Shoe-Bar Stratton

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27355

Title

Shoe-Bar Stratton

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A wounded World War I veteran returns to his Arizona cattle ranch only to discover his foreman has vanished and a mysterious woman now runs the operation. As he investigates the theft of his herd and uncovers a plot involving oil deposits, Buck Stratton must confront a crooked foreman, a dangerous outlaw, and his own traumatic memory loss to reclaim his legacy.

Summary up to 500 words

In Joseph Bushnell Ames's *Shoe-Bar Stratton*, Texas cattleman Buck Stratton returns to his Arizona ranch, Shoe-Bar, after a harrowing World War I experience that left him with a year-long amnesia and physical wounds. Upon his arrival at Paloma Springs, he discovers his foreman, Tex Lynch, has vanished, leaving Mary Thorne in charge. Lynch, now working for a rival outfit, has framed Buck for theft and plotted to seize the ranch's valuable oil-rich land. Buck, aided by his loyal friend Bud Jessup, immediately sets out to clear his name. His investigation reveals a web of criminal dealings involving rustlers and Lynch's shady partners, including a swindler named Draper. The narrative explores Buck's struggle to overcome his psychological trauma and physical injuries while navigating a world he barely remembers. He reconnects with Mary Thorne, whose father previously wronged him, and Stella Manning, a friend from his war days. The story unfolds through a series of tense confrontations, chases, and dramatic revelations. Lynch attempts to drive Buck off the range, even framing him further and manipulating local law enforcement. However, Buck's determination and resilience shine through. With the help of Stella and the eventual intervention of Sheriff Hardenberg, the truth about the rustlers and the oil conspiracy comes to light. Lynch is exposed, his stolen property is recovered, and the conflict with Mary's family is resolved. Ultimately, Buck defeats Lynch, restores justice to the ranch, and finds personal redemption. The novel concludes with a romantic resolution between Buck and Mary, healing the rift caused by her father's past actions and Buck's own memory loss. Through this journey, the book emphasizes themes of loyalty, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring bonds of friendship and love in the rugged American West.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-08 16:46 UTC

Categories

• Western
• Ranching