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GREGORYALANBURHOE.COM

The Hicks Brothers

11/27/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Milt and Bill Hicks are brother bandits (and 'innocent ranchers',) and members of the Cowboys.

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Henry Hooker and Rattlesnake Bill

11/26/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Henry Hooker owns and runs the Sierra Bonita Ranch, a massive cattle ranch in Arizona stretching across three counties. Henry is a hard-working businessman and a cultural figure, always dressing like an Eastern gentleman. His ranch hosts many important events, due its size and security. Henry has had to deal with countless raids on his livestock, large or small, by the Cowboys. Since the U. S. Government has agreed to help Mexico secure the border, raids on his business have only increased. Henry is an ardent supporter of the Earp faction, eager to see the alliance of murderous bandits brought down.

"Rattlesnake Bill" is a member of the Cowboys. Tough, fearless and outspoken, he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

Lou Cooley and Harelip Charlie

11/23/2019

Louis 'Lou' Cooley is a gambler, businessman and gunslinger. He once rode with the Cowboys, raking up pillaged wealth, before being dissuaded from his association with them by Virgil. Tough and fearless, Lou feels he can handle himself in any situation. He respects the integrity of the Earps, aiding them in their struggles against the Cowboys. With sharp and focused attentiveness, he's an ideal ally in reckless times.

Charles 'Harelip Charlie' Smith is so-named due to a congenital split on his upper lip. His birth had been difficult, from which his mother later died. He grew up in tough times as an easy target, due to his cleft lip. But Harelip Charlie valued the morals of his upbringing, and grew strong in character. He became a lawman in Texas, before moving to Tombstone for the silver rush. Wyatt, who's become good friends with him, sponsors many of his mining claims. Though Harelip Charlie is not much of a gunslinger, his strength and loyalty make him a good friend and ally.

Indian CHarlie and Sherman Mcmaster

11/21/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Florentino 'Indian Charlie' Cruz is a Cowboy from both Indian and Mexican descent. He's been able to provide inside information regarding Apache raids on Tombstone, so they can better defend their friends and interests, as well as tips on Mexican ranches ideal for the Cowboys to raid. Under often-ragged attire, he dawns expensive jewelry stolen from dead Mexican and Apache leaders. Indian Charlie has also proven himself a deadly warrior, both as a knife fighter and a gunslinger.

Sherman McMaster was a Texas Ranger, before he'd witnessed enough travesty of justice to lose faith in law and order. After the arrest of Curly Bill, the witty and charismatic Cowboy leader managed to entice Sherman about a life of personal freedom and excitement. Turning his back on the system of law, Sherman set Curly Bill free and rode off to join the Cowboys. But after witnessing immoral acts that will forever haunt him, Sherman finds himself like-minded with Turkey Creek. Now he considers leaving and betraying the Cowboys to aid the Earps' efforts to bring them down.

Turkey Creek and texas jack

11/20/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

A veteran who fell on hard times, Jack "Turkey Creek" Johnson found a new family among bandits who fought against the system for their own survival. But as the Cowboys grew infamous, they became arrogant and downright viscous, throwing away huge sums of stolen cash like candy. And harming or killing on a whim. Disillusioned, Turkey Creek left the outfit, got married and became a clerk at a court. When his brother is wrongly imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, he turns to Wyatt for help.

John "Texas Jack" Vermillion is a good friend of Wyatt's. He's a religious man, yet also a gunslinger and gambler. Deeply principled, yet willing and able to fight with the best of them, he's a man Wyatt understands.

Two Franks

11/19/2019

A couple more characters from Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp.

Frank Patterson is a mouthy, flippant and shamelessly deceptive member of the Cowboys, employing a whimsical sense of humor at times. To his friends, he's welcome company. Loyal and cunning, Frank Patterson connects well with the leaders for protecting his brethren from outside threats, such as the law, by using his natural talents.

Due to his troubled youth, and parental figures who'd treated him like a loser who'd never amount to anything, Frank Stilwell always has something to prove. He's still a general troublemaker, brawler and thief. But he's also become a key figure in the Cowboys, growing rich from local investments (paid for with with rustling money.) With natural skill and much practice, Frank Stilwell has made a name for himself as a bull's-eye shot with a rifle.

Behind the writing

11/18/2019

If you're curious to learn about my experience writing Vendetta Ride, you can find it on the Behind The Writing page.

Pete Spence and pony Diehl

11/16/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Pete Spence is a wild-natured Texan who enlisted in the Texas Rangers, before taking to robbery. He finds a new home in Arizona, befriending Curly Bill and Frank Stilwell. His sharp wits, psychotic nature and sneakiness makes him a key member of the Cowboys.

Born into poverty, Pony Diehl learned how to fare for himself at a young age. He met Curly Bill when he joined the John Kinney Gang, rustling cattle and fighting against Billy the Kid's Regulators gang. Afterward, Pony rode with Curly Bill on wild escapades into Mexico as the Cowboys took shape. Now, as the criminal network is forming into more of an organized syndicate, Pony is looked upon as one of its legendary leaders. He's tough and rugged, yet he values the Cowboys as his family.

Billy Claiborne and 'Dirty Dave'

11/15/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Billy Claiborne is a loyal member of the Cowboys' association, connecting with some of its key figures to earn himself clout and protection. A miner, thief, killer and a somewhat charismatic young man, he naturally fits in. Though his true mettle has yet to be tested.

'Dirty Dave' Rudabaugh is a sneaky, two-faced, back-stabbing, remorseless killer and bandit. He earned his nickname because of his general unwillingness to bathe. Despite his terrible reputation, Dirty Dave forms a sincere friendship with Ike Clanton and becomes a trusted 'brother' of the Cowboys. He fears not lawmen or outlaws, and holds a particular grudge against Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp for getting him arrested in Kansas.

Nellie and Allie Earp

11/14/2019

A couple more characters from "Vendetta Ride: The True Story Of Wyatt Earp" by Gregory Alan Burhoe.

Nellie and Allie Earp are the wives of James and Virgil Earp. Nellie has worked as a prostitute, before falling in love with James. Although she has mastered few skills expected of a proper wife in the 1800's, she learns a lot from Allie, the spunky wife of Virgil. Nellie has yearned for a safe, comfortable and normal life, which she has found with James. She also shares his pleasant temperament and hopeful spirit.

What Allie lacks in physical stature she makes up for in energy, being highly expressive, opinionated and outgoing. She is old-fashioned in some ways and progressive in others, believing that women should have the right to vote and to have a say in politics and business (which is controversial in her time.) Allie is a hardworking housekeeper, but also rubs shoulders with the wives of important men to aid Virgil with his business ventures and criminal investigations.