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Giant balls of tumbleweed were blowing down the main street
And off the Sierra Nevada mountains there blew a fine sleet
It was late December in the old Western town of Milton Creek
Preparations were under way for the start of Christmas week.

Mayor Tom had called a council meeting for that afternoon
To be held in the mayor's office above Jan's Manx Saloon
Sherrif Koplin, Lin, Tania and Deb were the first folks to arrive
Dave, and the other deputies were out of town, on a cattle drive.

They all agreed that things would be much the same as last year
With Sheriff Koplin as Santa Claus but without whiskey or beer
They were all too aware that some things wouldn't be the same
But Milton's memory lives on in the town that now bears his name.

Tom said "Preacher is holding a service on the 22nd of December
So, the folks can pay their respects and look back and remember
Deb and Tania said they'd organise a children's choir for the night
Tania added," It's a celebration of Milton’s life and we'll do it right.

The meeting concluded and everyone headed off on their way
The sun was warming up and it was going to be a beautiful day
But the peace of the day was shattered by a loud explosion
They all rushed out of the saloon and there was a commotion.

A crowd had now gathered as a miner rode in called Billy Joe
He was quite hysterical and said, "Some men are trapped below"
Tom said, "Load up a wagon quickly with candles, picks and rope
Time is now of the essence and us townsfolk are their only hope.

They all arrived at the silver mine and the entrance was blocked
Everyone now feared the worst and many folks were shocked
Sheriff Koplin said" Okay folks stay focused, this is what we'll do
We'll use ropes and horses so that we can try and break through. "

Two hours went by, and they'd managed to make a large gap
Tom said" Watch out for loose rocks, we don't want a mishap"
The sheriff was first in and about ten men followed him in line
They all lit candles and walked cautiously down into the mine.

About five minutes had passed and Tom shouted "Is anyone here? "
There was no answer, and someone said "They're all dead I fear"
They moved forward cautiously then they all heard a painful cry
"We're under a giant pile of rocks; help get us out or we'll all die.”

They got to the source of the voice and started moving the rocks
There was a rumble and Tom said ," Stop, we're causing aftershocks"
So, they waited until the rumbling stopped and then moved carefully 
Then in an opening saw one of the trapped miners, it was a joy to see.

One of the men had a broken leg and the rest were bruised but all right
A miner said "A candle must have fallen down setting off the dynamite"
Everyone present agreed it was a freak miracle that no-one had died
And despite the odds being against them all four miners had survived.

They carried the injured miner to the wagon and headed back to town
It was now getting late in the evening, and the sun was going down
All the menfolk headed for the town bath house to wash off the grime
And they all put on their Sunday best and got to the service just in time.

The preacher welcomed everyone, and the children sang silent night
And through a stained-glass window the full moon was shining bright
Tania and Deb then went forward and sang the hymn abide with me
It was quite a tearful and poignant moment and was beautiful to see.

It had been a wonderful tribute to Milton who left town two years ago
And the good townsfolk of Milton Creek will always remember him so
The service ended and Jan said she'd head off to open up the Saloon
Milton Creek looked so  peaceful under the light of the silvery moon.

The saloon soon filled up and got noisy then Lin stood up to speak
"I'd like you all to raise a glass to a fine gentleman of Milton Creek
The saloon went quiet and everyone raised a glass to Milton’s chair
It went eerily quiet and for just a moment it felt as if he was there.




Milton left town two years ago today, a gentleman and a fine poet ,
              He will always be remembered, may he rest in peace

                           Written on the 22nd December 2024
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