North to the Salt Fork
Page 22
Ralph nodded. “I know a señorita that I’d like to go see.”
“Rent a rig to go see her. I’ll pay for it.”
“Thanks, boss. I’ll take you up on it. Bet you been missing that wife, huh?”
Jack agreed, but at least he’d had fine memories of his time with her to carry him through the last few months. To know she was coming for him at the bank was enough to make his stomach churn with excitement.
They stopped near New Braunfels and camped for the night on the river before heading in to San Antonio. Everyone took baths and washed their clothing, wanting to look presentable for their women.
“You going to make another drive this summer, Captain Jack?” Either asked.
“I’m thinking on it.”
“Me and my brother, Hank, would sure like to go back with you.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll let you know when I have more details.”
His clothes drying on some bushes, he sat in the shade wearing only his underwear.
Luke walked by, chewing on a grass stem.
“How’s you doing, son? How’d you like your first cattle-driving experience?” Jack asked.
“It was interesting. But I’m looking forward to sleeping in a bed.”
Jack chuckled. “You glad to be getting back home?”
“Yeah, I reckon I’ve seen Kansas. From now on I’m staying here in Texas.”
“I’m thinking about going back in a short while.”
“I heard, but to tell you the truth I’d rather stay behind next time. I know you’ll need a point man without Shanks, but I’ve seen all that I wanted to. I think I’m meant to be a rancher, not a driver.”
“No shame in that. But you’re absolutely sure? I know you’d make a great point man.”
Luke chewed his grass stem. “I’m sure. I’ll work Texas for you.”
“Alright, but you made a good hand.”
“I never wanted anyone to say I was just getting by as the boss’s son.”
“You did good at that.”
“Reckon Maw will be there when we get there?”
“I hope so.”
“So do I, Dad. So do I.”
Chapter 32
At the north edge of San Antonio, Jack rented a pasture for the remuda and Estefan stayed with the herd. They left the mules and chuck wagon there so the boys would have a place to come back to when they were tired of running around in the city. Ralph drove off in his rented rig to see his lady while the rest of the crew headed for the saloons. Jack excused himself.
He had rented a room at the Palace Hotel, where he planned to meet Lucy the next day. He climbed the stairs wearily, sprawled out across the bed and slept till dawn. Eager for a shave and a haircut, he went downstairs and asked the desk clerk if any shops were open early. The clerk recommended a barber shop one door over.
“John will already be up and ready for business,” he said.
Jack thanked him and left. Almost everything around Alamo Square was still closed. He walked up to the door of the shop marked BARBER and knocked. Soon a face appeared beneath the raised shade and the door swung open.
“Good morning, sir. Come right in,” the barber said cheerily.
“The clerk at the Palace Hotel sent me.”
“That’s one fine lad, sir.” He turned the chair around for Jack to sit. “My name’s John.”
“Mine’s Jack. I need a haircut and a shave, although you could probably tell by just looking at me.”
The barber chuckled. “I can handle it.” He slung the black sheet over his chest and pinned it behind his neck. “You must have been riding a long ways.”
“I’ve been to Kansas and back.”
“That’s quite a long ways.”
“No kidding.” Jack sat patiently while the barber lathered him up, until he noticed through the front glass window two familiar men standing outside on the sidewalk beside each other. It was Dyke and Freeman. Both men were looking around as if they were surveying the scene; then Dyke reached for the door handle. Jack lowered the barber’s hand from his face, motioned to the window outside, and eased his Colt into his lap. When they burst through the door with their guns drawn, the barber drew back.
Jack flew from his seat and shot Dyke. He fell onto Freeman, who blasted a hole in the ceiling while Jack shot him in the side.
Black gunpowder smoke clouded the air, burning Jack’s eyes so badly that he and John stumbled outside, coughing, to get a breath of air.
“Whew. Who were they?” John asked.
“Two hired gunnies that work for a man named Sawyer.”
“What’s going on here?” the night marshal ran up and asked John.
“There’s two men in there on the floor. They busted into my shop with their guns drawn to rob us, I guess. Jack here shot them.”
“Damn, don’t you know that San Antonio’s not a shooting gallery?” the perturbed marshal said to Jack.
John sounded upset when he replied, “Way I saw it, Les, he saved my life.”
“They dead?”
“Damned if we know. Smoke got too thick inside for us to even breathe in there.”
“Aw, hell. I’ll go see.” Gun in one hand, he used a handkerchief over his nose to keep the bitter smoke out of his lungs. He returned shortly, coughing too. “They’re both dead or dying. Who are they?”
“One’s named Dyke and one’s named Freeman. They live up at Shedville, or did, and worked for a man named Hiram Sawyer.”
“I guess I could contact him and see what this was all about,” the marshal said, still coughing.
Opening all the windows and doors and waving a sheet to waft the gun smoke outside, John and Jack tried their best to clean out the place. When they were finished, John went back to shaving Jack’s beard while the marshal and his men removed the bodies.
“Why did they want you?” John asked, still a little shaken up. Jack told him his history with Sawyer while John shook his head in disbelief.
“He hired them two to get to you?”
“Someone had to do the dirty part,” Jack said. “I just figured they’d have learned the lesson when we burned down the saloon and chased them out of town.”
“Well, I don’t rightly know that their kind ever does learn,” John said, shaving Jack’s right cheek with a straight edge. Sloshing the blade in a pan of hot water, he shaved another strip along his cheek.
“So, what are you doing in San Antonio?”
“Waiting for my wife and my new baby on my way home from cattle herding.” As he said the words out loud he realized he still didn’t know whether he had a son or daughter. Though he wanted to have some alone time with Lucy, he was sure glad to be meeting his new child.
They spoke pleasantly about Jack’s time in Kansas, and after John finished the shave and haircut Jack stood up to pay. John smiled and said, “It’s on the house,” but Jack slipped the money into his barber apron, shook his hand and left.
Jack spent the rest of the morning eagerly awaiting Lucy’s arrival. After a quick breakfast with some of the other hotel guests in the dining room, he settled himself in the lobby with a newspaper to wait for Lucy.
Suddenly Lucy swept into the hotel lobby, the baby wrapped in a blanket in her arms. He flew out of his seat, his stomach churning with excitement as he gave her a full, long kiss on the mouth. When he pulled away from her, she placed the baby in his arms.
“Jack Starr, meet your new son, Dallas Starr,” she said.
Short of breath, he rocked the little fellow in his arms. He was a proud father.
“Is Luke here?” she asked as she looked around the lobby.
“He’s off with the other hands, but he’s healthy and excited to see you. And I warn you, he’s grown up a lot. Knows exactly what he wants in life.”
As they went upstairs to their room, Lucy said, “Jack, I’ve been so worried about you. Sawyer’s herd was stolen by a gang, and many folks have lost everything. The ones who went with you are mighty glad they did.”
“I’m not sure who found out first, but the word was Sawyer and his drivers were jumped and the entire herd was stolen.”
“We’ll see about that. I’ll send a few telegrams.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think it might be a scam.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “You don’t really think so, do you, Jack? But how will you find out? Who will you wire?”
“A lawman named Earp and a couple of cattle buyers I met, along with the Kansas Brand Inspectors.”
“What good will it do?” she asked, taking the baby.
“We might get their money back for them if it’s a hoax. We just have to hope we can get to Sawyer.”
After he settled them in the room, he went to the telegraph office and sent ten dollars’ worth of wires. Amazing how he could ask questions of people a thousand miles away and get an answer back in a few hours.
“Where shall I send your replies?” the operator asked.
“I’m staying at the Palace Hotel,” Jack said.
“I’ll send you the wires as soon as they arrive.”
He gave the man two bits as a tip. “Well, thanks, Mr. Starr!” the man said, shocked at his generosity.
Back at the hotel, he tossed off his hat and settled into the bed with Lucy and the baby. “You get it all done?”
“Almost, but the rest can wait. I need to spend some time with my wife.”
He took her in his arms and held her like they were slow dancing as the hot wind swept the room. It was stifling, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care about a damn thing except his wife and his tiny son nestled between them.
Jack sent out a second set of wires that day and the next morning U.S. Marshal Tim Harris answered.
My associates in Wichita, Kansas are investigating the matter up there. I believe we have a case of fraud, as your wire indicated. Will keep you informed. Tim Harris. United States Marshal.
Jack filled her in over breakfast. “According to the Kansas Brand Inspectors that herd was sold by Hiram Sawyer.”
She beamed at him. “No one else would’ve been able to figure that out, Jack Starr. Thank goodness we have you around.”
He kissed her. “Our bank meeting is at one o’clock today. Almost everyone will be there.”
“It’s a big day for most of them. As for me, I can’t believe you managed to bring in so much money for our family.” She reached over and squeezed his hand.
“Well, I wanted to get the most I could for our friends and neighbors. And by paying out the money at the bank, folks will know they got an honest deal.”
When they arrived at the bank, the large office room where they were meeting was full of folks who were eager to shake Jack’s hand. His crew was lined up against the wall, shaking hands and taking compliments from the grateful folks.
Bank President Claymore called the room to order. “I’ve sent for more ice and lemonade. I didn’t expect so many people. You have really overwhelmed us. I’m glad you-all came so far for this event. It certainly is an important day for not only you, but the state of Texas as well. The money you spend will build our economy and help it grow strong.
“You will receive a receipt for your money and you must sign for it. When you’re ready, you can take it to one of our tellers and fill out a deposit slip and we’ll place it into your account. In case you want cash, we’ll pay you from the signed receipt. But this bank is strong, and we would appreciate you leaving it with us. The interest you’ll accrue will only make this venture more fruitful for you.”
Claymore turned back to Jack. “Mr. Starr, do you wish to say anything?”
All eyes were on Jack. “I’m glad we did this. I lost one man. He was a good man. But there could have been more. I’m not a preacher, but I’d ask anyone that was so inclined to say a prayer to God and thank him for watching over us and making this a success.”
Red Larson stepped out of the crowd to lead the prayer while the men removed their hats. After saying a quick word about Shanks, Red continued.
“Lord, we sure want to thank you for sending us Jack Starr. Wasn’t no accident that he came by here and stayed. Thanks, Lord, for giving him the strength to go up there and make the best cattle deal we had ever heard of. Bless his new baby, Dallas, and his wife, Lucy, who, like the rest of the wives, must have talked a lot to you while the men were gone.
“Lord, love, guide and protect us in this life that we may better serve you.”
“Amen,” everyone echoed.
“Thanks, Red,” Jack said.
Afterward, as everyone received their sale receipts, Jack watched their faces. Their eyes were wide with disbelief and their heads shook. Some even cried with joy.
“We can’t thank you enough,” one gray-haired lady said. “My husband and I are going to have real granite tombstones made for ourselves. For years I figured we’d never be able to afford one and it worried me. God bless you, Jack Starr.”
Tears streaming down her face, the woman who’d fed him the night before they went after the bandits ran toward him and threw her arms around his shoulders. “Oh, we owe you so much. I’m going to add a new kitchen to the house and buy a decent rig for me to go to town in.”
Lucy deposited all but a thousand dollars. She gave the money to Jack to hold for her. “That’s for things the kids might need. I also have to pay Shanes. He’s got a real corn crop coming in. Not a weed in it. He’s quite the farmer.”
The drive home required two days. They stayed at Lucy’s cousin’s house overnight, but Jack was itching to get into his own bed.
When they finally descended the hill to the ranch, Jack could see Sister pacing up and down the front yard. She looked up when the dogs started barking and smiled, her hands on her hips.
“She’ll be happy with her receipt,” Lucy said. “She wasn’t expecting much.”
Lucy waved Dallas’s tiny hand at Sister.
“I just wish that Luke had come home with us,” she said with a frown.
Jack smiled. “Boys have to sow their oats. But he’ll be back. He loves this land.”
He leaned over and kissed her and she smiled up at him. “My husband is home at last.” They both laughed as he helped her and the baby down from the wagon.
Two weeks later U.S. Marshal Harris arrived at the ranch with two deputies. Jack went out to talk to them.
“Come in for dinner,” Jack said.
“No, Jack, we’re going to Fredericksburg to arrest Hiram Sawyer. Just thought you’d like to come along.”
“You have a warrant, I take it?”
“Yes, we do. We also have his bank accounts frozen by a court order both here and in Kansas.”
Jack grinned broadly. “Of course I’ll come. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he hears the news.”
“Good, get your horse and bedroll and come on out.”
Jack told Lucy the good news and headed out on Mac.
Two days later the posse arrived at Sawyer’s place. They dismounted in the yard and Sawyer came to the door without his coat.
He looked to Jack to be a lot frailer than he was that morning on Dog Creek when he told him to ride on. His unshaven face looked white as snow.
“You’re under arrest, Mr. Sawyer, by the U.S. government for fraud and larceny across state and territorial lines.”
“You’ll never make it stick. I’ll have lawyers wring your case out of court,” Sawyer said with a sneer.
“Hiram,” Jack said, “you’ll regret not killing me up at Lost Dog Creek last summer.”
He chuckled softly. “I do. I do every day.”
“Well, before you die inside the federal penitentiary, I’m sure you’ll have many more opportunities.”
“You son of a bitch,” Sawyer said under his breath.
Jack remounted Mac. “No, Sawyer. I’m afraid you’re the son of a bitch.”
&
nbsp; Epilogue
Hiram Sawyer lasted eighteen months in federal prison in Ohio before he died. He was buried there.
Jack Starr and his partners, Jangles, Cotton and Arnold formed the Prairie Cattle Company and through the good years of the 1870s bought many sections of land in the bluestem hills of southeast Kansas. Their real estate holdings were extensive. As a grass-stocker operation, they paved the way for an industry that flourishes to this day. Dallas Starr took over the operation of the Kansas ranches in 1890 when Jack died from a sudden heart attack while working cattle on their Texas operation, which Luke ran for the family. Lucy lived to be ninety and was buried beside her man at the Lost Dog Creek Cemetery.
Tally and Shanes farmed a large tract of black land south of Dallas. Shanes, who had taken his education seriously after Jack taught him how to read, was elected as a state senator for two terms. The boy who Jack and his crew caught in his nightshirt became a respected Texas civic leader and an outstanding area farmer.
Dallas’ two sons inherited the Kansas holdings. The depression of the 1930s cut deep into their operation. The Kansas ranches were broken up and sold. Dallas’ great-great grandson, Jack Starr III, owns the old home place and the D-T brand. He is now a corporate lawyer in Austin.
On a weather-worn tombstone in the cemetery, the words are written: HERE LIES CAPTAIN JACK STARR, THE MAN WHO SAVED AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.