by Bill Russo
The sounds of those shots sent the sheriff and his men to the ground. They drew their weapons and waited for more gunfire.
“I don’t think that was meant for us”, speculated Chalky.
“Perhaps there was a little disagreement among the trio,” offered Big Blake.
“Well that would be nice,” added the sheriff. “It would bring the odds down even more. Blake, I want you to do me a favor. Will you go back to town and fetch us some fresh weapons from the cabinet in the jailhouse - more ammo too. Grab eight or ten boxes of bullets and bring them back.”
Blake reluctantly agreed and drove for town.
Chalky asked Don Jose why he sent Blake off since they have plenty of weapons and ammunition, after taking them from the deputized men who left earlier.
“Bee sting Chalk. Bee sting,” was the only response he got.
Chalky persisted and Don Jose said that their weapons had become unreliable due to being wet. He claimed that the proof of it was what happened to Big Blake.
Chalky didn’t know that Ivory’s guns were the only ones who had actually been submerged under water. This had happened when one of the cars had become stuck in a deep puddle. When Blake sunk to his knees to literally lift the car to higher ground, his guns had been soaked under water.
A few moments later Don Jose ordered Chalky to stay behind. He went alone to confront the killers, snaking his way towards the spot where Blake said the Packard was parked.
As he neared to within 20 feet, he climbed upon a rock that gave him a clear shot downwards into the Packard where he saw that the two thugs were sitting in the front seat.
The thunderclouds were slowly dissipating. A swath of sun suddenly illuminated the rock on which Alvarado stood with his gun trained on Brant.
A ray of bright light bounced off the barrel of Don Jose’s Remington, and the resulting bright flash drew Dart Davis’ watchful eyes. He turned his head and saw the sheriff drawing his bead. Davis fired two rapid snap shots. Alvarado was hit and he fell.
The two murderers dashed from the car to finish off the sheriff. He had been hit on the right side of his body, both in his leg and his shooting arm.
As he writhed on the ground, the killers prepared for the finish. “I’ll take care of this,” announced Dart as he waved his pistol back and forth in sync to the thrashing of the sheriff who was desperately trying with his left hand to draw his weapon.
Watching in eager anticipation, Divitt Brant heard gunfire, but was shocked when the sheriff continued to thrash around in the dirt, while Dart Davis crumpled to the ground.
“Hands up or I’ll shoot,” came a command from behind him. It was Chalky Hidalgo speaking. Ignoring the order to stay behind, he had not reached the battle in tine to save Don Jose from being shot, but he was there soon enough to blast Davis before he could finish the sheriff off.
“I said drop your gun and put your hands up,” Chalky repeated.
“I’m not gonna hang here kid - and you’re not takin’ me in,”
Divitt Brant whirled around quickly to face Chalky. He raised his gun in a blur and fired a single shot – not at Chalky but into his own twisted brain. Divitt Brant committed suicide rather than face justice.
Chapter Fifteen: More Troubles for the Sheriff
Don Jose was losing blood fast from his leg wound. The injury to the arm seemed was less severe, but blood was gushing from the leg. Chalky used his belt as a tourniquet and managed to stem the flow.
As he was debating whether the Sheriff would survive the trip into town a car drove up. Big Blake Ivory had returned. Even better, he had Doc Galen with him.
After a preliminary examination Doc Galen told Chalky and Blake to load the sheriff into the car and take him back to his medical office.
After two days with his life in the balance, Don Jose opened his eyes and spoke two words, “What happened?”
Doc Galen filled him in on the details of how Chalky had saved him and how Brant had avoided the hangman by killing himself.
A number of people had been waiting outside Doc’s office to visit with the sheriff, but were not allowed inside during the time Don Jose was unconscious.
Among the group were Big Red and Vickie Larken who regarded each other politely but with the coolness that a prizefighter reserves for a formidable opponent.
Doc Galen allowed each visitor, in turn, five minutes with the sheriff before he sent them all away. Before they left, both Vickie Larken and Big Red told the sheriff that they wanted to care for Don Jose at their respective residences.
Over the next day or so tensions mounted between the two women as they vied for the rights to have Don Jose recuperate in their homes and in their tender embrace.
“Doc, you’re headed for trouble if you turn the Sheriff over to either one of those women.” The advice came from Ma Glockner who had been preparing the meals for both Doc and Don Jose.
“I know that you’re right Ma. Either way I’m going to turn one of them into an enemy and maybe set the stage for the biggest catfight this town has ever seen. It’s going to be weeks, maybe even months before he can get back to work. He’s got to have some place to stay.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing Doc. I think you should have him stay at my place. It’s neutral. The two ladies can come visit him without being able to claim ownership of him.”
Doc Galen agreed to the plan and Don Jose was installed in the apartment over Ma Glockner’s restaurant. Mrs. Larkin and Big Red were assigned a schedule of when they could visit and things worked out pretty well.
Chalky was given the job of ‘acting’ sheriff and the whole town agreed that the young hero was more than suited for the position. There was no spike in criminal activity during the period of the sheriff’s recovery.
There was however increasing tension between the two women, who had taken the ‘gloves off’ and confronted each other.
They both admitted they wanted to settle down with Don Jose and raise a bunch of little Don Joses.
After a few weeks the sheriff was improved enough so that he could partially resume his duties. He began spending an hour or two at the jailhouse each day.
He also began spending an hour or two at Vickie Larken’s house and another hour or two with Big Red at the Whiz Bang House.
Vickie Larken knew Don Jose was also seeing Big Red and Big Red likewise knew that the Sheriff was seeing Vickie Larken.
During this time, Jed Bartlett started to become a frequent visitor to the Whiz Bang House.
The oil companies had recently appointed him sheriff of the neighboring town of Carter Nine,
Bartlett had first come to the Whiz Bang House to do some gambling and perhaps check out some of Big Red’s girls who were said to be the finest in Osage County, but when he saw Big Red, his eyes were stuck to her and he never gave so much as a glance to any of the other women.
He began lavishing gifts on Big Red and Red started encouraging him. More than one cowpoke claimed to have seen Red and Jed locked in a moonlight embrace.
Word of this got back to Don Jose, which was exactly what Red had hoped for. Jealousy did what Red’s ample charms could not – prompt Don Jose to choose her over Vickie.
But on the very day that the sheriff was going to tell her that, Jed Bartlett told Red that he was about to arrest Don Jose.
“I’ve got a warrant for his arrest. I’m going to bring him back to Carter Nine. He’s going to have to stand trial.”
“What did he do,” Red asked.
“He’s a no good crook Red! He stole $2500 from Sassy Chancy who ran “Sassy Chancy’s Fancy Parlour” in Carter Nine a couple years ago. There was a fire in her building and when she opened her safe to get her money to safety, he slapped her around and took her cash.
I found the old arrest warrant when I started sifting through the files shortly after I got appointed as sheriff.”
As they sat at a table near Big Blake Ivory�
�s piano and Bartlett said he was going to serve the warrant that very day, Don Jose and Doc Galen walked in and sat at an adjacent table.
Bartlett told Don Jose that he had a warrant for his arrest. Don Jose looked at the warrant and admitted that he did take the money.
“That was years ago Bartlett. I did take the money. Her place was burning to the ground. She was panicked. She took the cash out of her safe and was running around in circles while the burning ceiling beams were crashing to the floor.
I ran out of the building with her and her money in tow. I stole her money that day but I also saved her life. I ran for my horse and fled to the hills. When I woke up in the morning by the side of a stream, I had slept off the whiskey of the day before.
I went back to Carter Nine and found Sassy Chancy and gave her all of her money back. The judge dropped all charges against me.”
“It’s no good Alvarado. You can’t talk your way outta this. I got a warrant and it’s still good. I’m taking you in today, dead or alive.
As the two argued, things got hotter and louder by the second. The town started buzzing with the news of a possible gunfight. Everybody knew how fast Don Jose was and word was out that Jed Bartlett also was as fast on the draw as lightning.
It was obvious that neither man was going to back down. The Whiz Bang house was quickly filled to capacity by cowpokes, oil workers, and anybody else who wanted to see a gun duel and bloodshed. An overflow throng lined both sides of Main Street, anticipating that the wide roadway would be the arena of the gun battle.
Bets were being made by everyone in the city including spinsters and widows. The odds were slightly in favor of Don Jose.
“Shut up a minute Jed!” Big Red commanded as the tension continued to escalate. “I’ll go over and have a talk with Don Jose and see if we can settle this matter without you guys killing each other.”
Jed Bartlett grabbed Red and pulled her back to her chair as she tried to go to Don Jose – but suddenly Bartlett found himself sailing through the air and landing hard, next to the piano.
As soon as Jed had grabbed Red, Big Blake intervened, leaving his piano and grabbing Jed by the collar, pitching him to the floor like a horseshoe.
“You stay there on the floor mister and don’t try nothing. Miss Red is going to speak with Don Jose. You will not move until I say so. Do you understand?”
Bartlett took one look at the hulking figure above him and rapidly decided that he wasn’t going to tangle with the huge piano man. Jed wondered how anybody with fists as big as hams and fingers that looked like tree branches could play the piano as skillfully as he did.
“Okay Blake, Miss Red can speak with Alvarado with no interference from me. But if you don’t mind, I’m going to sit in my chair rather than continue mopping up the sawdust.’
Blake made no objection as Bartlett sat down. Jed felt relieved and decided that he had been able to retrieve a bit of his dignity by getting up instead of cowering to the big guy by lying prostrate among the discarded cigar and cigarette butts littering the floorboards.
Doc Galen silently moved to another table as Red sat down with Don Jose. Her emotions were taking control of her and it was difficult to think. She started to speak but was interrupted…
“Red, I came here today to ask you to marry me. I like Vicky Larken a lot, but I’ve realized that you are the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you Red.”
With all two hundred patrons looking on, the Sheriff and the Madam locked into a passionate embrace. The kiss lasted a full two minutes, according to witnesses, and was only broken up when the enraged Jed Bartlett flew across from his seat and dove right between the lovers, knocking the table over, as well as Red and the Sheriff.
The men came up swinging. Jed had the advantage. As Alvarado lay on his back on the floor, Bartlett ground his knees into Don Jose’s midsection and started flaying alternating lefts and rights to the face.
Don Jose absorbed half a dozen solid punches before he was able to spin on his side and reach up and grab the long pony tail worn by his foe. He slammed Bartlett’s head against the floorboards. The cushion provided by the layer of sawdust and litter on the wooden planks, saved Jed from being knocked unconscious and he scrambled to his feet.
With arms extended, the fighters circled each other, sending out scout jabs in search of a clear shot; when Blake stepped in between and stopped them. He tried to get them to resolve the conflict without bloodshed, but neither man would listen.
“If it’s going to be blood,” said Big Blake, “then you two best be getting outside on the street to do your business.”
With a malevolent stare at Don Jose, Jed Bartlett strode swiftly through the batwing doors.
“I’ll be out in one minute Bartlett. I have to tell everybody something. Folks, after Bartlett and I conclude our business, you are all invited to a wedding. Miss Red and I are going to be married right here in the Whiz Bang House. Tell the cooks to start preparing a feast for tonight there’ll be a ceremony unlike any that’s ever been had in our town.”
To the cheers of the two hundred people seated and standing at the bar, Sheriff Don Jose Alvarado happily walked out to Main Street, where Jed Bartlett was waiting for him - his hands poised an inch above his twin six-shooters.
Chapter Sixteen: The Last Gunfight
Confidently Jed Bartlett strode to the arena. He took note of the weather, for it was important in a gun battle to the death, to gain the advantage of unimpeded vision. If a man could force his foe to fight with his eyes squinting into the sun, he had a significant advantage.
It being a typical autumn day in Osage County, there was however, little sun that September afternoon. The temperature was 59 degrees. Though it was several hours before sunset, the sky was as murky as the pre-dawn. Angry, puffy clouds smeared with gray splotches were being pushed down from the limestone hills at ten miles an hour. A thunderstorm, one of the 50 or more to hit the Osage each year, was most likely going to charge in right behind. The nasty clouds looked dirtier than the apron of a barkeep in one-bit bar.
Bartlett had the confidence and reflexes of youth in his favor. Ten years younger than Don Jose, he considered that the sheriff of Whiz Bang had probably lost a thousandth of a second from his quick draw. Jed figured that tiny fraction would take enough off Alvarado’s speed that he could beat him.
Jed had the two things a gunfighter needs for success; speed and accuracy. Speed matters little if a gunman can’t hit his target. In Barlett’s case, he could outdraw just about anybody around Carter Nine, and his first bullet never failed to find flesh.
The one thing he didn’t have was experience. He had gunned down more than a dozen men, but most were drunks or farmers who couldn’t really handle a gun. Compared to a sodbuster or an oil hand, he was fast – but Don Jose had proven his speed against some of the swiftest gunfighters in the land.
Jed’s confidence began to flag. He considered making a run for his horse and going back to Carter Nine. But the stakes were too high. The winner of the skirmish would be able to lay claim to both Whiz Bang and Carter Nine. The spoils also would include the lovely Big Red and her Whiz Bang House – for the man who owned Red would also get to be lord of the funhouse. He decided he had no choice but to face Don Jose Alvarado – but he didn’t have to fight fair!
Back inside the Whiz Bang House, the Don and Red were locked in a final embrace.
“I’d best be getting out there and take care of business Red. You wait here for me. I’ll be back before you know it and we’ll start planning the wedding ceremony for real. I promise it.”
Checking his twin pearl handled 1875 Remingtons, he shoved his way through the swinging doors and walked out onto the street. He didn’t have to wait for his eyes to adjust because it was darker outdoors than it had been at Big Red’s table.
He noticed that the hordes of onlookers completely filled the street. But they had moved aw
ay from Jed Bartlett leaving a wide space behind and on either side of him. The open space extended across the street to the boardwalk in front of the Whiz Bang house where he was standing. Don Jose thought that the cleared out section looked like a giant horse shoe pit and he and Jed were the stakes.
He didn’t have much time to think about this however, for without warning and against the Code of the West, Jed Bartlett drew both of his Colt 45s and started firing at him.
Don Jose felt the pain immediately. He was hit twice. Amazingly, Jed’s aim was not fatal. It was worse than fatal. The slugs had landed in his arms – one in his left elbow and one in his right fore-arm.
He was unable to draw either of his twins.
Jed Bartlett, a wild grimace on his face, advanced slowly. The wounds prevented Don Jose from using his weapons, but he was able to scramble for cover under a merchandise table and dry goods display on the boardwalk in front of Jordan’s Mercantile.
Bartlett took aim and fired at the table.
The sturdy Oak boards and the boxes on top of it repelled his shot. Angered that the shell wouldn’t penetrate the wood, he aimed downwards. The table only protected the sheriff from the knees up, leaving his legs exposed.
Bartlett fired four times, twice from each Colt. Four slugs shattered the legs of Don Jose. Blood was streaming from the sheriff’s leg wounds and also from the two slugs in his arms.
Suddenly, Big Red bolted through the batwing doors of the Whiz Bang House. Her crimson hair flying like the mane of a racing mare, she darted straight for Jed Bartlett, with a tiny derringer in her hand.
Taken unaware, Jed stared in shock as Big Red blasted off two shots from her little pocket pistol. One went wide, but the other caught him in the left arm.
“You filthy witch, I loved you,” he cursed as he deposited two cartridges into Red’s heart. She fell to the ground and died without being able to utter a word.
When Don Jose saw Red go down, he somehow forced his shattered arms to move shakily to his Remingtons. Using the table top as a holder and a site, he began firing at Bartlett.