Phinias G. McVay

Other Characters by this Player

Recent Posts

1. 

   Another New Start

   January 9

   News has been sparse, the fight of course, would be the highlight, but it had been predictable. The crowd felt cheated by it, yet there would be no use harping on the  fraud that had been perpetrated on the attendees. Suffice to say the Deputy was beaten, but would still be serviceable to the Marshal, and his community. 
    
   A poor choice, and how he had been coerced into such a one sided affair escaped the editor. He, of course, would make mention of the fight and it's results. Then there was he shootings committed by Caleb Barnes and his subsequent end. Sad how the boy went bad, not an unheard of story. Then too, Frank Grimes untimely death when he thought to outdraw a man in the Stardust saloon only to be gunned down himself.
    
   Not an uneventful time, but other than the fight it seemed to be more of the same. It wouldn't be long before a chapter of the 'Pure Prairie League' would pop up and demand the place be closed, that laws be passed regarding drunkenness, followed closely by the outlawing of firearms within town limits. He wondered if reporting these things would only fire up those who would force their will on the rest.
    
   The taming of Kalispell.
   
2. 

   Another New Start

   November 6, 2021

   "Write? Madam, you are the reporter, write the news of the area, write what interests you, let us find out together what the people want from this paper." He said. "As a matter of fact, I am headed over to a pugilistic event at Simkins Barn, so perhaps we should get started or we'll miss it." He said.
    
   "Your impression of the event I believe will be widely read by the women of Kalispell, and a grand beginning of your employment at the Union. He added, "Whatta you say, Miss Thornton-Carlton?" He smiled as he got to his feet. "This is supposed to be quite the event, I'm told. They have bragged that folks will be coming from miles around for the entertainment." He slipped on his coat, took up his hat and opened the door. "After you."
   @JulieS
   
3. 

   Another New Start

   November 4, 2021

   Sarah stepped up to the counter, "Good morning, Mr. McVay.  I don't know if remember me or not but my name is Sarah Thornton-Carlton."
    
   "I do, it has been some time Miss Thornton-Carlton, but yes, I remember you." Phinn said with a smile.
    
   She held her hand and as she waited for his response, she tried to work out what sort of man he was.
    
   He shook her hand  and asked pleasantly, "And how might I help you?" Perhaps a printing job for the Lost Lake Ranch, or the Thorton's themselves.
    
   However, she didn't have much before she got a response.  Not one to dilly-dally, she spoke again, "I don't know how to say this, so I'll just come right out...I was wondering if you have ever entertained the idea of hiring a woman as a reporter for your newspaper?"
    
   "Well, I'd say that you said that well enough, Ma'am." He responded. "Now, some out here might say that they'd never heard of such a thing as a woman reporter, that would be because they were unaware of Anne Newport Royall, the first female journalist in the United States, the first woman to interview a president, be a publisher and editor for Paul Pry, the 30's and The Huntress from 1836 to 18 54 in Washington, D.C., had the pleasure of meeting her once."
    
   He grinned, "Now as for a reporter, well, women worked as publishers, printers, typesetters, journalists, and carved wooden engravings for illustrations. I'm sure you'll agree that journalists are reporters, however, Kalispell is small, not much news to cover, but yes, I could use your expertise and I could pay you, say eight dollars a week, to begin." The offer would make things tight for McVay, but he hoped that with her involvement the subscription and advertising would increase, and together, they would earn more money.
   @JulieS
   
4. 

   Another New Start

   November 2, 2021

   Phinn was setting type, Tommy Lane, his printers devil and all around helper was in school where he belonged, and where Phinn insisted he be.  He enjoyed fishing out the letters as he set up the page. It was a slow process, but his heart was set on the new Linotype type setting machine which would, of course, speed up matters much like the type writer had in '68, he had used them, became proficient at it, but never owned one.
    
   Just as he finished the column the door opened and he looked away from the type case to see a woman entering. He stood, wiping his hands on his printers apron and stepping away from the job at hand.
    
   "Good morning, what can I do for you?" He asked, smiling at the woman and her striking good looks as well as her style which spoke of big city life. He knew he had seen her before, but for the moment, could not remember when or where.
   @JulieS
    
    
   
5. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   October 25, 2021

   It has...
   
6. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   October 23, 2021

   "Well then, in that event, I shall most certainly stand corrected, when all of that happens. Yes-siree-bob. And a grand day that will be!" He stated, as much as he realized that just might be some time in the future as the railroad was still quite a way off, the hospital, perhaps by the next spring, if all went well. The orphanage, that would be dependent on the train.
    
   He did admire her enthusiasm however, wish more of the community were so inclined, and if so, what that might mean for it's growth. "It has be a nice Chat, Arabella, indeed, a nice exchange. Please, tell Mister Crabbe I send my best wishes."
   @Javia
   
7. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   October 23, 2021

   "While those stage and seating arrangements are quite common all over the east, parts of the mid-western states, and, even out here in places, what will remain are the choices that Mister Simmons considers, and then has constructed. He may well find that Kalispell is not quite large enough to support a theater." Phinn pointed out. 
    
   "Production costs will most likely outpace ticket sales, of course I could be wrong, and theater might well flourish here. I really couldn't say. What I do know is that the area has maybe thirty store fronts, including the Church, Livery and the Municiple Building.  How many are vacant? I'm not sure."
    
   "This community is at the moment ranchers and farmers. The farmers are not what I would call the upper crust of society hereabouts, that would be the business owners, the ones that are successful, and of course the Lost Lake and Evergreen ranches. I know I tend to paint a dreary picture of the possibilities here, but Arabella, the facts are the facts, unpopular as they may be."
   @Javia
   
8. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   October 21, 2021

   Phinn had to laugh. "Miss Mudd, I'll have you know that the Kalispell Union does not dabble in the romantic trials and tribulations of it's citizens. We here consider it our duty to report news worthy stories that will appeal to all of our readers." Though at one time he had considered a lonely hearts column, he quickly dashed the thought as being unappealing to the customers and advertisers of the paper. A risk not worth taking.
    
   "As far as carpenters to build such a thing, and I have no idea what his plans might look like for this theater, there is a crew out at The Pike's ranch building the house and out buildings, however, that is probably of no help to Mister Simmons at this point, since they are no where near completion." He said. "The other option ids to find an empty building to rent, if there is one, out to the barn, like Mister Crabbe and associates have done, though that still calls for a stage to be built for either one. You might suggest that to Mister Simpson when you see him."
   @Javia
   
9. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   October 21, 2021

   "Yes well, if acting is what you want, if entertaining others is your ambition, then let nothing deter you. Forge ahead with your plan to attain that goal. And, perhaps Kalispell is not the place to launch your career on the stage, we are no metropolis by any stretch of the imagination, just a sort of wide spot in the road. Oh, with good upstanding, people to be sure. But a place where an actress could begin her career? I wouldn't know if, in fact, that would be in the best interest of beginning your journey to the footlights as a career."
    
   "I realize that Mister Ben Simmons has talked of building a theater here. Many western towns have theaters, Opera Houses, and there are tent shows in the mining camps. Now I have no doubt the man means to do just as he says, but nary a board has been cut for it, and time for such a project is fast disappearing, just ask Miss Steelgrave whose own project is looking at a delay." A hard truth, but a real one. "Just some food for thought, Arabella."
   @Javia
   
10. 

    Advertising For The Fight

    October 20, 2021

    "Now, now, Arabella, I assure you that yes, I was filled with self pity after Elizabeth passed, however I have come to terms with the fact that  there was very little I could do about the pneumonia, or it's results." He explained. "But, what I can do is to be the best me that I can be. I can understand your distress that I find myself alone, but she is always with me. In spirit. In memories."
     
    "You will learn, as your life progresses, to shoulder setbacks and loss. It is as much a part of living as breathing. It will then be what you do a bout all of it that matters. How you move forward rather than remain in place that will count. You are stronger than  you know young lady, and I'm sorry to say, you will learn just how strong as time and life goes on."
    @Javia