Chapter 33
The sun rose started to peek above the desert horizon, and Tuesday morning had arrived.
All three prisoners were sound asleep in their jail cells.
Bart had a dream…
In Bart's dream, he sat on his bunk in his jail cell.
A cracking sound was heard from the wall.
Bart glanced up from his bunk. He saw rope tied to the bars of his cell window.
The cracking sound got louder. His wall came crashing down. When the dust settled, Bart saw a cowboy on a horse outside. "Let's git, Bart," yelled out the cowboy.
Bart jumped off the bunk and jumped through the hole in the wall.
Bart jumped up on the horse, and they rode out of town.
Bart woke up back to reality. He looked around and noticed he was still in his jail cell. He looked and saw that the wall was still intact. "Fuck!" he said, realizing he had a dream.
He closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep.
Charlie had a dream on his bunk in his cell.
In Charlie's dream, he was running through the desert.
He ran inside a cave.
He ran through the cave.
He ran out of the cave.
Charlie was now walking down the sidewalk in modern Phoenix.
"Hi, Charlie," said a sexy female with red hair while she walked past him.
"We're so glad you came back, Charlie. We missed you so very much," said another sexy female with black hair while she walked past him and blew him a kiss.
"I missed you, Charlie," said a sexy female with blonde hair while she walked up to him. She stopped at Charlie. She gave him a passionate kiss.
Back to reality…
Charlie was on his bunk in his jail cell. He was kissing the air.
He woke up.
He looked around for that sexy blonde female. She was gone. It took a few seconds for him to realize he had a dream, and he was back in 1883 in a jail cell in Oak Creek.
He wanted to cry. He closed his eyes and hoped to return to that kissing dream.
An hour had passed.
Dalton woke up when the sun started peeking through the windows of the Marshal's Office.
Jimmy was sound asleep on his bunk in his cell.
Charlie was sound asleep on his bunk in his cell.
Bart was wide-awake and paced back and forth in his cell. He knew that today would be the day he would meet his maker.
While Dalton made a pot of coffee, he took occasional glances at Bart pacing in his cell. Dalton was actually a bit nervous about today. He read about these hangings in the history books, and today he would actually witness one.
He glanced at the wall behind his desk and saw the calendar. It was Tuesday, September 25th, 1883.
He walked over to one of the windows at the front of the office. He glanced outside and saw the wooden gallows with a new rope that was installed last night. Dalton remembered how he and Chrissy saw Bart's dead body hanging at the end of that rope. He wondered if he used a pair of binoculars could he see Chrissy and himself off in the desert looking at Oak Creek. He gave a light chuckle at that thought.
He also saw people leaving the train station arriving into Oak Creek to watch Bart Stone die.
He walked back to his desk and sat down. He waited.
Zeke arrived at the Marshal's Office the second the coffee was ready.
Dalton and Zeke escorted all of their prisoners out to the outhouse. They were extremely cautious with escorting Bart.
After the three were placed back in their cells, Annie and Sally brought over four breakfast plates with eggs and bacon.
Annie passed Charlie's breakfast plate between the opening in the cell door.
Sally passed Jimmy's breakfast plate between the opening in the cell door.
"Hey, where's my breakfast?" said Bart with his nose sticking out between the bars of his cell door.
"Sorry, Bart, the Mayor figured it would be a waste to feed you before your hanging," said Zeke, and he had no sympathy for Bart as Zeke always liked Elmer. The door to the Marshal's Office opened, and Mayor Mason stepped inside.
"Good morning, Marshal," he said while walking over to Dalton's desk.
"Good morning, Mayor," said Dalton standing up at the desk.
Mayor Mason glanced over at Bart's cell and saw him sitting nervously on his bunk
Bart just stared at the floor. He was fuming yet scared. He was fuming because of Charlie's testimony in court, and Jimmy failed to break him out of jail.
Mayor Mason glanced down at his watch. "I'll meet you at the gallows in ten minutes," he said.
"Okay, Mayor," said Dalton.
Mayor Mason turned around and walked back to the door. He left the office.
Ten minutes had passed. A crowd of Oak Creek town folk and folk from other towns started to gather at the gallows. Chrissy decided to show up, and she chose to say in the rear of the crowd for this hanging.
The door of the Marshal's Office opened. In walked Mayor Mason with Oak Creek town folk Ernie Woods and James Hallmark. Ernie and James had Winchester rifles in hand.
"We're ready, Marshal Trevor," said Mayor Mason.
Ernie and James cocked their Winchesters and were ready to put a bullet in Bart if he attempted to escape.
Zeke walked over to the wall by the rifle rack and removed the leg and arms handcuffs.
Dalton walked over and unlocked Bart's jail cell door. He removed his Colt 45 from his holster and opened the cell door.
Bart rushed over to the wall and stood in the corner, looking defiant and scared.
Ernie and James had their rifles aimed at Bart ready to fire.
Dalton heard footsteps on the roof of the building. He looked over at Mayor Mason for an answer.
"Someone's up there to ensure Bart doesn't escape. I also have other riflemen on some of the other roofs and at the train station," said the Mayor. "Remember what happed with that Kissing Bandit?"
Dalton nodded, he understood.
Zeke stepped inside Bart's jail cell with the leg and arm handcuffs.
Dalton stepped inside and stood in the doorway of the cell with his Colt 45 ready to fire.
Zeke walked over and was able to install the leg cuffs on Bart without any resistance. He installed the arm cuffs on Bart without any resistance. Maybe Bart figured that getting shot would be a lot more painful than being hung. Especially if he lingered with a painful bullet wound.
Zeke grabbed Bart by his right arm and walked him out of the jail cell.
Dalton, Ernie, and James had their guns aimed at the back of Bart while Zeke walked him to the front door of the office.
Outside on Main Street, it was filled with spectators for this event.
Blue Earl and all of his gang members walked down from the Saloon, where they had their horses died to the hitching posts. They walked up to the spectators crowding near the gallows.
Deke walked away from the gang and started to chat with some of the other spectators.
Chrissy walked down the street and headed to the spectators.
The crowd waited.
After chatting with a few folks, Deke walked back to Blue Earl and the other gang members.
All eyes turned at the door of the Marshal's Office when it opened. It got quiet.
Mayor Mason was the first to walk out of the office.
Behind him was Bart in his cuffs being escorted by Zeke.
Dalton, Ernie, and James trailed with their guns aimed at the back of Bart.
Dalton glanced around and saw two men at the train station with Winchesters.
He saw a rifleman on the Barbershop roof and a man with a Winchester on the Marshal's Office roof.
Bart saw the crowd. He saw the rope dangling at the gallows, waiting for his neck. Bart's legs started to get weak. His legs became rubber.
He dropped down to the dirt.
Zeke lost his grip, and Bart hit the dirt face first.
Dalton shoved his pistol in his holster and rushed over to Bart. He grabbed Bart's left arm while Zeke grabbed Bart's right arm. They brought Bart up to his feet with his face full of dirt.
Bart dragged his boots in the dirt while Dalton and Zeke walked him to the steps of the gallows.
Dalton and Zeke had a difficult time taking Bart up the wooden steps with a thump, thump, thump sound while Bart dragged his boots.
"No, no, you can't do this," Bart quietly said while they dragged him closer to the noose.
Dalton and Zeke walked Bart and stood him behind the noose.
Ernie and James stood behind Bart with their Winchesters aimed at his back.
Bart glanced at the crowd. He looked across the street and saw Harvey Robbins standing by his horse and wagon by his furniture shop. Leaning up against his shop with the freshly made pine box. But that coffin was initially built for John Mathers. But that hanging didn't go as planned a few days ago.
Bart decided to be brave and didn't want to be remembered as a yellow-belly. He accepted the fact that he was going to die. His scared eyes turned to fierce as he stared at the crowd. He loathed them for coming here to watch him die like it was some type of entertainment.
Mayor Mason removed a folded piece of paper from the pocket of his suit coat. He unfolded it. "By order of Judge Wilbur Peabody and the Court of Oak Creek. The town of Oak Creek hereby hang Bart Stone for the murder of Elmer Filson, the deputy of Oak Creek," Mayor Mason addressed the crowd while he read the piece of paper.
Dalton glanced at the crowd. He smiled the second he saw Chrissy standing at the back of the group. Then he suddenly got concerned. He spotted Blue Earl Olson and gang members Frankie Nixon, Deke Clinton, Bo Johnson, and Hank Bush standing behind Chrissy. What the fuck are he and his gang doing back in town? He wondered. He realized. Here to watch Bart Stone hang or save him from death. He thought. He removed his eyes off Blue Earl Olson and spotted an Indian standing way off to the right in front of the Barber Shop. He didn't recognize this Indian, but it was the tracker and time traveler Merijildo.
Mayor Mason glanced over at Dalton and Zeke to see who would place the noose around Bart's neck. Dalton nodded and grabbed the rope and put it around Bart's neck.
"Fuck you all to hell!" yelled out Bart, spraying spit. "And damn you to hell, Charlie Chandler," he yelled while Dalton tightened the noose around Bart's neck.
Dalton stepped away.
Mayor Mason nodded at Zeke.
Zeke walked over and moved the lever. The trap door underneath Bart's boots swung opened.
The crowd watched while Bart's body dropped through the opening. A crack sound was heard; the second Bart's neck snapped. Some of the people cringed over that sound.
Chrissy couldn't believe she witnessed someone being killed. That snapping of Bart's neck started to make her sick to her stomach. She turned around and rushed off and headed to the schoolhouse.
Blue Earl Olson turned around and eyed Chrissy while she rushed away. "Is that her?" he asked his gang members.
"According to one of the townfolk, she is," said Frankie.
"She sure a purdy one," said Deke with a grin that showed off his rotten brown teeth.
Hank and Bo nodded, agreeing with Deke. They all looked like they were lusting after Chrissy, and we're talking saliva-dripping lust.
"You'll have to wait for that, boys," said Blue Earl Olson. "I'm thirsty. "Let's get a quick beer," he said, and they turned around and walked off and headed back toward the Prickly Cactus.
The crowd watched while Bart's lifeless body dangled from the rope. They spotted urine dripping down the inside of Bart's left pant leg and down the side of his right boot.
Dalton stared at Bart, swinging from the rope. He looked at the crowd and saw Chrissy rushing off down the street. He saw Blue Earl Olson and his three gang members walking off down the street in the same direction as Chrissy. He got concerned. But that concern lessened when he saw Chrissy heading toward the schoolhouse and Blue Earl and his members heading off toward the Prickly Cactus Saloon.
The crowd started to disperse, as they got tired of seeing Barth's lifeless body dangling from the rope.
They walked off in directions while heading into town.
Mayor Mason, Dalton, Zeke, Ernie, and James walked off the gallows.
Harvey moved his horse and wagon over to the gallows.
Mayor Mason, Dalton, and Zeke headed over to the Marshal's Office while Ernie and James walked off in another direction.
Harvey stopped the horse at the gallows by Bart. He grabbed a knife off the wagon. He walked over to Bart and cut the rope with the knife. Bart's lifeless body dropped to the dirt with a thud sound.
He grabbed Bart by his boots and dragged him over to his wagon.
Zeke saw Harvey and rushed over to him.
Zeke helped Harvey toss Bart's lifeless body in the wagon.
Zeke walked off to the Marshal's Office while Harvey walked his horse and wagon back to his shop. Harvey would later bury Bart's body in an unmarked grave in Oak Creek's graveyard.
Merijildo walked away from the Barber's Shop and headed over to the Marshal's Office.
Dalton, Zeke, and Mayor Mason were drinking a cup of coffee when Merijildo entered the Marshal's Office.
"Merijildo," said Mayor Mason the second he saw the Indian. "Have some good news for me?"
"No," he said while he walked up to Mayor Mason.
"Oh, where are my manners? Merijildo, this is Dalton Trevor. He's the temporary Marshal until Clint returns to Oak Creek. Dalton, this is Merijildo. He's the best tracker in this area," said Mayor Mason.
Merijildo and Dalton shook hands, but there was something about Dalton that Merijildo thought was odd. But it was the right kind of strange.
"Me not find Clint," said Merijildo.
"Can't find him? Are you sure?" said Mayor Mason.
"Me sure. Me think Clint leave the area. Maybe go to San Francisco," said Merijildo, and he looked serious, trying to hide the fact that he knew precisely where Clint was at this moment.
"Well, I would never believe Clint would leave his job as Town Marshal," said Mayor Mason looking disappointed.
"Maybe need change," said Merijildo, and then he looked sad thinking about Clint living way off in the future. He missed his friend. "Me go now."
Mayor Mason reached in his suit pocket and removed five Silver dollar coins. "Thank you, Merijildo," said Mayor Mason handing Merijildo the money.
Merijildo stuffed the coins in his pants pocket then walked off to the front door. He left the office.
"I still can't believe Clint would abandon Oak Creek like that," said Mayor Mason, then he walked off and headed to the door. "He's gone," muttered Mayor Mason while he left the office.
Dalton walked over and sat down at his desk. He couldn't help but relive Bart's hanging in his head.
Hours had passed, and it was in the early evening.
Zeke just finished a cup of coffee. He got up from his desk. "I'll be back," said Zeke, and he headed over to the rear door and went outside to use the outhouse.
Dalton sat down and thought about Clint being back in the future.
The door to the Marshal's office opened.
Dalton's eyes widened with joy the second he saw Chrissy enter the office.
"Hi," he said while standing up.
"Hi," she said while walking over to him. "Let's go have some dinner," she said when she walked up to him.
"Sure," said Dalton and gave her a light kiss on her lips.
The rear door opened, and Zeke returned from the outhouse.
"Hello, Miss Barron," said Zeke walking over to his desk.
"Hello, Mister Cooper," said Chrissy.
"We're going out for some dinner," said Dalton.
"Take your time," Zeke walking over to the potbelly stove and poured a cup of coffee.
He sat down at his desk while Dalton and Chrissy left the office.
Dalton and Chrissy walked down the street.
"Some day, huh?" said Chrissy.
"I know, I'm still thinking about Bart's hanging," he said.
"I know. It wasn't what I expected," said Chrissy.
"But you have to admit that justice is swift during these times. Not like in our day when it takes years and years to execute a killer," said Dalton. "Like it did with Ted Bundy."
"I know."
Dalton and Chrissy remained quiet except for the "Hello" greetings from numerous Oak Creek town folk.
Dalton and Chrissy went inside the restaurant and were soon seated. They ordered a ham dinner.
"Hello, Marshal Trevor," said Mayor Mason while he walked up to Dalton's table. "And Miss Barron."
"Hello, Mayor Mason," said Dalton.
"Mayor," said Chrissy.
"Dalton, I've been doing some thinking. Since Merijildo said Clint isn't coming back to Oak Creek, I thought that you could be our permanent town Marshal." "You've done a good job so far."
Dalton thought about his offer for a few seconds. He smiled. "I would like that, Mayor."
"Good," said Mayor Mason, then he looked at Chrissy. "And I hope you'll stay on as our permanent school teacher. You know, since you're getting married and all."
"Yes, I would love that," said Chrissy.
"Now, since you're the official Town Marshal, you'll also get an additional two dollars for every arrest you make. We figure you deserve that for making Oak Creek safe," said Mayor Mason.
"Thank you, Mayor."
"Yes, thank you, Mayor Mason," said Chrissy.
"Very good, have a nice meal," said Mayor Mason and he walked away from the table.
Mayor Mason's eyes lit up, and he walked back to Dalton and Chrissy's table.
"I forgot. Judge Peabody said to release Jimmy Templeton from jail in the morning. Tell him his horse is at the livery stable. A Stagecoach will be here the day after tomorrow to take Charlie Chandler to Yuma that morning. It's a five-day ride and back. I'll need you as the Town Marshal to escort Chandler. You'll get extra pay for that duty. I'll round up two other guys to assist. If Charlie tries to escape, shoot to kill. If anybody tries to help him escape. Shoot to kill," he said.
"Yes, Mayor," said Dalton.
"Good, and again, have a nice evening," said Mayor Mason and he turned around and walked away.
Dalton smiled over the thought that he was the official Town Marshal. An old western Town Marshal.
Chrissy smiled at the thought of being a school teacher. She was a teacher of polite kids. But that smile turned into a frown, thinking that Dalton would be gone for five days.
A waiter brought their two ham dinners to their table.
Dalton and Chrissy ate their dinner.
After they were done dinner, they took a stroll around Oak Creek.
They walked with her right arm tucked under his left arm while they strolled down Main Street.
Five minutes had passed. "How long should we stay here on vacation?" said Chrissy when none of the Oak Creek town folk were within earshot.
Dalton thought about her question for a few seconds. "I don't know. How much longer should we stay?"
Chrissy pondered that question for a few seconds. "I don't know. What do you think?"
"Well, you know with Crazy Hole, we could stay an extra month and return like we never left two thousand and sixteen," he said.
"We'll stay here for a month," she said.
Dalton smiled, then something ran in his mind. It was something that made him nervous. He wondered if he could get up the courage.
Chrissy's frown grew on her face. "I wish you didn't have to go on that Stagecoach ride," she said, deciding to get her feelings out in the open.
"I know, but I have to act as the Town Marshal. This is something they do. So it would be a great old western adventure," he said, but inside he wasn't totally excited about the trip.
Chrissy thought about his response for a few seconds. She knew she shouldn't stop him. "I guess I'll be busy with my teaching. But I will miss you."
"And I'll miss you also," said Dalton.
Dalton and Chrissy remained quiet during the rest of their stroll around Oak Creek.
They walked to the train station and headed over to the dock.
They sat down on the bench and watched while the sun started to settle below the horizon.
Dalton started to get nervous. He opened his mouth to say something. He closed it, chickening out.
Three minutes had passed.
"Chrissy, there's something I want to ask you," he blurted out while he suddenly had the nerve.
"What's that?"
Dalton looked at Chrissy. He knew he had to press onward. He got up off the bench and dropped down on a knee. He held her right hand. "I was thinking. Since we told people here that we were engaged," he said.
Chrissy's eyes widened. It dawned on her what he was doing on his knee. Her heart raced in anticipation.
"Therefore, I was wondering, ah, I was wondering, ah, I was wondering if you would marry me for real. I mean, not right away. We could get married after we graduate from college," he said with his heart racing.
Chrissy looked at Dalton. She knew he was dead serious. Those few seconds of silence from here made Dalton nervous she wouldn't accept. "I'll be happy to marry you."
Dalton's eyes widened with joy. He jumped up. He grabbed Chrissy's hands and brought her up to her feet. He kissed her. The kiss turned passionate.
After they were done kissing, they sat back down on the bench and watched the sun drop below the horizon.
Dalton escorted Chrissy down Main Street and to her house after the sun settled below the horizon.
They stood in front of her house. "Well, until tomorrow the future Misses Dalton Trevor," he said and kissed her on the lips.
"Good night," said Chrissy and turned around and walked to the front door of her home.
After she was inside, Dalton walked away and walked down the dirt street with a spring in his step.
He returned to the Marshal's Office and helped Zeke escort the prisoners to the outhouse.
After that was done, Zeke left, and Dalton went inside the small room and went to bed.
Dalton was on the bunk in the small room. He couldn't sleep as that crack sound of Bart's neck snapping started to haunt him. He never saw anybody die before. But he tried to shrug it off. It's just the job of a lawman. He thought and knew that he might have to shoot someone one day. More outlaws to kill in the future. He thought if he was a lawman in 2016. He now thought about marrying Chrissy, and a smile grew on his face.
He closed his eyes. He soon fell asleep with a smile on his face.
Thirty minutes had passed. It was quiet in the Marshal's Office.
"Jimmy," Charlie called out in a quiet tone from his jail cell.
"Psst, Jimmy," Charlie quietly called o