»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #4
»
The Legend of Calvin McDade
| Open Poetry #4 |
|
The Legend of Calvin McDade |
|
|
John Yaws Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 860Texas 
|
The Legend of Calvin McDade Calvin McDade was a Marshall- In the days of the Cherokee strip. The only type law that the strip understood Was the law that he wore on his hip. Calvin was raised in South Texas Wes Hardin was some distant kin, But Calvin was wearing a tin star While Hardin did time in the pen. McDade, and Hec Thomas, and Tilghman Were some of the best in the game, Tilghman and Thomas are famous But no one remembers his name. The strip was a haven for outlaws, Murderers, rustlers, and scum- The Marshalls of Judge Isaac Parker- Were hard, and as mean as they come. McDade was just south of Vinita- On the trail of a bootlegging hound- Determined the scoundrel would swing at Ft. Smith As soon as the man could be found. “Swing for bootleggin’”? someone may ask. A mighty harsh judgement it seems. But Darren McGiver committed a crime Which haunted McDade in his dreams. McDade had once had him a partner, A boy named Larry McQueen- He’d taught him the ropes, and got him a badge The last time alive he was seen. McQueen had been handed McGiver- He’d found him, caught dead in the act Of peddling whiskey to one of tribe. He was dead set on bringing him back., A hard days ride short of the border- The kid made the fatal mistake Of taking the word of a scoundrel Removing his irons for a break. The boy’s mind started to wander- McGiver was watching and then, Grabbing his shotgun leaning nearby He turned it, and used it on him. As he stood by the grave of young Larry He muttered a vow low and grim, If he surrenders,I’ll see that he hangs If not, I will take care of him. That evening he entered a village- And thought he would stay for the night, The place was too quiet, the people on edge He knew there was something not right. He stabled his horse, and he entered... The door to a dim lit cafe.. And asked the young lady who brought him his food Of strangers who'd passed through that day. Describing the man he was after, He saw that she trembled with fear- Her answer was, “No”. Her expression said, “Yes”. And he knew that McGiver was here. He heard stealthy steps in the back room The door easing open a crack- McGiver, the coward, was true to his type His gun pointed right at his back. He reached to his right for his coffee Then threw himself flat on the floor His pistol was drawn, and he fired it five times Right straight through the half open door. McGiver was shot all to doll rags- McDade’s features calm and serene- Aiming his pistol straight at his head, He said, This is for Larry McQueen. You hear of the famous gun fighters Who rode for the Hanging Judge’s court Tilghman, and Thomas were two of the best McDade was a man of their sort. They say ere he hung up his guns, friend- He wrote large on history’s page.. When speaking of heroes let’s lift us a glass To the mem’ry of Calvin McDade. http://go.to/Gunslinger ------------------ Live large, people! ~GS~ http://www.geocities.com/montcogunslinger/HomePage.html [This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited 11-30-1999).] |
||
| © Copyright 1999 John R. Yaws - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I lift a glass to your poetry! I feel like I just watch a movie ! Very well done Elizabeth |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
GS - Are you sure you weren't around in the days of the true "wild" west??? I'd swear you were if'n I didn't know better...  |
||
|
Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
I love your history lessons, GS. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||