"Every town needs a newspaper."
"Oh, I'll be on hand, Tuc." Phin said as he grasped the man's hand. "And I suppose there'll be a fair share of drama, it's the sale that matters, not even who buys it, so long as the cash is there for you and you can be on your way."
"I'll have this out today and come Saturday, rain or shine, the action will happen. It's a shame in a way, that Addy doesn't take it, but then that would be a lot of money for her, or most anyone but them that has it. I'll get a wire out to all the newspapers in the territory, ought to help."
The Next Day...
It was noon and the only time during working hours, Mason could take a decent break from the hospital construction. Building was nearing completion and had been only delayed by the winter snows. As he sat down to eat his lunch, he picked up the latest copy of the Kalispell Union. It was a pretty good newspaper and had a decent amount of news in it, which was surprising considering how big the town was. His main interest in the newspaper was the lovely lady who wrote some of the stories. Reading her articles gave him some insight to her character as well as a topic of discussion whenever he came across her.
However, today it was not one of her stories that caught his attention but the large advertisement flyer about the sale of the Millegan Stage and Freight Company that had been placed within the folds of the newspaper. After reading the flyer a couple of times, an idea began to form in his head. Since he had plans to build some new homes and repair some of the more neglected buildings in town, having his own freight company would save a lot of cost and time. It would also bring in some extra income for the Aldridge Building and Construction Company which would help it expand even more.
There would be no problem with purchasing the freight company as his brother Stephen would approve. It was good that both he and Stephen were of the same opinion where the business was concerned. All he had to do was to send a telegram to his brother in Helena to let him know of the impending auction on Saturday and that he didn't anticipate much competition in the sale.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Quite frankly, Cole Latham couldn't get his buggy moving fast enough once he learned of the pending sale of the Millegan Stage and Freight Company. He needed to let Elias know as quickly as he could. They had talked about buying up town properties that became available. Not that he himself could do much about it, but cash money could, and that was where Elias came in. He could snap it up in a heartbeat. Yes. it could be difficult, being he was not all that popular in Kalispell, but, no matter. Tuc Millegan wanted to head back east and that would take money, not just that but there was something about an ill relative, so selling out had an ulterior motive, but also, he needed to be gone as quickly as possible.
The price would stave off many possible buyers, the five thousand dollar opening bid amount would eliminate many that might show an interest, but Elias, Elias had that much money in his bureau draw. And certainly that much, and more, sat in old man Wentworth's bank. This brought his thoughts to who could act as an intermediary for Elias, not that cash on the barrelhead needed one, but perhaps Tuc would rather Elias did not buy his company. Strange as that may seem, it was a definite possibility.
Then another wild thought came to him, Leah Steelgrave, would she act for her father, or might she somehow become a competitor in this bidding war that he was already imagining? Word, of course, would spread like wildfire among those he might be able to afford the company, which would certainly include the Pikes, and maybe even Marshal Guyer. Then there was Mason Aldridge, currently building the hospital for Leah Steelgrave. The damned horse was just not moving fast enough!
Tag @JulieS, @Bailey
A town is only as good as the timbers that form its buildings.
When Christoph opened the paper over his second cup of coffee, his silvery eyebrows rose. Tuc Millegan was selling? It was a sign of the times. Things were changing in Kalispell.
He scanned the article quickly, noting the starting price of 5,000 dollars. That would knock lots of people out then and there. Not him, although the price still was a hefty one. It would be an investment, yes. Christoph had done well in Kalispell so far but had never gambled on anything like this.
If only there was someone to go in with on the bidding. He ran through the possibilities in his head. Wentworth, Aldridge...it would make sense for him to join forces with Aldridge since they were working closely on the hospital, but they were two distinct companies. It could mean trouble later on if they tried to split resources. No, he had to do this on his own or not do it at all.
Not all gambles ended badly, though. The freight company would pay for itself. And if the rumors about the railroad happened to come true and he was in control of the only freight company...he'd be well positioned to make everything back, many times over.
Christoph drained the rest of his coffee, tucked the paper under his arm, and headed for the door. He needed to pay a visit to the bank.
He turned off the Whitefish Trail onto the Evergreen without slowing down, Dirt and dust flying from his horse's hooves as he raced for the ranch house, This would be news Elias would want, and possibly to act on. Of course, he could not be sure what Elias might do about anything, least of all a stage line. The last he knew the man was obsessed with Thorton and the Lost Lake Ranch, but that would always be a burr under the man's saddle until it was settled one way or another.
The animal's rump dropped as Latham hauled the reins back and stepped off before the animal came to a complete stop, tossing the leather ribbons over the hitch rail and jogging up to the front door, bursting in without knocking!
"Elias!" He called, "Tuc Milligan is auctioning off the stage line, lock stock, and barrel!"
"You don't say." Elias said stepping out of the parlor, "Come in, come in. And how would this affect me, Cole?"
"I recall you had said something about acquiring property in town some time back, and this, well, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire the man's operation. I mean, you wouldn't have to put your name on it if you didn't want to, and there's a good profit to be made with the routes he has secured. Yes, the railroad will be somewhat of a detractor, but there is a lot of Montana that won't be serviced by the train. Any train, for some time to come, I'd wager."
"Well yes, that's true. And there is something to be said about having all that property, horses, and coaches, and, they could always be sold at a profit." Elias agreed, already turning it over in his head. "The problem would be Tuc, you know he and I don't have the best of relationships."
"Yes, there would be that fly in the ointment." Cole conceded. "Perhaps then we would need an intermediary on your behalf, but who?"
"Yes, who?" Elias replied.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Questions, questions, questions. It would seem that everyone had them about Tuc Millegan and his stage line sale. People who had to intention of bidding on it, not with a five thousand dollar starting bid, had them as well. Yes, Milligan had the business sewen up in that part of the territory. and there was always the possibility to create a freight line as well.
But that would mean going head to head with Addy Chappel, the woman who had the only freight business east of Helena, and so far as anyone knew, it was not for sale or on the auction block, but trying to go up against her would depend on the loyalty of her customers, and therein lies the problem, she is well liked and respected.
Now what on earth would anyone want with a stage line if the railroad was coming, God knows when. Well there are a lot of towns that will never see a foot of track, and there will need to be a reliable way for people to travel between these points except on horseback. That is where Millegan made his money. That would be where whoever was willing to pony up the money for it would hope to recoup his investment.
Saturday noon, that was when we'd all find out who that man would be.
As Mason got ready to go to the sale, he reminded himself about why it made sense to buy the Millegan stageline. It was true that the railroad would eventually make it Kalispell but it was still some way off...heck the first part of the rail track hadn't even been laid yet. Until then, people would need a way to get to Kalispell from Helena and all of the other areas that the rail line wasn't going to.
The town was already shaping up to be the main one in the region, especially for the few settlements that were within a day or two ride. The stage would be a godsend for those wanting to travel by train from those outlying areas as well. Then there was the constant migration from those coming in from the east that needed to get somewhere, not to mention the lucrative mail contract which made buying the stageline a good investment.
Having notified his brother about the impending sale and his plans by telegram, Mason was glad that Stephen approved. Now, all there was to do was to get down the stageline's main building and hopefully purchase the business. There wasn't going to be much competition, so it would be a quick and easy transaction to make.
Satisfied that all was well, Mason picked up his hat and began to make his way to what would soon be the Millegan-Aldridge Stageline.
"Elias! We need to head for town, time is of the essence here. If you want it, you best go after it." Cole Latham implored.
"A moment Cole. I need my valise." Elias said. "I believe that cash money would talk louder than anyone's objections to my purchasing the stage line, and if there is a suitable partner present, well then, that would solve the problem of personalities wouldn't it?" If there was one thing Elias knew it was that he was just possibly the least like man in Kalispell, including the town inebriate Ezra Klienfeld.
"I'm afraid your bidding would add a hefty sum to the price," Latham worried, even though it was not his money to be worried about.
"Oh I understand that, sort of a penalty fee to improve the line." Elias said, pulling on his coat and taking up his valise, which in reality was a satchel. But then who was to argue?
-------
An hour and a half later, give or take, the buggy with Latham and a jostled Elias Steelgrave rolled into town, setting the stage for the upcoming auction.
Oh, the cleverness of me!
It was bad enough that he had to sell, but when Tuc saw Elias Steelegrave arrive, he felt his heart sink. He'd been praying that the man hadn't gotten the news of the sale, or just didn't care, but here he was, and there was no backing down. The procedure was in the hands of the auctioneer, so Millegan couldn't do anything about it but hope Steelegrave was outbid, which wasn't likely.
Of course, that meant more money for the business, but Tuc Millegan was concerned about what Steelegrave might do to his business. This was the only stage line in the area, so he could raise prices, make life miserable for the customers...
Well, maybe Steelegrave was just here to observe.
Mason was talking to another gentleman, when Elias Steelgrave walked into the room. Even though he hadn't met the man, there was no doubt who he was judging by the looks and whispers that had been prompted by his arrival. In a way, he was surprised and yet he wasn't. A stage line was an expensive business to buy and only those with deep pockets would be able to afford the asking price. Thankfully his own pockets were deep and so it looked like it was going to be an interesting day.
Now, there were only one or two major players were left to show up and after that the bidding would start.
@ [Bailey]
@ [Bongo]
@ [Flip