Jailbreak At Milton Creek
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There was a rumour that outlaw Kyle was to be sprung from jail
But Sheriff Koplin got wind of it and he'd make sure they'd fail
That day Queeny Holly and her gang rode into town, guns blazing
But the Sheriff had set a trap and one that was truly amazing.
He and his deputies had dressed as women with their guns concealed
Only when the outlaws got to the jail; were their identities revealed
Queeny Holly and her outlaws were quite surprised and some protested
Sheriff Koplin was having none of it and the outlaw gang was arrested.
The Sheriff read them their rights and they were put in a large cell
Kyle protested about the prisoner's hygiene and their obnoxious smell
A telegraph was sent to the judge and he was due in town later today
The odds were heavily stacked against them; they'd be made to pay
The noonday train arrived bringing travelling Judge J.T Muldoon
But before every trial he presided over, he'd have a drink at a saloon
He headed for the Manx saloon and asked Jan for her best whiskey
And just had one drink then walked over to the courthouse, briskly.
The courthouse soon filled up. It hadn't been used in quite a while
The Sheriff told Tom "They're going down" he couldn't conceal a smile
"I've been after those lowlife outlaws getting nigh on to five years
I'll be in the Manx later on buying all my deputies a few beers."
He walked in and Deputy Terry shouted out for everyone to all rise
The court was now in session and the outlaws were in for a surprise
The judge listened to both sides and then he read out the verdict
Ranger David whispered quietly to Tom, "Ten years each, I predict."
Ranger David's prediction came true and they each got ten years
Queeny Holly protested her innocence then broke down in tears
The Judge then ordered them all to be held in the jail overnight
Then transferred by train to Yuma penitentiary at morning light.
The Judge said to Sheriff Koplin, "You've done great work here
Before I head back home I'd like to buy you a whiskey or a beer"
Sheriff Koplin said "Sure, but I'll get, these lowlifes locked up first
And I'll see you in the saloon where we can both quench our thirst."
That evening Sheriff Koplin felt uneasy as he was supping on his beer
And said to the judge "They're going to try and break out of jail, I fear"
He took David and Terry over to the jailhouse to put his mind at ease
A strong wind was picking up and blowing tumbleweed in the breeze.
Then in the moonlight he caught sight in the corner of his eye
Of a lone figure moving slowly, the man he recognised as Jim Fry
He was a known associate of Kyle and who was already in jail
"What's up Sheriff ?" David asked, "You're looking a might pale."
"Fry was a miner turned outlaw who was an expert in dynamite
Damn, I knew it" said the Sheriff "That something wasn't right"
Then, there was a loud explosion with large plumes of smoke
The prisoners could be heard coughing and started to choke.
There was pandemonium as they rushed out onto the street
But were stopped in their tracks and they knew they were beat
The townsfolk had heard the commotion and had gathered around
Then Lin walked in out of the shadows saying "Well, look who I found. "
It was Jim Fry and Lin said "Make one false move and you're dead."
She was standing behind him, a Winchester aimed at his head
Ranger David went to the livery stable and came back with rope
Their grand escape from jail was fading, and there wasn't much hope.
The next day they were all back in the courthouse, along with Jim Fry
Their sentences were all doubled, and they'd be in jail till they die
They were all marched down to the station to catch the noon train
Sheriff Koplin said "I hope they never set foot in Milton Creek again."
Four US Marshals were on board to escort them to Yuma penitentiary
All the prisoner's face's painted a depressing picture of utter misery
Meanwhile over at Jan's Manx Saloon, Deb and Tania were real busy
Preparing freshly baked pancakes, bacon and steaming hot coffee.
Mayor Tom gathered some townsfolk and offered them double pay
To repair the damaged jailhouse wall and work was soon underway
All the lawmen ate their breakfast and were content and well fed
Sheriff Koplin said, "It's been a long night and I'm going off to bed."
Written on the 4th November 2023.
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2023
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