Gone to the Ranch

Ezra awoke with the warm sun shining thru the open window and the sound of people on the street below. He slowly opened his eyes to see young Marcos sitting at the round table in the corner of the room with Ezra's books open in front of him. Good Morning Marcos, Ezra said as the young boy jumped out of the chair and to the floor to face him. Good Morning Mr. Ezra, he replied. I see you have found my Bible and my Journal Marcos, I was not aware that you could read, he said to the boy. Yes, Ms Kitty has a teacher that taught all of the boys and girls to read, she says it is very important. The boy replied. Yes indeed Marcos, it is very important to know how to read. Now you can go ahead and read my Bible as much as you like, but as for my Journal, well, there are things in there a Boy your age just shouldn't know about yet. Do we have an understanding? Yes Senior, he replied. That a boy, now go down stairs and get me some breakfast, I have a long day ahead of me. Yes Senior, Marcos replied, and hurriedly left the room.

Hawkins set up against the headboard of the bed to clear his head. It had been almost three days since the incident in front of the Sheriffs office and his near run into Dallas. Since than Dallas had been making a methodical search for Hawkins and had even asked Cade about him. Hawkins knew it would happen when the two had made eye contact, When a man has been in enough confrontations and looks another man in the eyes, it truly is a window to the sole, and Hawkins knew that Dallas had seen Hawkins Blue Eyes of a Gun Fighter, and would be searching for answers as to why he was in town. He got out of bed and walked to the small water closet to wash his face. He heard Marcos open and close the door and set breakfast on the table. Mr Ezra, Mr Cade say that Scotty arrived last night on the stagecoach. He is working the bar for now, and you will see him later. Thank you Marcos, Hawkins replied, has he dried his face and his hands with a small towel and went to sit at the table to eat the Eggs and beans that Marcos had brought up from the Kitchen. Hawkins sat eating Breakfast and reading the small Bible that lay open on the table. Hawkins had found God during the War, and the Lord had served him well. He struggled nearly everyday, as many men did, but not with his faith did he struggle. He knew God existed and had set him on the path that he followed. He struggled with the things he had done along the path, and if even today he was making the right decision, using his skills to help those who needed it, but shedding the blood of evil men, hoping he was not becoming like the men he had killed.

He finished his breakfast and got dressed in a pair of brown pants, a green shirt, and a brown coachman's hat. He asked Marcos to have a buckboard wagon parked behind the hotel with a horse that he could ride out to see Cole Dakota. He took a short barrel shotgun from the chest and walked downstairs thru the kitchen and out the backdoor of the Desert Rose to find the buckboard wagon parked just as he had asked. Dame, Marcos is a smart and trust worthy lad, Ms Kitty has taught him well, he thought to himself. Hawkins drove the buckboard thru town as he new it would draw less attention then a man on a horse full armed. Several of Miles Andres men rode by paying little attention to him as he drove the buckboard wagon out of town and out to Cole Dakota's Ranch where he planned to stay a few days. Caed should find the note he left on the table for him, and would most likely be thankful to have a few nights rest, without Hawkins snoring away on the bed next to him.

It took a few hours to reach the Ranch and he was welcomed by Rooster on Horseback pointing his shotgun at Hawkins. That's far enough mister, Rooster shouted. Now is that anyway to treat me Rooster, Hawkins replied. Hawkins, What are you doing on that Buckboard, Rooster asked? Well, if I wanted Miles Andres men to see and follow me out here to the Ranch, I would have put on my Burgundy Jacket, my Guns and got on a big black horse and led the parade out of town Rooster, He replied. Makes since to me Amigo, head on up to the house, I think the Boss is eating lunch. Hawkins drove the buckboard wagon up to the house and a young cowboy took the horse and wagon to the barn. Cole walked out of the front door with a napkin in his hands wiping stew from his mouth. I see you were able to sneak out of town Hawkins. Hawkins shook his head in agreement and shook Cole's hand. Come on in the house we have much to discuss. Yes we do, Hawkins replied in agreement. The two men enterd Cole's office on the first floor on the three story house. Cole light a Cigar while Hawkins explained that he had almost everything in place. Caed had gathered some very useful information on Mile's men and had a good plan in place. Scotty had arrived unnoticed in town and would prove useful as always. Cole and Hawkins discussed how Rooster and the Tall Texan wanted to assist in taking down Dallas as well as himself, but Hawkins didn't want to see the men get killed. He knew they were good and trustworthy men and would be of use, but in a fight like this it was sure to get bloody and any hesitation at all could mean the difference between life and death. Cole and Hawkins finally agreed to let Rooster and the Tall Texan cover them and be ready if needed in the Desert Rose Saloon. Hawkins told Cole that it would all be over in a few more days and that the town of Wickenburg would be back to normal soon. The two men talked for several more hours discussing the plan in detail, and Hawkins stayed the night and returned to Wickenburg the next day.                          

The new Magnificent 7 movie

I had the opportunity to sit and watch the newly released "Magnificent 7" last night. I found it very entertaining and enjoyed it. I thought the movie was very well done and had some very exciting action and funny material from the actors.

The Magnificent 7 is the story of a town called Rose Creek and how seven men are brought together to face down a land baron who is stealing farms and forcing miners to work for him. It is interesting watching how the main character Sam Chisolm, played by Denzel Washington, collects the group of men and forms them into a powerful force to help the town. Ethan Hawke did a wonderful job portraying, Goodnight Robicheaux, a character haunted by his past as a Civil War Sharp Shooter. I also enjoyed Vincent D”onofrio in his role as Jack Home. The movie is rated PG and does have lots of shooting, explosions and some death scenes of innocent towns people. I would suggest this movie to anyone who enjoys the Western genre and wants to watch a fun and entertaining Western Movie.    

https://youtu.be/q-RBA0xoaWU

Hawkins Burgundy Coat was well known in St Louis among the Saloons where he dealt Faro. It was one of the things that had drawn Cade to work with Hawkins. The man seemed fearless at times, but Cade knew a side of him that most men never would. They traveled together on the Paddle Boats dealing Faro and building a trust in one another that few men had. Cade knew his strength and weakness, and his greatest weakness was Clover. Cade never had a liking for the women, but knew and respected Hawkins long history with her. He would see him at his best and also when he fought going back to the bottle that had brought him so much comfort during the war. Hawkins and his dame Burgundy Coat was always one to bring attention, sometimes not always the kind of attention a man wanted.

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.