If this story is prohibited in your area, you are underage or gay sex offends you, then please leave! If you are looking for hard core sex, you won't find it here. However, there is some sex and reference to sex. The story plot and characters are fictional and any resemblance is just coincidental. Please feel free to email me and be sure to include the title in the subject line. j
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On the Move West
Chapter 4
Father Matthew asked Betty if the entire group in the train could accompany her to her new home. "We want to give you a house warming and what better way than celebrating and rejoicing with you in your new home."
"Hey, everyone! Hitch up those wagons and let's head for `home'. I can't believe this is really happening to me!" exclaimed Betty, with tears rolling down her cheeks.
People started scurrying, laughing and singing which would last all the way to Betty`s new home. Joshua went to the head of train and they started moving.
Betty took the lead and the others fell in behind her. Everyone was jubilant and were singing. Joshua stopped the train. "Everyone! Come,!" We half hour away. When I war hoop, everyone except drivers shut eyes. No open until I yell open eyes. Big surprise waits! Let's go . Remember, NO Peek!"
No one, even the kids, took a sneak peek. Finally, Joshua shouted, "Open eyes, now!" They had entered the most beautiful valley imaginable.
Joshua directed the drivers to pull the wagons up side by side so they all had a panoramic view.
No one said anything but they all started clapping. Before them was the most outstanding sight . Betty's new house was in a park like setting. Betty and her children jumped from the wagon and started running toward the huge house. She was joined by everyone except the drivers, who followed in wagons. They were met by two large dogs who weren't even barking but just wagging their tails. Jacob and Lisa each grabbed a dog around the neck and wouldn't let go. Finally, they started on with the dogs close by their sides. Betty could not believe her good fortune.
"Jim, whole valley no people. Big sickness . Kill everybody. Some leave after part of family die," said Joshua.
"Joshua is right. Pneumonia hit about a month ago. It went through the valley very rapidly. Some families just left before they got sick. The pneumonia wiped out whole families. There is a lot of good land available. This valley was all homesteaded. A person would have to check at the fort to find out which is available for settlement or purchase. I think all the crops were all planted before the pneumonia hit. Sure would like to see you people stop and settle. I have been seeking another mission. So far I haven't received my calling," Said Father Matthew.
"Joshua, do you know where the places are that have no people and which places people just left?" Asked Jim.
"Yes, I show . Places not far."
"Why don't we look the valley over tomorrow," Jim suggested.
"I would like to come along, if you don't mind. I think between Joshua and myself, we should be able to show you our valley and what is available. Are you going to open this adventure for all those interested?" Inquired Father Matthew. "There was never any trouble with the owner of Betty's place and the other farmers. Members of his gang weren't from around here. They always seemed to hit the small wagon trains."
"Not a problem. Of course, everyone is invited to go along with us. The more I see of this valley, the more I like it. I am thinking that maybe this is the place for me."
Everyone decided that they would all go see the places. We started our journey shortly after breakfast. The first place we came to, convinced me that I should get serious about staying. Father Matthew told me that this was the Shaw place. It was settled by an older man and his wife. They both died from pneumonia. It contained 160 acres, 6o of which were under cultivation and had been planted. The crops were starting to come up. The other 100 acres was grazing land. The animals were still on the farm and were fending for themselves. The house contained two bedrooms and was very nice and well kept up.
"I think that I will go to the fort and check this place out. I have decided this is as far as I am going. This farm looks like something that I have been dreaming about," I said. "I like this place, it shares a boundary with Betty's place. I will be close enough to help her when I can."
"I am glad you said you were staying. Now I can get serious about my looking. I was already thinking about staying and you just made up my mind," said Tom. All the rest of the group agreed with Tom.
The entire group choose land in the same vicinity. All of the previous owners were stricken with pneumonia and had died. Each farm was ready to move into and was equipped and stocked just like Betty's and mine. All the farm houses were completely furnished. Every farm had crops coming up.
The entire group decided to ride to the fort and find out for sure which farms could be purchased and what the requirements would be. They went back to Betty's place, set up camp in her yard, and started preparing for the night.
Betty invited me to eat with her and her family. She was going to cook her first meal in her new house and was very excited. She told me there were several things she wanted to discuss with me. I readily accepted her invite.
After our meal and Betty said, "What did Ernie, the man who gave me this farm mean when he said to dig in the yard? I was wondering if you would like to move in with us since you have no family or anything and we really need a man around here. If anything, he could be a fixer-upper and walk behind the plow, which certainly is not woman's work."
"I am looking at a place of my own right next door to you. In fact, this place shares a boundary with yours and is in hollering distance, if you yell very loud. I think we will just hire a couple of men to work for us."
"That won`t be necessary. When I decided to go west, I used all my money to buy a wagon, a team and supplies. I have nothing left and when my supplies are gone, then I will have to live off the land. I was going to squat. I will stay and work for the two of you," said Joseph.
"That would be wonderful. The kids and I really like you. You would be just like family."
"Betty, we could be a real family. We have known each other since our former master bought the two of us. Will you marry me?"
"Absolutely! I wonder if Father Matthew would marry us? This makes me so happy!"
"Why don't you turn around and ask him?" said Father Matthew, who had come in unnoticed.
"I think I know what your benefactor was referring too. However, there is just one way to find out! Let's get a shovel and go see."
I took the shovel and walked off the paces as instructed. I starting digging a hole and was about a foot deep when my shovel hit metal. I found a strongbox. I lifted it out of the hole and carried it into the house.
I sat the box on the table. "Betty, you have the honors of opening it since it belongs to you." She opened the box and let out a scream.
"Betty, it is not your fault. You had nothing to do with the robberies that all of this represents. However, we will check with the law and see what should be done. We have absolutely no way on knowing how to return this stuff to the rightful owners. So why don't you go with us tomorrow and take it with you." Said Father Matthew.
"Where is the nearest law officer?" asked Betty
He is at the fort. In fact, he is the government agent we will have to see about the property. So we can do both things at the same time," replied Father Matthew. "There are no towns around hear. We have go to the fort for everything. Part of the fort is set aside for our town and only the churches and schools are located in the local communities except in this community where all of you are locating. A lot of the people in the other communities have relocated or gone home back east. In some of the communities, there is not enough population to support either a church or school
Out came the guitars, banjos, and violins. The next several hours was spent dancing, singing and having fun. The people were celebrating the end of the trail, their good fortune of finding Paradise, and the wedding of their good friends, Betty and Joseph. No more traveling, hardships or disasters. They could now start their new lives.
The local sheriff wore several hats. Besides being sheriff , Indian agent, and postmaster he is also the government representative which takes care of all the land grants, and homesteads. Betty and her group could take care all their business in one office and with one man.
They went in the mercantile store which was next door to the sheriff's office. His office had a sign on the door saying to check at the mercantile. The woman behind the counter, said, "Mr. Lytle is in a meeting with the fort commander and will be back in about half an hour."
Some of the group decided to wait outside. The others looked around and bought some more things that they needed and of course the children got another peppermint stick.
Mr. Lytle returned to the store and Father Matthew introduce him to the crowd . "Mr. Lyle, I won't try to introduce everyone but will when it is their time to meet with you, I think you met every one at the trial," said Father Matthew.
Let's go into the meeting room and get comfortable. Please, follow me."
"Father Matthew, I am going to put you in charge. Therefore, you will be able to fill me in on the details and what we are discussing. So you may proceed with the first matter."
"I want to talk with Sheriff Lytle first," said Father Matthew, chuckling. "Betty, as you recall, inherited The Johnson homestead and all that went with it. What you don't know is a strongbox was found on her place. Ernie Johnson told her were to look. She brought it with her and she would like for you to look at contents and advise her what to do with it."
Betty put the box on the table in front of Mr. Lytle. He opened it and looked at each item and examined it very carefully. "Betty, there is no way of knowing who the owners of these thing are. There are no names or identifying marks on any of it. The money and gold could belong to any one. Mr. Johnson evidently did a little robbing before he came to this area as the box contains what looks like his `loot'. I tried to trace him and investigate him. He did not have any outstanding warrants for his arrests or wanted posters of any kind that I could find. I could not even find where he came from. All I know is he didn't commit the robberies around here. Since he left a will leaving everything to Jim and he gave it all to you, I would say that the strongbox and its contents would belong to you. I would like to take you and the box next door and let you talk with the judge who presided on Mr. Johnson's trial. We are in luck, he is a circuit judge and is still here. The rest of you have a cup of coffee and we will be back soon."
Betty and Mr. Lytle retuned. "The judge told Betty the same thing that I told her. She told me that she got married. Joseph , congratulations you are lucky man. It looks like Betty is going to be one rich woman. I told her she didn't have to share with you but she didn't agree," The Sheriff said laughing.
"Now, Father Matthew, who is next?"
"Actually, all of them. They have decided not go on to Oregon but to settle right here in this area. They have looked at all the property around Betty's place. Each has chosen the farm they would like to own. They would like to know what they would have to do to get ownership."
"When the people started died of pneumonia, I sent several telegraphs to the main office in Washington. Asking that same question. I got replies and they said that I would have to decide each case separately using the homestead guide manual. I read the manual cover to cover several times. I found: (1) any liens against the property had to be paid.
(2) any wills had to be settled. Heirs mentioned in the will would inherit.
(3) any living relative could lay claim and go to court.
(4) any one could go to court if no will or living relatives were found.
(5) interested parties could take over the homestead by paying $.25 cents a acre.
(6) interested parties could file homestead papers of their own.
I have found no wills or living relatives and no one has shown any interest in owning the property. Since these were homesteads, each place would contain 160 acres. So for $ 40 for each farm, each person could buy it from the government. This would be the fastest and easiest way to get ownership. I would recommend doing this and of course it would mean a whole lot less of paper work and headaches for me.
Everyone agreed to purchase the land and receive clear title for it. The houses, building and livestock would go with the farm. Everything on the farm would belong to the new owners.
Betty stood up and said, "Mr. Lytle, Can I buy all the farms and give them to everyone. I would not be here today, if they had not come along and nursed me and my family back to health. I want to pay them back for their kindness and caring."
"You sure can, the government doesn't care where the money comes from. I can put each farm in the new owner's name and mark it paid."
"Wait a minute! Don't we have anything to say about this? I think you should keep you money and save it for a rainy day. I will pay for everyone."
"Jim, you mean you are going to let a dollar come between us and ruin our friendship. I say I am paying and I mean it. You might as well give up. I am as stubborn as a Missouri mule or two," said Betty laughing.
"Okay, you win! I know you are a married woman, but can I at least give you a big hug and say Thanks?" . The rest of the group echoed the same thing.
"Mr. Lytle, I would like to buy the remaining farms. I will convince settlers on their way west to stay and settle here. This way we will be able to pick our neighbors and those who don't meet with our liking can just keep moving west," I said laughing.
The whole crowd agreed with Jim and like his idea very much. Mr. Lytle told him that there were still fifteen farms left. "Jim, are you sure you want to spend that much money with no guarantee of getting any of it back?"
"Yes, money is not a problem with me. If I get nothing in return, then I will just be a very large land owner and rule the whole valley!" TBCoecollins7420@yahoo.com