Mission 3.5: Parker's Courthouse; the Old Historic Site #1

[Taaz]

Hi ho silver indeed. Jason looks the statue over for anything odd that might catch his eye as Mac and Lionel speak. You know this place is just full of suprises.

If he doesn't find anything note worthy he suggest to the group to check out the gallows next.

[Bluehorse]

I think Lionel would have at least a passing knowledge of him. He is taught in both Arkansas and Oklahoma history so he would have gotten a couple of versions of Bass Reeves, Arkansas version in High School and Oklahoma version in College. He was a friend to the Choctaws which is one of the reasons he worked so well in Indian Territory. He was an ex-slave and was good at his work. He only shot and killed 14 felons, the rest of over 3,000 arrests he brought them in alive for trial. One was his own son. He was well respected in both his profession, the public eye, and by the outlaws he chased. Some even came in to surrender after finding out it was Bass Reeves that was coming for them. Some said he was almost supernatural in his ability to track down and apprehend criminals.

A little Meta here again... there is nothing you cannot find on this guy, and since there is so much available on the internet I pretty well consider that free knowledge. He is an interesting guy. I Highly recommend not only this video but this channel and the rest of Simon Whistler's stuff. He does a great job summing Reeves up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mirZQ64xf1A

[Scott308]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

Yeah, he was a pretty impressive guy. Pretty much, if you were an outlaw and he was after you, you might as well give up. He was gonna find you and bring you in. I would guess that with the number of executions, there is plenty for a demon to find here.

[Bluehorse]

The Fort Smith Historical Site
Judge Parker's Courthouse; the Old Historic Site #1
Aug. 9, 2018, 6:37pm
Cooling and getting more comfortable

As they finish at the statue and begin walking across the courtyard. They hear something suddenly... It seems to come from somewhere near the flagpole.

Click here: [audio]http://cd.textfiles.com/monstmedia/SOUND1/DRUMROLL.WAV[/audio]

Map:

Map4-2.jpg (278.32 KiB) Viewed 3232 times

The flagpole is to your right, the courthouse... feels eerie and is to your left. To the south, you can see the smaller artifacts of the old horsedrawn paddy wagon, the civil war cannon, and a short walk away, you can see the Gallows.

Actions?

Brownie Point Pool
Dr. Jason O'Roarke: 58/66
Lionel 'Freight Train' Williams: 52/58 (*)
David "Mac" McAuslan: 58/58 (**)


* - +1d6 on any one roll. (Xmas)
** - No Ghost Dice on any one roll. (Xmas)
*** - +1d6 for the next use of the Ghost Trap

[Taaz]

As they are walking to the gallows the unmistakable sound of a drum rattle off behind them and Jason turn to look in the direction of the sound. Did y'all hear that too? Im really hoping some civil war reenactors are just looking for a laugh. He stops in place and looks around carefully. And is it my imagination or is it somehow cooler the closer we get to the courthouse...

[Rex]

Mac

"I heard something. Creepy place, lets check the gallows first before we start chasing sounds without something a bit easier to follow."

[Taaz]

Oh yeah, Jason says as he finishing looking around and begins walking back to the gallows with the others, Sorry, just making sure it wasn't just me.

[Scott308]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

Yeah, I heard it, too. A drum, right? I don't really like creepy, but creepy makes us money, so, I guess... He continues with the others to the gallows, looking around periodically, hoping he does not see any drum-playing ghost. Or any other ghost, for that matter. Not tonight. Not when he has plans that are quickly being erased by supernatural phenomena.

[Taaz]

Jason takes a sec to straighten his back, "Steady..." No, no I mean your right, plenty of work. Just not keen on getting blindsided... He pauses and thinks as he walks Also I've read encounters the old guard have had with civil war ghosts, its all spectral balls and bayonets with them. Ghosts that can return fire is not something I look forward to dealing with. With that they come up on the historic plaque in front of the gallows. He looks at the inscription.The hanging judge, mmph he mutters, Thats so fuu... he catches himself, be professional, ..messed up. Eighty six souls left this world here, thats heavy no matter how ya slice it.

[Rex]

Mac

"Especially when you consider how many of them were probably killers in their own right as well."

[Bluehorse]

The Fort Smith Historical Site
Judge Parker's Courthouse; the Old Historic Site #1
Aug. 9, 2018, 6:40pm
Cooling and getting more comfortable

The gallows are dark. They are not as well lit as the rest of the grounds, and sit quietly in shadow. The walls around them are whitewashed as are the gallows themselves. It just happens that someone forgot to lock the gate and you can walk right in. You look up at the place where 86 souls met their last under the order of the infamous Judge. You all get the impression of whispers... just on the farthest edges of your hearing. When you look up you can see there are fresh ropes on the gallows, five of them. They are nooses. Obviously, these are not original, as the hemp rope would have disintegrated many times over. These must be put here as a display. You notice that the stairs leading up to the gallows are also gated off and locked quite securely with all the expected signage baring entry, but also with additional text talking about treating this as a solemn and historical site. Strange to see how the town treats this place of execution with a sense of reverence.

The Gallows:

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As they look around there is a sound of three voices arguing from outside the gallows, some distance away. As you turn you see a very big man standing in the doorway to the gallows, blocking the only way in and out. He is wearing a wide brim hat and a long jacket. He is very well dressed but looks like he could fight a bear and come out on top. He's all muscle under that fancy vest. The big black man has a heavy mustache and a hard look in his eyes as he stands there. Good evening gentlemen. I'm afraid the site is closed, as should be this gate. Can I help you with something? his strong baritone voice carries easily on the damp night air.

The Man:

2-18.jpg (29.9 KiB) Viewed 3206 times

Actions?

Brownie Point Pool
Dr. Jason O'Roarke: 58/66
Lionel 'Freight Train' Williams: 52/58 (*)
David "Mac" McAuslan: 58/58 (**)


* - +1d6 on any one roll. (Xmas)
** - No Ghost Dice on any one roll. (Xmas)
*** - +1d6 for the next use of the Ghost Trap

[Scott308]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

Our apologies, sir. We are new in town, and were out for a stroll this fine evening, checking out some of the local sights. We saw the gate was open and wandered in. We don't mean to be somewhere we aren't supposed to. Will it be open tomorrow?

Just how big is this guy? Bigger than Lionel?

[Rex]

Mac

Feeling like he has seen this fellow before somewhere. "I am sorry, I missed your name. I am David McAuslan, but I just go by Mac. I didn't realize it was closed."

[Bluehorse]

Just how big is this guy? Bigger than Lionel?

Lionel has about an inch on him, but he is built like a lineman and has that quiet confidence about him of someone that is used to coming out on top of a good scuffle.

[Taaz]

Evening sir, like my friend said, we didn't know we couldn't be in here. He walks towards the big man and extends his hand, Doctor O'Roarke of the Old Fort Ghostbusters, Pleased to meet you.

[Bluehorse]

The GM subtlely slips Scott a note reminding him that Lionel has his phone.

Big MFer He takes Jason's hand. He has a grip like iron, and it is about half as warm. He nods to them all, straightforward but polite. Alright, fair enough, but I am going to have to ask you, gentlemen, to head out. The grounds open again in the morning. 9 o'clock. The arguing seems to be getting rowdier off some distance. The man holds up his hand apologetically and steps back to look back over his shoulder and bellows loudly in the direction it is coming from. YOU THREE BEST HOLD IT DOWN OR I WILL HAVE YOU IN NIGHT COURT BEFORE THE JUDGE FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE. DO NOT MAKE ME COME OVER THERE! The arguing fades in a second. Turning back to the team. Sorry, we have some locals that like to get out of hand.
I'll have my hands full with them tonight it seems. Can you find your way out, or do I need to walk you that way? that was not a threat. It seemed he believed what they had to say and was trying to be hospitable while reminding them they were supposed to leave in a polite way.

[Scott308]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

Nine a.m. you say? Thank you. We can find our way out again. It sounds like you've got more important things to do right now. Hey, can you answer one quick question before we go, sir? When was the last time these gallows were used to execute somebody?

[Bluehorse]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

Nine a.m. you say? Thank you. We can find our way out again. It sounds like you've got more important things to do right now. Hey, can you answer one quick question before we go, sir? When was the last time these gallows were used to execute somebody?

He turns back to Lionel. 1896, young man. 86 on '96. From then on, executions were moved off the courthouse grounds.

[Scott308]

Lionel "Freight Train" Williams

More than a hundred years ago, huh? Wow. Thank you, we'll see ourselves out now. Good night. Lionel does not want to wear out his welcome, so he will head for the exit.

[Rex]

Mac

Mac heads out as well, once through the gate and out of hearing, softly "I think we just had an encounter with a ghost."