Chapter 5 - Prince Frederick's Town

[Thumper]

DT votes to take the $270 settlement

$270 (settlement) + 80 (weapons sale) + 50 (gamble) = 400 / 5 = $80 apiece

Still have 8 CBRs, 1 DAR, 3 sheaths, 5(+) gunbelts to sell in Austin.

When the 4th week run to Austin comes along, DT will say to Charlie:
“Charlie, we’ll hire you to help transport these horses to Austin and protect them enroute. Gunfighters wage: $5/day plus expenses and three-day minimum. Payable from the proceeds of the remaining weapons gear or horse sales. You comin’?

Hotel stays the whole 7 weeks. How much does Doctor Crockett earn per day of work as a physician?

[ateno]

If thats what we are doing, Doos will stay in the hotel the whole time.

I will even burn some dollars for good booze.

[jemmus]

"I would be willing to help you out, how about in lieu of money changing hands, you put me up in your hotel for the four weeks I will be working for you. I could use a nice rest.
$72 pay vs. $75.6 hotel, 4 weeks

Doos puts out his hand for a shake.

Doos still plans on getting the payment for services and chasing down the legal agreement with Wells Fargo.

Getting that money will change his other actions

Doos

The attorney at law replies, That sounds fair, but unfortunately I'm not the sole owner of the hotel. I can't unilaterally interfere with its income-earning operations.

[jemmus]

DT earns $3/day (5 days a week) in doctor's pay.

The PCs also have:
Sale of the wagon - $17
Wells Fargo partial payment of wages - $105 (with $200 still owed to you)
4 sets of used saddles, bridles and saddlebags - $20 each

$400 (from DT's post) + $202 = $602

And the horses, of course.

Daily Costs
Hotel $.75
Dinner, supper, breakfast, dinner $1.40
Stabling horse $.25 - Wells Fargo's handling that.
Dog food $.25
"Stabling" dog in Fredericksburg $.05

Total per person with a dog $2.45. For 7 weeks (49 days) - $120.05
Total, no dog $2.20. For 7 weeks - $107.80

Notes:
-William earns $3/day lawyering (the same as I stated for Doos), not $2.50. Sorry about that.
-A work week is 5 days of pay.
-PCs can earn $3.75 per week as a farmhand or doing odd jobs, during weeks when they don't have Skill-based employment. That's at no loss to the "living comfortably, when possible" XP bonus. This is the Old West frontier. Hard work and putting yourself to use being enterprising is the norm. "Gumption" is the standard. Except of course for the saddle bums, grifters, and various hangers-on....

[Thumper]

DT would still propose a group of the party take the horses, remaining weapons, and gun belts and sheaths into Austin to sell during that fourth week when a lot of us are unemployed. That would also give them a chance to meet with Holtzclaw in-person and conduct any shopping needed. Then return to Fredricksburg.

That would close out our merchandise sales and allow us to focus only on the investigation when the time comes.

If they cash out with Holtzclaw, DT will put all that money plus the horse sale money in an Austin bank, affiliated with Wells Fargo (to keep up relations with Holtzclaw). He doesn’t want to carry to carry more than $50 on his person.

On Saturdays in Fredricksburg, DT will hunt in the environs around Fredricksburg to provide dog food and practice making trail jerkey and to practice his tracking talent. Being summer in TX, the Doves are starting to come in. He’ll persuade Doos and Gidean to accompany him Dive hunting…he’ll buy the ammo…so he can use their shotguns (he’s been considering buying a scattergun or double-barrel since his run in with one)..

He’ll attend church services on Sundays, though he may not understand the sermons. Evenings spent with friends and getting to know a few locals.

How does the criminal trial end?[/dialog]

[ateno]

The attorney at law replies, That sounds fair, but unfortunately I'm not the sole owner of the hotel. I can't unilaterally interfere with its income-earning operations.

"Allright. I will cough up the extra 3 dollars, thank you."

Shakes hands anyway.

I have done my accounting, except for the the future sale of good.
Doos

[Thumper]

DT is caught up on accounting, as well.

[jemmus]

June 26, 1873 - Friday. One week after the Wells Fargo contractors arrived in Fredericksburg
The county sheriff's deputy, heavily armed with a double-barreled scattergun and a sidearm, arrives at the Prinz Friedrich to escort the Wells Fargo contractors/shootout witnesses-particpants to the court. Please to enjoy and finish your breakfasts, gentlemen. Ve haf little time. He looks at his pocket watch. Twenty-two minutes, to be precise. That vill include around a five minute valk to the courthouse. For Mr. Doos, it vill be a buggy ride.

The men arrive at the small whitewashed courthouse and enter. Seated at the left side table for defendants is a man whose face is familiar to everyone but Charlie—- the public defender lawyer and marksman Temple Houston, last seen in Austin Austin.

He rises and crosses over to greet and shake the men's hands. Honorable Judge Doos. I heard of your injuries, and hope for your swiftest recovery. Mr. Moore, esquire. Dr. Crockett. Mr. McLaury. I've had the pleasure of meeting all of you in Austin, either dutifully performing your roles as citizen witness in a criminal trial, or in the more enjoyable city-wide shooting contest. I greatly enjoyed shooting with you, though my performance was mediocre at best. Mr. Andrea. Your home town, is it not? He looks Andreas in the eye and nods. Then at half-Comanche Charlie. I don't believe I've met you, sir. Temple Houston, attorney at law, out of Austin. He extends his hand for an honest firm shake.

Houston continues, in a lower voice, looking from face to face. I suppose you gentlemen might be surprised to see me here in Frederickburg. I'm here to act as counsel for the suspected criminals that you gentlemen brought in for justice. I suppose as men who followed the accused trail, identified them as the specific perpetrator, and fought a gun battle with them, you have no doubt as to their guilt. Gideon says, Indeed, ya got that right, governor. Not a whit a doubt. Ah've unfortunately known one a the wicked serpents mah whole life. Close blood relation to him too. What's been described is actually just like him to do. Houston listens and seems to take note of every word, the gears in his head turning. He continues, still in a low voice. Gentlemen, you may think that I'm a "do-gooder" defender of criminals and hard, wrongdoing men. To allow them to escape the justice they deserve. That's not at all my intention. As a citizen, I also want justice to be served to the truly guilty. But I want to help to establish in Texas a fair and organized system of law and justice. One where an accused person, perhaps one uneducated and ignorant of the law, stands a fair chance. Not a system of standing before a man who is both prosecutor and judge. Much less a system of local posse or vigilante justice. We have such in place in the long tradition of American justice east of the Missippi, and in some places, west of the Rockies. But in Texas-- only in the cities. And the vast majority of Texans don't live in the cities. They live on the farms and ranches, the cotton and bean fields, along the fishing and shipping coasts, deep in the Piney Woods, in the stony deserts and up and down the buffalo plains. A lot of territory for law and justice to cover. I look forward to hearing your testimony, gentlemen. He smiles and again takes his seat at the left table reserved for defendants and their counsel. He takes out a pad of paper and starts writing on it with a pencil, sometimes gazing at the ceiling with the pencil between his teeth.

The jury enters the courtroom, followed by the judge and a businesslike frau stenographer. The defendants are brought in. It turns out that the third, very wounded member of the gang's name is Travis McCullough. His left arm is in a cast that hangs from a sling around his neck. He looks like he's knocked on death door itself, and not so long ago.

Houston states that, since the crimes occurred in four different counties (Gillespie and Hays on the Fredericksburg-Austin highway and Burnet and Williamson on the Burnet-Austin highway), the State of Texas has jurisdiction. But, because of Doos's and McCullough's conditions, travel of the witness and prisoner are not safe. Therefore, any trial should be delayed until both have fully recovered. The judge counters that Gillespie County can't ask the other defendants to stay in town for several weeks, or travel back to it several weeks later, under penalty of being found in contempt of court. The trial must be now, while the witnesses and accused are all present. And relatively healthy and alive.

Houston counters that, in that case, any criminal incidents that didn't take place in Gillespie County can't be considered or discussed. With one exception: If the defendants want to confess to out-of-county offenses as a part of a plea bargain, they may do so. The judge agrees. Houston requests an in camera meeting in the judge's chambers to discuss sentencing in the case of guilty pleas, or otherwise. The judge agrees. The two return and the judge reads the charges with his German accent:
Robbery, May 20, 1873, Gillespie County;
Robbery, May 30, 1873, Hays County;
Robbery and murder, June 2, 1873, Burnet County;
Robbery and murder, June 6, 1873, Villiamson County;
Robbery, June 7, 1873, Hays County.

Louis Shepherd, how do you plead? Shepherd stands in his shackles and quietly says, I might as well plead guilty, because y'all don't have anyone else in yer back pocket to pin it on, do ya? Guilty as charged, except for that last robbery. I don't know anything about it. And as for the murders, those were Phineas McLaury's doin. Nobody asked him to do that, and I didn't have nothin to do with em. The stenographer takes what look like precise notes.

The judge says, Travis McCullough, how to you plead to the charges? The man slowly rises from his chair with a groan. Same as Louis Shepherd. I was there for the four robberies, but I don't know anything about that last one. And I didn't shoot nobody. It was Phineas McLaury who did all of that.

The judge says, Phineas McLaury, how do you plead? Phineas stands and raises his shackled hands to button his coat. He says respectfully, Innocent, Yer Honor. Y'all got these boys scared of bein hung by the neck until dead fer somethin we didn't do. So they'll fess up ta anythin ta git ta go ta prison instead. But all we done is go lookin ta try ta collect tha Wells Fargo reward, and tracks led us ta that ole ranchhouse, fulla guns and watches and money. We was plannin ar next step, when them fellas come at us shootin. It's them what ought ta be on trial, not us. Yer Honor. The frau stenographer takes careful notes.

The judge calls the witnesses from Burnet to testify and tell their stories, one by one.

Public defender Temple Houston zealously represents his clients in an adversarial judicial system, as is required by the standards of legal ethics. With each examination of a witness, he attempts to bolster Phineas's story and build the case that Shepherd's and McCullough's guilty pleas were made under duress. And to build the case that the riders' identification of the men in the ranch house was mistaken. Albeit, most likely, and arguably, in good faith.

Please state how your PC testifies. At stake is Shepherd, McCullough and Phineas being acquited. And turned loose out and at large in this part of Texas... possibly with an eye to vengeance. And forfeiture of the remaining Wells Fargo payment-- and possible a claim for the amounts already paid. At the very worst, the PCs could stand in a criminal trial themselves.
a) State how your PC testifies. GM will apply bonuses for well-reasoned arguments, as below.
b) Roll on Law vs. Temple Houston. Or on Observation, with a bonus of +1 for every point above 12 (the bonus divided by 2, round to the nearest integer).
c) If that fails, you can roll on Luck. (The same applies for Houston).
d) The judge will roll on his Law to pronounce a fitting final judgment. Modifiers from the above will apply.

[redwarrior]

William will testify fully and matter of factly, making a point of giving every detail he can in answer to every question. However, he will stress how we came to know that we were on the trail of Phineas, the letters we intercepted, Gideon’s descriptions of Phineas’ character, and will make a point of saying “as your clients Shepherd & McCullough testified under oath” about the murder. He will also make a point of emphasizing that Phineas attempted to goad the party once he was captured. And also that we brought the wounded directly to the nearest law, here. He tries to stick closely to the statement he gave to the magistrate upon arrival.

Observation target 15 [1d20]=1 I wasn’t sure which way that 2 point bonus should go, but a 1 should be a success! If I’d known I was gonna roll that well, I would have went with law!

[Thumper]

DT will begin with stating his credentials as a former Army officer and surgeon, presenting his medical school degree, his Army surgeon's certificate, and his Army discharge papers. He'll also present the contract from Holtzclaw, and the letter from Texas Ranger Captain Wilson...as he did at the tribunal. He'll also reference corroborating telegraphs from Burnett County Sherriff Ellis (assuming they came in).

He'll explain how he came to join the group that ended up under contract to Wells Fargo, their trip out to Burnet, and their escapade tracking the trail of the bandits:
I ran into my old Army friend, Judge Doos, crossing the street in front of the State Courthouse in Austin about two weeks ago. The very day I was discharged, and the day he and his (now my) associates served as trial witnesses.

Doos was a Judge Advocate in my Army Regiment during the war. We served together for over a year before we were assigned separate duty stations at War’s end. He stayed in Galveston while I went to the West Texas forts.

Mr Andreas Larson, Mr Gidean McLaury, and Mr William Moore, esquire were the men who, along with Judge Doos brought in the horse rustling Duncan Gang from Blanco County. You’ll note they brought the criminals, at great danger, all the way to Austin for proper trial. Along the way, they also prevented a young man from a posse lynching and brought him in for trial, too. They also rode with Captain Wilson’s Texas Rangers to show the Rangers the site of the Duncan’s’ rustling station. Captain Wilson’s the One-armed Texas Ranger Captain in Austin who wrote that letter.

I met them all immediately after the these men served as witnesses in the trials. Perhaps you read about Judge Doos, Mr Moore, Mr Larson, and Mr McLaury’s travails and diligence to the law in the news papers about two to three weeks ago. In fact, it was that diligence that motivated Mr Holtzclaw of Wells-Fargo to hire us to bring these accused stage coach robbing, horse rustling murderers in.

He'll be careful to point out exactly how many horse tracks Andreas said he was following and that he had first hand knowledge; as he was learning the art of tracking from Andreas as they went. Upon finding the ranch, the shabbily built corral and stable from cannibalized lumber and wire, and the description from the Burnet County Sheriff, the party glassed the area from both North and South sides and rode around the property. Finally he, Andreas, and Doos (and later, Gidean) approached the ranch.

"After searching the big barn and while moving East toward the dog trot house and around 80-90 yards away from the house, I was fired upon with two rifle shots...one went wide, and one round struck the stilts of the windmill...quite possibly saving my life. I, of course, returned fire out of self defense and hustled to the shelter of the dog trot. I was again fired upon immediately upon by a single shotgun round upon exposing myself in the corner of the breezeway. That shot struck the corner of the dog-trot that shielded my right side, and I returned fire. Two people inside that house fired upon me first...twice.” He'll describe the "parlay" that was exchanged a minute or so later and that fact that there was no response to his counter statement...indicating the bandits knew that we had some inkling as to their identity and their actions beyond the stage coach robberies...specifically, their rustling and dealing in stolen horses. "That must have been why they discontinued the parlay. They knew that their argument was not credible because of what we knew about them."

He'll carefully describe the firefight, emphasizing Phineas McLaury's and Louis Shepherd's ambush shootings and showing the mending wounds on his chest by opening his shirt. He'll carefully describe Louis' surrender, emphasizing:
"In the heat of the gunfight, it took great restraint for me to withold that last trigger squeeze and kill him instead of permitting Louis' surrender. I accepted his surrender at great personal risk to myself and my colleagues, for I was unable to continue supporting my colleagues as I tied Louis up and secured him and searched his person for anything dangerous and for evidence. And evidence I found and removed from his person in the form of the letter from his mother in Lawrence, KS to him and his now deceased brother. That letter not only amounts to direct evidence that we now held the authors of the letter to their mother, but we also held the letter-confessed stage coach robbers, murderers or accomplices to murder, rustlers, traders in stolen horses, and to being former members of the Quantrill Raiders. The two letters close the loop as to the identity of the Shepherd brothers and their accomplices... their rustling, dealing in stolen horses, the stage coach robberies, the murders committed by Phineas McLaury. The letter I removed as evidence from Louis Shepherd corroborates the letter from Farley Shepherd to Mrs Shepherd. It also is an indictment of their actions as Quantrill Raiders. Phineas even bragged about the gang having ridden with the Quantrill Raiders twice when we first captured them. He tried using that to rile his brother Gidean to anger...something he did on several occasions. He was intentionally provocative on numerous occassions.

These men are heinous war criminals in addition to what Shepherd and McColluogh already confessed and what Phineas McLaury stands trial for today. Federal custody and charges would be appropriate following this trial.

And who shot Mr McCullough there? I was accepting Louis Shepherd's surrender and didn't see it. But I did hear, what I know recognize as Phineas' voice, say 'You coward and traitor' then I heard the shots. Louis told me it was Phineas McLaury who inflicted those nearly fatal wounds on McCoullough. I believe Judge Doos also witnessed hearing McCullough getting shot from behind as McCullough attempted to surrender. Furtheremore, we had nobody in our party in position to shoot him from that angle. Add the McCullough attempted murder to the attempted murder of myself and Judge Doos. McCullough probably would have died had I not rendered immediate aid sufficient to preserve him while we rushed to get him to better medical facilities.

I'd like to add something about Phineas McLaury's claim to being bounty hunters themselves awaiting the return of some fictional bandits. If Phineas and the Shepherd Gang were bounty hunters, where were their horses? Certainly, no bounty hunter would put your own horses in a corral next to a mark’s house that you are hiding in. Their horses and tack (in this case dismounted saddles and tack were in the stable) would alert your bounty to your presence. We rode all around the property and never saw anyone else’s horses hidden in the distance. We glassed around the property too. Yet another inconsistency if they stick to the lie of them being bounty hunters. It just isn't logical to make that claim nor to believe it.

DT rolls his eyes at Temple Houston and Phineas as he says that last sentence.

Your honor, I trust you'll render the right judgement.

DT will answer the prosecution's and defenses' follow-up questions forthrightly and openly.

Ooh! This ought to prove interesting. With a 1 by William and a 20 by DT (added...and a Law 1 by Doos) there should be some good legal wrangling over the testimony.

[Rex]

Charlie

"Nice to meet you Mr. Houston, I am called Charlie." He returns the firm handshake.

[cybersavant]

Andreas Larson

"I am Andreas Larson. I scouted der horse trails to der farm. Vhe split up und surrounded der farm und made out vhay tovard der house. I checked der barn und found der saddles. Vhen i heard der gunfire i slipped out und follwed Herr Doos, who vhas injured. I remained close behind him in case he needed help. Vhe entered der house after der shooting." Andreas details his actions and movements. He answers any questions from accurately and honestly.

[ateno]

"Your Honor, I am ex-Captain Judge Doos, as explained by my friend DT. While tracking a lead we came on the farm house and the people inside were alerted by dogs outside. I advanced from north to south and took up a firing position, south of DT. After a exchange of fire I received a abdomen wound. I advanced south to the west side of the house and saw it empty from my position. Heading to the south side I met Andres Larson, we approached the south door and heard the person identified as McCullogh surrendering and then hearing the infamous "You Coward and Traitor" followed by a shot. We entered to see McCoullogh newly wounded in the Left side, as we advanced we saw William accepting the surrender under protest of the person identified of Phienas. After a quick search of the rest of the house medical aid was provided and we searched the house and took statements."

Doos will them patiently describe everything found including WF items and items stolen that were positively identified by WF and given to same for disbursement.

For presentation and defense of cross exam: Law [1d20]=1

Doos

[jemmus]

Wow, the lawyers are on a roll! Need DT's roll also.
It will get a significant bonus for the RP argument.

[Thumper]

Done! Inserted into last post.

[jemmus]

Gideon says, Everything Mr. Doos, Mr. William, Mr. Larson and Dr. Crockett said is true, accordin to what ah saw and heard. As for Phineas McLaury, I wouldn't doubt for a minute that he shot that stage guard and that Yankee reporter. And shot a member of his own gang, who was already gunshot. He was always like that, even when he was a kid. He liked being mean. It was fun to him. Horse whipped our old dog Dusty because he was barkin at night. Put a kitten in a gunny sack and killed it with a hammer. No doubt ridin with that bushwhacker Quantrill and that murderin lunatic Bloody Bill Anderson was the time a his life. Well, it seems like he didn't settle down much after the War, did he? People might think ill a me for testifyin against mah own brother. But if it was even one more person from his meanness, it's worth it. The world don't need no Phineas McLaury walkin, ridin and killin on it. He breaks down for a minute and puts his face in his hands. Ahm sorry Mama.... The courtroom can hear the sound of soft sobbing behind the hands.

Phineas says, Fittin that you'd end up bawlin like a baby now, lil Gid. Just like ya always did when things got a little tough fer your skinny little ass. Ah'll see ya in hell, little brother. We'll see if you'll be singin them church hymns then. He spits on the courtroom's polished hardwood floor. But the spittle is clear. Seems no one has given him a chaw of tobacco since his younger brother did, some days ago.

The courtroom is quiet for a moment. For the first time, Temple Houston chooses not to challenge the witness's testimony. He requests that the judge allow him a closing statement to the jury. The judge replies, It ist not needed, Counselor Houston. He indicates the men of the jury. These men have heard and seen everything today. Und an interpreter has translated fur them, vith accuracy-- yes, I listened to every vord with one ear. He says to the interpreter, Please to translate to English for the counsel, the witnesses, and the accused.

The interpreter interprets as the judge charges the jury. Gentlemen. You have heard the confessions of two of ze accused, and ze denial of guilt of ze other. You must now decide on two things. First, did ze accused men commit four stage coach robberies or all five. You will please remember ze accounts of ze men of how zey determined that ze defendants were the robbers. Und ze paper documents that were presented. Second, if they committed the crimes, whether the defendant Phineas McLaury committed both murders solely on his own, and without the cooperation of the others. And third, if he tried to kill the defendant Travis McCullough Your determination on ze first matter will decide whether these men are released to go free. Your determination on ze second matter will determine how serious each man's sentence is. On ze third matter, if Phineas McLaury vill haf a third punishment

The jury members come out of their chamber in the back, looking as if they might have just about come to fisticuffs. A red-faced gentleman takes a chair, loads a crooked-stem pipe, strikes a sulfur match to it, and starts puffing and blowing clouds of blue-gray smoke in the still air of the June courtroom. Another gentleman, red of face and muttering about "dumpfkopfs" or something takes also take a chair along with the other jurors. The jury foreman stands and states the verdicts while the interpreter translates. Ve the jury have decided that all of these men are guilty off robbink four stagecoaches. But not the last one. The two robbers denied it like sayink the truth. Two men disagreed with the rest, Mister....

The judge cuts him off with a shake of his head. The juror continues. Louis Shepherd. Four armed robberies, guilty. Helping murder, guilty of one. He should have known what kind of man McLaury was after the first murder.
Phineas McLaury. Armed robbery, four, guilty. Murder, two, guilty. Attempted murder, one. Of McCullough. Guilty.
Travis McCullough. Armed robbery, four. Helping murder, one, guilty.

The judge pronounces the sentence, with the interpreter again translating.
Louis Shepherd. Four armed robberies, 10 years imprisonment each. 40 years. Helping murder, 20 years imprisonment. Sixty years imprisonment total.
Travis McCullough. Four armed robberies, 10 years imprisonment each. 40 years. Helping murder, 20 years imprisonment. Sixty years imprisonment total.
Phineas McLaury. Four armed robberies, 10 years imprisonment each. 40 years. Attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment. Fifty-five years imprisonment total. Murder, death by hanging. Second murder, death by hanging. Temple Houston looks grimly on, clearly disappointed in the severity of the sentences. The members of the jury and the observers in the courtroom sit in stony silence.

He turns to the county sheriff. Sheriff, please carry out Mr. McLaury's hanging within the week. The magistrates will decide whether to make it public or concealed from the public. Please also make arrangements for Mr. Shepherd and Mr. McCullough to be transported to the state prison in Austin. He bangs his gavel. Court dismissed. The stenographer frau finishes her notes, has the judge sign them, runs a cloth over the top of her desk, and precisely straightens its chair.

Houston's rolls vs. PCs
Andreas [1d20]=7
Doos [1d20]=1
DT [1d20]=12
William [1d20]=6
Gideon [1d20]=7
All successes to various degrees, versus the PCs' rolls and arguments. DT's RP argument was certainly persuasion, but with that roll vs. even Houston's fairly mediocre roll, the judge and jury are left with some doubt in their minds. Doos nailed it with his testimony, but Houston nailed it just enough to put some doubt into reasonable minds. William came out firmly on top with his testimony, though. Houston came out on top vs. Andreas, but of course the townsmen know Andreas, or at least his dad and mom, so he has the advantage of presumed credibility. And also the advantage of telling his story quickly and plainly, with just the facts as he personally saw them, with no apparent attempts at persuasion. As for Gideon's testimony... well, he's an NPC wild card.

Over all, the witnesses did well enough for bonuses to apply to the jury's rolls.

The members' of the jury rolls against ascertaining the truth of the statements presented to them:
1 [1d20]=20 2[1d20]=6 3[1d20]=14 4[1d20]=2 5[1d20]=2 6[1d20]=1
Two were not completely convinced of the witnesses' methodology in identifying the robbers as the Shepherd gang.

[ateno]

To the other characters

"Horrible, no matter what, not worth celebrating, but I might buy a bottle of eastern whiskey and think about things, if all of you would join me? But first I need to talk to Mr. Houston."

Heads and wits his turn.
Shakes hand. "Mr. Houston, you did really well with what you had, not sure I could do any better or even match your defense. WE will be at the hotel later if you care to join us."

Doos

[Thumper]

DT is attentive to the jury dynamics. He takes note of the two on the jury who appeared adamant as to guilt of the fifth robbery. Something about that does not feel right as the fifth robbery was denied all around and Nimitz thinks the fifth was different. Mr Fox in Houston seemed to think so too. Can’t quite put a finger to it yet, but he’s watchful of those two jurors…now and around town. Later, he’ll ask Nimitz their names. Perhaps they’ve been to the robbery site and think they know something about that robbery. Or perhaps someone they know was affected by that robbery. Perhaps he’ll have to have a private word with them.

As the verdicts are read, his heart gives a little cheer. As the sentencing is read, DT sits back in his pew and stares at the ceiling...somberly. He's clearly relieved and satisfied with the verdict, but feels dejected that a man deserves the death sentence. He can be heard muttering to himself:

"There is genuine evil in this world, and it can't be negotiated with. God have mercy on their souls."

With that he attempts to put it behind him as he makes his way over to Gidean and puts an arm around his shoulders. "Your mom knows you did the right thing for her and to protect Texans. Phineas too, if you think about it. He won't be able to condemn himself anymore by transgressing the laws of the land and God. I know it still hurts."

As he makes his way out of the courthouse, he eyes Houston as he passes but doesn't say anything to him...just puts on his hat while he holds eye contact for a moment in passing. On the steps, he shakes hands with any magistrates present and Nimitz. "Hell of a thing!" Then, turning to Nimitz: "Give me a day to recover from this. Then I'd like to get eyes on the 5th robbery site. Actually, strike that. Going there now may get my mind off the contemplation that's bound to keep me up tonight, besides, I can use a good hard ride now. I know we aren’t on the job, and won’t be for some time, but there's certainly evidence that's perishable on the site. How many days ago did it occur again? "

If Houston comes to the hotel, he'll hold a brief conversation with him and gently give a piece of his mind.

[jemmus]

Houston replies to Doos, I'm staying at the Prinz Friedrich myself, Judge Doos. I look forward to joining you. He looks around at the men. Gentleman, as a fellow citizen I'd like to thank you for doing your civic duty and serving as witnesses. And for apprehending men that a jury of their peers have found to be guilty of serious crimes. Catching DT's gesture, he seems astonished and genuinely perplexed. He puts his hat on, bows his head to the men, and exits going toward the hotel.

Nimitz replies to DT, I'm sorry sir, but I do not have permission to inform you of the fifth robbery's details at this time. He leans closer. But the county sheriff may not be under such a restriction. Vell, the court has decided and ve vill no longer be vexed by these men. The Wells Fargo company is grateful. And it vill not forget about the monies owed to you. He dons his hat and sets off towards the Wells Fargo office. The sheriff seems to have overheard DT's inquiry to the Wells Fargo manager. The fifth robber, you vant to know? It vas on June 7-- 19 days ago-- on the Austin - Fredericksburg road. Around 35 miles east of Fredericksburg, at the intersection of the road to Burnet. Only a blind man could miss the spot. There is a sign marking the Gillespie County's border with Hays County. Ve would have investigated there more thoroughly, but the Hays County sheriff is a lout. I'm sorry, a prideful and... unhelpful man. If you find some interesting information, ve vould be thankful if you share it vith us.

That evening, Temple Houston rather cautiously joins Doos's table, testing his welcome-- or otherwise. He avoids pontificating on justice, expanding and strengthening the rule of law, or other shop talk. After lightly conversing about things of current interest-- the usual June heat, the rather prolonged lack of rainfall, Fredericksburg's culture and cuisine, the recent prominence of Comanche raider Quanah Parker, the continuing chain-reaction collapse of banks and the threat of economic depression, he says, Well, I read that our friend and fellow shooting contestant Mr. Paladin apprehended Sam Bass during an attempted robbery of a train he was guarding with some other men. Bass is behind bars, and others of his gang are dead. But according to the papers, one man escaped on horseback. It's probably crossed all of our minds that Bass's gang may have been behind the fifth stage coach robbery. I suppose we may find out when Bass enters a plea. I understand that that may happen next week. He's in North Texas, toward the Dallas area. The wheels of the justice system move more slowly-- and less hastily and capriciously-- than in this part of the state.

It makes me wonder where that man of Bass's gang rode to. Back to his home, probably in North Texas, Bass's base? Or to any stash of contraband Bass might have stashed, nearby, or elsewhere? It's well-known that he lucked upon $60,000 of bank silver dollars in his first train robbery. Did he leave them around his home territory of Denton, Texas, north of Austin? Or move them down south to around Round Rock, near Austin? And, there's the question of why he came to Round Rock, and flagrantly revealed his identity, as he did in Austin. Perhaps he's just an adventurous soul. One to tempt the devil, and see come what may.

The thoughtful lawyer and marksman sips his drink and savors its flavor. He seems exhausted from the day's work, and somewhat relaxed and loosened up. Oh, you may have heard as I did of man gathering information on Bass in an almost scientific manner. A fella from Ireland.

Sorry, again had to skip some interactions due to having to move things forward and not wait for rounds of taking turns in PBP. Please feel free to interject, retcon, rewind and restart at any point.

[Thumper]

Houston replies to Doos, I'm staying at the Prinz Friedrich myself, Judge Doos. I look forward to joining you. He looks around at the men. Gentleman, as a fellow citizen I'd like to thank you for doing your civic duty and serving as witnesses. And for apprehending men that a jury of their peers have found to be guilty of serious crimes. Catching DT's gesture, he seems astonished and genuinely perplexed. He puts his hat on, bows his head to the men, and exits going toward the hotel.

Nimitz replies to DT, I'm sorry sir, but I do not have permission to inform you of the fifth robbery's details at this time. He leans closer. But the county sheriff may not be under such a restriction. Vell, the court has decided and ve vill no longer be vexed by these men. The Wells Fargo company is grateful. And it vill not forget about the monies owed to you. He dons his hat and sets off towards the Wells Fargo office. The sheriff seems to have overheard DT's inquiry to the Wells Fargo manager. The fifth robber, you vant to know? It vas on June 7-- 19 days ago-- on the Austin - Fredericksburg road. Around 35 miles east of Fredericksburg, at the intersection of the road to Burnet. Only a blind man could miss the spot. There is a sign marking the Gillespie County's border with Hays County. Ve would have investigated there more thoroughly, but the Hays County sheriff is a lout. I'm sorry, a prideful and... unhelpful man. If you find some interesting information, ve vould be thankful if you share it vith us.

That evening, Temple Houston rather cautiously joins Doos's table, testing his welcome-- or otherwise. He avoids pontificating on justice, expanding and strengthening the rule of law, or other shop talk. After lightly conversing about things of current interest-- the usual June heat, the rather prolonged lack of rainfall, Fredericksburg's culture and cuisine, the recent prominence of Comanche raider Quanah Parker, the continuing chain-reaction collapse of banks and the threat of economic depression, he says, Well, I read that our friend and fellow shooting contestant Mr. Paladin apprehended Sam Bass during an attempted robbery of a train he was guarding with some other men. Bass is behind bars, and others of his gang are dead. But according to the papers, one man escaped on horseback. It's probably crossed all of our minds that Bass's gang may have been behind the fifth stage coach robbery. I suppose we may find out when Bass enters a plea. I understand that that may happen next week. He's in North Texas, toward the Dallas area. The wheels of the justice system move more slowly-- and less hastily and capriciously-- than in this part of the state.

It makes me wonder where that man of Bass's gang rode to. Back to his home, probably in North Texas, Bass's base? Or to any stash of contraband Bass might have stashed, nearby, or elsewhere? It's well-known that he lucked upon $60,000 of bank silver dollars in his first train robbery. Did he leave them around his home territory of Denton, Texas, north of Austin? Or move them down south to around Round Rock, near Austin? And, there's the question of why he came to Round Rock, and flagrantly revealed his identity, as he did in Austin. Perhaps he's just an adventurous soul. One to tempt the devil, and see come what may.

The thoughtful lawyer and marksman sips his drink and savors its flavor. He seems exhausted from the day's work, and somewhat relaxed and loosened up. Oh, you may have heard as I did of man gathering information on Bass in an almost scientific manner. A fella from Ireland.

Sorry, again had to skip some interactions due to having to move things forward and not wait for rounds of taking turns in PBP. Please feel free to interject, retcon, rewind and restart at any point.

Having heard what the Sheriff had to say, DT will resolve to ride hard the next morning, starting early, to view the 5th Stage robbery site before it rains and washes out any remaining evidence. He assumes, being at a well traveled intersection, much of what he might find of interest has already been tampered with or removed by passersby. But he will resolve to look anyway before any further possible information perishes. He will pursue his employment as an augmenting physician in town upon his return later that day. He hopes some of his colleagues will join him in the ride...especially the other tracker, Andreas.
-------------

Upon seeing Temple's hesitant approach to the table, DT will say: "Sit down Houston. You're welcome here. Let me order you up a drink. and he motions to the table server. Once the ice is broken a little, and in response to his compliment, DT will respond: "You know Temple (if I may...and feel free to call me DT...all my friends do), I really appreciate you attempting to bring law and order to the wild frontier of Texas. It is needed. But I just can't help but feel a bit disappointed in what I've heard from my friends here as well as read in the papers about the attempted rape trial in which you pulled every legal trick in the book to get that evil kid a reduced conviction and sentence. I wasn't there; what I know is second hand in the papers and told by them. But you may not hear this from others, so I feel I have to speak. I don't think I'm alone in feeling that he got too light of a sentence. Justice was not served there, and you put that victim family at further risk because of it.

I know, you're just doing your job. But I have to say that if you continue using your exceptional legal talents and over zealousness in defense of really bad criminals and overmatch well intentioned prosecutors, you may very likely create an effect contrary to your aims...you may actually undermine the cause of justice and put more citizens at greater risk. I'm concerned that average citizens will think thee criminal justice system is weak and unable to bear true justice (because of you), and thus they will continue resorting to lynchings rather than arresting and bringing criminals in to the law for a fair trail to begin with. The public perception of weak law men or weak prosecution will perpetuate rural men taking the law into their own hands rather than trust a weak system. Be mindful that you provide heinous criminals with a fair trial defense, but don't take advantage of less skilled but otherwise correct prosecution attorneys and undermine the public trust in the law. If you insist on being the best and instilling a system of true justice here, why don't you become a state prosecutor or a judge? You could reform the system from the inside.

It seems to me that if you really want to focus on cutting down corrupt prosecutions, change the ways in which law men and judges are paid. Put them on a reasonably solid salary rather than pay per arrest and conviction. My friends here have fallen victim to that very corruption too. You surely have political connections in the State House to have some influence on that."
---------
Later:"You wouldn't happen to be talking about Mr Moriarty would you? Where'd you meet him?"