See below for First Chapter of To Finish a Feud:
Ballard County, Kentucky, 1882….
Shots ring out near the courthouse in celebration as Jonas Martin is led down the old wooden steps. His arms are held up high in triumph as his family name has once again played a role in keeping the outlaw a free man. It is not the first time that Jonas has been arraigned and it will not be the last. This time it was bootlegging across county lines, a recent and growing activity of the Martin clan.
As he hops down the steps of the courthouse, there are no fewer than twenty members of the Martins waiting for his arrival, weapons raised in victory as pellets screech through the air. The notorious Martin family claims this part of Kentucky for themselves, with only the Bailey family bold enough to try and stand in their way.
Across the dusty street stands Shamus, Patriarch of the Bailey family. A tall, thin man with a long jaw covered by a scraggly beard, can do nothing but watch as justice is once again trampled on by the Martins. They even have control of the local judges now, and that can spell out nothing less than complete lawlessness, considers Shamus. It is time to put an end to this.
Shamus, with a couple of his brothers in tow, walks across the dirt road that separates him and Jonas Martin. He stands there staring at the man who should be hanging from a rope right now, but instead is trotting around like he is king of the world. Jonas stops in his tracks when he sees Shamus, who is now only a few feet away from him and closing in fast. But before Shamus can say a word, the leader of the Martin clan, Calladeus Martin, steps in between the two men.
Calladeus smiles at Shamus and says, “You look like a man with somethin’ on his mind, Bailey. Let me give ya’ some advice, if ya know what is best for ya’, y’all turn right back around and just keep walkin’.”
“We aint ‘fraid of you or any of these swine you call a family,” Shamus says in reply.
Hearing this insult to their family name, several of the Martins start gathering around and egging on Calladeus to do something about this affront to their honor. “Well, that sounds a lot like fightin’ words, Bailey,” replies Calladeus loud enough for everyone to hear. “I think you’re gonna’ regret sayin’ that.”
“Your time runnin’ this county is comin’ to an end, Martin. I’m gonna’ make sure of that.”
After saying this, Shamus and his brothers turn around and begin walking back across the street to where they have their horses tied up on a post in front of the local mercantile.
Another shot rings out, just one shot, but Shamus felt it before he heard it. Looking down and seeing his white shirt turning dark red as the bullet that entered his back has punched a hole straight through the middle of his chest. As he falls to the ground, the last thing he hears are shots ringing out from every direction as blackness overtakes him and he exhales his last breath.
Shots pour out from both sides. Bodies begin falling and screams can be heard in every direction. The remainder of the Martin clan, grab their dead and wounded, quickly mount their horses, and ride off before anyone can point a finger at who has fired the shot that killed Shamus Bailey. Nervous townsfolk and shop owners who had just moments before ducked for cover are now coming out of their hiding places and taking stock of the carnage. Everyone knows that someone in the Martin clan has fired the shot that has just killed Shamus Bailey, but none will be bold enough to say what has really happened.
As the last of the Martins made their way out of town, Sheriff Griffin and his deputies ride up as the townsfolk gather around. The Sheriff walks over to the now deceased Shamus Bailey and bends over to see the bullet wound for himself. He stands up and looks around and the town that was alive moments ago with fury becomes deathly quiet.
“Who done this?” Sheriff Griffin shouts. All turn away… with the exception of the Bailey brothers.
“It was them Martins!” they exclaim
“I don’t be seein’ any Martins ‘round here, Bailey. I reckon y’all best clean up your mess and gettin’ on with your business.”
Knowing there would be no justice today, the Bailey brothers place Shamus on the back of their wagon and pack up the rest of their family to head out of town.
Thus begins… the Martin/Bailey feud.