Will Henry
Reckoning at Yankee Flat (1958)
Author: Will Henry (aka Henry Wilson Allen, Clay Fisher)
Genre (and subgenre): Western (Traditional)
Plot Summary:
In 1852, young William Cullah McCandles first meets Henry Clay Plummer on a trip to Nevada City, at the height of the California gold rush. There is more to Plummer than the innocent baker’s boy he purports to be. He combines cunning and ruthlessness with an easy charm. As a newspaper reporter, McCandles records Plummer’s progress through Nevada City society. Although he murders and steals, Plummer is always able to charm his way free of the law. McCandles is eventually sent to find and kill Plummer. Before he can catch up to Plummer, his execution in Walla Walla is published, and people assume he is truly dead. McCandles suspects that it is a ploy on his part, yet he has no evidence. Years pass, and McCandles encounters Plummer once again. Though he does not recognize McCandles initially as the man who publicized his crimes and hunted him, Plummer forces him into traveling with him. When Plummer discovers McCandles’ true identity, the two begin a cat-and-mouse game both are determined to win. SPOILER: Upon traveling to Sun River Valley, they encounter Electra Bryan living with her sister and brother-in-law. Though McCandles wins her affection, Plummer is able to manipulate her. McCandles escapes Plummer temporarily, only to be captured by Crow Indians. He escapes with the help of Lisa Red Bear and her mother, Singing Bird. The three flee the Crow camp and meet up with a group of miners. In the following months, Plummer kills and robs miners traveling between the two towns. He is the sheriff, so McCandles and other members of the community must go outside the law. They form a “Montana Executive (Execution) Committee” and use vigilante justice to stop Plummer. After Plummer and his gang are hanged, McCandles leaves town and is reunited with Lisa and her mother.
Geographical Setting: Virginia City, Montana
Time Period: 1852-1864
Appeal Characteristics:
Henry uses a humorous tone in the narrative; the main character derides himself as often as he does others. The author also makes use of foreshadowing, as McCandles recounts this story many years later. Since the sheriff is the evil character, it makes for a twist in the action; the people who bring order and justice are vigilantes.
Similar Authors: O. Henry
Red Flags: violence, including murders, hangings, and shootings; some strong language; sexual references and situations.
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