RIDE FOR THE LONE STAR
A Westerm Quest Series Novel

Foreword
     
      In volume one of the Western Quest Series, Out of the Wilderness, the odyssey of the Turner family in America began with the story of Thomas Turner’s immigration from Ireland to South Carolina in 1749. In volume two, On the Camino Real, the story continues with his grandson, Aaron Turner. The young man falls under the spell of the mysterious, beautiful Spanish province of Texas. He and his companions succeed in their struggle to establish a new home for themselves on the edge of Austin’s Colony on the Camino Real.
      Volume three, Under Troubled Skies, follows the struggles of Aaron, his family and friends to sustain themselves in an increasingly dangerous time, culminating in the Texas War of Independence. This fourth volume, Ride for the Lone Star, completes the story of Aaron Turner’s life and times during the days of the Republic of Texas and the subsequent war between Mexico and the United States. Texas was in chaos during the days of the Republic. The Indian wars raged in every corner of Texas, while the Mexicans continued to threaten Texas from the south.
      The style of this fourth book differs somewhat from the previous ones. The scope of the story makes it difficult to place the protagonist at all the important events of the day so there is more narrative and less dialogue. The tone of this book is also somewhat darker than its predecessors. But those were dark days in Texas.
      Ride for the Lone Star, is a work of historical fiction, as are the others in the series and the details of Aaron Turner’s actual involvement in most of the events portrayed in the books are speculative. The historical record only supports that Aaron Turner was a cotton planter and stock producer on the Navasota River in what was later known as Leon County. The dates of his birth, death, marriage, and children’s births are known.
      Land records indicate the location of the acreage. They also show that Aaron was a slave holder, a part of the record I have chosen to edit. Leon County did not exist at the time of the Republic. It was formed later from what was Robertson County. However, to avoid confusion, the author refers to Leon County as it is known today. Records also confirm Aaron Turner’s presence in that location as an ordained Methodist minister. The reader is asked to remember that this is a work of historical fiction and not a history book