From the notebook of Deputy Issac McNamara, June 1865

The sun was a hour from coming up when Issac " Zeke" McNamara stepped out of the Sheriff's Office. The bunk he had used had left him stiff. He knew the ticking in it had not been changed in a long time. Across the dusty street stood the Court House. He looked at it as he stretched and then looked down the street at the Checkercloth Restaurant. There were lights on there. Ma Wilson was known all over the county as having the best biscuit's and gravy. Zeke had shot two young squirrels the night before and left them with her. He could taste the fried squirrel with Ma's biscuits and gravy. He buckled the gun belt around his waist, settled the revolver on his hip and turned toward the restaurant.
"Morning Deputy," came a cheery greeting from the kitchen.
"Morning Ma,"
"Coffee is coming up, them squirrels are just about done, sit yourself down and I'll have your breakfast in a jiffy"
Zeke sat down with his back to a corner, so he could see the front door and the door to the kitchen.
A few minutes later Ma came out of the kitchen carrying a plate mound up with fried squirrel and a plate heaping with biscuits covered in homemade sausage gravy. Ma carried both plates in one hand and a pot of coffee and two cups in the other. Zeke looked up at her and smiled She sat down across from him being careful not to block his view of the doors.
"I just knew you'd be here before first light. Told the mister, that Zeke is not a lay-about, he'll be up early and I've got to get them squirrels fried,"
"Thanks Ma, what would I do if you didn't take such good care of me?"
"Why, you young fool, you'd do it yourself! I know your ma taught you how to cook and mend so don't be trying to sweet talk this old girl. cause I know better!"
The door opened and two men came in, Zeke recognized Bill Murphy and Lou Brown. Murphy ran the livery and Lou was the town newspaper man.
"Morning Zeke, you are up early, if your going to need your horse, you just help yourself, livery is open,"said Murphy.
"Thanks Murph, I'll need him, its just I have to see the Sheriff first. He's got something for me to do. "
" I know what that is lad," offered Lou Brown. "Them Rebel deserters robbed a store down to Blue Eye and they ran off to Taney County. Sheriff Overstreet wants to see you about that! Them scoundrels took a weeks worth of food and five dollars in gold from old Gordy. Hit him in the head with a revolver to boot. There was a mail rider came through yesterday telling the story. Gordy took several shots at them. He was pretty sure he hit one of them."
"Gordy know any of them?" asked Zeke.
"I'd wager he did, cause he protects that bunch most of the time, least ways when there is any Yankee's around. Now he is just mad clean through this time, I'd reckon." answered Brown.
"War's over Mr Brown, Lee surrendered back in April and the Missouri outfits will be disbanded."
"Makes no gall durn difference to me, Yankees is Yankees and they need to be run out of the county. Boy you should know that, you rode with Major Cloud"
"I know, Mr. Brown, I still carry a ball or two, its just now the war is over, we got to get past it and go on. The sooner we do the faster things will get back to being quiet. Bloody Bill's bunch and Quantrell ain't going to make things easier. Things need to settle and folks need to forget which color a man wore. We are all the same again."
Zeke finished his meal in quiet, Ma slipped him the bill and Zeke left the money. Ma would have billed the County for his meal, it was just not Zeke's way to let the county pay to feed him. He walked out just as the back door to the jail opened and out came the three prisoners currently being held there. Zeke watched as old Mike, the jailer walked them over. The chains on their feet rattled with each step and the last man, Gerald Gideon glared toward Zeke as they past.
"Careful Gerald, if that look you got there froze you would scare every woman between here and Christian County."
"Durn you McNamara, you didn't have to hit me with that rifle butt"
"You didn't have to take those shots at me either Gerald, heck, you knew I was coming, you done busted ole Jimmy up, he swore out a warrant for you"
" I'll do more than bust him up when I get out of these chains."
Zeke walked into the court house and up the steps to the second floor. He smelled Sheriff Overstreet's pipe long before he got to the office door. He tapped on the door jam.
Sheriff Overstreet looked up from some papers and smiled.
"Good Morning Deputy, I trust you slept well and have had your breakfast. Come over here and take a chair, help yourself to the coffee first and let me tell you a story"........