Chapter 116: The Laramie Gang
Two days later, at Valentine Train Station.
Davey touched the lingering warmth on his face and let his gaze drift toward the approaching train.
During these two days, aside from signing the contract at the start, he’d spent all his time simply accompanying Stella.
Trips to Cumberland Falls, fishing on the Dakota River.
Strolling under the moonlight, horseback riding.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
‘Doesn’t she know about my relationship with Catherine?’
‘Or is she testing me on Catherine’s behalf?’
‘Fake sisterhood?’
He shook his head lightly, pushing away these romantic distractions.
Right now, Davey just needed to wait for Stella’s good news.
Of course, the 1,000 dollars he advanced her wasn’t in cash—it was wired through the bank.
That thousand was only the commission. The actual processing fees would be an additional 3,000 to 5,000 dollars, depending on the lawyer’s network. But that money would be wired directly to other offices, not to the lawyer personally.
“Setting up the security company also required a physical office in one of the major eastern cities, and Stella would handle all of that.”
He would just need to pay the rent.
...
Valentine, Veterans’ Club.
After two weeks of simple renovations, opening day had finally arrived.
And the first veteran to appear was, naturally, Mickey.
“Mr. Land, are you sure you want to publish news about the Valentine Veterans’ Club in the New Hanover Gazette?”
“If you do, we may see a large number of veterans coming to Valentine.”
“There may not be many veterans out here, but it’s still not a small number for a town like ours.”
The staff member from the Valentine Gazette stared at Davey, almost doubting what he’d just heard.
Davey smiled. “Sir, I’m sure. I want the news about the Valentine Veterans’ Club printed in the New Hanover Gazette.”
“And make it clear in the paper: all veterans are welcome in Valentine. I will provide them with free food and lodging.”
“They are heroes of the United States—men who once fought for freedom. They shouldn’t be drifters in uniform.”
Most homeless veterans were concentrated in the east, simply because the west offered nowhere to beg.
The two towns with the most veterans were Blackwater and Saint Denis.
In New Hanover, they were more common in Annesburg and the Van Horn Trading Post, where wealthy residents allowed them at least enough opportunities to survive.
As for a livestock town like Valentine—many people could barely feed themselves, let alone help others.
“Mr. Land, you truly are a great man,” the Gazette employee said with heartfelt admiration.
When Davey tried to pay for the newspaper placement, the staff refused.
According to the paper’s policy, a story like this belonged on the front page. Not only was it free, but the contributor would even receive a reward.
The New Hanover Gazette’s main office was in Annesburg; Valentine only served as a telegraph branch. The report would be transmitted via telegraph and appear in the next issue of the New Hanover Gazette.
After arranging the newspaper matter, Davey went in search of a suitable place in Valentine to establish the elementary school.
Once the school opened, the name Davey Land would spread throughout Valentine. Everyone would know him as the town’s great benefactor—especially since Valentine had never had a primary school before.
If Davey's popularity grew high enough, he might even run for mayor by year’s end.
People underestimate the role of mayor. Even though the position carried no salary and existed solely to serve the public, the authority behind it was significant.
The political structure of the US emphasized local autonomy. In simple terms, if Davey became Valentine’s mayor, he would answer only to the people of Valentine. Even if the governor of New Hanover State showed up, Davey could ignore him completely. He could even establish laws exclusive to Valentine.
For example, in Strawberry, Timmins pushed through a prohibition order, turning Strawberry into a dry town.
The existing saloons were forced to close because of it.
Of course, this prohibition applied only within Strawberry’s borders. Blackwater, also in West Elizabeth State, had no such restrictions.
How this power was exercised depended entirely on local governance.
Any new law would still require a vote from the town’s residents.
“If Davey controlled the majority of votes, he could even remove Sheriff Malloy—federally appointed or not—and elect a new sheriff.”
...
That evening, however, bad news arrived.
Davey’s moonshine site at Emerald Ranch had been attacked.
Seven of his men were dead, and Donal was badly wounded.
“Mr. Callander, it was them—the Laramie Gang. They stole our moonshine and tried to kill us all.”
“Donal was shot in the right arm and is being treated at the clinic. Mr. Guthrie was murdered brutally.”
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