HOOKEY MILLER AND THE LAST DAYS OF THE OLD WEST The history of the 'Old West' can best be told through the experiences of the people who lived there between the end of the Civil War and the turn of the century. By 1909, when four suspected bushwhackers were removed from jail and lynched (in Ada, Oklahoma), the 'Law' finally began to assert itself over the thugs, renegades, outlaws, crooked deputy sheriffs, and others who thought they could break the law and get away with it. Hookey Miller's life parallels to a remarkable degree the last days of the old West: He was born the year the Civil War started, left home at 13 to join a herd of Texas longhorns headed for Kansas railheads, joined the Texas Rangers in the last year of its existence (For a time Texas could not afford to support it financially), migrated to Oklahoma Territory (like everybody else), where he joined Bill Doolin's Wild Bunch (whom Bill called his 'Oklahombres'), became a bartender in the wildest Whiskey Town of them all (Corner), and died in a shootout in an Oklahoma town while on duty as a deputy sheriff. This biography, sanctioned by the Miller family, was based upon the thorough and expert research of Jim Galey, who, like the author, was born a few miles from the Corner Saloon, where Hookey bartended and served as body guard for 'Uncle' Jim McCarty, the owner.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Hookey Miller was his ability to defend himself in any kind of battle--despite the fact that he had no right hand and a left hand with the first joints of three fingers missing. He was well-liked by all who knew him; and during a time when a true friend was hard to find, he had the reputation of being reliable and trustworthy to the end. It is true that Hookey 'worked both sides of the law', as the saying went. He served time in prison for rustling cattle (He had rustled only two cows), he rode (for a short time) with the most famous gang of outlaws in the old West, and, on occasion, when he either had to kill or be killed, he killed. This 252-page 6X9 soft cover history of the last days of the old West is available at Barnes & Noble and all chain bookstores for $20.95. It was published by The Writer's Club (iUniverse.com) in 2007. ISBN: 978-0-595-46198-1