Phinias G. McVay

• Role

  Supporting Character

• Playby

  Goeffry Lewis

• Full Name

  Phinnias Goeffry McVay

• Aliases / Nicknames

  Phinn

• Goes By

  Phinn

• Profession

  Newspaper man

• Position

  Editor/Publisher

• Birth Date

  1833

• Status

  Widower

• Height

  5'11"

• Hair Color

  Brown

• Eye Color

  Blue

• Physical Description

  Stands 5'11", medium of build with brown hair, p blue eyes. One hundred sixty pounds. Generally wears a sack suit with shirt & tye. Has a slight worn dark gray low top hat. When on the move, he wears the oldest of his clothes.

   

• Character Traits

  • Fair and honest publishing. (+)
  • Tough when trouble comes. (-/+)
  • True to his given word or handshake. (+)
  • When forced he'll stand his ground. (-)

  General Personality

  Phinn is a likable cuss unless a printed story sheds a poor light on you. He is, for the most part, friendly and outgoing. Generally likes people and considers everyone a friend until proven otherwise.

   

   

• Employment

  Employment Details
  None at this time

  Professional Skills

  • Top writer and typesetter with the Grand Island Independent, Grand Island Nebraska 1869-1874
  • Printers Devil 1843, Apprentice 1850, Albany Dispatch
  • Pressman~Omaha World-Herald 1850~1858
  • Columnist~Omaha World-Herald 1858~1861

• Expertise

  Self Defense
   

• Residence(s)

  Current Residence

  Newly arrived.

  Place of Birth
  Albany, Georgia

• Kith & Kin

  | FAMILY |

  Father: Angus McVay ~ deceased

  Mother: Danielle Hudson (McVay) ~ Deceased

  Brother:  Logan McVay

  Sister: Angelique Rose McVay

  |NON-FAMILIAL CONNECTIONS |

  Friends

  None at this time, new in town.

  Foes
  None at this time, but, it's early yet. You know how newspaper men can be.

• Timeline

  1843 ~ 1850

  Worked as a printers devil and lived at home. His schooling was working the type cases, counting sheets a paper to be printed. His mother took care of his writing, spelling and the like.

  1850 ~ 1858

  Ran away from home at 17. Pressman~Omaha World-Herald 1850

  1858

  Columnist~Omaha World-Herald 1858~1861

  Talk of secession was spreading throughout the country and being southern born and bred, Phin headed south to join up just as the war broke out. he was assigned to the Tennessee Mounted Rifles and met then privet Nathan Forrest.

  1861 ~ 1865

  He is a fair shot with either rifle or pistol from his time in the War Between The States. He served with Nathan Bedford Forrest onward in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry and through his commands to the Forrest's Cavalry Corps. He discharged at wars end as a First Sergeant.

  1865 ~ 1869

  Fairly disillusioned, Phinn sort of drifted one meaningless job to the next until he found himself back in Omaha in where he did odd jobs until he saw an ad for a columnist in Grand Island.

  1869 ~ 1874

  Not only did he win the job, but he also agreed to take on typesetting job for which he was well trained.  Phinn emersed himself in the community where he met, courted and married Elizabeth "Beth" Howell if a middle-class family For the next three years they were the happiest couple in Grand Island. However, the winter of '74 was harsher than normal, Beth took a fall and contracted pneumonia. She could never regain enough strength to fight it and succumbed.

  Once the funeral was completed, Phinn sold the hose and everything of value. Bought a wagon, two mules, a saddle horse, an old press and type cases along with paper and inks and headed west.

   

   

• Character Notes

  Education Details

  Possibly the 8th or 9th grade
  Languages Spoken:

  English

  Animals: A pair of grey mules to pull his wagon and black saddle horse

  Character Concept:
  Every town needs a newspaper, Phinn fills the bill and then some.

• Player Notes

  To be added later as needed.

Recent Posts

1. 

   Moving Forward

   Monday at 02:20 PM

   The single shot was loud, even with the traffic, the jingle of the trace chains and the people on the boardwalks conversing. It had been some time since that had been gunfire in town,  especially in the middle of the day, he was up, pad in hand and heading for the door. "That was a gunshot!" He said to Sarah. "I have no idea what it's about, but I intend to find out!"
    
   He stepped out the door to see a crowd gathered and Marshal Guyer leading a man away, a man who looked familiar, but one he could not identify right off. He started down the street to see who belonged to the body laying on the boardwalk. There should be a story in this, it would appear someone had been murdered in broad daylight!
    
   When he arrived at the body, it was of a man he did not recognize, not that he was aware of every drifter that passed through town, but the one being led off was familiar enough, he just could not place him at the moment. But clearly Chester and  Myrtle McIneery stood close behind the body, Chester steadying his wife who splattered with blood, no doubt from the dead man.
    
   He then saw Arabella Mudd scurrying across the the street to the Municipal Building. He would be over there in a few moments himself but just then, the slower moving Mister Jolly and young Raymond, his other assistant, arrived on the scene. "Mister Jolly." He greeted, "Raymond. I see Miss Mudd is already at the Marshals office."
   @Javia
   
2. 

   Moving Forward

   September 20

   (A day later)
   Returning to his office after the contract signing was complete, after Cole Latham made a fool of himself, and after celebrating with Miss Steelgrave, Phin set to work on the special edition that had to get out.
    
   This was a labor of pure joy! The long struggle was over, the contract was signed and binding, and the construction could go forward at long last. The last he had seen of Leah, she was headed for the telegraph office to send word to those waiting, men and supplies. He worked ferociously to get the edition out, and in no time it was complete, and he was running it on the press.
   
   
3. 

   Moving Forward

   September 17

   "Invested it." He replied. "Smart Girl, 'er woman, though she's been investing for some time, I understand. Fortunes have been built in just that way, and it seems she is well on her way. The rumors swirl about the woman, and have since she was a girl, but one thing is for sure, she has wealth of her own."
    
   Of all those in the town, including her father and the Thornton's, he chose to follow her because she had confided in him once. So he wanted to know who this young woman was, and what she was about. What he was saying about her, common knowledge actually. One just needed to look. The leads were there and relatively easy to follow.
   @Javia
   
4. 

   Moving Forward

   September 16

   "Certainly profits are made in a not for profit business, not there are an abundance of them. It simply means that profits earned by the hospital will be used for pursuing the hospital's objectives, and paying its running costs. Not for profit funds will never go to the hospital’s, directors, or officers. so Leah Steelgrave will never since a red cent!"
    
   "Interesting philosophy isn't it? Go to all this trouble to provide a service to your community, and never make a profit from it." He added. "I doubt any of this is known to any of those that have fought her on this. In fact I believe that the old guard wanted not only the right of ways for the coming railroad, but a for profit hospital to put money in their coffers. Their personal coffers."
   
5. 

   Moving Forward

   September 15

   "Yes, Boone is a good man, a competent medical man, but I believe that perhaps, well I wouldn't be surprised if Miss Steelgrave, and Doctor Danforth will bring in yet another doctor as Boone will be traveling between his practice in Columbia Falls and the hospital." He surmised.
    
   "Now, to complete the answer to your question, cost, well I cannot be sure, but I do believe that neither Danforth or Boone would turn anyone away who needed medical attention. As for Miss Steelgrave, I believe she has plans to run the place as a not for profit hospital, there are several in the mid-west and the East. Those unable to pay for treatment won't have to."
    
   He was not at liberty to speak to the methods that Leah Steelgrave would use, but he was well aware of the investments she had made to help raise the initial funds for the construction of the hospital. It would seem that money was not a problem.
   @Javia
   
6. 

   Moving Forward

   September 14

   "You know that's a question I believe most folks in town have asked since this fiasco started. Not just lived, but how many would have been better off with a hospital here. Treating sickness and injury before it got so bad the the person was never quite the same." He reflected. It seemed to him that the people wanted this project, wanted it the day the word got out about the right of ways. But the politicians had their plans, most likely to take control and credit for the project.
    
   "We have one medical man and had a second one that left for Columbia Falls, but I believe we
   'll see a great deal of him once the hospital is built, and then, there's the other staff that will be needed. A lot of potential jobs coming."
   @Javia
   
7. 

   Moving Forward

   September 13

   "Oh, just clean it up, nothing too fancy, the shorter you make it, the longer before I come back. A Man could get used to this. I do shave myself, but not as often as I should." He responded. The idea of being shaved bald was really unappealing, it seemed odd that her father was not shot dead. Most of those long haired men like Hickok and Custer, and several others were very conscious  of their appearance, and the hair was a significant part of their 'look,' as it was.
    
   "You know that tomorrow the hospital issue comes to a head. At long last it would appear there is a real chance for the land contract to be finalized. A major step for little Kalispell, and good for the county." He informed her. He was excited about the possibility that at long last the business would be completed.
   @Javia
    
    
   
8. 

   Moving Forward

   September 12

   "Oh, I get by." He replied, an honest answer. The paper was a part of him, but two cents a copy meant he need to sell a good number. At present, he was. He could make his rent, buy supplies, and have some money left over.
    
   "I have found in my travels, that when ion a barber shop that topics range from sport, of which we have none, to weather. Now out here, it might be range conditions, cattle prices, that sort of thing, or weather conditions an crops with the farmers. Then to you have the businessmen who will talk prices and politics, so the categories of interest will certainly vary." He explained, "however, one may not need to understand all of it, simply nodding, making a casual comment about whatever subject the man is talking about. You see he will simply be talking about his life, so to say. His cattle, crops or business dealings."
   @Javia
   
9. 

   Moving Forward

   September 11

   "Actually I hadn't really given it much thought." He admitted, "But then it's been some time since I've had the pleasure of a shave and a haircut that I didn't administer myself. But in thinking about it conversation stimulates the mind and quite frankly, is as pleasant a pastime as can be found. Well, that's how I see it, so please if you'd care to pick a subject, I would be delighted."
    
   Phin was enjoying the experience, it had been some time since he had sat for a shave and a haircut. This he might find as something he would do with some regularity.
    
   "Buy the way Miss Mathews, what subjects do you find of interest?" He asked.
   
10. 

    Moving Forward

    September 10

    The word 'using' is there to allow the line of type to be even with the other lines, but if you wish, I will make those adjustments before going to press." He explained, " as for the shave and trim, that would be wonderful and a walking advertisement of you talents with scissors and razor."
     
    He slipped into the chair, this would be a fine break in the day, and a bottle of scotch awaiting his return. This was starting out to be a fine day after all!  And this would no doubt improve his appearance for the Town Council meeting in the morning. And, he hoped, a Special Edition  to announce the approval of the contract and the lands selected so the hospital project could get underway at long last.
    @Javia
    

Topics I Participated In

1. 

   Edition 13

   Started by Phinias G. McVay · July 23
2. 

   Into the Storm

   Started by Matt Wentworth · July 16

   Mature Content: No
   With: Matt Wentworth, Leah Steelgrave, and others
   Location: Mayor's Office
   When: Mid-Late July 1876
   Time of Day: Morning
    
   
    
   After Matt escorted Leah to her seat in the Mayor's office, he took out his fob watch and checked the time.  It was a little after 9 but the day already seemed a bit  longer.  The only other people presented were John Anderson and Marshall Guyer, who, unless someone else came were to be the witness of the signing of the papers letting Leah finally build her hospital.  Both Guyer and Anderson were unaware of how precarious the situation had become but hopefully, with some luck, no-one would find until out after the election.  Since only he and Leah were the only ones who knew the truth, it would be fine...unless Ben Robertson decided to come back.  Robertson coming back, however, was a remote possibility at this stage.
    
   Trouble would only arise if he didn't become mayor but according to the scuttlebutt around town, he was almost guaranteed the opposite.  The only strong opposition was Cole Latham and he would only win if Elias Steelgrave managed to pay off everybody in town.  Pettigrew and Priest were virtual non-starters with the former not being considered a serious candidate and the latter, a complete unknown who spent most of his time at the Star Dust, which wouldn't endear him to the church-going folks in town.
    
   Any more thoughts about his chances in the upcoming election would have to be put on hold for now.  It was time to get this transfer of property to Leah, done and dusted.
    
   "All right, if there are no objections, may I suggest that we proceed with our business."
    
   @Flip
   
3. 

   Moving Forward

   Started by Phinias G. McVay · April 16

   Mature Content: Possible
   With: McVay,  Worcester Pettigrew, Cole Latham, Matt Wentworth & Hon. Hiram Priest esq.
   Location: Various
   When: Late July 1876
   Time of Day: Variable
   Formerly: The Interviews
    
   
    
   And so Phinias McVay felt it only fair that each of the known candidat6es should have equal opportunity to expound on their platform for the fair town of Kalispell, hoping one day to be a city. The first attempt with the Honorable Hiram Priest Esquire had been an utter failure, but the a saloon is not conducive place ti=o conduct such an interview. However, Mister Priest could find Phin most days at the newspaper office, there were others on the list of challengers to approach for such an interview and space available was never a problem for the Union.
    
   Cole Latham, well he was moved down leaving this dressmaker, Worcester Pettigrew and Matthew Wentworth whom he had announced a bit prematurely as a candidate. It was how the local rumor mill worked. You listened and took your chances on what was true and what was not. He had not even had time to apologize before a reliable source stated that in fact, Matthew was in the running.
    
   He would hold off on that request for interview since there was to be a Town Council meeting that morning, which would encumber his time, having no way off knowing that it would be, in fact, more important than any interview. On to Mister Pettigrew at his dress shop. He arrived there just after the store was open and walked in, the bell over the door giving a pleasant announcement of his arrival.
   @Javia
   
4. 

   The Latest Edition

   Started by Phinias G. McVay · March 28
5. 

   A Cause For Celebration

   Started by Amos Conroy · March 22

   Mature Content:  Possible
   With:  Amos and...
   Location:  Stardust Salo0n
   When:  July 1876
   Time of Day:  Evening
    
   
    
   His daughter had run him off to have time with her newly minted fiance, and a man that Amos admired from days gone by, as well as what he had become in the years since those of blue and gray, shot and shell. True, they had not seen one another since his visit after the war, but between men that mattered not at all.  And now, here they were in Kalispell, Montana embarking on a new adventure together that could, in fact and in time, make them all rich. Very rich! Copper, they said, was as valuable as gold and silver, well, so some said. But it's discovery had started a rush of sorts. Not many knew it's value, and that for the time being was good, because it wouldn't last long.
    
   First it had been a job of work, hunting minerals, timber rights, and such, and because of his two finds, now it was an equal partnership, which included the Pikes, who he barely knew, well Pronto, not his wife so much, but that mattered little. If the wife was anything akin to the man, then she'd be one to ride the river with. Most women on the frontier were hardy souls, because they had to be, what with nature and hostiles, both red and white.
    
   He strolled across the near desolate street, a breath of air kicking up a small dust devil which quickly faltered and died. He stepped up on the boardwalk and pushed through the bat-wing doors when he reached them. The place was well lit, had a crowd of folks already, as he made his way to the bar, looking over those present as one will, taking stock of the situation. It was what a man hunter did out of hand. Caution kept him alive.
    
   He looked to the bartender, "Evenin'."
   @Wayfarer, or any
    
   
6. 

   Scratching For News

   Started by Phinias G. McVay · March 12

   Mature Content: One never knows
   With: Phinn and ?
   Location: Main Street, Kalispell Union's office
   When: July 1876
   Time of Day: July 1876
    
   
    
   Awning posts are a great addition to society and the buildings they create. A man can lean against one and watch the world go by, well, his world. And in the past forty-eight hours there had been much to see, which led to many questions that for the moment had no answers. Phinias McVay was not one to be put off by not knowing. And there were things he wished to know.
    
   Evening, more like late afternoon, before last Amos Conroy and his daughter, Alice Fletcher had ridden into town and directly to the Municipal Building which housed Marshal Guyer's office,  where they spent several hours. That was an oddity. Conroy worked for Guyer's other concern, Wood and Guyer Mining, so for him to be in town was not unusual, neither was it unusual for his daughter to accompany him, or, for that matter, to be in town on her own. It was not unusual to see them together, some story about Guyer saving Conroy's life in the late war. But in the Marshall's office for several hours?
    
   He checked from time to time and they remained sequestered in the office for several hours, long after dark. Now that was cause for speculation. Something he needed to investigate, he could count on Hector Wigfall if anything went out over the wire, maybe not what was said, but perhaps the destination of said transmission.
    
   Then, there was Guyer marching up to Oregon Street, and that meant he was there to see Leah Steelgrave, that was interesting as he'd not been to see her for a while. But after the visit, Guyer went to the hotel where Amos and his daughter had spent the previous night, which he could understand, but he left there with Matthew Wentworth and they went directly to the Municipal Building, which meant to Phinn,  Judge Robinson's office.
    
   There was a flurry of news to be had after all, it would just take a mite of digging for it.
   
7. 

   Another New Start

   Started by Sarah Thornton-Carlton · November 2, 2021

   Mature Content: No
   With: Sarah Thornton-Carlton
   Location: Kalispell Union Office
   When: Early-Mid July 1876
    
   
    
   Sarah looked at the front of the building where the Kalispell Union was located.  She had made up her mind to try her luck here first.  Well, to be honest, it was the only place to try, there were no other writing establishments in town.
    
   Having decided to leave the Thornton ranch had been easy.  She had lived there since her arrival in town at the end of last year and had taken on the job of looking after the children of her cousin Chance.  Now, that Shade had found another governess for the children, it was time to leave.  Income wasn't a problem as she still had her savings as well as a job writing articles for some eastern ladies' magazines but she felt the need to do something.  A life of idle wasn't for her.
    
   There was no clue on how the owner and editor of the newspaper would take her offer.  She had meet him only a few times, but she was prepared to work for free if that was what it took to get a position.
    
   Going up the front door, she opened it and walked in.
    
   @Flip
   
8. 

   Advertising For The Fight

   Started by Phinias G. McVay · October 13, 2021

   Mature Content:  None
   With:  Phinn
   Location:  Kalispell Union
   When:  August 1875
   Time of Day: Morning
    
   
    
   The Posters and the handbills for the boxing match were done and dried. Now the question was, could he tempt young Weddy and his friend Wyatt to deliver the posters and hand out the handbills. Or perhaps the young ladies might be receptive to earning a quarter dollar each to do the job. He knew he could count on his boy, printers devil, Tommy Lane to round up who ever might help.
    
   He took down the poster and a handbill to have a look at the finished product, and smiled. He like them. But he was a shade prejudice, of course.
   
    
   Yes, they were exactly what Crabbe had ;liked, and his donation would cover his ticket to the event. More than one way to skin a cat. Cost, well, a dollar thirty  cents for the paper and ink, plus whatever he had to pay for delivery. That should more than cover his ringside place at the match. He would be able to see every moment and insure he had all the facts for the Special Edition. Better than the demise of Frank Grimes had been.
   @any, or not.
   
9. 

   Two At Breakfast

   Started by Henry S. Guyer II · September 25, 2021

   The morning air was not quite crisp, not quite warm, one of those mornings when a hint of the coming fall was in the air, not too odd for July, though the day would mature into a normal mid-eighties from the high fifties. But the day promised the normal sunshine drenched afternoon. For the present, the two men walking up the boardwalk to the Lickskillet Diner were enjoying the morning cool.
    
   "Life will take a different turn for the Town Council, as well as the Post Office. Looks like Nolan Ashworth takes over again." Speed observed.
    
   "He might seek to take Orr's spot on the Council." Phinn pointed out. A direct line out to the Evergreen, you're aware of that connection. Either him, or maybe Cole Latham, the other Steelgrave man in town. Well, that we know of."
    
   "I can see that, for sure. Give the old man a voice on the Council, and the knowledge of what's going on." Speed agreed, adding, "I expect maybe Elias might hold sway with some we're unaware of."
    
   "You know, you've a point, Speed. To be real honest about it, I have no idea who might be in old Elias' camp. Well, he ain't that old, but mean as he can be, I agree, he's the old man alright."
    
   They had reached the door of the cafe, Speed a step ahead stepped up and opened the door, both men stepping inside, hit with the smells of fresh cooked bacon, beefsteaks, and sausage frying. The heady aroma of boiling coffee, all the things that entice the appetite. As they moved into the room they both saw Ben Simmons and Lorenzo Crabbe at a table together. Speed smiled.
    
   "So Simmons, I hear there's to not only be a prize fight, but some talk of a stage play? Interesting." Then, "Mister Crabbe, you involved in all of this? doesn't seem to be in your bailiwick. Well, maybe the fight."
    
   Phinn stood looking at Crabbe a long moment. "Crabbe, Simmons. You let me know the dates, be in the Union. We do posters and hand bills as well, if printed adverts strikes your fancy for either event."
   
   @Javia@JulieS
   
10. 

    Orr Memorial Issue

    Started by Phinias G. McVay · September 15, 2021

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