J.J. HAEFNER
Isaiah’s Land is the second book in the Saga of the Markees. The Government has changed the law and no longer recognizes Native tribes as sovereign nations. Instead, they are considered primitive wards of the United States. All tribes are to be located to reservations; including the peaceful Shoshone who live on their ancestral lands which are part of the vast Markee Ranch. The Markees are part Shoshone and recognize the right of their tribe to stay on the land and defy the cavalry’s efforts to remove the tribe.
The cavalry is led by Colonel Buck Williams, an ambitious and vindictive man. He has partnered with the killer Deke Sleighton. Sleighton and Williams both have reasons for wanting Isaiah dead. Together, they unleash violence and warfare in an attempt to destroy a peaceful people and their way of life.
The final showdown will determine the fate of Isaiah’s land.
J. J. Haefner was bom and raised in Southwestern Wisconsin the descendent of two lines of Native Americans and French settlers. He began skipping school at an early age to play along his favorite creeks where he nurtured a vivid imagination and enjoyed true unfettered freedom. Those early days of daydreaming and joy led to a passion for reading after he discovered Zane Grey’s Riders of the Purple sage behind the oil burner at his grandmother’s house. By the age of fourteen, J. J. had read hundreds of contemporary novels.
J. J. went on to earn degrees in Literature, History and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin. Now, he fuses history, a well-nurtured imagination, and a tinge of Native American perspective into the classic American genre; and a new trilogy - The Saga of the Markees.
J. J. is currently researching and writing his fourth book in Georgia.
For more information on other book by JJ Haefner visit his Web site at: http://wwwjihaefner.com
Please write JJ at:
196 Alps Rd. P.O. Box 199
Athens, GA 30606
The long line of troopers let their tired horses follow each other into Sweetwater. Several weeks of travel across the dry plains of Colorado were evident on the dusty uniforms, dry faces and general lack of military crispness. The column was led by a man distinguished by one startling feature. He had a scar stretching across his left cheek from below his ear to his chin. The cold look in his eyes showed that the scar may have healed but he had not.
Colonel Jeff Buck Williams was chosen to remove all local Shoshone and Ute Indians to reservations. His orders were to continue the work Custer had begun, and died for, two years earlier. Several of Buck William=s friends were among the dead and he relished the opportunity to advance a growing Washington agenda. It began in the days of President Jackson when Jackson made it known that native tribes would not be treated as sovereign nations. They would be treated as primitive wards of the United States government. By the 1880’s, treaty rights were no longer considered valid. To avoid widespread violence and bloodshed all native tribes were to be removed to remote reservations were they could be easily controlled. Around Sweetwater there were various tribes Ahiding out@ in the mountain valleys. The Shoshone were known to be in the canyons to the north and west. Ute bands were drifting in and out of the foothills. They were now on government land and were to be removed. Colonel Buck Williams would find and remove them.
Williams gave a signal to Sergeant Kimball Jenkins. Jenkins raised his arm and yelled AColummmmn, Haaahlt.@ The horse soldiers reined up and sat in absolute silence. They had learned that Williams tolerated nothing; particularly when the troops were on display. His expectations were clear. Many of his men had scars on their backs to prove it. Most of them continued to look straight ahead; an army of completely passionless men.
To the rear of the men were two cannon, a dozen or so provision and supply wagons and, at the very end, a wagon with a strikingly beautiful woman. The wagon was being pulled by four horses managed by an old, one armed soldier. He pulled up on the reins with his right arm and pushed the brake lever with his left foot until the wagon stopped.
ASergeant, round up the citizens of this town. I need to make my orders clear to them. All of the citizens are to be in the square over there,” he pointed, “in 30 minutes.@
AYes sir,@ the Jenkins replied. ATroopers! Dismount to assemble citizennnnz,@ he shouted.
The sound of creaking saddles was heard down the street and then, abruptly, silence as the soldiers stood motionless next to their horses.
AAaaasaemble horses,@ Jenkins ordered. In unison, the soldiers on the left stepped forward and around the front of his horse and gave the reins to the soldier on the right. Then, the soldier in every second row stepped forward and handed the soldier to the front the reins. The three soldiers out of four not holding reins lined up in a long line facing away from the horses.
AAaaaexxxecuuuooote,@ Jenkins ordered. The soldiers split in pre-arranged directions to all parts of town knocking on doors and cornering people. Though many objected, the soldiers made it clear that their presence was absolutely required. The few that tried not to assemble were physically escorted. Colonel Williams took special note of those people.
When the people were assembled, Williams nudged his horse to the center of the square. ACitizens of Sweetwater, I have to read to you orders from the Secretary of the Army.@ His message read:
