Written for challenge (In)famous - Set during Devil's Hole Days
The robbery had gone “Hannibal Heyes Plan” perfect except for one thing, the getaway. After robbing Hobart Bank and Mining in the town of Hobart Grove, the Devil’s Hole Gang had rendezvoused at Plain Top Ridge about an hour out of town. Heyes gave everyone $1500 and instructions to disperse in groups of two to preplanned destinations meeting at Devil’s Hole in three weeks, no earlier, no later. The remainder of the take would be distributed then.
“Heyes, why do you and the Kid get to go to Denver?” whined Wheat. “And you’re sending Kyle and I to Brooke City. They only got one saloon and a fleabag hotel.”
Taking a patient breath, Heyes answered, “Not Denver itself, the Kid and I are scouting our next job in Centennial, near Denver. That’s why we’re going there. You drew Brooke City out of the hat all fair and square, Wheat.”
Kid cut him off, “Heyes, boys, I do believe that’s a posse in the distance. Let’s ride!”
“Good Luck, boys. See you all in three weeks,” Heyes added. Turning his horse towards Centennial, he nodded to Curry saying, “Follow me. Partner.”
The gang dispersed quickly. With money in their pockets, they got down to the job of losing the posse.
ASJ------------ASJ----------ASJ----------ASJ----------ASJ
Entering the outskirts of Centennial, Heyes and Curry slowed their frantic pace. They had not seen the posse since they crossed the last stream. Following the main road into town, Curry’s senses were alert, but he was tired.
“Feel like we been runnin’ for days and days.” Curry told his partner now riding next to him. “Old Blackie’s worn out too. I’m sure he needs new shoes, these are plum worn down.”
Curry pulled up his horse and held his arm out to stop Heyes, squinting through the sun into the distance.
“Can’t see a danged thing up there, Kid. What are you seeing?” asked Heyes, realizing the Kid’s vision was more acute.
“Looks like a broken-down wagon. Left wheel’s in the ditch.” Curry squinted again. “Could be a trap, I see two people standing there not trying to fix it.”
Heyes felt the caution in Curry’s voice spread through him too.
“Don’t think theys seen us yet.” Curry continued. “You ride straight, and I will cover you from those trees. Just give me a minute head start.”
As he approached, Heyes realized the two people were women. The one in charge wore a long black skirt. Her straight hair was perfectly parted in the center and pulled back to a bun low on her neck.
Heyes tipped his hat. “Ma’am, looks like you’ve had a bit of trouble. Something we can help you with?”
The woman scrutinized him with the ardor of a teacher eyeing a child who had just been caught throwing a spitball.
“What’s your name, young man?” she asked, her voice strong and sure. “And who is this we?”
“I’m Joshua Smith. And this is my partner, Thaddeus Jones.” He finished pointing to his cousin emerging from the nearby trees.
“I’m Miss Anthony and yes your help would be most welcome. I’ll pay you of course.”
Curry pulled his horse up next to the wagon. “If one of you ladies could direct the horse toward the road, Joshua and I will push from the side. Soon as the wheel gets out of the ditch, stop.”
Following instructions, the wagon was on the road in a few minutes, but it was obvious the wheel needed replacing.
“Mr. Smith, I must be at the Farmhouse Ranch within the hour. I have an important speech to give at a rally there. May I hire you two to change the wheel? I believe there’s a spare one in the bed.”
Heyes smiled agreeably and looked at Curry knowing he would have no objection to helping the needy.
“What kind of speech are you giving at a ranch, Miss Anthony? Seems to me it will be mostly men there. If its temperance, they’ll not listen long,” Heyes said, preparing to help Curry take off the broker wheel.
“No, it’s on suffrage. Women’s suffrage.”
Curry studied the woman before speaking. “Ma’am, if there’s women suffering somewhere you don’t need to give a speech. We’ll help you. Can’t abide with no woman suffering,” he said earnestly. “Are they nearby?”
Finally, a smile graced the woman’s face as she explained. “Equal rights for women, Mr. Jones. And equal pay for the same work.”
Seeing confusion on his face she gave him an example. “I was in a town yesterday called Hobart; do you know it?”
A nervous look flashed between the partners.
“Yes, we know it. Ain’t been there for a while though.” answered Heyes cautiously.
“Well, I was in the bank conducting some business. Have you been in the bank?” she asked, oblivious to the looks the men were sharing.
Heyes answered for them. “Ain’t been in the bank there.”
“Well it doesn’t matter if you haven’t been in there. They have three clerks there all doing the same thing, working at window and helping customers, two women and one man. Do you know that man makes more than both of those women put together?”
With the new wheel attached, Heyes leaned against the side of the wagon. “Man got a family?”
He saw Miss Anthony bristle at the question. “That is not the issue. There must be equal pay for equal work,” she answered emphatically.
Turning she addressed Curry. “And I am speaking for woman to get the vote. That is their right. Our Declaration of Independence said ‘We the people not we the white male citizens..... I am sorry for lecturing you here. This is part of my speech. I hope you will come listen to me.” She saw their hesitation. “Of course, food and punch will be served too.”
Heyes broke into his dimpled smile. “My partner here never turns away food, do you Thaddeus?”
Curry’s smile made his blue eyes twinkle. “That’s right, Ma’am.”
“May I ask why this rally is so important, Miss Anthony?” Her cause had caught Heyes imagination.
She answered his question with a question, “Where do you live, gentlemen?”
Before Heyes could concoct a lie, Curry volunteered, “Wyoming.”
Miss Anthony smiled, “No wonder. Wyoming women already have the vote. There is no need to vote for it there. Colorado became a state just last year in 1876. Now they’re voting to give women the vote. I traveled here to hold rally to get that approved.” As she talked, she climbed back in the wagon. “Thank you, sirs, for your help,” she said handing them two dollars.
Heyes tried to give them back to her. “No, you earned this. Thank you for your timely help. Remember, as I say in my speech, ‘There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.’”
She waved her hand goodbye.
“We goin’ to that rally, Heyes?” asked Curry. “She did say there’s food. Maybe someone there can reshoe this horse.”
“Yeah, Kid, let’s go here what she has to say about this women’s suffrage and get your horse shoed. Yes, yes and eat.”
Note: The referendum for woman’s voting right in Colorado was defeated in 1877. However, Colorado did become one of the first states to enact women’s suffrage by popular referendum in 1893.
Home 
