Hawkins met Clover in Wichita Kansas after the War. He had headed to Wichita to work in the Long Branch Saloon for Luke Short. Clover was one of the working girls and Hawkins took quick a liking to her, and they became lovers. He was still drinking during this time and hadn't sworn off not cheating at cards yet. He had made quite a bit of money that summer, during the Cattle Drive from Texas, and would pay for Clover to travel with him back to St Louis, MO, This would be where he started working on the Paddle Wheeler's running up and down the Mississippi River. The couple would work together traveling up and down river back and forth from New Orleans to St Louis. They made a good pair working the card tables, but things did not always go well. The couple would have some difficult times together, facing the many trials and difficulties of life on a River Boat trying to make a living. Their Love was true enough, but Clover was a working girl and Hawkins had to face the difficulties that brought for both of them. As Hawkins became more wealthy, Clover became more famous. How could these two face all that lay between them and still be together, was Love enough? Only time could tell.

    

Hawkins and Kenny had to face-down a pair of Horse-thief's north of Phoenix. Kenny had chased the pair to a small mining town where Hawkins had been hosting a friendly Faro game in the local Saloon. Seeing that Kenny was all alone and could use a helping hand, Hawkins decided to join in and lend some assistance. Of course the two fellows didn't want to meet a swift end and after Kenny let loose a shot from his Colt Pistol, The pair decided it was best to give Kenny back his Horses, and to make a quick getaway out of town. In the end things turned out all right after all, and no one had to die that day.


 

 

A walk around Wickenburg

Hawkins put the books back into the chest after carefully wrapping them in a silk cloth. A couple of the windows were open and he could hear the sounds on the street below and feel the warm breeze blowing thru the open windows. The dry desert air was much different then the humid air of the south and it felt good as the smell of sage and desert flowers wafted in the air. He decided it was time to get dressed and to take a look around town, keeping a low profile. Out of the chest he pulled a pair of black pants, a red native trade shirt, a brown vest and a coachmen's hat. He got dressed wrapping a red silk scarf around his neck. lastly he pulled a double barrel pearl handled derringer out of the chest, loading it and placing it in his vest pocket. He headed out the bedroom door and down the hallway, down the stairs and thru the kitchen walking out the rear door of the Desert Rose Saloon.

The town of Wickenburg was full of People and Horses, Hawkins found it easy to almost disappear into the crowded street. You could tell that many of the people were nervous and that there was a feeling of uneasiness in the air. Hawkins walked several blocks until he came into view of the Sheriffs office. He stopped in front of the tobacco shop across the street from the Sheriffs office and stepped inside. The elderly man behind the counter was friendly and sold Hawkins some twist tobacco for his pipe, after having a short conversation. Hawkins then took some of the tobacco and loaded the pipe while looking out the window across to the Sheriffs office. A tall man in his 20's stood on the front porch of the sheriffs office smoking a thin cigar and leaning on a post, watching people pass up and down the street. He wore black pants with a white shirt and double breasted red vest. His hat was black with a small brim and a silver band. He wore a black gun belt with two Colt Pistols holstered in it. Hawkins had seen his type before, especially after the war. This must be the man named Dallas. Hawkins knew he would be a formidable opponent, and was most likely as fast at the draw has he was. Hawkins was not in a hurry to be shot down by a young kid who was fast on the draw and most likely a very good shot. This would take some planning and the right time and place to face Dallas and not get killed.

Hawkins smoked the pipe and continued to watch Dallas thru the window of the Tobacco shop. A man walked up the steps of the sheriffs office with a bag in his hands giving Dallas plenty of room as Dallas stared at the man watching him climb the stairs and enter the sheriffs office. Hawkins could see that Dallas said something to the man as he passed, but he could not hear what was said. The man had a deathly look of fright on his face as he passed and disappeared from sight. After several minutes a voiced yelled, "Dallas, Get in here". Dallas dropped the cigar stomping on it with his boot, and disappeared into the Sheriffs office. The man who had entered with the bag then ran out of the sheriffs office into the street and Dallas was close behind. The man fumbled down the stairs falling into the street. Dallas stopped on the porch spreading his feet wide. Hawkins knew what was coming next. "We don't abide by cheaters and liars" Dallas yelled at the man. The man arose from the street and stumbled backward, as Dallas pulled the pistol with his left hand so fast that you would have almost missed it even looking right at him. Flame erupted from the end of the chrome plated pistol as the gun fired in this hand followed by three more quick shots. All four rounds struck the man in the street one of them passing completely thru the man and striking the frame of the window Hawkins was looking thru. He continued staring down at the man laying in the street as his blood ran out into the dirt. All of a sudden Hawkins felt the hair on his neck stand up, as he realized that Dallas was looking directly thru the Tobacco shop window at him from across the street. Hawkins took several steps back and saw that Dallas was starting to walk down the steps toward the wounded man in the street. Hawkins reached down to his gun belt and remembered he had only the small pistol in his pocket. He was holly unprepared to face Dallas, and it was very likely that he was going to walk thru the door and ask who he was. How could he have made such a stupid error in judgement? Caed would never let him hear the end of it, he was certain of that. Dallas stopped at the now dead mans feet kicking him and watching for movement. Then again looked thru the shop window in Hawkins direction. Dallas put his hand on his gun and began to walk to the Tobacco shop entrance. Hawkins swore under his breath and looked quickly around the room for an exit and there was none. As Dallas reach the Tobacco shop door he reached for the handle, just as a voice boomed out from behind him. "Dallas, dame you. I don't pay you to do this boy". Dallas spun around to face Miles Andres who was standing in his wagon in the street. "Sheriff, clean up this mess and Dallas you get back to the Mine where you belong". Miles roared at the young gunfighter. Dallas looked at Miles and told him "Yes, sure". Dallas turned back to the entrance of the Tobacco Shop and started to turn the handle of the door. "Dallas, I mean do it now boy". Dallas turned with a hard stare at the large man in the wagon, and let go of the door handle, turned and walked down the street back toward the mine on the south end of town. Hawkins realized he hadn't taken a breath for several moments and that he now had the small pistol in his hand behind his back. He was brought back to reality when the Tobacconist spoke to him. "Hell of a thing, shooting a man down like that, you alight mister"? Hawkins shook off the cloud in his head and responded. "Yes, ah, I wasn't aware it was such a dangerous place this town of yours". "Just give the Dallas kid plenty of room if you see him in the street and you'll be fine". The Tobacconist told him. Hawkins shook his head thanking the man and slipped the pistol back into his vest pocket. He quickly stepped out of the door and headed back to the Desert Rose Saloon and to his room.

Caed was waiting for Hawkins when he returned to the room. Hawkins explained everything that had happened and how he almost had a face to face meeting with Dallas in the Tobacco shop earlier. Of course Caed had a few choice words for Hawkins and was sure to let him know that his error would not be forgotten for sometime. Hawkins knew he had made an error in judgment and would be more careful in the future as he knew Dallas would now be looking for him in town. Caed eat dinner that was brought up to the room by Marcus, and headed back down to the gambling hall to collect more info on Dallas and the other men that worked for Miles Andrews. He had wanted Caed to be sharp, but Hawkins knew now, that he needed to worry more about himself being sharp then Caed at the moment. He changed his clothes to his night shirt and climbed into the soft bed with his bowie knife at his side and pistol in hand.   

          
     

  

Arrival in Wickenburg

Hawkins sat in a high-backed red chair looking out the second floor window facing west. It was nearly 2am, and he could hear the music coming from the first floor saloon and gambling hall. He and Cade had arrived in Wickenburg almost a week ago. The Tall Texan and Rooster had led them north from Tucson to the Stage Station at Picacho Peak and then north to Wickenburg.

 Caed and Hawkins had rode into the town of Wickenburg at dawn and followed the directions that Rooster had handed to them on the note from Cole Dakota.  The note had said to ride into town and go to the rear door of the Desert Rose Saloon, they were to tell whoever answered the rear door of the Saloon that they had a package for Ms. Klondike Kitty from Cole Dakota. A young Hispanic boy about 10 years old had answered the rear door of the Saloon when Caed had knocked on it. When he told the young boy that they had a package from Cole Dakota, the boy looked around quickly and passed the two men to see if anyone was watching them, and then led the two men thru the rear door and into the Kitchen where he had been sweeping and washing dishes. “Ms. Kitty said to take you two upstairs as soon as you got here and not to tell anyone” the boy had said, as he led the men thru the kitchen to a set of stairs and up to the second floor. “Ms. Kitty said to put you in the corner room and to bring you anything you need” The boy led the men down a long hall to the last door on the right and unlocked it with a key from his pocket. “Ms. Kitty says for you to stay here, and when she wakes up she will come to see you, I am Marcus and if you need something, pull the string on the wall and the bell will ring in the Kitchen and I will be right up, OK?” Hawkins and Caed followed the boy into the room and Hawkins thanked him handing him a silver dollar. Marcus took the coin and put it in his pocket, smiling he closed the door locking it. Caed and Hawkins stood in a large room almost 500 square feet in size. It was located in the south west corner of the two story building, and was decorated with dark red wall paper. There were two windows on each side of the exterior walls with heavy red drapes hanging over white lace curtains. The room had 2 queen sized beds, a small round table with a pitcher of water and two glasses, surrounded by four red high-backed chairs. A second door in the east wall led to another room with a flush toilet and brass bathtub, which also had a ceramic bowl placed next to a pitcher of water on a washstand and mirror.

It had been a long ride thru the desert, and Hawkins took a seat in one of the chairs, pouring himself a glass of water and sipping from it. “Caed, you best you get some rest. I'm not sure when this Ms. Kitty will show up and I want you to be sharp.” Caed nodded in agreement and undressed placing one of his pistols under the sheets as he climbed into the bed closest to the door, and drifted off to sleep. Hawkins sat in the red high-backed chair for a few more minutes sipping the water. He read thru the letter from Cole Dakota one more time, and then undressed and climbed into the second bed placing his pocket pistol under the pillow and his bowie knife under the sheets and closed his eyes.

Asdis Dahl aka Ms. Kitty was a robust, friendly, intelligent and finely dressed woman, whose family had hailed from Norway in the early 1800’s. She owned most of the property on the south end of Wickenburg Arizona up to and including the main cross roads that headed west to California and north to Prescott. Her headquarters had originally been the two story building called the Desert Rose Saloon located at the North East corner of the crossroads. She had made the room, where Hawkins and Cade where staying, on the second floor her home when she had first bought the property, but now lived in large home overlooking the Hassayampa River. Asdis had made extensive changes to the first floor of the Desert Rose Saloon building, which was originally a hotel, creating a large space for a gambling hall and saloon with a stage. A kitchen was built at the rear of the building and a dining room on the east side. From the first day she opened the doors of the Desert Rose Saloon miners, travelers, and cowboys filled the place looking for good food, entertainment and companionship.

Asids had originally come from Minnesota after her Father and Brother had both been killed in the Civil War and after her Mother had remarried. She had always been intelligent and loved to read books and would move to Colorado where she made a good sum of money working in the Brothels on Market street and would became Ms. Klondike Kitty, where she learned quickly that she could quadruple the money she made in the Colorado Brothels by helping to fund other women. She would help them to purchase supplies and to make the things that men needed to survive in the American West such as food and clothing. She would also teach the ladies to read and write, so that they would have the ability to assist in the reading and writing of letters and other documents. After almost ten years in Denver and after making a good sum of money, she headed south to Tombstone Arizona during the big Silver Rush in 1878. After setting up a small shop she began to once again help fund other woman in the community and to make money. She would witness the famed shootout between the Earp’s, Clanton’s, and McLaurys and soon after would leave Tombstone as the violence escalated in the city. She had met Cole Dakota and his wife Mrs. Lilly while living in Tombstone and the pair had invited Ms. Kitty to move to Wickenburg with the intent to have her invest in a safer community. With all the bloodshed in Tombstone, it had only made since for her to move north. She had now been in Wickenburg for almost four years and had grown to love the community in the high desert, with all its beautiful flowers and expansive opportunities. Cole and Mrs. Lilly would often come to town and have dinner at the Desert Rose Saloon. They enjoyed listening to the live band and the wonderful food. Things in Wickenburg had been going very well until Miles Andrews had purchased one on the mines just south of town and his thugs had began to extort the business owners for protection money. Several head of Cole Dakota’s cattle herd had gone mysteriously missing as well. Cole, Rooster and the Tall Texan had originally wanted to face Miles and his thugs head on, but Mrs. Lilly and Ms. Kitty had talked them out of it. One of Miles men, Dallas, was a cold blooded killer and had already proved his skills with a knife and pistol when someone got in his way. The town Sheriff was also now on Miles pay role as well. One night Ms. Kitty overheard a pair of men talking about an Ezra Hawkins in the Saloon and how he had helped his family down in Mississippi, she bought the men a meal and drinks to learn more about this man Hawkins and soon after Cole and Mrs. Lilly were headed back east to find Ezra Hawkins.

Hawkins awoke to the smell of stew and hot baked bread. Caed was sitting at the table with a woman eating and talking. Out of the corner of his eye he could see a tall blonde man standing near the door with his arms crossed. He was nearly as tall as the door frame and his muscles bulged under his shirt. “Oh, I see you are awake Mr. Hawkins, Cade was just explaining to me your trip here from New Orleans. Very exciting I must say, and how fortunate of you to meet Cactus Jack and Santee, two very lovely gentleman.” She had said. “Well, I take it you are our host Ms. Klondike Kitty I presume” he answered in reply, running his hand thru his hair and sitting up against the headboard of the bed. “Yes, and this is my assistant Angus, he cares for my horses and such. Marcus sent one of the girls up to the house to inform me of your arrival this morning. Once Angus and I had finished up with the horses, we decided to see if you were up and ready for company.” Ms. Kitty explained. Hawkins sat in the bed talking with Ms. Kitty and Caed about the situation. She explained the goings on since Miles Andrews arrival in Wickenburg almost a year ago, and about the situation they were in. The three agreed that Caed would be introduced as a new Faro dealer and would collect as much information as he could in the saloon. Hawkins would remain hidden in the room and await the opportunity to face miles and his thugs. Cade finished his meal and headed down to the saloon with Ms. Kitty and Angus. Hawkins arose from the bed putting his shirt on and sat at the table to eat some of the stew and bread that had been prepared. There was a slight knock on the door and Marcus lead seven boys into the room carrying Hawkins chest and several bags. He had Marcus remove two books from the chest and laid them on the table to his right. Hawkins than laid eight silver dollars on the table in front of Marcus, who picked up the coins and handed them to the other boys as they left the room, leaving Hawkins alone sitting at the table eating stew and thumbing thru one of the two books.

Rocky Mountain Rivalry,

June 1/2 in Loveland, Colorado.

This is a new and exciting event for Colorado in June. The Reneactment Guild of America will be hosting a Western Reenactment competition here in our own backyard. This will be a great opportunity for those that love the History of the American West to see the very best that Colorado has to offer as Western Reenactors from all over the state join together to spotlight their skills and talents in storytelling, and performing for live audiences. You will not want to miss this fun family event.

For all of those R.G.A. members here in Colorado don't forget to renew your membership, as they are due in January to December, yearly.

 

Also look for more information on some other great upcoming, first-ever, Colorado R.G.A. events on the web page for Monarch productions http://home.earthlink.net/~monarchproductions/id5.html 

 

 

Cody's Wild West show in Golden CO

On July 28th Monarch Productions will present Cody's Wild West show in Golden Colorado. This will be a fun family event with a mixture of  Period music, and demonstrations by some of the top western performers in Colorado. You won't want to miss this exciting event as Cowboys display the roping and shooting skills of the American West, and you surrounded by the color, sounds and history of Colorado.

Anomaly Con and the Steampunk Genre

Anomaly con starts on March 23^rd at the Tivoli Student Union in Denver, CO. It will be a fun-filled event filled with Steampunk genre vendors and participants. This will be their 3^rd event here in Denver at a location that is sure to inspire the participants with its historic surroundings originally built in 1866 as a brewery. It can sometimes be difficult to describe exactly what it is and is not Steampunk.  My interest in it began long after my interest in the history of the American West as a re-enactor and living historian. Although Steampunk follows along the lines of the Victorian time period and the clothing and customs of the time, it holds on to a promise of what could have been if things in our collective past happened a little differently. It is a world of steam powered computers, high tech firearms and weapons, balloon air ships that are commanded by pirates and captains of the sky that do battle to the death, and just about anything else one can imagine. Stories such as Dracula and Frankenstein that were written in the Victorian Era have added greatly and had much influence on the dress and ideas that people involved in Steampunk have today. The latest Three Musketeers movie falls into the Steampunk genre, even though it is an earlier time period then the Victorian Era. The movie Wild Wild West with Will Smith and the Sherlock Homes movies with Robert Downey Jr. fall much more in line with the Steampunk ideas and were influenced greatly by events such as Anomaly Con. Ladies have found much more freedom in the Steampunk genre than in the western re-enacting community as they can dress in period costumes as a Steampunk participant, yet have much more freedom with the character she creates and items she adds to her wardrobe. Goggles, gears and brass also make up much of what is used to help add flare and design to costumes and weapons in Steampunk. The show Brisco County Jr. tended to walk a thin line when it came to Steampunk staying with the more authentic weapons of the American West such as the revolver and rifles, but would often wonder into the realm of Steampunk with new inventions, gadgets and dress that one would not have seen in the American West. Although we tend to still think of the American West as a time when people lived lives of hard work and drudger, we tend to often forget that it was a time of invention and discovery as the telephone and electricity were often available in many large cities as well as plumbing and all sorts of industrial machinery. Sometimes, I think that as a western re-enactor we often miss out talking about the many great inventions that were created during the Victorian Age.  Some think of the Steampunk genre as something not worthy to stand next to the history of the American West and tend to stare down their nose when a group show up to an event wearing the signature goggles and gears of a Steampunker. I however think that they fall right in line with today’s re-enactors of American West history. The imagination and skills of Steampunk participants is exactly what we need to help keep interest in what we do and to help keep history alive. After all, it may be closer to the reality of the American West then most of us would like to believe, but that is just the opinion of a frontier gambler.    

If you would like more info on the upcoming Anomaly Con and everything that will be happening at this event, be sure to visit the website at http://anomalycon.com/