Letter from Snake Johnson - March 1876 (Part Three)

  The first shots came from the north end of town. When I stepped out of your house I saw a few of Mitchellson's cowboys running in that direction. As you know the Jail is the other direction. My first instinct said the real trouble was gonna be there, so I headed there. I could hear 4 or 5 guns being fired up by the livery. I met Fingers and Shots in the street in front of the jail.
  "Is this it?" asked Shots "'Bout damn time! Let's get 'em!"
  "Settle down son."I replied. "Everything ok here?" I asked Fingers.
  "Yeah Marshal," he answered "been quiet since you left. 'Til now anyways."
  "Where's John?" I asked
  "He's down at the livery, said he had work to do." said Shots.
  "Ok, Shots get down there and see what's what. You send somebody with word of what the hell is going on. Go!" He jumped on his horse and raced up the street. "Fingers you stay here with me in case these bastards are just trying to lure us away from the jail. Pull out the extra rifles and set them by the windows"
   "Alright. So you think this is their move?" he asked with a little jitters.
   "I reckon it might be Fingers. You alright?"
   "Hell yes, just might need a snort that's all. To settle my nerves."
   I laughed and told him a snort would be alright, just be to careful. I went in to check on Holmes. Everything seemed fine. The Kid was standing by the cell door with a smile on his face. The others were behind him. Johnny was lying down in his cell. "What's with all the noise Marshal?" asked Holmes in a smartass voice. "We're trying to get some rest in here!"
   "Shut your damn mouth." I said while Fingers pulled out the extra rifles from the case. He laughed, the others in there with him looked nervous.
   "It's been a right pleasure Snake," Holmes said with a sly grin. "But I reckon I done took all of of you I can. Time for me to leave."
  "You can try anytime you like, ya yellow bastard!" I replied.
  He began to move to the left of the cell away from the wall. "I'll remember you said that. Gonna be a pleasure to put a slug right between your eyes. Just like I did your brother."
  My instincts kicked in just a few seconds before I heard the shouts from outside the wall. "Lookout Fingers!" I shouted as I drew my pistols.

 Then the world exploded.

Priscilla's Diary - February 13th, 1876

   What else God? I know that I have been a sinner. I fell to sin at a young age, I know that. But I had no choice! I had to survive, and I took the only path open to me. I am not proud of it, but I did what I had to do. And damn it I would do it again. But I have tried to change Lord. I really really have. And for what. Everything is gone now. Or will be by tomorrow.

  He knows. Snake knows. I don't know how, but he does. Did Sally tell him? I doubt it, but no one else knew. Maybe he figured it out on his own? No. He wouldn't have. Someone told him. I guess it doesn't really matter at this point though. Tomorrow morning they are gonna hang Johnny. And then......

 There was a loud knock on the door this morning about 11. It was Snake. "Prissy!" I heard him from the back of the house. His tone was loud and harsh. It scared me. I open the door and could see instantly that he knew. His eyes were watery and red. He stared at me for a second and I could see the pain and hurt on his face. I wanted to die right there. "You should have told me Prissy." His voice cracked ever so slightly. "You should have told me!"
   "Snake." I whispered. My heart was breaking as he stood there in the doorway. " I... I .... I" I didn't know what to say. He stepped pass me and into the house. "I'm sorry." I managed to get out.
   "Where is he? Where's........ my son?" soft as it was, I had never heard such emotion in his voice, not even when his brother was killed.
   "Snake," the tears came to my eyes.
   "Goddamn it Prissy!" His voice rose. "That's why you left? You ran out in the middle of the night, with someone you didn't even know, because you were pregnant? With my son? Why? I thought you loved me? Or was it all just some kind of game to you?" He reached out and punched the door jam. I thought I heard a bone crack.
   "Stop it!" I yelled. "Of course I loved you, you idiot! I always loved you! But..but..... " I just couldn't do it. I slumped to the table and cried.
   He stood there, clenching his fists again and again. "I don't understand." he said quietly. "It about killed me when you left Prissy. I, I didn't know what to do, what I had done wrong. Then I learned that you left with someone, and my heart broke. ..... I thought, I thought you loved me."  He sat on the other side of the table.
"Did you know you were pregnant when you left?" I could see how hard this was on him. He had never been a man who was comfortable with his own emotions. He hated showing his pain. He thought it made him weak.
     "Yes Snake, I knew." the truth was hard to get out."I knew. It's why I left." He looked as if I had stabbed him in the heart. He stood and started for the door. "I was scared Snake! I was afraid you were gonna die! Your obsession with finding Holmes was blinding you to everything else, including me."
   "He killed my brother Prissy."
   "Damn it Snake, I know that! I was there. And you were gonna prove to yourself and to everyone else that you were the better man by bringing in Holmes. And if you got killed in the process, you didn't give a damn!"
   "That's bullshit Prissy!"
   "Is it? Look at the truth goddamn it! You were putting yourself at risk day after day! How many times were you shot while we were in Wichita Snake? You were gonna get your man no matter what! I was not gonna raise a baby by myself. I couldn't. So yes, I went looking for someone to take me away from you. Someone I thought was safe and would be there to be a father to my child! I chose Johnny because I didn't trust you to be around for long! I'm sorry Snake. I was weak."
   He stood there in silence for several minutes. "Damn it Snake, say something." I pleaded.
  "You should have told me." His voice was low and soft. "You should have made me see the truth. You were always more important to me than anything Prissy. I would have changed for you if you gave me a chance."
  I smiled "No you wouldn't have. You would have tried, I know. But you can't change what you are anymore than the Sun can. I loved you with everything I had Snake. You know I did. Damn it, I still love you. It broke my heart to leave, but I had to think about the future of my baby. Of our baby. I knew that he needed a father. One that I knew would always be there. I am sorry."
  "What happens after tomorrow?" he asked.
  "I'll have to bury my husband." The tears returned. "Then,..... I don't know.
  He grabbed me and pulled me into his chest. I didn't resist at all. "Sweet sweet girl." he whispered "It's alright. I understand why you did what you did. I don't blame you."
  "No." I cried. "Don't you do that! Don't you dare forgive me Snake Johnson! I won't let you!"
  "Hush now," he said as he stroked my hair."I know how hard this has all been on you. I know you're scared. Scared of being alone. Hell girl, you always have been. But you are alright. I am not going anywhere Prissy. When this is all over, I'm gonna be here. Maybe we can...... "
  "Don't Snake," I said looking up at him. "don't even talk about it. Not now. Not while...."
  "Alright Prissy. Not now...." He looked at me for a moment then bent his head down to kiss my cheek. I don't know why, but Lord forgive me, I moved my  face and met his lips with my own.

  Then we heard the gunfire from the street.

The Battle of Red Creek - (Introduction)

   February 13th 1876.  Well faithful readers, we have made it to this infamous date in our little story of Red Creek. We are lucky in that we have several versions of the events that transpired that day. We have written testimonies by Snake, Prissy, Sally, Ruby, Silas, and a few others. With these different accounts I think we are able to get a pretty accurate view of what really happened. Some of the people you have met in these little postings met their ends that day, some survived. One thing is very certain though. When dawn rose on February the 14th, Red Creek was a very different town.

 ----- Barry Cardwell

Letter from Snake Johnson - March 1876 (Part Two)

 

  Slamming the jail door in Holmes' face was a strange sensation Prissy. You know how long I had been tracking him. How much I want to put him either behind bars or under the ground. And now there he was, standing in my cell. Wasn't quite sure how I felt about it to be honest. But I knew the job wasn't done. He had been in prison before, a few times, and was either released or busted out. And I knew the rest of his gang was not that far away. No way they were gonna just let him hang. I wanted to take him out of Red Creek and get him to Abilene or Wichita where we could secure him better. But the Judge said no, he was gonna be tried and hung in Red Creek. Well I knew there was gonna be trouble, and I didn't have the men for it. So I went to Mitchelson. He agreed to send some of his cowboys into town again as security. They might not have been the best men for the job, but my hope was their numbers would deter things from going off the track. Obviously, I was wrong.

   During Johnny's trail, I tried not to present to hard of a case against him. I was hoping, for your sake, they would just give him a prison sentence. But once the judge ordered a hanging, I knew there was nothing I could do for him. I also knew Johnny wasn't going to give me any trouble in the small time he had left. He had accepted his fate. Holmes was a different story. He was a problem the moment he stepped inside. He kept railing against us, telling us we were all dead men. There was no way he was gonna hang in a shit town like Red Creek. He said, well Prissy I am guessing you can imagine the things he said. It wasn't pretty, but it didn't bother me none. I was worried about his men though. I made sure we paid attention to every little thing. We watched the roads into town. We questioned strangers. I checked the locks at the jail every 30 minutes or so. Not that any of it mattered in the end.

   It was the morning after Johnny's trial that Gus, the manager at Rosie's came to the jail to see me. He said that Ruby was in bad shape. She had been drinking all night and refused to be put to bed. He said she had become angry and agitated this morning, yelling at her staff and breaking some dishes. Said she started calling out for me and wanted Gus to bring me to her. I thought it was strange, she had seemed a level headed woman to me, but I went. I left Fingers and Shots at the jail and walked with Gus down to her place.

   As you know, it turned out to be a hell of a morning.

Ruby's Letters - February 1876 (The Trail and the Truth)

  

Dearest Sister,

   My word girl, things have got to where they move so fast round here anymore I am havin a hard time just keeping you up to date! Big news is the Marshal done caught that bastard Kid Holmes that killed the Sheriff. Beat the hell out of him to it looks like. Ha! They are having his trial tomorrow I hear. The local judge is still in town from the trial of that poor horse thief Johnny. They found the boy guilty. Judge said to hang him on Saturday morning. I feel real bad for him. He never did seem like a bad sort. Just got mixed up with the wrong people. His wife is beside herself. I went to see her last night. Never really got too friendly with her before, what with her being the school marm, and me running girls from a saloon. But still, I felt it was the right thing to do.  Good Lord Margo, the things we learn about people sometimes is enough to knock ya plum over!

   I guess I should start at the trial. Judge Webster from Abilene was brought in. He is an older fella with a long beard and a pinched up face. Seems like an ass if ya ask me. (I know, people don't have to ask, I share my opinions freely!) The lawyer talked about Johnny's drinking and gambling problems. They said he helped the outlaws steal from Mitchellson's ranch to help cover his debts. Then when the posse rode out to get the horses, they said he opened fire on them along with the rest. They pulled the Marshal on the stand, and the strange thing was he didn't really say nothin that seemed to prove Johnny's quilt. Seemed to me he was tryin his best to avoid the questions when they came to Johnny. Like he was protecting him or something.
   Well, no matter what Snake might have been doing, the jury convicted Johnny right off. They said any man that would help a black hearted villian like Kid Holmes deserved what he got. The judge agreed, and sentenced him to hang. His wife, Prissy screamed and fell right out in the courtroom. Funny thing was how the Marshal got all concerned and carried her out. Her husband musta been in shock, he just sat there, all quiet when they said he was gonna die. Like he didn't care. It's a shame.

    But with the outlaw Holmes in jail and awaiting his own trial, the town didn't seem to get too worked up over Johnny's fate. But still, I felt bad so like I said I went over to see his wife last night check in on her. Now this gal is real friendly with the wife of our livery owner. Her name is Sally and she always seems nice enough. Her husband is one of the Marshal's deputy's as well. When I got to the door I heard the two of them talkin inside. Now you know I ain't one to evesdrop or anything like that. I was just being polite and not intrude with a knock until the moment seemed right. (I know Margo, don't say a word!) Then I heard Sally say something that plum knocked my garters off! She said "You have got to tell him that he's the boy's father Prissy! It ain't right to keep it from him!"
   Now I think I told you that Johnny and Prissy had a beautiful baby boy. He's about a year and a half or so I think. And if I was hearing things correctly, Johnny ain't the child's father??? I am sure he didn't know that.
  "I can't Sally!" I heard Prissy reply. I could tell she was crying. "Johnny is Joshua's pa!!"
  "Jonny is gonna be dead in 2 days Prissy! They are gonna string him up right with the rest of them. You have to accept that darlin. There ain't nothing to do for it now. And your son is going to need a father! He gonna need his real pa! I'm sorry. You know I love you, I have given you my word to not tell a soul, and I won't Prissy, I won't. But you need to. You can't hold keep that secret any longer. It's not fair to you, Joshua, or to Snake!"
 
   Holy Shit!

  I turned and left the house as quick as I could and came back to the Saloon. I took a bottle to a quiet table in the back and thought about what I had heard. Jesus. It all made sense. Now I knew who Snake was in love with. And knowing how he seems to favor "sportin' women", I can just about guess where he met her! I knew she had secrets in her past. I could always tell a girl of the trade when I saw them. Damn.
  I am not sure what I feel Margo. It really ain't none of my affair. But damn it, I agree with Sally. It ain't right. I know I rarely ask you for advice Big Sis, but, what do you think I should do?

 

Priscilla's Diary - February 1876

   Things are moving way too fast for me. Johnny is healing and they have scheduled his trail to start in a couple of days. Snake said the Judge is due in tomorrow. Johnny seems to have given up hope of a favorable outcome. He is resigned to hang. I hate it. I want to scream, I want to fight. I just don't know against who. Against God maybe? No, I shouldn't say that. It's just so unfair! I know he was wrong, but he is a good man. He doesn't deserve to hang. It's the outlaw Holmes. He should be the one hanging! Well, I guess he'll get his chance. Snake finally caught him. He is in the jail house with my Johnny. The thought of it makes my blood boil! I have to do something, I just don't know what.
   Sally knows about Snake now. She figured it out. She knows about Joshua as well. Said that once she started looking for it, it was obvious. I made her promise not to say a word. I don't want them to know. They can't. I couldn't stand the hurt it would cause both of them. One day perhaps, but not now. Not with Johnny....... I cant even think about it. Lord, what am I going to do?

Red Creek Tribune - February 8th 1876

Kid Holmes Captured!!!!

By Silas Furgenson - owner, Red Creek Tribune

Outlaw "Kid" Randolf Holmes

    The murdering outlaw Kid Holmes was brought to justice yesterday by Marshal Snake Johnson! In a daring ambush in the foothills the Marshal, and Deputy Shots Scafe were able to capture Holmes alive, while killing two of his men and freeing 3 young hostages. The day before the lawmen, along with Deputy John Roberts, arrested 4 other of Holmes' men, while Marshal Johnson shot down renown outlaw "Big Tom" Walkins in a fast draw.
   Holmes, who it is reported is wounded and looking very much the worse for wear after his encounter with Marshal Johnson, is currently under lock and key in the town jail. Along with the other 4 men Deputy Roberts brought in, and Red Creek resident Johnny Cardwell, who is awaiting trial for co operating with the outlaw gang in stealing horses last month from the Circle M Ranch.
  According to Doc Thomas, Holmes was shot in the leg, and sustained other injuries in a fall. Marshal Johnson was shot as well in the left arm, but is recuperating fine.
  Fears and rumors are currently afloat in the town's saloons of a violent reprisal by Holmes' gang still on the loose in an attempt to free their leader. Deputy Roberts assures this paper that the lawmen, with help from Wyatt Mitchelson of the Circle M, are ready and prepared for any such event.