Chapter 7

Karen was in the tepee and came out to see who had arrived. “You don’t see show?”

“No, something came up,” Itea spoke Shoshoni and explained why everyone was there. “Tom’s parents think these people may be my grandparents. Their daughter went west about the same time my parents died, and I was found. They think I look much like their daughter did at the age I am now. They have assumed she must be dead, for they never heard from her after they started up the Oregon Trail. Is that possible?

“They want to know from you everything you were told when the Braves found me.”

“Have them come inside; this is not everyone’s business. I’ll light candles. The men will have to sit on the floor. I’ll put down a blanket. There are benches for the women to sit.”

Itea returned to speaking English. “Karen has invited you into her home. I have asked her to tell you about what the Braves told her when I was given to her.”

Karen now spoke, “My brave brought this little child to me, telling me she was found wrapped heavily in warm blankets. He laid her in my arms, saying he and the other braves with him heard this child crying a few feet off the trail. It was snowing; her head was uncovered, and the snow fell on her exposed face when the braves found her. The blankets were wrapped so tight around her that she couldn’t get up.

“She was still warm although her parents were dead of the cold. They hadn’t been dead long and had sacrificed their own life by piling their blankets on the child. Also, they would never have discovered her if the child hadn’t been crying. They must have been walking because they could not find horses or carts. My Brave was returning to me after a disappointing day of seeing no game when they heard her cry.

“One of the braves had a small chunk of pemmican left of his rations, and warming a bit with his fingers, he smeared it on her lips. She licked hungrily at it, and they continued to do this until it was finished. They then made a fast trip back to the tribe, where other hunters had better luck finding the game. The game was found in plentiful quantities for the rest of the winter. We felt Itea had brought us luck.

“We treasured her, and she loved my Brave as her father until he died a few winters later in a fight with a different tribe of Indians.”

Itea said, “I did love Karen’s Brave and remember calling him Daddy. I was very sad when he didn’t come home to Karen, and she told me he wouldn’t be coming home again.”

Itea turned to Dorothy Horn and asked, “Did my real father love me? You haven’t even mentioned his name? That is strange to me.”

“Your father’s name was George Franklin, Junior. I can’t say that our family approved of him. He took Althea away from us, and they went to live with his family. His father is still alive, although we have had little contact with him since George, Junior, and Althea headed west. They intended to take up land in Oregon. It looks like the two had serious trouble, and it killed them.”

I (Kid) watched Karen while this exchange was taking place. Karen had turned to cross the tepee to a trunk covered with a blanket. She folded the blanket back and opened the trunk. She had to remove some items and finally grasped something from the bottom. It was small, and I couldn’t see what it was. She then put the other items back in the trunk and closed the lid, returning to where she had stood.

I took what Dorothy’s last statement that the two families, Horn and Franklin, were at odds over Althea and George Junior going to live with the elder Franklin. Itea was not happy with what she was finding out about her mother. I think she had idolized in her mind about what her mother and father were like. Understand, she couldn’t know that she was white and not Indian for that many years. It had happened sometime since I had known her.

Karen had often said that Itea would join the white people’s tribe someday. She had undoubtedly discovered and clarified that Itea was all white by being in the same room with a grandfather and grandmother, and she was sure of their relationship with Itea.

Itea had one more thing she wanted to know from Dorothy, “Did my mother meet with you before she headed west with her husband and child?”

“Yes, she did a few days before leaving. Emmy and Althea drove in with a buggy. Before she got down, she asked me if she and I could talk without harsh words passing between us. Emmy handed Althea to me to hold and told her and George’s plans to leave and where they thought they would settle when they arrived in Oregon.

“I had a letter from her before they reached the mountains, and Emmy said they had no trouble so far on their journey. Althea was enjoying the traveling and happy. That was the last letter I received. Althea, don’t you remember any of this at all?”

“I don’t. I only remember living with the Indians. They were, and are, my whole life until I met Kid, my brave.”

Karen, bringing attention to her, said, “I have something to tell you. This little coin bag was tied around Itea under her outer layer of clothes. Itea has never inspected it, and I’m not sure she knows I even have it. There are three things in the bag.”

She came around and gave the little bag to Itea. Itea took it and put her fingers in the top to stretch it open. It opened quickly, and the drawstring didn’t catch at all. She brought it up and peered inside. “It is a man’s watch,”

Henry said, “That possibly could be George, Junior’s watch. I used to see him open it to show his face. He always remembered it was his 25^th birthday present.” Itea dug it out and handed it to me. Age had blackened the silver.

I took it to inspect. “You are correct, Henry. It is engraved and says, ‘George Junior, Happy 25th year,’ which settles it in my mind that Itea is Emmy Horn Franklin’s child. What else is in there?”

“There is a woman’s brooch here. Does anyone recognize it?”

“I do. It was mine, and I gave it to Althea at our last meeting to remember me.”

Itea brought out an envelope and handed it to me to open, “You read it, Kid.” The envelope wasn’t sealed, just the flap tucked inside. I looked at the writing, seeing it was for her mother’s eyes.

Tears were now trickling down Dorothy’s face. “Althea did still love me, didn’t she?”

Dear Mama, Today is the last day I will be alive. George died about noon today from the cold. His blankets have been keeping Althea alive for a while longer. I’ll add mine to his as soon as I finish this last letter. George and I have been praying for a miracle to save us. We have lost everything in the last few days. I am asking you to forgive me for the problems I had with you.

I love George so much and must follow him into the future, although there is no future now. We were out of food, and George was too weak to continue. His last words were for me and Althea. He begged me to forgive him for insisting we take this journey, and he heard me saying there was nothing to forgive, and there really wasn’t. We so enjoyed coming across the prairies and seeing the stars at night.

My fingers are so cold that I no longer feel them. I’ll write your and Franklin’s addresses at the end, and maybe someone will read this and notify you of what happened to us.

Love to my brothers and you, Mom and Dad.

I looked up at the people as I was reading this last letter. Tears were in everyone’s eyes.

I was looking at Dorothy Horn, “This letter was found thirteen years ago; the Indians found it, and no one knew how to read it. Now that you know what has happened to your people, I think you should thank Karen. Very late, yes, but she accomplished what Emmy wanted. Karen maintained Itea should go back to her white people, and she did much to have it happen.” I went to Karen and hugged her.”

“Kid, I finally know who my parents were. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“It is, and you also gained several other family members. The only other person to inform is the father of your Father, Mr. George Franklin, Senior. If you lived at his house, I’ll bet he has fond memories of your mother and can tell you much more of what she was like. I’m sure he will want to know about living with the Indians for much of your life. You must tell him that you are married, too.”

Rocky had stepped into the tepee, “What’s going on?” Mable rushed to tell him. Again, she wasn’t quite the center of attention that made her so happy. I felt a bit sad for her, for she had done so much to see that Itea gained the knowledge that came to her in the last two years that I couldn’t give her.

I went to Mr. Horn, “Henry, why don’t you come outside and see some of the lay of my land? Tom, you can help me explain. I expect we will be looking at the property near the railway tomorrow. Tom told me you would be interested in the location?”

“Yes, I want to build a center for selling farm equipment. We should be able to work something out with you married to my granddaughter.”

“Well, that’s something to think about. Understand, I’m not going to be taken advantage of.”

“You won’t be; I thought I could be more liberal in my dealings with you and Althea. What were your intentions for this large amount of land?”

“I haven’t got that far yet. I’ve only taken possession of it in the last couple of months. I’ve been holed up in the hills for years and seldom going into town for reasons I won’t get into at this time. When Itea and her mother moved to the ranch, I spent time teaching her a new language and how to deal with us white people.”

“You must have done more than that?”

“I have. I’m a passable cow puncher. Rocky taught me how to handle a weapon effectively. I did as much to see that Itea learned more than I could teach by letting her move to town with Mable. I missed her and wasn’t aware then that what I had for her was love.

“Knowing I had to prepare to make a living. I worked with my father’s tools to keep my hand in and expand on what little I knew.”

“And what was this?”

“Building and repairing wheels, for about every kind of vehicle, has wheels. Sam Buckland is letting me use his forge and is a good welder. In return, he has a prime piece of property, which is a fair exchange in my mind.”

Horn looked around, “It’s getting dark. I’ll gather up everyone and head back to the hotel. Tom and I will be out early tomorrow morning. Will Althea go to the hotel with us? I’ll engage rooms.”

“No, we’ll stay with her mother in the tepee. Karen has given up claim to Itea by producing the items to prove who she is. She needs us tonight. She has needed us before, and Itea and I came through for her. We will tonight, again.”

“You certainly are loyal to her.”

“Yes, but remember, I was only fifteen when I met her. My father was shot and killed, and my mother died in my arms two hours later. No, you don’t remember. You didn’t know your granddaughter then and had nobody to tell you. Karen came and brought her home with her. I made tools to plow a garden, and she kept the house, sometimes for Rocky and me. Sometimes, we had three cowpunchers.

“What did you mean when you said you learned how to handle a gun effectively?”

“It’s something we don’t talk about. Just be assured that Itea was in the thick of it, and Karen was there to bind up the wounds.”

Horn could see I wasn’t going to explain, and he returned to the tepee to gather up his family. I knew Rocky and Mable would be leaving at the same time, so I led both teams and buggies from the corral to the front of the tepee.

Burt Weatherly had seen some goings on and walked over. “Mr. Horn, this is Burt Weatherly. He lives in the cabin.”

“I thought that was your cabin?”

“It was, but I owed him, and it is his home now.”

“There must be a story behind that.”

I smiled and said, “You think so?” saying this when they got into the hotel buggy.

“Burt, this older man is Itea’s grandfather, Henry Horn. She is also Tom Horn’s niece. The other two women are her grandmother, Dorothy, and Tom’s wife, Jenny. Some other relatives and families are brothers to Tom. At present, Henry will look at the property next to the railroad.”

“That should be good for you and Itea. It should make your bank account expand a little.”

“It will. Oh, also, the father of her mother’s husband is alive, giving Itea another grandfather. I expect we will meet him someday.”

“Good for her.”

Rocky and Mable came out after talking with Karen and Itea. Mable commented, “It looks like Itea is tied to some wealthy people. Who would have thought it?”

“Rocky and Mable, I don’t believe that will affect us much. It will most likely make our lives a little easier from now on, but she and I will follow the plans we have made so far. I still want to be a wheelwright, and Itea wants to make moccasins. That will make us a good living. We will still be open to any better options. Anyway, I’m not rushing into something I know nothing about.

“Rocky, you have purchased the home you are satisfied with, and Itea and I will find some a concern to build what we want. I don’t think it will have as many rooms as you have. Your new house has a lot of waste space that isn’t used and is more for show than what we think we want.”

“Yeah, Mable wants to entertain, so you can’t say it is a waste of space.”

“True, but we don’t need or want to entertain. I will ask Tom Horn if he knows of a book of floor plans he can find for us. That goes back to me saying life will be easier for us. That’s so we don’t make so many mistakes starting.”

“Kid, I don’t think you are correct about having more money. You will have a lot of money selling land, and you should show people you have arrived. At least plan on building something with some style.”

“I can concede that point. Rocky, are you coming up when the Horns look at the land in the morning?”

“I am. I may be with the Horns at breakfast, and I’ll offer to drive them.”

“Good plan,”

Karen and Jack were asleep when we went into the tepee. Itea and I had been sitting outside watching the stars for a couple of hours. We went to our pallet, lying down and holding each other close. Outside, we hadn’t talked much, but we felt happy, only thinking about what revelations the day had brought us. Now Itea wanted to speak.

“Kid, I don’t know what I think about my grandmother. What mother wouldn’t be close to her daughter if she loved her? I’m glad my mother went to her before she left with my father and me before they headed west. That tells me that my mother was a good person. I wonder about the grandfather whom Mother lived with for years. I’ll bet he is a good person, and I wish we could meet him. There isn’t any reason why we can’t. We can take the train east and visit. He will want to know what happened to my father and mother.”

“Itea, I feel he must have loved you too. What a joy for him it would be for us to knock on his door and see you, thinking at first he was seeing your mother, Emmy, like Dorothy did tonight. Jenny and Tom must be going home, and she could show us how to ride the train and show us the way.”

“When I see Jenny, I’ll ask her. Kid, hold me close. Again, I can’t get over what a wonderful feeling it was to know I once had a father and mother and know a little about them. This other Grandpa can tell me all about them and what they were like when living at his home.”

Rocky, Tom, and Henry Horn arrived in Mable’s buggy at eight. I joined them. Henry was all eyes looking over the land I owned. I had them turn right onto Farmer’s Road off Jenkins. “I want you to meet Sam Buckland. I’m not going to sell any land beyond Buckland’s Smith shop. I’m thinking about building my own business next to Sam so I can use his forge when needed.”

Rocky knew this; I was sure he had told Tom about it. We only stayed long enough to make introductions, and Rocky turned the buggy around, going back down Farmer’s Road. Henry making no comment.

Tom told his father, “I suggested to Matt that he put another street parallel to Jenkins’ road and divide it into lots. It would give him quite a bit of capital, selling them.”

“It’s an idea, and I’m thinking about it. I’m not rushing into anything. Henry, I am waiting to see what you are interested in. I’ll go on from there. I was going to have Rocky build up here near Itea and me. He found the place down nearer town. I’m not surprised that he did; I’m happy he has a place to live. Itea and I may build next to her mother’s tepee.”

“Why do you call the Indian woman Althea’s mother?”

“Because that is what she was and still his. Karen got Itea when she was about three. Itea lived with her until she was fourteen, and then I didn’t feel that she was gaining enough knowledge about the white race. Mable saw the same thing I did, so Itea moved into town with her. It wasn’t until the outlaw trouble we had that we realized we were in love and needed to be together.

“Mable and Rocky could see it, too. They were the ones to straighten it out so we could marry. We needed someone to speak for us, and the Territorial Marshal Brooks knew her background and agreed, as long as she only went by the one name of Itea, that it was acceptable for her to take the ranches’ name of Sedgewich.”

“Yes, I was proud and glad for her to use my name.”

Henry asked, “You mentioned outlaws. What was that about?”

“That was just something the Marshal told us not to talk about. Sorry, I mentioned it.”

Tom spoke, “Father, we are getting close to the rail road right of way. Start looking to see what land you might be interested in?”

Rocky stopped the team and told Henry where the railroad switch was for the spur that my land was next to and where the station was for people to embark and disembark. “You came in there yesterday. There is a crossing here, and the spur for the cattle loading is on the other side of the tracks.”

Henry said he knew where it was because they got off and went straight to town yesterday. Rocky shut up and left it to me to explain about the property. Tom, too, had walked over this land. We pulled the buggy off the road and walked over the land I had shown Tom.

When we walked the length of my property, which was as far as I owned, Henry stated, “I want to buy a square block of 5 acres on this corner facing the Farmers road and along the railroad spur.” That is enough for me to build the store and storage buildings.”

I was surprised that he didn’t want more land along the spur. I think Tom was as astonished as I was. “Are you sure, Pa?”

“I am sure I don’t want to put money into land where I won’t need it.” I was okay with this but felt rushed into selling it to Henry. If he wanted more land in the future, it might not be available. I still would own the next fifteen acres along the spur.

Henry asked, “How much is the 5 acres going to cost me?”

“I can’t set a price on it yet because I don’t know how to price it. The land will be more expensive if we request a corner lot on Farmers Road. I’ll talk to the banker. I’ve spoken to him about advising me. He asked me to come in when Itea and I arrived in town. I thought it was because he wanted Itea and me to keep our money deposited in his bank, but we found out he has the town’s interest in mind to grow, and he would advise us.”

“Where did you get any money to deposit? I thought you were just kids living in the backcountry and didn’t have any.”

“I had $600 when I left here six years ago. I’ve been living on Rocky’s dime and haven’t spent any of mine. Itea and I have saved a little and have enough to build a home without borrowing. The banker knew this, and he had faith that the town would grow in this area, so he is backing us as well as advising us,”

“Son, you know that half the bankers are crooks and out for everything they can get?”

“I trust he isn’t one of them, wouldn’t you say, Rocky?”

“I do, and I use the bank. That’s how I could pay cash for the home we are now living in. When Kid and I were in town the last time, he found out the property was still his, and we did the bank a little favor. The kid learned something, and it possibly was something about someone robbing the bank. Working through his lawyer, Kid alerted the bank to prevent it from happening. I don’t know who the lawyer talked to, but I imagine it was discussed. Just another little thing we don’t talk about.”

“You two certainly have things you don’t talk about, don’t you?”

“I guess we do. Rocky, let’s get back, and I’ll go in and see Steven Nickerson to make out a deed. Also, he must know someone in the area who can survey the lot. When I’m in town, I will talk to the bank about the price I’m asking for the lot. Henry, as you are Itea’s Grandfather, I will set the price low to give you a little break.” I could tell Henry may have thought I would give him the property. He would have to live with it. Even Tom had cautioned me not to accept his father’s first offer.

“Rocky, I’m going to cut up cross lots on foot, grab my horse, and go see Steven about the deed and then talk to the banker. Why don’t you come into town and meet me at the diner? I’ll need coffee by then. I’ll saddle our horses, and we will ride together. It’s been too long since I’ve had Itea with me. Henry and Tom, is that okay with you?”

Tom laughed, “Sure, this tells me you two haven’t been married long.”

“No, we haven’t, thanks for noticing. Sorry about that.”

I made it soon to the tepee. “Itea, get dressed, and we will go into town together. I’m saddling our horses.”

“Kid, I am dressed in my Indian clothes.”

“The pretty ones?”

“Yes,”

“They will be fine.”

I looked back and saw Rocky coming up Jenkins Road behind us, but I urged Itea to stay beside me. “Kid, what’s the rush?”

“I wanted to talk to you, and I couldn’t with your grandfather with us. They will meet us at the diner after I talk to Steven Nickerson about a deed for five acres of our land. I also want to talk to the head teller about how much commercial land is selling for. I have in my mind about $1500 an acre. What do you think?”

“I have no idea, you decide.”

“Okay, I’ll see what the banker says.”

We were in luck. Steven was in his office. I knocked and bade to enter. “Hi, Steven; I have a man who wants to buy 5 acres of land next to the railroad. It is the corner lot on Farmer’s Road. Will you make out a deed?”

“Yes, and I can do it today. Since you came around, I have had a lot more business. You act rushed and haven’t even given me time to tell your wife that her Buckskin dress is lovely. Itea, where did you buy it? I want one for my wife.”

“Steven, my Indian Mother cut it out, and I sewed it. If I ever have time, maybe your wife and I can discuss it together this winter.”

“That would be great. Where are you off to now?”

“I’m going into the bank and talking to Mr. Collins about pricing the five acres. Do you have any idea what to ask?”

“Well, that’s a prime piece of land. You should be thinking upward of $2000 an acre situated as it is.”

“That’s about $500 more and an acre than I thought.”

“You can always come down, and it is tough to raise a price once you have stated it. What is this buyer’s business?”

“He wants to build a supply store to sell farm equipment. You may have seen a man named Tom Horn; it was his father, Henry. Tom looked at the land three days ago, telegraphed his father, and arrived yesterday to look at it. I showed it this morning, and he asked for that particular lot.”

“You can ask for what I said and possibly get it. Do what you want. It’s your land. Good luck.”

We were leaving, and Itea stopped and turned back. “I don’t think he will have to pay that much because I learned last night that Henry Horn is my grandfather. We’ve already decided to charge him less than he is willing to pay because he is family. Everyone tells us not to give our land away, but he should pay us something.”

“He certainly should. Again, good luck. Wait a minute, you said this man was your grandfather that must make you happy?”

“It does, delighted.”

Later on the street, “Kid, we talked about this last night, and you said you were not going to ask what the full price was.”

“And I’m not. I’m just trying to find out what the full price is.”

“Oh, okay. Do you think I’m attractive like Steven said I was?”

“You are very, very pretty, and I love you.”

We went down the stairs and then to the bank. Mr. Collins saw us enter and left his desk to open the gate for us. “Welcome. I saw you in the hotel dining room last night. You had some strangers with you. It looked like one lady fainted, and Mrs. Sedgewich brought her around with some smelling salts.”

“She did faint and thought I was her daughter, who she knew had to be dead for she was missing for years. We told her who I was when she came to. We explained the little anyone knew about me. Good news for all, as my Indian mother showed proof later in the evening that I am her granddaughter.”

“That must make you and her both happy.

“It does because I didn’t know I was white and not an Indian until I was ten years or more. We will meet some time, and I’ll tell you about it. Now we need facts on how to price 5 acres of land that my new Grandfather wishes to purchase.”

I laughed at myself because Itea was speaking right up and wasn’t shrinking about talking to the people we were interacting with. She certainly wasn’t hanging back. I thought I was bold at times. Hey, maybe she got this from me.

“Okay, where is the piece of property you are selling?”

“It is the last 5 acres at the end of the Farmer’s Road. The lot is square, so it is on both Farmers Road and land next to the railroad spur. I was talking to Steven Nickerson, and he gave me some ideas. It will be used for commercial enterprises.”

“Good, you didn’t pick a figure out of nowhere. You are doing some investigating. I know what properties in town are selling per acre. Sedgewich bought a home a day or two ago. He paid a fair amount for that, and that is good. There is the old blacksmith shop here on Main Street up for sale. That isn’t selling very fast because there are restrictions on what it can be used for.

“The town property is only a quarter acre. It should sell for at least $2500 to $3000 a quarter acre. From what you tell me and what I have seen of that corner lot you are selling, I would say $2200 an acre. That isn’t too unreasonable and is a fair price. Does that help you at all?”

“It does a lot. Let me tell you my thoughts. I was considering $1500 an acre, but suddenly, I found that I was selling to my family. I feel that the price of $7500 for the 5 acres is fair. As far as now Itea having him being family, I am telling Horn that the price is $7500 for the lot. I thought of lowering the price because he is family, but he wants the property, and I might get what the Nickerson said.”

The banker thought, “That is more than fair, and it is a warm welcome to Itea’s new family members. I think you have something there.” We mounted up and rode the short distance to the diner. Rocky’s buggy was hitched to a post, and we tied our horses near his team.

We went inside, and Sary Fenton was busy wiping the counter and didn’t look at us as we entered. Itea touched her on the shoulder. “Itea, you came again. Let me hug you. Oh, and so pretty in your Indian clothes. Did you make the dress yourself?

“My Indian mother cut the pieces, and I sewed them together. Today, we came in to meet the men in the corner.”

“Would you have pie and coffee? It is blueberry, and I’ll bring it with coffee all around.”

Rocky asked Itea, “When did you ever have time to come here?”

“It was the day we bought the canvas for Karen’s tepee. Sary is so nice. She wouldn’t let us pay and gave us the pie and coffee to welcome us.”

Rocky asked another question, “Did you find out what you wanted to know from anyone?”

“We did have some thoughts on what the land is worth. They weren’t the same, but they gave us a range of workarounds. First, Henry, would you make an offer on the 5 acres? I do have a figure in mind, and that is because you are part of the family. We don’t know you and how you think. We have a deed generated by our lawyer. He’ll have it finished in another half hour. He knows the land parcel.”

Henry was staring at me, not saying anything, and Tom wasn’t meeting my eye. Rocky was disgusted at me. “Kid, tell the man what you want for the land. The seller sets the price. You can haggle after that.”

I could see that Henry wasn’t going to make an offer. “Mr. Horn, what I am asking doesn’t rise to the amount my advisers told me to ask and hang tough until I had the lowest suggestion. I’m asking much less than the median suggestion was. I’m asking $7500 for the lot. That is a fair price, and we will be satisfied with that amount. We will build ourselves a great-looking and happy home with the money.”

“What do you think, Tom?”

“I think you should ask what amounts were suggested.”

“Kid, would you tell us?”

Itea was ahead of my answer that I would, “Grandfather, I will. The lawyer suggested $2000 an acre, and the man at the bank suggested $2200. Kid is going to put it into my account at the bank anyway for a marriage gift. Kid and I planned on $1500 an acre. We think that is fair.