Silver .41

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78893

Title

Silver .41

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Sheriff Skeeter Bill faces a baffling counterfeit money ring in Moon River County. With the help of a mysterious federal agent and a skeptical deputy, he uncovers a web of cattle rustling, stolen silver, and political intrigue. A humorous Western tale of wits over brute force.

Summary up to 500 words

In W. C. Tuttle's *Silver .41*, newly elected Sheriff Skeeter Bill of Moon River County faces an immediate crisis: a sophisticated counterfeit operation flooding the valley with fake silver dollars. To combat the crime, a mysterious cowboy posing as a federal agent named Frank Moran arrives. Moran claims to be working alone to avoid alerting the criminals, who are likely watching for government men. Skeeter and his deputy, Kaintuck Kennedy, are skeptical but agree to assist. The investigation quickly reveals a web of deception. Moran, posing as a federal investigator, is actually a master forger working with a gang that includes Monk Clark, a local political rival, and Sam Ertle. The gang attempts to frame innocent cowboys, specifically Curley Adams, by manipulating cattle brands. They vent the original brands on a yearling calf and clumsily apply a fake Tin Cup mark, hoping to implicate Adams in rustling. However, the incompetence of the counterfeiters and the sharp eyes of Skeeter and Ertle expose the plot. When Skeeter and Kaintuck discover the misbranded calf, they realize the brands have been altered to frame someone else. Tensions escalate until a shootout erupts in the courthouse. Skeeter, recalling a past anecdote about the real Marshal, 'Shorty' Long, notices that the imposter Moran uses the nickname 'Shorty' for the real Marshal but fails to know the Marshal's specific history, such as herding sheep in Sundance Flats. This discrepancy alerts Skeeter to Moran's true identity. Seizing the moment, Skeeter shoots Moran, who had drawn his weapon. The chaos allows Skeeter's deputy, Kaintuck, to capture the fleeing accomplices, including Sam Ertle. United States Marshal Shorty Long arrives shortly after, confirming that Moran killed the real federal agent. Under interrogation, the remaining criminals confess to stealing silver from the Silver Bell mine and attempting to frame Curley Adams for the crime. Monk Clark, who had been trying to marry Joy Gregory, is revealed to have been involved in the theft and the framing attempt. Skeeter also clears the name of Hank Gregory, who had been falsely accused of killing a sheriff years prior; Long confirms Gregory's innocence based on his own past service. The novel concludes with the capture of the counterfeit gang, the confiscation of their tools, and the restoration of order to Moon River County. The story highlights themes of justice, the danger of deception, and the importance of truth, ultimately bringing peace back to the valley after a period of lawlessness and suspicion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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