Thursday, October 27, 1910
Russell Stead was not happy. Out of all his duties at the clinic, sanitation maintenance and recovery, was his least favorite. The big term, which Dr. Arnold Westbrook had invented for Russell, involved three indispensable items, a mop and a scoop and sanitizer to clean up the vomit on the floor. When Nurse Maude asked for his "unique services" in examination room number two, he cringed.
Russell carried the essentials down the hall, where Nurse Westbrook said, "You are a real trooper young man, this is your fourth clean up this week?"
Russell playfully bemoaned, "Fifth."
Nurse Westbrook chuckled, "Business is good. Well, there's a little boy in there named Chase Porter. He came in for a broken wrist. I gave him a shot to sedate him and, for unknown reasons, up came his breakfast. He got a lot of it on his clothes, so do me a favor, take this child's gown and give it to him."
Russell took the gown. "Yes, ma'am."
He walked into the room, eight-year-old Chase was sitting on an examination table.
"Oh, that's a dozy!" 
The little boy barely acknowledged him.
"Here, the nurse wanted me to give you this gown to wear." He handed him the gown.
Chase looked at Russell suspiciously. "Turn around."
"Huh?"
"Turn around when I put the gown on!"
"I'm a guy, just like you."
"Turn around!"
"Fine."
Russell went about the business of cleaning up the mess.
"You know shyness is one thing in front of a girl, but with another man it's silly." He scooped up chunks of sickness. "I mean, if that makes you nervous then why…." Russell froze.
He could see Chase's reflection in the mirror. He began to get upset but he remained calm, he did not want the boy to realize he was watching him.
Russell ran out of the room, down the hallway.
Nurse Westbrook was speaking with Chase's mother. "Mrs. Porter it's a good idea to get tetanus shots every couple of years with kids. They like to run around and…."
He burst into examination room one.
Nurse Westbrook snapped around, "Hey! What have I told you about knocking?"
He took her by the hand and they walked briskly down the hallway.
"Russell, what is the problem? All he did was get nauseous."
He quickly opened the door and ran over to the little boy.
"That sedative should…."
He looked the boy did in the eye. "Show this nurse your backside."
Chase shook his head. "No."
Russell yelled, "Do it!"
Chase's eyes bulged he shrank against the wall.
Nurse Westbrook took Russell's hand and led him to the hallway.
"Russell, that boy is here for a sprained wrist…."
"Ma'am, he has stripes on his back."
Nurse Westbrook sighed. She looked down, "Good heavens."
He quickly turned around and opened the door, Nurse Westbrook shut it.
She asked, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I want to show you the scars."
"You'll do no such thing. You are not a doctor or a nurse; touching that boy is illegal."
"Ma'am, he is being whipped!"
"That's probably the case, however, this is not the first time I have encountered this type of situation. Do not, under any circumstances, discuss this matter with anyone else but me, is that clear?"
Russell sighed. He nodded.
"Wait here."
Russell leaned on the hall wall.
"Dear God,
Please help that boy.
Amen."
A minute later, the door to examination room one flew open. Chase's mother ran as quickly as possible to the other room. Nurse Westbrook followed closely.
"Mrs. Porter, domestic abuse is a crime. There are organizations which can assist you."
She grabbed Chase and ran with him towards the clinic door.
Russell yelled to Nurse Westbrook, "Stop her!"
She slowly shook her head. "I can't."
He ran after her.
Mrs. Porter and Chase were in a wagon.
"Ma'am, if you need some kind of help, I have a friend who is a preacher and…."
The wagon took off at top speed.
Nurse Westbrook ran outside after Russell. She put a hand on his shoulder.
"Do not pull a stupid stunt like that ever again!"
He shrugged her arm off. "His daddy is abusing him. He is probably beating his wife too."
"Quiet! I told you to not discuss this or any one's medical condition outside of the clinic. It's a matter of privacy. I can only work with people if they assume that Arnold and I maintain a sincere level of trust. Now then, he is gone for the day; I am the only one here. I cannot afford to play twenty questions with someone."
Russell was still upset, he took off running.
"Come back here this instant!"
He soon disappeared down the street.
About thirty minutes later Russell and Pete walked into the jail. They were standing on either side of a man with a black eye. 
"Morning Sarah, I have a prisoner for you."
Sarah tilted her head. "Julius had to go to Plentywood to see a judge about a pick-pocket we arrested earlier this week."
Russell spoke up, "This is Mr. Porter. He beats his wife and his children."
Sarah gasped. She stood up and walked over to the first cell. She opened the door. The boys threw him in.
Everyone was satisfied.
When Russell walked back into the clinic, Nurse Westbrook was in examination room number one. She heard Russell speaking. He heard her talk to the patient.
"Um… can you wait here just one second, while I speak with someone? Thanks."
She stepped out of the room and softly shut the door.
"Russell, where did you go?"
He replied, "I set things a right."
"Do explain."
"Pete and I took care of Mr. Porter; we got him."
Nurse Westbrook turned white as a ghost. "What do you mean by the phrase 'we got him'?"
Russell chuckled, "I knocked on the door. He answered. Pete threw a punch. Lights out. We took him to the jail. He won't be bothering anyone in that family...."
"Julius told me yesterday that he had to go to Plentywood!"
"Yeah, so Sarah put him in the clink."
Nurse Westbrook put her hands over her face.
"You stupid, stupid kid!"
"I'm not stupid; I'm the one who helped."
Nurse Westbrook ran down the hall to Arnold's office.
Russell became frightened. He reluctantly walked towards the office.
Nurse Westbrook was on the phone.
"Tell him when he arrives to call Nurse westbrook immediately this is an emergency. Thank you."
She hung up the phone. She glared at Russell. "You idiot! Are you daft?"
Russell was confused. "Why are you saying...?"
She barked at him, "Shut the door and get back to work!"
Russell did not reply, he just hung his head and walked away.
An hour later, a car screeched to a halt in front of the jail.
Julius and another man ran in.
Julius got the keys and opened the cell while the other man read from a sheet of paper.
"Sir, on behalf of the residents and judicial system of Sheridan County, we would like to apologize for this miscarriage of justice. As County Attorney, I am authorized to negotiate a reasonable compensation to correct...."
Mr. Porter pushed the lawyer out of his way and ran out the door. 
Sarah was confused. "Julius? That man beats his children and...."
He grabbed Sarah by the arm and lifted her out of the chair. He walked her over to the cell number one and slammed the door shut.
"Hey? Hey? What are you doing?"
Julius and the lawyer quickly walked out the door.
Ten minutes later, Julius returned with Pete and Russell.
He tossed them in cell number two.
They both protested; he ignored them. He ran back out the door.
Meanwhile, over at the bank; Alma Gumble was in Michael Conrad's office.
"And that's why we call it a prime loan. The client must maintain a balance against the...."
Julius, Mayor Tallard, Comptroller Gumble and the County Attorney all rushed in to Michael's office.
He quickly turned his attention to them.
Comptroller Arthur Gumble said, "Alma, run home to your mother, right now."
She tilted her head. "But, Mr. Conrad is helping me...."
He replied sharply, "Now!" 
She was shaking as she left.
Mayor Tallard shut the door.
Two hours later, Julius, Michael Conrad, Mayor Tallard and the County Attorney came back to the jail.
Sarah immediately said, "Father, Officer Walsdorf put me in jail!"
Julius grabbed three chairs and sat them in front of the cells.
Mayor Tallard, Michael Conrad and the County Attorney all sat down. Julius stood beside the men.
Sarah, Pete and Russell all gave them their attention.
"Children, I'm Sheridan County Attorney Foster Harrison." 
He opened up a briefcase and took out some papers. He began making notes.
He asked, "Russell Stead, where did you obtain your license to practice medicine in the state of Montana?"
He snorted. "I ain't got no medical license."
He made some notes.
"Where did you matriculate?"
Russell bit his finger. "I haven't yet. But, I really need to go."
Michael tried to hide his chuckling. Mr. Harrison was not smiling.
"By matriculate, I mean, where did you seek advanced education past high school?"
"No where yet, I'm only in eleventh grade."
"During the past four hours, have you said to anyone that you were a licensed medical technician associated with the Eagle Creek Clinic?"
"Nope."
Mr. Harrison made more notes.
"You don't have to write that down, everyone knows me."
Mr. Harrison looked up for a moment.
"No, everyone does not know you. The judge in Plentywood and the Judicial Review Board in Helena does not know you."
"Why do you have to get all of those people involved?"
Mr. Harrison sighed and mumbled, "I haven't got time for this."
Mayor Tallard said, "Kids, do not reply, unless you are spoken to and only say the truth. Do you understand?"
Sarah huffed. "I always tell the truth." 
Mayor Tallard yelled at them, "Do you understand? Yes or no?"
Sarah was quivering. She squeaked, "Yes."
Pete asked, "Are we going to get lunch?"
Michael snapped, "Pete?"
He swallowed. "I understand."
Mayor Tallard said, "Mr. Harrison, these are fine children. They won't give you any more trouble."
Mr. Harrison raised an eyebrow. "I certainly hope not."
He continued making notes for a few minutes.
Julius walked with Russell to the bathroom so he could… matriculate.
When Russell and Julius came back, he was returned to his cell with Pete.
Julius asked, "Sarah?"
She shook her head. "I'm fine."
Julius nodded.
Michael said to her, "Sarah, we need you to pay attention. I am afraid you might've...."
Mr. Harrison interrupted him, "From here on out, only I talk."
Michael nodded; as did the mayor and Julius.
Mr. Harrison looked to Pete.
"Peter Orville Jackson of Eagle Creek?"
"Yes sir." 
"Are you a law enforcement officer employed by the city of Eagle Creek?"
"No. I'm a senior in school. I am helping Mr. Gordon down at the train depot. We didn't have any trains coming in until this afternoon. He said I could have a break. "
"During the past four hours, have you told anyone that you were employed as a law enforcement officer with the town of Eagle Creek?"
He shook his head. "No sir."
Mr. Harrison wrote in his notebook.
"Sarah Marie Conrad of Eagle Creek, are you a law enforcement officer?"
"No sir."
"During the past four hours, have you said to anyone that you were a law enforcement officer?"
"No sir."
The attorney sighed. "On Thursday, October 27th, 1910, were you in the Eagle Creek Jailhouse?"
"Yes sir."
"Were you seated behind a desk at said city facility?"
"Yes sir."
"Did Russell Stead and Pete Jackson come into the jailhouse at approximately 10:55 am?"
"Yes sir."
"Were you under the impression that they were law enforcement representatives?"
"No. I've known them all my life. They're classmates."
"Were they in the company of a man whom they identified as Mr. Porter?"
"Yes. He had a black eye. They said he beat his kids."
The attorney made more notes.
Sarah spoke up. "I don't understand why you are defending that creep."
Michael said, "Sarah? Quiet."
Sarah was defensive. "Russell saw his son; he had marks on his back."
Michael said in a harsh tone, "Hush!"
She snapped, "Mr. Porter deserved to be put in jail!"
Michael knocked the notebook out of the attorney's hand. It went sailing across the room.
Mr. Harrison stared at Michael.
Michael shrugged. "I suppose that was an accident. I guess this means that you did not officially hear what my sixteen-year-old daughter just told you?"
Mr. Harrison thought for a moment. He looked to Sarah.
"Fine. But that was the last time that I demonstrate such... mercy."
Pete sneered. "This is ridiculous."
Julius warned him: "Pete, please, shut up."
Russell said, "Do any of you adults know what it's like to be beaten by someone?"
Sarah added, "Mr. Porter is...."
"No one!" Mr. Harrison interrupted her. "Dean McClure is a fugitive from a jail in Rockaway. He broke out two weeks ago and has been looking for his family in order to kill them."
The kids were confused.
He pointed to Russell. "Did you know how old those wounds were?"
Russell shook his head. "No, I just thought...."
He pointed to Pete. "Did you ask that man a few basic questions before you slugged him?"
Pete shook his head. "I was upset. I don't want to see a child get hurt."
He pointed to Sarah. "Did you have authority to place him under arrest? Or put them in jail? Or anything that involved enforcing the law in this town or county or state?"
Sarah was shaking. She squeaked. "I was trying to help out."
Mr. Harrison wiped his face. He turned to Julius. "If this young lady is telling the truth and she is a simply a headstrong child and if Mr. Wilfred Breggear is a forgiving man, you just might keep your job and stay out of prison. If not, I'll prosecute you and these juvenile delinquents on my own."
Julius was very nervous. "Yes, sir."
Sarah spoke up, "I don't understand. Who is Wilfred Breggear?"
Mr. Harrison said in a serious tone. "Wilfred Breggear is pretending to be Wilfred Porter. He is Silvia McClure's brother. She has been hiding in Eagle Creek under the name Silvia Porter.
Silvia McClure is trying to hide from her husband by using the name Silvia Porter. She was staying with her brother. To stay alive, she must make sure that no one knows who she is or where she lives."
Pete asked regretfully, "I slugged somebody for no reason?"
Julius nodded.
Pete almost collapsed.
Russell bowed his head.
Sarah put her hands over her face and began to cry.
Mr. Harrison said, "After we released him, we all went to the bank. Michael gave money to cover the last two months of rent and the security deposit Mr. Breggear will lose by suddenly leaving the house he is renting. He paid in cash."
Sarah cringed.
Michael said, "I used cash from my own account, so there is no record of it. I'll tell the landlord that they had a family emergency and they left all of a sudden. I will give the landlord what would be their last month's rent. My hope is it will not look too suspicious. Additionally, I gave him a substantial sum to cover any moving expenses and pay his bills for the next three months."
Mr. Harrison continued, "Mr. Breggear and his sister and her children will pack the belongings they can reasonably carry in a suitcase. When they are ready, Julius will escort them to the train station. They will purchase train tickets to any destination they choose. Julius will clear the station to make sure no one, including him, can hear the name of the city to where they are traveling. They will pay cash. Max Gordon, the depot manager, will record their names as John, Jane, Joe and Jill Jones. He will then burn any copies he might have of the transaction and he will swear under oath to never repeat the name of the city or face imprisonment.
If Wilfred Breggear, a man with no arrest record at all, decides to just leave town, with his family, with his cash, everyone is in the clear. This matter will not be discussed ever again. However, if he decides to stay and sue this city and county, then you three children will stay in jail until your individual trials on the following charges: practicing medicine without a license, first-degree assault, and kidnapping."
Mr. Harrison wrote more in his notebook.
"Hopefully, that phone will ring soon. The Porter family will forever disappear from this community, I can burn all the notes I have made for the day and you three children can go on with your lives."
He finished his notes and closed his briefcase.
"Needless to say, but, let me emphasize this again; if they go away, none of this ever happened. Sarah, you will not have an interesting story to tell Emily. Russell, you will return to the clinic, no questions asked. Pete, not even your father or mother will ever, ever find out. If I hear that you have even uttered the names Porter or Breggar or McClure, then I will prosecute you. Understand?"
Pete nodded. "Yes sir."
The attorney rubbed his chin. "I appreciate your passion for doing what's right. That being said, we call it a Judicial System for a reason. We strive to prosecute the guilty but we expound twice more energy to protect the innocent. If we didn't do that we'd have constant chaos."
He directed his question to Pete, "How would you like it if I came over to your house, punched you in the eye and accused you of beating an eight-year-old child?"
The phone rang.
Julius walked over to his desk.
"Eagle Creek Police, Julius Walsdorf speaking."
Julius collapsed his shoulders in relief. He nodded to the men.
"I will be there in a couple of minutes."
He hung up the phone.
An hour later, after they heard the train pull away from the station, Julius returned and let them out of jail.
Russell paused. "Julius, I'm awfully sorry about all this?"
Pete nodded. "Me too."
Julius shrugged. "Sorry about what? Russell, as far as I know, all you did today was work down at the clinic. I don't know what else you did today. Pete, how did it go down at the depot?"
Pete cleared his throat. "It was an ordinary day. Nothing unusual happened."
"Good. If I ever hear this story around town, all three of you could go to jail and I could lose my job."
Pete shook his head. "Julius, I don't know what you're talking about."
Russell shrugged. "Yeah, me neither."
Julius sighed. "Thanks. You boys had better get back to your jobs."
The boys left.
Sarah stood there alone.
Julius ran his fingers through his hair. "I hope you learned a valuable lesson today. Everything has a working system and if we don't understand how it's supposed to work or even if we don't agree with its outcome does not mean the system is broken or obsolete. Most of the time, you just have to trust people and believe in a wisdom higher than your own."
Sarah wore a slight smile. She shifted her eyes. "Thanks for the lesson Julius but all I did today was clean out the cells and organize the old arrest reports."
Julius smiled. "Good. I'm very glad had just another boring day at the jail with Julius."
Sarah rolled her eyes and trilled her lips. "Yup."
