A CHARLTON PUBLICATION | APPROVED BY THE COMICS J +jb CODE : -INT&ReST/NG HOMME?
MONTE HALE WESTERN Volume 1. Number H Avunt, 1955 Published bimonthly by Charlton Comic* Group. Executive offices and office of publication Charlton Building, Derby. Conn. Copyright 1955 by Charlton Comic Group. Printed in the U.S.A MONTE HALE The WESTERN foftowrfta outjtondmg mogoilnei are eatlly identified on their co«rt by Km wordi A CHARLTON PUBLICATION ATOMIC MOUSE * BADGE OF JUSTICE * BLUE BEETLE + COWBOY LOVE * COWBOY WEST- ERN * DANGER and ADVENTURE * FUNNY ANIMALS—MERRY MAILMAN * GABBY HAYES * HOT RODS and RACING CARS * LASH La RUE + MONTE HALE * MY LITTLE MARGIE * ROCKY LANE * SIX-GUN HEROES • SOLDIER and MARINE * SPACE ADVENTURES—ROCKY JONES. SPACE SWEETHEARTS RANGER * * TEX RITTER * TKi \t SUSPENSE * TRUE LIFE SECRETS * TV TEENS—DON W1NSLOW of the NAVY * WIN-A-PRIZE * ZOO FUNNIES, NYOKA, JUNGLE GIRL fcvery effort Ii mod* to incur* tltof theee comic maoounat contain rH* higheit quality of wholesome entertainment.. MONTE HALE WESTERN
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Wearing ike Soixvid of firing, Lars AND EVIDENTLY THEY'VE Nelson and. ike olker settlers', BEEN DOING- SOME MIGHTY ride up front ike lower valleq .'/ SUCCESSFUL DIAMOND MINING t SUPPOSE ONE OP you HOMBRES TELL US WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT .' ST
you've got WERE OSSOODS so you RIGHT.' AND \ SRADUALLY T WE ALWAYS us dead to AMD LAWTONS .' DECIDED TO PREVENT IT GREW INTO FIGURED WE'D rights, hale- YEARS AGO WHEN TO HIDE OTHERS FROM A LEQEND .' QUIT AFTER so we might THE REST OF OUR OUT IN COMING IN* EVERYBODY A WHILE .' BUT AS WELL FAMILY DIED FROM THE WE PLANTED WAS AFRAID WE KEPT SPILL THE TYPHOID, WE HAD VALLEY TYPHOID TO COME GETTING- A BEANS.' THE DISEASE BUT AND MINE GERMS IN THE INTO THE BIGGER AND SURVIVED.' BUT THEN THE WATER IN THE VALLEY- - BIGGER STORE WE DISCOVERED A DIAMONDS VALLEY.' I SOT UNTIL LARS OF DIAMONDS RICH VEIN OF YOUR- A JOB IN THE NELSON AND AND WE NEVER PRECIOUS JEWELS SELVES f FORT BAILEY HIS PEOPLE COULD DECIDE IN THE VALLEY / HOSPITAL AND VJZCVB IN/ J TO STOP/ ^^ BROUGHT IN THE GERMS •' jQr^MM LE-''''''A/^u\\^\ (1 i^m^Y/(f iw.f wM\s&
UNTIL THE WATER IS PURIFIED, WE'LL CARRY ALL OF OUR WE GOT TO THE. '; DRINKING- WATER. CHILDREN! SOON IN.' MONTE, WE ENOUGH TO CHECK DISEASE/ OWE PLENTY TO THE ' you / youVE made ALL OP THEM TYPHOID VALLEY WILL RECOVER PLACE --AND PRONTO.' A SAFE POR US 1 LIVE /
MONTE HALE WESTERN
^_^ t^fHiP^l^llilsi |25>ia ^P^ ^M/y /^KWsf^C A NEW MOON MONTE HALE WESTERN QUICK ON THE DRAW t By Clement Good m t THE AGE of twenty. Jack McCrae * "Only 'looks like'," said Jack, ** was tall, dark and rugged. He had an "What do you mean?" asked one of the men. easy, good-humored smile and there was usu- "Only way they can ride out of Dead End ally a twinkle in his gray eyes. Canyon is by going past us." The two old-timers, Jeb and Luke, were "True, this is the only way they can ride busy at their usual occupation, whittling and out," Jack agreed. "But it'll be dark in a little chewing tobacco, when they saw the posse ride while. Then they can forget their horses and out. Jack grinned and waved at Jeb and Luke climb out the other end. We won't be able to as he passed, and Jeb said, "Mark my words, see them, we won't know where they've headed. Luke, that there young feller is going to be Once more, the Ghost will disappear into thin the next sheriff. He's as brave as a wildcat!" air. That's why I aim to belly around these Grimly, silently, swiftly, the possemen rode rocks and see if I can't circle and surprise southwest toward the foothills. They were hot them." on the trail of the Ghost Raider and his hench- "Now, wait, Jack !" urged the sheriff. "That's men. The "ghost" was so-called because after taking a mighty big chance. If anybody's to each foray he seemed to disappear into thin do that, it should be me." air. No living person had ever seen him! Jack grinned. "Sheriff, we all know you'd Today the Wells Fargo office had been never ask any man to take on a job you wouldn't robbed, the guard shot. Quickly alerted, the handle yourself. But all I aim to do is sort of sheriff and his men were able to pursue the smoke them out a mite. You've got to be ready three desperadoes before the trail got cold. to grab them." The sun was setting as they rode into the Jack crawled away from the group, keeping mouth of Dead End Canyon. to the cover of the rocks as much as possible. "We've got 'em trapped," exclaimed one of He circled wide in the fading twilight. The the deputies. "They were plumb foolish to sheriff and his men kept firing steadily to cover come in here." any noise Jack might make, but it wasn't really "Take it easy!" cautioned Jack McCrea. "It necessary for he was as quiet as a cat. looks too simple. Maybe we're the ones getting "Drop the guns!" Jack's voice burst on the into a trap." outlaws like a whipcrack, but they didn't obey. "Jack's right!" said the sheriff. "Rein up The rifleman turned and Jack's Colt blasted and take cover!" the gun from his hands. A shot from the young He had barely given the order when a rifle deputy seared the wrist of a second outlaw barked, and the deputy who had said, "We've and caused him to drop his revolver and cry got 'em trapped," plummeted from his mount. out in pain. But the third masked man hit Jack Jack leaped to the ground and dragged the with two quick shots and the young lawman fallen m^n to cover behind jutting rocks, while tum-ijgd to the ground. the others' scurried for hiding places. A hail The two wounded outlaws cried out as the of rifle bullets chipped the rocks all around third scrambled away into the falling darkness. the lawmen. , boss! shot up! Don't leave "The Ghost planned to ambush us, right "Hey, We're us!" enough," said the sheriff, "but now that he's The boss' answer was two quick squeezes on tipped his mitt, looks like we've got him bot- the trigger that provided two new candidates tled up." for Boot Hill. Once more the Ghost Raider MONTE HALE WESTERN making was sure there'd be no witnesses alive As he finished he wiped his wrinkled brow could identify who him. and said, "Gosh all fish-hooks, Jack, I wish you could've ridden with us. You might've noticed "He won't ever get be to sheriff now, Luke," some clue that we missed." said Jeb. A few days afterward, Jed and Luke were "Reckon not, Jeb," responded Luke, "A astonished to learn that Jack had taken a job. sheriff can't go chasing owlhoots in a wheel He was the new shotgun guard on the stage chair. Too bad. Sure was a promising young line between Pine Bush and Longhorn City. fellow." They both looked mournfully at Jack On Jack's first run, the Ghost Raider held McCrae. up the stage out on Prairie Flats. He gunned Jack was crippled! Two slugs had been dug the driver without warning and as Jack leveled out of his right leg. Now they said he'd never his shotgun, a bullet ripped off his hat and Again be able to walk without a cane and cer- red began oozing from his skull. Jack fell tainly he'd never be able to ride a horse. Jack across the seat. The horses, spooked by the took it with his usual courage and a grin. He gunplay, took off at a gallop! eat on the porch of the Cattlemen's Hotel The stage horses charged into Longhorn and kept his hands busy, not with whittling City and halted at the livery stable of their as Jeb and Luke did, but with sketches. He own accord. They were there for a full minute got so he could make a pretty good likeness before anyone noticed Jack lying crumpled on of anyone who would pose. And when no one the seat. He was unconscious. Beside him was was posing he sketched the stage coach across a piece of paper with what appeared to be the street, the horses at the hitch rail, the the beginning of a sketch on it. But it was false-fronted frame buildings or the distant only an ear, nothing more! hills. Jack was taken to the hospital in Longhorn Most people were pleased and flattered to City. Doctors later told his old friend, the have their portraits made. But Four Flush sheriff, they thought he'd pull through, but he Farro, who ran the gambling casino, was dif- might be unconscious for days. "He may have ferent. He was furious when he noticed Jack seen who shot him, but he won't be telling for making a sketch of himself. He snatched the a long while." paper from Jack's hand and tore it to bits! "He's told already," grunted the sheriff, "Not a good likeness?" asked Jack, raising looking at the sketch of an ear. his eyebrows. The Sheriff arrested Four Flush Farro. "Huh? Oh, I reckon it was good enough. "You're the Ghost Raider," declared the law- I'm just superstitious about having my picture man, as he slipped on the handcuffs. "You've made. All gamblers are superstitious. Here, been identified by Jack McCrae." buy yourself some more paper." "But he couldn't recognize me!" cried the Farro flipped silver a dollar into Jack's lap gambler. "I wore a mask . . . that is . . ." And hurried away. Jack looked at the coin and (rinned. "This is all right! Maybe I can make JED AND LUKE were so interested they a good living by not drawing pictures!" stopped their whittling while the sheriff ". unfolded the story. . . yep, the human ear is Weeks went by. Jack passed the time of day one thing that can't be disguised and it's a idly chatting with Jed and Luke, or sketching sure mark of identification. Jack got a good over the things he had drawn before. The look at the hombre's ear in spite of the mask, Ghost Raider struck again, this time robbing and he sketched it just before he passed out. a rich rancher, north of town. As the posse By the way, there's a thousand dollar reward rode out, Jack fidgeted. To sit around idle, for the Ghost Raider and Jack's going to get useless, was not his nature. Later the sheriff it so he can have an operation and have his and the men came back empty-handed, as usual. leg fixed up good as new. Likely he'll be the The chief lawman stopped by to give Jack next sheriff hereabouts!" McCrea an account of the futile expedition. THE END YOUNG LACLf; MONTE HALE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN I'M manse Benton/ I JUST RODE IN PROM Missouri / have you SEEN FOUR ROUSH- LOOKIN& MEN IN A ' — THE LINE OP WAITINS / AND AMIDST VVASONS SURSES FORWARD. GIT MOVING, THE CONFUSION- you BLAMED SHOTS .'THAT'S THE ] NO TIME TO CRITTERS / GO STARTING SIGNAL^ AFTER THOSE SUN- LETS SO/ LOCO VARMINTS.'" I'LL HAVE TO TEND To BENTON l FIRST.' k<^ OHHHH: iM: i MONTE HALE WESTERN W you'll BE MISHTV ' WEAK FOR A STRETCH/ vtz^- lb &ENT gT*1 ^"irtBsk' '^' >>/ 52S3I&K^58\_Aj1 '1, mCSsiK v*"^^^*^, —_. ,v \U L«gfflQ ~f! bPbP'1 |flf\^ fS^ ^^^£"*^%» MONTE HALE WESTERN AS MONTE AND MANSE MONTE, I'M PLUMB DlSCOUR THEN, ATLAST--- BENTON SEARCH, THE VAGED/ WE'VE JUST GOT A PAYS RACE BK' COUPLE OF DAyS TO fSO ANO 7 WHy, yES.'l RECOLLECT WE STILL HAVEN'T POUND A SEEING A BIG YELLOW" SINGLE CLUE TELLING US CONESTOGA WAGON WHERE THE LIKE THE ONE YOU THANK SPEAK OF.' IT MUST you, MAM.' BE UP THIS CREEK MONTE, ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MILES / MONTE HALE WESTERN LET'S OFFER A ^\ LITTLE: BAIT AND SEE IF WE CAN DRAW THEM OUT.' FOLKS GATHER AROUND BI& CAMP- FIRES AT NIGHT,AND QOSSIP SPREADS QUICKLY FROM ONE . CAMPFIRE TO ANOTHER. LET'S START SOME RUMORS ROLLINS -•' MONTE HALE WESTERN As MONTE AND MANSE BENTON WALK THROUGH THE NIGHT, THE SHADOWy FIGURES CONTINUE TO PURSUE THEM .' , uMbMMMM, AMERICA'S CMS/MB OF 1AWAND0PDEP now »t taut uui Mtwtrrun! MONTE HALE WESTERN THAT MIGHT BE TRUE ANy OTHER yEAR, MANSE, BUT WOT THIS yEAR- THIS IS LEAP yEAR, AND TODAy IS FEBRUARy TWENT/-NINTH.' WE'LL HAVE TIME TO GET TO A TELE - GRAPH OFFICE AND SEND A , MESSAGE TO THE WARDEN TO STOP HIS HANGING-/ LASH LaRUE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN &BkBmrmmm RODEO RASCAL MONTE HALE WESTERN YIW CA4JSHT ME COMPLETg BY SUB- PRISE WtTH THAT TWEW CAPSJ? vuh know vo*P.e ONi>r suffcaep TO DO THAT WHEM I SAyeuOCi MONTE HALE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN ©HE S1MIOS ARE FULL OF CHEERING, 80V5, I'M SUPPERS SLEEK, IXCTTEO ORPHANS A»THE RODEO RIGHTFUL KING OF THE OET» UNDER WAYi RODEO . AND I WANT \©U TO HELP ME PROVE (T i I PROWISEO THE KIDS I'D DO A NEW , STUUT.SOIAIM TO DO MY BUCKING ACT BLINDFOLDED:/ MONTE HALE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN oto SLICK cmomuHCHERi HOW COME yUH EAT THEMRAW CARROTS SO MUCH/ OLD SLICK? */#*££ 4S AN ANTELOPE! CANNY AS A BLACK PANTHER! as HER EVERY ACT A LIFE AND DEATH ADVENTURE.. 10( ON SALE AT YOUR FAVORITE NEWSSTAND 10c MONTE HALE WESTERN MONTE HALE WESTERN MOKTE AND PALE MOTLEY OUICKLY PREPARE FOR THE TRIP.' THEN--- r. MONTE, yOU'O BETTER TAKE THIS ' ENVELOPE / IT HOLPS LETTERS OF AUTHORIZATION FROM ALL THE RANCHERS HEREABOUTS-PERMITTING- VOU TO CLAIM THE CATTLE BELONGING TO THEM.' YOU'LL HAVE to show rr To f thanks. CATTLE DRIVE J I BEN.' K%'LL MONTE HALE WESTERN — \ MONTE HALE WESTERN PESPERATSL/, THE TWO MEW AND TH6I1 THE NEXT ^^^f LET'S TELL SALLANT MOUNTS STRUGGLE TO REACH- MORNINS" ( f~~\ THEM WHAT \ A WAITING SANDBAR .'THE CURRENT HAPPENED / 1 CLUTCHES VICIOUSLY r KT LAST.' HERE'S \ PRONTO, /- AT THEM, BUT THE DRIVE HEAD- I MONTE //> QUARTERS, DALE.' ^ ^feW^^cattle} 21s 1^ \C^^P} '' M\ VJ THE REAL MONTANA COW- *~H (/THEy'VE ALREADV BOYS GOT HERE A MITE AHEAD SHOWN US THEIR OF you--ANP WARNED US _.' - PAPERS, AUTHORIZING- HOWOy, <3ENTS i WE'RE THAT YOU MIGHT „ -CT THEM TO PICK UP ' ^ REPRESENTING SEVERAL A. CATTLE FOR MONTANA MONTANA RANCHES IN ranches; can you SHOW THE BIG SPRING- US , SORTING-/ X PUT EM UP, —y i MISTER /WE WERE MONTE HALE WESTERN I'VE GOT AM IDEA TOUR VEST IS STILL WET FROM THAT SWIM LAST NISHT, BUT IT / SHOULD BURN MONTE HALE WESTERN LOOK'. LAZ/-J STEERS. WELL, IF STONE AND CIRCLE-M AND FlYING-/.' WALLS WON'T HOLD THESE ARE THE MONTANA HIM LET'S SEE IF CATTLE ALU R1SHT.' LET'S A THOUSAND HOOFS CUT WAy AHEAD OF THEM, CAN TRAMPLE HIM.' AND STOP THEM AT THE STAMPEDE THE ' •HISH D1VID£ PASS .' HERD .'SEND THEM THROUGH .' W6*TERH NOW AT YOUR LOCAL NEWSSTAND/ JO