3 minute read
Family Ties
by D.J. Barnett
The morning started clear and bright. All traces of last night’s storm were gone.
Sam’s morning coffee was on his desk. Before he could sit down, Louis knocked lightly and came in.
“Excuse me, sir, I have done what you asked. Everyone has been alerted. What shall we do now?”
“Not much to do, Louis. We will carry on as usual. After all, we have a state to run,” Sam stated. “I am sending a letter to Tom Moore, the president of the Cattlemen’s Association, requesting a meeting. Please get me his address from our files. I will have the letter finished shortly to be sent out today. That will be all for now.”
Soon thereafter, Louis was on his way to personally mail the governor’s letter. Shaking his head as he left the post office, he couldn’t understand how Governor Willows could be so calm about this.
Sam Willows was anything but calm, although he didn’t let it show.
A lifetime as a U.S. Marshall had tempered him, but he was surely concerned about the threat to his life and that his brother would get involved and possibly get in trouble or killed.
Two weeks later, Louis escorted Tom Moore into Sam’s office.
Sam stood up, reached his hand across the desk, and said, “Thank you for meeting me, Tom. I believe we have some things to discuss.”
Ignoring Sam’s hand, Tom Moore sat down and answered, “The only thing we have to discuss is you getting the sheepherders off of the public grazing lands.”
Sam dropped his hand, smiled, and said, “You know I can’t do that Tom. They have as much right to be there as you have. I was hoping we could talk about something a little more personal.”
“You’ve lived here all your life, Sam. You know this is cattle country. You might want to reconsider. You’re making some powerful enemies,” Tom threatened.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve been hearing rumors that my life may be in danger. If I find anything to connect you or your association with these threats, I will have your grazing permits revoked and your association disbanded,” Sam replied softly.
Tom Moore stood up, headed for the door, stared icily at Sam, and said, “That would be a big mistake Governor Willows. You may want to think about your re-election.”
“I’m not concerned about my re-election. I’m more interested in living long enough to run again.” Sam stated.
“Yes, I can see how that might be a concern,” Tom said, as he turned and walked out the door.
Sam sat down just as Louis rushed in.
“How did your meeting go, sir?”
“Ah Louis, you’re a good man but you probably heard most of it,” Sam laughed. “It did not go well, but about as I expected. Has anyone reported anything of interest?”
“No sir, nothing new to report. Maybe no news is good news.”
“Yes, maybe you’re right, Louis. Maybe you’re right. I think I’ll go have a drink,” Sam said as he grabbed his coat and hat and left for the day.
The bar was quiet, a few patrons were there, but Sam walked to a man sitting at a back table nursing a beer.
“Mind if I join you, Nate?”
Marshall Nate Palmer looked up and smiled.
Read more in the April 2024 issue of Joy of Medina County Magazine!
