The Bells of Autumn

Based on real incidents, in 1903 a small western town (Newcastle, Wyoming) struggles to leave behind its remembered violent recent past of Indian wars and fighting outlaws and enter the 20th century. Arrayed against this intent is the reality of a surprising current battle with returning Sioux Indians, vigilante actions and a heavy, lingering pall of fear, hatred and distrust of the legal justice system fomented by a bullying town father. Events are viewed through the eyes of a precocious adolescent boy and his old, adoptive dad who, as the son of the Army’s contracted storekeeper at Fort Laramie before the slaughter of the buffalo, had been partly raised by Indians. Related Indian perspectives and angst are also presented through the engaging narrative.