comments from wright5781:

I too read the book, I sorta have a story to tell about the Wife beater-Bad man who murdered Bill's father. I was about 9-10 Years old, My father was the San Juan County Sheriff back in the late 1950s, The Sheriff's office had a vault with a lot of guns that had been consfiscated from law breakers in the past. There was a old Winchester model 1886 in .45-90 WCF caliber that I was very fond of. I'd always ask my father if I could look at it & he would let me, I wanted to have him buy it for me, But, He said it belonged to San Juan County as evidence. When I went to see my father I usually met Mr. Chris Christensen who generally dropped by to visit with my Dad, Mr. Christensen was the San Juan County Judge. One day I had the 1886 Winchester out wiping it down when Judge Christensen came into the Sheriff's office & sat down beside me, He told me that rifle had been used in a murder about 50 Years earlier. I told him I had been admiring that rifle for a long time & that my Dad said it belonged to San Juan County & that it was'nt for sale. To make a long story short, Judge Christensentold that was true, But being the legal authority in San Juan County, He would give it to me if I promised to take good care of it. I Thanked him & promised to take very good care of it.
If you'll read the story about Bill Tippett's father's murder, You will see where Judge Chris Christensen of San Juan County handled the murder ( In the story) & the rifle was described as a " Buffalo Gun" in .45-90. Another ironic thing; My next door neighbor in Moab is Bill Tippett's grand daughter. I told her I have the rifle that killed her grandfather.
I have heard they are going to make a movie of Bill Tippetts life. Ought to be a good one.
Regards,
Jonathan C. Wright
San Juan County boy living in
Goliad, Texas & Moab, Utah