Denver Fields

Illustration by Steven Lambert

Journal entry by Ashford Arnold

Authentic Tales of the Wild West: Part 2

“Fields Gang”, he said, as if it was self-evident. As we finally pulled into town, I realized that this was a place of industry, a place of questionable legality, and a place of opportunity for those with ambition.

The Saloon was impossible to miss; you could see it, smell it, hear it; I didn’t yet have the courage to get close enough to touch and taste it. I finally arrived at the only hotel in town, the Wild Goose, and as I was arranging things with the keeper (a nice enough man with a burgundy nose and a neck that seemed too stretched), I eventually mustered up the daring to ask what I had been wanting to ask all along.

“So friend, what’s this I’ve been overhearing about a “Fields Gang”?” I tried to sound as casual as I could, but I fear I failed in my attempt. I admit I was surprised at how forthright he was, almost as if he’d been waiting to unburden himself of his thoughts. He proceeded to tell me how Dodge City has not had a proper Lawman for several months now, due to this Fields Gang and their canny, crafty and cunning leader – Denver Fields.

The townsfolk have sent out letter after letter from the local Post Office to try to recruit a Lawman, a real true Gunslinger, to come protect their town and their livelihoods, but it seems that Dodge City has been saddled with quite a Bad Reputation (probably due to the rather short life expectancy of its deputies).

I wondered right then if perhaps I could make a difference in crafting a recruitment draft to draw such a man to this Dodge City.

— Check back next Monday for a new entry in Ashford’s journal —