Coffins for Spanish Flatts

The time: 1870. The place: Spanish Flatts, a tiny, inconsequential town in southwestern Kansas where law was basically local but fair, established and directed by the whims of powerful judges. The story weaves together the lives of Josh, the young marshal, Enos Picket, the longtime local judge, Tito - Tomasito - the town's nine-year-old orphan - brighter than most - and Maisie, goodhearted owner of the hotel/saloon/restaurant and house of pleasure. The judge rules that the historically quick draw contests would no longer be considered fair ways of settling disputes when one of the participants was obviously more skilled with a gun than the other - a position that might destroy traditional law enforcement across the west. When the law was disregarded, the penalty was hanging before sundown, hence, Coffins for Spanish Flatts. Citizens rejoiced. Sheriffs and gunmen, alike, rebelled. As much as it is a story of legal controversy and gun fights, it is the story of the weaving of a new family.