Originally published as part of a serial entitled, Reefer Ranger Rides Again, the short story McCutchen’s Bones appeared in a pared down manner, names and places altered to avoid undue scrutiny from the powers it 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.
With McCutchen’s Bones Brown suddenly takes a new tack with his portrayal of J.T. McCutchen. Seen as more of a sympathetic protagonist gripped by dire circumstance, the McCutchen within these pages will certainly shock any student of history (and revolt many). But an open-minded reader might be surprised by the disturbing possibility that our official history got it wrong in regards to the man we’ve come to know as Johnny McDeath. Even more disturbing is how this mistake could impact our understanding of our current geo-political situation and the major players Brown critiques.
For the fullest experience, I recommend also reading Hell’s Womb, Get Doc Quick, and finally Twitch and Die!, lost files #22 , #24 and #26 respectively. These detail the same plague and provide insight into the motives of the significant players involved. (Here I ramble after specifically saying I’d limit pontificating to a minimum.) Without further ado, McCutchen’s Bones.
Professor Jim Buckner
Department of Geology; University of Texicas, Austin
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Lost DMB Files
Action“The most startling discovery to never be made.” Some conspiracies remain theories. Others become obsessions. Exhumed 100 years after their penning, the Lost DMB Files will reinterpret the way you see the world, or the way it sees you. Product Des...
