Chapter 3: A Town's Futile Fight
A group of Walnut Grove residents, consisting of the Oleson's, Reverend Alden, Bill Anderson, Charles Ingalls and a few other long time farmers, were riding into Redwood Falls with an abundantly signed petition against the opening of the Silver Coin Saloon. No one could be certain that their outcries would result in the close of the saloon, but they were damn well going to try.
"Bill?" Nels called over to the banker as the posse entered the city limits on their wagons. "Let's just say we are able to get the governor to order the shut down the saloon. What can Mr. Brady do to fight back?"
"I'm not entirely sure." Mr. Anderson admitted. "But I'm sure he will find a way to fight it. All savvy businessmen do."
The group pulled up to the front of the governor's office building in the downtown area and started their march inside. Upon entering, it was unsurprisingly Charles who took the lead and approached a young secretary sitting at the desk in the front lobby. "Excuse me, miss. My name is Charles Ingalls. We're looking to speak to the governor regarding an important issue about our town."
"Oh." The woman quickly glanced down a long hallway to her right. "I believe Mr. Pillsbury is in a meeting with the local representatives. If you don't mind waiting a bit, I can see if he has a minute to speak with you."
Charles nodded his head. "That'll be fine, thank you."
The woman stood up from her desk and began to walk down the hallway, but quickly stopped and turned back around to Charles. "You mentioned this is in regards to your town."
"Yes. Walnut Grove."
"I'm sorry. I don't think I've ever heard of it."
"It's a small town, a few miles from Mankato and Sleep Eye."
"Of course. I'll be back in a moment."
Charles walked over to rejoin the group of residents, already feeling impatient.
"Charles, I hate to be a downer, but this plan does seem like a long shot." Reverend Alden confessed his reservations about what they were trying to accomplish.
"It's a long shot we have to take if we want that saloon out of our town." Charles responded. After working for Mr. Standish in Winoka and seeing how saloons could ruin a community, Charles wanted that business gone with every fiber of his being. He would even be so obliged to burn the place down if that was what it took to be rid of it. He would not let the Silver Coin corrupt the place he called home.
"Mr. Ingalls." Just then, the secretary walked back over to them. "The governor has some time and has agreed to meet with you, but please try to make it brief."
"Thank you." Charles glanced back at everyone, then they all started down the hallway. As the group came upon a large set of open doors, Charles looked inside and saw a man sitting at his desk reading papers. "Excuse me, sir?"
The older man lifted his head, his glasses reflecting the sunlight coming in from the office windows. "Are you the men needing to speak with me regarding an issue with your town? What was it...Walnut Cove?"
"Walnut Grove, sir. And yes, that's us." Everyone stepped inside the governor's large office space. "My name's Charles Ingalls. This is our pastor, Reverend Alden. Our town banker, Bill Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Oleson, prominent business owners in our town. And the rest of us are farmers who are senior residents of Walnut Grove. We have a serious issue regarding another businessman, who recently opened up a shop in our town."
The governor darted his eyes around at each individual standing in front of his desk. "Is he not paying his property taxes or embezzling money?"
"No, sir. Not that we're aware of." Charles answered honestly. "This business has only been in town for a short time, but the people of our community have issues with its operations."
"What kind of business is it?"
"A saloon." Charles stated with disdain.
The governor snapped his head back in confusion. "A saloon? Is it involved with illegal drug use or large-scale rigged gambling? Anything of the sort?"
"Well, no. At least I don't believe there is anything like that going on. This businessman, Mr. Brady, bought up some land in town and started building a saloon on the premises without consulting the town council about his plans."
"And?"
"And the vast majority of the residents don't like the fact that there is going to be a saloon in their home. We even have a petition signed by everyone from our town, requesting an order to be placed to stop the opening of the Silver Coin Saloon. We are a dry community, governor, and a saloon would only bring trouble."
"Trouble?"
"Yes." Harriet finally cut in after holding her tongue for all this time. "That saloon will encourage drinking, drifters, gambling and Lord knows what else. Walnut Grove is a sensible community with firm beliefs. We would have never let a single nail be hammered if we knew what that place was from the beginning."
"I see." The governor said, understanding the situation brought before him. "So, let me get this straight. You people want to stifle a growing business that might turn out to benefit your community's economy, on the basis that this place is going to sell alcohol and host gambling?"
"Boost our economy?"
"Mrs. Oleson, was it?" The governor stood from his chair. "Saloons have been used for community gatherings and business opportunities ever since Americans moved out west. I understand that this establishment might go against your small town morals, but from how I see it, this Silver Dollar Saloon may turn out to benefit Walnut Cove. Besides, the government doesn't tell landowners that they can't build a legit business on their own property. You pioneering folk should know that."
"But-!"
"Now, if you all will excuse me. I have a train to catch for the state university. My secretary will see you out. Good day." The governor came from behind his desk and walked right past the group, not even bothering to give them one final glance.
Everyone looked around at each other in shock. Their best chance, possibly their only chance at getting rid of the saloon was dismissed outright.
Defeated from the failed talk with the Minnesota governor, the group made their way back to Walnut Grove. Even though the government was not going to help in their fight against the Silver Coin, that did not mean they were simply going to let the saloon open. The town could still protest and drive Brady out if they had to.
Back at the Ingalls farm late that afternoon, Charles was finally returning home. Sure his spirits were low after the trip to Redwood Falls, but a fire was still raging inside of him. He saw Caroline walk outside the house and she noticed him right away. "Charles!"
He opened his arms as his loving wife ran into his grasp.
"How did it go?" Caroline asked. "Did you get a chance to speak with the governor?"
Charles nodded his head. "Yeah. We did."
"Well, what did he say? Is he able to help us?"
"No. No, there was nothing the governor could do to help." Charles explained, purposefully leaving out some of the details of the visit.
"Oh no!" Caroline sighed. The town had been spinning on its head ever since the saloon sign was revealed and she desperately wanted to get things back to normal. "Is there really nothing we can do to stop the saloon from opening?"
"The governor can't help us, but that doesn't mean it's over." He said. "We can still go against Brady when he gets here."
Caroline, knowing just how stubborn her husband was, had an awful feeling in her gut that things would go back if the town went against Brady on its own. "Oh, Charles. I understand how you feel, but please be careful."
Charles held onto his wife's shoulders and stared into her eyes, making a promise to her and to himself. "Caroline, I will not have that saloon ruin our home."
A few days after the failed attempt to get the state governor on their side, the people of Walnut Grove crowded around the front of the Silver Coin, waiting for Mr. Brady to arrive. Mr. Anderson had heard word the city slicker was coming back to town to check on the progress of the building before officially opening the establishment. Everyone stood around in the blazing sun, talking amongst themselves and glaring at the saloon.
"Here comes the stage." Someone in the crowd finally said.
Everyone turned their heads to watch as the stagecoach, late as normal, rode into town and stopped in front of Nellie's. They stared as first a young couple climbed down and went straight into the hotel, but then a man walked out.
"That's him. That's Brady." Mr. Anderson informed the crowd.
Mr. Brady was an older gentleman, with rough skin and grey hair thinning at the top. What made him stand out from the rest of the townsfolk was his crisp navy-blue pinstripe suit that most likely cost a farmer's yearly earnings. Brady held a thick cigar in one hand and a travel bag in the other. He looked around the town before meeting eyes with his newest baby.
The crowd watched Brady like vultures as he strutted towards the saloon, seemingly unfazed by the presence of the mob in front of his establishment. "Excuse me, folks."
Nobody moved.
"Mr. Brady. Am I correct?" It was the Reverend Alden who stepped up first, wanting to try and keep things peaceful.
"Yes, minister. Robert Brady." The stranger took a quick puff of his cigar. "Is there something I can do for you and these people here?"
"Yes, I believe there is. You see Mr. Brady, the people of this town, the people who stand here before you, are not very keen on the idea that you have built a saloon in their town."
"Oh?"
The Reverend nodded his head, trying to keep his confidence high. "Yes. We are a small hardworking farming community. And for the most part, we are a dry community as well. The idea of a saloon such as yours in a town such as Walnut Grove baffles me. And these townsfolk are upset that you would bring such an establishment here without even consulting the town council."
Brady smirked, finding this more than amusing. "I didn't think a town as small and underpopulated as this would have a council."
"We do. And this council has brought a signed petition here today in order to have the Silver Coin shut down."
"Really?" Brady slouched his shoulders and crossed his arms. He had a hunch that something like this would happen. Too bad it was all for nothing. "Do you people seriously think a little petition would be enough to shut down my establishment? I bought that land and funded the construction with my own money. Didn't you settlers do the same with your own homes?"
No one knew how to respond without screaming their heads off.
"Mr. Brady." Nels finally stepped up to ask the question everyone had been wondering since that sign was revealed. "I'm Nels Oleson. I own the town mercantile. I just want to know why on earth would you think it would be a good idea to build such a fancy saloon in a town like Walnut Grove?"
Brady cocked his head to the side. "The land was cheap. And I'm sure you all realize that Walnut Grove is conveniently located close to major roads leading to and from busy cities, like Mankato, Redwood Falls and Sleepy Eye. Travelers must pass by here frequently. I figure why not give them a reason to stop and enjoy themselves."
"Enjoy themselves!" Harriet screamed out in frustration. "Mr. Brady, saloons such as your Silver Coin only bring drunks and gamblers. The likes of which do not belong in Walnut Grove, I can assure you."
"Harriet, please." Nels tried to bring down his wife to no avail.
"We will not have a saloon ruining the sanctity of our town!"
"Well, there doesn't seem to be much you can do about it, now is there?" The old man smirked.
"Mr. Brady! Good to have you here!"
The crowd looked over their shoulders to see bartender Pierce pushing his way through the mass and meet up with his boss.
"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to warn you about all this." Pierce apologized.
"That's quite alright, John." Brady threw his hand on Pierce's shoulder and started walking with him towards the saloon.. "Let's go take a look at the place."
"Wait!" Charles yelled out, gaining everyone's attention. "We're not done here, Brady."
The smug businessman turned to Charles and waved his cigar at him. "Unless you have a couple thousand dollars to buy this place from me, then we are done."
Brady and Pierce turned their backs to the crowd and went into the Silver Coin. Charles would have rushed the both of them with his fists if there were not women around. What he said was true: they were not done. The struggle between Walnut Grove and the Silver Coin had only just begun.
