Bastion

Book excerpt: BASTION (a fortified position) is an absolute work of fiction. It is written with the hope that it will entertain its readers with the many stories and characters within. The book begins with Jackson parachuting into Normandy on D Day. He promises a young paratrooper he would go to East Texas and tell his parents how he died. He did not realize the young paratrooper was the sole heir of a multibillion dollar estate. The first stories are about Jackson's stay in Army hospitals and being discharged. The book tells the stories of his two year journey to East Texas to keep his promise to the dead soldier. Jackson learns the soldier's family is the Bastions who own nearly all of Red River County plus some of Bowie County. He marries El, their beautiful auburn haired daughter, and she makes him joint heir of the entire Bastion estate. The book tells how Jackson uses an unlimited amount of money to do good for all. He and El were, and remained, deeply in love. El was always his greatest supporter in what seemed his scatter-brained adventures. Jackson had married a one hundred thousand acre cattle ranch and couldn't ride a horse. He bought a caterpillar to ride the range while he learned to ride a real horse. It didn't take long for him to ride with the best. BOBBY NEAL CHAPMAN was born to tenant cotton farmers Basil Calvin Chapman and Etalka Lee Chapman on December 14, 1926. They and his sister Doris lived six miles east of Bonham, Texas in a two room house. When he was five years old the family moved to Hilger School District to live with his Grandmother who was very sick. Hilger had only a two room school house and less than thirty students. Basil was a good man. He only had a third grade education, but he was a good family man. He worked hard and was at home when the sun went down every day. Bobby lacked only one week of being fifteen years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He graduated from High School at the age of sixteen and went to work for the railroad in Bonham, Texas until old enough to go to the army. After spending nearly two years in the Army Paratroops, he returned to work with the Railroad after being discharged. Counting military service he spent forty four years working for the Railroad.