Dr. Robinson finds a Home

WC: 999

Col. James Montgomery climbed on to the bales of hay and looked over the group crowded in the barn. On the ground by him were boxes full of “Beecher’s Bibles” and ammunition.

“Men, we fought a war that declared all men equal in the sight of God. If a man is free, he is free indeed and can purchase land to raise a family and support them. We have a snake in our midst. Brisco Davis and his men have been terrorizing the Negro families in our county. He has shown up to their farms, stood before them telling them that if they were not gone in twenty-four hours, their houses and farms would be burned.” There was a murmur of dissent against the man in question from the group. “He leaves his men there to make sure they are gone or they are instructed to burn their house and barns down.” The Colonel continued, “I ordered fifty rifles for those who have none and the rest of you will join us as we roust this villain and his family from their home.” He stressed the “Their.”

Some of the men were dressed in uniforms that were threadbare, or singed from the powder expended from the rifles of their comrades. Others were in the homespun cloth. Their faces wore the same expression of determination and disgust for the man, Briscoe Davis.

When the rifles and ammunition were handed to the group, Col. James Montgomery walked though the group and mounted his horse. His cap was set firmly on his brow and the long beard rustled away from his jacket in the wind.

The men mounted their horses. There was very little conversation between them as they moved in a double file behind the Colonel. Dust from the dry Kansas ground swirled in the air around them until the last of the line could not be seen for the cloud that surrounded them.

The parade of men split the morning sun as it rose over the hills of Linn County, Kansas. The ride at a trot took almost two hours. When they reached the small incline that would take them up the road on to the property, the Colonel held his hand up and everyone came to a halt. When the dust settled he rode his horse down the center of the group and they spread out so each were facing him in a circle.

“Our target is just over the hill. We will spread out on each side of the road into the property. There is a bluff at the back so Mr. Davis cannot run out his back door and escape.” He motioned for one side of the group to move on ahead. “You will line up to keep him from taking off to the north and the rest will cover the south entrance. You will stay until he is gone.”

A lone rider galloped to the group which parted for him to enter the circle. The rider moved to speak to Colonel Montgomery who nodded the spoke to the rest.

“Mrs. Davis is making breakfast. Let’s go boys!”

The group followed the Colonel and spread out as he said. He rode his horse with a contingent of riders, their rifles ready. They stopped in front of the white washed sod home.

“Davis! Come out! You and your men.” Montgomery’s voice reverberated in the clearing. There was a long wait, then from the back of the house came four men; tucking their shirts into their pants and pulling their suspenders over their shoulders. It was a little awkward while they were holding on to a rifle or handgun. When the men saw the number of men surrounding the clearing they stopped, their hands were at their sides, the guns in a non-aggressive angle.

From the front door Briscoe Davis strode out to the yard and faced the Montgomery.

“What do you want? The war is over and we don’t need you around anymore,” His tone left no doubt how he felt about the Colonel.

“Davis, the worm has turned.”

“What are you talking about?” he gave a motion to his men to move up closer, but none took a step as the rifles of the men nearest them raised in their direction.

“The worm has turned. You have twenty-four hours to get your personal items loaded on to your wagons and be out of the state. I will leave some of these fine men to make sure that happens. If not, I am sure there will be a plume of smoke rising from this bluff for the entire county to see.”

Davis looked at Montgomery and the set faces of the men around him. His face turned red as if he were going to argue, but from the doorway there was cry and the door shut. He turned to his men, “Get the wagons and hook up the horses. Then get inside and help the Misses, get the stuff moved.” He turned to Montgomery, “I may need a little more time.”

“Did you give any extra time to those poor folk you ran off their farms or burned their houses?” Montgomery turned his horse and his personal riders followed him.

As they made their way back to the fort, a rented surrey carrying a family came toward them on the road. He stopped to greet them.”

“Are you visiting the area?” He asked.

“Dr. Barton Robinson, this is my wife and four sons. We are looking for some property to buy and farm.” The man's spoke with an English accent.

Montgomery laughed, “Sir, you are in luck. We have just routed a scoundrel from his home and it is now available. Since it has already been proved, you will have little to do but move in and gather the rewards.”

"We would like to see that farm if possible."

"I will have one of my men meet you at your hotel and bring you out tomorrow."