Big Jim

<p>This is the story of Big Jim Bowdry an ex-City Marshal of Hays Kansas.<br>He had gained a reputation with his fists as well as the lightning speed of his .45 caliber pistol if and when it was necessary. He took no guff from anybody. Although he was a good-natured man he saw things logically and looked only at the facts and the evidence. He had always said I'm not the judge or jury. I just carry out the letter of the law for the state of Kansas. When he went after a man he was like a dog on a bone. He wouldn't let go until he brought that man or men in to jail for trial.<br>He was City Marshal of Hays for 5 years then he gave it up. His reason? A woman named Esther. Esther Stiles. She wandered into town and captured the heart of Big Jim Bowdry. 'Big Jim' as he was often called stood well over six feet with broad shoulders and the stamina of a running horse. He never forgot a friend nor turned his back on a man who needed his help. He always met you with a smile and a vigorous handshake.<br>Now he's aged some and he and Esther are married. They moved around a few times trying to outrun his reputation with a gun bu his reputation always caught up with him.<br>Leaving Atchison Kansas they moved to an out of the way small town of Cottonwood bought a small farm and tried to live a normal life. They bought a few head of cattle. Even seeds to grow wheat to subsidize the income from the cattle. He bought himself a bull to sire calves in hopes of growing a large herd but with his reputation it has caused a small rift between him and Esther. The heat that hit Kansas didn't help matters any. He lost a few cows and the thought of selling the bull bothered him greatly.<br>Then the shooting in Cottonwood jeopardized his life with Esther again.</p>