Amos Flagg Rides Out

Amos Flagg often wondered why he took the job of Sheriff in the first place. The work was unpleasant and dangerous, and one day it would probably get him killed, The pay was barely enough to live on, and if he lived to be too old to wear a badge there would be nothing else left for him. These doubts ran through Flagg's mind when he found that his best friend had been bought by those who stood against his brand of law and order. Then when he was ambushed by a band of paid killers, he again asked himself, "Why do I bother with such a job?" There was only one answer, and that didn't make much sense. Amos Flagg was a lawman. Clay Randall was a pen name of Clifton Adams, (1919-1971). Under this byline he wrote six novels about a western sheriff named Amos Flagg. He authored nearly 50 books and over 125 short stories, it is truly a shame that he died so young at age 52. He was still in his prime as a writer, having just won two consecutive Spur Awards for Best Western Novel from the Western Writers of America, first in 1969 for Tragg's Choice and in 1970 for The Last Days of Wolf Garnett. He had also recently been named "Oklahoma Writer of the Year" in 1965 by the University of Oklahoma, his alma mater. Amos Flagg was a good sheriff, tough as leather and mean as a hungry bear. It is Flagg's job to keep the drunks orderly and prevent the cattle drovers from shooting up the town. But wherever he turns, trouble seems to find him. Even in the shape of his gambler father or being ambushed by a gang of killers or being the target of a vengeful widow. Flagg's Colt never stays in its holster for too long.