Golden Stagecoach

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  She grinned coyly and he said, "I always did like a little appetizer before dinner."

  The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, they took a taxi and passed by the Stanten residence of old. The Stanten Foundation still owned the property, but had signed a long term lease through a real estate company. Dirk said, "Can you imagine living here before the turn of the century?"

  "Before we leave honey dear, let's go by a library and see some old pictures of New York City," she said.

  "He said, "Fine idea my love. It might be awhile before we come back here so let's take advantage of the situation now."

  They met the Stanten family lawyer at the bank right at 11 o'clock. They followed the same procedure as the day before. The lawyer was no doubt, the oldest in the firm. With him he had a younger man.

  After the box was opened and the contents were sorted by category, Mr. Bennett, for his age, had a remarkable memory. The deeds, which were many, were holdings for the Foundation. However, the mine deeds, three, were, held in trust for Smoky Longfellow and his decedents. Bennett did mention the fact that 50% ownership was in the Stanten family, he had a document that stated that all the proceeds from the mine would go to the Longfellow family.

  Dirk asked, "Mr. Bennett, who authorized the Longfellow agreement?"

  "Why Joel Stanten of course. Most of what we do or did is either by his direction or his son's Junior Stanten. Few would disagree that Joel and his son Junior had great foresight and compassion unequaled in its time."

  "I wish I had that ability," said Dirk.

  "Your time is coming, young man. I wouldn't be surprised to see some great things from your future life."

  Mr. Bennett, once the documents were explained, left to let Barry Martel to finish up the session. Barry took them to lunch and after an hour of talking, Dirk liked what the young lawyer had to say. In addition he took them to the New York Public Library to see some old photos of New York City.

  After an afternoon of gazing at old photos, they went back to the hotel rather tired. Lying on the giant bed, Dirk said, "You know my ancestors took the train back and forth from here to Colorado. Have you any interest in a train ride?"

  "Why not. I can see lots of America from the window. I need a bookstore so I can do some reading while we cross America. I'll do some school work and you can play with my breasts when you're bored."

  A few days later they arrived in Denver. They were both relaxed and rested up for the next leg of the journey: to literally find a gold stash and silver mine. But first they need some good old maps. The university was the place to go and after a short while, they had good copies of very old maps of the area.

  Back at the motor home, they formally thanked the police department for their kindness to park the motor home in their parking lot. Dirk left a large donation to the police fund.

  Before they left town, they stopped at the local supermarket to load up on groceries. Dirk never a camera man decided he needed to learn how to take pictures. They went to a camera store and his wallet lighter, left with a 35mm and some photo mags to help him learn the settings.

  The first leg of the journey was to the Bar-B ranch. Dirk had no idea what to expect. A ranch house and stable was what he knew about the place. Also, that a small house had been built for Smoky and family. The Stanten family still owned the ranch, but it was leased out to some large corporation. Be that as it may, they drove out in the Land Rover leaving the motor home in the supermarket's parking lot.

  The pavement didn't last long and a gravel road took its place. It was what local s called a washboard road. Which meant it was like a choppy sea, the road had ripples that caused the vehicle to dance sideways, if one went to fast. Dirk drove slowly. Soon they came to an old fence line that crossed the road. At the gate were two tall poles still standing, but leaning at an angle that once held the sign of the Bar-B ranch.

  The ranch house was a sorry looking affair. Too many winters with too much snow had taken its toll on the once fine ranch house. The outbuildings fared no better. The place was deserted. Dirk parked so he could look at the house. Hanna tried to picture a happy family with ranch hands working the cattle, but all she could see were tumble weeds against the house and some blowing by on the early summer winds.

  Dirk hadn't come all this way to sit in a car. He got out and strolled around. He had his new camera and lucky for him, it had an 'A' on a setting. That was for an automatic, giving the camera itself the choice of exposure. He walked around taking shot after shot of the place.

  At the horse stable, he went in, not expecting to see much, but quite the contrary, two horses were staring at him. Dirk wondered who owned the horses. He walked up to a stall and peered in. A memory flashed through his brain as the breed of horse that stood in the stall was a paint. Big white and brown patches gave the horse a very distinct look. Then he heard a voice; a woman or girls voice saying, "Mister are you going to make me take my horses out of here?"

  Dirk looked at the next stall and saw a young girl of about eighteen barely tall enough to see over the side of the stall. He said, "No, of course not. We came here to see where our or some of our relatives used to live. I'm Dirk Stanten and may I ask who are you?"

  "I'm Janet Longfellow. I live with my grandmother not far from here. Then you must know that one of your relatives gave my great grandfather some property and a house."

  "Yes, I'm aware of that Janet. That was our next destination after here. My wife and I are very curious about the Stanten history."

  "Then you must talk to my grandmother. Us Indians only rely on oral history and not written history. I too know a lot, but not like my granny," she said with a beautiful set of white teeth against her dark skin.

  Hanna walked in and with a flashing smile said hello. Janet gave a hello back while Dirk told her what he discovered so far.

  Soon, with Janet in the back seat, they followed her directions to her house. Once again it was a bumpy ride for a almost twenty minutes. Then they dropped down a slight incline to a narrow valley. A log house sat high enough above the creek to prevent flooding with a flash flood. A few cotton wood trees gave some summer shade, but other than that it was rather stark, but potted flowers dotted the outside. A big dog came bounding up as they parked. Janet told them not to worry that he was harmless. Janet took him by the collar and tied him to an old stump. They went inside a very neat and clean house that had a leathery smell. Grandmother Longfellow was in a rocking chair doing bead work. She never looked up and said, "Who are your new friends Janet?"

  "Gran this is Mr. Dirk Stanten and his wife Hanna from Austria. They would like to know some old stories of when Smoky was alive and so on."

  "Did you bring any coffee Dirk and Hanna," she asked.

  Dirk felt like a real heel. How could he not think to bring a gift. He said, "You must try and forgive me this time, but I assure you I'll be back before we leave for Europe."

  "Indians like to tease white men and I'm just teasing. Now what would you like to know," as she put away her box of beads and looked up at both her visitors.

  Hanna knew very little about Native Americans. However, once they went back to town she would buy some books about this special culture that were the first people to occupy the land known as North America.

  "I know that Smoky and my great grandfather Joel were good friends. I also know Smoky saved Joel daughter's life after being kidnapped. The story is told he was made her body guard for as long as he was able. Also as a reward he gave Smoky this plot of land and had a house built for him and family, "said Dirk

  She verified the story and went on to mention the mines in the Golden area. She said, "We have many relatives that live in that area and to this day they still work the silver mines and pan for a little gold. It helps support the families and send the young ones to college. Like Janet here, she will enter college this fall in Denver. Now get comfortable and I'll tell you some stories."

  "I'm Smoky's daughter. I can't really tell you how old I am. I
've lived my whole life in this house. Each winter get harder than the last one. The cold gets me bad. They, like Janet want me to move into town to a nursing home. Nope, I born here I die here." She went on for the next four hours telling ranching stories. Finally at the end she said, "Janet will go with you to show you the way to the mines. Now I must take a rest. Come back soon and visit me before you leave. I really like coffee.

  -XXIX-

  Janet met them at the supermarket where she left her small pickup truck. Gas was not easy to find as the Arab Embargo was in full swing. The Land Rover had a full tank and Dirk had two five gallon cans on the back with safe brackets to hold them firm.

  Janet explained how the mines help support the extended family of Indians. "All of course was given to our people by your family the Stanten's. We are ever so grateful. When we have a pow - wow we sing a special song for your family. We should be there in an hour or so."

  True to her word, they crawled up the rough road to one of the mines. This mine was the one marked on the map. Dirk was very anxious to get there, but he knew to take it easy. When they came to a shack in the trees, Janet told them to park here. They got out and Janet gave a shrill whistle to the area. All was quiet but the sounds of the forest. A few bird sounds and an occasional chatter of a squirrel were heard. Then a middle aged man came out of the trees behind the shack. He wore his cowboy had low to the forehead. It was hard to see his face, but he perked up when he saw who it was.

  Janet introduced him as Mike Silverheels. Dirk noticed he had on a pair of silver spurs. Indeed he really looked like an authentic cowboy. Janet quickly told Mike the story and after he digested it all, stuck him hand out for a shake.

  Mike rubbed his jaw and then Dirk told him the story leaving not much out. It was then that Mike said, "I'm sure you are who you say you are, but would you have some ID I can look at?"

  Dirk never hesitated and reached inside his jacket and pulled out his passport. Mike looked back and forth and handed it to Janet who verified it. Then Mike said, "Come with me and let me show you something."

  Behind the shack a trail led up the mountain to an opening on the mountain. It was a man made opening that was the silver mine. Hard hats were on pegs just inside the mine with miner's lights on each one. Mike said, "Watch your head and follow me. The tunnel forked and they went left at an angle deeper into the mountain. Dirk guessed they were some 50 feet down this tunnel when Mike stopped. Dirk could see many cracks in the walls and then to his surprise, Mike took out a hunting knife and squatted down. He stuck the knife in a crack and prised it out so he could get his finger on the bottom. With obvious practice he soon held a dark grey colored piece of aluminum. It had been design to imitate the rock walls surrounding it.

  They had to get on hands and knees to crawl through the hole, but then only a few feet inside Mike stood up. When Dirk and Hanna stood up and the light was cast around, wooden boxes lined the walls on the floor. Mike said, "You choose Mr. Stanten."

  Dirk walked to the closest one and removed the wooden lid. With his hard hat in hand he shined the light around the inside of the box. He gasped in surprise. Inside were small canning jars full of gold and silver. Mike said, "Here is a special one for you to see Mr. Stanten."

  Dirk and Hanna walked over to another box and saw gold coins in the same kind of jars. Dirk picked a jar up and noticed how heavy it was. He picked a coin out and shined his light on it. It was an 1884 Double Eagle $20 dollar gold piece. Mike said, "Keep it we have lots more. Also for your wife take what you want.

  "I don't want to seem greedy Mike, but I'd like to take the jar and all."

  "Sure you can. This stash is all yours anyway. We're told by hand me down stories to use it as we saw fit to sustain our families and educate our children. We do just that Mr. Stanten. Never in a hundred years has anyone abused the privilege. As far as I know, you are the first Stanten besides a Mr. Joel Stanten to come here."

  "How do you sell the gold or silver," asked Dirk.

  We take a small amount to Denver and sell it. We never draw attention and we do have a mine here. We have a trap line to other cities where we sell a bit here and there."

  "Are there any silver dollars here Mike?"

  "Oh my yes. Another box please." He quickly raised the lid and drew out a canning jar of silver dollars. "Here you are. Take one of each back home with you." Mike lifted the lids of all the boxes showing off how much each box contained. It was impossible to say how much gold or silver there was, but millions was certainly not far off. Later Dirk and Hanna would say how his family spread the wealth with maybe just a touch of altruism.

  Janet stayed with Mike and family. Dirk and Hanna went to a motel in Golden. Tomorrow they would visit the family plot where most of the Stanten's were buried.

  They found a steak house in Golden. It was the best steak either one had ever eaten. Feeling really full, they walked around town. There wasn't much to see but a little high altitude exercise was good.

  That night they laid out all the money on the bed and made a list of each one. Dirk thought it might be fun to see how much the jars were worth. After that both sleep hard in the arms of each other.

  The deep roar of big diesel trucks from the Coors Brewery woke them up early. To their liking the steak house was opened for breakfast. Sitting by the window they watched the town awaken. The vast majority of vehicles were pickup trucks they noticed.

  After breakfast they went to the old Stanten homestead. It wasn't hard to find, but both were surprised how neat and clean the place was. Dirk had been told about a caretaker, but this was above and beyond the call of duty. They were met as he drove up by a barking dog. The caretaker, Carl, came running out yelling at the dog. Dirk got out but Hanna stayed in the car. Dirk identified himself and his wife. Carl shook his hand vigorously and led them to the family plot. Camera in hand, or around his neck, Dirk took a bunch of pictures. Then he stood silently looking at each one and giving thought about each life he saw in front of him.

  Hanna held his arm tightly feeling his sorrow and pride at the same time. Soon it was time to go and Dirk felt elated about the visit. Now it was time to find the gold from the stagecoach.

  They had to go back to town and then head out in another direction. The pavement soon turned to gravel and a few farms were scattered along the way. Then the gravel mostly ended and a four wheel drive road took its place. At first Dirk didn't think they could do it, but Hanna encouraged him to go slow and stay out of the deep ruts. Hanna was a good navigator and after about eight miles they came to a big tree that looked like the place to stop and rest some horses before going up the hill. Dirk got out and hiked up the road and then came back. He said, "I think this is the place Hanna. They both were looking at the map on the warm hood of the Land Rover. The motor was cooling and giving off the tick tick sound.

  Both had their heads looking at the map and looking at the side hill across the road that led up the hill. Dirk said, "This has to be the place. Let's go see." As they started across the dirt road, they heard something and finally they determined it was a rider on a horse coming down the hill. The wide spot was on a blind corner and they waited while the sound came closer and closer. Then from around the corner came an old grey haired Indian on a paint like Janet's horse with big white and brown colors. Dirk sucked it in knowing he was seeing what was seen over a hundred years ago: The phantom Indian on a horse that warned the stage coach men the bad guys were around the corner waiting for them. Now he was directly in front of him. Dirk could reach out and touch him if he so desired.

  "Greetings Dirk and Hanna Stanten. We have been waiting for you. Also our greetings to the little one growing in your womb Hanna. He'll be a fine boy and if we're not mistaken, the greatest of the Stanten clan. You will see the original cargo of gold. But, we hear a new road will be built in the future disturbing this site. I will have Mike Silverheels remove this gold to the mine for safe keeping." He looked up and smiled. "Also, all the Stanten clan that has passed on
, send their love and happiness. Both of you will live long and happy." He kicked his horse in the flanks and they watched as the horse and Indian rose up from the ground and disappeared into the sky.

  Both Dirk and Hanna stood there with their mouths open. She said, "I don't believe my eyes and ears Dirk. When you told me the story of the old Indian, I thought it was just a dream someone had. I pinched myself and it hurt. We're not dreaming; what we saw and heard was real. No one on earth can explain this phenomenon."

  "It's for us to enjoy and remember. Also, you are carrying a baby boy Hanna my lovely wife."

  "I thought so, but wasn't sure just yet. We don't need a doctor to confirm it," she said laughing. Now let's go see the original stash of gold."

  They didn't need a map and after a short climb up a game trail, they found the two big rocks and the narrow gap that led to a cave. Both had flashlights and Dirk had not as yet regained his true weight, easily passed through the narrow entrance. Hanna right behind him had a little trouble as her breasts were a little oversized for her size. They slipped inside and it was indeed smaller than they had anticipated.

  But sure enough, up against the back wall stack up about two feet high and five feet wide, large and small sacks of gold sat there patiently for someone to make use of it. The old leather was rotten and gold had spilled out. Dirk had anticipated that happening so had brought along a plastic container with a screw on lid. He wanted a souvenir to take home. He really wanted to take a picture, but realized that would be foolish as the developer would see and become curious.

  Dirk sat down Indian style and so did Hanna. He wanted to reflect on the day and time when Will and his friend Lefty, along with the other four men, stashed the gold here from the bandits. He could picture them hurrying back and forth and probably tossing the sacks to the back wall. One thing that his great - great grandfather did was hide some gold in his saddle bags for his son Joel. That would take a cool head and foresight on his part. However, that foresight and smart thinking was a hallmark of the Stanten clan.