Old West
Arrow Outlaw
Disclaimer: Its thanks to Chris Stapleton's 'Outlaw State Of Mind' Southern Rock song that I ended up coming up with this.
Summary: In the days of the Old Wild West existed perhaps the most famous Outlaw from the state of Virginia. A man by the name of Jonas Payne but also by the name of the 'Arrow Bandit'. His influence in History would create a much radically different time then that of most other Earths.
Jonas Payne had been born into a family of privilege and great social standing from Jamestown, Virginia. Never needing for anything growing up and being a rather spoiled boy because of it until November 29th, 1864. When he was witness to the senseless butchering of a peaceful Cheyenne village in what would later become known as the 'Sand Creek Massacre'. Now while he hadn't exactly been the most open minded individual growing up, this event had caused him to open his eyes. Especially when he himself had been attacked as the one behind it thought he was nothing more then a sympathizer when Jonas had just simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The attack had even left him with a scar on his face and had found himself in the care of the survivors of the massacre. Even though there had been many arguments to have him killed for being a 'White Devil'.
But Jonas had managed to persuade them to allow him to live and teach him their ways so that he as well could get vengeance on John Chivington and those who willingly slaughtered peaceful people. Chief Medicine Water eventually chose to allow this to happen after several days of thought and with his wife, Mochi, the two would train him. Teaching him how to hunt and be silent, the ways of their weapons such as the bow, and as well as their people's various teachings. He'd be allowed to take part in the 1865 attack conducted by the Dog Soldiers on what would become known as Fort Caspar, Wyoming. Later, once word had reached Jonas and the others that Chivington wouldn't be charged for his crimes, he and several other members of the Dog Soldiers would cut a swath through the Wild West, killing and stealing the belongings of those who'd willingly taken part in the Sand Creek Massacre. Even giving what they'd stolen to various Natives they came across while ensuring they would know to hide it so as not to be found with those belongings.
His family, when they eventually learned of what he was doing, were devastated and attempts to get him to stop fell on deaf ears. It hadn't helped that a Lawman of their acquaintence by the name of Larrabie Lance had chosen to go and chase him down in order to bring him in for his crimes. Eventually, Jonas caught up to Chivington himself in 1867 and drove a blade right into his heart as he told him that the innocents of Sand Creek had finally been avenged. There was talk for years afterwards that the souls of those innocents had been seen and heard in Sand Creek after this action, celebrating the justice they'd been given. Now one might have thought ol' Jonas would have stopped after that, but he didn't. As he continued his path of being an Outlaw and attacking anyone who mistreated various Native Americans. Though on occasion, he would perform robberies and destroy property belonging to those who had made their riches off the backs of those who deserved better then what life had given them.
It was said that because of his signature green colored outfit, some places outright banned green colored clothing in order to try and capture him if he ever showed up. Not that this particular plan ever really worked for those who tried thanks to how smart he really was. Jonas also aided groups like the Dog Soldiers in anything they did. Later, Jonas and his band of Outlaws, which included several Dog Soldiers, would be instrumental in freeing Mochi and a number of others from their imprisonment at Fort Sill. Allowing her to live something of a peaceful life afterwards in what would one day be known as Mochi, Oklahoma thanks to a few connections Jonas had made. By 1871, Jonas and his band of Outlaws were wanted men and women for their various actions in a number of states in the West and outside of it. Outlaws such as Rolando Ramon, Margret Danverson, Edward Snart, Smith Olsen, and Ellie Gulong. In 1886, word reached Jonas about how a group of Chivington supporters were attempting to establish a settlement in Colorado that would be named after Chivington himself.
An action he wasn't about to allow and after two weeks of traveling, ensured it didn't happen by slaughtering anyone involved with the idea. Thusly, preventing the settlement from ever happening and creating an even more different history of America on this alternate Earth. In 1901, after putting a bullet in the head of Lawman Lance, Jonas and his merry band of Outlaws would set up camp in a settlement they established in the state of Washington known as Star Town. And the only reason no one realized who had been behind it was thanks in part to a con man by the name of Jefferson Thawne that Jonas had met at one point and all the money that Jonas had chosen to put to use to bribe people with when needed. Though Jonas and Margret would marry and change their name to that of Dearden soon after in order to ensure no one could figure out where they were as the various Tribes began to take power.
It should also be noted that because of Jonas' actions in aiding those like the Dog Soldiers that a shift in power would happen. One that allowed for the Tribes to take power and remain dominant long afterwards thanks in part to the weaponry he was able to help them get. It didn't hurt that they had a number of other minorities and even the 'White Devils' helping them in keeping their dominance long enough to the point no more fighting occurred. Allowing for Jonas and his bunch, along with the peoples of the Tribes and those of other minorities to have much more peaceful lives.
Author's Notes: Well that was different for me. But I like it! I chose to use Payne for Jonas' last name as a nod to Ralph 'Arrow' Payne. Who first appeared in September 1938's Funny Pages Vol. 2 # 10.