Shooter Galloway Read online

  Table of Contents

  Books by Roy Chandler

  A Foreword

  Introduction

  The Boy

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  The Marine

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  The Soldier

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  About Roy Chandler

  Books by Roy Chandler

  By Publication Date

  All About a Foot Soldier, 1965

  History of Early Perry County Guns and Gunsmiths (With Donald L. Mitchell), 1969

  A History of Perry County Railroads, 1970

  Alaskan hunter: a book about big game hunting, 1972

  Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes and Barrel Marks, 1972

  Tales of Perry County, 1973

  Arrowmaker, 1974

  Hunting in Perry County, 1974

  Antiques of Perry County, 1976

  The Black Rifle, 1976

  Homes, Barns and Outbuildings of Perry County, 1978

  Shatto, 1979

  The Perry County Flavor, 1980

  Arms Makers of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1981

  The Didactor, 1981

  Fort Robinson: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, the years 1750-63, 1981

  Friend Seeker: A novel of Perry County PA, 1982

  Gunsmiths of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1982

  Perry County in Pen & Ink, 1983

  Shatto's way: A novel of Perry County, Pa, 1984

  Chip Shatto: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, the years 1863-6, 1984

  Pennsylvania Gunmakers (a collection), 1984

  Firefighters of Perry County, 1985

  The Warrior, A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania 1721-1764, 1985

  Perry County Sketchbook (And Katherine R. Chandler), 1986

  A 30-foot, $6,000 Cruising Catamaran, 1987

  The Gun of Joseph Smith (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1987

  The Perry Countian, 1987

  Hawk's Feather - An Adventure Story, 1988

  Ted's Story, 1988

  Alcatraz: The Hard Years 1934-1938 (With Erville F. Chandler), 1989

  Cronies, 1989

  Song of Blue Moccasin, 1989

  Chugger's Hunt, 1990

  The Sweet Taste, 1990

  Tiff's game: A work of fiction, 1991

  Tuck Morgan, Plainsman (Vol. 2) (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1991

  Death From Afar I (And Norman A. Chandler), 1992

  Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes All New Volume 2, 1992

  Behold the Long Rifle, 1993

  Death From Afar II: Marine Corps Sniping (And Norman A. Chandler), 1993

  Old Dog, 1993

  Tim Murphy, Rifleman: A novel of Perry County, Pa. 1754-1840, 1993

  Choose the Right Gun, 1994

  Death From Afar Vol. III: The Black Book (And Norman A. Chandler), 1994

  The Kentucky Pistol, 1994

  Ramsey: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, 1994

  Gray's Talent, 1995

  Hunting Alaska, 1995

  Last Black Book, 1995

  Dark shadow (The Red book series), 1996

  Death From Afar IV (And Norman A. Chandler, 1996

  Morgan's Park (Vol. 3) (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1997

  White feather: Carlos Hathcock USMC scout sniper (And Norman A. Chandler), 1997

  Death From Afar V (And Norman A. Chandler), 1998

  Ironhawk: A frontier novel of Perry County Pennsylvania 1759-1765, 1999

  Sniper One, 2000

  One Shot Brotherhood (And Norman A. Chandler), 2001

  Shooter Galloway, 2004

  The Hunter's Alaska, 2005

  The Boss's Boy, 2007

  Pardners, 2009

  Hawk's Revenge, 2010

  Perry County, Pennsylvania series

  History of Early Perry County Guns and Gunsmiths, 1969

  A History of Perry County Railroads, 1970

  Tales of Perry County, 1973

  A History of Hunting in Perry County, 1974

  Arrowmaker, 1974

  Antiques of Perry County, 1976

  The Black Rifle, 1976

  Homes, Barns and Outbuildings of Perry County,1978

  Shatto, 1979

  The Perry County Flavor, 1980

  The Didactor, 1981

  Fort Robinson: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, the years 1750-63, 1981

  Friend Seeker: A novel of Perry County PA, 1982

  Perry County in Pen &Ink, 1983

  Shatto's way: A novel of Perry County, Pa, 1984

  Chip Shatto: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, the years 1863-65, 1984

  Firefighters of Perry County, 1982

  Perry County Sketchbook, 1986

  The Warrior, A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, 1995

  The Perry Countian, 1987

  Hawk's Feather - An Adventure Story, 1988

  Ted's Story, 1988

  Cronies, 1989

  Song of Blue Moccasin, 1989

  The Sweet Taste, 1990

  Tiff's game: A work of fiction, 1991

  Old Dog, 1993

  Tim Murphy, Rifleman: A novel of Perry County, Pa, 1754-1840, 1993

  Ramsey: A novel of Perry County Pennsylvania, 1994

  Last Black Book, 1995

  Gun of Joseph Smith series (Juvenile)

  Gun of Joseph Smith, The (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1987

  Tuck Morgan, Plainsman (Vol. 2) (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1991

  Morgan's Park (Vol. 3) (With Katherine R. Chandler), 1997

  Antique Guns

  History of Early Perry County Guns and Gunsmiths (With Donald L. Mitchell), 1969

  Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes and Barrel Marks, 1972

  Arms Makers of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1981

  Gunsmiths of Eastern Pennsylvania, 1982

  Pennsylvania Gunmakers (a collection), 1984

  Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes All New Volume 2, 1992

  Behold the Long Rifle, 1993

  The Kentucky Pistol, 1994

  Hunting

  Alaskan hunter: a book about big game hunting, 1972

  Choose the Right Gun, 1994

  Hunting Alaska, 1995

  The Hunter's Alaska, 2005

  Sniper Series

  Death From Afar I (And Norman A. Chandler), 1992

  Death From Afar II: Marine Corps Sniping (And Norman A. Chandler), 1993

  Death From Afar Vol. III: The Black Book (And Norman A. Chandler), 1994

  Death From Afar IV (And Norman A. Chandler), 1996

  White feather : Carlos Hathcock USMC scout sniper (And Norman A. Chandler), 1997

  Death From Afar V (And Norman A. Chandler), 1998

  Sniper One (Iron Brigade series), 2000

  One Shot Brotherhood (And Norman A. Chandler)

  Children’s Books

  All About a Foot Soldier, 1965

  Iron Brigade Armory, Publishers

  100 Radcliffe Circle

  Jacksonville, NC 28546

>   Tel: (910) 455-3834

  www.ironbrigadearmory.com

  Printed in The United States of America

  Printing History:

  First: December 2004

  E-Book 2012

  Shooter Galloway by Roy F. Chandler

  Copyright © 2004 Roy F. Chandler

  All rights reserved

  Shooter Galloway is a work of fiction. The incidents in this book and the situations depicted are the author’s creations. They do not and did not exist or happen.

  Cover Description

  USMC Staff Sergeant Steve Reichert was photographed in desert uniform armed with his Iron Brigade Armory, suppressed, sniper rifle.

  Sergeant Reichert (MOS 8541) served as a combat Marine in Iraq where he and his rifle saw lengthy and extremely effective service. Sergeant Reichert was wounded in the summer of 2004 and returned to the states. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor.

  Cover photograph: Norman A. Chandler.

  Illustrations: Roy F. Chandler.

  This book is for

  Norman A. Chandler

  Lt Col USMC (Retired)

  Warrior, Brother, Friend

  and

  Creator of the IBA Chandler Sniper Rifle

  "The finest in the world-bar none."

  Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn down, out of ammunition, and loudly proclaiming:

  “Wow—what a ride.

  Author unknown

  A Foreword

  Roy F. Chandler has done it again. He has written a powerful story that catches your attention from the moment you crack the book and discover that it is nearly impossible to set it aside. Shooter Galloway, like most Chandler books is brimming with adventure and action that moves you from page to page as fast as a runaway train. The strong story line is about honor, a sense of duty, and obligation toward family most of which is set in and around Perry County, Pennsylvania. The author has also used this opportunity to give us a look inside his Alma Mater, Carson Long Military Academy.

  His perspective is unique because not only did he attend the academy as a young man, but he later returned to become the type of teacher that influences and shapes young men for life. All Chandler readers enjoy the way he mixes a touch of history, a pinch of social commentary and a small dab of political views (few of which are politically correct—but should be) into an outstanding story. Shooter Galloway has all of the ingredients for a great and pleasurable book.

  Rocky has been blessed with an array of creative ideas and story lines. He has insights that are often outside of the norm but are of great value to his books and are appreciated by his friends. This book is a wonderful read and encompasses a complex and diverse theory of right, wrong, justice, honor and the limitations of our society to protect us.

  Enjoy the fascinating tale but remember that there is much to be learned in this little treasure.

  Michael Maloney

  Professor of Psychology

  College of Southern Maryland

  St. Mary’s County, Maryland

  Introduction

  This is a book about guns and their use in peace and in war by civilians and within the military. Shooter Galloway is also a story of courage, determination, and sense of honor. This story describes how an American boy might feel and act.

  Citizens of other countries (probably excluding Canada) will decide that this is just an improbable yarn and sit back to enjoy the action, but we who are part of today’s American society (2004) will know that it could happen this way in our nation. Some of us would like to think that it would happen exactly as the story describes.

  This is an adventure story that I believe readers will find gripping. I believe that because I write the kind of story I enjoy, and when I do that, my readership invariably claims that they loved the book.

  That ends the Introduction to Shooter Galloway—We do not wish to reveal details.

  The Boy

  Chapter 1

  “Ten years ago today, Boxer Elder killed my father.

  "The next day, I shot box Elder dead.

  “I was eleven years old.

  “One down; five to go.”

  Shooter Galloway

  A half hour after his son had been sent to bed, Bob Galloway drove the short half-mile over to Ferdy’s Bar to sit for an hour or two nursing a Bud Light—never more than two, often less. The boy, believed to be sound asleep, had found the perfect spot to watch and to listen.

  Ferdy’s Bar had been an old frame house converted into a country store with an apartment upstairs where Ferdy lived. When small rural stores could no longer compete with the big franchised outlets, Ferdy had managed to qualify for a liquor license and stayed open as a country watering hole. Local men hung out there, swapping stories, studying the weather, and listening to each other’s opinions on anything heard about.

  In the cold winter months, they warmed themselves around Ferdy’s potbellied stove, melting their boot soles against the red hot stove belly and sniffing the smell of melting rubber.

  Ferdy’s was a comfortable place to loaf with Ferdy himself tending bar and assembling thick ham or beef and cheese sandwiches. There were no burgers or dogs because Ferdy was unwilling to cook.

  The old house was supported by limestone rocks that provided a barely passable crawl space beneath the thickly planked floor. When he had been two years younger, the boy had explored the mysterious under-floor world and found loose boards that, once pried aside, allowed him to squirm into a small and dusty area beneath the stairs leading upward to Ferdy’s apartment. For comfortable sitting, he brought an old blanket and an abandoned sofa pillow into the protective darkness of his secret room. Leaned against a wall, the boy could see through cracks in the warped wallboards and watch the customers who gathered at Ferdy’s two round tables.

  It was annoying that he could not see men at the bar, but Ferdy’s patrons were mostly regulars, and over many visits the youth learned the voices and knew just about everyone that came in. The hearing was, in fact, excellent, and it was exciting to hear the men cussing and talking about things they would never have mentioned in front of a small boy.

  His dad, Bob Galloway, usually sat at the closest table and was almost facing the hidden watcher. Sometimes, the boy wondered if his father might actually know he was there, but judging by the subjects that were openly discussed, he decided that his dad would never have used the words he did if he suspected his son might hear.

  Occasionally, his own name came up, and the boy listened hungrily for those moments. Someone might say that the son was getting big, and Bob Galloway might answer that Shooter seemed to be right on schedule.

  The older Galloway clearly enjoyed talking about his son, and in particular about the boy’s ability to hit targets and small game with his single shot .22 rifle. Bob Galloway had shot competitively during his army years and had trophies and medals to prove it. Shooter, Bob claimed, was a natural who already handled a rifle like a veteran.

  The older Galloway enjoyed teaching and running his son through the drills for 4-position shooting matches. To his pleasant surprise, the boy not only liked it all but demonstrated an unusual ability to concentrate on what he was doing. The father marveled as the youth closed his mind to all but the sights and the bull’s-eye and squeezed his trigger gently but surely. Unusual, highly unusual.

  Bob Galloway preached that a hunter didn’t often get to shoot off his belly or from some other comfortable resting position. Bob stressed shooting standing during their practice, and again young Shooter proved adept.

  When the season opened, Bob Galloway planned on stretching the law’s age limitations a bit by switching the boy to a .30-30 and putting the eleven-year-old onto a good buck.

  Country men liked talking guns and almost everyone hunted in season. A few were notorious for hunting no matter what the season.

>   The Elders were the most brazen poachers. They freely admitted to eating more venison than beef, but Game Protectors were reluctant to explore, much less stake-out Elder lands. Wild bullets from unidentified rifles were known to whistle past anyone found within their heavily posted borders, and although no one had been hit, the stray bullet messages were intimidating. The Elders lived unchallenged within their chopped-out wilderness and no one doubted that they were dangerous men who might react violently if cornered or confronted.

  Shooter Galloway did not like them. The Elders often baited and challenged his dad who, hurt like he was, could do little more than ignore their threats and barbed insults.

  The Elders had money, which few others could claim. Or at least, the Elders once had money. Things had been changing for them lately.

  The Elders owned miles of mountain land, but they had logged everything they owned to the last marketable sapling. Their ruthless denuding sickened the souls of those who cherished the forests, but everyone also knew that the Elders had run out of trees. To pay taxes on logged-out mountain land that could not bring a return for a full generation of tree growing, the Elders were selling off every acre they could peddle.

  The talk was that the Elders were facing hard times because they knew nothing except lumbering local forests, and there was no more commercially profitable timber available anywhere in the west end of the county.