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Episode 5

Lars Wolf
Mar 20, 2017
2 min read

Updated: Mar 13, 2020

Fort Riley, Kansas

The Fort Riley is an important military base in Kansas. It is no longer necessary for direct defense, as during the days of the American Civil War or the Indian Wars. Here are now some troops of the cavalry and the infantry stationed. The fort was founded as a military post in 1853 to ensure protection from the Oregon, California and the Santa Fe Trails. Many cowboys, who are on the transit, stop here and visit the saloons or stay overnight.

Lorne Frush and the blacksmith Josiah Foster are on their way to the fort. They work for Charles Gifford in Bisbee and together with a few cowboys they have brought a cattle herd to Dodge City. The cattles are taken by train to Chicago, where they are processed in the Union Stock yards. The two men will buy rifles and various other things in the Fort.

Francis Oury was in Lawrence and fetched Eli Lafferty. Both now ride to Fort Riley. Lafferty told Oury about the Jetmore attack. Oury said he was not interested in hunting someone of the Dodsen gang, because he has to ascertain what had happened in Cochise County. Michael Buston is said to have caught one of the members of the Dodsen gang. They have probably dispersed. "The other members can be everywhere," says Lafferty.

Oury and Lafferty are now right in front of the gate of the well-guarded fort.

Oury is catching sight of Thomas Wakefield, who works in the General Store of Fort Riley. Both have been friends for a long time. Wakefield has also often been able to help Oury with information on people who have been wanted.Thomas Wakefield has good connections to Topeka, Lawrence, Abilene, Wichita and Dodge City and Oury could often benefit from these connections, when he searched for people in Kansas.

A soldier on a guard tower has a good overview and observes the surrounding area.In the background you recognize the approached carriage of Lorne Frush and Josiah Foster.

Thomas Wakefield and Francis Oury are talking about the Jetmore attack. "Michael Buston was able to catch a member of the Dodson gang in Wichita. The others have probably ridden in the southern direction. Maybe they are now in Texas. If you want to make some money, I can accompany you to Texas. "Oury replies that he is on his way to Arizona. On the way, he will look for Vicente Cárdeñas in Santa Fe to pick him up. If Wakefield is interested and has no obligations, he can accompany him, he says.

Lorne Frush has now arrived with his coach and is welcomed by Thomas Wakefield.

Josiah Foster loads the carriage with the commodities that Charles Gifford ordered.

If Gifford needs weapons, he never buys them in the gun store in Bisbee, where almost only Mexicans work. In addition, he gets his rifles here in the fort somewhat cheaper, since he has good trade relations. After Lorne Frush and Josiah Foster have loaded everything, they relax a little in the saloon of the fort. The next morning they will going back home.