A New Frontier

By: Deke Graham
1st Draft

April 1906

PROLOGUE

At about four o'clock on a chilly Wednesday morning, Jake Gilmore, threw his legs over the side of his cot and rose to meet the day. He leaned over, lighting the oil lamp next to his bed. He quickly washed his face in a bowl on the other side of the cabin and dressed. He pulled on his well-worn boots, grabbed his hat and snuffed the lamp. He walked out of the door onto the weathered wooden porch shouldering his saddle and walked down the steps. 

Jake rode out of Sequoya heading southwest to the top of the ridge. As he reached the summit at just after five o’clock, he gazed at the predawn vista of the San Francisco Bay. This was one of his favorite places to be in the early morning hours.

Suddenly his horse reared back nearly throwing him out of his saddle. There were strange sounds coming from everywhere. Jake could hear dogs barking, birds screeching and his horse making sounds he had never heard before. Almost immediately everything went silent and the stillness in the air was deafening.

Then the earth shook sharply, moving everything around him. It subsided for a moment and then hit again with a rampant fury. The next instant Jake was in the air, he rolled down the east side of the ridge. When he stopped the earth was still shaking and he scrambled up the hill. He looked out toward San Francisco and saw white caps swirling all over the bay. There was a huge cloud of what seemed like dust pluming into the air above the city. Then everything went still.

After what seemed like a lifetime, Jake stood, gaining his feet staring toward the city and noticed he was still trembling. Daemon, his horse turned toward him with fear in his eyes and Jake rubbed the horse's neck and head helping him to calm. They both stood there in a trance.

He eventually snapped out of his disbelief of what had happened. His first thoughts took him back to stories told to him by his father about the earthquake back in 1838. There had been quakes during his lifetime but none like this.

Jake pulled out his pocket watch flipping open the cover with his thumb. It was 5:14, the sun was getting brighter behind him but Oakland was still in shadow. San Francisco, on the other hand, was lit by the sun.

The dust was still in the air over the city and Jake could see what looked like fires in a few places. He could also hear bells and sirens in the distance. Whatever had just happened was devastating. 

Jake, still sore from his fall, stiffly turned looking at the woods to the northwest. A few trees were down but little else had changed.

Jake contemplated what he should do, he knew he had to do something. But his first thought was to go back to Sequoya and check on the people at home. He looked at Daemon who was now calm and put his boot into the stirrup and swung onto his saddle.

In the next four days almost the entire city of San Francisco burned to the ground. Three-thousand people perished and an uncounted number of people had become homeless. With true American spirit donations and workers flooded the city to help. The Bay Area united to house and feed the refugees from San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Rosa.

Within the next few years, San Francisco would be on its way to becoming one of the greatest cities in the world. An even stronger city than it had been before the earthquake.

September 1914

CHAPTER 1

The rain was tumbling out of the sky. Jake was ill-prepared for the storm that had engulfed him. He was sitting in a tiny shelter at Eastport, waiting patiently for the seven-o'clock train to Mallard. The newspaper he was reading was now over his head deflecting the rain leaking through the roof. Jake's patience was giving out, he was soaked to the bone. 

He walked from the shelter, turning right to the entrance of the tunnel. Standing in the middle of the track Jake looked down the dark cavern. He saw nothing, absolutely nothing but darkness. The only thing that had changed was that in the entrance of the tunnel there was no rain falling on him. Jake turned to walk back to the shelter, as he put his foot on the next tie, a vibration crawled up his leg and registered in his brain. Train! He turned instantly and spied a pulsating light deep within the tunnel. Stepping over the rail he quickly moved back to the shelter and waited. 

The seven-o'clock to Mallard was fifteen minutes late. This would not have been an issue if it weren't raining like something from the Bible. The one-thousand-five pulled up and stopped. The folding door opened to the grinning teeth of Artemus James, the train operator.

"Jake you look like a drowned rat," Artemus said chuckling. 

"I wouldn't be wet if your train had been on time. But I'll forgive you this time." Jake said as he slapped Art on the back.

"Where is Bounder?" I don't think I’ve ever seen you without him!"

"He is back at the caboose tonight. I have an important meeting in Burton and I don't want him stealing the show." 

Jake turned to the back of the car and made his way to the middle of the train. He pulled one of the reversing seat backs toward the rear so he wouldn't be sitting backward. Settling into the red leather seat he noticed that the rain had not let up at all, in fact, it seemed to be coming down with more passion.

The one-thousand-five rambled through the redwood canyon toward Pinehurst. Jake reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a telegram he had received from Richard Veale.

It read: "Jake, meet, Burton 7:45p, Sunday 13, Veale." He folded the telegram and put it back in his pocket.

The train stopped briefly in Pinehurst to drop off passengers and freight. Continuing, the one-thousand-five passed through Valle Vista with a panorama of the fertile valley and mountains ahead. Jake leaned back closing his eyes, dozing off just long enough to miss the next stop. He opened his eyes as the train started into Burton Valley. His stop was coming up next. 

Pulling into Burton Jake immediately noticed two cars that weren't normally on the siding. Next to the boxcars that carry pears and walnuts, was a box motor just like the one-thousand-five, coupled to a maintenance of way car.

Jake stepped down from the train, there to meet him was Sheriff Veale. Behind him to the left was a man in a cowboy hat who really looked the part.

Veale shook Jake’s hand with vigor! "Thanks for coming."

"My pleasure Richard," Jake said, smiling.

The sheriff waved his hand behind him and introduced Bob Clark. "Bob is here from Southern California. He would like to sit down and have a talk."

"Sure" Jake said. "Where to?"

"Out of the rain would be good for a start." The sheriff said, motioning to the maintenance of way car.

The three of them walked over the infield to the car with wood smoke twirling from the flu on its roof. They stepped up to the landing at the end of the car and through the door passing the operators area. In front of them to the right was a lounge area, with oil lamps glowing on the walls. The galley area was just across from the lounge, with a  pot-bellied stove to the side of a dining booth.

"Jake, this is US Ranger Clark." The Sheriff said, motioning to the dining area. 

They all sat down, Sheriff Veale got up and walked to a cabinet over the sink, pulled out three shot glasses and a bottle of whiskey. He set the glasses on the table in front of them and poured a round then sat down.

"Sorry to call you here on such short notice, Jake, but it is important that we talk in private." The Sheriff said lifting his glass and the three of them pulled em back.

Ranger Clark, spoke as he put his glass down, removing his hat and setting it on the counter behind him. "Richard, I have been hearing great things about opening this electric rail system from Mallard to Oakland."

"It's been going well, we are fully operational even crossing the Carquinez to Sacramento," Richard said smiling at Jake.

"Jake, I was given your name by the president of the Oakland, Antioch, and Eastern. He told me you were part of the engineering group and supervised the building of the rail line and the tunnel."

"Yes Sir, I was part of that," Jake said.

"He also said you know almost everyone on the line and have a very good relationship with them."

"That could be debated, but I do know them pretty well," Jake said.

"You very much underrate yourself, Jake," Bob said, reaching for the whiskey and poured another round.

"Where is Bounder?" Richard asked.

"He is back at the caboose," Jake said, rolling his eyes.

"Who the hell is Bounder?" Bob said smiling.

"He is my dog!" Jake said, starting to laugh. 

"He is not just a dog, he is amazing," Richard said with a big smile.

"I do agree. He is smarter than most people and has more energy than this railroad!" 

"What kind of dog is he?" Bob asked.

"He is a border collie with a great attitude," Jake said proudly. 

"They are the hardest working, smartest dogs on earth. I have four back home."

"Back to business," Bob said, touching the whiskey he had poured. 

"Sir," Jake said. "I  don't mean to question things, but what is this about?"

"What this is about is the safety of this railroad from Eastport to Mallard. Opening the big city to this valley will bring good things and with it, the bad. That is why we are meeting here tonight." Bob said lifting a Pony Express bag onto the table.

He lifted the flap and pulled out a wallet and placed it on the table. "One more thing before we drink-up. Unfortunately, you have been released from employment with the OA&E, and your caboose is being removed from Eastport." Bob said. 

"What the hell!" Jake said, tilting his head with a puzzled look.

Sheriff Veale reached out and opened the wallet on the table. Inside was a badge that read: US Ranger, under that, was an identification card, Office of the US Marshall.

"Joseph Kemp Gilmore is hereby licensed as a US Ranger. Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States."

"Do you accept this duty to your country?" Bob said, holding up his right hand."

Sheriff Veale's eyes locked on Jake's before he could speak. They said, "trust this."

Jake raised his right hand and was sworn in. 

Veale and Clark raised their glasses to Jake and they wished him the best.

"By the way Jake, this car is your new home."

CHAPTER 2

Sheriff Veale and Jake watched as the box motor, one-thousand-three, pulled out of Burton heading toward Walnut Creek. Ranger Clark was on his way to Las Juntas to meet up with the Southern Pacific. 

The SP would take him back to Ventura and his ranch in Southern California. 

Jake looked at Sheriff Veale as they stood by the side of the maintenance car. It was dark olive green with gold markings just like the rest of the OA&E railcars. It's identifying lettering was: MW1 (maintenance of way car, number-one).

"The MW1 looks like a top-notch railcar. Who built her?" Jake said, admiring the attention to detail and the craftsmanship of the build.

Richard answered, "the build is to military standards, your car was built at the 40th and Shafter Shops from all new parts. The Oakland, Antioch, and Eastern's engineers designed her, Ranger Clark and I gave them specifications and the US Marshals Office footed the bill."

"Ranger Clark, is quite good at getting his point across but I still don't understand you two choosing me as a fed.

The Sheriff looked at Jake and said, "sometimes you see by people's actions what they are really made of and I know you are the man for this job."

"But why me?" Jake said, still not understanding their decision.

"You built the rails, the tunnel and have been on every inch of this rail line. Your abilities as a get it done guy were shown after the quake in, 06. You know the people and have protected them. You have helped them make ends meet by giving them jobs, they trust you!" Richard said smiling. 

"Okay, okay," Jake said, shaking his head.

"Jake, your job is more important than you think. Not only is protecting this railroad from criminals and destruction of property a major concern but with the war starting in Europe this line may be used by our military.

"You need to be distanced from me and the sheriff's office. To really be effective in this county I need a few more bullets in my belt, having a Ranger on the team makes carrying out our duties easier, faster and much safer." Richard said. 

"I hope this explains why you were chosen to be a federal officer, not a county sheriff."

Jake looked at Richard and nodded.

CHAPTER 3

Burton was very quiet and the rain had stopped. For the first time in hours, it was calm. Three raccoons walked over the tracks and into the pear orchard behind the MW1 and frogs were croaking from the creek on the south side of the station. 

"So, Ranger Gilmore let's take a ride in MW1. It's time to get you back to Eastport. Bounder is probably worried about you." The Sheriff said, smiling. 

They walked to the western end of the car.

This maintenance of way car has entrances on both ends just like a caboose. You climb up stairs to a platform, kind of like a small porch. The door is in the middle of the landing. There is a railing on the outside of the platform. There are four roll-up doors, two on each side. Each side has a narrow roll up close to the end, and another one twice as wide inboard.

Jake and Richard climbed the stairs opening the door to the operator's cabin. Shutting the door they settled into the brown leather seats on either side of the door with a view out of the port type windows.

Jake was sitting on the side with the controls.

"Richard, I am going out to put up the trolley pole." 

As Jake was getting up, Richard held up his hand and said, "do you see the pull switch above your window?"

"Yes," Jake said.

"Pull it out." 

"Done."

"You are now on full battery power," Richard said, smiling.

"How far will it go on the batteries," Jake said. 

"It should get you home."

"Does this car have other features that aren't standard issue?" Jake said, laughing. 

"In fact it has a few." Said Richard. "we will go over them in Eastport."

There are basically two levers that control the car. The one on the right controls the brakes and the one on the left controls the throttle or accelerator.

"Hey Richard, am I right, that there are no more trains on the tracks tonight?"

"You are correct, the next scheduled train is at 4 am. It's the produce train leaving Concord for Oakland."

Jake asked Richard to step down and pull the switch, moving the MW1 to the mainline.

Richard said, "Do you see the lever to the right of the window?"

" Yes, I do."

"Pull it down." The Sheriff said.

Doing so, Jake noticed that the switch indicator on the track had moved, showing that the switch was in their favor.

"This must be another one of those features that is particular to this car," Jake said, grinning at Richard.

 Jake pulled the brake handle and the throttle back, the train inched forward very slowly and the car transitioned to the mainline. Once the MW1 was on the main track, Richard told Jake to push the lever back up. Doing so Jake looked backward out of the side window and noticed that the indicator had moved back to the mainline only. 

Jake pulled the throttle back toward him and they picked up speed. He pulled out his pocket watch and timed the distance between electrical poles to determine the speed. 35mph was the speed limit here. When the train's speed reached 35, Jake pushed the throttle forward to stay at the exact speed.

They rumbled along, passing the Moraga station and on to Pinehurst. After Pinehurst, the MW1 powered through Canyon entering the redwood forest.

They pulled into Eastport and stopped. Richard instructed Jake to pull the switching lever down to enter the siding. Quickly stepping out of the door between them, Jake went down the steps and spun the metal brake wheel on the end of his caboose. Climbing back into the MW1 he sat back at the controls. After making the switch they pulled forward pushing the old caboose back up the track. Stopping, Jake pushed the switching lever back up to open the mainline and shut down the MW1.

CHAPTER 4

Richard and Jake stepped down from the car walking toward his old caboose. When out of nowhere jumped a black and white border collie, down on his front legs staring at Jake.

"Bounder, say hello to Richard."

He jumped up and walked over to the Sheriff nudging him on the knee. Richard reached down and ruffled the dog's head and ears, he immediately sat down looking at Jake.

Reaching into his pocket, Jake pulled out a small corn biscuit and tossed it to Bounder. He snatched the biscuit out of the air crunching it down as he walked to his master's side and sat.

"Jake, it is almost midnight, I will need to be on the produce train at 4 am so let's take a quick look around the MW1."

They walked up the steps at the back of the railcar. Entering this end of the car, the first thing you notice is a control area exactly like the one on the other end. One difference in this operator's cabin is that the control handles are missing. Each train has only one set of handles, they were installed in the cabin depending on the direction of travel. They could also be removed altogether making the railcar immobile. The other difference is that this cabin is only about six feet deep with a full-length sleeping bunk and table to one side directly behind the controls. On the left end of the bunk is a small sliding door to the next compartment. Richard slid the door open and motioned Jake through. He walked in as Richard pulled a chain hanging from the ceiling and a light bulb came to life. In the glow of artificial light, the first thing Jake noticed was a bail of hay with a galvanized bucket to the side of the roll-up door.

"This is for Daemon," Richard said pointing to a saddle rack.

There were hooks on the walls for hanging bridles and other tack. Richard opened the next sliding door, pulled the light on and they stepped through.

This compartment was about twelve feet deep, with wider roll-ups on Both sides. It had a workbench on one wall with drawers under it of various sizes. Next to that another sliding door. On the other side were two fold-down bunks, one on top of the other secured to the bulkhead. Next to the bunks were a set of drawers with a sink to one side.

"This is your shop, Jake. It will also hold two more horses and riders if needed."

They walked through the next slider. Pulling the light on they looked across the cabin to the far wall about ten feet away. On the wall was a wooden rifle rack with a standard Winchester .30-30 on top, and Remington 12 gauge pump on the bottom. Under the long guns were four wooden pegs. On one of the pegs was a brand new, model 1911, Colt 45 automatic. Below that were two drawers for ammunition and other equipment. Next to Jake was a fixed bunk and chest of drawers. Beyond that against the side wall was a door. He asked Richard about the door, and he told him it was a water closet. Richard reached down at the end of Jake's bunk and pulled a handle revealing a small bed.

"For Bounder," he said.

Jake snapped his fingers and pointed to the bed. Bounder leaped over and curled up in it.

Richard opened the next slider and they were back in the lounge-galley area and the tour came to an end.

"Well, Jake, what do you think?" The Sheriff asked. 

"I don't know what to think, it is a lot to take in, but it is an amazing piece of engineering," Jake said, running his fingers through his hair.

"There is still more to it, but you will figure it out!" Richard said, yawning. 

"I am going to bunk down at the other end. See you in the morning when I leave on the produce train." The Sheriff said walking back through the slider.

CHAPTER 5

Jake's internal clock woke him at about 4 am. He was so tired the night before that he just slept on his new bunk with Bounder on the pullout.

He got up, gave Bounder a quick pat on the head and opened the water closet door. Stepping inside he immediately looked up, pulling the chain and the light came on.

This room was about four by ten. To his right was a pillar sink with a mirror mounted on a medicine cabinet and next to that an indoor one-seater. To his left, they had wedged in a cowboy bathtub with a water spigot on the outer wall. Jake turned right and looked at the sink. Above it was another spigot, he pulled the valve toward him and water started to flow. He wet his hands rubbing them on his face and through his hair. He then walked back into his cabin. There was a knock on the slider.

Jake said, "enter," and in stepped Sheriff Veale. 

"I have to catch the produce train at about 4:45," Richard said, smiling at Jake.

They walked into the lounge area and through the door to the landing. As they walked down the steps Bounder came around them and waited.

They walked to the shelter where Jake had waited in the pouring rain the day before.

The produce train pulled in at exactly 5 am. Sheriff Veale shook Jake's hand as he stepped up into the train.

"Jake, I will be in contact with you. Get to know your car and put the caboose on the outside of your siding, they will pick it up at 11 am. Oh, Jake, hook up the trolley pole so it charges the car's batteries."

Jake and Bounder watched the produce train disappear into the blackness of the tunnel headed for Oakland.

CHAPTER 6

Jake and Bounder gazed at the MW1 and his old caboose. Jake had made the1876 built caboose his home for the last six years. It was time to move his scant belongings from the old wooden trailing car, to the motorized, maintenance of way car.

They climbed aboard the MW1. Pulling the switch above the view-port, Jake activated the battery power and pulled forward coupling the maintenance car to the caboose. 

He activated the track switching lever and backed both cars on to the mainline. He pulled the caboose about fifty yards east to the siding on the right side of the rails. He switched onto the siding, uncoupling the caboose, then pulled the MW1 forward onto the main track. 

Grabbing the control levers Jake made his way to the other end of the car. Sitting down he installed the controls and pulled the MW1 back toward the west end of the siding. Backing up he coupled to the other end of his old car and pulled it back to his siding with the caboose now on the outside. After uncoupling, he switched off the MW1. Jake looked to his right and smiled. Bounder was in the other seat looking at him with his head tilted to one side.

"It is time to move into the new car." He said to Bounder.

Jumping down from the seat the dog jumped out of the MW1 and waited for Jake on the landing of the old caboose. It took him about an hour to transfer his belongings to the maintenance car. That done he spent the next hour organizing the MW1.

It was about 10 am. Jake put away the last of his clothes moving through the slider to the galley. He put a log into the pot-bellied stove, stirred the coals and latched the door. He picked up his old tarnished coffee pot, filled it, poured in some grounds and set it on top of the stove. 

Jake stepped down from the car and untied the rope to the trolley pole letting it rise to connect to the overhead wire. This would automatically start charging the rail car's batteries.

Jake and Bounder walked past the end of the spur where the MW1 was sitting. To the left was a rock ringed fire pit, with redwood rounds circling it. To the right was a wooden fenced corral with a shed behind it. In the middle of the thirty-foot square corral was a brown and white stallion drinking from an oak half barrel. 

Bounder immediately ran under the bottom rail and nosed Daemon's snout then took a drink himself. On the other side of the pen were two other horses that Jake was boarding for Sheriff Veale. 

Daemon walked to the fence where Jake was leaning and nudged his arm. Jake reached out to a bucket behind him and grabbed an apple. Holding it over the rail and under the animal's mouth, Daemon gently opened his massive jaws, took the apple in his teeth and made it disappear. 

Jake ran his hand down the whiteVee on his head. Daemon tilted his head back and whinnied as Bounder returned to his master's side. Jake got two more apples from the bucket and walked them to the mares.

CHAPTER 7

Jake entered the galley on the MW1. He pulled the coffee pot off the stove and filled his blue enameled cup. He sat down at the booth and sipped the black brew.

As his mind started to come alive he heard a tapping sound. Looking around he noticed a red light flashing above the writing desk between the operators' area and the lounge. He got up with his coffee, walked to the desk and sat on the stool in front of it. 

Jake pulled the drawer out under the desktop, inside was a telegraph clicking away. Next to the receiver was a sending key, and next to that was a pencil and notepad. He picked up the pencil as he listened, deciphering the dots and dashes, "Mw1, mw1, mw1..."

He tapped out: "This is Mw1."

A reply came back, "Jake this is Veale. I will be heading back on the four-o'clock and will stay with you till the seven-o'clock takes me back to Concord."

Jake tapped out a reply: "We will have dinner at the fire-pit. See you then."

He shook his head, closing the drawer and spoke to no one in particular, "this car sure has a lot of secrets."

He finished his coffee, reaching into his pocket and pulled out a biscuit throwing it to Bounder. 

"Hey Bounder, it's time to take a ride to Canyon," Jake said.

Immediately, the dog grabbed Jake's old brown Stetson bringing it to his side. Reaching down Jake lifted it from the dog’s grip and arranged it on his head.

Bounder and Jake walked down from the MW1. Passing Daemon, Jake entered the shed behind the corral grabbing a saddle blanket, saddle, bridle, and saddlebags.

Jake opened the gate and his stallion walked out. After arranging the blanket on the horses back he threw the saddle on and cinched it down. He carefully pulled the bridle over Daemon's snout adjusting the buckle. Throwing the bags behind the saddle he put his foot into the stirrup and pulled himself aboard. Jake pulled the reins up and to the side and they turned to the northwest. Bounder sidled around Daemon leading the way down the trail. The dog stopped every so often to make sure that Jake and Daemon were in his sight.

They crossed San Leandro Creek turning downhill to Canyon. The redwoods were filtering the sunlight as a doe and her two fawns crossed the trail in front of Bounder. The dog stopped and watched as the deer disappeared into the undergrowth.

Coming down onto the dirt road they continued to their destination.

Entering Canyon, also known as Sequoya. The first thing you see is the Summit Saloon, a wooden structure with eaves that cover the porch. Just down from the saloon is the Canyon Hotel, a two-story inn with a stable across the road. Next to the inn are picnic tables and their destination, the Canyon General Store.

Jake’s mind drifted back to the Wednesday morning in April of 1906 when he was about to leave his home in Sequoya for UC Berkeley...

Jake walked down the path from his cabin to the backdoor of the inn. Opening the old wooden door he stepped into the back of the kitchen smelling the scent of coffee.

Walking from the kitchen into the dining room he saw Charlotte and Frank Ambrosoli, the innkeepers of the Canyon Hotel sitting at one of the tables.

“Good morning Jake,” Charlotte said, getting up, grabbing the pot of coffee and filling the cup on his regular table. Jake sat down curling his large hand around the heavy china mug.

“Thanks, Char,” Jake said, picking up the cup and taking a sip.

“So what are you up too today Mr. Gilmore?” Char said grinning.

“Today is the first day of baseball practice at Berkeley, and I am helping the new coach with his first-year students.”

“Sounds like a perfect day for you, would you like breakfast?” Char said standing.

“Sure,” Jake said.

The front door opened and in walked Liz Brown the general store owner's daughter.

“Hey Jake,” Liz said.

Jake said hello to Liz and she sat down at his table.

“Are you off to school?” Jake asked as he picked up his coffee.

“Yup, the wagon will be here in a few minutes.”

Liz was eighteen and a very sharp cookie. They had always been friends and helped each other with their studies. They both loved fishing and rode their horses through the redwoods whenever time allowed. Jake was older but was also very shy, he didn’t know what to do with her attention. But all in all, they were great friends. He looked out for her and she idolized him.

Breakfast came and Jake shared it with Liz. After they finished, Jake got up and said goodbye to Liz and thanked Char. Frank walked out with Jake to the stable across the dirt track. Frank retrieved his horse and he climbed into the saddle. He had spent the last five-years riding to college in Berkeley. This was his year off. Jake would start a mechanical engineering job with a new railroad in January of 07…   

As Jake came back to the present Bounder ran up the steps onto the porch of the store and waited. Jake swung down from Daemon tying him to the hitching post. He stepped onto the porch and through the wooden door with a bell rattling out their presence.

“Jake, it's been a month or so since I've seen you," Liz said with fondness. 

"Yep, it has. I have been finishing things up with the railroad, we should be home more now." 

Bounder ran around the counter to greet Liz. He touched her hand with his nose, then gave it a lick. She knelt down looking him in the eyes and hugged him.

"Sure have missed you, sweet boy," Liz said.

His tail was stirring dust on the old wooden floor. Liz stood up and asked Jake if Bounder could have a piece of Jerky.

"Sure, but don't spoil him too much. He already runs the show." Jake said laughing. 

Liz reached down and gave him the dried meat. He gently took it from her fingers, then lay down eating his prize.

"You must be out of his corn biscuits by now," Liz said.

"Sure-am, I only have what’s in my pocket." Said Jake.

She pulled up a five-pound burlap bag of biscuits and put it on the counter. Turning around she picked up a wooden box that read: Tinned beef and slid it next to the burlap bag.

"What has Bounder been eating lately?" Liz asked.

"My food," Jake said with a smile. "He eats better than I do."

Jake turned, walking through the store grabbing a few more items, then returned to the counter. 

Liz, got a key and opened a mailbox behind her pulling out a stack of letters. 

"Your box is almost full Ranger Gilmore."

Jake looked at her with surprise, asking her how she knew? She laid the stack of letters on the counter. On the front of one of the letters it read: "Ranger, Joseph Kemp Gilmore."

"I would appreciate us keeping that part quiet!" He said knowing she would. 

"Jake, I knew you were more than just a railroad man." She said laying a three-week-old newspaper on the counter pointing to an article on the front page.

It read: "RAILROAD WORKER THWARTS TRAIN ROBBERY"

Jake Gilmore and his dog Bounder were on a siding in Saranap. Jake was working on a rail switch when the train from Oakland arrived. 

Two men on horseback rode up to the train and pulled guns on Artemus James the train operator and his baggage man. The train was carrying the payroll for the railroad in Pittsburg. 

One of the men had Mr. James at gunpoint. The other got off his horse and climbed into the baggage compartment. He threw the baggage man out of the car and went for the payroll. Grabbing the man's shotgun from the floor the thief emptied the shells, throwing the shotgun off the train. He put his own pistol back in his holster and jumped from the car. As he walked to his horse he kicked the baggage man in the ribs and laughed.

The man holding Mr. James was watching his partner when out of nowhere came a large rock hitting him in the head. He folded, dropping his gun as he fell to the ground. 

James jumped down from the door of the train and picked up the man's pistol holding it on him.

Mr. Gilmore looked at his dog, pointing to the man getting on his horse and shouted! "Getum!"

Bounder flew like the wind straight at the thug. When he was about six feet from the man on his horse, he left the ground coming over the top of the man's saddle. He turned in mid-air hitting him with his backside in the head and shoulders breaking him free of the horse. 

The robber fell on his back watching as the dog turned around and landed on the man's chest. The dog immediately clamped his jaws around the robber's right arm. Gilmore reached down pulling the six-gun from the man's holster. He snapped his fingers and pointed beside him, the dog let go of the man's arm and sat down.

Gilmore pulled a piece of rope off the man's horse and immediately hogtied him.

The man cried out! "keep that dog away from me!" He was shaking and his eyes were wild with fear.

With one arm Mr. Gilmore ripped the man into the air and hurled him into the baggage compartment. 

By the time Gilmore got back to Artemus James and the other man, James had already tied him up.

Gilmore lifted the man to his feet, staring at him and said, “bad day for a train robbery”. 

The man spat directly in his face. The dog sprinted toward his master, he circled the man and latched onto his ankle squeezing it in his teeth. The man sagged in Gilmore's grip and screamed as the dog released his leg. 

Mr. Gilmore carried the man to the baggage section and tossed him into the car dropping him on top of his accomplice. Gilmore pulled the door down and latched it. 

Helping the baggage man to his feet he grabbed the payroll bag and handed it to the train operator. Mr. James took the payroll and the thugs to Walnut Creek and telegraphed the County Sheriff, R.R. Veale.

Joseph Kemp Gilmore, Aka; J.K., or Jake Gilmore is thirty-two years old, a graduate of UC Berkeley's mechanical engineering program.

During his college years he paid his tuition by working on the electrification of the East Bay hills through the Diablo Valley.

Jake played baseball for the Cal Berkeley team. At six foot four, two hundred fifty pounds he was one of their best players.

Gilmore is the son of Irish immigrants who came to the United States in the early eighteen-hundreds.

His second job during his college days was as a part-time Alameda County Sheriff. Jake was honored by Alameda County as a fearless law enforcement officer who never killed anyone in the line of duty.

After the 1906 earthquake, Gilmore helped with maintaining order in Oakland and Berkeley. He and other students from the university worked in soup kitchens to feed the refugees from the quake. 

He is now a field engineer for the Oakland, Antioch and Eastern Railway...

Liz pulled the paper from the counter, petting Bounder and smiling at Jake.

"You two are quite a pair," Liz said. "When did you become a Ranger?"

"Last night, they must have known I was a pushover and would accept their offer," Jake said, shaking his head and looking at Bounder.

"Anything else you need, Jake?" Liz said, smiling. 

Yes, a box of worms." He said grinning devilishly. 

Liz grabbed the worms while Jake walked out to Daemon and got his saddlebags. As he walked back in, Liz walked over and gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek. 

"Be safe out there, and thanks for protecting us."

With his face reddening, Jake filled his bags and Bounder followed him out of the door.