It was a short ride from the Municipal Building to the Bank of Kalispell. But Pike had taken a detour to the old Brewery building to give it the once over. This was what Em and he had decided on to house a pumper when one was acquired. He stepped down and looked at the two-story brick building, wondering why it had not already sold. But then maybe it was so that it could be used for something more important. He peered through the windows, noting that the vats were no longer there, probably moved to a new location, so the ground floor was ready for whatever.
Being the curious type, Pronto could not help trying the door knob, and it was unlocked, so he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The place still reeked of whiskey, easily remedied, he thought. So he went to the staircase and walked up to see what was on the second floor. There was a large room off to the right, on the left, two offices, doors standing ajar, a third room that was the kitchen with space to spare, perhaps a small dining room. Better served if it was below, he thought. On the right was one more room of fair size; there were half a dozen closets lining the left side and a long plank bench in front.
Plenty of windows in every room, all in good repair. He was amazed as he walked back to the staircase and started down. The place in actually perfect for any number of businesses, but it would work just fine for a fire department. Kalispell's Fire Department.
Pike stepped outside the building and closed the door behind him, taking one last look at the inside through the wavy glass of the window in the door. It was perfect, or at least he thought so. He gathered the reins as he stepped off of the boardwalk and swung into the saddle, reining the roan over and starting up the street toward the next stop, the bank.
He was contemplating what he wanted to do and how his choices might impact his community going forward. Odd, he thought, that a known gunman would think that way, but he was a rancher, a husband, a father, and a lawman now, and the reputation of the past was just that, the past.
He stopped at the Bank of Kalispell and stepped down, flipping the reins over the hitch rail before stepping up on the boardwalk and starting to enter the bank as a lady was walking out, he paused and tipped his hat and said, "Ma'am" as he allowed her to pass by, then he stepped inside and smiled as he could see Luke Johnson behind the cage.
"Like to see Mister Wentworth, Luke, if he's in."
@JulieS
No one is as important enough to walk wherever he wants. He's bound to run into something that will stop him.
Luke smiled, "Good morning, Mister Pike."
He wasn't too sure what to call the man since he was a rancher and a deputy. So calling him mister was the safest bet. "I'll just go and see if Mister Wentworth is available."
A couple of minutes later, Luke returned to the main office area with some folders. "You can go right in, Mister Pike."
Charles stood up ready to greet one of his good customers, "Morning, Barnabas. I'm guessing that this visit has something to do with your personal finances and not with the law."
"Morinin' Charles. No, not official business, personal, well, anyway, I'm here about the old brewery building. Need to ask how much, and my reason is that it'll be a grand firehouse. Well, once we get ourselves a pumper." Pike explained."Town needs the pumper, and it needs a fire house. I gave 'er a looking over, and she'd be fine for it. Got everything oit needs."
"Of, before I forget, is there an account for this 'Founders Day' thing they're plannin'?" He asked. He liked the idea, what he'd heard of it and he wanted to help out. Sure in the thought that Em would too once she heard about it, and who was involved in this project.
@JulieS
No one is as important enough to walk wherever he wants. He's bound to run into something that will stop him.
"The old brewery building would make a fine fire station," Charles said in a thoughtful tone, "I don't think anybody gave it a thought until now, not even the town council. Perhaps that is something they have on their to do list. Even though my son is mayor, I am not privileged to what he and the other council members have planned for the town until they make it public."
Getting up from his desk, he motioned to Pike to sit before going to the door and opening it. "Luke, can you get me the file on the old brewery building."
Returning to his seat, Charles sat down and smiled, "While we wait for that file, we can quickly discuss the other matter about Founders Day. Yes, there is an account...Marshall Guyer opened it a few days ago. All you need to do is to let Luke or one of the other tellers know that you wish to make a deposit into that account and they will do the rest."
A minute or so later, Luke walked in with the file and handed it over to Charles. After quickly perusing the contents, Charles turned to Pike, "Now, when the bank acquired this building, we did an inspection because even though the building looks in good shape, I wanted to make sure that it was solid. I have that report if you wish to read it. However, I do have to ask if you will be running the fire house yourself or do you intend to do some sort of deal with the town."
"Well, Charles, I was just going to buy the place in the hope that we could come by a pumper and have the sense of security that it would bring folks here abouts. Beats the gtar lout of a bucket brigade!" He said and then added, "As far as the Town Council, hadn't give it much thought as to what I'll do, Make some arrangement, that's for sure. I just figured I best go ahead and buy the thing and then worry on getting the pumper for it."
"I understood that Dutton Peabody had a line on a pumper that was for sale. Once this deal is done here for the building, I'll wire him about it. Bring it all to the Council at the next meeting an' see what they want ta do." Which seemed to be a good plan to him. "At the moment, it's an investment in the community, what happens next, I can't say, because I have no idea what the community will want to do."
He smiled, "Not asking for a special deal on the place. I want it to be a fair deal for both sides." He added, "And thanks about the 'Founders Day' thing. It really does sound like something good for the town, both the folks and the businesses."
@JulieS
Storyteller / Shared NPC
A side note of interest:
Now, the pumper idea had not left Dutton Peabody's mind, but the buisness of the Territory took precedence over help for one small town almost two hundred miles away. Oh, it was important not just to Dutton but to Governor Samuel Houser as well, and there were reminders left everywhere about the need for the growing community who relied on a bucket brigade!
Dutton had found one, but it was gone. Deer Lick had swooped it up, so when he could, Dutton searched for another one. And it was not exactly like they were everywhere, and towns were trying to get rid of them. On the contrary, towns across the state were searching high and low for the same thing, a good used pumper, no matter the size, so long as the price was right. And wasn't that true of everything?
It was over tea Houser asked Peabody how the search was going.
"I haven't had time with the flurry of States buisness we've been dealing with. But I'm looking, that's for sure."
"Well," The Governor said, "Keep at it. I'm rather fond of that town, and I'd like to see if we can't help with this for them."
"That I will, you can count on it, sir, just a question of time and availability. We lost the one we were dickering on to Deer Lick, but there will be others, just when, where, and how much." Dutton said enthusiastically, "I'll be able to get things going again after this legislature."
No one is as important enough to walk wherever he wants. He's bound to run into something that will stop him.
"Well, I can't fault anybody who wants to try and improve the town. I don't think any of the town council would either," Charles replied.
He smiled a little, "As for the Founders Day account...well, as a banker I always like opening new accounts. Good for business, as they say."
For a minute or two, he looked over the price for the old brewery. Considering that Pike was looking at it as something to benefit others and not his own pocket, Charles decided that a discount might be in order. "Since you plan to put the building to good use, I think the bank can afford to take two hundred dollars off the asking price. If you're agreeable, we can draw up the papers straight away."
"Well, that is most generous of you, Charles, and I do appreciate that. What would the final cost be? Although I think that we have a deal." Barnabas said. "And if there are other properties around town or even in the area, maybe you could make up a list for me. Em and I are talking about investing in the town that has done so much for us. The firehouse, I believe, is just the start."
"There is quite a lot of open range to the east of my spread, I'd like to know if it's owned. If not, I'll be staking my claim to it, and I'd need to register it here in town, I'm thinking." He added. "Wanting to expand the herd and my holdings."
No one is as important enough to walk wherever he wants. He's bound to run into something that will stop him.
Charles told Pike what the final price was before addressing his question on other buildings that were available in town. "The brewery was the largest one but there are a few others that are still vacant. I've had a few enquiries into those so you will have a lot of competition if you want any of them. The main problem is that most of the interested parties are waiting to hear officially that the railroad will be coming as nothing has been confirmed by the governor or the rail company. Once final confirmation is received you can be sure that will be a rush."
He opened one of the drawers in his desk and pulled out a piece of paper, "I've had a few of these drawn up listing all available properties that the bank currently owns."
Leaning over a little, he handed the paper to Pike, "As for your ranch...expanding your herd and holdings would be the safest option at this stage. No use buying a building in town and making plans for it only to find out that the railroad isn't coming."