Yankton

Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Yankton's Gold

I guess it was too much to expect that news of our "discovery" would remain a secret. After we had the gold assayed, it was over to the bank for deposit, as for the horses we "recovered" the sheriff asked if he could take them, ""It's the only way I can maintain a small account to pay rewards for men like Charlie Givens." Wishing to stay on Bullock's "good" side I turned the horses over to him. As Mark and I were coming out of the general store we were confronted by some truly fine citizens asking us where we had found all that gold. I was about to dismiss them when I had an idea. "If you gentlemen will stake us to a couple beers we'll be glad to tell you, prospecting is not really for us and the place we panned for what we found is damn hard to find." The eager crowd followed us over to the very saloon where Hickok was shot earlier this year, Nuttal and Mann's saloon number 10, and once we had our beers and were seated, I began. "We came across an elderly Kiowa by the name of Prairie Dog, over near Crooks Tower, he had fallen off his horse and broken his leg, Mark here fixed him up, and we found some of his people to take care of him. In gratitude, he drew us a map in the dirt we had to commit to memory, are any of you familiar with that area south of here with all those tall pointy rock formations, I think I've heard them called the "needles." Two men said they had, and knew where I was talking about.

"Well there's one rock in particular that as the sun comes up casts a shadow on the rocks behind it, it's a little taller than the others you can't miss it. Anyway that shadow points to a small opening in the rocks you can just barely squeeze through, and I'm telling you boys, ya gotta be quick 'cause that shadow only sticks around for about five minutes or so. Anyway what we found once we got through that opening simply blew our minds. Inside it was like a box canyon, with a small creek running through it." Now I was at the point where it was all I could do to keep a straight face, Mark knew what I was doing, and looked nervous, but I "Soldiered" on. "The canyon walls had streaks running five yards, ten yards wide, gold dust in every clump of brush, you, you couldn't put a pan in the creek without showing color. The place appears to be an ancient Indian burial ground, lots of those frames the Indians like to put their dead on, place is creepy as hell, you could feel as if someone was always watching you, Christ, I'm telling you boys you don't even want to be there at night, Mark and I ended up shooting at shadows, I'd say more but you men would think I'd lost my mind. Needless to say we got the f**k out of there the next morning taking just what we could carry, but it's there, find it if you dare!" This admission sent an already emotionally charged crowd off in a frenzy, led by the two men who were sure they knew where we were talking about, leaving Mark and I to our beers, after which we headed home.

As we rode back up the hill Mark said to me, "Obviously you saw "McKenna's Gold as well, man I didn't think you were going to keep it together, you are certainly one master "bull shitter" my friend." I grinned, "For some reason, the speech Edward G. Robinson gave that pitted them all against each other has always stuck in my mind." As we neared the cabin I noticed Montana's buggy out in front. Inside, we found three women sitting at the table laughing and giggling, my sister and Montana appeared to be smoking, Melonie was apparently telling a joke, and all three women were apparently drinking, as there was a bottle of Bacardi Silver on the table. "Well it looks like your busy corrupting these ladies dear sister, Montana, I didn't know you smoked?" Montana looked at me with a glint in her eye, "I've been known to…On occasion, Melinda let me try one of these modern cigarettes, they're quite good actually, but this rum, quite enjoyable really."

Montana then said,

"Brian, your sister is truly a remarkable woman, she was telling us about all the freedoms women of your time enjoy."

"Yes, replied Melonie, "The fact that My becoming a doctor was frowned upon, drew me to some of the suffragette literature and ideas, I'm so tickled to find that our efforts have finally paid off." I couldn't think of a witty reply, so I thought talk of money would peak their interest.

"Well ladies, it's payday, but not you Melinda, not yet anyway." I then doled out $200.00 to Montana and Melonie This money comes from several sources," I told them. "Plus we have enough to buy lumber, and hire a carpenter to help me get our saloon and medical office up and running, any questions?" Both women wanted to know exactly how we came by all this money, so Mark and I told them our story of betrayal, panning for gold, and treachery, with my sister getting hung up with the details of the men we killed. "Everything's cool Melinda," I said, "It's just like we're back in Afghanistan." "This is certainly a nice start," said Montana, as she counted out her share, "Now don't forget," I replied, "Anything we can get for you in 2013 all you have to do is let Melinda here know." "That reminds me," said Montana, holding up a piece of paper, "Melinda showed me this outfit from the place Melonie got that nurses ' dress, I think they call it the "Lottie Caltrop" outfit." She showed me the page copied from the website. I snickered, "I saw that, it should be the "Montana" outfit., but we'll get it for you." Montana then prepared to leave, "I have to be getting back to Dora's," then she turned to me and with a sly grin on her face, "Everybody down at Dora's really appreciates what you and Mark are doing for them, both of you are regular hero's."

"How are the condoms holding out?" I snickered," Montana smiled, "Quite nicely, thank you." "You're charging a fair price for everything?" I asked. "Oh absolutely she replied, these ladies are my friends, we look out for each other." She then approached me and whispered in my ear, "They keep asking me when I'm going to "share" you, but I don't know, I think I like it better having you all to myself, speaking of which…" I whispered back into her ear, "You know, I'm a pretty adventurous guy, always up for a "threesome," if that doesn't sound too kinky?" Montana studied me for a moment, then started for the door, then turned and with a grin on her face said, "If you're a good boy, then perhaps." She then sauntered out the door. Melinda then called out "Lining up some "action" are we?" "Behave yourself young lady!" I shot back, "Tomorrow you're going home." "Aww damn! She replied, then directing her attention to Melonie, she excitedly asked, "Say Mel, want to come with me, we could go shopping, check out some places…" Melonie returned a polite smile, "Thank you for the offer, Melinda, but I really cannot neglect my studies, Mark has an exam coming up and I really do need to study, maybe another time." "Oh well, you're probably right, still it would have been fun."

Pausing for a moment, Melonie said, "There's another reason Melinda. Although I've been to your time, I've never stepped from the house, I'm afraid that actually moving around in your society would terrify me, I hear Mark and Brian talking, and I keep thinking that maybe I'm not supposed to see these things, I would feel like an interloper in another time, I realize all this may sound silly to you, but when you come here, you already know what you'll find, as well as what things will be like. As for me, I'm witnessing things and events not meant for my eyes to see." Melinda went over and placed her hand on Melonie's shoulder, "It's all right Melonie, I understand, but the offer remains open, I like you and just thought you might like a break from these two once in awhile." Melonie smiled, "Thank you Melinda I appreciate it, but your brother is quite the gentleman as is Mark, both of them have done so much for me, I'll be just fine."

Later that evening, while Mark and Melonie sat together in a corner of the kitchen, Melinda and I sat quietly talking, "So what do you think of 1876," I asked, "I like Melonie and Montana," she replied, the rest of it kinda sucks, I'm a modern girl I need my phone and stuff." "Well tomorrow, we'll head home, Mark is staying here with Melonie, so I'll get you started, then return back here once the unit is recharged."

Before we left the next morning both women hugged each other goodbye, and before long we were standing in the chamber initiating the program that would take us home. Everything went smoothly which is the way I liked it, so I take extra pains to make sure everything is up to snuff before I start punching buttons, as well as after we arrive.

The week I spent in 2013 was busy as hell, I spent a lot of time with Melinda showing her what I wanted, setting up two separate computers, with printers, opening an e-bay account, making sure she knew how to pack stuff, going over the in's and out's of selling both on e-bay as well as the gun auctions. I believed in my sister, and she responded in kind. We got our feet wet by offering three Colt single action revolvers setting a reserve at just slightly over $3000.00. We also offered a couple Winchester 1866 lever actions made in 1868, both were excellent shape with one of them having a Henry address. Before I left, it was snapped up for $5000.00, as was one of the pistols a Colt single action with U.S. Artillery markings going for close to $6000.00. The rest of the pistols and rifles were going for around $2000 to $3000 dollars, the leather gear including holsters and such were around $100.00. The capper of course was one of the gold coins I took off Charlie Givens, I even waited an extra two days due to the auction. The coin in question was an 1860 Liberty head ten dollar gold piece in excellent condition, Charlie must have been hanging onto it for some reason. It was a Dahlonega mint issued coin $49,577, Melinda and I fell out of our chairs at that one. However we got it securely sent out and received our payment through PayPal.

When I left 2013 we had roughly $66,000 in our account, an amount I wrestled with my conscious about. I knew it would become a sore point with Montana and probably Melonie as well but then all of the medical supplies, as well as condoms came from the general account as well. I left Melinda in complete charge of everything, she seemed up to the task, so I crossed my fingers. I returned with all sorts of construction tools and supplies, nails, locks hinges, a couple small generators, a wood splitter and post hole digger. The old "Wayback" machine really worked hauling everything back in time, but when I reached 1876 Deadwood, I did a complete diagnostic on it, everything looked good, so I whispered a little prayer for the good professor. I arrived around late morning on a Wednesday in late September, I could only guess what Mark and Melonie had been up too, both wore sheepish looks on their faces. The following day, I installed a solid deadbolt lock on the cabin while Mark and Melonie laded up the buckboard, and we headed for our little homestead, soon to become a saloon.

For the next two weeks we busted our asses, working ten to twelve hours a day building our dream, on the third day God answered my prayers and sent me a helper in the form of a scrappy little Irish guy by the name of Colin Murphy, but more on him later. Montana stopped by on several occasions to see how things were coming, and offer suggestions as to saloon layout, and rooms for the "girls" she planned to hire. One day we'd work on the saloon, the next the small general store, or the clinic, then the barn. The days were starting to get colder, as well as more rain, but we soldiered on. Because we were so pushed for time, I broke down and hired two more men, so in all we had five guys all working away. Melonie did real yeoman's service by cooking hot meals as well as a pot of coffee always ready. Another thing I was doing was using modern power tools. A circular saw, power nailer, well drilling auger, and a spray gun to paint with. By their curious looks, I knew the other men had questions, but Mark and I never said a word.

Whenever Mark or I would use the saw or a drill we got strange looks, but we'd just smile

and not say a word. As far as the saloon went, it was mostly a matter of building upwards, and remodeling of the main room. We added another level containing four small bedrooms, with a "one seater" privy utilizing a sheet metal pipe encased in a wood framed casement.

We also hand dug a water well using a power auger, which thankfully we didn't have to go real deep. I ended up making two more trips back to 2013, to load up with supplies, pipe, small wood stoves or the bedrooms, and containers of spray insulation. Some of the "modern" touches included sprayed on foam insulation inside the upstairs walls as well as a couple downstairs. The walls were then covered with lath and plastered, with wallpaper finishing it up. We were also able to add one cold water line up to the second floor using a hand pump. Colin's skill with bricklaying came in real handy, adding brick pads and backstops for the woodstoves. We built a nice bar, and while it wasn't as fancy as some I'd seen, but it incorporated some modern touches, Montana loved it so that's all that mattered.

By the time the first snow hit near the end of October, we had the saloon pretty much wrapped up except for beds and a few other pieces of furniture. The clinic was done, as were two tent shelters. The little store was three quarters finished with the barn still needing a few things as well. Even during all this, we still found a little time to prospect the creek in front of our place, pulling out a "whopping" fifty dollars in dust. This went right back into the building fund which was completely gone by the time we had our grand opening just before Christmas.

Before we did that, a private celebration was held, with just Colin, Howard, Thomas, Charlie, Henry, and Sam our carpenters. There was free food and drink, I also presented each carpenter with a twenty dollar gold piece,

"Just a little bonus for you gentlemen," I said, "You've all done a great job here and I truly appreciate it. Stop by anytime, the first two drinks will always be free, we'll be adding on from time to time so chances are you will be able to get some more work around here." This seemed to please them all, however Henry was bold enough to ask,

"Sir, might we get a look at them strange contraptions you was usin?" I looked at him and frowned,

"Sorry guys," I replied, "I'd like to oblige but I really can't, for reasons you wouldn't understand, if you all lead long and productive lives you might get your answer just before you die."

The "Open house" went off great, Montana and I stood together as I asked her,

"Is this what you wanted?" Reaching over and kissing me on the cheek she purred,

"Oh yes, thank you Brian, thank you very much."