Well, Clara did not think it refreshing.

"No trial at all? Is that not an accused's right in our country. Trial by jury. And here we have a judge already declaring that she is guilty. The affrontery of it all, sir!"  Clara snapped.

"I believe I shall go talk to a lawyer about the propriety of this .......arbitrary decision. Might I also suppose that Miss Wigfall has not even been provided with a lawyer thus far?"

Jemima might only be a mere woman, but even a woman was still a citizen and entitled to a proper trial. Clara was seething.

"Oh another town...sounds like Steelgrave would like that. Easier to bribe jurors or perhaps judges. The reason the town is so prejudiced against him and his thugs is because they are bullies and criminals and killers. We locals know who we are dealing with. But it figures, hold it in some place that is ignorant of the reality around here," Clara had to have her say on that matter too.

Angry as she was the young lady listened to what the man had to say, she was polite at least.

"However, Mrs. Lutz, I can see that you have very strong feelings where this case is concerned. Once again, I must remind you that the evidence is conclusive, and it is important that she stands trial here if she is to have any chance at all. What I am basically asking is that, even though you don't know me, is to have faith that Governor Houser knew what he was doing when he appointed me as Judge."

He made a good point about the necessity of Jemima being on trial in Kalispell however...........

"Except she will not be on trial here, there will be no trial. You are simply ramrodding a decision without even letting Miss Wigfall and a proper lawyer too, might I add, defend herself in public," she pointed out the fly in the ointment.

"As for having faith in Governor Houser, I do not even know the man. He could be the biggest crook in Montana," she smirked.  Politicians, the country was filled with plenty of corrupt ones.

"So.....your honor, are you going to at least let the public be present when you pronounce your already made up verdict officially or will that be held behind closed doors because I think there are many citizens in Kalispell that feel exactly about this as I do. And they will want to be there," her glare was withering.

9:00 AM, Thursday, October 7, 1876, cold and drizzly

Speed stood listening to the exchange. He understood that an open trial would be bad for the young woman, and a change of venue, as suggested would be devastating as well. There was truly little that would afford Jemima Wigfall any relief from a long prison term, or at worst, a hanging, unless whatever the Judge had in mind to circumvent such an outcome.

He was gaining a new appreciation for Judge Townsend. He seemed to understand what was at stake here, and the people of kalispell. Whatever his plan for a sentence, Judge Townsend was looking out for the accused. Something entirely new for the town of Kalispell.

While Clara and the Judge talked he looked through the circulars stacked on his desk, and sure enough, one out of Minot North Dakota for murder, another out of Belfield same charge, and yet one more from that territory for a double murder. Rewards totaled some four thousand dollars, so there was money coming to Case Steelgrave after all.

@JulieS @Wayfarer

Thursday, October 6, 1875, cold and drizzly.

Standing at the back of the courtroom, Speed Guyer listened to the sentence the Judge was going to impose on Jemima Wigfall, in full understanding of the reasons for the delay and the understanding of the difficulty in building the conditions of the sentence he was imposing on the woman. Far better than prison, that was for sure.

Prison in and of itself would have been far harsher than the steps outlined for her to maintain parole, which was well within the Judge's right to impose. However, the seemingly difficult steps she would need to follow were quite difficult and may require him, Pronto, or Charlie to accompany her, but it could and would be done.

Clara was there for the sentencing, right up at the front row, sitting behind Jemima, the best she could do to support the poor thing who did not even have a lawyer sitting with her. That still bothered Clara alright.

Now at first the judge's verdict, a formality, did not seem so onerous. At least Jemima would not have to go to prison, wherever that place was. But as his Honor went on, Clara went wide eyed at first then that changed into a furious glare.

Jemima had to apologize to Steelgrave, yes, Clara supposed it had to be done. Then came the real shocker!

"Three. No contact is to be made with anybody that has the last name of Redmond. She is also forbidden to step foot on Redmond land. If she finds herself in the same place as a person with the last name of Redmond, she has to leave immediately. The only exception to this condition will be at a church service and she must sit on the opposite side of the building. The no contact condition will still apply in this instance."

WHAT!? How did her family get involved in this sentencing! Clara had no inkling Jemima was going to attack Steelgrave, had certainly never brought up even the thought of it to put an idea into the girl's head. Was this because she had upbraided the judge in jail, in defense of Jemima?

The conditions were ridiculously harsh too. It was a small town who could control who would step out of one store and almost run into the other? And now Jemima could not eat at the diner. Could not be at the butcher shop doing an errand for her mother and suddenly Clara might walk into the place? Attend a public event such as a dance or festival or fair?

Had the high handed judge even considered this was also in effect a punishment on her, Clara, too? She would now always have to be wary of her every move in town. She was denied the friendship of this girl. Jemima also worked in a few places. So that now meant Clara would dare not go into those places for fear of triggering this..........miscarriage of justice?

As Jemima was about to be led away, Clara leaned over and hugged the girl, whispering something into her ear. It was just a few seconds so no real conversation was possible.

Then she stormed outside, madder than a wet hornet. She was not going to let this travesty lie. She needed to think.

Speed then realized that Jemima was what he might have termed house arrest, that there would be no need for him or his Deputies to escort her anywhere. She would be free to go, well almost. The trial almost over he stepped out as he would not be needed.

He was not in favor of the ruling handed down, but it was far better a prison term that could well have awaited the young woman. And there was always a chance that any number of the seemingly harsher conditions could be appealed in time. Though he was sure that would be a t least six months down the line. Time for everyone to cool off.

So he made his way back downstairs to his office where he found Pike sitting in his usual spot with a cup of coffee. "Well the long lost Deputy is back, and it's good to see you!" He said.

Would'a been out ta see ya, but the herd came in,m then the bulls, got hands hired, Been a whirlwind like time of it. So what's new? I mean aside from ya getting shot an' all. Heard all about thet."

"Well pard, got a pair of copper mines. Me, Alice, and old Amos are about to begin workin' one of them." He began, "And you and Em are part of this unless you don't want to be. Not the digging part we'll hire that out, but as part of our corporation, Copper Queen Inc."

"Copper? Heard tell that's up there with gold and silver these days. You run onta the right couple, thet's fer sure. Don't know as you heard, but Speed, I got more money than creases these days from holdings down in Nevada, so whatever's needed, reckon it can be had."

"I'd heard you'd done alright down there, and I want you to know the money is not the reason we wanted you two in. Not at all. But whatever you invest, that will be paid back, and in any way you'd like, cash or shares." Speed promised.

"Now there's dog that'll hunt! Looking to invest around town too. Em and I haven't had thet discussion yet, but comin' real soon." Pronto agreed this would be good all the way around.

"Cash or share? That'll wok out as sometimes now, cash'd come in handy,  other times settling for shares'd be the proper move. But like I said, Em and I haven't had that conversation as yet, tho I can tell you this, I believe she'll be in favor of it. I think she's leaning on keeping the cafe, although she just might sell 'er ta Clara an' Jacob, she's said as much, but made no move to do such." Pronto explained.

"Whatever she decides I guess, I mean them two are thick as thieves." Speed agreed. "Property is always a good investment, no matter what it might be, especially with the coming railroad and dregs it dags behind it. But once she's done, well, Kalispell'll be in for some changes."

"That was my thought as well, I mean, new businesses will need a building and the Lord knows we have several that are plumb empty and could still be had cheap enough, and with the winter settin' in pretty soon, well, be time to buy."Pike observed, "Winters up here can be hard on folks, and cash for empty buildings or vacant land would almost be a God send!"

"Don't you know it. Maybe it's time to give some serious thought to what might be available. Now the right of way, that was gifted to the town, so that prime real estate just won't be on the market, but there's plenty will be. Yes sir, maybe a move over the winter, no matter the weather would be the right thing to do." Speed suggested.

"Well then, what say we do just thet, once't the weather turns, maybe after Christmas?" Pronto proposed, "We let the women in on this idea, and Amos too, not that he'd be opposed to making money."

"I'd say once the thaw starts, depending on how bad the snow was over the winter, that would deffinately be the time to strike." Speed said, "If the winter's mild and I think we ought to be due a mild winter, that will make everything a bit easier as far as sizing up what is available, Of course, my main concern will be getting equipment up here for the Queen."

"Yeah, I can see that as the most important part of all of this. Now if you need a hand financially with the equipment, well, I'm yer man, as they say." Pike offered, "Cash is not a problem, and priority is getting the ore out of the ground and the cash coming in from it."