Bluestone: Bonny Lou Baker, Sheriff

by Bryan Blake

Disillusioned with college after her first year and with a limited budget, Bonny Lou Baker set out to see the west. In Texas, she obtained work at the Circle © Ranch. There she met Texas Blacky Hazard who took her under his wing and taught her the ways of the west. One of which was the handling of six-guns. Blacky, impressed with her agility and hand-eye coordination said she had a knack. Although he disapproved of a woman carrying six-guns, he advised her that if she insisted on it, she had better be the best. Practice she did, and became obsessed taking advantage of every opportunity to practice her craft. After two years in Texas, she moved on to Bluestone, Arizona, a tiny mining town between Tombstone and Bisbee. Always looking for work, she noticed a help wanted sign in the mayor's window and inquired. The mayor rebuffed her saying he had no job for a woman. Infuriated at his bluntness, Bonny Lou fought back. The mayor explained the only job available was for sheriff. Bonny Lou said, “ I'll take it.” She was determined, and the mayor gave in on a thirty-day trial. After all, Bluestone was a sleepy little town, peaceful and quiet.

277 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2018