This is my Alternate Universe of Gunsmoke. Several things that are different than the series is that Matt Dillion was once married and has a set of boy/girl twins. The twins live in St. Louis and soon will reside in Dodge City. Also, Sam McTavish is alive and well, sparring with Doc Adams. Dakota Smith is a bounty hunter, whose life will be intertwined with everyone, one way or another, even Marshal Matt Dillion's much to his dislike of bounty hunters. I do not own the rights to the characters of Gunsmoke and do not make any profit from this story.
The Lives and Times of Dodge City
Chapter One: Unexpected Events
Kitty Russell:
Sitting in the early morning hours in the saloon she owned, The Long Branch, Kitty Russell was sipping coffee, and reading the Dodge City Gazette. Sam Nooman was cleaning the bar top and glasses for the day. The batwings opened and the town's telegraph attendant Barney entered. Smiling when he sees Kitty, Barney will walk over to her.
"Morning Barney, telegraph from the Marshal" she inquired seeing the telegraph in his hands.
"No Miss Kitty. It is for you but from St. Louis" handing her the telegraph. Barney waits, expecting something in return, and the meaning of the telegraph. The contents did not make sense and he was hoping to find out what the nonsense meant.
Taking the telegraph from him she turned to Sam "Sam, give Barney a dime from the till please."
"Yes, Miss Kitty" Sam retrieved the dime and held it out for Barney. Barney nodded and looked a bit dejected but left, which was what Kitty Russell wanted. Sam would continue with his preparation of the day's business knowing that if she wanted him to know the contents, she would tell him.
Kitty slowly opened the telegraph and read the contents; an eyebrow raised up as she scanned the contents once again.
Miss Kathleen Russell
Long Branch Saloon
Dodge City, Kansas
P has passed. Stop
A is up in arms. Stop
Four are scared. Stop
Please come. Stop
J and J
St. Louis, Missouri
She slowly took a breath in and let it out. A fine time for Matt to be away in Hayes for several trials. Kitty was not sure what to do, she knew though that not doing anything would be disastrous.
"I told you we should have brought them back to Dodge years ago." she mumbled.
"Pardon me Miss Kitty. Did you say something." Sam inquired to his boss.
Standing up, heading over to the bar, the telegraph firmly in her bodice. Placing the coffee cup on the bar and looking at Sam. "Sam, I need you to do several things for me."
"Anything you need Miss Kitty."
"First, do not mention anything to anyone. I need you to go to the train depot and purchase a train ticket to St. Louis, one way, stateroom please. Charge it to the Long Branch. I also need you to give each of the girls $5.00 and have them move out of the Long Branch. They can still work here but I do not want them living or entertaining here. Take one room and have a set of bunks put into it and another one with two beds please."
"I am going to St. Louis, however other than you, I do not want anyone to know. I do not know how long I will be gone so I need you to watch out for things with the Long Branch."
"Not even the Marshal is to know Miss Kitty?" knowing of the relationship between her and the Marshal.
"I will have a letter for him and only him when he returns." Turning and heading up to her set of rooms to pack, realizing she needed to pack light for her, sighed and shook her head "What I do for that man."
At 10 o'clock Miss Kathleen Russell boarded the stateroom and as the train left the station, she looked out the window. She hoped that the two-day trip would not be too late.
Dakota Smith:
Dakota Smith, part time bounty hunter and part time gambler was on the trail of his latest conquest, a man by the name of Jake Colbert. A robber of a small town, murderer, and a kidnapper of a 12-year-old girl. Wiping his brow as he watched the sun begin to set and knowing that the Arkansas River was nearby; it would offer a place to rest. Following Colbert's tracks first and then seeking a place to sleep; Dodge City was 6 hours away, too far to travel at night, too far to backtrack for Colbert.
Looking down at his horse "Well Ranger, are you ready to continue. Soon we will be by water and grass, you and Mule will be release of your burdens." Patting his horse, a grey looking 5-year-old Carthusian named Ranger, Dakota clicked his tongue and urge his horse forward, watching for tracks. After another couple of hours of tracking and the moon completely risen, Dakota will halt his horse, remove his hat, and scratch his head. "Well Ranger and Mule, seems our target has also decided to camp by the Arkansas River. So nice of him, don't you say?"
Dakota Smith is an extremely cautious young man, barely 19 and only been a bounty hunter for a couple of years. He knew that wanted men had no restraints, no reason to live or die and nothing to lose by killing another man. He approached a group of trees carefully and quietly. Once at the edge of the trees, Dakota dismounted and patted Ranger's face. "You and Mule stay here; I will be back for you." Removing his rifle, a rifle that meant a lot to him even if no one except him would understand why. Moving as quietly as he could, Dakota started into the trees. Not sure where Colbert might be hiding, he looked for tracks, hints, and anything else that might give him the edge. Looking around the ground Dakota spotted another set of tracks, that of a large horse and a large set of boot prints. Whoever the footprints belong to must be a big fellow Dakota reckoned. Suddenly, the sound of a Colt .45 rang out and he jumped. "Damn. What now?"
Deciding to move quickly towards the sound, Dakota came upon a scene he was not expecting. There was a large man on the ground, a bullet in his shoulder and Colbert laughing like a mad man, aiming his pistol towards the man. Another shot ranged out and Dakota leaped into action, charging the man, tackling him to the ground.
Matt Dillion:
Matt Dillion, marshal of Dodge City, Kansas felt tired. He felt like he had ridden for days, going nowhere with Dodge City still outside his vision. Matt had just spent two weeks in Hays City, attending boring and long trials that he had to testify both as a witness and as an expert. Sleeping in a hotel with an uncomfortable bed, too short to accommodate his large 6"7' frame, eating alone at cafes and generally lonesome for his home. Trips like this was necessary and part of his job being an U.S. Marshal for the Kansas territory. Still, he didn't have to like it and most times didn't. It took him away from Dodge, from his deputies, his friends and most importantly, her.
Leading his horse towards the Arkansas River, he wished that he could continue onward to Dodge. Buck, his horse, was tired, and feeling the exhaustion setting in, the need to rest for a few hours, some food and coffee, this was his best course of action. Matt unsaddled Buck and led him to water. "There you go boy, drink up. Tomorrow we will be home, and you will be in your stall at Moss. You're due some oats."
Setting up a campfire, coffee and beans for his dinner, Matt settled down for the night. The warmth of the fire felt good and invited the marshal to stretch his long frame out and eat. Matt will obtain food and coffee and eat like a starving man. Pondering on the last time he ate, was some jerky on the road, and only water from his canteen. Afterwards, getting up and fetching Buck, Matt secures his companion in some grass and returns to his campfire. Stretching out leaning up against his saddle, sipping his coffee staring off into the dancing flames. How long had it been since he and Kitty went out at night, sitting by a fire and staring at the stars. Too long he reckoned, too long for many things. Trips to St Louis, dinners, dances, just time to be together. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes picturing her beside him in bed. Bodies laid side by side, desiring each other, surrendering to each other. Yet, in the early morning hours, before the sun would be up, he would quietly leave their bed and head to Dodge City jail and work. How many mornings did he just want to lay there, holding her, whispering dreams to each other, making plans for tomorrow. He needed to reassess his reasonings for not marrying, for having a family, for not really having any kind of future.
Matt Dillion heard the sound of a bullet leaving a colt .45. He had heard it for years and felt the burning sting of a bullet entering his body. His right shoulder was burning with pain and his arm went numb. The world seemed to spin in his brain and words spoken, although he did not recognize the voice. He attempted to reach for his pistol with his left hand and words made him stop.
"Wouldn't do that mister marshal man, next bullet will kill you." a crackle will also sound in the high pitch voice. "You're the marshal from Dodge, aren't you. Dillion, I believe is your name" the man laughed nervously and yet in a maniacal way.
"What do you want" looking at him, attempting to distract the man in the play of words, hoping to distract him long enough to remove his pistol from the hostler.
"I want you to die" the man will state raising the pistol up aiming at Matt. A shot will go off, and he will feel the sting once again, this time on his left side just above the hip. A blurry vision crossed his eyes and then blackness. Someone, something ran into camp and along with the shooter, disappeared from his sight. Matt Dillion could do no more than pass out.
Dakota Smith hit Jake Colbert squarely in the mid-section causing him to land on the ground with a solid thud. His gun went off, but whether he killed or even hit Dillion he did not know. Colbert also did not know who tackled him and why. A fist went to his chin and that brought Colbert around. He started swinging his fist around, one with a pistol in it, hoping to smack his assailant. The fist without the gun seemed to land on his assailant and yet did not seem to faze his assailant.
Dakota felt the first hit on the shoulder, doing insignificant damage or causing little pain. He knew he had to secure the pistol, grabbing Colbert's gun hand, slamming it into the ground ensuring that Colbert lost the pistol. The two men rolled over each other on the ground for several minutes, each trying to be the one on top. Fists flying in all directions, Colbert landed his fist on Dakota's face. Hearing and feeling his nose break, Dakota let loose with a few explicit words. Dakota finally landed a solid hit upon Colbert's temple area, causing the man to pass out.
Rolling off Colbert, Dakota let out a long breath. He stood up and straightened his duster along with dusting himself off. Pulling a set of handcuffs out of his coat pocket and quickly placed them on Colbert's wrists with his arms in front of him; Dakota pulled Colbert by the chains between the cuffs to a tree. Raising Colbert's arms over his head while lying on the ground Dakota removed a length of rope from his duster. Lacing the rope between Colbert's hands and tying the rope around the tree, Dakota secured his prisoner.
Looking down at him, Dakota scowling, reaching up to his nose felt the swelling and the blood. Placing two fingers into his mouth, turning, and whistling for his horse. Grabbing a kerchief from his pocket, wiping his nose, and tweaking it back into place grunting as he did. In a swift move kick in Colbert's hip with the point of his boot, hoping that when Colbert came to there will be pain in Colbert's hip. "That's for my nose you moron."
Ranger came into view with Mule still attached to him. Dakota walked up to him and patted him, then moved on to Mule. Removing a saddle bag from Mule's load, he headed over to the marshal. "Well big guy, let's see what damage moron over there did to you." Bending over the marshal who was still out and was bleeding badly. Blood shown on his shirt at the right shoulder and the left side, both front and back for the latter. Dakota whistled and shook his head. "He got you good marshal, hope I can fix you up and you will live until we get to Dodge."
Taking out some cloth out of the saddlebags, some whiskey and tape, Dakota tended to the shoulder first, pouring some whiskey into the wound which caused a reaction from the marshal. Without realizing, Dakota whispered "sorry" and proceeded placing a piece of folded up cloth on the shoulder wound and tape it down. Doing the same thing with the side wound, he was glad to see that the bullet went through, lodging into the saddle behind the marshal. While finishing the bandaging Matt called out Kitty's name in a mumble. Dakota rubbed his goatee and pondered if the name was of the marshal's wife, or just a special lady friend.
Once done with the marshal, Dakota put tape over his nose and then cleaned himself up. Spotting the coffee pot that miraculously did not tip over during the scuffle, pick up the cup beside Matt and poured himself a cup of the coffee. Pouring a generous amount of whiskey into the coffee and slowly drinking it down, Dakota will debate with himself on how best to get them all to Dodge without any incident. Matt Dillion will continue to call out to Kitty and then to Doc, who Dakota surmise was the doctor of Dodge City. Once he finished his coffee, got up and went looking for two long poles. The marshal could not ride a horse, so a litter must be made for the marshal to lay on for the journey to Dodge. This was going to make the last few hours to Dodge City exceedingly long.
Around 4:00 in the morning, Dakota finished with all that he had to do for the trip. Colbert had awoken around 1:00 in the morning and demanded that Dakota release him. Even attempted to bribe Dakota who chuckled at that. He demanded water and Dakota obliged him by bringing a canteen over, unscrewed the top and poured it on Colbert's face, laughing a bit and smiling. Dakota went over to Matt and attempted to shake him awake. Slowly Matt opened his eyes and would attempt to go for his gun and found his right arm tied down. "Easy marshal. You have been badly wounded and the bullet is still in your shoulder."
Matt will look at the man squatting before him. More boy than man before him Matt asked his name in which "Dakota Smith" was the response. Dakota stood up and Matt placed him around six foot tall. Dakota was medium built, with long black hair braided down his back and striking green eyes. He sported a short cut goatee and had a crooked smile with tape across his nose.
"What happened to you" Matt grimaced as he attempted to sit up.
"Here marshal, let me help you" Dakota helped the lawman to sit up offering a canteen of water. "Do you want whiskey for the pain?"
Matt will nod yes, and Dakota handed him the bottle. "Mister moron over there put two bullets in you and would have put more if I hadn't come along" Dakota nodded towards the man lying on the ground.
"I don't even know him" Matt looked puzzled "He knew me though."
"Your Matt Dillion, U.S. Marshal if I am correct." Seeing Matt nod yes again he continued. "Let me introduce him to you. Mister wonderful over there is Jake Colbert, wanted for robbery, murder and of course kidnapping. He has a bounty on him, and I intend to collect it."
"Kinda young aren't you to be a bounty hunter."
Smiling Dakota quietly asked Matt another question to change the subject. "Who is Kitty?" trying to gage Matt's expression when he asks the question.
"Why?" Matt fired back to the young man, trying to gage Dakota.
"You called out her name several times, thought she might be special to you."
Matt went silent and then attempted to stand up only to find that he could not. "I told you marshal; you are hurt bad. Just lay there and while I get things done and we can leave."
Watching the young man leave with horses, his horse among them Matt began to worry a bit. Reaching with his left hand to check for his pistol, relieved to find it still there. Dakota returning and made sure the campfire was out. "Well Marshal Matt Dillion, you're going to have to stand and walk a bit. Feel up to it?"
"Don't think I can ride." Dakota will look at the marshal and help him up. Feeling the heat coming from the marshal and knew that Matt was starting a fever, it was now more urgent to get this man to a real doctor. Once they reached the horses, Matt would see a litter secured behind Buck. Laying down on the litter Matt closed his eyes, feeling the fever starting in him while Dakota secures him onto it. Once that marshal was settled, Dakota went back and fetched his prisoner. If it weren't for the money, Dakota would just leave him like that, or perhaps not. The man had a 50/50 chance on what he would do, if money weren't involved.
While debating about just leaving Colbert, placed a noose around his neck. Dakota then cut the rope and forced Colbert into a standing position. "Just remember Colbert, you are wanted dead or alive, so if you want to make it easy, fall, trip, or run. A noose is a noose that strangles. And nobody will care." Leading the man to the horses and motioned for Colbert to mount up on his horse. Dakota had rearranged his horse and mule, placing Colbert's in the middle of the two, tied to Dakota's horse and Mule tied to Colbert's. Dakota untied his horse, mounted Ranger, and secure the rope to the saddle horn. Then spurring Ranger to move forward and towards Dodge. It was going to be a long day.
Kathleen Russell sat in the bar section of the train, hugging a small table by the window, sipping Napolean Brandy and watch the scenery pass by. She will close her eyes for a moment, recalling the moment that she met twins. Close to ten years ago, when they were barely six years old and living with their aunt in St. Louis. It was quite a shock when she first found out about them and then found out why they were in St. Louis verse Dodge.
They laid in bed one night, Matt seemed to be more distant than she ever felt before. At first Kitty thought it might have been the latest prisoner he watched hang, or the upcoming trip he needed to make. His hands were tucked behind his head, and he stared at the ceiling. Pushing him a bit to talk to her, he relented, turning towards her. Kathleen Russell will never forget the conversation they had.
"Kitty, you know I am going to St. Louis and will be gone for a couple of weeks. I thought maybe you would like to come with me." Matt's voice was low and unsure.
Kitty was excited and looked at him, "Of course I will go with you Matt. A shopping trip to St. Louis, time with you. Just what a girl needs to bring back sunshine into her life."
"Shopping is great, and we will spend time together, but there is something else I have to attend to, and I want you to be part of it." He stopped her from saying anything. "Let me get all of this out before I can't." She looked at him in puzzlement and patiently waited for him to continue. Matt cleared his voice and continued. "There are some things in my life that no one knows about, not you, not even Doc. Something special, something that I am proud of, and yet not proud of." Matt stopped and she encouraged him to continue.
"Before I came to Dodge, before I became a marshal, I lived on the outskirts of St. Louis trying to be a rancher. You see, I was married, and her name was Charlotte Spenser." Matt knew that he needed to get the rest out and not let it hang there. He could feel Kitty tensing up and, well sometimes her temper would get the best of her.
"We were expecting a baby, and we had twins. A boy we named Jonathon James and a girl we named Jessica Lynne. Three days later she died from complications. The ranch wasn't doing well, I had a set of twins three days old, I just buried her, and my world went cold. I went to her sister's house and in discussing my situation, we, Penelope, and I felt it would be best to raise the twins there. She would raise the twins until I figured out what to do with my life." Sitting up, turning, and placing his feet onto the floor. Kitty will move to sit beside him on the edge of the bed.
"The job of marshal for Dodge opened, and since I had been a deputy marshal before, they offered it to me. I took it, came out west and left the twins there. Because I didn't want any of my enemies to know I had family, the twins go by the name Spenser to avoid any connection to me. I visit them twice a year, more if I could. With us becoming as close as we are, I didn't feel right keeping it anymore from you. I want you to meet them, with me and anytime you're in St. Louis. The three of you are so important to me, I just…" Matt's voice trailed off. He was worried that this news would be the end of him and Kitty, he just couldn't keep it a secret anymore from her.
Kitty will get up and pour some whiskey for the two of them. "Well, that is quite a tale you just told me" Matt looking up and taking the whiskey from her downing it in a swift gulp. "Of course, I will go with you and meet your children. I understand why they are there and not here. We can do more talking on our trip, and maybe figure out a way to bring them to Dodge."
Kitty shook her head, finished her brandy, and motioned for another one. Ten years later, she was on her way to bring them and two other children back to Dodge. For ten years many trips with and without Matt to St. Louis brought both joy and heartache for her in seeing the children. Standing up and taking her brandy with her retired to the sleeping car she had, her mind sorting out things that tomorrow shall bring.
It was nearly noon when Dakota's horse led the other horses onto Front Street of Dodge City. Having to stop a couple of times to check on the marshal and cooling him down some with a wet kerchief, it took even longer than he expected. Once he had to change bandages due to bleeding from the marshal's wounds. Once on Front Street he noticed the looks people gave him. Dakota stopped and asked where the doctor was located. Getting the information that he was heading the correct way, Dakota continued. Taking notice of a man heading off down the road in a hurry and looking back at Dakota. "Ten-dollar gold piece Ranger, says that the man is running to the marshal's office." He chuckled, urging his horse onward.
Festus Haggin and Newly O'Brien left the marshal's office once word receives them of the stranger leading Dillion's horse with a litter attached to it. Taking off in a run towards Dakota, not sure what they would find and seeing Dakota both decided that they don't like what they see. The man who ran in, known as Louie Pheeters in turned hurried up a set of stairs that led to the Doc's office.
Dakota, seeing the shingles for Doctor G. Adams and Doctor S. McTavish headed that way, running into some interference by Festus and Newly. In order not to run anyone over, he stopped the horses. "Gentleman, I have a very shot up marshal back there, a prisoner that is wanted and did the shooting. Let me get the horses over to the Doctors office." Newly moved to the litter where Matt was laying and looked him over a bit.
"Festus, he's right. The Marshal looks in bad shape."
"Alrigh' ya thunderheads, make room, git out of the way" Festus shouted, waving his hands in the air.
Dakota nudged Ranger forward and saw three people coming down a set of stairs pulled up to the railings and dismounting securing his horse to the railing. Looking to Newly and Festus he gestured to Colbert "This here is Jake Colbert, robber, murder, and kidnapper and is wanted. I want the bounty on him, but for now, I will appreciate if you take him off my hands."
Festus nodded and scowled up to the man. He will untie Colbert from his horse, yank him off the horse and proceed to haul Colbert off to jail.
Doc's Adams and McTavish moved quickly to Matt and looked him over. Both taking stock of the wounds, the fever, and the fact that Matt seems more unconscious than conscious. "Some of you men, get him off of that thing and up to the office" Doc commanded with a stern voice. Dr. Sam McTavish headed the stairs, opening the door wide for the men to bring in the Marshal. Doc Adams followed her and Newly motioned for Dakota also to follow and then head up himself.
Seeing Louie standing there looking at him, he motioned for Louie to come over. Louie shuffled over to him. "I need someone to do a few things for me. Would you be able to help me?"
"Help you with what mister?" Louie looked at him carefully.
"The horses and the mule need to be taken to a stable, rubbed down, fed oats. My gear on the mule needs to go to a hotel or boarding house, and I need that room for a week or so. Oh, and my name is Dakota, Dakota Smith." Taking out his wallet and remove a five-dollar bill handed it to Louie "Use what you need for the stable boarding and for the room, the rest is yours."
Louie took the money seeing a bottle of whiskey at the end with the amount that was given to him. 'My name is Louie. I will take good care of it, Mr. Dakota. You can count on that. I will bring you a key to a room at the Dodge House, best place to stay in Dodge." Louie watched as Dakota removed the rifle from the saddle.
"Thanks." And with that, Dakota headed up the stairs and quietly entered the room. Placing his rifle in the corner and his hat on the hat rack, he watched the operation of the three people working on the marshal. Doctor G. Adams and Doctor S. McTavish, husband and wife doctors worked as a team with Newly O'Brien stood at the head of the table, chloroform ready to be applied when told to. The door opened, and Festus entered, he went to stand next to Dakota wanting to ask several questions, too everyone seemed to him. As much as Festus would like to question the young man, now in this room was not the time.
Doc will look up at Dakota "Did you fix him up" now eying the bruising around his eyes, and the tape across his nose.
"Yes sir, I did"
"When did it happen?" Doc continued to question.
"About 10 last night, by the Arkansas River"
"Why in tarnation didn't you bring him in last night. Might have saved him a fever" Doc turned back preparing to operate on Matt's shoulder.
"Now Galen" Sam McTavish quietly said, "Between being dark, tending to the marshal, fixing his own nose, taking out the bad guy." Before she could finish, Doc grumbled, 'Alright, all right. You are right." Doc knew he would lose the argument and right now they did not need to debate timetables. "Newly, start the chloroform" Doc Adams instructed him.
Dakota, feeling very tired and in a bit of pain, plopped down in the chair by the doc's desk. He will look up at Festus. "The marshal was calling out a woman's name. Kitty I believe. Should she be told that he is here?"
Festus will look at him and shake his head no. "Miss Kitty not here right now. Not sure where she gone off to. Youse needs to put some fingers on your nose, bleeding, and all" Festus point to Dakota's nose. Dakota pressed two fingers, one on each side and wiped his nose of the trickling blood.
In silence, both men watched as Doc Adams and McTavish operate on Matt's wounds, hoping, just hoping for good news. Hearing a bullet hitting a small pan, Dakota will close his eyes as Festus speaking up, asked the doctors if Matthew was going to be all right.
Once she arrived at St. Louis, Kitty Russell found several horse and buggies with a driver hanging around the train depot, looking for a fare. Coming up to one, with her one bag and inquired about services. Once acquired Kitty gave the address and the man will look at her.
"Are you sure ma 'man that's where you wish to go?"
"Yes" is all she replied, and the buggy driver clicked his tongue, and the horse began to take her to the address she provided. Once there Kitty paid for her fare, tipping the driver a nice tip. Picking up her carpet bag, slowly walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. After a short couple of minutes, the door opens and before her will stand a young man-child that resembles his father in many ways. She noticed that Jonathon Spenser grew at least 4 or more inches.
"Miss Kitty!" he exclaimed, grabbing her carpet bag and her arm pulling her inside. "Thank the gods you came." He looked around a bit outside hoping to see his father and realizing that he was not there, shouted "Jessy, come quickly. Miss Kitty is here"
Jessy Spenser, with two young children came out from the kitchen area. Jessy is smaller than her brother, blonde hair, and blue eyes compared to his brown hair and brown eyes. "Miss Kitty, you came" hugging Kitty with almost a desperate need. The two younger ones, Matthew Spenser and his younger sister Lillian will run up, hugging Kitty. Looking down at the younger ones, rubbing Matty's hair and touching Lilly's cheek, looked up at Jessica, "Yes I came."
"Where's father" Jessica looking for him "Didn't he come?"
"No, your father was not back from Hayes, however I did leave him a note" she stated reassuringly.
From the staircase a booming voice rang. "Well, well. Look who we have here. The beautiful and very single Miss Kathleen Russell. So, red. What brings you to St. Louis."
Upon seeing Johnny stepping in front of Jessica and Matthew stepping in front of Lillian, she looked up at Albert Spenser, the twins maternal uncle. "Hello Albert. I have come to help the children settle Penelope's estate.
TBC