Phinias G. McVay

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1. 

   Kalispell Union

   Saturday at 07:05 PM

   Mature Content: No.
   Author: Phinias G. McVay
   With: List characters and NPCs in the thread.
   Location: Add specific location information here.
   When: 1875
   Time of Day: Morning Edition
    
   
    
    
   
   
2. 

   A Rainy Montana Day

   January 30

   "Yes sir, sending troops out of somwhere's the other side of Helena to supposedly build a new fort. You know, to protect us out here from the red man." Phinn explained as the waitress came with a pot and three cups. "Why thank you  Ma'am. Anyway, the way I hear it there's some fear of an Indian uprising and we all know about the rustling in the area, plus, rumor has it that mining is set to take off again. Granted, that's ten years past down at Virginia City and Nevada City way, but there's speculation, closer to this area."
    
   "Virginia City? Hell, I got a percentage comin' in outta the one in Nevada. Names, must be hard to come by I 'spose." Pike revealed.
    
   ""That's what drew me out this way, partners in a firm in the east that buys and sells claims." Speed divulged. "Wood and Guyer Mining Company. I was just thinking this morning I need to open an office and hire a man or two to do some scouting while I'm tied up here in town. We speculate land for minerals, timber, which is real rich around here, and of course precious metals."
    
   "I heard tell of a young prospector here abouts, can't think of the name right off, but that might be right up his alley." Phinn Added. "You plan on running it out of the Marshal's Office?"
    
   Speed laughed. "I believe the town council would frown on that. No, I need an office, nothing much, just a place to start. And I'd like to talk to that young man, see if he'd be interested."
    
   "I like this town, " Pike began, "hate to see it turn into a mining camp. Thing can go bad real fast in a place like that. You fill up the the dregs, along with the honest folk. Seen it down Nevada, more'n one place fer shore." He was shaking his head.
    
   "I haven't kept up with the real estate market, probably should, but I'd guess there's bound to be office space available. I mean I imagine there's likely room up stairs in the Municipal Building were you to ask." Phinn offered.
    
   Pike grinned. "So much for, what was it you said? Do nothin' day?"
    
   TBC
   
3. 

   A Rainy Montana Day

   January 20

   Phinn’s walk to work was from one room to another. Actually it was an added lean-to behind the storefront where the Union office and printing press was. Excitement had dwindled since the Pinkerton news, and the bear before it. Local news was exactly what one would suspect of a small town in north-eastern Montana.
    
   He had been up for a while, had fixed himself a simple breakfast of toast and his last egg with the coffee he brewed. Now it was sitting at his desk, looking out at the rain which rattle on the tin overhang as he dealt himself a hand of solitaire to ward off the boredom.
    
   There just wasn’t a great deal of news to be had, oh there were rumors, of course, but he prided himself on facts. There was nothing of real interest, oh Leah Steelgrave was in town, and yes she had been see at dinner with Doctor Danforth at the Belle-St. Regis Hotel, but that was far from earthshaking. Then there was the rumor of something going on to the north, and the Steelgrave name had been mentioned.
    
   He wanted more on the cattle drive, but that, along with news of the Army moving into the territory, would have to wait. That too seemed to be just rumors. The only real news was the rain, and his inability to play the red four he held. Perhaps a walk to the café, it was only a few steps away, and he had seen the Marshal headed in that direction.
    
   Tag @Players
   
4. 

   Latest Edition

   December 10, 2019

   Mature Content:  Just Print.
   Nors and NPCs in the thread.
   Location: Newspaper
   When: September 1875
   Time of Day: Time of Day Afternoon
    
   
    
   
   
5. 

   "The Pink Dick" or "Pinkerton Detective Jack Asher Asks Around"

   December 2, 2019

   McVay busily scribbled his notes as Asher spoke, looking up time to time and finally saying, “I’ll be sure to note that about poor choices. So she has not killed anyone, so far as you or the law knows I take it.”Rest assured Agent Asher, this will be front page, and will certainly mention your concerns about Miss Parsons. It’s not often that we have a story such as this, so I am in your debt for this.”
    
   Though Phinn had no love for Pinkerton agents, but in this instance old feelings from the War of Northern Aggression would be put aside to concentrate on the present time and events. “It will appear in this week’s Union, sir.”
    
   Tag @Chistery
   
6. 

   "The Pink Dick" or "Pinkerton Detective Jack Asher Asks Around"

   November 27, 2019

   Phinn looked up, mentally composing his next line when he saw Marshal Guyer with a stranger. Of course, that instantly peaked his interest. It was clear to him Speed wasn’t showing this stranger around casually, perhaps a new deputy?
   What would that mean for Hannah Cory? Had she quit? Had Guyer let her go? Had she moved on to something else? Or, was this something else entirely?
    
   Phinias G. McVay was a newspaperman, and he could smell a story a mile off, in a dust storm. This was a story, and he wanted it for the next edition so he leapt to his feet grabbed is coat, his note pad and pencil in the breast pocket, hat already on his head as he bolted from the doorway, pulling the door closed behind him.
    
   He dashed across the street, nearly getting run over by a wagon and dodging two different horses, as he reached the boardwalk just shy of Doc Danforth's office, tipping his hat to two ladies as he pushed past a man.
   “Gentlemen. If I might have a word.” he blurted out.
    
   Speed half turned. Hello Phinn.” He greeted with a sigh. “This is Pinkerton Agent Jack Asher. Looking for a particular woman. Jack, Phinias McVay publisher of the Kalispell Union.”
    
   Tag @Chistery
   
7. 

   The Interview

   November 10, 2019

   She paused sipping her tea, looking at McVay over the rim of her tea cup. She set the cup on the table and suddenly smiled. “You’re damned right I did!” She exclaimed. “Darby O’Malley tried to rape me and I drove my hat pin in his eye, took his derringer from his vest pocket, and put a bullet in his brain!” She paused, looking around the all but empty café two men and the waitress stared at her, disbelief at what they had heard on their faces. “Of course, my big brother Ben, who was skulking about near by rushed onto the scene and took credit for it, but he knows. He’s said nothing, and now it’s out. Again sir, you may do what you wish with whatever I’ve said, except, to miss quote me.”
   
   When the pencil was laid on the table, Phinn looked up at her. “No ma’am, if you wish, we’ll bury this. I’ll not publish something which could destroy a life.”
   
   “You are very kind Mister McVay, but it was years ago, I was just eighteen when that happened and after all that’s been said about me, behind my back, in snickers and whispers with no knowledge of the facts, well, you print what you like, sir, and I’ll attest under oath to every word if necessary.
   
   Phinn summoned the waitress, “another tea for the lady, and another coffee for myself. And miss, I count or your discretion in this matter.
   
   “Of course, sir.” Before she scurried off she gave a knowing look to Leah, who smiled back, as Phinn rose and went to the two men engaged in their meal.
   
   He returned with a grin from ear to ear, “Headed to Oregon, just stopped for a fresh cooked meal. One last question, if I may.”
   
   “Of course.”
   
   “Your interest in Mister Pike?
   
   “My father was afraid he was employed by the Thorntons as a gunman. Father sent me here to kill him, for the family, were that the case.” Was her straight forward reply.
   
   “Would you?” Came the inevitable question.
    
   TBC
   
8. 

   The Interview

   November 9, 2019

   But they underestimate me, sir. I am not in need of their protection, even though it is forced on me before I have a chance to handle the situation myself, in my own way and in my own time. I want it to be said that I believe in strong women, and I believe I am one.
    
   That’s all rather tempestuous conversation, but you may include it, and I will sign my permissions for you. Women have a difficult time of it in the world, no matter where, but, if they are of wealth, influence, prominence, well, let’s say we enjoy some of the freedoms other women do not. Yet, for al the finery, I am still at the mercy of the men of the Steelgrave family. I am given a key to hose, subject to my father taking it back. I am allowed an allowance, and credit here in town, subject to his wishes, and the suite hotel? Only by his permission. So you see, for all of the fashions I may have, I am really no better off than any other woman in town.”
    
   Phinn finished jotting down her words and looked to her with a different perspective. Oh, all of the slights aside, what he was seeing was a young realist in so far as a woman’s lot was concerned. Words he had not expected from her, well, actually no woman, except perhaps Addy Chapple, who could be as forthright as any man he’d ever met.
   
   “I’m sure you know that it has been said that you killed a man, Darby O’Malley.” Phinn figured if she was going to be honest about what was said of her, then his statement would not be rebuffed.
    
   TBC
    
   
9. 

   The Interview

   November 6, 2019

   Mature Content: Somewhat.
   With: Phinn McVay & Leah Steelgrave
   Location: Cafe
   When: September 1875
   Time of Day: Mid-Morning.
    
   
    
   Pronto could overhear what was said, and found that to be really interesting. Not much of a womanizer, he could not deny her beauty or appeal, but he'd dallied about long enough, his breakfast long gone and his coffee cold, it was time to be moving on. He dug out four bits and laid the two quarters on the table, rose from his seat and nodded to the lady, touching the brim of his hat and walking out of the cafe.
    
   She looked back to Phinn, "In trade for a bit of information." She said wit a smile. "Have a seat sir."
   
   Phinn nodded and smiled, “Of course. Anything I can do to help.”
    
   “The man that just left, do you know him?” She asked pleasantly enough. Of course all the newspaper man would do was confirm what she already supposed.
    
   “No ma’am, I don’t know him personally. His name is Pike, word is he’s from Texas.” Phinn explained. “So far as I know he’s taken no work here as yet. Former Texas Ranger and known gun hand, all of this public knowledge. And, Mister Pike is part owner of a very lucrative mining operation in Nevada. Anything else?”
    
   “So, no connection to the Thornton’s then?” She asked somewhat surprised by what Phinn had revealed. Granted, all of it was there to be found if one was looking, and at least he was not a hired gun for Shade Thornton, so, why was he shot?
    
   “None,” was the brief response. “Anything else?”
   
   “No, no you’ve been most helpful.” She said quickly, “now, what was it you wanted of me?”
    
   TBC
   
10. 

    Details, Truth and Balderdash

    October 31, 2019

    Phinn enjoyed his moments of sitting looking out on the main thoroughfare of Kalispell, watching the comings an goings, wondering what was really going on in the lives of the people he saw passing by. That was the newsman in him, knowing at any moment there could be a story.
     
    He sighed and stared out of his chair to set type for the next edition when he saw a lady pass by, but not just any lady, Leah Steelgrave. Oh he'd heard the rumors about her, the suspicions and the quires, and what he considered the outright slander. He was not a man however that would be blinded by beauty, far from it. He could decipher the truth from the false, and the probable from the improbable. She was guilty of enough of what was said of her, and innocent of much of the maligning often heard about town. But for sure, she was beautiful and poised.
     
    He set his cup aside and went to don his coat and hat. She was a story on foot. Maybe only about fashion or some such nonsense, but anything he might be fortunate enough to glean from her, if she would consider talking to him at all. Out the door he went and watched her move along the boardwalk to the small cafe, which seemed odd, what with the Belle Saint Regis having a fine restaurant more in keeping with her position.
     
    He was quick to note the two men across the street shadowing her, perhaps riders from the Evergreen Ranch acting as body guards. Looking back quickly Miss Steelgrave had entered the establishment, and when checking the two men had taken up positions to watch. He picked up his pace.
     
    TBC