, Jack, that is a lawman. They saw the reflection of the sun on his badge. The day before, they had robbed a bank and killed a teller and one of the customers. The robbery and murder had taken place at Ironwood, Arizona. The outlaws pulled their guns and started shooting as they rode toward Jace. Marshal Tanner pulled his forty-five and fired back. Jace thought that he had shot one of the riders but wasnt sure as he took aim to fire again. Jace felt a hard hit in his upper right chest, then a burning in his right shoulder. He was starting to get dizzy, then passing out as he fell from his horse.

It may have been an hour or more as he began to come too. Jace opened his eyes. He felt as if the world had fell on him. Everything was blurred. The sun hurt his eyes; he couldnt see a thing. Jaces head and shoulder really hurt a lot. He had been shot in his right shoulder. Blood was slowly dripping form the wound in his shoulder. His eyes cleared enough to look around to see where he was at. He saw one cowboy lying dead on the ground and two horses ground hitched. Jace tried to stand, was still pretty dizzy, and nearly passed out. He started walking toward a horse. Close to the horse lying on the ground was a colt (gun). Jace bent down to pick it up and put it in his holster. He looked around again and realized he was close to a cemetery. He made it to his horse, barely got in the saddle. His aim was to find help and get patched up. There has got to be a town close by , he thought, and hopefully with a doctor . Jace knew that he was hurt bad; he tried to spur his horse on and stay conscious. To help himself stay conscious, he bent forward in his saddle. Jace was semiconscious, trying to keep from passing out. As Jace started up the trail, again dizziness over took him, and he slid from his saddle unconscious.

Chapter 10

The sheriff said, Lets get back to town. I have some more question to ask my prisoner.

Back in Dr. Stones office and clinic, Tom asked Jace if he had fallen from his horse over by the cabin or the tree over by the cemetery.

As I told you, Sheriff, I am not really sure. Jace thought about the pool of blood. He told the sheriff, It could be mine. I think it was over by the cemetery when the first bullet hit me. When I fell, something hot hit me in the head. When I woke up, my horse was beside me. I tried to mount up. I passed out and fell the second time. The next thing I remember is when I woke up in the bed of the wagon. When I got my eyes open good, I was looking into the face of a very handsome woman.

Ann said to Tom, Dr. Stone needs to tend to his wound.

The prisoner looked at the sheriff and weakly said, I am getting weaker and tired of talking. Looks and feels like you are trying to talk me to death. I need some medical attention, and then we will talk if I can remember anything more.

The sheriff asked, One more thing, do you know where you are?

Yes, Casa Grande, Arizona. Ms. Thorpe told me some time back. I do have a strong feeling that I am no outlaw.

Ann looked at Tom and said, I dont think he is an outlaw either.

Tom looked at his prisoner and said, I think that you are a member of the Crenshaw gang.

Before Graff could say anymore, Jace passed out from the ether that Dr. Stone gave him. Stone asked them all to leave the room, but he asked Ann to stay and help him.

Three hours later, Jace woke up and talked to Ann. Then Sheriff Graff came in and said to Jace, I think that you are in on the bank robbery that day in Tucson. There were witnesses to the hold up and murder of two bank customers. Faces of the robbers were seen. They did not wear masks because it was the Crenshaw gang. For all I know, you are one of the gang, unless I am proven wrong. Some of the witnesses got a good close up look at their faces. Since the doc got you patched up, you will have plenty of time to heal. So when we catch your friends, all four of you will hang after your trial and found guilty. All four of you will be hanged. You say that you might be a peace officer, if so, how would you handle this problem?

The same as you are doing, Sheriff.

Graff said, Once more, let me get you to understand what I am saying to you. The leader of your gang, his body is over at the undertakers.

Who might that be? asked Jace.

Tom said, Butch Crenshaw. Sheriff Graff asked again, Now, who are you? Are you a member of the Crenshaw bunch? Who are the four that got away? Tell me the truth, and I will try to keep you from hanging.