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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-07-21, Page 6—r* <*AWOCA*rER * •r Vie FEUD at j SINGLE, SHOT By Luke Short SYNOPSIS With his partner, Rosy Rand, Dave Turner is on his way to his ranch at Single Shot. Both are returning from prison where they have served sen­ tences for unjust convictions. On the train, which is carrying a large sum of money, Rosy's quick action and straight shooting foils a hold-up while Dave saves the life of Martin Quinn, a gambler, who is being threatened • by a desperado. Stopping at Single Shot, the sheriff tells Dave he is not wanted. Quinn defends Dave but Dave and Rand go to Soledad to meet Mary, Dave’s sister, and proceed on horseback to the ranch. Mary reveals she is married and tells Dave that the ranch is doing poorly, being beset by nesters and involved in a claim dispute. Suddenly a shot from the darkness topples Dave from his horse. Rosy fires and kills the unknown as sailant and they rush to the ranch to treat Dave’s severe scalp wound. Next morning, at breakfast, Dave and Rosy discover that Mary is now cooking for the ranch hands—a bad sign. Af­ ter discussing financial matters with Mary, Dave and Rosy saddle horses and leave for Single Shot to deliver M corpse to the sheriff and see the "town 'banker. Identity of corpse re­ veals him to be ex-employee of Ham­ mond’s. Dave, Rosy and the sheriff immediately confront Hammond with facts. Fight between Hammond and Dave prevented by sheriff. Dave plans io raise alfalfa on his land and use money to pay off mortgage. Someone blew up the lake, Hammond thought it was Dave and the latter suspected Hammond or his men. * * * In a great, screeching shudder, the main building upended and was dis­ solved in the flood. He could hear the water slap against the far bank jof the creek-bed a hundred yards be- 'low the mine. Then it died, almost as suddenly as it had begun. He could hear the arroyo running loud and full, but the bulk of the water had passed. He waited, his ankle throbbing vic­ iously. Were any of the men saved? Was Dorsey? , > n '“Better stay here,” he thought dul­ ly. “If I try to move I’ll faint and will just as likely as not fall face •down in a pool of water and drown.” All the horror and desolation and cruelty of it was increased ten-fold briefly, and by the weak dawn light. A murder­ ous fury filled him. Turner would pay sheriff said flatly, and there was a for this with his life as long as a deep, warning menace in his voice, -drop of Buck Hammond’s blood ran red. In his rage, he clutched at the jagged rocks until his hands bled. They found him there unconcscious. “It’s gone,” Dave said, looking at the boulder-strewn ground where the mine had been. “Insurance,” Rosy said bitterly. “Insures the mine then blows a lake out on top of it.” As they pulled down into the mouth of the arroyo they saw men working frantically. One of the men spied them and waved them over. “Give us a hand, will you?” the; man asked, his face streaming with « sweat. ! “There’s seven men down this mine | shaft. The mouth’s clogged with i boulders and mud and there’s just’a j chance they may be alive. They was 1 I reckon. He Can you give crowbars and taken to Dr. rode through down there when the lake went out up above " Rosy looked at Dave, who turned to the man. “Hammond isn’t down there is he?" “No. He’s in town, got hurt a little" “How bad?” “Not bad, I heard, us a lift?” “Sure," Dave said. “They -worked with shovels for an hour. Hammond had been Fullerton’s and they town to the main corner, turned left at the Free Throw and easily found the doctor’s house a half block above. It was a frame house neatly painted white, with a deep yard and a huge glassed-in porch at the side. This was the Single Shot hospital. “Is Hammond in here?”he asked the woman who opened the door. “Yes, What do you want?” “On the porch?” “Of course. But he can’t see any one.” Dave simply shouldered past her. “I thought so,” a flat toneless voice THE WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES ■» Thursday, July 21st, 1938 and in the far one Hammond was ly­ ing propped up on a. pillow. Dorsey was sitting on the foot of his bed, but Dave did not even see her. He walked across the room slowly. “You murderin’, bushwhackin’, wat- er-thieyin' skunk!” Dave said slowly and distinctly, his voice quivering with •‘contempt. He had hardly fin­ ished speaking before Dorsey was on her feet facing him. She slapped him sharply across the face, but Dave did not stir. Hammond groaned in his rage. “You couldn't get the lake so you had to ruin it for me,” Dave contin­ ued, his voice slow and thick'. “Ruin it, and drown seven of your own men doin’ it . Just for revenge,” “That’s a damned lie!” Hammond thundered, suddenly, finding his voice. In spite of his pain, he lunged up in bed and pointed a blunt finger at Dave. “You did it yourself. You blew that lake tfut to ruin the Draw Three because you knew that water was mine!” Dave’s mouth slacked in amaze­ ment at Hammond’s words, and he looked dumbly at Rosy who 1 -s? “You contemptible, sneaki ng jailbirds." Dorsey said. said. Dave stopped. It was the sheriff’s voice. “I got guns throwed on you,” the sheriff said. your own." “Get out “You better hand over of the way,” Dave said took a step forward. “I wouldn’t go no further,” the “Give me them guns," the sheriff said, recognizing his advantage. “Talk to him all you want, but give me them guns. There’s a woman in there.” Dave sighed loudly. “All right, Hank,”he said bleakly. “But I’m warnin’ you. You and all the deputies you can swear in in sev­ en years ain’t goin’ to keep me from killin’ Hammond.” “I know that,” the sheriff said. “I’m just tryin’ to put it off until the fight’s a little more even. Now hand them guns over, both of you.” He received the four guns and then wedged them in his belt, then opened the door and backed through it onto the porch. “Now come on,” he said quietly. Dave stepped through the door. There were four beds on the porch was standing just beside him. “Why— why”—he looked back at Hammond and his face was black with fury — “you think I—why damn you—” “Killed seven men!” Hammond roared. “Seven men, and you ain’t fit to wipe the boots of a &ne of ’em.” Dave lunged. Lorsey screamed and Rosy lunged at the sheriff. “Get those guns, ■> Dave!” Rosy clipped out, and he crooked his el­ bow around the sheriff’s neck. “I did it! I did it” the sheriff roar­ ed, half strangled. These damning words, shouted at the top of the sheriff’s lungs, arrest­ ed Rosy and Dave. The sheriff twist­ ed out of Rosy’s arm, his hand streak­ ing to his gun. “Thanks, Rand,” he said .dryly. He looked at Hammond and Dave. “I wondered when you two jaspers would tumble to this.” The three men looked at each oth­ er blankly. “You damn knot-headed fools,” the sheriff said;. “Calm down enough to look at it. Why would Hammond blow the dam out and ruin his mine and drown seven men?” He turned to Hammond. “And you, Buck. You are older. You should have saw it all along. Turner thinks that lake is his, whpther it is or not. Would he blow out that dam and spoil every drop of water on his spread — ruin it ~ just to ruin you?” Hammond looked at Dave, then at Rosy, “You mean,” Rosy said slowly, “that some one else did it?” “That’s it,” the sheriff grunted. “The hombre that did it wanted Turn­ er to think Hammond done it, and wanted Hammond to think Turner done it." Dave sank weakly on a bed and Stared at Hammond, The guilt had been so obvious to them both that they stared at each other, trying to collect their wits, Dorsey was sob­ bing, and Dave, for the first time, no­ ticed her, He blushed, but said no­ thing. “I reckon we’re a couple of fools," Hammond said. Dave nodded. . “There, there,” Hammond said patting Dorsey’s shoulder. “Oh, Dad,” she sobbed, might have killed have shot you,” "And I might Hammond said. “But you’re an Without a gun.” “1 “They you. They might have shot them,” old man. In bed. ................. She looked at Dave. 'Is that a trick you learned in jail?” “You contemptible, sneaking jail­ birds!” Dorsey said, then started to cry again. “Stop it, honey,” Hammond said. Hammond looked at Dave. “I rec­ kon she’s upset and don’t know what she’s sayin’.” “I—I guess I lost my temper," she said. “I’m sorry.” 4 “That’s all right,” Dave said quiet­ ly. “There may be a lot of truth in what youi said." Again Dorsey flushed, but held her tongue. "Mr/ Hammond,” Rosy began, “I reckon we owe apologies all around. We’ve all been, barkin up the wrong tree. Let’s get together and, try and settle this.” . Dave nodded glumly. “We’re-in the same boat. The spread ain’t worth the grass on it now, and your mine is just a pot-hole, from the looks of it.” “And it’ll stay that way,” Ham­ mond said. “I couldn’t raise the mon­ ey to have the water -pumped out of it.” “But who could have done it?” Rosy said. “Some one did. Was they wantin’ to ruin you, Hammond, or us?” “Dave and me don’t know many people around here. Dave’s been away eight years. I’m new. It looks like some one wanted to run you off that mine, Hammond—clean off. You got any enemies you think might do it?” Hammond shook his head. “I know people that don’t like me and I don’t like. Like Pearson, for instance. But that’s nacheral enough. “We were almost partners once.I got the Draw Three on a tip from a... - . - Tminin’ man J did a favor for once, was ranching about a hundred miles to the south, then, and I sold my spread and come up here. I tried to borrow money from Pearson. I had the option bought up, but I had to get the money to swing the deal. He wouldn’t have anything to do with it at first, but he finally sent east for a minin’ man to come and look the pro­ perty over. I never heard what the minin’ man said about it, but Pear­ son come around and wanted to buy up my option when it expired. I told him I wouldn’t sell, and that if I couldn’t get the money to mine it myself, I was goin’ to sell the option to a minin’ company. “Well, that brought Pearson ar­ ound. He agreed to put some money Business and Professional Directory, Wellington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Established 1840. Risks taken on all classes of insur­ ance at reasonable rates. Head Office, Guelph, Ont, ABNER COSENS, Agept Wingham. Dr. W. A. McKibben, B.A, PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Located at the Office of the Late Dr. II. W. Colbomc, Office Phone 54. Nights 107 PR, R. L. STEWART PHYSICIAN Telephone 29. J. W. BUSHFIELD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Money to Loan. Office — Meyer Block, Wingham .« Dr. Robt. C. REDMOND M.R.C.S. (England) L.R.C.P. (London) PHYSICIAN AND .SURGEON J. H, CRAWFORD Barrister, Solicitor, Notary, Etc. Successor to R. Vanstone. Wingham Ontario DR. W. M; CONNELL PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Phone 19. R. S. HETHERINGTON BARRISTER and SOLICITOR Office — Morton Block. Telephone No. 66, W. A. CRAWFORD, M.D. Physician and Surgeon Located at the office of the late Dr. J. P. Kennedy. Phone 15Q. Wingham F. A. PARKER OSTEOPATH All Diseases Treated. Office adjoining residence next to Anglican Church on Centre St. Sunday by appointment. Osteopathy Electricity Phone 272. Hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in it. Pearson kept puttin’ money in until I tumbled to what he was tryin’ to do. He was tryin’ to put so much money in it that he’d get control. Loan me out of the mine, so to speak. Well, I set my foot down. Pearson didn’t like it, and he hasn’t been ar­ ound since." “Think he’s forked?” Rosy asked. “No,” Hammond said immediately. “I don’t think so. He’s a sharp busi­ ness man, that is all. He wanted the mine. He tried to get it in a legitim­ ate way. He couldn’t and we disag­ reed. Some of his money is still’ in it.” “Then that’s o'uf on that score alo^ne. He wouldn’t want to lose his own money,” Rosy said. Lorsey patted her father’s arm. “Dad, why not sell out to Crowell. Take that -offer he made you this morning and buy the ranch back.” Dave leaned forward. “Sell out to who?” “Crowell,” Dorsey said. “He’s been interested in the mine. He happened to be in town last night and when he heard about the accident, he came ov­ er this morning and wanted dad to sell to him.” "You—” Dave began, then looked at Rosy. He shook himself and lean­ ed forward, talking rapidly. “Listen to this. For the past- year, Mary, my sister, has been gettin’ letters from a gent by the name of Crowell, askin’ her to put a price on the D Bar T spread. Those letters came about the time she was havin’ trouble with you, Hammond, over :. She thought if was you writin’ the letters under the name of Crowell. And you folks didn’t write the letters at all?”- “No,” Hammond said. “And you didn’t have this Crowell try to buy thq D Bar T for you?” “Turner, I couldn’t buy it.” (Continued Next Week) , Pat wanted to borrow some money from Michael who happened to have a small boy with him at the moment. “ ’Tis a fine kid you’have there, Mike,” said Pat. “A magnificent head and noble features. Could you lend me a couple of pounds?” “I could not,” replied Mike. “ ’Tis me wife’s child by her first husband.” HARRY FRYFOGLE Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director Furniture and Funeral Service Ambulance Service. Phones: Day 109 W. Night 109J. A I THOMAS FELLS AUCTIONEER ‘ REAL ESTATE SOLD Thorough Knowledge of Fann ° Stock. Phone 231, Wingham. It WiH Pay Yop to Have An EXPERT AUCTIONEER to conduct your sale. See T. R. BENNETT At The Royal Service Station. Phone 174W. < J. ALVIN FOX Licensed Drugless Practitioner CHIROPRACTIC - DRUGLESS THERAPY - RADIONIC EQUIPMENT Hours by Appointment Phone 191. Wingham j A. R. & F. E. DUVAL CHIROPRACTORS CHIROPRACTIC and ELECTRO THERAPY North Street Wingham Telephone 300. 9 A PLEA FOR NEWS If anyone has— Died, ■ Eloped, Married, Left town, Embezzled, Had a fire, Had a baby, Sold a farm, Been arrested, Broken Moved Bought Visited Swiped Been in a car accident That’s news — Telephone 34. a limb, to town, a home, your homey your silver, ? r l r SIDLEY WILL TO BE CONTESTED BY HEIRESS’ SON Richard Casson (UPPER LEFT), , bell Horlick Sidley’s will. Rev. F. E Perkins Bull's secretary, is bequeath-1 Powell (LOWER LEFT), of St. Bar- cd $2,000 tinder the terms of Mrs. Ba-; nabas church, was left $5,000. . midnight, July 15, Perkins Bull was Bull appeared in his nightshirt at the served with a summons to attend an door of his home, where Mrs. Sidley At jnquest Into the death of Mrs, Sidley, died (LEFT CENTRE). Previously By BETTY BARCLAY he eluded reporters •Who kept watch all day for his return from Montreal. Mrs. Sidley’s son announced he would contest his mother’s will. He claims knowledge of two previous wills that do not mention Perkins Bull, Under the last will St, Barnabas’ church (BIGHT CENTRE) is to receive $5,000. Rev, A, E. Baker (RIGHT) is pastor of Davenport Road United church, The bequest of $25,000, he said, would go to the endowment fund of the church. It is one of Tofonto*s most historic places of worship. Some time ago I spent a week­ end with a very dear friend. At breakfast, a glass of orange juice was placed before me. One sip and the breakfast was spoiled so far as I was concerned* Questioning carefully, I learned that my friend had reamed this juice the evening before and placed it in the refrigerator SO that It would be ice cold for breakfast. It was ice cold, but it was almost flavorless. Orange juice should be* consumed within thirty minutes after it is reamed. Mother Nature’s protect­ ing peel will hold the flavor for weeks or months, but the flavor be­ gins to disappear almost as Soon as the orange is reamed. Not even a covered container and an ice cold refrigerator will retain this flavor for more than a few minutes. I told this story as diplomatically as possible to that friend of mine. She tried serving ftesbly reamed isice from ice cold oranges and one more family quickly learned a les- son that is greatly needed by thousands of women. “Why it tastes one hundred per cent better” my friend said. “The children now clamor for their morning orange juice/’ Now, I could have become real technical and explained that orange juice standing overnight in a cover* ed container will lose approximate- ly ten per cent of its Vitamin G put after all, I was merely trying to teach a friend how to keep from destroying flavor — for flavor 9 J'P important at breakfast, and particularly in the first sip that passes your lips. Many restaurant and hotel chef® uud Cooks could well learn this simple lesson. Far too often they serve Grange juice that has stood for hours. It friends! It destroy® the flavor. Let Mother Nature jrork her magic in the flavor-retain­ ing peel until you are ready to serve your juice, Place the oranges in the refrigerator over* flight — not the orange juice.