Six Men Dead - Part 3

© 2011 (by Jim Sularz) (The true story of Frank Eaton – AKA “Pistol Pete”) At nearly twenty-one, Pete knew he may have out-run, his luck as the fastest gun. This would be the ultimate test of his shootin’ finesse, only a fool would stay to be outgunned. But Pistol Pete weren’t no liver lilly, and he loaded up his 45’s. He rode into town with steely nerves, maybe no one, would come out alive! Pete knocked through that swingin’ bar-room door, Wiley stood there with a possum eating grin. He said, “Hey there kid, who the Hell are you?” and Pete shouted, “Frank Eaton! You killed my kin!” All four men drew quick, with guns a’ blazing, Wiley got plugged first from two 45’s. The bar-room crowd dispersed in a wild stampede, everywhere, ricochetin’ slugs whizzed by! When the shootin’ had stopped, there was just one man standin’ all four men got plugged, includin’ Pete. But only a shot-up boy rode out of town that day, and a Father’s curse, that played out complete – was a bitter mistress to bury…. At the headwaters of the Red Woods Branch, near a gentle slope on a dusty trail. On an iron gate, at the Twin Mounds cemetery, a bouquet of morning glories flail. In a grave, still deep, is a father’s heart, that lays quiet in a peaceful sleep. And six men dead, who now burn instead, compliments of Pistol Pete!