"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Speed took the time to let Alice and her father know where he was going, and why, then mounted up and started out for the fort. He'd not been there, he had seen it in passing, and it was a welcome sight with the Indians out. He understood that the Military had no jurisdiction in town, and likely they might not be willing to help, yet, then again, they might. Protecting citizens was their job. And just because the ones Speed was asking them to protect were in town with active lawmen, A large contingent of outlaws posed a significant threat.
The outlaws, be it Cases' gang or Elias' riders, or both together, it would be more than a handful lawmen could handle, even with the townsfolk defending their town. True, most had served in the War Between the States, but that had been over ten years ago, and true they had fought Indians and outlaws, yet these men were settled down now and past getting into gun trouble. And maybe it wouldn't come. Maybe Neither Steelgrave wanted to tangle with the town and it's people. Yet going to talk with the Army made sense, even if they couldn't really help out right then.
The ride was easy, the trail well traveled by horse and by coach and freight wagon. It gave a man time to think, one of the pleasures of riding without being in a hurry or with someone to talk with, and Speed Guyer had a good deal on his mind. There was the upcoming wedding, The copper mines, , his other business affairs, and the Town Council meeting the next day.
He was well aware that Elias Steelgrave's lawyer would be present, and he would object, unless there was a change of mind out on the Evergreen. If it turned out to be good news for Leah, then it would be bad news for Steelgrave and his lot which might include his son Case. That piece had yet to fall into place so far as Kalispell was aware.
The fort loomed head and Speed was surprised at how quickly the time had passed between town and the fort, but his mind had been busy with the things going on in Kalispell, as well as his personal life. He passed through the entrance onto the parade ground, locating the Commanding Officers Office and riding directly to it. He stepped down and climbed the three steps to the door, and stepped inside.
"Afternoon, Marshal Guyer to see the Colonel, or his Adjutant." He addressed the duty Sargent.
Mackenzie had been sitting at his desk, reading the latest dispatches that had come across the telegraph from higher headquarters. This part of military command was what drove men like MacKenzie to distraction. For every patrol or ride he took, he spent what felt like an entire day parked behind his desk reading, answering, or composing reports.
His head came up at the sound of the office front door. Visitors weren't a normal thing on an army post, especially without being expected. The colonel shoved back from his desk and walked around it toward the door of his inner office. He stopped in the doorway and took in the stranger speaking with the Duty Sergeant. He seemed pleasant enough, and Mackenzie's eye noted the well worn trail clothes, and the pistol worn easily around his waist.
"May I be of service to you, Sir...?" Mackenzie stepped into the outer office and waited for the visitor to respond...
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Colonel, Henry S. Guyer, Town Marshal of Kalispell. Like to have a talk with you." Speed stated, "We have us a problem in town, you may know that Miss Leah Steelgrave is trying to get a hospital built and her father, Elias is against it, so far as we know." He waited to be led into the office.
"Now she has a brother, Case, he has a gang of over a dozen hard cases and they have just come back into Flathead Valley. Likely up to no good. The reason I'm here is to ask if we can count on the Army if things get bad, as some expect." There it was, the problem, unvarnished. "I have two Territorial Marshals, two deputies and one man to protect the town. We've no County Sheriff right now."
"Colonel, Henry S. Guyer, Town Marshal of Kalispell. Like to have a talk with you." Speed stated, "We have us a problem in town, you may know that Miss Leah Steelgrave is trying to get a hospital built and her father, Elias is against it, so far as we know."
MacKenzie nodded. "Why, yes, I had heard about her little project. I think it would be a great and useful thing around here to have a hospital that was more than a former store and a sawbones by himself..." The officer turned and indicated for Guyer to follow him into the inner office. He gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk as he moved around and resumed his seat.
"Now she has a brother, Case, he has a gang of over a dozen hard cases and they have just come back into Flathead Valley. Likely up to no good. The reason I'm here is to ask if we can count on the Army if things get bad, as some expect." There it was, the problem, unvarnished. "I have two Territorial Marshals, two deputies and one man to protect the town. We've no County Sheriff right now."
MacKenzie nodded, his hands pressed together and steepled on his chest. "You only have five men to assist you? I don't claim to be an expert on law enforcement, but can't you deputize some of the town citizens to help? Some of the local ranches should be able to contribute men for the cause..." The colonel sat up straighter in his chair. "Understand, Marshal. I am completely on your side, but I can't garrison a civilian town without the threat of hostile Indians or a complete breakdown of civil order." MacKenzie stared blankly for several seconds, then he looked at the marshal. "However...I could make sure some of the troops are ready to ride at a moment's notice..." The officer turned to look at the marshal. "...If you think that would be the kind of help you could use, that is."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Well Sir, There are three men who serve as body guards for Miss Steelgrave, and will lend a hand when they can. So far, they have been there for me when the chips were down, so I believe I can count on them." Speed explained , bringing the head count to nine counting himself. "I am sure that the towns people will stand with us, but you never know. I actually have no idea if the town would be attacked, in fact I seriously doubt that either farther or son would attack the town. So having some troopers ready would indeed be helpful, and, if I might suggest, irregular visits by a patrol, if you can manage that with the Indian trouble of late." It was all out there then, it would actually depend on what the Colonel could do, but any help would be appreciated.
MacKenzie rubbed his chin for several breaths. "Well, Sir...in my unchallenged local military opinion, I feel that a building like this hospital would be an irresistible target to hostile parties..." The bearded officer stood and walked to the window, looking out at the parade field for a minute. He then turned back to Guyer.
"I feel that a regular patrol...making regular stops by this construction site...would only be helping look out for the best interests of the citizens in this area...wouldn't you agree, Marshal?"
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Yes sir, Colonel. I believe that would be great deterrent to criminal mischief or worse, which I might expect as it gets closer to completion." Speed began. "The project is one that that not only the citizens are looking forward to, but Helena is as well. The Territorial Governor has thrown his weight behind it, and the two Marshals. He wants this done."
Elias was a great many things, but to fight the US Cavalry? That seemed most unlikely, but Case, now he might be another story. "May I suggest sir, if it is not already your plan to have the regular patrols at different times, so their schedule is not known?"
MacKenzie nodded. "I think once the construction begins, I may leave a detachment there and just rotate troops through the post so they don't get bored being nailed down to the same place..." MacKenzie walked over to a side table and picked up a rolled paper. He gestured to Guyer to approach as he unrolled the map and anchored it with some small weights he kept on the table for that exact purpose. "Now, show me where they plan to build this hospital..."
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
"Well, sir, therein lies the problem. There is a Town Council meeting in the morning for the signing of the papers , and then, the plot will be known, as I believe she has already selected it." Speed informed the Colonel. "This simple action has been delayed again and again for the better part of a year, with no real movement toward realization of the planned construction."
"The plot, I believe, will be on the west side of town away from the proposed railroad tracks, but I can't be sure as i have not asked about the location, but I can always ride back with the location and anything else, like the start date for the project. I appreciate your help with this, a military presence should deter any threat to the hospital."
MacKenzie nodded as he looked at the spot Speed indicated. "Believe me, I understand the slowness of bureaucracy and politics..." The officer straightened. "...The local tribes have been very civilized around here as of late, although I suspect they might be chafing under our watchfulness."
MacKenzie moved over to another side table and gestured to a bottle and some glasses sitting there. "Decent ride back to town...can I interest you in a drink before you go?"