The George Kelley Collection
Western Stories


Outlaw Empire
Jackson Cole
Popular Library, 1949.
Bison Catalog Record

Texas Ranger Jim Hatfield craves the open trail, savors the danger and excitement of clashing with enemies of the Lone Star State, and is sworn to uphold the law no matter what the odds. Hatfield is challenged by Cyrus Isbell, a ruthless and ambitious local contractor who aims to take control of the building trades in Austin and make a small fortune for himself in the process. Isbell's agents include a horse thief named Dogface Lucas and Juan Enriquez (a.k.a. "El Chicaro"), who scour the Texas countryside with their cohorts, carrying out reprisals against any local ranchers who dare to defy Isbell's orders. Fearless Hatfield and his fellow Rangers won't rest until folks can once again get a square deal, and their Texas-style fight for justice culminates in an all-out gun battle with six-guns blazing, Colts and carbines at the ready and Ranger Hatfield leading the fight.