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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3916415" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Two-hundred-thirty-five, “Picking the Earp Jurors”, Monday, June 19th, 6:30 A.M. Kate got up early and rode out to the ranch, bringing back two of the horses she knew had good stamina and speed and put them in the stables at the El Parador before getting dressed in her grey suit for the morning's proceedings. After a quick snack she went into the schoolroom to wait for Meghan and Mollie to arrive. The other two teachers are soon there. Mollie says that her husband Nate will be coming by later "To give the students a lesson in civics so that they will have a better understanding of the election that is going to take place in the town tomorrow." Kate says, "Good. Who better than an election official to explain it all, I'm looking forward to hearing it myself. I can hardly believe your family only came here a month ago." She realized she was babbling and added, "I'm sorry, I have to go testify this morning and that always rattles me a bit." Meghan says, "You will do fine. Just tell the truth, that is all you can do." Kate answers, "I know. And this time is much simpler than most others I've had to go for. I suppose it's the first time I was actually hurt, rather than just a witness." She embraced them both. "I should go, I wouldn't want to be late. I'll be back after Wyatt Earp's trial." Mollie says, "Then we won't wait for you, that trial could last for days." Kate says, "What am I thinking? You're right. I'll stay and see it started, then come back. Mr. Stevens is bringing his daughters Jackie and Agatha to enroll today. Feel free to make him fill out plenty of paperwork, it seems to give him comfort," she smiled. "I'm sure he'll understand why I can't be here myself this morning." Meghan says, "Of course, as a banker he of all people will understand the need to be in court for legal matters." "I'm sure. I'll see you before lunch, I hope," Kate said, then straightened her grey jacket and walked over to the Town Hall. Chester wakes up and heads to the office. Berg is there and shortly the other deputies file in. Chester pours a cup of coffee from the pot on the stove. Eduardo has been on duty at the office and jail for the night and Berg sends him home. The Marshal tells his other three deputies, "Those soldiers being in town have been a big help but hopefully after today we won't need them any more. We'll need two of us here today with the prisoners, one to escort each prisoner when needed and one to stay with whoever is left. We will also need two over at the Town Hall, one up front by the judge and the other near the door. And Chet, Upton has indicated that he will be needing the both of us as witnesses for the Earp trial." Chester nods, "OK, Mitch. That won't be a problem. If we're needed to testify, then we should be the ones at Town Hall. That way the prisoners won't be unguarded." Berg agrees and leaves the prisoners under the care of Deputies Barker and Cassidy as he leads himself and Chester over to the Town Hall. The building is locked although a crowd has already gathered outside. Chumbley is out front selling today's newspaper, the lead story being about the Earp trial and the other page one story being a recap of the previous day's poker tournament. Mitchell Berg opens it up and lets people head inside. Chester stands by the door as people file in. He watches for anyone carrying concealed weapons. Once everyone is inside, Berg goes inside while Chester stands guard outside. By the time Kate arrives it was already crowded, but she managed to find a seat near the aisle in the center of the room. The Town Hall is around half filled with spectators by the time that Judge Isby and Kevin Tomlinson arrive. The front row is filled with twenty reporters and photographers, including surprisingly Angelica Young. Tomlinson carries a wooden box which he places on the podium on the stage. Cochise County Sheriff John Behan approaches the stage and is admitted up, taking a chair to one side of the podium. Attorney Elihu Upton seats himself on the other side of the podium. John Behan has a notepad which he opens. Judge Isby calls the assembly to order. Chester stands in front of the building by the door. He strains to hear what is being said inside, but can't make out anything. The Judge says, "This box contains the names of all eligible voters, with any who have either died, moved away or become imprisoned since voter registration having been removed. Mr. Tomlinson will draw from the 248 slips of paper inside until we have a dozen names who neither attorney object to. Objections must be for what I deem a valid reason. Those people will then be summoned here and questioned by me as to whether they can render an impartial decision. Additional names will then be drawn if necessary. You may begin Mr. Tomlinson." He reaches into the box and removes a slip of paper which is passed to the Judge. Isby announces the name "Hannah Milford". Elihu Upton states "I have no objection." Behan checks his list and says, "Nor do I". Kate reflected that thankfully, there were plenty of people in town who had little to no connection to the Earps whatsoever. Perhaps this would be simpler than she thought. Of course, she had no fear of being chosen herself. Sheriff Behan would object in an instant. The next name is drawn and announced "Abel Weir". Neither attorney object. Kate vaguely recognizes the name and thinks he works at one of the smaller mines in town. The third name drawn is "Darla Peacock". Neither attorney object to her either. The fourth name drawn is "Fritz Meuller". Tomlinson tells the Judge "It will take a while to go get him, he's one of the Von Zeppelin workers up near Bowie Mountain." Judge Isby says, "We will dispatch a rider once all of the names are drawn." Neither attorney objects to Mr. Meuller. The fifth name drawn is "Margaret Watkins". Behan checks his list and says "I object. She was Wyatt Earp's landlady, he lived under her roof at the Great Western Boarding House." Attorney Upton says, "I too object, but for different reasons. Judge Isby, last week you sentenced her son to hang, so I doubt she would be able to be an impartial observer in your courtroom." Judge Isby says, "Very well, she is excused from Jury duty." Kate closed her eyes for a moment. Whatever else had happened, she couldn't wish the death of a child on any mother. No word of the Kings had reached her ears in the last few days either. Emery would know what their plans were. The next name drawn is "Rudolph Baines". Upton says, "I have a possible objection. Mr. Baines's butcher shop was damaged in the explosion that resulted in my client's capture. He might blame my client for the damages." Judge Isby says, "Knowing Mr. Baines I find that unlikely but I will question him about that when he arrives." Kate didn't really know Mr. Baines, but it would be understandable if he held Mr. Earp somewhat accountable. They were almost halfway through now and it was going better than she's hoped it would. The next name drawn is "Justin Boyer". He is the owner of the Gilla Belle Mine in town and Kate has seen him in the Lucky Lady once or twice. Neither lawyer objects. The next name drawn is "Albert Brower". Neither lawyer objects to him either. Kate pondered that Mr. Brower was going to have a hard day. With his partner on trial and now being selected for the jury. Kate hadn't seen him since before Mr. Watson had shot at Edwin Booth. She would have to be sure to speak with him soon. The next name drawn is "Estaban Fuente". Neither lawyer object. The ninth potential juror is "Maxwell Brown". Kate has seen the ice house owner several times, as he dines at the El Parador and is part of Dorita's 'extended family'. Neither attorney objects to Mr. Brown. Kate reflected that it was a busy time for Esteban too with the elections tomorrow. It would be a good day to go spend some time at the El Parador with her family. Perhaps after school there would be time. The name drawn for the tenth potential juror is Tempel Morand. Neither attorney object to the rancher. Tomlinson tells the judge that he is another one who may take time to notify and get into town. The next name drawn is "Sonoma Figures". Kate clamped her mouth shut before any sounds could come out. As far as anyone knew Sonoma had no connections to Earp, and perhaps she would be considered not close enough to Kate to be excused for conflict of interest. Of course, Kate could be exaggerating her own importance. Sheriff Behan checks his list and says, "I object to that juror. Her business partner Katherine Kale‘s brother was saved in the Tombstone Fire by Earp. We also believe that the ranch co-owned by Miss Figures and Mrs. Kale may have been offering assistance to Earp during the last few weeks." Judge Isby says, "Very well, those are valid concerns, the juror is excused." Kate carefully kept her expression neutral. She wasn't surprised to hear that accusation from Sheriff Behan since Leslie had been convinced Wyatt was at the ranch. Thankfully she hadn't objected to the search of the ranch. Another name is drawn for the slot of the eleventh juror. Judge Isby reads "Sherry Winston". Elihu Upton objects as her husband is a member of the Promise City Vigilance Committee, which has voiced considerable objections to Earp's actions. Judge Isby states, "I will be sure to question her on those points, but her marriage alone is not enough to exclude her." The final name drawn for the jury pool is Adolphus Bricker, another of Von Zeppelin's workers. Neither attorney object. Judge Isby gives orders for the three out-of-town jurors to be located and brought to town and for the other jurors to also come at their earliest convenience. Kate thought that It seemed a pool of people who would be able to deliberate fairly. Wishing the business about Earp and her ranch had never come up, Kate sat uncomfortably waiting for Mr. Watson's trial to start. She looked around the room, trying to see if Conrad and Edwin were there yet. Edwin booth is seated with Roosevelt in the back row. Conrad does not appear to be present. In short order Hannah Milford, Sherry Winston, Ruby Baines, Maxwell Brown, Justin Boyer and Estaban Fuente arrive. Judge Isby questions them and determines them all fit to serve. He asks Kevin Tomlinson to bring them over to the Arizona Territorial Office building, instructing them to feel free to read any of the books there in his bookcase but to not speak to each other. Chester sees Kevin leaving with the jurors in tow. "Where are you taking them, Mr. Tomlinson?" Tomlinson answers, "Over to the Territorial Office, Deputy. We need a place for them to wait until the trial starts." Chester says, "Oh, OK." Kate thought that keeping silence between the jurors was a lot to ask. Hopefully the others would be found quickly and they could get on with things. She wondered if they would wait for all the jurors to arrive before Mr. Watson's trial. And wondered too where Conrad might be. Possibly he had just overslept being used to late nights. Abel Weir and Al Brower are the next to arrive. Weir proves to be another acceptable juror. However, when Judge Isby asks Brower if he could serve and be impartial Brower replies "No sir, I could not." Judge Isby asks for him to elaborate. Al pauses and then says, "Judge, I recently had a love affair with a woman in this town. Wyatt Earp suspected she was involved with the death of his brother. He was incorrect with that assumption and was told so but refused to accept it. She had to flee Promise City for her own safety. If he hangs then she can return to here and to me. I therefore have incentive to find him guilty and cannot view him with impartiality." There had been hints before about why Madge left town, but Kate couldn't remember hearing it all together before. At least Mr. Brower knew she hadn't left to get away from him. Judge Isby says, "Very well, you are dismissed Mr. Brower." Mr. Wier is brought over to the territorial office. Darla Peacock arrives. When questioned she tells the Judge that she has been awake all night at the poker tournament so is too tired to serve. Judge Isby says, "I have several other shorter trials to conduct before we begin the Earp trial. Please go see the Celtic/Mexican priest Thomas Valdez, he will provide you with a clerical elixir that will enable you to sleep for a single hour and feel like it has been eight hours." She agrees and departs. Tomlinson returns and Judge Isby has him draw the name of the replacement juror for Mr. Brower. He draws a slip of paper which is handed to the Judge. Isby reads "Minerva Florencia". Kate thinks that if Sonoma was excused, surely Minerva will be. But then, Minerva had little contact with Earp and didn't live here when he was the Marshall. Tomlinson heads out to find the Priestess. The courtroom is soon told that the Priestess is at neither her home or church and that a search party has been dispatched to find her. Judge Isby says, "Very well, it may be a while until the remaining four jurors are here. We might as well start the other trials. Marshal Berg, please have Mr. Hardin brought over here." Berg goes to the door and instructs Chester to get John Wesley Hardin. Kate sighed. Who knew waiting could be so exhausting? At least they were starting the other trials. She might get back to school before lunchtime yet. She wished she had sat next to Edwin Booth, at least she'd have someone to talk to. Chester nods and walks down the street to the jail. He knocks on the door and Neil Cassidy calls out, "Who is it?" "Neil, it's me, Chester. We need Hardin for his trial. I can take him back." Cassidy unlocks the door. "Alright, Hardin, time to see Judge Isby." He shackles Hardin's hands before opening the cell door. "Here you go, Chet." "Thanks." To Hardin, Chester says, "Let's go, Mr. Hardin." They walk back to Promise City Town Hall. Hardin is escorted in. Judge Isby states "Attorney Hardin. I am disappointed to see you before me today." Hardin replies, "I fail to see why I am here Judge Isby, I have checked the ordinances of this town and carrying a concealed firearm is not illegal." Judge Isby says, "Yes, but there is an ordinance about 'Disturbing the Peace'. Your having the gun caused a great disturbance at the Lucky Lady's Poker Tournament and Mr. Van Horne is pressing charges.” The Judge pauses then states, “I will make this simple for you, you have clients of your own in Tombstone right now awaiting results of the appeal that you filed. There is a stagecoach leaving for Tombstone in another seventy-five minutes. I would suggest that you pay a $ 200 fine and then get yourself onto that stagecoach." Hardin nods and says, "And if I decline that offer?" Judge Isby says, "Then I would say you are one to look a gift horse in the mouth, any other sentence will not be nearly as lenient." Hardin says, "Then I accept your offer. The Marshal confiscated my wallet. There is sufficient funds in it to pay the fine." Isby says, "Marshal Berg, see to it, and bring over Mr. Smith." Kate was surprised by the sheer number of cheaters who'd been discovered at the tournament. Not that she was surprised anyone would try, just how many did and got caught. Jefferson Soapy Smith is given the same option, a $ 200 fine and agreement to be on the next stagecoach out of town. Smith quickly agrees. Judge Isby then asks for Moria Enion to be brought in. Berg tells Chet "She's over at the Sherriff's jail. Kate softly mutters, “Moira Enion?” She was suddenly glad she'd warned Jake about the woman instead of keeping quiet. Obviously, she'd been caught. Chester heads over there. He knocks on the door but there is no answer. He tries the doorknob and the door is unlocked. He opens it to find Deputy Sheriff Dave Nagle tied and gagged to a chair, his hands handcuffed behind his back, and the jail cell vacant. Chester draws his gun and looks around the room to make sure she isn't hiding. Once he's satisfied, Chester removes Nagle's gag. "What happened? Where's Enion?" Nagle says, "I was putting her in the cell and she used some sorta magic on me, put me to sleep. I woke up around an hour ago fastened to that chair. We can check her house but I'm betting she ain't there no more." Chester exclaims, "Blast! Let me untie you, then you go to the house. I have to let the Marshall know first. She's had an hour head start so a few minutes won't make much of a difference." Nagle looks at the clock and says, "More than an hour, it was around four o’clock in the morning when I was putting her in the cell, that gives her almost four hours head start." Chester exclaims, "Then she could be anywhere. OK, we better both go see the Marshall then. If she could knock you out before, she can do it again. It'll be harder with two people. Come on." Chester unties Nagle. "Did she take your gun?" Nagle sees the gun belt and holster over by the cell and says, "No, just moved it where it would be out of my reach from the chair. It looks like she didn't take anything." Chester states, "Thank the gods for that bit of luck, then. We better get a move on. They'll want to hear this pronto." The lawmen return to the Town Hall and announce that Mrs. Enion has escaped from jail. Berg tells Nagle to go get Helen Barker and some of the soldiers in town to see if they can locate her. Kate pondered as to why Mrs. Enion would run? Certainly Judge Isby was tough, but surely she would only have been accessed a fine, unless she thought her past would count against her. Judge Isby says, "She was the last of the tournament cheaters. Marshal Berg, please bring Mr. Watson over for his trial. Attorney Fisk will be acting as his legal counsel." Kate recalls that there had been more people dragged away from the tournament, but they had been Mr. Franklin's unwilling accomplices. She'd have to ask Mr. Tomlinson how he managed to get Isby to let them go. She sat up straighter, waiting for Mr. Watson.</blockquote>

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