The Tale of the Two Kid Currys
Chapter One
The small town Nebraska newspaper headline was picked up quickly by every major and most small newspapers West of the Mississippi:
Kid Curry Joins Liam Quigley Gang
Kills Two Passengers in Train Robbery
Three independent witnesses on the train, two passengers and the Engineer, identified Kid Curry as the gunman who killed two passengers during a daring early morning train robbery on Friday. The Liam Quigley Gang stole over $60,000 in payroll heading to the Nebraska Major Mining Company by blowing the safe with dynamite. When asked who was robbing them, a smiling Liam Quigley pointed to the gunman announcing, "Kid Curry!" Curry pointed to the older gang leader yelling, "Liam Quigley!" The three witnesses had previously been on trains robbed by Kid Curry and Hannibal Heyes and the Devil's Hole Gang in Colorado and Wyoming over four years ago and were positive in their identifications. The two passengers killed refused to hand over their wallets to the gang and were not asked a second time. When a young passenger dared to ask about Hannibal Heyes, Kid Curry replied, "Yesterday's news."
Tired, dusty and glad that their job delivering legal papers for a "friend" of the governor was completed with no complications, other than lack of sleep from tight time constraints, Hannibal Heyes and Jedidiah 'Kid Curry' rode into the small main street of Wilburton with their usual vigilance. The sheriff's name was unrecognized. No one else gave the dirty men a second look. Relieved that they had gotten paid this time, they looked forward to a good steak dinner, a cold beer and a soft bed. Heyes was also itching for a challenging game of poker with a decent stake burning a hole in his pocket.
"I'll take the horses to the livery, Heyes, while you get us a room at that hotel. Nothing and no one here seems the least bit familiar. I'll check if there is a telegram from Lom, too," said Curry. He was worried about the fatigue radiating from his partner and wanted him settled sooner rather than later. Truth be told he was so tired he was not even sure if he wanted to eat, just wanted a soft real bed.
However, his partner and cousin, Hannibal Heyes, was otherwise occupied looking into the saloon from his horse and liking what he saw. "Okay, Kid, I'll meet you at the saloon right after that. We can have a drink then get some dinner there while I check out the poker games tonight."
The telegram Lom Trevors sent was curt and to the point:
"TJ and JS return to Porterville Immediately"
Sheriff Lom Trevors
Minutes later Curry, confused after reading the telegram from Lom, crossed the street heading to the saloon. Heyes met him in the halfway across the wide street. "Why do you think Lom wants us in Porterville right away?" Curry asked showing him the telegram. "Do you think our amnesty came through?"
Heyes jammed a newspaper into Curry's hands, gesturing at the headlines. "No, Kid, I don't think it's the amnesty. It's this article. I think we can forget about the amnesty." Curry read the article a variety of emotions crossing his face. Grabbing Curry's elbow, Heyes was hurrying him across the street as he read.
"But Heyes, I ain't never killed anyone during a robbery. I never even shot and hit anyone during a robbery. And we don't even know Liam Quigley. AND we have been on a messenger job for Lom and the governor's "friends" for the last three weeks. How could I have been in Nebraska?" Curry's eyes were flashing with fury, but Heyes saw a blue flicker of fear in them too. A flicker that no one but he would recognize.
Heyes nodded, sharing his partner's reaction. "And I ain't yesterday's news."
Heyes thought for a moment. "Let's send Lom a telegram the documents were delivered and we're on our way to Porterville. That should be enough. But, Kid, after reading this article, I don't think you should be seen in this town or anywhere else for a while."
Kid's answering sigh expressed his exhaustion and fear.
In minutes, Lom's return telegraph read,
"My home stop ASAP"
Lom was watching out his small front window when the partners arrived at dawn from riding all night to get to Porterville quickly. Horses and men looked exhausted. The article had unnerved Heyes more than he would admit. He could not have slept even in a feather bed. Curry was nervously searching around each bend and behind each tree for a posse waiting to hang him.
"Put your horses in the barn and get in here. I have something to show you."
Heyes answered for them, "Be right there. I hope there's warm coffee in there, too."
They entered through his back door, seeing three cups of coffee and a bottle of whiskey on the table. As he pointed to the newspaper on the table, Lom noticed the circles under his friends' eyes and wondered when they had last slept.
"Yeah Lom, we saw the paper and read the article about Kid Curry killing two people in a train robbery. Weren't us. Figured that was what you needed to talk to us about." Heyes as he sat, and his hands circled his coffee cup, enjoying the warmth sinking into his fingers.
"Look closer," said Lom.
Today's headline read:
Liam Quigley Gang Robs Two Banks in Two Hours in Keysville, Nebraska.
Kid Curry Kills Bank Manager Wounds Civilian
The Liam Quigley Gang efficiently and successfully robbed two banks in two hours in Keysville, Nebraska on Monday. The back-to-back robberies resulted in over $40,000 stolen with the gang quickly moving from one bank to the next instead of riding out of town. Kid Curry, with his matching pearl handled six guns, killed a bank manager and wounded a local man who refused to turn over his wallet. Liam Quigley was heard to say, "Good job, Kid." Kid Curry answered, "Thanks, Pa." From previous reports, Kid Curry has no family other than the notorious Hannibal Heyes, so the "Pa" is thought to be a nickname for the much older gang leader. Speculation as to where Hannibal Heyes is continues to grow as he has not been seen for over six months. Rumor has it that he split from Kid Curry and moved West when Curry started to become more violent. The Devil's Hole Gang, led by Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry,were known never to have shot anyone during a robbery.
Heyes ran his fingers through his too long brown hair and pushed the paper toward Curry.
"Lom, do you know what is going on here because we sure don't?"
Lom thought before he answered, "No, I sent a telegram to Wilburton to get a description of this Kid Curry. Until then you both stay here so there is no doubt that this is not you. I'll also talk to the Governor's people and let them know that."
"I ain't never needed two six guns to do what I need to do and mine sure ain't pearl handled," growled Curry.
"Lom, how worried do we need to be about this?" asked Heyes, elbows on the table, brushing his hair from tired eyes. "The Kid has a strong alibi for where he really was during these robberies. And we don't hold with killing, people know that."
Lom sighed long and deep, his eyes searching Heyes' and spoke softly when he finally answered, "There are honest, respected people in both robberies that swear it is Kid Curry that robbed them because he had robbed them with the Devil's Hole Gang previously. They saw him and they know what Kid Curry looks like. Nobody remembers him having the pearl handled Colts before though. Just do as I ask and stay put until I can get some answers."
The description Lom received the next day in answer to his telegram fit the description of his Kid Curry on the wanted posters, vague as it was.
"Boys, I really need you to stay here. The Governor's office has told me to come in for a meeting as soon as possible. You know Deputy Harker is a good man. I have asked him to verify that you are at my cabin three times a day in case something else happens. Please TRUST ME on this. The Governor's office said that they may have some additional information I would find helpful in this situation," said Lom. "Can I trust You to stay here?" he continued with a stern searching look that encompassed each of the ex-outlaws.
"Yes, mother," said Heyes with a nervous smile enduring Lom's stare. As few others could. "We'll be right here when you come back." The situation had Heyes' nerves on edge. He was exhausted, still he had been awake pacing all night, listening to Curry toss and turn trying to sleep. Heyes wanted everyone to know for certain where his cousin was at all times now. Curry's nerves were on edge but was glad that his partner might get some forced rest.
"And the whole time I am gone, Kid?" pushed Lom.
"Yes, the whole time you are gone. Lom, I don't want no murder charges added to my wanted poster. I want there to be a good law-abiding citizen like Deputy Harker to be able to testify exactly where I be," responded Kid gloomily.
True to his word, Lom left on the train that night to see the Governor. Heyes and Curry greeted Deputy Harker the next morning when he came by and offered him a breakfast of bacon, eggs and pan biscuits.
"Morning, Smith, Jones. Don't mind if I do." Settling himself at the table, he took large portions of the breakfast and seconds of coffee. "Gotta come out here three times a day and see you each with my own eyes," he said when he stopped between mouthfuls. "Be back in the afternoon after I do my rounds and in the evening on my way home." He looked at the two men eating with him. "You ain't going be any trouble, are ya?"
"No sir, Deputy," answered Heyes. "We gonna to make very sure you see us three times a day. Think you could bring a newspaper with you?"
"And some bullets? I wanna practice shootin'," added Curry.
"Sure, well, then. I will be seeing you boys later."
Faithfully, Deputy Harker arrived three times each day and each time found the men always waiting for him on the porch, always with an invite to eat which the deputy accepted. The second day he brought the newspaper. Waiting until Harker left to read it, Heyes groaned as he read the headline,
Liam Quigley Gang Robs Northbound Train
Kid Curry Shots Young Boy in Leg
The notorious Liam Quigley Gang struck again late Monday afternoon robbing the Northbound Denver train of $28,000. The robbery was organized, as the train was stopped by blocking the tracks with fallen trees in a secluded uphill section of track. The safe was blown with dynamite that tore off the safe door killing the outlaw that lit the too short fuse. Over twenty-eight thousand dollars was stolen in addition to jewelry and papers from the safe. Reports say Liam Quigley stepped over the body of the killed outlaw, kicked him out of the way,and emptied the safe into two burlap sacks. Kid Curry stood guard on the boxcar door and brandished both of his pearl handed guns for all to see. Two young boys ran from the group of passengers chasing each other in play. Kid Curry thought they were escaping and without a yell or warning, shot the faster boy in the leg. Curry seemed to show no remorse after the shot getting on his horse, signaling the gang to allow the passengers back onto the train. Liam Quigley and Kid Curry rode away whooping all the way.
Quigley was heard to yell, "On to Devil's Hole!"
A doctor on the train tended the boy, identified as Roland Leonard, and told the paper that the bullet was a through and through. The boy will recover although he will have a limp.
The Liam Quigley Gang has been more active in the last two months with bold robberies of trains and banks. It is believed that they are traveling North. The fallen outlaw was identified as Jacques Ewing, 22, of New Orleans. He was buried in the graveyard in a nearby city.
Curry knew from Heyes reaction the paper had bad news. "Another robbery?"
"Yeah, and Kid Curry shot a young boy during a train robbery. One of the gang was killed, too. Paper said Liam Quigley and Kid Curry didn't care about either one. We know a Jacques Ewing; he was the gang member that was killed?"
Shaking his head no, Curry gave a low whistle. "This Kid Curry shot a kid?" Curry looked up through the trees outside Lom's house and again shook his head slowly. "Leastways they know this one couldn't be me. Lom and Harker know exactly where I am and I ain't leaving."
Lom's trip was quick and he arrived home in less than three days. He checked in the sheriff's office and was relieved to hear the partners were true to their word and stayed near his home.
He found Heyes there, pacing on the porch. "Lom, you made good time. Did you meet with the Governor himself? What did he say?"
"Let's go in and sit down, boys." Lom's tone and manner told them nothing. Lost in his own thoughts, he was not sure what effect his news would have on them. Lom's success at poker came from a face that gave away nothing. He could not calculate the odds like Heyes, but he had few tells. Astutely, Heyes could usually see his tells but would never let him know. Putting his bag in his room, Lom stalled by getting down three glasses and a bottle of whiskey. "Let's sit down by the fire, boys."
Curry could not contain himself any longer. "Lom, what did the Governor say?"
Lom took a deep breath; he was feeling both blue and brown eyes watching him. "Well, the Governor and his team have been aware of this "new" Kid Curry for longer than the rest of us. They know it's not you, Kid." he started. Curry was surprised as he felt his muscles release some of their tension and fatigue set in again. It was followed immediately by the thought the description fit him. He still needed caution. "In fact, that last job you did delivering documents for the governor's 'friend' was his way of keeping track of you."
"He's been keeping track of us, Lom?" asked Heyes unsettled.
"Yeah, so he knows these robberies were not the Kid. This is a good thing, Heyes. Don't get so upset," answered Lom.
"How long he been doing this?"
Lom realized the panicked thoughts going through Heyes imagination. "He said this was the first time he did this. Was a Pinkerton's suggestion."
Heyes had been thinking while Lom was gone. "This new Kid Curry looks so much like the Kid; people think it is him. I don't understand. This Pinkerton thing ain't good for Kid and I."
Lom smiled sadly. "Well, the Governor's team talked to the witnesses. They actually estimate this new Kid's age about five years younger than our Kid."
"Well, Kid always looked younger than he is," Heyes spoke up.
"And they had an informant come forward with some very interesting information. She says this new Kid Curry is her son," added Lom. Staring at the fire, he was hesitant to tell them the rest.
"You believe this, Lom? The Governor's team? Pinkertons?" Heyes was suspicious, sensing a trap but trying to solve the puzzle. He knew Lom's few tells. Lom was nervous; there was something he was holding back.
"Governor's working with this witness and the President. Got some Pinkerton men involved." Lom left out the why of this. Good and bad that could come later.
He knew he had both of their attention. "Anyway, I heard this informant myself and she's very convincing. Gonna be here tomorrow so she can tell you herself."
Heyes hesitated, afraid to ask the next questions as he puzzled, "The President of the United States? Pinkertons? Why would she do that? Why isn't she working with these Pinkertons directly? Why is she interested in us? Lom, what's going on here? The President?!"
"Well...well," he started. He always played it straight with his friends and he was going to do that now.
"They want you two to work with them to help catch him. She'll be working with you and the Pinkertons. You should be safe. And," Lom smiled slightly. "I think I will leave it to her to answer the rest. Her name is Kerry Cecilia Curry Heyes."