Chapter 5 "Festus: A Friend, Not A Replacement"

Let's talk about Festus Haggen. I've known Festus for close to five years. When I first met Festus, he was this scruffy hillman. Our meeting was really by chance. It happened because Festus was trailing his uncle for getting Festus' twin brother, Fergus killed. Festus tracked his uncle to the house where Matt was investigating a shooting. That shooting turned out to be a murder. Matt and Festus agreed to work together to track Festus' uncle. They were able to track the uncle. Matt's plan was to bring him back to Dodge so justice could be served. Well, those plans fell through and Matt had to end up shooting Festus' uncle. I can't get into all the details because I wasn't there. I'm just telling you what Matt told me. If I wasn't there, how did I meet Festus?

Festus followed Matt back into Dodge. He's the one that brought Matt up to my office. You'd think, since Festus no longer had to track his uncle, Festus would ride back out in the hill country and continue his way of life. You would think he would do that, but he didn't. He decided to make a life in Dodge City. I have to admit that I'm kind of glad that he did. It's probably shocking to hear me say that, especially with the way we banter and argue with one another.

Festus and I can really get each other going. People that truly don't know us must think we sincerely can't stand one another. I can understand them coming to that conclusion. They've witnessed some heated interactions between the two of us.

Our closest friends know that's not the case. Just like when Chester and I would banter one another, Festus and I never do it to be hurtful. We both know it's all in good fun. Truth be told, I look forward to the bantering and arguing that goes on between Festus and myself. I don't even mind it when he calls me an ol' scudder. The way I see it he calls me an ol' scudder with the same endearment as if he's calling me an ol' pal.

I told you Festus was a hillman. He made his living by trapping wolves and selling the fur. So, what kind of living could he make if he stayed in Dodge? He started off by doing odd jobs around Dodge to earn money. In fact he still does. However, he became Matt's deputy. When Matt first came to Dodge City, to be the U.S. Marshal, he had no interest in having a deputy. As years have gone by, Matt has changed his mind about that. It seems that Matt is called out of town more now than he has been in the past. Because of that, Matt wants to make sure he can trust someone to watch over the town while he's gone. Matt trusts Festus to do the job and I trust Matt's judgment.

Recently there was an incident when some night riders from Missouri rode into Dodge. Matt was in Johnsonville having to give some sort of speech. He left Festus in charge. These night riders were causing chaos and Festus was doing a great job of handling it. Matt did return to completely take care of things. But if it wasn't for Festus, things could've been a lot worse. After everything was over, I saw Festus polishing his deputy badge. I told Festus that the badge never once tarnished since Matt gave it to him. I hope he understood what I meant by that statement.

After meeting Festus, it became clear that the man could not read. I know he wasn't too proud of the fact he couldn't read. When he lived alone out on the prairie, I'm sure his illiteracy didn't make a world of difference to him. However, after he came to Dodge City and started to mingle more with people, especially ones that could read, I think it did start to bother him. I believe he felt that we thought less of him because he couldn't read. He would give excuses as to why he couldn't read a telegram or a letter. For example, he would say he didn't have his glasses with him. We knew he didn't have glasses. One day Matt, Kitty, Festus, and I were at the jail. We knew it was the perfect time to tell Festus that we knew he couldn't read and to assure him that we don't think any less of him. That's just what we did. You could see the relief in Festus' face when we did let him know.

Festus may not be able to read, but that certainly doesn't mean he's dumb in anyway. The man may not be book smart, but he's smart in other ways. I know Festus has never been to medical school, but he seems to have some medical background. When he and Matt were trailing Festus' uncle, Festus' uncle ended up shooting Matt in the upper arm. Festus determined the bullet was lodged near the bone. He knew Matt had to get to a doctor to get the bullet out, or Matt could risk losing the use of that arm. Matt wasn't going to be getting to a doctor anytime soon, and Festus was able to get the bullet out. He did a mighty fine job.

Then there was that time that I needed time to myself. Kitty and I were sitting in the Long Branch and she suggested that I take a few days off. It was a good idea, except that Pearl Miller was due to have a baby any day and I promised her that I would be there. Kitty then made me realize that I would probably have to stay with Pearl for a few days after the baby was born. I didn't see her point until after I remembered that Buckner Creek ran through the Millers' property. I decided I would take my fishing pole and go fishing. Kitty told me to take Festus, but I made it clear that I was going alone.

I was on my way to the Millers' when I decided to stop at a watering hole to fill my canteen. While I was taking the cap off of the canteen, a rattler bit me in my upper thigh. The sound of the snake's rattle spooked my horse and it took off. I was in no condition to chase it. As a doctor, I knew I couldn't over exert myself after being bit by a rattlesnake. I was in the middle of the prairie with no help in sight. Right after I was bit, I prayed that someone would come along and help me. When I thought that prayer wasn't going to be answered, I prayed that my death would be peaceful. As time went by, I accepted the fact that I was going to die. However, the Lord decided to answer my first prayer and sent a guardian angel. Apparently my guardian angel is a man with a scruffy beard and loud, jangly spurs. I have never been so happy in all my life to see that bearded face and hear those spurs.

Festus knew what to do. He cut my pants to get to the bite and then cut my leg so the snake venom would bleed out. He then went to get a chicken to kill it. Freshly killed chicken is supposed to get the poison out as well. Festus managed to save my life. I am very grateful for that. It probably didn't seem that way when he brought me back into town. I admit I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I acted very unappreciated. I even called Festus a jackass. I blamed my behavior on the side effects of the snake bite and the heat. I did thank Festus later that night. I also learned how he managed to track me down. I just shook my head when he told me.

There was a girl in Festus' life. Her name was April Clomely. He met her when he was tracking his Uncle "Black Jack" Haggen. She was with Festus' uncle. But after Jack Haggen was killed, Festus brought her to Dodge City, and they ended up together. The relationship didn't last. April was a sweet girl. It's too bad the relationship didn't last.

Festus came along soon after Chester left, maybe too soon. Matt, Kitty, and I were still grieving Chester's departure, and I don't think we were quite ready to welcome a new person into our intimate group of friends. However, Festus managed to become a part of our group in a short period of time. I don't consider Festus to be a replacement for Chester, but he has partially filled the hole in my heart that Chester left.

I've been a doctor in Dodge for over fifteen years. When I first came to Dodge, I was obviously a lot younger and thought I could do the doctoring all myself. I wanted to monopolize the profession. As I've gotten older and wiser, I've realized I can't do it on my own. I must say I'm glad that Newly O'Brian ended up in Dodge City.

TBC