Tumbleweeds
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Re: Tumbleweeds
Sam had told Wade in the shed that Hosea had been murdered and the circumstances surrounding it . They had given Captain Jack time to break the tragic news and quietly walked to the cabin . Zeke and her were on the bench crying with Captain Jack standing behind them . Wade and Sam sat down on the opposite bench and each reached across and laid a hand on them saying nothing but just sharing their pain .
Re: Tumbleweeds
In a while when the tears lessened Wade got up and dipped up a glass of water for everyone and sat it on the table . Sam got up and wet flour sack handcloth's squeezing them out and handing one to everyone before sitting down . Captain Jack went to the opposite bench and sat between Wade and Sam . He said ...I will tell you the whole truth with nothing held back how he died ma'am . I know this all hurts but it must be done for your healing to begin . If at anytime now or in the future you have a question do not hesitate to ask either me or Sam .
We traveled to Elliasville with no problems . We enjoyed all the food you sent with us . When we arrived we immediately started asking questions …….
We traveled to Elliasville with no problems . We enjoyed all the food you sent with us . When we arrived we immediately started asking questions …….
Re: Tumbleweeds
We traveled to Elliasville with no problems . We enjoyed all the food you sent with us . When we arrived we immediately started asking questions . There is a flour mill on the Clear Fork of the Brazos there . The Ellis brothers dammed the river and made a millpond , They are seeming good people . They sold Hosea twenty pounds of flour , they said he was a very friendly man and explained his family lived here on the Salt Fork . Hosea asked many questions about the country , roads , people and just normal things for a new settler to ask about .
There is a small store owned by Ed Staley and his wife . They have a post station in the store to send and receive mail . Hosea opened a general delivery box for you and him to receive mail . Ed Staley said Hosea was a smart , friendly young man and he and his wife enjoyed talking to him . He also said Hosea was in a hurry to get back to his family fearing for them by them being alone .
We talked to several people that had spoken with Hosea and they all gave a good account of his friendly outgoing nature . Ed Staley said a drifter name of Frank Kyle was in the store while Hosea was there talking . Kyle seemed interested in Hosea and asked which way he had come to Elliasville . Also Kyle saw Hosea ask if Ed Staley could take a five dollar gold piece for his small purchases being as how there would be much change given . Ed said it was no trouble and broke the gold piece for Hosea .
We asked many folks there who trouble makers or criminals types were and the only one they mentioned could be Frank Kyle . He would not work , he did odd job's to live in an old man's shed . Since Kyle had shown up several people came up missing things . No one trusted him and he stayed to himself many times drunk but no one knew where he got money .
We went to see Frank Kyle .
There is a small store owned by Ed Staley and his wife . They have a post station in the store to send and receive mail . Hosea opened a general delivery box for you and him to receive mail . Ed Staley said Hosea was a smart , friendly young man and he and his wife enjoyed talking to him . He also said Hosea was in a hurry to get back to his family fearing for them by them being alone .
We talked to several people that had spoken with Hosea and they all gave a good account of his friendly outgoing nature . Ed Staley said a drifter name of Frank Kyle was in the store while Hosea was there talking . Kyle seemed interested in Hosea and asked which way he had come to Elliasville . Also Kyle saw Hosea ask if Ed Staley could take a five dollar gold piece for his small purchases being as how there would be much change given . Ed said it was no trouble and broke the gold piece for Hosea .
We asked many folks there who trouble makers or criminals types were and the only one they mentioned could be Frank Kyle . He would not work , he did odd job's to live in an old man's shed . Since Kyle had shown up several people came up missing things . No one trusted him and he stayed to himself many times drunk but no one knew where he got money .
We went to see Frank Kyle .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Ma'am this was the easiest case Sam or I ever worked . He was wearing Hosea's boots , Hosea's gun belt with the 1858 Remington pistol with Hosea's name scratched on the inside of the grips and Kyle had his saddlebags with the flour he had bought at the mill were in his shed .
Sam and I 'talked' to him about ten min and he lead us to the place north that he laid up and shot Hosea in the back going home to you . He is a piece of scum ma'am ! Nothing but a back shooting bushwhacker ...He is not even human , just like those child killers you and Zeke had to kill ! I can not understand why they exist except to cause suffering and pain .
Sam and I 'talked' to him about ten min and he lead us to the place north that he laid up and shot Hosea in the back going home to you . He is a piece of scum ma'am ! Nothing but a back shooting bushwhacker ...He is not even human , just like those child killers you and Zeke had to kill ! I can not understand why they exist except to cause suffering and pain .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Hosea's body was in a bad state after being exposed for so long . We have his body with us but I will not let you view it , there would be no comfort from it . Remember him in your mind ma'am .
The Sheriff from Jack county took Kyle to Fort Richardson near Jacksboro , Kyle came from there before showing up in Elliasville and there are three travelers found dead around there also . They will question him to try and give closure to families there .
Sam and I have a signed confession from him ! He will hang ma'am ! I swear to you he will hang !
The Sheriff from Jack county took Kyle to Fort Richardson near Jacksboro , Kyle came from there before showing up in Elliasville and there are three travelers found dead around there also . They will question him to try and give closure to families there .
Sam and I have a signed confession from him ! He will hang ma'am ! I swear to you he will hang !
Re: Tumbleweeds
Ma'am I guess it's unimportant but a curiosity ! At the site of the murder There were mule tracks all around where Hosea laid . Kyle said when he shot Hosea that Hosea had fell off holding to the saddle horn pulling the saddle under the mules belly then the mule took off running and tore the saddlebags off stepping on them with his hind feet . Kyle said he tried to catch the mule to take the saddle but could not catch him .
But by the amount of mule tracks around the body the mule came back and stayed two or three days with the body . Then traveled at least four days through rough county to get home with the saddle under him . That is why his forelegs were torn up .
But by the amount of mule tracks around the body the mule came back and stayed two or three days with the body . Then traveled at least four days through rough county to get home with the saddle under him . That is why his forelegs were torn up .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack spoke to her reaching across the table laying his hand on her hand and said ...Ma'am Eliasville is a very small place but with good people . Many came bringing us gifts for you as they could not come because it is so far . Many wanted to convey their condolences for your loss and I bring many notes and letters from them .
Zeke gave Sam and I a big list of things to bring back , Ed Staley and his wife sold all the supplies to us at their cost . Zeke had asked us to bring back a young dog and a man that raised and trained cow dogs sent that pup to you , said he should make a fine dog . A lady named Lucy Burnett sent you six nice Dominicker laying hens when she was told by Sam you had no chickens ...They are in a small cage in the shed . An old man named Joe Morisson sent you two big bags of red potatoes , I know he had no money and it was all he had to give .
We were given gifts to bring and many told their names and asked us to give their condolences , many said they would pray for you ...we will talk of all that later ma'am
Zeke gave Sam and I a big list of things to bring back , Ed Staley and his wife sold all the supplies to us at their cost . Zeke had asked us to bring back a young dog and a man that raised and trained cow dogs sent that pup to you , said he should make a fine dog . A lady named Lucy Burnett sent you six nice Dominicker laying hens when she was told by Sam you had no chickens ...They are in a small cage in the shed . An old man named Joe Morisson sent you two big bags of red potatoes , I know he had no money and it was all he had to give .
We were given gifts to bring and many told their names and asked us to give their condolences , many said they would pray for you ...we will talk of all that later ma'am
Re: Tumbleweeds
He also said ...I laid all of Hosea's personal possessions and his saddlebags there on the other side of your bed . We 'talked' to Kyle and after we 'talked' to him he gave us Hosea's wedding ring and belt knife . They are in the small sack there . We did not look in his saddlebags , I considered that your personal property .
Ma'am Sam and I would like to stay a few days with you here . We enjoy this place , we enjoy you and Zeke ! We both suffered to bring this news to you , it was a hard task ma'am . Anything we can do to ease your pain or help we will . We consider ya'll family ma'am .
Ma'am Sam and I would like to stay a few days with you here . We enjoy this place , we enjoy you and Zeke ! We both suffered to bring this news to you , it was a hard task ma'am . Anything we can do to ease your pain or help we will . We consider ya'll family ma'am .
Re: Tumbleweeds
There was silence for a while . Everyone had their own thoughts . Wade just bowed his head and said ...Heavenly father ! We come to you now in grief to seek comfort for the loss of our brother Hosea . Though only she knew him we all suffer his leaving , we feel as though we too knew him . He is with you now Lord and we ask you to help her through her good memories to ease and comfort . Amen
They all said ...Amen !
They all said ...Amen !
Re: Tumbleweeds
Several minutes went by with nothing said , each in their own thoughts . She said ...Would you like to see a picture of Hosea ? They all looked at her and said YES ! You have a picture ? She said ...Yes I have a tintype picture he sent me in his uniform . Just a second and I'll get it .
Re: Tumbleweeds
She had to move some things stored against the east wall and came back with a small metal box with a latch . It was scratched and dusty with a clasp . She wiped it off with a damp sack and opened it . There were several tintypes in metal frames , she sorted through them and took one out . She looked at it and gave it to Zeke beside her saying nothing . Wade , Sam and Captain Jack quickly got up and looked over Zeke's shoulder .
The picture was of a tall young man sitting in a fancy chair wearing a Union privates uniform , he had an Infantry kepi on his head . He neither smiled nor frowned but looked like he was in thought . He had short hair and broad shoulders , he seemed calm with his hands folded in his lap .
The picture was of a tall young man sitting in a fancy chair wearing a Union privates uniform , he had an Infantry kepi on his head . He neither smiled nor frowned but looked like he was in thought . He had short hair and broad shoulders , he seemed calm with his hands folded in his lap .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack took the picture and looked hard at it thinking . He asked ...How old was he here ma'am and where was the picture taken ? She said ...He was nineteen , the picture was taken at an encampment at Vicksburg . Wade said ...He was at Vicksburg ! She said ...Yes , he was wounded there . Wade took the picture looking at it slowly and taking it in . He said ...I was wounded there also …….I so much would have liked to sit and talk with him . It was a war that should have never happened , veterans on both sides don't care about the politics but share a bond of that terrible time . She said ...My father was killed at Vicksburg . Wade laid his hand on her shoulder and said ...I am so sorry ma'am , we all suffered from that war , the folks left at home suffered also . My father died from grief after my two brothers were killed and he knew I had been wounded . We all carry scars from that time .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Sam had not had a chance to tell Captain Jack who Wade was because of the situation . Captain Jack looked at Wade and stuck out his hand saying ...We have not been introduced ..I am Captain Jack Coffee . Wade smiled , Sam smiled too . Wade said ...We need no introduction Captain ….I am Wade McLellan ! Captain Jack looked shocked ! He looked Wade over and laid his hands on his shoulders said ...Oh my Lord ! I am so glad to see you son ! I have heard you were living up on the plains ! I am glad you are all right , I know you have had a lot of trouble , yes I am glad to see you here !
Re: Tumbleweeds
Captain Jack sat down as did they all still passing around Hosea's picture . Zeke said ...Why is his picture not on your mantle Ma'am , you should have it out to see ? She said ...Hosea didn't want it out , he didn't want to think of that time , he suffered over what he saw and lived through as it was .
Wade said ...I understand his feelings . I was the same way , I stayed away from people . I hid myself away up north living in a shack till I was actually forced to leave . I only focused on my cattle operation till I lost all except those few cows on the bend . I lost my mind there on the bend and if not for her and Zeke I would be dead . I understand why Hosea didn't want to see his past self , He was trying to overcome that time with starting a new life in a new place with the few he loved and had left . Ma'am you were the reason he lived ! You stuck with him when he lost all , you kept him trying . And then this murderer took him from us !!
Ma'am ...put his picture on the mantle and remember the good man that he was . She held the picture and stared at it with tears in her eyes . Then she handed it to Wade and he placed it on the mantle above the fireplace .
Wade said ...I understand his feelings . I was the same way , I stayed away from people . I hid myself away up north living in a shack till I was actually forced to leave . I only focused on my cattle operation till I lost all except those few cows on the bend . I lost my mind there on the bend and if not for her and Zeke I would be dead . I understand why Hosea didn't want to see his past self , He was trying to overcome that time with starting a new life in a new place with the few he loved and had left . Ma'am you were the reason he lived ! You stuck with him when he lost all , you kept him trying . And then this murderer took him from us !!
Ma'am ...put his picture on the mantle and remember the good man that he was . She held the picture and stared at it with tears in her eyes . Then she handed it to Wade and he placed it on the mantle above the fireplace .
Re: Tumbleweeds
Zeke said ...Ma'am you have more pictures . May we see em ? She thought a minute and lifted the lid of the metal box .