ANOTHER MAN'S
GAME
-
Jedediah Curry
1884
He found the street after only one wrong turn. It was in the less fashionable part of town, but someone had seen fit to lay planks to form a walkway across the continual muddy streets giving it an air of middle class respectability.
The wooden sign above the office door lacked the impressive boldness of the engraved brass one he had seen on a previous establishment of this kind a day ago, but he did not hold it against them having expected no less. If the information he had gotten from the shoe shine boy was correct the company was barely a year old.
He tried the doorknob and found it locked and realized he was too early to expect it to be manned. Frowning he considered his options; he had come on a whim that now was beginning to feel foolish and he paused not sure if he should start back for his hotel or leave a card.
He turned hearing voices and watched as two men walked up the street laughing at something said between them that lit up their faces in familiar comradery. They were in suits, well cut, but not fashionable and had clearly been up all night if their absence of ties, and the open vests and jackets swung over their shoulders were any indication.
The fairer one was armed, a six gun strapped to his hip like something you would see on the cover of a dime novel and it startled him. This was his first trip west, but so far he had only seen Denver’s more civilized fronts. These two were the west he had been warned about and hoped to see, just not on such a lonely street.
He leaned on the expensive cane that had been a gift and waited to see if they would pass him without incident. A well-dressed black man still was an easy mark to some men, which was why he was there in the first place.
“Good morning!” the dark haired man said pleasantly pulling a key from his pocket. He was in a good mood and any apprehension the older man felt melted away.
He accepted an equally as congenial greeting from the gunslinger and checked his own prejudice.
“I was seeking the Smith and Jones Detective Agency?” he said and as always the refined texture of his voice caught them off guard. People always found it disconcerting when a man did not speak the way they expected.
“You’ve found them, won’t you come in Mr. Douglass?” the dark haired man said shrewdly and Frederick Douglass nodded impressed and allowed them to escort him into the hallway.
Another key and a hall and a door later he found himself in their office and the last of his doubts placated. The room was well lit and organized by someone who how to use space to get things done quickly. The two desks across from each other showed distinct styles; one neat as a pin as if it had never been touched and the other marred with papers and files. There were several chairs chosen for comfort and a door leading to a back room furnished with two cots. Books were everywhere as well as recent newspapers and maps lined the walls with notes pinned to certain cities. Oddly the organized clutter of the room gave it more a sense of success than untidiness and gratefully he accepted the chair offered.
“Gonna make some coffee get you a cup?” the gunslinger asked and he chastised himself for still thinking of him like that.
“Thank you I would be most grateful. I came here on a whim this morning during my morning walk and have yet to partake of breakfast.”
“You’re an early riser,” the dark haired man smiled across from him at the desk lined with paper and files.
“I find it more peaceful to see a city before its inhabitants bias my view. I am at a disadvantage you knowing my name and…”
“Forgive me,” the dark haired man smiled charmingly. “Long night. I’m Hannibal Heyes and this is my partner Jedediah Curry.”
He waited for a reaction.
“Fear not Mr. Heyes I was told who the men were behind Smith and Jones before I came.”
Heyes smiled and leaned back, “Startles some folks, but most come because of who we were.”
“It is rare a man can trade on his past successfully.”
“Well I don’t know about how successfully,” Curry grinned ruefully handing him the cup. “Like he said we’ve been up all night.”
“But a fruitful night if you countenance is any example, thank you,” he took a sip of coffee and nodded approval. “How is it that you know of me Mr. Heyes?”
“Heard you were in town, Molly made sure it hit all the papers. She considers you a bit of coup, what with your suffragette leanings.”
“Ah Mrs. Brown has been most gracious in making me feel welcome. You are friends of hers?”
Curry laughed, “Molly likes causes, she considers us one of her pet ones.”
“So Mr. Douglass what can we do for you,” Heyes asked curious.
“I understand you often do body guard work.”
“Yea we’ve been known to handle that,” Kid said sitting on the edge of the desk. “Someone giving you a problem?”
“Not as yet, but this is my first trip west. I am spending a week in Denver seeing the sights and speaking at a dinner on Friday. I was advised it might be in my best interest to secure shall we say a guide during my time here, just to avoid any misunderstanding.”
The two men glanced at each other and Heyes swallowed a smile.
"You have a most tactful way of putting things Mr. Douglass."
"I find a man's choice of words can often deflect trouble before it starts."
Heyes nodded impressed, "Mr. Douglass forgive me if I seem to be questioning your choosing us, but why are you choosing us? You’re a wealthy important man. Last I heard when you return home the President is talking about you becoming an ambassador. What makes you want us when you could hire Pinkerton or Bannerman men?”
Douglass smiled softly. “You are correct I left the Bannerman agency only yesterday, but after speaking with them I became convinced they were not up to meeting my needs. You see gentlemen I need to be convinced that whoever I hire will sincerely be dedicated in maintaining my well being.”
“And you didn’t get that from the Bannermen and Pinkertons?” Kid asked quietly.
“No sir I did not. You see I have this alarming habit of forgetting things. At nearly 68 it is to be expected and when I returned for my glasses I overheard my case being discussed and to be honest, ‘Who is going to get laden down babysitting the nigger’ did not fill me with confidence.”
“And you think we’ll be any different?” Heyes said no expression on his face.
“As I was leaving a shoe shine boy gave me a tip I should try you.”
“Leon,” Kid grinned. “He works for us sometimes.”
“He spoke quite highly of you. Said his uncle does jobs for you as well.”
“Daniel, was a Buffalo soldier,” Heyes explained. “Used to ride for us. I won’t lie to you Mr. Douglass most of the people who work for us used to be on the run and more than a few have done jail time.”
“Yes Mrs. Brown said you had an interesting cast of characters you had taken under your wing. She also said your family were killed in the border wars, abolitionists,” he said with deep respect. “That was enough to convince me that perhaps I had men who would see the job as more than babysitting an ex slave.”
The two ex-outlaws looked at each other and Douglass smiled impressed at their ability to have a complete conversation without saying a word.
“Mr. Douglass we accept the job,” Heyes said offering his hand.
“Fine, I will have my secretary drop off a copy of my schedule," he said rising. "I am staying at the Palace."
“I'll walk with you back sir,” Kid said picking up his coat.
“Babysitting all ready Mr. Curry?” he asked amused.
“No sir,” Kid said simply. “Palace Hotel kitchen makes the best omelets in the city, I'm using you as an excuse to get breakfast," Kid said charmingly.
"You have piqued my interested, may I join you?" the man asked curious of his response.
"Be an honor sir," Kid said honestly.
"Well I'm not missing a chance for breakfast at the palace and to talk to Frederick
Douglass," Heyes said looking left out snatching his coat as well.
"Watch him he steals your toast," Kid advised the man softly and then looking up innocently at Heyes's frown smiled.
Douglass laughed perhaps the Wild West was going to live up to his imagination after all.
*************************
"Maggie no one throws a party like you do," Heyes grinned kissed the dark haired woman on the cheek and blinking in awe at her flamboyant gold shingled dress.
"Soiree Hannibal! Party is for the poor folk," Molly Brown correctly him sternly. "Where's that handsome partner of yours?"
"Showing our newest assignment around," Heyes said looking around the crowded salon. As always Molly's parties were a crush with everyone who was anyone there. Regarded as new money she was looked down on by the more aristocratic of Denver society, but he noted they never missed one of her 'gatherings'.
"Yea I heard Frederick took my advice and hired you two, how you getting on?"
"Easiest job we ever had, Kid is teaching him to fast draw. He may be 68, but he has the heart of a 10 year old easterner come west!" Heyes smiled.
"I should have know only Mrs. Brown would invite a 'colored' to a social gathering," a woman behind them said fanning herself in horror as Kid appeared with Douglass and the two paused to secure champagne glasses from a passing maid.
"Maggie," Heyes warned as she stiffened.
"Bannerman's wife, should have known. Come on I want you and Jedediah to meet someone."
Douglass safely ensconced in a literary group eager to speak with him both Kid and Heyes found themselves pulled into an affluent group of men who looked as if a leper had been permitted into their midst at their presence.
"Bannerman, Pinkerton I believe you know Heyes and Curry," Molly smiled. "Boys want you to meet Mr. Gruber he's heading up the plans for our new mint!"
"Pleasure sir," Heyes smiled and the man stared at him like he was some creature he had never seen before.
"You’re the outlaw!" the man said fascinated.
"Ex-outlaw," Kid correctly politely. "We only put money in banks now."
"Oh my," the man said beginning to sweat profusely and pulling a handkerchief from his pocket wiped his balding head worriedly.
"I was thinking boys to make this little contest of yours interesting you ought to let some real competition for the job into the game!" Molly said grinning like she had just let a cat in among the canaries.
"Job?" Heyes asked pleasantly.
"Yea seems Gruber here is looking to sign up a detective agency to advise on security for the new mint. Pinkerton and Bannerman here both want the job, but I think Smith and Jones should have a shot at it. After all nobody knows more about getting money out of banks than you two!"
"Mrs. Brown this is highly unorthodox," Bannerman sniffed. He was a tall thin man with too much hair on top and not enough on the sides making him look remarkably like he was wearing a small furry animal on top of his head.
"Seriously Mrs. Brown this is a job for professionals," Pinkerton said his voice dripping with superiority. He was a rugged older man and gave off the air of a demi-god condescending to speak with mere mortals.
"What's the matter boys you afraid to let a couple of new kids on the block play?" Molly said
"It's all right Molly, Mr. Gruber knows we don’t rob banks any more so his new mint should be almost completely safe."
"Almost?" Gruber asked alarmed.
"Well if Heyes here can think of how to rob one, well maybe someone else could," Kid said.
"You two never robbed a mint!" Pinkerton sputtered.
"No sir, but that doesn't mean Heyes didn't figure out how to. Ya see my partner is funny like that, just instinctively knows how to do the impossible," Kid smiled and Heyes tried to look modest.
"All right you two think your so smart what say we have a little contest. You two try and rob the Gruber and Clark Assay office and Bank where they are going to build the mint and which ever one of us catches you gets the contract for security of the mint."
"And if we rob the mint we get it?" Heyes asked innocently.
"Definitely not!" Mr. Gruber said horrified.
"Oh we'd give the gold back," Kid assured him sincerely.
"Never gonna get that far Gruber old man, don't worry," Bannerman said slapping him on the back. "Not with the Bannermen on the job!"
"So we have a deal?" Pinkerton said as everyone gathered around fascinated by the challenge.
"How long do we have?" Heyes asked innocently.
"One week," Bannerman said snidely. "I mean that should be long enough for a genius like you."
"Yes but I want to give you time to get your security into place, make it two," Heyes said with a smile that suddenly made the three men feel slightly uncomfortable.
"All right you have two weeks from today at shall we say bank opening, 10:00 a.m.," Pinkerton said checking his watch for effect.
"May the best man win," Heyes said offering his hand.
"The best gentleman," Bannerman said ignoring it.
"I got $500 on Heyes and Curry! Who will take my bet!" Molly yelled and the room erupted in excitement.
************************************
"You gentlemen are now the talk of Denver," Douglass chuckled as the carriage made its way through the quiet streets towards the hotel. "Tell me do you really believe you can out wit both the Bannermen and Pinkerton agencies?"
"Were sure gonna try," Heyes grinned like a child given a new toy to play with.
"In only two weeks," Douglass said amazed.
"Actually were going to do it tonight," Kid said matter of factly.
"What!" Douglass gasped.
"Wanna help?" Heyes grinned.
The ex-slave broke into a wide smile of amazement.
"Gentlemen I wouldn’t miss it for the world!"
**********************
"Two hundred of my finest men," Bannerman said proudly the next morning as he and Gruber stood outside the bank entrance. The huge fortress like structure had been ringed with armed men ever two feet. "It would take an army to get past them."
"Not to mention my men on the inside," Pinkerton said proudly watching an armored carriage from one of the local mines be unloaded by the black guards hired to drive and protect it.
"I suppose you gentlemen are right," Gruber said still nervous checking the bags of ore and then signing off without even glancing at the man offering the clipboard. "This is one million in gold ore and…"
"1.3 to be exact," Heyes said pleasantly walking up with his partner as the wagon pulled away.
"Well come to see how impossible it is going to be?" Bannerman laughed.
"No, came to sign the contract for the security advisement job," Kid smiled back.
Heyes checked his watch, "Ten a.m. exactly."
"You said two weeks!" Bannerman sputtered.
"We did say two weeks," Kid admitted to Heyes.
"They're bluffing!" Pinkerton sneered. "They haven't robbed the bank we've been here all night expecting you to try something while we were getting in place!"
"We did," Heyes said simply. "Rob the bank I mean."
For the first time the three men looked slightly uncomfortable. The two men's jaunty confidence was highly unnerving.
"Gentlemen this bank has walls four feet thick, there are guards every two feet and a state of the art safe that…."
Heyes raised his hand; "We robbed your bank Mr. Gruber of 4.5 million in gold ore last night. Sometimes you have to think outside the bank."
All men stared at him and then at the bags of ore being taken into the vault.
"Get me an ore sampling kit!" Gruber screamed.
"Don't bother its all iron pyrite," Kid grinned.
"My gold!" Gruber started to blubber.
"Is safe in its original wagon at an old pony express stopping station about three miles from here. We got a letter to the driver from you advising him that there was going to be a robbery and he should hold up there and wait until you arrived. We just borrowed a wagon they weren't using at the company you hire to transport the ore and sent it in with some fool's gold that would weigh in at the correct amount. We knew you wouldn't get around to analyzing its worth for at least a day easily giving us time to escape with the real gold if we had wanted to," Heyes smiled.
"But we have security! The same men bring those wagons every trip! I know them!"
"No Mr. Gruber you don't," Frederick Douglass said walking up and pulling off his cap uniform he has worn as a guard on the wagon. You knew men of color brought that wagon in and since you never once looked them in the face and acknowledged them as men all you saw every time was their color."
"Now," Heyes smiled cheerfully. "How much did you say that contract was worth?"
***************************
"Woooo Heyes, $50,000! You realize what we can do with that?" Kid asked, as the two sat back later that night on their beds holding glasses of champagne and grinning like children.
"Enough to open that San Francisco office and it means we can take on more help permanent. We'll have to contact Wheat and the boys."
Kid frowned, "That will make things interesting."
"Kid how did you know I had a plan for getting into that bank I never told you about it."
"Heyes I know the way you mind works. You can't pass a building someone wants to keep us out of without worrying it to death until you do."
Heyes laughed and clicked his partner's glass; "Well you were the one who pulled together everything we needed in a couple of hours. Good thing too, Pinkerton isn't stupid he would have gotten around to securing that shipment procedure eventually."
"Now all that's left is the icing on the cake," Kid smiled wickedly and reaching over for his jacket pulled a large envelope out of it.
"What's this?" Heyes said confused as his friend handed it to him and opening it he stared in amazement. "How did you get this!?"
"Well remember when Mr. Gruber was showing us around his vault? I sort of hung back cause I think I made him nervous and there they were, all lined up with the names neatly printed under each one!"
"You picked the lock!"
"Its all right I replaced it with something just as good. Remember that drawing Mrs. Michaels son did of us last week?"
Heyes stared down at the photograph and negative that Clementine Hale had haunted them with for a lifetime.
"When do you think she's gonna notice? I mean she can't hold this over our head anymore."
"No but we might be able to hold this one over hers," Kid said innocently.
Heyes stared in amazement at the photograph of the demure young woman barely dressed in a flashy dance hall outfit. "I thought she destroyed all of these!"
"She should have!" Kid said starting to laugh.
Heyes tried to hold on to some sense of being a gentleman. "Kid this is wrong. You know Clem was drunk, first and only time in her life when this picture was taken and she is mortified we even know it exists. And for us to keep it and use it against her like she did us with this one is…." Heyes burst into a sunny smile. "Poetic justice!"
The two clinked glasses again.
"Heyes?"
"Hmmmm?"
"You ever think what would have happened if we had used this plan before we went straight? I mean 1 million in gold is an awful lot of money."
"Yea, but we'd be running for the rest of our lives instead of sitting here drinking very good champagne."
"True," Kid agreed. "But still tempting."
"Oh I don't know," Heyes smiled refilling their glasses. "I think I'm gonna like people paying us to rob their banks!"
Historical Notes:
Frederick Douglass as born into slavery in Maryland
in 1818. Teaching himself to read and write he used these skills to escape from
slavery. As a major Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad he helped
hundreds escape to freedom. Renowned
for his eloquence he lectured on the brutality of slavery and helped recruit
African American troops for the Union Army.
His personal relationship with Abraham Lincoln helped persuade the
President to make Emancipation part of the Civil War cause. Two of Douglass's sons served in the 54th
Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up entirely of African American
Volunteers and portrayed in the film "Glory!".
Douglass in his time served as an U.S. Marshall,
bank President and in diplomatic positions in Haiti and Dominican Republic.
His autobiography, 'Narrative of an American Slave',
can be read at http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Literature/Douglass/Autobiography/01.html on the web.
It is an incredible story of human courage and dignity.
The Denver Mint began life as The Clark, Gruber and
Company Assay office, a private mint in 1862.
Miners brought gold and nuggets there for melting, assaying and stamping
into cast gold bars. In 1897 Congress
finally gave approval for the reconstruction of a new mint where coinage
operation could occur.
The Denver Mint we have today opened in 1906.
(And as far as we know the security designed for it
was so good it's never been robbed!)