Famous Western, August 1955

Famous Western, August 1955

This issue features Lauran Paine's novel Overland Pass, in which Sheriff Bill Fay investigates the murder of a stranger found with his throat cut at a bar despite no assailant being visible—a death he must connect to the larger mystery of Overland Pass itself. The novel excerpted here establishes Fay's investigation into the death of foreman Bud Moon, whose decomposed remains and horse he discovers in the field.

Short fiction includes Lee Floren's "Cowboy in the Arctic," about an Arizona game warden pursuing fur thieves; A. A. Baker's "Digger John—Slickered," concerning a con artist's deception; S. E. Clement's "Bad Weather Man"; John Moore's "Renegade" featuring Jim Blair; Bess Rogers's "The Trespasser"; and "Lawman's Promise" by McKinley.

James Hines provides the non-fiction feature "Railroad Builder: The Story of General Dodge," chronicling the railroad magnate's achievements. A Bess Ritter piece titled "Kit Was a Lucky Critter" also appears. All stories are original to this issue.