The Redemption of Jesse James: Book Two of the Memoirs of H. H. Lomax

Memoirs of H.H. Lomax #2

by Preston Lewis

H. H. Lomax never intended to accompany Jesse James on his first bank robbery, but that was less dangerous than staying with Ma James and her frying pan. By then, though, young Lomax had survived everything Union soldiers and Confederate partisans could throw at him and his family during the Civil War in northwest Arkansas. With his sixth sense-humor-the resourceful Lomax recounts his Civil War adventures, ranging from his first encounter with nemesis Jesse James to his first love. Along the way he finds a fortune, buries a brother, confronts the meanest bushwhacker in Arkansas and survives on his wits with a little help from an abandoned Army mule. Conveying his narrative with both wit and poignancy, Lomax offers a fresh perspective on the legend of Jesse James and the dark days of the Civil War and its aftermath in the Ozarks. Things might have turned out differently, if only Jesse had listened to Lomax. At least that's what the rascal Lomax says as one of the greatest storytellers-or most accomplished liars-of the Old West.

278 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

About the author

Preston Lewis is the award-winning author of more than 50 novels and nonfiction works. His honors include three Spur Awards from Western Writers of America and ten Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards (six gold, two silver, two bronze) for traditional westerns, western humor, nonfiction articles and short stories.

In 2025 he was named recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Will Rogers Medallion Awards for his contributions to the literature of the American West. In 2021 Lewis was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters for his literary accomplishments.

His books have been published by both national and regional publishers. In 2021 he and his wife Harriet Kocher Lewis established Bariso Press and have published ten books. Of those ten books, six have been honored with a WWA Spur, a Spur finalist certificate, a Will Rogers Bronze Medallion Award, a Global Literary Book Award (winner) and three Independent Author Awards (one winner and two finalists).

Lewis is a past president of both Western Writers of America and the West Texas Historical Association, which has designated him a fellow and honored him with three Elmer Kelton Awards for best creative work on West Texas.

Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Ohio State University, both in journalism. He earned a second master’s degree in history from Angelo State University. He and his wife reside in San Angelo.

Reviews

[Max Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few characters in the Old West as colorful as H.H. (Henry Harrison) Lomax. He claims in his memoirs to have been involved in most of the momentous events that occurred during westward expansion and settlement, interacting with the likes of Billy the Kid and now the infamous bank robber, Jessie James!

Author Preston Lewis uses his typical wit and humor to reintroduce us to H.H. Lomax as a young boy living in Arkansas with his family during the Civil War. Henry is twelve when the war begins, and sixteen when fate causes him to leave home and seek out Jessie and Frank James in Missouri.

Nearly two-thirds of the book is devoted to these five formative years and Henry’s memories as a boy. There are descriptions of the difficulties that were faced by families just trying to survive, boyhood pranks that have consequences far beyond that of just having fun at someone else’s expense, adolescent love, awakening desires, the loss of siblings and friends to the war, and the viciousness of unscrupulous individuals willing to use sex or any other means, including murder, to get their way.

What they want from Henry and his family is a hidden cache of gold from a Confederate payroll. Rumors of its existence result in constant harassment and threats by a former neighbor turned guerrilla leader, his promiscuous daughter, a Yankee deserter, and Jessie James!

The Redemption referenced in the book’s title hearkens back to Jessie’s hatred of all Yankees and Yankee sympathizers. When the war ends in 1865 the Drake Constitution grants amnesty to irregular units that fought for the Union while holding similar Confederate units and individuals accountable for their actions. Instead of uniting Missourians it further inflamed the biases, loyalties, convictions and prejudices that already existed and it will turn the James brothers into outlaws.

Henry Lomax gets inadvertently involved in the James’ first bank robbery… they threaten to kill him if he doesn’t help or if he ever turns them into the authorities. He does, however, eventually escape and for the next sixteen years aimlessly wanders the American West in search of fame and fortune. Down on his luck and needing to finally return to his home in Arkansas, he once again runs into none other than Jessie James.

Fearing the worst, Henry is surprised when Jessie (now living under the name Thomas Howard) invites him to meet his wife and children and even buys him new clothes and gives him money to help him get back to Arkansas. Jessie admits to having looked for Lomax after his escape planning on killing him before he could identify Frank or himself, but when no authorities show up he figures Henry has kept his word to remain mum, and this is his way of thanking him. Of course, Jessie hasn’t totally changed his ways and is planning another heist with Charlie and Bob Ford. Fortuitously, Henry declines the invitation to join them. Jessie James will be shot in the back in his own home by Bob Ford for the $10,000 bounty on his head.

Henry’s Arkansas reunion is bittersweet. He visits with those family members still living in his old hometown, discovers that he is revered for killing the bushwhacker who tormented the countryside so many years ago, and apologizes to his childhood sweetheart for leaving her behind. All is forgiven and he is asked to stay. But there are adventures yet to live and stories yet to tell.

Preston Lewis has crafted another chapter in the H.H. Lomax saga that combines homespun humor with vivid historical detail. As to further adventures and recollections of the same, there’s a gunfight in Henry’s future at the O.K. Corral!

[Sally Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiction, but great fun. I really really liked this book. It's written from the viewpoint of a young contemporary of Jesse James. Takes you through the Civil War and what it did to families, but also focuses on young love. A great read.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I loved the point of view it was writen from. It starts out from the point of view of a boy at the beginning of the Civil War and his growth from child to adult. As I said it is told from a boy's view of the civil war era the wording and context are from the era and age. If you are a politically correct fanatic this is not the book for you. Preston did a great job of putting the reader in the shoes of a teenage boy with the attitudes and mores of the civil war era. It is a great story based on history.

[Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun little story of a boy growing up in Arkansas during the Civil War. Thanks Jay for the read!