Chapter 9
Petersburg, Virginia
1891
The Colonel was wrestling with a calf attempting to place a small brand the day he received the telegram from the Bank of Phoenix, AZ. The telegram read:
Dear Colonel DeKay: It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Mr. Jacob Waltz of Maricopa County, Arizona. Mr. Waltz had entrusted The Bank of Phoenix with his last will and testament and instructions for the dispersal of his money, items of personal value, and real property. You, Colonel DeKay, are the sole benefactor of certain particulars, maintained here in the bank for safekeeping. These items will be here waiting for you upon your arrival.
Colonel DeKay thought about that telegram for almost a week. He then decided he had no reason to return to Arizona. He already had plent
