"The Heart Will Bring Us Home",Pt.8

                                                                         PT.8

                                                   “ The Heart will bring us Home”

Once Matt and the troops, were back on their way.. they were still under fire.  There were many of folks who didn’t want these families migrating into there communities.. And homesteading on land that they thought they had the rights too.   Especially , newly Freed Slaves.   So, it was up to our Government to see to it that their passage to these locations were protected.   The Army, and Matt were part of that Protection.

Most of the Weapon firing ..took place at night fall, that way … no one could be identified …
As the groups were reaching Woodward, Ok. Just about sundown, once again…shots began .
Slowly , a few more casualties…the numbers were adding up.   But this night they seemed to be coming closer..?    Matt heard the screams of some of the Children and Woman… he ran to the screams…..
But as he approached the loud screams… Shots rang out.. The next thing he felt was a burning.. in the
Right side of his chest…and he dropped to his knees…. A small Boy, came up from behind.. Knelt beside
him with tears in his eyes…. Mister, stay here I’ll get help. .Ok?  I’ll Get you Help….
Within Minutes, several family members came running to help…they carried Matt to there camp site…
made him a up spot to see if they could make him comfortable .One of the elder woman ordered someone to heat her some water, and get her some rags.. And heat a knife!   She was their family Doctor equivalent.
Three of the larger men held him down… while “Momma Mabel“, as they called her, Dug the bullet out of Matt’s chest…!     One of the Army soldiers.. rode quickly ahead, to let the colonial know Matt had been shot, and to see if they could get word to a Doctor… they were just at the Kansas border.

Col. Jacob Bradfield, knew Matt was from Dodge City and that there would be a Doctor there… so he had
A message sent on ….
Dr. G. Adams
Dodge City ,Kansas
In Need of Medical assistance, stop. injured U.S. Marshal wounded .stop.
Will provide Army escort. Stop.
Col. J. Bradfield

The Wire was sent ,but the soldier, was also sent to escort Doc, to the location….

By now , there were few families still with the group, many chose to stay in north Texas, some in Oklahoma
Some met with resistance and other’s were received well….,but all in all.. most were dealing with the choices they made.    Barney, Got the telegram…and run straight to Doc’s office… not losing a minute…
Knowing how important this would be…  But, now Doc, was wondering ..when the soldier would arrive
to escort him to their location?   He didn’t want to wait…. When he spotted Festus, he Told him about the telegram… Putting all their normal non-sense aside….Festus, Do you think you could find Matt?
Why , You ol’ Scudder…Sure I could find Matthew…better then, any body every could!
Well, Then …?  Let’s do it?   Show me your not all talk behind those whiskers!   Well alright , let’s git ur done’…     Festus’ looked out.. To the sky….Matthew… we’re com’in fur ya’ just stay in the buggy…!

When they were getting ready to leave… Newly came out of the Post office…., stopped Festus…
Goin’ some where are ya?   Newly, Me and Doc.. are going to find Matthew.. He said.  You take care of things here will ya?    Sure Festus. .he answered… Is something’ wrong?  Matthew‘s hurt and Needs Doc’s help.   ..Well, I was just gonna tell ya.. That this Let…and Festus didn’t let him finish.. Now Newly.. We don’t have time.. We gotta go…see ya directly!     But Festus?…… Doc and Festus Rode Off….

Newly stood.. shaking his head…while he walked across the street to the Long branch…entering the saloon
Sam, spotted him, Hi Newly ..How about a Beer?…sure Sam….  What’s that you have there?   Oh, this?
He said . It’s a Letter, from Miss Kitty.. For the Marshal.   Newly , the Marshal ‘s not back yet.. is he?
No, Sam.. and won’t be from the looks of it. .Newly answered. What do you mean?   Well, Doc and Festus, just rode out.. to get him.. seems he’s been hurt.. ?  Oh, No, Sam face dropped.   And Miss Kitty is away.
Newly , did they say where they were going ?   No, but I know the trail he was taking was up from Texas,. thru Oklahoma, into Kansas… Newly replied.  Newly, could you stay here.. For a few minutes.. I’ll be right back.


Sam walked into the telegraph office.. Hello Barney,   Hi Sam, what can I do for you?
I need to send a wire to Miss Kitty.. In St. Louis…
Oh, About the Marshal?… Yes Barney she’d want to know…

Sam Sent the message it read:

Miss Kitty Russell
C/O Lemp Residence
3322 De Monil Place
St. Louis Mo. 63118

Urgent, that you return. .stop. Marshal hurt. Stop . Unsure of condition. Stop.
Thought you would want this information. Stop.

Sam Noonan
Long Branch, Dodge City, Kansas


Meanwhile, Col. Jacob Bradfield… had wired ahead to his family that his trip was close to a end and that he would soon be joining them for a visit.   He had agreed to meet up with His Sister…and her companion..
for a visit, on her way back to Texas.   His group were all now settled.   He was just waiting ,now for Matt to get help… The family that was caring for him didn’t want to leave until they knew he was taken care of or that .   They felt responsible.     So they all band together.
Matt was still unconscious .. Running a fever… now and again.. Mumbling …Kitty… Kitty…
But, Momma Mabel didn’t understand why a grown man ..was asking for a Kitty? 

It was mid afternoon, and  Matt was still feverish.. Momma Mabel, still by his side…The colonial , had left
Just long enough to connect with his sister, and bring her and her companion , back to the camp.. He hadn’t seen her for two year’s .and didn’t want to miss the chance to spend what little time  to catch up.
Bringing them back to the camp .. Jacob began tell them the tale of his adventure.. Jacob’s Sister was more impressed then her friend.     When they reach the camp… Momma Mabel, called for the Colonial…
Colonial?… If this Doctor doesn’t get here soon… I don’t know what else I can do .. With no supplies…
And I don’t know why…? ….why… this man wants …a kitty?   Everyone stood and looked around at one another… The colonial not wanting to laugh said Momma Mabel. .did you say he wants a Kitty.  Yes!
Momma Mabel looked at the new visitors.. And asked who are they?…. Finally, Jacob, said , Momma Mabel, This is My Sister, Miss Sarah Bradfield, and her companion , Mr. Will Stanbridge. They are on their way to Texas.    Will, Suddenly… asked the colonial… This Man, Momma is speaking of..   A Big Man? Yes Jacob answered .    Wouldn’t be a U.S. Marshal  by any chance ?  Why , yes.. he is.. it’s Matt … and Will finished Jacob’s sentence… Dillon?     Yes, Matt Dillon!   You know him?  As a matter of fact I do.
What happen to him? Will asked.   Jacob motioned for Will to follow him to the tent… he’s in here …he’s been shot. Momma Mabel removed the bullet, but , he’s had a fever.. And we have no supplies.. Or Meds?
We sent to Dodge for the Doctor, but no telling how long ..it will take or if he’ll last that long?
Will took a deep breath… Oh, Matt! …Colonial, You can tell Momma Mabel.. He’s not asking for a Kitty…   he’s asking for a very special, “KITTY”  I’m sorry Will I don’t follow…? .She’s a Very, Very Special Woman!   His Very Special Woman!      OHH!, Jacob said …nodding his head in recognition .
Will, Where would we find this Kitty woman?   The colonial asked.   That may be touchy. .I saw her a few days ago in St. Louis, but , she may well be on her way back to Dodge City . She lives in Dodge.
Well, if things are like you say.. Let’s hope this Doctor get here mighty soon for both their sakes.

                                                                           TBC