Chapter 12: Young James Conducts a ServiceTom Jackson, his wooden leg clunking against the floor, led the way out of the saloon and leaned on the hitching post railing to rest his good leg. It was becoming harder and harder each year to move with or without crutches. Thank God, his boy was big enough to do the iron work. Tom spent more and more time at Jesse's drinking away the pain: the pain of his missing leg and the pain of a controlling wife.
Tillman, a lanky rancher, and two of his hands brought their beer mugs with them and stood alongside of Jackson. Jessie Owens preferred standing near the door of his saloon. He'd taken off his apron and slapped a hat over his bald head. The September morning sun still beat down with a ferociousness that would not let up.
“Y'all sure this is when
