by Dani Larsen
Someone hollered, "Isn't this the same kind of car that made the first trip across Canada in 1912? Made it over four thousand miles, I heard."
"Yes, sir, this is the one. Do you like her?"
"She is mighty pretty, Frank. Let me know how you like her. I think I'd like to get me one of these beauties."
"I'll let you know, Tom. Can I trust you folks to take good care of my new car, while I go in and celebrate with my brother?"
"Sure enough, Frank, I'll keep an eye on her."
The brothers went inside, and Anton poured his brother a beer as Frank sat down at the bar. A man with a big white hat in his hands came up to Anton to pay his bill.
"That your new car out there in front sir?"
"Yes, sir, it sure is."
"That's a mighty good looking car, sir. Hope to get me one like that someday, too. Goodbye, Anton, I'll see you soon."
After the man left, Frank asked about him.
"I don't remember seeing that fella before. Who is he?"
"He's that Pinkerton Detective that has been coming here every few months for over a year. He is looking for some guy that murdered the Governor of Idaho and supposedly burned down a place in Wyoming a few years back, while his foster parents were inside."
"Why is he looking here?"
"He has got it in his mind that that fella lives around here somewhere, or will at least come back here sometime as his mother is Dolly. You know her. Her name is really D'Alene Dampierre, one of Tilly's girls."
"Is that right? Well, that is interesting. What does she say about him?"
"She says she hasn't seen her son since he was four years old. He goes by Bud Dampierre, or used to anyway. She let him go with a couple that wanted to adopt him, when he was four, and says she hasn't seen him since. Supposedly, that is the couple that he may have killed. They never found his body, and the fire was suspicious, so he is wanted for questioning on that one. The governor was killed in early 1905, and this guy disappeared from that area right after that. The detective, Charlie Siringo, has been looking for him ever since."
"Interesting, I sure never heard anything about that. Guess I'm too busy on the ranch. What does this fella look like?"
"Just an average looking guy I hear. They don't have any photos of him yet. That is why he's having so much trouble finding him. He is average weight and height and no distinguishing marks, as far as I know. It sounds like he has a pretty bad temper though."
"A man must have a bad temper, to have killed three people. I'll keep an eye out. I best be going, before the town folk take off with my car. Caroline will be wondering what happened to me. Say "Hi" to Delia for me."
"Sure will, Frank. Give our love to Caroline and my nieces and nephews."
"I will, Anton. Next time I come to town I'll take you for a ride, if you have time."
"I'll make time for that. Drive that thing safely now, Strauss."
"Okay, Strauss."
Frank started it up and had to drive carefully through the street, so he wouldn't hit any of the people who were crowded around to see the first REO in La Grande.
Caroline, Mary, and Agnes were excited when Frank drove up to the ranch in his new red Reo. They took turns getting behind the wheel, and Frank took them all for a ride up Pyle Canyon Road. When they got back, George and the ranch hands were waiting for them, as they all wanted their own ride in the new vehicle. None of them had ever ridden in a car before, so this was a thrill for everyone. After they got back, George went home, and the rest of the family sat down to supper.
George told Anna about his father's new purchase when he got home. He explained that was why he was a little late.
"I'm sorry, Anna, my pa just drove up to the ranch in that beautiful automobile, and we all had to take a spin in it. He even let me drive it a short distance. It really is something! Goes up to thirty-five miles per hour. It sure is a lot faster than riding Smokey and probably safer."
"Do you think so, George? I've heard about some people getting killed in those cars because they were going too fast."
"I'm sure it can happen, but Pa wouldn't endanger anyone, he was driving pretty slowly. Besides that, a person can get killed riding a horse too. Do you remember hearing about that guy who was bucked off at the Sanders Ranch? That horse just killed him with his hooves after bucking him off."
"That was kind of a freak accident, if I remember rightly. Seems like his horse was spooked by a rattle snake, wasn't it?"
"Yes, I think that is what happened. But accidents happen with buckboards, horses, and other rigs all the time. I think that this car will be just as safe."
"You are probably right. Now sit down and eat your supper, George. I baked us a rhubarb pie for dessert, and I know how you love that."
"That sounds real good, Anna. How was your day? And how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling okay, George, just getting uncomfortable carrying little Joe around. He's getting to be a big boy, but he can't walk too far on those short little legs. We walked out into the meadow and picked wildflowers, and the children really enjoyed it. I took some bread and cheese with us and a blanket in the basket, and we sat down and had a little picnic lunch. It was a fun day, but now I am exhausted. By the way, did you pick up the mail?"
"Oh, yes, I did. I almost forgot. I checked it when I took Pa into town to get that car."
He reached into the pocket inside his vest and pulled out a letter and handed it to Anna.
"Wonderful, it is another letter from Mama." She put her fork down, ripped open the envelope, took the letter out, and read it out loud.
Dear Anna and George,
I think I have found the perfect place for you. I just read in the Blue Mountain Gazette that there is a small farm for sale real cheap up in Keating, which is only a few miles north of here. The town is not very big, but there is a general store and post office, and you'd be close to us.
It may not be big enough for the farming you want to do, but it would be a start. The advertisement about the land said that a man in Baker City was handling the sale of the property. It seems the owner died and his wife and children want to move back home with her family. There is a three bedroom small house on the land. Only eight hundred square feet, but it is certainly bigger than what you have now, and probably could be built onto if you decide that you want to settle there for good. You might want to come and see it right away as it seems like a good deal, and someone may want to snap it up. As it is getting colder and late in the year, perhaps you could make a deal to move in there in the spring. I know that means you will have to do with four children in that small cabin for a while, but just think how happy you will be when you move to a bigger place.
Hoping all is well with my beautiful grandchildren, and that we will get to see them again real soon.
With love and kisses to all,
Mama, Da, Fan, Zee and Steve
P.S. It would also be nice to have you close since Margaret and her new husband are moving out that way by La Grande. We see Jeremiah and Blossom often, as he still helps us out on the ranch. They are now living in a small place not too far down the road.
"That sounds pretty good, Anna. Let's take a ride over there this weekend, to look at the property and talk to the man in Baker City about it."
"Okay. I guess it's not a good time to move right now. But by April or May, the baby will be at least three months old, and with the warmer weather it should be a better time to move."
"I'll tell Pa tomorrow that I'm taking off Friday, and we'll come back late Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, we can make a deal by then, if we like the place."
Anna and George loved the place. The young mother showed them through the house and rode with them around the property to show them where the property lines were. It was eighty acres in total, but a large portion was just pasture land. The rest of the land was arable and free of any planting, as the husband had died six months ago, after a long illness, and nothing had been worked since then. The family went int
o Baker City on Saturday morning and made the deal, with plans to take over the property April 1st, 1915. The young family that owned it were going to take the train back to Ohio on the first of February, so the house would sit empty for a couple of months. The Hempes went back to the Troy ranch after they made the deal, and the Troys were excited that they were moving close to them. They said they would go up there the first of March and make sure everything was presentable for their move.
They had a lovely time at the ranch that weekend. They knew they probably wouldn't be back until after Christmas, so they relished those few days. John was almost six years old, and Fan and Zee took him horseback riding. Anna, George, and Mary went to the stables to get him when he returned.
"Mama, that was the most fun I ever had!" John said, as George lifted him out of the saddle.
"So ye had a good time, did ye, little John?" His grandmother said.
"Oh yes, Grandma, it was the best ever!"
"I'm so glad."
Fan and Zee took off the saddles and took the horses to their stalls to cool them down.
When John got down, he started roaming around the stable looking at everything, while Anna and George talked to Mary. When John squealed, they all looked to see what he was giggling about. He had pulled a blanket off of a saddle which was thrown over a rail in the back of the stable.
"What is this, Grandma? It is so pretty."
Mary gasped. "I forgot that saddle was there."
"What's wrong, Mama?" Anna said, but when she saw the saddle the memories flooded back through her whole being, and she started shaking.
"What is the matter, Anna?"
"I'm sorry, Anna, I should have told ye about this a long time ago. I'm sure that it is a shock to see that saddle again. The Sheriff gave us Bane's saddle after they closed the case several months after he died. We had his horse too, but we sold him right away. John just put the saddle back here and covered it up, and no one ever spoke about it again."
"Who was Bane? Why are you so upset, Anna?" George put his arm around his wife.
"It's okay, George. It was just a shock to see that saddle again. Bane and his gang kidnapped me when I was four years old, and Mama and Da rescued me. Mama shot and killed him, but not until after he shot my godfather. Uncle Sean died several days later."
"Come in the house and we will tell you all about it. I'm sure it is difficult for Anna to talk about."
"Grandma, Grandma, can I have the saddle, Grandma, please?" Little John was running his fingers over the silver stitching which decorated the saddle.
"This saddle belongs to yer mother, John. I'm giving it to her right now. When ye are a little older, I'm sure she will let ye use it, but I don't think ye are quite big enough yet. After ye all move into yer new home we will talk about it again, and when yer mama is ready she can take it home with ye."
"I don't know if I want that saddle. Do you think having it will help me realize that he is dead? That is what I have been having nightmares about, George. It has all come back to me over the last few years and they are such horrific memories that I get upset thinking about them. I'm sorry, but I have just found it very difficult to talk about to anybody."
"Let's go in and have some tea, and we can tell him about it together. That will make it easier. C'mon little John, it's time to have some tea and scones. We'll see about the saddle at another time."
While they were having their tea, Mary decided it was time to tell the whole family about what happened to Anna over twenty years ago. John had to help her relate the story, as she got choked up several times talking about it. No one had ever told Anna's brothers and sisters about that horrible day, and everyone was shocked.
Anna had tears rolling down her face as her mother told the story. George interjected with several questions throughout the telling. Fan and Zee took care of the older two children while the tale was told, but both looked at each other in horror several times. Little Joseph fell asleep in his mother's arms at the drone of his grandmother's voice.
"The reason I am telling ye all about this now is because I think it is important to Anna's wellbeing. She has been having nightmares about what happened for the last few years, and I am hoping the telling of it and getting it out in the open will help her heal. We have kept this story hidden for far too long. I guess we just wanted to forget it ever happened."
George came over to his wife and put his arms around her.
"No wonder you have been having nightmares, Anna. I am so sorry that this happened to you. I wish I could make you forget it completely."
"I did, George, for over twenty years, and then after I had John it all came back. I guess, it was becoming a mother that made me worry about that happening to my own children. I have been having the nightmares, not quite so often now, so maybe they will eventually stop."
"I hope so."
"The reason it came up today was because John uncovered the old saddle in the back of the stable this afternoon, when we went to get John after his ride." Mary told the family. "The saddle belonged to Jack Bane, and it was given to us by the sheriff after the whole incident was closed. He felt bad because he had been afraid of Bane for so long, and he hadn't done enough to stop him earlier. I suppose that is why he has become the town drunk."
"Oh, you mean the old guy who staggers toward the saloon when we are in town? He used to be the sheriff?" Fan asked.
"Yes, that is him. Probably drinks from guilt. He didn't treat our Chinese friends very well, and after Ah Kim and his cousins were murdered he felt real bad about it. He quit the job a couple of years afterward, but brought us Bane's horse and saddle before he quit. Said it had been in his stable since it happened, but since I had been the one to rid the world of that man, that I should have it. I really didn't want it, so we put it in the back of the stable, covered it, and forgot about it.
"It is a nice saddle though, with that engraved silver stitching of his initials. I told John that I was giving it to his mother, and that she could take it whenever she is ready. If ye don't want it, I'm sure we can sell it. In the meantime, I will just leave it where it is. Is that okay with ye, Anna?"
"Yes, Mama, that is fine. We will come and get it when we are ready. Thank you."
They ate an early supper, and the Hempes packed up the children afterward and headed for the ranch in La Grande. Anna kissed her family goodbye before climbing into the rig.
"I am looking forward to living closer to you all. We will most likely have another child by the time we see you again. I will be too big at Christmas time to travel this way, but we will be here for next Easter. Thank you so much for everything, and thanks for telling the story, Mama, I wanted George to know, but just couldn't seem to get the words out."
"I'm so glad it's all out in the open now. I'll be praying for a safe delivery, Anna, and please write as often as possible. Can't wait to see how much these children will have grown by then and to hold the new wee one."
"Come on, children. Let's go. We want to be home before dark."
George lifted John and Helen up into the buggy, where Anna covered them up with the large quilt. She held Joe on her lap, as George got in. The family waved goodbye to Anna's family, as they headed for their little cabin in Cove.
Chapter Thirteen
"The Big Move"
Spring, 1915
The family was at the Hempe Ranch for dinner on January 19th, when Anna went into labor with her fourth child. The pains started low while she was feeding nineteen month old Joseph. The table was crowded with the little Hempes sitting in between their grandparents. Anna didn't say anything at first, but when the pains got worse she whispered to her mother-in-law that she thought she was in labor. Caroline got up and picked up Joseph from Anna's lap and handed him to his father.
"I think you are going to be a father again real soon, George." She smiled at him as she escorted Anna into Sylvester's room.
"Maybe we should go back to the cabin and call the midwife, Caroline."
&nbs
p; "Don't be silly, Anna. This one is going to be born right here. I will send Sylvester for the midwife right away."
"He might not like having his bed used for birthing."
"He'll be fine. Wait right here, while I get the old quilt to lie down underneath you. I'm going to take care of you just fine until Mrs. Olsen gets here."
Anna was doubled over in pain when Caroline returned. She quickly put the quilt down over the bottom sheet and helped Anna take off her clothes and lay down. She had brought an old nightgown for her to put on and lots of towels.
"I've sent Sylvester off to get Mrs. Olsen, and Mary is boiling some water. Agnes is doing the dishes. Frank and George bundled up the children and took them outside to play. It is starting to snow so they will be happy, as long as it doesn't become a blizzard."
Anna began to breathe hard as another contraction was coming again. The pains were already close together; coming every four or five minutes.
"I think this is going to go real fast, Anna. This being your fourth baby and all, it should."
"I hope so, Caroline. Oooowww!" Anna's pains were coming so fast now that there was almost no time in between them.
By the time the midwife got there, little Mary Margaret had already made her appearance. Caroline put the big eyed howling baby in her mother's arms, and let Mrs. Olsen take care of the afterbirth and other things, while she cleaned up her new granddaughter.
"She is beautiful, Anna. And what a lovely name you have picked for her."
"I named her Mary after my mother and your daughter, and Margaret after my sister and my grandmother, Margaret Foley. Thank you so much for all your help, Caroline. The pains were coming so fast that I could hardly breathe, and you were so comforting. Have you ever delivered a baby before?"
