Murder on the White Sands: The Disappearance of Albert and Henry Fountain: 05 (A.C. Greene Series) Paperback – Import, 30 June 2008

For anyone who studies the history of the Southwest, this is a "must read". Undoubtedly, this is the most definitive study I have ever read on this mystery. The characters in this real-life drama are brought to life in great detail and allow the reader to become a part of the story as well as a part of the "study".

"Murder on the White Sands" by Corey Recko is an extremely well documented inquest into the mysterious disappearance of Albert Jennings Fountain, and his 8 year old son, Henry.In February of 1896, Albert Fountain (a high-profile attorney), and Southwest hero was coming back from Northern New Mexico after obtaining numerous indictments on some very powerful cattle rustlers, and dark politicians. Albert and his son were closing the gap on their three day trip back to Las Cruces, New Mexico but...never made it home.An extensive search located the abandoned buckboard in the White Sands area of New Mexico but, the bodies of the presumed murder victims were never located... even to this day!The follow up investigation included the famous sheriff, Pat Garrett, and numerous agents of the Pinkerton Agency, yet their most diligent attempts to bring justice to the lawless Southwest and three indicted suspects met with defeat and court acquittal. The defense attorney was none other than Albert Fall (later identified with the infamous "Tea Pot Dome Scandal). Mr. Fall was by the way, well acquainted with the three individuals who had been arrested for the heinous murders.There is a plethora of characters in this book that was somewhat difficult for me to follow at times. Names of politicians, rustlers, and gunfighters rushed through the pages like a flash flood down dry desert arroyos. Sometimes, it was like reading a western version of "Don Corrleone's" Godfather style of business.Corey Recko has done a superb job in his investigation, and gives the reader a very plausible scenario of who the culprits were, and how they simply... "got away with murder."A great book to have, especially, for anyone having an interest in the real Southwest and the men who made it.

If you are a fan of New Mexico history, you will love this book. The disappearance and murder of one of southern New Mexico's most prominent individuals and his son has never been solved, and it is refreshing to see new light shed on a century-old case that still has strong partisan feeling in the Las Cruces-Mesilla area.This is a great read. I donated my copy to the Las Cruces Bureau of Land Management's library at Dripping Springs where locals who volunteer there, as well as BLM employees, were excited to see a new book on the subject which has so fascinated residents of this area. Thanks, Corey, for this wonderful update.

Be prepared for a lot of names. I grew up in the area knowing the descendants of most of the people named. Made for some "ahh-hah" moments as I now understand more of the underlying tensions.Pull up a map of the area, locate the different places mentioned. Makes for a more involved feeling. From post Billy The Kid to statehood this author has chronicled "Lincoln County."Good read.

Good well researched but of a hard read do to long! the long time period cowered and many accounts by witness Overall good for history buffs