the lady's roles

So why was Frank shot? Through watching some old John Wayne  movies I could think of a long list of possibilities:

• land disputes
• animals
• family feuds
• love
• honor

Well of your options which would you think is the reason for the poor Baccus family? land? family? love?... honor?

Well if you guessed honor, you are on the right track.

The disagreement between the Baccus and Pettis families seemed to go on for a few years.  The story is hard to follow- and I may be reading it wrong, but here is my simplified interpretation. 

Mr. Pettis wife (who is never named) had a disagreement with Martha Baccus.  After this disagreement rumors started to fly about these two ladies, circulated by the said two ladies.  The only adverb used to describe the rumors were "scandalized." The rumors were never specified.  But as we all know about rumors they start off little and can quickly become huge.

Mr. Pettis was defending his wife's honor.  In the court case it says the Baccus family apologized for what was said.   I  think it is a little obvious that it was not accepted.

The effects

Frank was killed when he was 38 years old, hist wife was 26, and his oldest child 8 and his youngest just born, or not born yet.  I often wonder about his wife Martha who suddenly at 26 was left a widow with young children to raise.  She lived in the same area (possibly even the same home) until 1963, at which point she died at age 88. She is buried next to Frank in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkle Texas.  I imagine life was hard for Martha. the shock of loosing her husband was probably very hard on her and her children.  Did Martha play a role in Franks death?

Next week that question will be answered.