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Monte Hale Western #34

Mar 1949 · Fawcett · 0.10 USD

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In "The Monarch of the Mesa," Monte Hale confronts a gang of desert raiders who have been raiding through the desert state and robbing a cargo express office. After learning from a newspaper that the President is touring western states and will be in Canyon City by afternoon, Monte devises a plan to stop the outlaws. Monte pursues the gang across the sand dunes, where they attempt to escape with their stolen goods and kidnapped guard, but he tracks them down to halt their getaway.

Contains 7 stories

Gunbarrel Justice

9 pp · Western-Frontier

Monte Hale arrives in Baker City for jury duty just as the notorious hired killer known as the Gravedigger begins a violent siege on the courthouse, targeting the jury and lawmen. With the town in chaos and the trial of crime boss Bankroll Barr on hold, Monte devises a daring plan to trap the Gravedigger by posing as the judge—only to discover the killer’s true intentions are far more twisted than he imagined.

Party

1 pp · Humor

Gabby Hayes and the Jumping Frog

5 pp · Humor, Western-Frontier

Gabby Hayes, the foreman at the Bar O Ranch, stumbles upon a surprisingly agile bullfrog he names Buster, hoping to cash in on the Rawhide County Fair’s $500 frog-jumping contest. When a rival claims the frog is stolen, Gabby must defend his unlikely champion, leading to a chaotic race where Buster’s performance is anything but ordinary.

Prairie Peddler

7 pp · Western-Frontier

Monte Hale, posing as a mysterious prairie peddler, follows a trail to a remote cabin, unaware he’s being watched by the Cleaver Gang who believe he’s their missing brother Luke. When his disguise begins to fail, the gang realizes they’ve been tricked, setting off a wild chase and a showdown that tests both wit and nerve.

Vultures of the Buffalo Range

7 pp · Western-Frontier

Monte Hale rides into the Mesa Verde foothills and discovers a gang of buffalo butchers slaughtering a herd indiscriminately for hides, not meat. After confronting them and being overpowered, he regains consciousness and races to Mesa Flats to enlist Sheriff Hughes, then travels to the presidential train to secure a special order to stop the massacre.

Surrounded

3.75 pp · Humor, Western-Frontier

Big Bow and Little Arrow flee a pursuing posse and hide in a movie theater, mistaking the film for a real-life showdown when the audience’s reactions and on-screen action terrify them. As they panic and fire their guns at the screen, they’re cornered by the posse—only to be rescued by the sheriff, who reveals they’ve accidentally captured the real criminals and are rewarded with free movie passes.

Desert Raiders

9 pp · Western-Frontier

Monte Hale investigates a string of nighttime holdups by the elusive Desert Raiders, whose swift escapes over the desert sands have stumped every lawman in the Southwest. After a coach is ambushed and he’s captured, he discovers the gang uses camels—stolen from a circus—to outrun pursuers, leading him to enlist the circus owner’s help and ride a camel himself to catch the outlaws.