Slim Siringo - Wind Digits: Slim Siringo, #8

Copyright © 2025 by David W. Bailey

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recorded, photocopied, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copywritten material.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is purely coincidental.

This book may contain views, premises, depictions, and statements by the author that are not necessarily shared or endorsed by Outlaws Publishing LLC.

For information contact: info@outlawspublishing.com

Cover design by Outlaws Publishing LLC

Published by Outlaws Publishing LLC

January 2025

10987654321 

Chapter One

1820 gave us the Missouri Compromise. That compromise allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, while Maine entered as a free state. This marked the early attempt to balance slave and free states. This also set the stage for future conflict over the expansion of slavery. Then, there came the Mexican-American War of 1850, and its compromise. This compromise addressed the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories which included the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The Mexican-American War compromise required the return of escaped slaves to their owners. The Fugitive Slave Act required all citizens to help catch escaped slaves to be returned to their owners. The act also said that if a slave owner died and had no heirs, his slaves remained slaves and sold as the estate. Then, there came the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. That agreement was for the ruling factors of each state to decide the fate of slavery in new territories. That also led to the violent conflict in Kansas which became known as, ‘Bleeding Kansas’. Then, in 1857 there came the Dred Scott Decision. That decision was the decision of the Supreme Court to declare that enslaved people were not considered citizens, and could not sue for their freedom which escalated tensions between the North and South. Then, came the news of John Brown’s Raid on April 12, 1859. He staged a slave uprising at Harper’s Ferry to incite further division of the nation. Then, the election of 1860. Lincoln’s victory came in as a committed anti-slave candidate which prompted several states to secede from the Union. It also led to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

With these in the backdrop and causation which led up to the American Civil War, one thing was in common in the war between Devlin Wade and the people of Stephen’s County in Comanche, Oklahoma. Devlin Wade had marked his territory with murder, land grabbing, cheating men out of their money they worked hard for. Terrorism of men who owned different types of mines, and having them either sign over their holdings, or suffer a horrendous death. Men, women, and even children have given their lives in order to keep Wade from getting their home, cattle and lands. They had no chance against Wade’s gunmen who were hired to do Wade’s bidding, which they did very well. They were also paid handsomely to do so. Where that money came from nobody knows. It was a guaranteed payment after a job was completed? Whatever the details were, it was a sentence of death to some people in Stephen’s County, Oklahoma. Wade set up his headquarters in the Lucky Deuce saloon in Comanche, Oklahoma, and sends out his hired guns to do his bidding whatever it is Wade has for them to do. That chore could be murder, cattle rustling, to claim jumping, and anything else that comes to mind. There have only been a few people to stand up to Wade and survive. Only a few people had enough grit to keep Wade off their backs... for a while, but things are growing mighty thin.

[At the Homestead]

Matt said of Slim, That man is as sure footed as a mountain goat, and long on his convictions. It ain’t often he is at a loss of what to do, or how to do it. He sighed, then said, He seems lost just now. It’s like he has lost his direction. It’s sad to see this kind of behavior in a strong man such as Slim is. It ain’t natural.

Creel replied, Neither is it natural for a man to be obsessed over a bullet, no matter the shape, or size of it. The only bullet you should worry ‘bout is the one that has your name on it.

Matt, then said, I believe he has a valid reason for bein’ obsessed with that bullet, and the man who uses that rifle, and you know that reason.

Creel replied, Yes, I do, but I never said he didn’t have the right, Sheriff. I just said it wasn’t natural.

Natural, or not, Matt answered. In his way of thinkin’, it’s true and sure.

Jonas, then said, He’s had a powerful hurt done to him by the man who uses that rifle, didn’t he, and him a friend to boot. I would do the same thing if it were me, if it was the last thing I would ever do.

Fletcher said, Well, to me, it shows he’s willin’ to wait for a day, or so until Beddoe, and the others get here. It shows intestinal fortitude, and strength of mind.

[Comanche, Oklahoma]

After the body of Seth Brubaker had been removed from Wade’s office, the commotion in the hallway had dispersed down to almost nobody. A couple of Wade’s hired guns, among others who were in the saloon, were now are in the hallway making sure Wade was not injured. Fred Eubanks, the bartender, had stated he would have the mess in Wade’s office taken care of in no time at all, but Wade told Fred he wouldn’t.

Confused, Fred asked, Why not?

Wade replied, Because you saved my life, and I’ll not forget it.

Without realizing, a smile spread over Fred’s face as he said, Thanks, Boss.

Wade, then said, I’ll have someone else clean this mess up.

Fred asked, Then, what is it you want me to do, Wade?

Wade asked, What is it you want to do, Fred?

Fred replied, I don’t rightly know, Boss. All I’ve been is a bartender, although, I have been wantin’ to take a hand at clerkin’ in a store.

A store clerk? Seriously? Wade asked.

Yeah. I’d at least like to try. Fred answered.

Wade, then said, Well, Fred, give me a couple days and I’ll see what I can do.

Fred smiled, then said, If anyone can get somethin’ done, you can, Wade.

Thanks for your confidence in me, Fred. Wade said. "You have a redeeming grace.

So, until what you want happens you just take it easy. No more fillin’ someone’s drink order,

or havin’ some loud mouth give you a hard time."

Fred asked, Do nothin’?

Wade answered, You earned it, so, take advantage of the situation, but, I need to ask, Fred. Have you seen Emmette Stone, and Mark Crocker? If you know where they are, could you have them come see me? I have an errand for them.

Can I help in any way? Fred asked.

Wade replied, I don’t think so, Fred. I think you should stick to that dream of yours. That way you won’t get hurt, or get in the way when they do what they need to do.

Fred, then said, If you say so, Wade. I don’t want to be a hinderance to you, or the plans you have.

Thanks, Fred. I appreciate that. Wade said cordially.

Fred asked, If there is anything I can do to help, you just let me know, Wade.

Wade replied, I’ll do just that, Fred. Now, go see if you can find those two men for me, and send them my way.

Will do, Boss. Fred replied.

When Fred Eubanks left to go find Emmette Stone and Mark Crocker, Wade stood and watched as Fred ambled his way through the saloon around tables and chairs.

Just above a whisper, Wade remarked If that man hadn’t saved my life... He scoffed, then said, I’d get rid a him. He has a loose tongue. Could mean trouble later.

Wade stepped out into the saloon, then caught the attention of one man. He, then waved the man over. When the man stepped up to Wade, Wade told him to take over bar duties for a couple days until a full time bartender can be hired.

The man shook his head in agreement, but, as he turned to leave and go to the bar, Wade told him to have Keith Rachland bring a mop, bucket of soapy water and clean up the mess in his office. The man said he would. It took a couple minutes for Keith to get to Wade’s office, but, he got there with mop and bucket of soapy water. While Keith was cleaning up Wade’s office of the blood on the floor, Wade had told him that when he was done with what he was doing, Wade had a special arrand for him to do. Keith never questioned the errand, he just agreed to do the arrand. While Keith was cleaning Wade’s office, Wade went to the bar.

Wade bellied up to the bar saying, A glass of my favorite whiskey, Homer.

Homer Creighton replied, I don’t know which one that is, Wade. I just got here.

Wade, then said, Old Crow, Homer. Make a note of it. When I ask, you supply.

Homer replied, Yes, Sir. I sure will.

Homer looked on the shelf behind him on the wall shelf, but the bottle wasn’t there. He, then looked at the shelf under the bar, and lo and behold, there was the bottle of Old Crow. He grabbed a clean whiskey glass, opened the bottle of Old Crow and poured Wade a three finger glass of whiskey, then placed the glass in front of Wade.

Homer, then said, There ya go, Wade. I’ll remember that the next time you ask.

Wade replied, Thanks.

Wade, then downed the brown liquid in one gulp. He gritted his teeth as the whiskey coated his mouth and stung his tongue, and it burned all the way down.

He put the glass back on the bar saying, I’ll have another, Homer.

Yes, Sir. Homer replied. Comin’ right up.

He grabbed the bottle of Old Crow again, and poured three fingers of whiskey in the shot glass, then put the glass on the bar in front of Wade.

Homer smiled, then said, I think I’m getting’ the gist of this, Wade.

Wade picked up his glass of whiskey, then turned to Homer saying Good. How would you like to be permanent barkeep, Homer?

You serious, Wade? Homer asked.

Sure I’m serious. Wade replied. Our regular barkeep is goin’ into the clerkin’ business, so I need a permanent bartender, and I think you’d do just fine, that is if you’re in’trested.

If I’m in’trested? Homer replied excitedly. You bet I am. Thanks, Wade.

Wade answered, Think nothin’ of it. I no longer have to worry ‘bout the bar, and see it is ran efficiently. I should thank you, Homer. I’m sure you’ll do a bang up job.

I’ll sure do my best, Wade. Homer replied, smiling. Thanks again.

Wade, then said, At any time you get overwhelmed with people, or feel crowded, I’ll get you some help. Can’t disappointment the customers, ya know. Not good for business.

Homer replied, I understand, Boss. Like I said, I’ll do my best.

Wade said, "Good. If you should need me for any reason, I’ll be