Originally published as part of a serial entitled, Reefer Ranger Rides Again, the short story McCutchen’s Bones appeared in a pared down manner with several names and places altered to avoid drawing undue scrutiny from the powers laid bare. McCutchen, a controversial historical figure to say the least, appeared as McCormick.
I recently discovered the unabridged and uncensored version of the story scrawled toward the back of a field journal kept by Brown. The discovery of the field journal is in itself a story worthy of a novel, one I intend to undertake Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. But as means of introduction to McCutchen’s Bones, I’ll refrain from pontificating extraneously.
The text you have before you is my earnest effort to polish and present this horrifying and heroic tale as it was originally intended by Brown, consequences be damned. But consider yourself forewarned. The contents herewith are as volatile as a truckload of nitro-torpedoes en route to the oil fields described in the story. Discussing them casually among anyone other than intimates is not recommended.
Due to the short’s immediate relevance to the longer piece, Twitch and Die!, I’ve made the editorial decision to bundle them together while maintaining their integrity as separate stories.
For the fullest experience, I recommend also reading Hell’s Womb and Get Doc Quick, Lost Files #22 and #24 respectively, which also detail the same plague and provide insight into the motives of the significant players involved. But I had to draw the line somewhere. Including all relevant material in this particular publication seemed ungainly to say the least. And I will leave it up to the reader’s good judgement whether to explore the remaining “lost” files or not. Here I ramble after specifically saying I’d limit pontificating to a minimum.
Earnestly,
Professor Jim Buckner
Department of Geology; University of Texicas, Austin
All known “Lost” Files (in chronological order allowing for suspected gaps):
Reefer Ranger (#9)
Del Rio Con Amor (#14)
Fistful of Reefer (#17)
The Austin Job (#18)
Hell’s Womb (#22)
Get Doc Quick (#24)
McCutchen’s Bones (#25)
Twitch and Die! (#26)
Paraplegic Zombie Slayer (#35)
Fourth Horseman (#43)
Without further ado, McCutchen’s Bones.
YOU ARE READING
McCutchen's Bones
Action"Haunting and Emotional. If Ghost Rider were a cowboy, this would be his backstory." For a man who has the courage to look life in the teeth, everything is black and white. J.T. McCutchen has made a living by this philosophy. So far it's served him...
