The Unseen Servant forums

DT-

Strength [1d20]=8

Pass even with -4 for wounds

DT says, ”Sheriff, before doing anything of the sort, we need to speak to your Wells Fargo station manager in town. Would you please send Andreas to fetch him.

In addition, we think you need to hear the reading of a letter written by that dead man…who is this man, Lou Shepherd’s, little brother. It was written to their mother, Mrs Harriet Sheoherd of Lawrence, Kansas. My friends here found it while bringing this gangs’ co-conspirators, the Duncan gang from Blanco County, to justice. The letter itself states the Duncan’s carried the letter to be posted to their mother. Perhaps you heard of the horse rusting Duncan Gang in the papers recently. My friends, including Andreas, are the ones who brought the only surviving Duncan brother, Mike, in…the other two were shot and killed during the arrest.

This letter names names and serves as essentially a confession to some of their crimes, including horse rustling from the Army and Wells Fargo, stage-robbing, and cold-blooded murder by this man, Phineas McLaury, of stage passengers. Haul this man in first.” He points at Phineas. ”Sheriff, Mr Moore may read you the letter, and you may examine it without touching it. It has been copied by the Ranger Captain and Wells Fargo in Austin, as it is hard evidence. But they agreed to leave the original with us. That, you may not keep. We will allow the magistrate to handle it only in a public hearing.

Once Phineas is out of sight and earshot, DT says: ”Sheriff, we found this letter from Mrs Harriet Shepherd to her sons on this man’s clothing when we arrested them. This proves these two men are the very same Shepherd brothers who wrote the first letter. A letter to their mother and a letter from their mother found separately. And the man in the jail is the very same Phineas mentioned in that first letter. His brother, Mr Gidean McLaury will testify to that. There is no way to construe that these bandits and rustlers claim true.

Louis, your time to cut a deal is rapidly being spent. Farley’s own hand implicates you all. Now’s your chance to make a confession and get a cell of your own separate from Phineas, lest we all wake up behind bars in the morning except you. You have to know he’ll kill you like he tried to kill your accomplice. He needs your silence, especially now that he knows we have Farley’s letter. Your only chance of not getting suffocated or strangled in your sleep is a different cell than him. You and I both know he’ll do it while hoping your other unconscious accomplice dies of his wounds.

But once that unconscious man wakes, we’ll get the story from him, and your chance to bargain will be gone. Perhaps Mr William Moore, esquire here can explain your peril and only opportunity better than I.

We know you didn’t commit the outright murder of those passengers. ‘Pecan vs Pee-can… That was him, correct? We know it was.”

That ought to provide enough shock to loosen Lou’s tongue[/dialog]

After listening for a bit, William reaches a decision. Marshal, we were surprised and all, knowing that we are in the right. But, of course, you cannot know that until you and the magistrate have had a chance to look everything over and give it a bit of thought. And, of course, we're all a bit tired. You are right of course, your first duty is to ensure the peace in Fredericksburg. Deputy, when you are ready, I will hand over my weapons, get my horse stabled, and get a start on some sleep in your fine cells.

cybersavant wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 5:33 am Andreas Larson hands over his guns and follows the deputy inside.

All of Andreas's attributes (except Stature and Luck) are reduced by 2 until he gets seven hours of sleep.
We'll need Doos's Strength roll.

Sorry, thought since I was bed ridden.... I guess I can get up on my own to do necessities..

STR 12 [1d20]=4

ateno wrote: ↑Wed Dec 11, 2024 10:24 am Sorry, thought since I was bed ridden.... I guess I can get up on my own to do necessities..

STR 12 [1d20]=4

Doos's Strength is 12, minus 7 for wounds = 5, so that roll narrowly makes it.

The marshal replies to DT, This is quite interesting, yes. But the time for discussing and evaluating is tomorrow. As is the time for meeting with the Wells Fargo agent. You needn't vorry about this Phineas doing any harm tonight. He-- and all of you-- vill be guarded through the night. And now, sir, I vill ask again that you present your veapons to the deputy marshals, stable the horses, unload the vagon, clean up after your dog, and enter the cell. The one on the right.

The stout deputy takes the men's weapons and the extra ones from the wagon while the marshal stands guard with his scattergun and the thin older deputy takes careful inventory, asking each owner's his name and announcing each entry. Shepherd states his name as "Louis Shepherd" and Phineas states his as "John Wesley Hickok." The stout deputy carries the guns and knives into a room at the back of the office and locks the door. Then the two deputies carry the dead body into the room and do the same. They then oversee the stabling of the horses and lock the stable's doors, the marshal again standing guard and the thin deputy taking inventory and announcing each horse's brand, sex, color and markings. Finally, they supervise the unloading of the wagon's other cargo and stacking it in the front left corner of the office. Then Shepherd, Phineas, and the unconscious man are locked into the cell to the left, and the riders from Burnet and Austin into the right one. Finally, the thin deputy and the marshal inventory the money, personal items, clothing and other things found at the house while the portly deputy guards with his shotgun. This last procedure takes some time, and the methodical, monotonous drone of the descriptions of each item soon lull the bone-tired bounty hunters into deep, unmoving and dreamless sleeps.

It seems only minutes later that the stout deputy is saying in a loud voice, Gut mornink! Time to vake up! The light of the early morning after dawn shines through the cell's one window barred with a grid of straps of iron. It takes a moment to realize where one is-- in a cramped but clean cell in Fredericksburg, south Texas. It can only have been three hours or so since the men lay down to sleep. The marshal says, You vill each go to the privy behind the office, one by one. You vill of course be guarded by shotgun. Then, you vill each wash your faces, hands and mouths before meeting with the magistrates. He points to a basin, pitcher and bar of soap on a small table. Stacks of of folded shirts, trousers and socks lie beside them. Mr. Doos, Dr. Crocket, Mr. Shepherd, und Mr. "Hickok," you vill change your bloody clothing for clean ones. You vill of course pay the town for its purchases of them, in due time. Then you vill have breakfast, for which you must also pay back the town for the expense. And then you vill meet with the magistrates at 7:30 AM. He looks at his watch. It is now 6:38 AM. Please be efficient at each step.

There's a knock on the office's front door and two men walk in. Both wear plain five-pointed star badges different from the marshal's and deputies' heraldric shield ones. They appear to be somehow more cowboy or horseman-like, with sunburned faces, though they both wear clean suits. Both wear gunbelts and carry new shotguns with well-oiled barrels. The men touch their hats and nod to each other formally, but it seems that are intimately acquainted over long years in a small, or perhaps even related by blood or marriage. The marshal says, Guten Morgen, Herr Landser und Herr Messer. Vielen Dank für Ihr Kommen. Die Gefangenen sind unbewaffnet und haben sich brav benommen. Wir erwarten keinen Ärger von ihnen, aber natürlich kann man unter den Bürgern nie vorsichtig genug sein. Komm, wir reden draußen.

The apparently more senior of the two newcomers replies, Ja, in Ordnung. Ein ziemliches Durcheinander, wie es scheint. Soweit ich bisher weiß. Die halbe Stadt weiß übrigens schon davon. Natürlich. Und natürlich verwandeln die Gerüchte jeden noch so kleinen Verstoß in einen blutigen Mord, der die ganze Welt vernichten wird ...

The stout deputy unlocks Shepherd's and Phineas's cell door. He crooks a finger to Shepherd. Mister. Follow me. He pantomimes standing to urinate and dropping pants and squatting. Shepherd moves his body to rise and comply. Phineas looks over. He cackles in a cracked voice. No need, he done efficiently and already took care a that step in his sleep. Wait.... He looks at his backside and feels his pants and shirt tail and looks at his hand. Dog! It's all over me! And already cold too! He feels inside his bloody and bullet-holed shirt. Holy reverends and soiled doves! Mah bandages are seeped up with that jasper's dirty filth too! And it's cold as this ole cot! Ah been sittin in this ole jail cell dead asleep and soakin ever kind a unwholesome thang that might soak into ya... and eventually kill ya. Before ya have a chance ta say a prayer or another word. I ain't no doctor, but from the War ah know ya can amputate a arm er leg, but ya can't amputate a gut. He laughs his thin laugh. But it seems some here wouldn't mind amputatin a gut. Or a head. He laughs a wheezing laugh. He says, Deputy marshals, if ya don't, seein as how this cellmate already done his business, can ah take his place and go first in the line a prisoners. Ah'm not sure how long these shot-up pipes can wait. It's kind of mah first experience with them, don't ya know. Ah'd hate to have a accident of any kind on the main street of Fredericksburg this mornin, in front of the ladies and children. Soon, he yells, Ah'm not jokin around, deputies! Ah got ta go! Rat now! Ah cain't wait. Er soon there won't be no choice at all... Right in Main Street in Fredericksburg.

The marshal nods to the older deputy. Nimm ihn, Heinrich. The deputy starts to do that, but the marshal says to the other deputy, Du gehst auch, Ludwig. The stout man also gets behind Phineas with his shotgun. The prisoner's face kind of falls for an instant. But he marches quickly on, as if in a real hurry to reach the outhouse.

Phineas duly returns, closely escorted by the deputy marshals. In time, the early morning's agenda is completed and the marshal, older deputy, and other two lawmen march the conscious prisoners to a two-story building. The town hall. Inside two man in suits and wearing gun belts sit behind desks. Around a dozen men sit in chairs facing them and speaking with each other in German. The lawmen lead the prisoners through the room to a room in the back. Starting with Andreas, the stout deputy takes one prisoner and has him stand before the magistrates behind their desks.

The magistrates instruct each man to state his name and his town or origin. Then they ask him these questions.

1. What is your occupation?
2. Have ever been convicted of any crime in any state, territory or country?
3. How do you know the other men, including the unconscious man and the dead man? How long have you known each of them?
4. What is the dead man's name? What is the unconscious man's name?
5. Why did you go to the ranch house where the gun battle happened?
6. One man presented three letters: One from a Texas Ranger in Austin, one from a Wells Fargo Stage Lines agent, and one purportedly found in a horse rustler's possession after a gun battle to recover stolen horses. Are you aware of these letters? If so, how long have you been aware?
7. Do you have any personal dislike of any of the other prisoners?
8. What do you know of the horses with brands from outside of this Gillespie County? What brand does your horse or horses wear?
9. How much money did you have on your person the day before yesterday? That is, the day before the gun battle?
10. Do you suspect that any of the prisoners will lie to us officials? If so, which ones? And why?
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?

There may be additional separate questions for characters, depending on their individual situations and their responses. Please post your answers to the 11 questions in your private threads.

Again, I thought i was sleeping or unconscious with the doctor.

I didn't put it in, but Doos spent the night at the doctor's office, but was taken to the town hall in the morning. He's down 7 points to around 4 or 5, but he walk walk and ride. But the doctor gave the common sense advice of not risking getting shot again (and possibly taken to 0, or of course getting a mortal wound).

did that on the 11th

Dome, PMed.

The PCs's posts are all in. Good and thorough ones. Hell yep.
The deputies bring the bounty hunters back into the hall. A magistrate says, Ve have heard all of ze testimonies. Ze stories of Misters Larson, Crockett, Moore, Doos and Gideon McLaury all.... He looks in what must be a German-English dictionary. Corroborate.

Mr. Shepherd and Mr. "Hickok"-- his real name said to be Phineas McLaury-- admit to four robberies. There was a fifth-- one three on the Fredericksburg - Austin highway, that they both claim to have no knowledge of. Mr. Shepherd accused Mr. Phineas McLaury of murdering a reporter of a Eastern newspaper. The Philadelphia Star Telegram, I believe. And of murdering a stage coach guard. He admits to robbing four stage coaches, and to buying and selling stolen horses with ze "dumb" Duncan brothers gang in Blanco County and one "little smarter" Mr. Harvey Adler in Comal County.

Phineas McLaury refused to cooperate, and answered all questions with impudent and impudence. The other magistrate puts on his spectacles and reads from a notepad. For example... "Yes, I vas nimble, I vas quick, I jumped over ze candlestick." "No, I vas busy at ze time. I vas singing in ze church choir with my hand on Betty Smith's fine fanny." "Yes, that true. I did stick in my thumb and pull out a plum and stick it right in your eye." "Yes, of course they vill lie, every one of zem. You know how you can tell if zey are lying? If their lips vill be moving. Except for Gideon McLaury. That church boy is too dumb to tell a gut boy lie."

The first magistrate resumes. Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Hickok or Phineas McLaury vill return to the town jail, to await trial by the judge und a jury. The rest of you men are free to go. However, you must serve as vitnesses in these two men's trials. Marshal. The marshal hands papers to the riders. They're witness subpoenas. The magistrate says, Ze doctor says that ze unconscious man should become conscious in probably one veek. At that time, ve vill question him and decide if he vill also be on trial. You may go on your vay or return to Fredericksburg in one veek, or stay to vait for ze trial.

The other magistrate says, As for ze horses. None of zem have brands not registered in zis county. By the law, ze man who possesses such a horse has ownership. As for ze firearms and ammunition. These dangerous items vere taken from ze scene of a crime. Ze Town of Fredericksburg does not vish to have them in... circulation in vhere the may arrive in ze hands of criminals. But ve know of no law in ze State of Texas dat states ve may take zem from you. Sirs, you may sell zem und ze horses in Frederickburg or take zem with you. As for ze money, clothing, and personal items. He looks at one of the seated men. Herr Nimitz.

A gray-haired man in a suit and waistcoat rises and approaches. Gentlemen, good morning. I am Wilhelm Nimitz, manager of the Well Fargo Stage Coach Line's office in Fredericksburg. I haf of course been in communication with Mr. Holzclaw in the Austin office by telegram on a daily basis. Mr. Holzclaw informed me of employing you, with pre-payment of your wages. Of that, he had some later misgivings. Not about your integrity, gentlemen, please be assured. But about having paid in advance for quite an uncertain and unsure as yet to be successfully performed. But it appears that you have done, and with admirable efficiency. The company congratulates you gives its thanks to you sirs. He nods.

The magistrates inform me that you haf brought in by wagon items recovered from the place of your battle with these men. To wit, robbed cash, personal items, and clothing. We again wish to express our appreciation of your professionalism, integrity, and honesty in performing the duties of your employment. Through the early hours of just this morning, I haf heard. The company has inventories of all of the losses and claims, and all passengers have been reimbursed for their losses. We will see to it that they may reclaim their items of sentimental value, Dr, Crocket. I have been told by our magistrates that is something of concern to you, doctor. The man moves to again take his seat, but turns again and says, Ah, I've forgotten. There is one move question i have. No, a few more.... Why five crimes, but two murderous criminals only confessing to knowledge of four? The fifth done by whom? The same men? The Comanches? The outlaw Sam Bass? All seem improbable, and as yet unkwown.

Nimitz moves toward his chair, but the company man turns back and says, Oh yes, the Austin office has thirty-five dollars held to distribute to all of you.
And the Fredericksburg office of Wells Fargo company would like to employ you once again....

DT nods as the magistrates speak. He knows they got this right. He agrees to make himself available as a witness and offers to shake the hand of each townsman at the end of the hearing. "I'd be interested in hearing how we can do something to prevent Harvey Adler from gaining a public office down in Hays County. Rumor is, he's trying for a Sheriff or Judge position. The news papers may be a good place to start. I had half a mind of going after him and his Comal/Hays county network next. Perhaps a press statement now followed by this testimony coming out at the trial might get word out for the people of Hays to at least not elect him."

We will see to it that they may reclaim their items of sentimental value, Dr. Crocket. I have been told by our magistrates that is something of concern to you, doctor.

"I'd say a concern of all of ours. Thank you Mr Nimitz."

Why five crimes, but two murderous criminals only confessing to knowledge of four? The fifth done by whom? The same men? The Comanches? The outlaw Sam Bass? All seem improbable, and as yet unkwown.

"If you could tell us or show us which of the hold-up sites is the one un-claimed by Shepherd and Phineas, we might look into it with our time in town. If that site was on the Austin-Burnet Road, it would make sense that Sam Bass was the culprit. But the Austin-Fredricksburg Road...something worth looking into."

And the Fredericksburg office of Wells Fargo company would like to employ you once again....

DT blinks. "What is it you have in mind, Mr Nimitz?"

Nimitz replies, If you can find out what happened with the fifth robbery, and present evidence to prove it, the company will pay a $200 reward. Or the same, if you can recover the passengers' personal effects. We can provide you with more specific information about the robberies and their locations at the company office.

The $35 to claimed at the Austin office is from Paladin returning his share of the reward/wages money.
The bounty hunters guess that the horses and guns would sell at a better price in the bigger market of Austin. But they could be wrong.
DT is staying in Fredericksburg to wait for the trial, which might be in about a week. Other PCs' actions?

I’d be happy to let PCs use our earnings to upgrade horses or weapons, or add a weapon to their possessions to make us more formidable. Only thing I ask is any old weapons replaced by better ones go back into the “for sale” pile.

I had previously asked for DT to get the Henry Rifle and he’d put his Lever action carbine into the loot pile. That would give him an actual rifle (and higher magazine capacity).

Shepherd Gang loot
$422.47 in bills and coins
$225 in bank notes

Watches - approximately $50 value
1 gold
1 silver
4 brass

10 gold or silver rings - approximately $100

Brooches, necklaces, earrings, tortoise shell combs - approximately $20

Walnut cane with ivory rooster head -approximately $5

8 cap and ball revolvers
6 Colt single action revolvers
1 Henry lever action rifle
1 Winchester lever action carbine
1 Colt double action revolver
1 single barreled shotgun

9 suitcases
2 broken Wells Fargo boxes
21 sets men’s clothing
5 pairs shoes and boots
13 dresses
12 men’s and women’s hats

6 clasp knives - approximately $3

2 branding irons (bar, semi-circle)

1 bull and 3 heifers - approximately $40

120 rounds rifle
22 rounds shotgun
140 rounds pistol

3 excellent horses
3 good horses

4 saddles
4 bridles

Coffee pot
Can of coffee
A ham (DT fed to dogs to make friends)
1 ½ loaves of bread
1 ½ bottles of whiskey
6 empty whiskey bottles

Pencil
Paper
Envelopes
Letter addressed to Jack Wilson in Austin, TX with a Lawrence, KS postmark a little over a month old

An Austin-American Stateman newspaper over three weeks old

A rooster and 4 hens

A mama dog, 5 half-grown dogs (2 wounded)

I like the idea of selling the horses and extra saddles and tack (after PCs upgrade their horses as desired). Might want to keep one as a pack horse, but aren’t we going to meet up with Charlie soon…and he has two horses. An extra horse can haul our gear and carry our weapons and ammo at a better market…sounds like the town magistrates didn’t want them sold in town anyway, though they couldn’t legally stop us.