Character: Barnabas Pike

Posted November 16, 2018

Having taken care of his horse, and gotten a room Pronto breathed a sigh of relief.

That business settled, he decided to walk to the Stardust Saloon and see if he could get some information about the range conditions, personal conditions on the range. Which outfits might be hiring, which to look out for. Being new in town he'd need the telegraph office for a couple of things, not the least of which was information for Linda Everson.

If there was one thing that Pike was aware of it was that there were men who came into a territory to build something. A ranch, a town, a community, and there were others who came to take was others had built through hard work. Land and cattle to be specific sometimes horses as well. He'd seen it before in many of the places he been, and he'd invited himself in on such dealings when the need spoke.

The saloon was where a man could get these answers, as it was not just a place to get a drink, it was a clearinghouse for information about the area and those who were in it. Where men spoke of herds, water, cattle drives and the like. Where names were mentioned both good and bad. That was where Barnabas Pike fit himself in.

He pushed through the batwings and strode to the bar. "Afternoon, have me a beer."

Character: Barnabas Pike

Posted November 18, 2018

Pronto laid the coin on the polished bar top. "See you've had a good opening, plenty of business which is real good. 'course havin' the right product helps out a heap." He said with a smile. "I know you're new in town as am I, but perhaps you've heard something of the range conditions hereabouts. Meanin' if there's any trouble, rustlin' and the like."

Asking the man serving the drinks was as good a way as there was to get information. Pike wanted to steer clear of trouble if he could. He'd had plenty on his back trail and he just as soon avoid it if he could. Soon enough he'd be looking for work before his money played out.

"Be lookin' to hire on here shortly, rather not ride into a hornet's nest, if that can be helped." He added.

Character: Barnabas Pike

Posted November 24, 2018

"Don't know all the details so don't ask me. But caused a big ruckus at the recent town festival and a first class brawl too. Apparently got at least a couple of the hands thrown in jail for a bit. So bad blood there. There's a father involved with that farmstead of course but hear he's a widower with two kids."

He shrugged, "And that, mister, is about it for the extent of my knowledge, that well just went dry."

Pike recalled the mess at the celebration and the donnybrook that resulted from the actions of those Evergreen hands. He chuckled at Ralphs statement about the extent of his knowledge.

Pronto was no farmhand, he was a puncher if and when he chose to take a riding job. Sometimes he was a gunhand when need be, but he never looked for a job where he was paid for his gun. If push came to shove then Pronto Pike stood up and did what had to be done.

"Well, I'll just keep my ears open and see what comes my way." He stated. "These things have a way of working themselves out. Sodbusters got it to do against the cattlemen that's for sure. Evergreen, seems I never hear anything good when it comes to them. He took another swallow of the golden liquid. "You brew this beer yourself?"

Character: Barnabas Pike

Posted December 2, 2018

"You do that then. My best guess is eventually this pot is going to boil over and some folks are going to be shot. Seems to be the way of things. I just hope the people getting shot are the deserving ones," Ralph shrugged. Unless it involved the saloon he had no desire to get involved one way or the other.

“My experience is that’s just not the way it starts, not at all.” Pike stated. “Usually a land grab starts with innocent folks, small spreads, cattle or sod buster. You know, range is range and grabbers er cattlemen surely do hate farmers.”

"You could go talk to a few of the homesteaders ya know? They might be able to tell you more of interest," he suggested.

“I might just do that. Surely be the easiest way to get an idea of what they’re facing.” Pronto agreed, followed by a swallow of beer. “Not that it’s rightly my business you understand.” He turned the glass in his hand admiring the color.

"As for the beer, nope. Don't know how to make the stuff, just sell it. We buy ours from a brewery in Billings and ship it here," Ralph answered.

“Damn fine beer, I surely say that.” Pronto remarked. “Hell, maybe I’ll just get me a store job, clerkin’ or some such, if there’s trouble brewin’. Be the safest bet. Now this here Lost Lake outfit, know anything about them?”

Character: Barnabas Pike

Posted December 7, 2018

"Don't think I'll pass that compliment on to our brewer, he might just up the selling price,"Ralph smiled.

“Now that might just be the way to go. When a man realizes he has a good product he’s liable to push his price as far as the market’ll bear.” Pronto agreed. “The man’s making a profit, no doubt, and every one is entitled to make what they can, nature of the beast.”

"There might be a few stores hiring, I don't get around much, my partner does vast majority of the shopping and resupplying," Ralph admitted.

“The more I think about it, the more I realize wearin’ an apron ain’t quite the same satisfaction as wearin’ Chaps,” Pike observed. “An’, ain’t no stockin’ shelves from the back of a horse. Might just shelve that idea, less I can’t get me a ridin' job.”

Seemed the man had yet another question about the local ranching situation.

"Not very much, no. Amongst some of my customers seems they speak a bit more complimentary about that spread then Evergreen. More upright sorts, you know. Although I've heard one of their principals is an ex-outlaw. But then I've known more than one lawman who started out on the wrong side of the law and switched sides as it were," Ralph shrugged.

“Yah, that’s been my experience too, ‘course I’ve known it to be the other way ‘round too.” He thought for a moment then added, “An’ this former outlaw, which’d that be? Might want to fight shy of that one.”