Chapter 10

I sat around talking with Atea. After a while, I went and made coffee. We had oatmeal cookies that Jack had brought from Karen yesterday. I heard a horse in the yard. I looked out, and it was Dorothy Horn in Mable’s buggy. I stepped out of the house and tied the horse to a hitching post.

“What are you doing here so early, Grandmother?”

“I’d like you and Atea to go into the bank with me. I want to find out about making a major purchase and want you to see what you think about it. If you aren’t busy, would you go in with me? It would be good for Itea to avoid being hunched over her work. I’ll bet she has been at it for hours.”

“Come in and ask her. Should we dress up, or our work clothes okay?”

“It wouldn’t do any harm. I suppose you will be wearing your buckskin coat to cover the gun you will be wearing. I’m not criticizing what you do; I’m just commenting.”

“Speak to Atea so she wears a pretty dress. She is in her Indian clothes today. That’s a habit I can’t get her out of.”

“Grandmother, I will be right out. I know how much you like to see me dressed like other white people.”

“Maybe you wear them to show off how good you are at making items out of skins.”

“I prefer to dress in dresses now more than I used to. The colors are so bright and pretty.” Itea came out and kissed Dorothy on the cheek. I handed the two women into the rear seat while I drove the horse.

When I turned into the empty spot in front of the bank, I noticed that Mables Gig was there, too. Tom and Jenny Horn’s buggy was there as well. I also thought Henry Horn’s horse was a few spots further down the row. A teller was waiting to open the door to the bank. Something had to be up, and it crossed my mind. We went inside. Olivia Horn was inside laughing and hugged Itea as we were ushered forward.

The bank manager was holding the door of the large conference room. Three men were sitting at the table dressed in ties and suit coats. I recognized one of them. The railroad detective, Johnny Tay, interrogated us many months ago and kept us for so long. I now remembered that there should be an award for what Itea and I did to break up the robbery when we went to Ohio. I heard the door close, and we all sat in chairs lining the wall back of the table. Grandfather George Franklin had been the one to close the door.

Dorothy was facing the table with Itea and me sitting on either side of her in what I felt was the crowd of people Itea and I knew. Sitting at the table facing us was the manager of our Bank. The Railroad detective was there, still standing. There were other people there I didn’t know. I glanced at Dorothy, and she had a satisfied smile as if she had a secret.

The detective was the first to speak. “People, you know, the more prominent firms and businesses are, we are apt to forget things that have happened in the past. I am here to address one of those things. One large bank and one railroad system forgot two citizens. We are here today to correct the oversight. Mrs. Dorthy Horn sent me a letter informing me of an oversight and wanted it corrected.

“This was about a bank robbery that happened three months ago. A Bank Employee was killed in the robbery. The robbery was interrupted when Mrs. Horn was relieved of her oversized purse just within a few days of acquiring said purse. It contained a Brooch that had just been returned to her. It also held a last note informing that her daughter, Emma, was dying from the cold. Her Husband, George Franklin, Althea’s father, had already died from the cold a few hours previous, but Emma said in the note that she hoped Dorothy’s granddaughter, Althea, would survive.

“Her last hope was that somehow someone would find Althea and rescue her. Before Althea did die, an Indian hunting party came along, and one brave carried the child home and gave it to his squaw to love and care for as she had just lost her own Papoose. When she removed the child’s clothes, she discovered a woman’s brooch, the note, and a man’s silver watch tied to the child’s leg.”

“Itea Jenkins, would you like to relate a little about your life and how you came to return the brooch that belonged to Emma’s mother? Also, tell me how you and her found each other?”

Itea stood up, and I was proud of her. “I will. I met Kid Jenkins when I was ten years old. He was a boy of 15 years at that time. I was living with my Indian mother. My mother was camped with two other squaws while their braves were away hunting. My mother was pregnant by my mother’s Brave. He never returned to our camp, and we only had our Indian grandfather to hunt for food with an old musket.

“He was out hunting, and we heard the musket go off. We hoped he had meat to bring to camp because we were so low on food. It was a long time since grandfather didn’t come to camp. I was the oldest of the other Indian children, and we all went toward where we heard the gun go off. We met an almost man riding his horse, pulling our dead horse that had fallen and broken its leg. Grandfather had to kill it, and that’s what happened.

“The new person to us was named Kid, stayed with us overnight while Mother and the two other squaws cut up the meat from the dead horse. The kid was white, but we weren’t scared of him. We didn’t see him again until we were starving. We thought we knew where he lived at a cattle ranch, the only other bunch of people close by we knew of on the next mountain. Grandfather was frail because he had shared most of his food with us kids.

One day, we heard someone on our trail, and scared, we ran and hid. We saw that it was the one who had helped Grandfather bring in our dead horse to eat. We ran out and welcomed him. Kid remembered after a time that if our braves hadn’t returned, we would be hungry again, and we were. Kid had brought a horse loaded with food. There was a lot of beef and flour and many vegetables. I discovered Kid had built equipment to make a garden for the ranches.”

“I wanted to thank him, so I made him new boots. I was learning how to do this and took special care of it. Not long after that, the two other braves who had been away returned and took everyone but Mother, Jack, and our Indian Grandfather back to the Reservation. Before they left, they brought mother’s tepee up, and I lived in that four years before moving to town to learn how to live as a white person.” Itea stopped talking and looked at Dorothy. “Grandma, I talk too much; you talk.”

“You do talk a lot. Let’s let the Detective who investigated tell what he found out when the man on the train was killed and the two men you and Kid shot. We were tired and hungry and stuck in that damned train station for hours and hours.”

“Sorry about that, Mrs. Horn, but getting the right people into place to investigate takes time.”

“I wouldn’t wonder after interrogating us the next day. At least we didn’t have to go back for the trial of the two men. I heard you make excuses for us living so far away; returning and getting there would be difficult. It took a little nudge from me to remind you of your statement about a reward and commendation for saving my life. When it comes to family, I don’t forget anything. even if it is a big bank or the railroad. These two deserve recognition for saving the banks money. Several thousands of dollars, wasn’t it, and I’m alive to mention it?”

“Grandma, this is you having us before all these people talking about happenings Kid and I would like to forget. Please stop.”

“I realize there are things you want to forget, but these people should hear the unbelievable story of how you survived. Look at you; you are 16 years old and have enough events to write a book about. I want to know why you carry a gun in your purse and how you know how to use it responsibly. Have you ever used this gun before?”

“No, Grandma, I have never used it before. Ask The Territorial Marshal. He has been friends with us all for years. Grandma, you must realize that many outlaws live in the unpopulated areas of the territory. There are not enough policemen to protect those who live in the backcountry. We learn how to defend ourselves.”

Marshal Brooks rose from where he was, sitting in a chair along the wall. “Hear me, please? I’ve known Rocky Sedgewich for a while now. I had a call to visit his cattle ranch when tracking down some outlaws. The widow, Mable Orkins, Atea, and Kid Jenkins were with Rocky, who had been ranching for several years, but I had never met them. There were three cowboys with him. I’ve kept track of these people who have since married and moved to this area of the territory.

“Guns, it is as Itea offered that guns were necessary for your protection. I knew Rocky taught Kid the use of protection. Kid, in return, taught Atea the use of a pistol. Before the train incident, I had never known her to use a weapon like that. It impressed her that she should not kill unless necessary. That is why she shot at the outlaw’s gun shoulder. He dropped the gun, and then he was contained by other of the train’s passengers. Kid did the same as the one who was on track to kill Mrs. Horn, Itea’s grandmother.

“I speak only to say that what Itea and Kid Jenkins did was absolutely within the law whether in the Wyoming Territory or the state of Ohio. Thank you.”

“Okay, that settles that; if anyone was wondering about the incident, we are here to remember today. I wholly agree. Mrs. Horn, I will turn this over to Mr. Elmer Collins, Manager of the Bank here in town. This bank is affiliated with the same bank in Ohio whose courier was robbed and killed. I also approached the powers that be who owned the railroad where the robbery and killing occurred. I’m representing the railroad in this matter.”

“Thanks for addressing the note. Detective.”

“To get on with this, Elmer, please take over.”

“Thank you. The Bank here in town, with its headquarters in Ohio, has come up with a little award to thank the couple for their good deeds. I’m to present you with a check for $1500 each. That’s $1000 from Ohio Bank and $500 from the bank here. I have done business with Itea and Matt Jenkins almost since the day they arrived here from up north. They are the bank’s clients and a real asset to our community. It would be enough funds if they built a couple more houses out on Jenkins Road. I understand there are still lots for sale there.

“The Railroad also has contributed to this couple. Itea and Matthew each will carry a pass to ride on this line free of charge for the rest of their lives. I think you can say that it is a gift that will go on giving for many years. A framed commendation will also be sent to them as soon as it has been printed. I thank Mrs. Dorothy Horn for resolving this matter by reminding us we were remiss in not attending to it sooner.”

“Thank you, Elmer. If anyone here would like a sweet something, I have engaged the hotel where I live to have coffee, tea, or coca ready with donuts and buns for a quick mid-morning repast before lunch is served. See you there.”

There were other guests in the hotel for their morning snack. One was Mrs. Brunell, owner of the dress shop. “Hello, Dorothy. Is this your granddaughter who stitches the Indian footwear I have seen on several of my clients? They all rave about them, complimenting on how comfortable they are?”

“Stella, it is. Her biggest problem is to find workers to stitch them. She always has many orders for these shoes ahead of her. Itea has tried to explain to the people who have come in applying for the job that the stitches are to be evenly spaced to make them strong and, of course, attractive at the same time.”

“Itea, how many workers do you need?”

“The room where I work has room for eight workers. My Brave built it just for me, just how I needed it, with plenty of light and warmth during winter. My Grandfather Franklin found a source for the leather for me. It is somewhere in the east. The company sent me a sample of sheep skins. I’ll make slippers for inside wear as soon as I figure out the design. I know some Indian tribes made slippers from the hides of Mountain Sheep, but I have never even seen any of them.”

“I’m sure you will make something that will sell that is warm and comfortable. Please bring me a pair to look at when you finish a pair or two. I might stock the slippers.”

“I will, Mrs. Brunell.”

I observed this exchange between the women. Itea came rushing to me with joy showing on her face. “Kid, I have an order for two pairs of sheepskin slippers from the dress shop. Isn’t that great? If I can find workers to sew them, I’ll have a good business.”

“We’ll find them somehow, love. I’ll ask every person I meet, and you will do the same. It will come together as we hoped. Now, it is up to me to get my business started. I haven’t had time yet to concentrate on it. Sam Bucklin has been doing a lot of what I planned. He might want to continue as I understand it brings in more money than blacksmithing.”

“That isn’t right. It was your idea, and you gave Sam the land to move to when he was desperate for a place for his business and had to leave Main Street. What are you going to do if you don’t repair wheels?”

“Itea, Sam has already talked to me about that. He wants to pay me for both the business lot and the home lot that he constructed for his family. I might let him. I’m still giving him a good break on the lots. As far as what to do, Grandfather Horn wants me to work for him. He quoted what he would pay, which is more than I will make fixing wheels. Grandfather watched me when I grabbed up a new equipment catalog to read.

When many repair manuals were unloaded, I asked if I could look at them. “Sure, go ahead. Make sure that when you are done looking at it, you put it back in the order it came from. The manuals belong here in the office. Olivia set up the system, so please give it to Olivia to put it in the correct order. She is the one responsible” better than any man I ever had keeping track of something like this.”

“Atea, the manuals come from each manufacturer for each machine and show how to fix different problems. They are very explicit. There is always a trouble-shooting section to help identify the problem, too.”

“That won’t take you away from me for a long time, will it? I couldn’t bear for that to happen.”

“I hope to be working right here in the maintenance shop. I might be working long hours, that is all.” Henry did have a man to put the machines into working order when they arrived, and I was right there asking questions and picking his brain. He had a family in Ohio and wanted to return home, so he gladly answered my questions. It was a lot more interesting than putting together wagon wheels.

I didn’t know it, but Henry talked to this person and told him to push a lot of this job of getting machinery ready to sell onto my shoulders, and he could return home before Christmas for the winter. I had a chance to study the assembly of many pieces of equipment and how the machines operated as they went together. In my mind, I knew I would be asked to go out into the fields repairing breakdowns. I would face this, and Atea, in the future.

The main waterline from the back of my property was in, and the townspeople were already hooking onto the ones of such low pressure. Several smaller lines burst, and the Engineers had to scramble to lower the pressure before they all were damaged. It was getting cold weather. This glitch kept the town busy, and the water department came and told me that the water and sewer lines that serviced Jenkins Road would cease being installed for the winter until warm weather in the spring.

This didn’t surprise me, and I was glad the problem was not on me. The people who had built homes at this point used wells they had dug and continued to use out houses. There were few health worries because so few homes constructed as of yet had this setup.

Building was still going on. A Grocery Store was being raised at the corner at Jenkins and Farmers Road. There was a single commercial lot between the grocery store and Sam’s horseshoe establishment that I had for sale between these two businesses. Sam Buckland had his family living in a house, not many lots in on Jenkins Road.

Henry and Dorothy did take up the lot with the two giant, beautiful trees. Dorothy didn’t want to be far from where Itea and I were living. Henry said I had given him such a bargain of his business property that he was paying full price for this one,

This wasn’t all that was happening. Jon Pecour asked George Franklin to build an addition onto Atea and my house so Karen and he could abandon the tepee during cold weather. Atea had thought it a great idea, and I did as well.

Jack asked me if he could sleep in the loft above Itea’s sewing room. I was happy about this. I loved fooling with Jack, and he had always liked me. He declared that he wouldn’t have lived if I hadn’t helped his mother with his birth. I would shake my head and try to explain. I swear everyone who knew us knew the story of his birth. Atea would tell about it and giggle all through the story.

Rocky hung around the warehouse when Mable had something happening in the town. It was often, as she had been taken up by the town’s elite, of which Mable had become one. Dorothy still hung out with Mable, but she adored her grandchildren and was much with them.

“Hey, Kid, you have found a new interest in these newfangled machines, haven’t you?”

“Yeah, I have. Sam Buckland has replaced me with a man who is good at wheel repair. I have lost interest in that, anyway. I can earn more if I learn to assemble and repair farm machinery. Henry is glad to have me do it, for it is difficult. I am part of the family, so I might as well take advantage of it. What are you up to now, Rocky?”

“I have a couple of things on my mind. I was talking to a bunch of farmers up the other side of the hill. The farmers were wondering if you were going to turn that cropland over this year. Their harvesting is all over and undercover for them. Six of the farmers said they would come down and plow it for you if you wanted it done. There might be ten days left before the ground freezes. I think you should take it up with them. It might be the only time you have to get it done. You won’t get them to help you come spring. I’ll oversee the job for you.

“I have one other thing that I am doing to spend my money. I bought a parcel of land at the back of your house, going down Jenkins Road on the left toward town. I think I will build three rooming houses. Our three men need good permanent quarters. There will be single women who need a place to rent. Mable was into the dress shop and said the owner wanted to bring a few qualified seamstresses who worked at a factory that had shut down to sew for Itea. It is something that she is collaborating with a shoe salesman that she knows. What do you think?”

“That’s good, I think. I know Atea spends too much time sewing and trying to fill the orders before her.”

“If Atea should hire them, I could build a rooming house for them. As far as I know, there aren’t many open rooms to rent. Kid, you hang right in with the Horns. I’ll take care of these two things for you. I’ll bet I can swing a deal with the farmers for half your crops of whatever you plant in the spring. It might be a nice chunk of change for you. I’ve found a little more money in the bank is a nice feeling.

“I remember one time Itea said she would be happy if she made fifteen cents profit; she would be satisfied. Mable tells me that the dress shop is talking about a whole dollar for profit a pair to the manufacturer after paying all the costs. That would be something, wouldn’t it?”

“It would. I’ll believe it when I see it. Where will you find carpenters to build your rooming house? Some of the crews here have already returned to Ohio.”

“I know they have, but when I started thinking about it, I asked George Franklin if they would stay the winter and work on them. He said they would if I could find a place to stay. I kept thinking of any empty place. I came up with Sam Bucklin’s blacksmith’s shop on Main Street. I’m making it into a bunkhouse for the winter. I’ve preordered a coal furnace heat. The men are tickled to get out of the tents and into something more solid.