An Unexpected Death (Matt's Story)

Matthew James Dillon was an active and rambunctious little boy. His parents, James and Marie Dillon, could give testimony to that. Their son may be active and rambunctious, but he was also well behaved. James and Marie had no complaints when it came to their little boy. Matthew was the apple of his parents' eyes, especially his father's eyes. James took such pride in his son. He knew that Matt would follow in his footsteps, and someday become a lawman like him. James and Marie would have liked to have more children and give Matt a sibling, but right now it seemed that the Lord had other plans. James and Marie came to accept those plans.

Matt did look up to his father and was very proud of him. At the tender age of six years old, Matt could see how a lawman should be. His father, who was a marshal in the Texas territory they lived in, showed Matt that a lawman needed to be tough, but at the same time he needed to be fair and respectful. Matt witnessed the respect the people had for his father and the respect his father had for the people of the territory. When Matt became a lawman, maybe even a marshal, he would take on the example of his father.

One evening Marie was making supper and Matt was pretending he was a marshal. He was about to make an arrest. He had his gun, which was two twigs tied together in the shape of a gun. The Dillons were not a rich family. A lawman's salary did not break the bank. That did not matter. They did live comfortably. James had left the house about an hour ago. His deputy came to get him saying there was a commotion in town. James grabbed his hat and gun belt, and kissed Marie goodbye, telling her he would be back as soon as he could. Marie smiled and told him to be careful, not knowing that would be the last thing she said to him.

The stew that Marie had made was ready to be served. James was not home yet, but that did not concern Marie. There were multiple times that James was late for supper. That was one of the negative aspects of being a marshal. Marie and Matthew ate supper alone that evening. While Marie was cleaning up, Matt went back to playing with his twig gun. Just as she was finishing cleaning, Marie heard a knock on the door. She went to answer it.

Marie opened the door and saw James' deputy, Martin Deenin, on the other side. "Martin, I wasn't expecting to see you here. What can I do for you?"

"May I come in?" Martin asked.

"Certainly," Marie replied as she stepped to the side to let Martin in.

Martin walked into the house and removed his hat. "Marie, I don't know how to tell you this. James has been shot."

"Oh, I need to get to him right away. Let me get Matthew, and we'll go with you," Marie hurriedly said.

"I'm afraid you didn't let me finish," Martin said sadly. "James is dead. He was ambushed from behind, shot in the back. There was nothing Doctor Osborne could do."

Marie suddenly felt her legs go weak. Martin noticed this and grabbed Marie before she could tumble to the ground. He walked her over to the couch and sat her down. Martin sat down next to her. Matthew obviously had not heard the news of his father. He was still playing.

"Bang! Bang! You're dead!" Matt yelled to his make believe outlaws.

"Matthew, would you put that gun down and stop!" Marie yelled at her son.

Matthew was not expecting to hear that from his mother. She never yelled at him when he was playing marshal and outlaw. If her husband's death was breaking her heart, then the look on her little boy's face completely shattered it. Marie had realized that her son was not aware of the news. She motioned for Matthew to come sit next to her. Matthew did. It was then that he noticed Deputy Deenin.

"Hi, deputy," Matt said as he sat next to his mother. "Is my pa still in town?"

Marie took a deep breath. "Matt, I'm afraid that Martin has come here with some bad news. Your pa has been shot. He didn't make it."

"That's not true," said Matthew. "He's the good guy. The good guys always win. They don't die."

"I wish that were true," said Martin. "But unfortunately it doesn't always work out that way."

"No!" Matt yelled. "My pa isn't dead! He isn't!" Matt ran off to his bedroom.

Marie let Matt go. She would talk to him later. "I thank you for coming over. I reckon I'll have to make arrangements for James' funeral and burial."

"I am more than willing to help you with anything you need," offered Martin.

"Thank you," whispered Marie. "I appreciate it."

The funeral and burial took place a few days later. At the service, Martin gave Matt James' marshal's badge. Matt accepted the badge and held it tightly in his small hand. This was his pa's badge and he would take good care of it.

A few months had passed, and Marie Dillon was not her usual healthy self. She always seemed to be weak, sick, and tired. Matt took notice of this. Ever since his pa's death, his ma had not been the same. The doctor said her heart was weak and getting weaker, although he could not explain why. Matt knew why. He may have only been six years old, but he was certain that his ma was dying of a broken heart. She missed her husband something fierce. Six months after her husband was shot and killed, Marie Dillon passed away. Matthew James Dillon was now an orphan.

Matt bounced around different homes for several years before finding one that seemed promising. The Hoppers were nice people. Matt even thought it was neat to have a "younger brother," even though Chance could be annoying. He was at least five years younger than Matt, and always wanted to follow Matt around.

The Hoppers were a decent family, but unfortunately Matt started falling into the wrong crowd. The death of his parents changed the way he looked at life. When he was a little boy, Matt always thought that the law won. He was convinced that his pa would always come home. Reality struck in a big way the night his father was killed. Matt now knew that evil could win. It won when it took his pa and ma. Because of that, Matt started going down the wrong path, following the wrong crowd.

One day Matt left the Harper house, with plans of not returning. He rode off with some boys his age and ended up getting in trouble. They decided to drink and cause a ruckus in town. The other boys managed to get away, but not Matt. He was arrested and brought to the town jail.

"What's your name, son?" asked Adam Kimbro, the town sheriff.

"Matt Dillon," Matt replied. He vowed to keep the name Dillon. Matt would never change it, even if he was legally adopted.

"Dillon, Dillon," Kimbro repeated. "Are you James Dillon's son?"

"Yeah," Matt sighed.

"First let me tell you how sorry I am about his death," stated Kimbro. "I admired him. He was the reason I got into law. I had the chance to talk with him several times. I remember him mentioning you. He had such pride in you." Adam paused for a moment before continuing. "Let me ask you something. Would your father be proud of the man you are becoming?"

Matt looked at Kimbro. "I reckon he wouldn't be, but I'm just so angry."

"It's been over ten years since your father died," said Adam. "You've got to let go of your anger."

"It's not just my father's death that has made me angry. It's my mother's death too," Matt replied. "If he hadn't been killed, she would still be alive. I know she died of a broken heart."

"Matt, you are their legacy," said Adam. "Make them proud of you. Your dad made the name Dillon one to be proud of. Don't tarnish it."

Hearing the word tarnish, Matt pulled his father's badge out of his pocket. "Deputy Martin gave this to me at my father's funeral. I've always had it with me since then."

"Son, if you're gonna carry your father's badge around with you, then you better change your ways," Adam told Matt. "I am willing to help you. If you are interested in following in your father's footsteps, I can get you a job as a lawman. We can always use a lawman around here."

"When I was a little boy, I always wanted to be like my father. But I just turned seventeen years old. I'm too young to be a lawman," replied Matt.

"Nonsense, we can make it work," said Kimbro. "We'll start you off as a deputy. How are you with a gun? Your father was one of the best."

"I'm fairly decent," Matt answered.

"I'm gonna have you spend the night in jail for your shenanigans, but tomorrow morning I'll swear you in as our newest deputy," said Adam.

That's exactly what happened. Matt turned out to be a mighty fine deputy. His reputation was soon spreading across the territory. He had only been a deputy for a couple of years, when the neighboring town offered him the job as their sheriff. Matt was not sure what to do. He was still young, a few months shy of turning twenty years old. Matt decided to get advice from Adam Kimbro. Matt considered Adam to be his mentor. Adam told Matt he should take the job. Adam also told Matt not to mention Matt's age.

Matt had been sheriff for a year and a half, when Kimbro came into Matt's office. By this time Matt was twenty-one years old, going on twenty-two. He was doing a fine job of being a sheriff. Kimbro had some papers in his hand.

"What do ya got there?" asked Matt, pointing to the papers in Adam's hand.

"I got word from Washington that they're looking for a man to be marshal in Dodge City, Kansas and the surrounding territory. Matt, you'd be perfect for the job."

"I don't know, Mr. Kimbro. I like being sheriff, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to be marshal, especially in a place like Dodge City. I heard it's a pretty rough town. Don't forget I'm only twenty-one years old."

"Almost twenty-two, and they don't need to know that," said Adam. "Your height and size make you look older and intimidating. Like I said, you're the perfect man for the job."

Matt was silent while he contemplated his decision. He had always wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, and this was the perfect opportunity. Matt was about to give his answer, but Adam spoke again.

"Matt, before you answer, I want to make you aware of something. I said you'd be perfect for the job, but I need you to be sure that you can make the necessary sacrifices."

"What sacrifices?" Matt questioned.

"A wife and a family," Adam responded. "Having a wife and a family is nearly impossible for a lawman. You saw what your father's death did to your mother and to you. It left her a widow and you eventually became an orphan. You don't want the same thing to happen to your wife and children."

Matt knew that Kimbro was right. If he wanted to be a lawman, then he would have to make that sacrifice. "I want the job, and I'm willing to make the sacrifices."

"Great, the temporary sheriff is waiting for you in Dodge," said Adam. "Take these papers with you, so he knows you're gonna be the new marshal. He will swear you in." He gave the papers to Matt. "Matt, I wish you the best. I know you'll make a damn good marshal."

Matt took the papers. "Thank you, Mr. Kimbro. I want to make my parents proud, especially my father."

The next day Matt took off for Dodge City. Matt's deputy took over as sheriff and another young man was sworn in as deputy. Matt was confident that the town he was leaving would be in good hands. He had no qualms about leaving. Less than a week after leaving town, Matt arrived in Dodge City, Kansas. He was ready to start his life as Marshal of Dodge City.

The End