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Wilbur

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Wilbur dreams of being a U.S. Deputy Marshal, and when he's old enough, he's sworn in and has a taste of the life. He's shot, recovers and goes after the outlaws with an Osage tracker to help him. Eventually, he captures the head of the outlaw gang and transports him back to Fort Smith to face Judge Isaac C. Parker, the hanging judge. When he sees an Osage man about to be convicted on false testimony, he tells the tribe what to do to get rid of the witnesses temporarily, and his conscience makes him resign as a marshal. Later, he compromises his own values to save a young Osage boy from a certain hanging. It's another story of the Old West from the pen of R. O. Lane.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 19, 2022

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R.O. Lane

63 books102 followers

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5 stars
2,352 (68%)
4 stars
835 (24%)
3 stars
174 (5%)
2 stars
52 (1%)
1 star
24 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Jim Buchanan.
160 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2022
Coming of age

When you grow up idolizing someone there comes a point in time where you want to be just like them and when given the opportunity you try your best to fit that mold. Then one day, just as Wilbur learns, you have to make your decisions your way and be willing to pay any consequences that may result. Sometimes moral right and legality don't match, but Wilbur handled things well. Having now read "Wilbur" and its prequel "Ruble Perkins..." I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Lane's offerings.
222 reviews7 followers
March 15, 2022
R.O. Lane and I share a feeling

R.O. Lane says he fell in love with Western in High School... so did I. Zane Grey was my favorite writer..then I discovered Louis Lamoure. I have told you over.and over.he writes a wonderful book.
Profile Image for Loretta Gabriel.
838 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2022
A fast paced and action packed story.

The author has written a story of the actions of a young man who wants to establish himself as a man of honor and courage. Very enjoyable and entertaining reading.
1,399 reviews13 followers
August 9, 2022
Wilbur is consistently proving himself over and over throughout this compelling masterpiece!

Most definitely another outstanding five star masterpiece by Mr. Lane, as this outstandingly descriptive western series of unending gunfighting excursions that successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters from beginning to end! An exceptionally entertaining, and definitely heartwarming, series of compelling western folklore extravaganzas that will appease your innermost expectations from cover to cover!
Outstanding storylines that successfully maintains your undivided attention immediately and never falters, as each new adventure is explicitly descriptive renditions that appeases anyone's desired expectations! Too, the Author's outstandingly descriptive character selections are unsurpassed in their respective assignments throughout this heartwarming series of unending gunfighting adventures!
Definitely recommend this series of ongoing adventures to everyone who loves one exciting episode after the other! No slow downs throughout this exciting compilation of realistically old American western folklore adventures, and you non-western enthusiasts will also enjoy following this dedicated young man, and his associates, in their quest for justice to those responsible for their killings and thievery!!!😃
994 reviews10 followers
July 15, 2025
5 STARS , ORPHAN WANTS TO BE AN US DEP MARSHAL

R.O. Lane gets 5 STARS for this emotional & intense storyline that reaches in and focuses on a piece of American History that is reality. Ft Smith, US Marshals & Deputy Marshals, prison wagons, courthouse, & Judge Parker, Indian Nations, & Dead Line are all items that are grabbed off the history pages for our western authors & film makers.

As a young new marshal Wilbur goes out to make arrest gets injured. First thought dead, he then takes off on a 700 mile trek following the men he is after. He has to constantly prove himself along the way to those who refer to him as being to young or just a young kid or boy. A!omg with his posseman he had hired at the reservation Horace Starr they confront many mean bad criminals.

He gets back & works to finish his house he had started building; hoping the young Irish Osage girl that had pulled him from the river after his 1st confrontation with the bad men, Sunshine, would like it.

Lots of emotions in this one & it makes some have some deeper thoughts on several subjects.
RECOMMENDED
4 reviews
May 7, 2022
good honest weste I enjoyed this straightforward western for its integrity and Western values. By today’s standards this is a simplistic story but in those days I suspect that basic life and survival was indeed simplistic. The main thread is justice and a backdrop of racial relations between a white man and a black man and in this book a white man and an Indian. rn

I enjoyed this straightforward western for its integrity and Western values. By today’s standards this is a simplistic story but in those days I suspect that basic life and survival was indeed simplistic. The main thread is justice amidst a backdrop of racial relations between a white man and a black man and in this book a white man and an Indian. The relationships may be idealized but the times they lived in reflect the true history of our country.
14 reviews3 followers
July 27, 2022
An Exciting and Delightful Novel

R. O. Lane introduced the us to the boy, Wilber Soames, in an earlier novel, RUBLE PERKINS, THE YOUNGEST MARSHALL.
In this novel, R. O. Land reintroduces Wilber as a young man late in his teens confronted with life choices concerning his adult life, especially regarding a career. Against the advice of those who know and love him, he decides to be U.S. Federal Marshall.
He witnesses a great deal of injustice which causes him to question his decision to make marshalling a lifelong career.
The author does a good job of presenting the needed enforcement of justice in the west as well as demonstrating when that justice itself can upon occasion result in injustice!
I heartily recommend this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I look forward to reading more of Land's good, wholesome novels!
75 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2023
great story

I couldn’t put this one down until before I knew it it was finished not happy to read where he lost his best friend. One thing I think you should check out is appointed attorneys. I. Have worked law enforcement most all my career. Retired parole wit Az. Department of corrections. Courts did not appoint Attorneys in those days if you couldn’t afford to hire one you went it on your own. Appointed attorneys started when Miranda won his case in Arizona courts. Let me know if I am wrong. I realize this is just a fiction novel however it would be better to be correct, if you are wrong with facts and locations.
I was still a great novel keep up the great writings. Bob Evans
Profile Image for Paul Brown.
Author 8 books68 followers
October 15, 2024
Here's a darker side of being a U.S. Marshal in the Old West. Sometimes justice isn't served best under the written law, particularly for marginal populations such as victimized Indians, who often were denied any justice at all; a fact not all frontier reading fans are aware of. The story gives us a unique perspective of how marshals sometimes had to use more discretion than they liked in order to make up for the lack of justice under white man's law. Filled with moral contemplation, action & danger, and a touch of romance. Bravo! PKB
845 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2022
4 Stars

Wilbur is a sequel to Rubel Perkins which was written in December, 2020. Rubel's adopted son Wilbur just a 9 year old boy in the first book is now 20 and decided to follow in Rubels footsteps and become a Deputy US Marshal. Nearly killed on His first assignment he vows to track down the outlaws who tried to kill him and Rubel.
Note: book don't tell you how many minutes is left in each chapter just entire book.
8 reviews
February 14, 2022
Please read below...

Mighty fine book as always. I am sure I have read each one of your books. But, my favourites are still the Will Fain series of 8 books. I have read that series three times now, and I bet I will read it again. I am 80 now so I am inside a lot, but still love to read. May God bless you, your family, and our Nation. Take care my friend. Gary Tripp (k8llg1957@gmail.com)
131 reviews
March 29, 2022
A different name for a different Marshal

I picked this book for the title alone. I haven't heard of the author before. After reading his story I will be looking for more of his work. He has a very large number of western stories. I was hoping that this one had a bunch of specials to continue with all the characters he created in this one. Didn't want it to end. Thanks for all the entertainment.
536 reviews3 followers
May 21, 2024
Wilbur

Wow! Another one sitting book read. I enjoy every book to date that I have read by R.O. Lane and each one has been about men and women of the 1800’s that have demonstrated faithfulness to Law of the Land; about standing up for justice against those that think the poverished, Native Americans, uneducated and lowlifes of society don’t matter and can be treated with indifference.
29 reviews
January 22, 2022
RO lane has never had a "miss" in writing a book!

I would recommend this book for anyone, however, for Western fans it's a must read as all his books are! Wholesome, intriguing characters, intense storyline, action sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and romance to appeal to any reader. The only downside is the books don't come fast enough! Keep them coming!
17 reviews
January 29, 2022
One of Lane's Best Stories

I've read Western all my adult life. At 75 I still raise a few cattle. It's In my my blood reading a good story and raising cattle. After all these years, like good cows, the best and most gifted writers continue to birth good stories. Lane, Petit and Rundell are three of today's best yarn turners.
Profile Image for john o'reilly.
222 reviews
February 2, 2022
something different

Really enjoyed this book again I hope there is a follow up ,I think I have to slow down I’m going through these books pretty quick , good reading it relaxes me sometimes my wife gets on her high horse especially when it’s meal times and I don’t answer her quick enough,happy days
59 reviews
May 1, 2022
This Is The Best Book...Ever?

I read "Wilbur" in two days time. That in itself isn't unusual, but the fact is the book was great! I learned a great deal about "Indian Territory", the US Marshall's Service, race relations and even the railroad. I also learned some about the tactics that the Marshall's used. It was a great read!
224 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2022
Wilbur is one of best western stories I have ever read

This story of an orphan raised by others discovers in his teens that the foster parents prepared him to meet the real world in his mid-teens. His journey as a carpenter, then a U.S. Marshall ends with him marrying the young girl who nursed him back from death’s door. Great, fast paced read.
142 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2022
Good Read

Enjoyed reading this Lane Western. The main character is someone you really get to admire and hope that he succeeds in all of his endeavors. I truly liked the close family ties that are a hallmark of the author’s writing. The action scenes are great. I highly
recommend this book.
Profile Image for Roy Mims.
43 reviews
January 28, 2025
Wilbur Sunshine

What a story, Wilbur I was most certainly was going turn out to be a lawyer. To my surprise. Especially after that elegant speech at graduation, and being valedictorian of his class. just go show you, we can never predict our future after taking one deviation from our journey.
15 reviews
January 21, 2022
Wonderful read!

I was beginning to wonder if Mr Lane had decided not to write anymore, it had been so long since his last book so I was very happy to see WILBER in his list of books. I enjoyed it very much, it had a nice twist towards the end. Can't wait for the next one.
43 reviews
January 23, 2022
Enjoyable

I have been looking on Amazon for a new book by the author. I was happy to find this yesterday. I finished it today. Could have been a little longer. I enjoyed the story and will hopefully find another one shortly.
92 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2022
Wilbur Get’s Her Done!

I have read all of R O Lane’s western novels and always enjoy them greatly. WILBUR is certainly no exception. The setting and support characters are well researched and the action is exciting and rewarding.
148 reviews6 followers
January 30, 2022
Another great tale by a master storyteller!

Wilbur trained to be one of Judge Parker's Marshall's as a teen, and earned a badge. On his first case he was wounded, recovered and tracked his attacker 700 miles.

52 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2022
Wilbur

Another great book.Your writing is so good I am always very sad to read these in one sitting.Could not put it down.Very exciting,hopefully we have not heard the last of Wilbur,or Jonas,or Ruble.Thanks for the enjoyment your books give to us the readers.

3,615 reviews16 followers
February 9, 2022
A really good storyline

I loved the storyline of this book, yet it was a bit disappointing. The ending leaves you feeling like it could have been a real piece of history but if so it should have said.
27 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2022
My thoughts on Wilbur

R.O. Has told a good story as is his norm.A we.. thought out plot with a good cast of characters. If he'll keep writing them, I'll keep reading. Thanks for a good read.
Profile Image for Anthony R Woods.
696 reviews3 followers
February 12, 2022
Excellent adventure

Wilbur is a great young man who wanted to be a lawman Ruble found him and his sisters after their folks were killed. Being a lawman was not all he suspected it was. So he became a carpenter and a very good man. Great characters, lots of action.
859 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2022
Wilbur

I always look forward to the next book by Mr. Lane and I can't put it down until I've read the whole thing. It's the same with this book. A warm story with a good amount of western drama and a sweet romance thrown in.
137 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2022
Good book.

Always enjoy R. O. Land's books. Wilbur had always wanted to follow in his step father's footsteps and become a US Deputy Marshall. After becoming a Marshall he proved he could do the job.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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