Fact to Fiction, Guest Post by Paty Jager

I’m always on the lookout for premises for my historical western stories, so when I read the book- Oregon Outlaws by Gary and Gloria Meier, a story in the book caught my attention. First because it happened in the county where I grew up, and second it seemed like the perfect type of miracle story that went with Christmas.

Dave Tucker was a young man who grew up in Wallowa Valley, Oregon and made friends with the wrong people. They talked him into helping them rob the First Bank of Joseph. During the get-a-way several, including Tucker (who lost a thumb and finger) were wounded and captured. Only one man with a money bag got away and was never caught.

Tucker pleaded guilty to bank robbery and was sentenced to seven years in the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. He served over four years of his sentence working in the prison shops and mail office. Being a model prisoner he was released and returned to Wallowa Valley to face his family and friends and rebuild his life.

Twenty-seven years after his release from prison Dave Tucker became the vice-president of the very bank he’d robbed.

Christmas Redemption by Paty Jager

This story intrigued me so much, I set up a similar situation in my novella, Christmas Redemption. My hero, Van Donovan was younger, fifteen, and rebelling from a strict father. His job was the lookout for the robbery. Only one man was killed, a bystander, and the outlaws got away with the money leaving Van to go to prison. Which is another plot line in the story.