Ambush : The Story of Bill Keys

Scarce 5.5" x 8.5" 184 page hardcover with dustjacket titled THE STORY OF BILL KEYS by Art Kidwell /Pioneer Publishing ISBN # 0-914330-31-4 First Edition (unstated) copyright 1979/ Describes a gunfight and subsequent imprisonment of the survivor who was proved innocent of an ambush after many years with the help of Earl Stanley Gardners Court of Last Resort. On May 11 1943 a rancher and miner named Bill Keys shot and killed his neighbor Worth Bagley. Both characters are shrouded in a bit of mystery. Keys was from either Nebraska or Russia depending upon the account you read. He moved into the area in 1910 or so. Bagley moved into the area in 1938 and was an ex-law enforcement officer who might have been mentally unstable. He developed a reputation of being a bit of a loose cannon. A dispute developed between the two (either over water or a roadway that passed near Bagleys property depending upon the version you read). Allegedly Bagley approached Keys with a revolver one day. Keys reached for his rifle and waited for Bagley to fire the first shot. Bagley did and missed and Keys shot him. Keys turned himself in and was sentenced to 10 years. He served 5 1/2 of them and was released from prison moving back to the Desert Queen Ranch. Keys passed away in 1969. Illustrated with black & white photographs. The book is complete and in VERY GOOD condition with some overall wear including some small tears to the edges of the dustjacket. Signed by the author on the title half "To Bonnie & Jacque Minnotte. Best regards from the desert Art Kidwell"