A Western Adventure - The Incident in Little Whiskey

This is Little Whiskey - New Mexico, it was in it’s infancy back then, just a Way Station on the stage route, but it was to grow fast. Whiskey Jack was the driving force behind the growth. So far there's only two buildings the Saloon and Livery but the lumber's arrived for a third one already.

That’s Whiskey Jack talking to his barman Ruben White, Jack is the one with the bottle in one hand and the sawn off shotgun in the other. He maintains it keeps his customers happy, well it keeps them quiet and that keeps Jack happy which is pretty much the same thing.

Jack had tried a similar venture in Wyoming you may have heard about it, but the weather, well the weather up north was not the same as here in New Mexico, he liked the feel of the sun on his face rather than that cold biting wind.
The outlaws in Wyoming were a little bolder then New Mexico, that's what he thought then, poor and bold was a very bad combination if you were a businessman trying to make a living just skirting around the law a little yourself.
Then the stage route through the Desperate Mountains was closed for three months due to snow and the final straw was the night an oil lamp was thrown through the window of the still unfinished saloon and the whole place went up in flames. It was time to move on.

There's a story there for the telling of the Great Fire of Big Whiskey if someone is brave or foolhardy enough to recount it but you'll not be hearing it from me.

His Wells Fargo contact had been transferred south so Jack went too and they pulled the same stunt, in New Mexico, Jack provided the Way Station and his contact provided the routing of the stages, a beneficial and profitable scam for both of them.

Here is Big Jim Smith he runs the smithy and looks after the horses, changes them when the stage comes in, in fact he does everything except run the bar. He works for Jack, but doesn’t like it. He came south with Jack but he didn’t like that either.

This could be why, but no one dares to ask!

Many folks round here think this is Jack’s best side, and you don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.

On the right is Ebenezer Douglas or Mr Douglas as he prefers to be called. He has his fingers in many pies, not all of them savoury which is why he is known behind his back as “Sweet Sticky Fingers”. He is inspecting the delivery of lumber that will be used for the next building in Little Whiskey, it will become the local Wells Fargo Office and bank. The stage coaching business is booming in New Mexico, although there won’t be a need for a bank yet because no one has any money. Whiskey Jack and Mr Douglas see to that.

He is talking to Marshall MacAlister who is just passing through on his way to the territorial capital, Mac is pretty much the only law in the Territory that has any jurisdiction in this area. There is a long standing enmity between these two men although neither will say why, there is some rumour of a woman but know one really knows.

Three unshaven desperado’s emerge from the rocks and scrub to the east of the way station heading towards the Tail Feathers Saloon.

Sorry - make that two unshaven desperado’s who are led by Alice Morgan one of the toughest outlaws around these parts.

Alice, Nasty Nick and Charlie Foster some times known as Lefty (you’ll have to work it out) are moving quickly to the saloon, they must be in need of a cooling drink after committing whatever crime they’ve been up to.

Rose is oblivious to them and Jim probably doesn’t care.

Ruben is just saying to his Boss – “Boss there’s someone coming” when Alice pulls her pistol and quietly tells Jack that they have business inside, and would he like to move into the saloon, - please!

He passes his Brains test and does the sensible thing and agrees.

Marshall MacAlister sees what is happening but fails to act, however Rose sees what is going on and starts to move to the saloon, did I say she drives the stage for Wells Fargo and moonshines for Whiskey Jack, she likes to look after her employer, especially if there's anything likely to interfere with payday.

She moves behind the illusory shelter of the veranda post and asks Jack if everything is ok. He says yes it’s OK but is wondering what Alice is playing at, - she has failed her activation again - 2nd time and is just looking menacing, quite lovely but menacing as well.

Mac the Marshall finally comes over and in a calm voice says “you’d better put them guns away we don’t want any trouble”. Alice and Nick are confused, not sure what to do but Charlie is cool. “It’s ok Marshall we just want a word with Jack here, don’t mean no harm”.

Alice now fails her guts test and is going to go along with Charlie but Nick has been drinking and spins round. “What do you want - you stinking lawman” and it all happens in a flash.

Nick, Mac and Rose all go for the shot at the same time, Mac and Rose miss but Nick doesn’t and the Marshall is on the ground, gut shot. Every one tests their reaction - Alice and Charlie keep their guns on Jack and he stays very still.
Nick felt the shotgun blast and a big Boom from behind him and spins around again.

Rose has time and fires first, just a fraction of a second before Nick but she misses with the 2nd barrel of the shotgun. Nick fires and doesn’t miss, Rose drops to the ground, hit in the right arm but it’s bad, there’s lots of blood.

It’s all over in a split second and the two guy’s are down - injured badly.

Indeed the Marshall appears dead and this is his first time on the table. He’s going to have to man up if he’s to make the grade in New Mexico.

Alice backs Jack and Ruben into the bar and explains what it’s all about.

To be continued...........

If there's anybody out there please let me know and if you're still here - thanks for reading.