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Episode 6

Lars Wolf
Apr 5, 2017
2 min read

Hartley, Texas

Farmer Warren Deemer, who lives near Amarillo, tells Hartley County sheriff Virgil Panhandle, that one of the members of the Dodson gang would be in Hartley. During a saloon visit, he was able to follow a conversation in which the man was talking about a hideout near Hartley. Deemer is quite certain that the man he saw would be "English Pete". On Pete Southgate a reward of 2000 dollars was issued. He was involved in the bank robbery at Jetmore (Kansas).

After the bank heist in Jetmore, the Dodson gang is also pursued by the US Army. The members were dispersed, making it difficult for the persecutors to find them. The bounty hunter Michael Buston hunted Perry Looney as far afield as Springfield (Missouri) and could subdue him there. "English Pete" escaped in the southern direction, to Texas.

The Sheriff of Hartley County passed the information to the Texas Rangers. They are now looking for the area around Hartley and hope, they will be successful.

After the Ranger followed Pete Southgate to New Mexico, they can finally overwhelm him south of the Rabbit Ear Mountain.

"English Pete" has now no chance to escape and must be defeated.

After the long ride back to Texas, Texas ranger William Willits hands the prisoner to Sheriff Virgil Panhandle. Panhandle says to "English Pete": "Pete, I have the best wooden bed I could find. I hope you are glad about it, because so many moments of happiness will not be experienced for the upcoming time!"

Auguste Delacroix asks the sheriff, whether he can talk with the prisoner. Delacroix is an ordnanceman and rides with Francis Oury and Vicente Cárdeñas. The three are a well-established team and do every job together. It was his plan to ask Southgate a couple of questions, so he might be able to figure out, where the other members currently are. When Delecroix introduces hisself, the sheriff wonders at the man's name and asks him if he can repeat it. Delacroix does him the favor. Then the sheriff asks him how this name is written. After the Delacroix also explained this, the sheriff says that this name should be pronounced "De la Cruz". Delacroix informs the irritated sheriff that he is a Frenchman. The sheriff does not want to believe. Furthermore he denied him the conversation with the prisoner.

Delecroix is waiting for the departure at the Wells Fargo post, but it is delayed because of problems with the roof of the carriage. The coachman Bernard Holmes noticed a crack. He is afraid that the baggage is too heavy. He tells the passengers to take only the most important luggage. For a repair is no time, says John Kind of Wells Fargo. Mary Ann Maples, a passenger who is also on her way to Bisbee, is anything but enthusiastic. John Kind confirms to her again that the luggage will be delivered with a special coach.

The Wells Fargo stagecoach No.1 is on its the way to Bisbee. In Santa Fe, there will be a longer stopover because the roof of the carriage will be repaired. The luggage, which is left in Hartley, is then received there.