THE LOS CRUCES TRAIL

In 1850 the Hartsville Gold and Quartz Company of California held a special meeting of its stock holders and officers of the company. Presiding over this meeting was Walter J. Wilson, better known by his friends and associates as Walt. He had worked for several other companies and the railroad, and they all had a great regard for him. His credentials were impeccable. Gentlemen we have a problem of great concern, as you know we ship our gold and quartz to the east coast and Europe, and the gold and quartz we ship to Europe goes from here down the Pacific ocean to Panama, then across the isthmus to Cruces and on to Porto Bello, there it will be put aboard a ship for Europe. The Las Cruces Trail is full of thieves, robbers and crooks who have stolen our gold and quartz somewhere between Panama and Porto Bello. The towns are filled with saloons and prostitutes selling cheap thrills and liqueur. The police, army and guards are all corrupt, and compromised by bribes. So its defiantly left up to us to put an end to this in good time. Gentlemen what I think we need is a few men, because I don’t think we can afford too many, nine more or less would fit our budget better, I’ve already conferred with many of you about what the cost will be. These men will have to be smart, tough, proficient with hand guns and rifles, healthy, able to speak English and Spanish well enough to communicate with one another. Men like this could be found mostly along the Mexican and American border. Walt said, I thank you for listening to my plan to end the robberies, and now I would like to turn the podium over to the President of the company. The president said I personally think Mr. Wilson has the best plan to stop these robberies, and I’ll back him all the way, because I have to, I hired him, some people laughed with the president, when he said that, then the president shook Walt’s hand, wished him well, and left the room. Walt said gentlemen I was told before this meeting I would be in charge of this mission, so I’ve already bought most of the hardware we will need. The next day Walt went to the president of the company, early that morning to be sure they wanted him to implement his plan as soon as possible, all the president said was, we have all the faith in the world in you, so good luck Walt. Mr. President I’ll keep you apprised of what’s going on as often as I can, with that said, Walt headed for the stagecoach station with two other men carrying his large amount of luggage. Walt’s wife had died of pneumonia six years ago, and he blamed himself, because his job kept them moving from one place to another. There was only a few friends to see him off. His luggage contained nine of the finest hand guns, rifles, knives, machetes, telescopes, and ammunitions, that money could buy. Walt changed stage coaches on his way to El Paso Texas, because he thought the sheriff there was the man he needed to get information from. Walt breathed a sigh of relief, when he reached El Paso, because he was carrying a large sum of money, and armory, and hoping the stage coach wouldn’t get robed. Walt headed straight for the sheriff’s office, but only the deputy was there, but he said, the sheriff would be back soon, so Walt asked the deputy if he knew any bounty hunters in or around El Paso, the deputy said they come and go, but he didn’t know if any was in town now. About that time, the sheriff came into his office, and looked at Walt, and said, I think I’ve seen you before, did you ever trouble shoot for the railroad? Yes replied Walt, a few years back. The sheriff said well what can I do for you? Well I’m looking for about nine good men, what I think I need is ex-sheriffs, deputies, bounty hunters and men who hire out their gun. I need men like your deputy, and I’d hire him if you could do without him. First I’d like to tell you both what my mission is. The company I work for ships its gold and quartz to Panama, then they must portage, by way of the Las Cruces Trail to Porto Bello, where the gold and quartz will be put on ships going to Europe. Thieves and crooks have been stealing my company’s gold, and its my job to put an end to it. Sheriff you never did say if you could do without your deputy, I would like to leave that up to him, it should be his decision, not mine. I almost forgot, I’d like to introduce myself, my name is Walt Wilson, and your names? The sheriff said my name is John Scott, and my deputy’s name is Zackary Scott. Are you related to the sheriff asked Walt? Yes he’s my uncle. Mr. Wilson I’d like to know more about this job? O. K. I’m glad you asked, for one thing, its dangerous, and we will work in a hostile environment, the pay is one hundred and twenty dollars a month, and on completion of the job, everyone will get five thousand dollars each. The police, army and guards are all corrupt and take bribes, so don’t try to arrest anybody, just shoot them, if your sure they’re robbers, and we don’t need information from them. Sheriff, Zack said, if you can get a replacement for me, I’d like to be the first man crazy enough to work for Mr. Wilson. The sheriff said I hope you, Zack, and the other eight men can get the robberies stopped. Mr. Wilson, and Walt said, I think we can dispose of all the formalities and just call me Walt. O.K. Walt, said Zack I think we need to go to the Good Times saloon and talk to Al the bartender, tell him what kind of men we need, and to pass the information along. When they walked in the saloon, someone was playing the piano, the saloon was noisy, and filled with customers. They went to the bar and the bartender came over, and said, what can I do for you fellows, and whose the stranger? Zack said he’s a trouble shooter for a company in California, and looking for some good men with a gun. I don’t want any criminals, I think what I need is bounty hunters, ex lawmen and, men who have their guns for hire, said Walt. Zack how about checking that man out, the bartender pointed out. The bartender said, my name is Al, and the bartender is at the other end of the bar, I’m the owner. Thanks Al, I’m glad you told me your name. Al what can you tell me about Zack? Well I know he’s as honest, as the days are long, and he’s real handy with a side arm, and he just might turn out to be the best man you could have hired. I didn’t ask the sheriff about him, because he’s his nephew, said Walt. Walt walked over to the table, where Zack and the man Al pointed out were sitting. Walt I’d like to introduce you to Fred waits, he’s a bounty hunter who’s good with a gun or knife and bow and arrow, and that’s what you need, when you want to be deadly and silent. Zack did you fill Fred in on all the details, salary, destination and everything else? Zack said, I gave him all the information you gave me about the job.