Have Gun Will Travel - Powder Smoke in Dodge City

[jemmus]

You interpreted it right, the shots were toward the east and not at Paladin. The men aren't threatening Paladin or Hartsfield. TBC

[Grognardsw]

Okay thanks, so my previous post stands:

Paladin recognized the men, but not having ever talked to them or have cause for conflict (aside from being with Matt in the dining hall), he remained calm and smiled. Hoping to defuse any misplaced tension and keep Hartsfield safe.

“Fine Dodge evening out there,” he said, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. He waved his arm sideways and added; “After you gentlemen, you look like you’re in a rush.”

Paladin waited until they finished coming down the stairs. He was ready to draw if needed but didn’t telegraph it. Once they left, he and Hartsfield went to his room.

[jemmus]

The two masked men nod, hustle the rest of the way down the stairs, and head toward the hotel's back door. Paladin gets Hartsfield secured in his room. The man says, Sure, Mr. Paladin. I'll lock the door and prop it with a chair. See you when you're back from the Long Branch.

As Paladin approaches the saloon, he hears that it has quietened down. There are no crashes or thuds of brawling, and no piano music is heard. On the board walkway in front are two patches of fresh blood. Coming through the swinging front doors, he sees that the fistfight free-for-all has stopped. The bruised and bloodied brawlers stand around the barroom looking at a table near the door, as do Ellie, other waitresses, the piano player, and train guard Henry Miller. Matt Dillon and Chester Goode are seated at it, their pants soaked in blood and their bellies showing signs of having blood incompletely wiped away. Their bloody shirts lie on the table beside a coffee pot and bowl of water with bloody rags. Old Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams is applying vermillion mercurochrome to a wound in Chester's chest.

The wound looks serious. Miss Kitty is wiping away blood running through a bandage wrapped around Matt's chest. She's saying, ...heard Doc. You and Chester aren't going anywhere. It can wait, Matt.

[Grognardsw]

Ugh, I just realized why things were awkward with the two men on the stairs. They shot Matt and Chester?

Paladin rushed in to Matt, hoping the sudden realization he had was wrong.

“What happened Matt?”

[jemmus]

Not one to complain or feel sorry for himself, Matt gamely replies, Chester and I were coming to stop a big brawl here, but as we stepped into the light from the front door, there were two rifle shots from the west. In quick succession, too fast for one rifle. Either the shooters were deadeye shots, or really lucky. The shots sounded like they were almost a hundred yards away. Chester says, Yeah, Marshal Dillon, it had to be two rifles. Nobody can shoot two shots that quick and that accurate.

[Grognardsw]

“Damn,” muttered Paladin, one fist punching his other palm. “It was those two men who threatened you this morning. I saw them rushing out of the Harvey House not ten minutes ago. I heard shots ring out but didn’t make the connection. They can’t be far. I’ll go after them. I may need your horse.”

[jemmus]

Matt replies, No, Paladin, I can't ask you to do that. I suspect I know who those men are. They both bear a resemblance to a man named Jefferson "Red" Mack. He was found hanged from a cottonweed tree two weeks ago. Most people in Dodge City thought a man named Jay Connor did it, with the help of two of his friends. I suppose they might well have. But they deny it and there are no witnesses and no evidence to go on. Whoever did it covered their tracks well-- or their friends are strong about covering for them. There had between trouble between Red Mack and Jay Mack's brother, Billy Connor. Starting with money owed from a faro game, and continuing with a brawl over a dance hall girl. It didn't help that Billy Connor came from a family of jayhawks and Mack was a diehard "bushwhacker"-- a Southern sympathizer. A common source of trouble in Kansas, even to this day, Paladin. Chester gives an affirmative grunt.

Well, three weeks ago Billy Connor was found face down in a dry ditch, shot in the back with buckshot at close range.. Chester interjects, A bad sight to see, Mr. Paladin. The body was about cut in two. Matt grimaces and nods a grim nod. He continues. Then, a week later Mack was found hung. As I mentioned, everybody thinks, or at least suspects, that's Billy's brother Jay and two other men did it. And the bushwhacker men of the county are all up in arms that the U.S. Marshal's office hasn't done anything about it. They're calling Chester and me "jawhawks" and "Yankee carpet baggers."

So, I suspect that those men are men you saw in the dining hall are Red Mack's brothers. Or close kin. If what I believe isn't mistaken, they're in Dodge to get revenge on Jay Connor and the other lynching men. And one Chester and me, for not having already jailed them-- or worse. They may have bushwhacker sympathies against the Federal government and U.S. Marshals as well-- it tends to run in families. There are rumors that Red Mack had ties to the notorious James-Younger gang, who are heroes among a lot of the Southern sympathizer community. It may be true. Any man who may have shot another man in the back with a shotgun is a toughened man indeed. And his close kin might be as well.

That's why I can't ask you to go after them alone, Paladin. It's dark, and they're probably headed to a hide out with a bushwhacker friend or introduction somewhere out on the wide southern Kansas prairie. Or across the Arkansas into the the Indian Territory. As you know, there isn't hardly any law at all there.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin listened with interest to Marshal Dillon’s story.

"Yes, I suppose," replied Paladin. "But they only have a 15 minute lead. They may very well still be in town, figuring no one spotted them so why run?"

But Paladin wasn't about to go vigilante if the marshal didn't agree. "Whatever you think Matt."

“I first saw them in Lawrence, where they boarded the train together. In Topeka, they happened to stay in the same hotel as me. I saw their names in the hotel register:

Gary P. Nunn Sibleyville, Kansas
Michael Murphy Tonganoxie, Kansas
Martin Murphy Tonganoxie, Kansas
Jonathan T. Nunn Hesper, Kansas

I guess those are fake names then?"

Paladin picked up Hartsfield's cane.

[jemmus]

Matt replies, Or it could be that Murphy is the real family name and Mack is the fake one. Many a man who comes to Dodge City uses an alias. Paladin, I know that you would exercise good sense and stay out of trouble if you went after those men. But vigilanteism is against Federal law. We have enough of it around, and doing it ourselves would set a bad example. Now if I were to deputize you as a deputy marshal, we could do it. We could put a badge on you tonight or tomorrow. But it would probably take a couple of months for the paperwork-- and your pay-- to come back. The U.S. government doesn't do anything in a hurry. The pay's $1.66 a day, plus $2 for an arrest that leads to a conviction.

If those men are who I think they are, we can let them come to us. If they're riled up enough to bushwhack Chester and me, they're sure enough riled up enough to go after the man accused of lynching their relative-- Jay Connor. But it's generally believed that two other men were involved. Chris Howard and John Terry. The question is, will the "Macks" or "Murphies go after them, too? If so, in what order?

Doc, while you're here, could you see if any of these bar room boxer need any attention. Kitty, could I ask you to bring Chester and me a couple of little shots of whiskey? When the doctor and saloon owner-operator have moved away, he says, Chester, you're shot bad not a near 100 percent. Under the U.S. Marshal's Office regulations, you're entitled to sick/recuperation and recovery leave, at full pay. Doc will give us a letter about starting that, and another letter when statin when you're fit to resume duty. Now, don't tell doc or Kitty this, but tomorrow morning and through the day I'll be watchin Jay Connor and his friends Howard and Terry. That's three men to watch, one at a time, of course. Chester, my question is, who would you focus your time on?

Chester is mum and eye signs to Matt. Kitty approaches with a tray with three shots of whiskey, three mugs of cool beer. and three tall glasses of water.

Matt, Chester, you drink the water to the last drop after you've had your drinks. Paladin, I'm counting on you to keep an eye on them and let me know right away if they don't do it. The girls and I will bring coffee around to your houses in the morning, Chester and Matt. It's good for pain. Late-- around 8:30 or so. You'll have your coffee, then get back under your blanket and sleep the whole day through. To the next morning. Don't think we won't be watching you. She calls, Ladies! Dr. Adams! Here please! She winks at the table but with a dead serious look in her eye. At Matt, Chester, and Paladin.

The waitress-hostesses start to rally and come over at a hurry. Chester gets in, I'd go with watchin out for Connor himself first. But truth be told, if I was murderer, I might pick off his friends first. So as not to spook main target and make all of the other rabbits scatter. I'm in for tomorra, Marshal Dillon. But it's just two of us, and three spots in and around Dodge. You in too, Mr. Paladin?

[Grognardsw]

"Deputize me then, so my help is legal," said Paladin to Matt. "I don't mind the paperwork taking a few months."

Paladin wasn't usually the type who let killers come to him, but he wasn't the marshal. "I can watch whoever you want me to Matt. But who watches the watchmen?"

Paladin nodded to Kitty and drank his whiskey.

[jemmus]

Matt replies, Alright, let's go to the office and swear you in. I don't have the oath memorized. Chester says, I wish we had some rifles for the trip. Returning rifle fire with a pistol usually isn't very productive. Matt replies, Yeah. We'll just have to stay out of the light and keep a sharp eye out. Doc says, Matt, Chester, I'll come by to check on you in an hour. Stay put in the office and don't do anything strenuous.

The three walk the quarter mile or so to the marshal's office. They appear casual, but they're on their toes and scanning in all directions, and the lawmen are concealing pain with each step they take. They encounter nothing notable but a drunk cowboy passed out in the dirt at the end of a board sidewalk.

At he office Matt says, Paladin, here's what you need to know about the job.
The hours are 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM or noon to 9:00 PM, depending on the shift. But you work until the work is done. There's no overtime pay.
The days are Monday through Saturday or Sunday through Friday, depending on your schedule that week.
You have jurisdiction to act in all 37 states and in the territories as well. That is, to act against lawbreakers or suspected lawbreakers. But otherwise you're under the supervision and direction of the local U.S. Marshal.
The U.S. government will issue you appropriate firearms and a horse, or you can supply your own of either. Chester says, Paladin, you don't want either of those things issued by Uncle Sam. Some Army trooper has already worn either one out.
Matt continues. As I mentioned, the pay's $1.66 a day, plus $2 for an arrest that leads to a conviction. Chester says, It takes around two years to get that $2.
Matt says, Chester's not joking, Paladin.
You need to know that people don't like the U.S. Marshal's office, especially if they have a local sheriff, town marshal, or judge of their own. A lot of a marshal's or deputy's job is escorting Federal judges from town to town for felony offense trials. The idea is to spread uniform administration of justice throughout the states and territories. But the locals--especially the local judges, see it as the Federal government-- the Back East Federal government-- lording it over the county or the state and butting into their own local business.
Last, there's a lot of paperwork. About everything you do, did, or plan to do. Chester says, If you plan to do something, Paladin, don't ever send in paperwork about it. Three or four months later you'll get one of three or four different printed form back requiring you to submit more information and details. No explanation why. So you send that back, then wait another three or four months. It's best just to do what you were goin to do, then deny everything and say you're sorry later.
Matt replies, No comment. Well, here's the first of the paperwork. This one says you were advised about the duties, hours, pay, jurisdiction, chain of command supervision, etc. Sign and date here, if you accept.
This one is about waiving accepting the U.S.-issued weapons and mount. Sign here if you accept.
This one says that you were told that you get preference in hiring for being a veteran of the U.S. Army or U.S. Navy. I forgot to mention that one. But the preference was applied, Paladin.
This asks for information about where to send your belongings and any back pay in case of death.
The one says that you agree that the interment of your remains will be at the government's expense. After it has reimbursed itself from any back pay it might owe you.

The signing and dating done, Matt takes a paper out of his desk, painfully rises, and says,
Mr. Paladin, please stand and raise your right hand and repeat after me:
I, [state your name]
do solemnly swear
that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully
discharge the duties of the office
on which I am about to enter.
So help me God.

Congratulations, Deputy Marshal. Here's your badge. I know this is common sense, but by the book I have say this. Don't lose that badge or let it fall into the wrong hands. If it gets tight, throw it into the river, a stock pond, or the bushes.

And here's voucher for renting a horse-- which I would recommend. For mobility, of course. The stable usually has a couple of old horses for rent. Chester and I can't lend you our horses, because they're not U.S. government-issued property. Unless it comes to it.

So, here's who we'll be watching tomorrow. Jay Connor. The man accused of hanging Red Mack. The main man the "Mack" or "Murphy" men who arrived by train would want to shoot. Lives on a ranch not more than a mile and a half from town. I'll take Connor. He coughs some, draws out a handkerchief, spits, looks into it and puts it back into his pocket.

Bob Cray. A friend of Connor's since they were kids and the foreman at his ranch. But he has his parent's old house in town. That's for you please, Chester.

John "Johnny" Duffy. An Irishman from Ireland in Dodge City now for a six weeks. It's a long, expensive way by ship and rail from Ireland to Dodge City, Kansas, wouldn't you think? Hmm. But he's been nothing but a skilled stevadore along the Arkansas, unloading the shallow-bottoms alongside the freed men along the way. Paladin, since you don't know Dodge City like Chester and me, I'll ask you to keep an eye on Duffy for all of us. He's a shyster and a crook, and we all know it.

All three men are card players, sirs. So Miss Kitty might know something about them. Or Ray Wiley Hubbard, who runs a big faro game at the Long Branch every time there's a Texas cattle drive in town.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin accompanied Matt and Chester back to the office. He listened to the details of the deputy marshal job. Little pay and a lot of paperwork. God bless the men who take up the badge. He couldn’t do that. Paladin was doing this for his friend Matt, so the money didn’t matter much. He was more concerned with finding those men quickly; Betty and her problem in San Francisco still weighed on him.

Paladin signed the various documents. He raised his right hand and repeated the pledge:

”I, Paladin, (Here the gun fighter thought if he should state his real name, but given this was a temporary job, he decided not to)
do solemnly swear
that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully
discharge the duties of the office
on which I am about to enter.
So help me God.”

Paladin took the badge and horse voucher. He considered where to pin the badge. Matt wore it on his right chest; it was often obscured by the vest he frequently wore. That discreteness served a purpose. Paladin put the badge in his pocket for now.

The gunfighter-deputy marshal took mental note of the three men who were the lures to capture the Murphys. Particularly John “Johnny” Duffy. If he was an Irishman, he’d no doubt be haunting the saloons in his off-hours.

“Right - Duffy, crook, Kitty, Ray, cards.” Paladin summarized as he poured a cup of coffee. His mind turning as looked out the window as the evening (time?) set in. It would be a long night. “Be careful Matt, Chester. I’m going to look around now. I’ll meet you in the office in the morning? I’m staying at the Harvey House if you need to send messages.”

Paladin went back to the hotel and returned Hartsfield’s cane. “I’ll be going back out, but you should be okay staying in your room. We’ll be meeting Henry Miller tomorrow morning at 8:30 am at the Longbranch.”

He hoped Miller showed up tomorrow morning for the guard job with Hartsfield. Paladin couldn’t be in two places at once if he didn’t, and that would leave Hartsfield mighty sore about not being guarded on the way back to Topeka.

Paladin retrieved his rifle and scattergun and backstrap, pinned his badge on, then went down to the front desk.

"Good evening, have the men staying in the second floor east corner room checked out?" Paladin asked the clerk. Tapping the badge, he added: "Official business."

[jemmus]

A GM analog Observation roll for Paladin is involved here. It succeeded.

Paladin checks his watch. 10:01 PM. A little more than after the shots from the second floor of the Harvey House.

The desk clerk at the Harvey House eyes the badge and looks Paladin over. It seems that he well recognizes him. Paladin did after all not long ago cross the lobby supporting a limping older man, quickly exit again, return with a cane, and is now back sporting two long arms, in addition to two visible pistols. The man seems kind of especially astute for a hotel desk clerk, but maybe because this is Dodge. Or maybe he's a proprietor and manager desk clerk, as is common in these frontier places. Paladin notes the bulge of a heavy pistol under the left side of his jacket. The man says, Sir. The rules of the hotel are that we don't disclose information on the rooms and their guests. For prevention of violence and other reasons you would surely understand. But since you carry the badge of a deputy U.S. marshal, the policies of Harvey House say that I have to disclose occupancy information. He looks up at the rack of hanging keys, and then to the hotel registry book. Sir, it seems you're mistaken, if you said "guests." There's only one guest in Room 200-- the corner room. People call it the "jinx" or "John Wesley Hardin" room. Room 200. And the guest is... one Mr. Amos Hartsfield.

The man stands with something between a hospitality business smile and a hostile dismissive stare down.

[Grognardsw]

Did I misjudge the room location?

Paladin heard that the rifle shots were from the second floor of the hotel, at the southeast corner.

Is the room I’m seeking the southeast room, and the clerk gave me the northeast room as I hadn’t specified which east room?

Paladin has been to Hartsfield’s room several occasions, so would have known if that was the east corner room and not asked.

[jemmus]

You have the positions right. Hartsfield's room is the southeast one. Paladin's room is adjacent to the north.

[Grognardsw]

So does that mean the shooters were in Hartfield's room?

[jemmus]

Yes, it looks that way.

[Grognardsw]

When Paladin and Hartsfield went to Hartsfield’s room after passing the two men at the stairs, was the door to Hartsfield’s room locked? I’m assuming they’d have to break into the room to use it to shoot from.

[jemmus]

Yes, the door was locked. The windows were open, but Hartsfield had left them that way to let in some cool evening air, as is a common practice.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin, not sure if the shooters had really shot from Hartsfield’s room given it hadn’t been broken into, said to the Harvey House desk clerk:

“We’re tracking down possible criminals. Are any men under these names at the hotel, and if so what rooms? If they checked out, when?

Jefferson Mack
Jay Mack
Gary P. Nunn Sibleyville, Kansas
Michael Murphy Tonganoxie, Kansas
Martin Murphy Tonganoxie, Kansas
Jonathan T. Nunn Hesper, Kansas”