Butler's Wager

CHAPTER 22

Butler read in the Dodge City Times that James H. “Dog” Kelley was supposedly the leader of a group called the Dodge City Gang, who wanted Dodge City to be a wide-open town because it was profitable for them that way. Most of them—even lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Jim Masterson—owned saloons and gambling halls.

On the other side were men like A. B. Webster, members of a group called the Reformers. They were determined to clean the town up. They wanted newspapers all over the country to stop printing things like, “The town is full of prostitutes and every house is a brothel” (Hays Sentinel); and “Dodge City. A Den of Thieves and Cutthroats—The Whole Town in League to Rob the Unwary Stranger (Yates Center News). And even after Prohibition laws were approved in Kansas, the New York Herald wrote: “saloons, gambling rooms and dance halls run with perfect freedom and their proprietors are the leading men in town.”

The first step toward the Reformers’ plan came when Bat Masterson was narrowly beaten in the election for sheriff by George W. Hinkle. But while Hinkle was thought to be anti-Gang he was also a saloon owner. So it wasn’t until just a few days ago, when A. B. Webster defeated Dog Kelley for mayor—after Kelley had served from 1877–1881—that the Reformers really came to power. Hinkle immediately dismissed all of the law enforcement officials and replaced them. That was where the town stood now.

When M.J. came back in Butler took his father’s watch out and looked at the time. The pocket watch was the only thing with any sentimental value that he had brought with him when he left home. He was surprised to see that it was almost five.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I got busy and forgot you were back here. Did you find what you wanted?”

“Yes, I did. Thanks.” Actually, he’d read all about Dodge City, but he’d never gotten to read the interview she did with Ben Thompson. “Can I help you put these papers back?”

“No, that’s okay,” she said. “I’ll have Lou do it tomorrow. I have to go home and get ready for our interview.”

He showed her his black-ink stained fingertips and said, “I have to go back to my hotel and get cleaned up.”

“I’ll just lock up, then, and we can meet at the restaurant.”

He followed her out, and after she’d locked the door he saw her turn and look at him expectantly.

“Are we going to the Delmonico? I can meet you—”

“No,” he said, “I’m taking you someplace else.”

“I thought we’d meet—”

“I’ll come by your home and fetch you,” he said. “Just give me directions.”

She hesitated only a moment, then complied, giving him detailed instructions on how to reach the house she shared with her brother.

“It’s the house we grew up in,” she ended.

“You don’t have to justify where you live to me,” he told her. “I’ll see you at six.”

Butler was thinking about M.J. Healy as he entered the Dodge House and started up the stairs to the second floor. He reached his room and was about to fit his key into the lock when the door to the room directly across from him opened and a man stepped out.

“Oh, hi,” the man said.

Butler was suspicious. The man wasn’t dressed like someone who could afford a room at the Dodge House.

“Yeah, hi.”

The man closed his own door and stood there a moment, facing the door, his back to Butler, who decided not to move. If the man was waiting for him to open the door to his own room, he was going to have a long wait.