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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3453710" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-fifty-two, “The Marshals Debate“, Wednesday June 14th, 1882, 2:00 P.M. Chester, Eduardo, Hank and Father Valdez have reached Tombstone by 1:45 P.M., which is fifteen minutes before the scheduled departure of the Promise City stagecoach.   Eduardo waves to Chuck Nevers and Newton Gilly as they prepare the vehicle for departure. Hank slaps the drivers on the back. "Keep the change, gentlemen. You earned it." Chester says to the drivers, "Thanks guys. We made it just in time. Chuck, Newton, can you give us a ride back to town?" Nevers asks Chester, "How'd you get out here then?" Chester replies, "We rode out with a friend of Hank's here. But, uh, we got left behind. So about the stage..." Gilly says, "We only have two seats left for inside, two of you will have to ride up top with us." "That's fine by me? How about you guys?" The others agree and they buy tickets. Chester and Eddie ride with Nevers and Gilly, while Hank and Valdez sit inside. "Sure glad we caught you when we did. I didn't feel like staying overnight." The Wells Fargo Stagecoach set off from Tombstone heading east.   The trip is uneventful, with arrive back in Promise City at 5:30 P.M. Chester hops off the stage and waits for everyone else to disembark. He says to the others. "Eddie, let's get back to the office to tell the Marshall what we found out. Father, Hank. I'll see you later." The lawmen go back to the office and fill in Berg about what Luca told them. Marshall Berg says, "That's all very interesting but there's nothing that we can use for evidence for any arrests, just one man's speculation.   How would you suggest we proceed?" Chester replies, "Luca said that Ashley hired men from Buckley and Thayer to do the rustling. We lean on them some and one of them should talk." Berg replies, "There are three or four ranchers left at the Thayer Ranch but they're keeping a low profile and sticking close together, afraid that they'll be Wyatt Earp's next targets.  As far as I know none of them ever worked for Buckley.     The only one still living who has worked for both is Ken Wagner.  He's one of the three who inherited that ranch from Buckley but after his two partners were found to be members of the Hooded Riders Judge Isby ordered that ranch sold to make restitution.   As there is no proven connection between Wagner and the riders he is protesting that order, with Fisk handling that appeal.   As far as I know he's currently a house guest of Attorney Fisk." Chester states, “Then we'll have to pay him a visit. Getting Wagner away from Fisk will be hard, but I'll find a way around that. Fisk won't be able to object to an official visit by the law." Berg says, "Yes, but it will have to wait.  You have the Marshal's debate in an hour.  You should probably get yourself a bite to eat and cleaned up some before then." Chester answers, "Oh. Thanks for reminding me, Mitch. I gotta go." Chester hustles over to Gilson's to take a quick bath. "It'll be nice to wash all that dust and grime off. Thanks, Mrs. Gilson." "She replies, "You're welcome, Deputy. Just call if you need anything." "I will." Chester bathes quickly, but thoroughly. He dries off and walks back to the Lucky Lady, feeling refreshed. He sees Jeff Mills there. "Hey Jeff. How was your trip?" Jeff replies, "Fine, and yours?  Heard you wound up in Tombstone without a horse." "Yeah. Hank Hill's airship might have been scared off by the French army. The local sheriff found a dead officer near where we were supposed to meet. So we borrowed one of his wagons to get to Tombstone. We found the guy we were looking for and got some good information. We'll talk about your trip later. Glad to see you safe." Jeff say "Yeah, Kris Wagner from Wells Fargo came by a little while ago looking for you, his men told him you'd just gotten back.   He asked that you stop by Drover's Hotel and see him before the debate if you can." "He was? I'll be there after I get something to eat. Thanks for the message, Jeff." Chester eats Maria's dinner heartily. After Chester finishes dinner, he changes into fresh clothes and walks over to Drover's. He looks around for Wagner. Wagner is at a table dining with his wife Emma and sons Luke and Jacob.   Upon seeing Chester he excuses himself from his family and gestures for Chester to join him at the deserted end of the bar, sitting in the last two barstools. Wagner says, "Deputy, I'm not sure if you heard the story about the attempted Benson Wells Fargo Stagecoach robbery of March 1881?  You haven't?  Well, fifteen months ago tomorrow a quartet of bandits attempted to rob the stage running between Benson and Tombstone.  Shots were fired and the stage managed to get away, but not before one of the drivers and a passenger were fatally killed. The four bandits were later identified but only one was arrested and he managed to then escape.   The other three were each later killed in unrelated crimes, but the escapee has never turned up.   The Wells Fargo reward is still current.   I figured you might need to know about this later. He takes a paper out from his coat pocket and unfolds it.  It reads "Wanted for Murder and Grand Larceny  $ 900 Reward"  A drawing of a rugged man is below it and under than the name "Luther King".   Wagner says, "Yeah, King, first cousin of the guy you're debating tonight for the Marshall's job.  Worked at the King's Bar-W Ranch up until that robbery attempt." Chester gives a low whistle. "This could come in handy. Thanks, Kris. Having a murderer and bandit in a family would be a hard thing to swallow for a lawman. You think the King family is hiding Luther or at least know where he is?" Wagner replies, "Not that we know of, Wells Fargo has been actively looking for this guy for a while.  The only unconfirmed rumor was that he was seen last November in the company of Claude Buckley and a wood elf named Luca but Marshall Hollister investigated that and said it was false." Chester's breath catches in his throat for a second and he coughs. Wagner says, "Are you alright, Deputy?" Chester says, "I'm fine. Just a little dust is all. Maybe that's why Buckley was killed." Wagner indicates he wouldn't know.   Chester looks closely at the Wanted poster to memorize Luther's face. You never know when he could come out of hiding. Wagner says, "Here, take it, I can get more from the company." Chester replies, "Thanks a bunch, Kris. I'll see you later." He heads back to eat with his family.   The clock on the wall shows that Chester has around fifteen minutes until the debate is scheduled to begin. Chester comments to nobody in particular “Might as well head over to the hall now. Early bird catches the worm. You never know when he could come out of hiding.” Chester arrives at the Town Hall for the debate.  The room is filled with around seventy-five people.    Chester sees Clarisse but notices that most of his friends are not present. Chester waves to Clarisse. She blows him a kiss. He blows one back. I hope the others are safe. The six candidates for the Town Marshall debate take to the stage.   Judge Isby introduces them in alphabetical order from left to right as Henry ‘Hank’ Hill, who is employed by the owners of the Promise City Mirror and is an independent candidate,  Moss Johnson, a former Army Captain who is running as an independent candidate, Ashley King whose family owns the Bar-H ranch and is with the Law and Order Party, Chester Martin who is currently a Deputy Marshall and is with the Unity Party, Prosper ‘Deacon’ McCoy who is the bouncer for the Palace Saloon and is with the Freedom Party and Charlie Villers who has previously worked as a Deputy Sheriff and is with the Liberty Party.    Judge Isby outlines the debate rules. The first question is to Hank Hill and reads, “Why does a gunslinger want to be Town Marshall?”   Hank replies, "Ya need a  fella that can handle a six gun...And I'm a better than fair shot." The next question is for Moss Johnson and reads, “Word is that you were dishonorably discharged from the Army.  Wouldn’t that disqualify you as a viable candidate?”    He replies, “Absolutely not, in fact, the reasons behind that are what makes me the best candidate.    I was discharged for taking what was deemed too aggressive a stance against the Apache, specifically against Chief Cochise.   A few years later he went on the warpath and killed hundreds of humans, many right here in this county.  That never would have happened if I hadn’t been removed.   Today you have hundreds of Apache warriors right at your doorstep.   In January they came close to wiping out this town and only quick intervention from the army prevented that.   You need a strict decisive Marshall for this town to protect you from those redskins.  And as far as dishonorable discharges are concerned, Martin here was too and you made him a Deputy Marshal.” Chester gets a sour look on his face. The army nearly made things worse. That was Nanuet's doing. The next question is for Hank Hill and reads, "How would you enforce the law in Promise City?" He replies, "Like I told ya a few minutes ago, Ya need a  fella that can handle a six gun...And I'm a better than fair shot." The next question is for Ashley King and reads, “What is your opinion of the present law enforcement of this community?”    King says, “I am appalled.  Lawlessness has run rampant, with candidates murdered including a Deputy Sheriff.   Multiple buildings in town were destroyed last weekend both here and at an outlying mine, with several good candidates threatened, many of whom have now withdrawn from the race.   That is not how a Democracy should work and the good people of Promise City should no longer be afraid.  As Marshall I will either catch or drive off these outlaws and make this town safe for the good families of town.   My party is called Law and Order and that is what we stand for.” The next question is for Moss Johnson and reads, "What are your qualifications for Marshal?"   He replies, "A long Army career ending at the rank of Captain.  I know how to command men and strategize.  I've also been working in the area for a few months so have gotten a good feel for this town." The next question is for Hank Hill and reads, "Who do you think you'd pick for Deputies?"   He replies, "Any man that can shoot better and drink more than I can." The next question is for Charlie Villars and reads, “Mr. Villars, you are a new resident in town, barely qualifying for the residency requirement, and have continued to reside at an outlying ranch.   How do you know what the people in town need from a Marshall?”   He replies, “I know because the ranch I am at is the Thayer Ranch, where the ranch owner and several ranch hands have been unjustly murdered by Wyatt Earp delusional paranoia while the current town law enforcement officers have turned a blind eye to his vigilante streak.  This town needs a decisive leader for Town Marshall and we sure don't have it now!" Moss Johnson is asked the next question which is also regarding an opinion of the present town law enforcement.   He says, "They are a bunch of idiots!   The attack of those hooded riders proves that!  It happened three days ago and the only folks arrested were allowed to escape.  This Deputy standing here is useless and should be run out of town on a rail.  I can't believe anybody would seriously consider voting for him for Marshal." Chester blurts out, "Snavely, Allman, and Skull escaped using sorcery. How do you guard against that?" Moss Johnson replies, "There are ways. Clerics can do that. You had a Bishop right here in town and didn't bother to ask him for help." Chester replies, "The Bishop was already on his way to the office, when they escaped." Charlie Villers interjects, "Hold on a minute Johnson, you're tar-and-feathering the wrong guy! “Let me make one clarification, I in no way blame Deputy Martin for what has taken place. He is a very good man and knows how to protect this town, as witnessed by his stopping Pony Deal in March and leading the posse that stopped Johnny Ringo in April. During that awful shootout three weeks back he was just following his boss’s orders, as all good employees should. It is not his fault that Marshall Berg is totally ineffectual, has bungled all recent investigations and is unfit to wear a Marshall’s badge. In fact, I’ll go one step further. Deputy Martin only needs to voice his agreement right now about Berg’s complete incompetence and assure this audience that he would have handled things very differently during this last month if he had been Marshal. If Deputy Martin does that, then I will withdraw from this race right now and throw my full support behind his candidacy.” “As will I ,” Prosper McCoy interjects. Chester says, "Marshall Berg is doing the best he can. It isn't his fault that the Cowboy Gang is still active in the county. We're not getting a lot of help from the Sheriff there." Villars says, "Then you're as daft as Berg! Sheriff Behan is a friend of mine, he's done a lot. After Deputy Sheriff Hunter was murdered he sent not one but two Deputies. They're doing all they can but are new here, so it'll be a while until they get up to speed. But I've worked with them before, back when I was a Deputy Sheriff, they're a smart bunch. They'll have this solved soon enough, sooner if we elect somebody competent to help them." Chester responds, If they're so smart, how come the Cowboy Gang was so active until a few months ago? Like you said, I stopped Pony Deal and lead the posse that dealt with Johnny Ringo." Villars interjects, "That was all around here in Promise City, Colin Hunter's assigned area. Leslie and Nagle were over in Tombstone helping John Behan keep peace there. I think that's a cheap shot, trying to blame your own incompetence on poor Deputy Hunter, who gave his life attempting to do the job you were clearly incapable off." Judge Isby pounds the gavel before Villars can continue, stating "That's enough on that topic, let's move on. The next question is for Ashley King and asks if he will have a bias towards ranchers over businessmen given his background. King says, "No sir, I will not. All people of Promise City will be treated equally. In fact, I have withdrawn my membership from the Cattleman's Association partially to show I would not favor just one group." The following question is for Hank Hill. The question reads, "Mr. Hill, you have stated before that you are from McKinney Texas. In that town is a Clement Hill who is your cousin, the son of your father’s brother. Are you aware that Clem Hill is related through his mother to Frank and Jesse James and that in the last year since they robbed this town they have been spotted back in your home town? Don’t you find that rather coincidental, especially since they knew exactly where to go in town and who to rob?” Hank replies, "Cousin Clem is back home ? That mangy sidewinder better not show his hide at his uncle Cotton's place. There'll be an ass kickin fer sure ah tell ya what." Ashley King interjects, "He didn't answer the question. Isby pounds the gavel and says, “Mr. King, that is enough. You were not referenced in his answer and have spoken out of turn.” King replies, “Judge Isby, my family lost money from the bank that was robbed, so it directly involves me.” Judge Isby says, “You were not recognized to speak so you are out-of-order. If you speak out of turn again I will have you jailed and fined for contempt.” Hill replies, “They knew where to hit through their cousin Cleatus James, who lived in this town. I am the one who shot Cleatus and helped stop Billy the Kid!” Ashley King interjects, “Yes indeed, you initiated a shootout with some of the gang to provide a diversion so that Frank and Jesse could escape from town with all of the money. And shortly after that you and your friends had the money to make a trip to Europe. How much was your payoff Hill?” Isby pounds the gavel and orders King removed from the room for contempt. Chester reaches into his pocket for Luther King's wanted poster and pushes it deeper and mutters to himself, “No need for this now. I really didn't want to use it, but Ashley can't become Marshall.” The remaining half-hour of the debate is uneventful, with no major revelations. The last question asked of Chester is "Deputy Martin, your loyalty towards Marshal Berg is commendable, but are there any differences in the approach of law enforcement that you would enact as Marshall than you predecessor? Chester gathers his thoughts for a few moments. He takes a deep breath and says, "The Marshal was a lawyer before he became marshal, so he thinks like one. He responds to problems when they happen. I like going out and finding trouble before it finds us. I'm an old cavalryman, so that suits me better. We need to hunt the Cowboy Gang down to clean up this town. How many more stagecoaches are they going to rob? I'm not going to let them ride herd over this place, if I have anything to do about it." The final question in the debate is directed at Charlie Villars . It reads "Mr. Villars, you were close friends with a number of people who Wyatt Earp has killed. Is that what has prompted you to decide to run for public office?" He replies, "In part, I was a deputy before under Sheriff Behan and knew Colin Hunter well. He thought it important enough to run for office and I owe it to him to try to do what he set out to do. As for Earp, the first thing I plan to do upon election as Marshall is deputize enough folks who can shoot well to make it clear that he's no longer welcome around here and if he ever returns to Promise City it will be his final mistake." With that answer the Judge declares the debate ended. He invites everybody to return the next night for the mayoral debate. As Chester leaves the stage Clarisse rushes up to him, gives him a hug and says, "You were wonderful." Chester enthusiastically returns the hug. He kisses her and says, "Why thank you my dear." He ruefully shakes his head. "This election isn’t going to be easy. I should've expected being challenged on my loyalty to Marshall Berg. Now they can tar me with the same brush. Villars had a good point about getting more deputies. We are getting stretched thin." They decide to head over to the Lucky Lady.</blockquote>

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