The Baron met the newspaper magnate N. Lawson, accompanied by his sister Ms. Winona, at the Centerville train depot. The Baron had his driver take their luggage.

They each shook hands. “How was the train ride from Kansas City?” The Baron asked.

“Without catastrophe,” the Magnate said, then waved a hand to his right. “Baron Anderson, this is my sister Ms. Winona. Should we make a deal here today, she will be your managing editor.”

Baron Anderson kissed the back of her hand. “It’s a pleasure. I’m sure you both are anxious to freshen up at the hotel. Shall we go?”

The Baron had his driver take them to the city square and to the Jefferson House to check in. He arranged to meet them later with City Councilman G. Shahan, a banking competitor to Financier Stufflebeem, but with only a fraction of the assets. In this case the balance sheet didn’t matter. Shahan owned the best vacant building suitable for a printing press and editorial room.

Later that afternoon they arranged to have Shahan meet them at the building and the Baron joined them. They walked through the large empty room, lit up by the extensive multi-pane windows.

“What was in this building before?” Magnate Lawson asked.

“It was a wheeler’s shop,” Shahan said. “They manufactured wagon wheels and shipped them all over. But competition drove them out of business. So here it sits.”

“What are the key attractions here?” Ms. Winona asked. “What are people interested in?”

“We have two major sources of commerce here,” the Baron said. “Agriculture, including livestock, which is my specialty, and transportation. We have a railroad and a freight company that keep our communities alive. Oh, and I don’t want to forget about mining. Especially the coal mines in Mystic. Another industry very important to Centerville and the entire county.”

“What about your city government?” Ms Winona said. “I was hoping the mayor would be here to meet us as well.”

“Well,” the Baron said. “It’s probably time for his afternoon nap. Should you decide to set up shop, I’m sure you will have plenty of time to meet him.”

* * * * *

At the business parlor of Jewett Freight Company T. Jewett sat down with Tycoon Harrington and their guest R. Guffey, to discuss his intentions to open a John Deere Implement business in Centerville.

“The closest dealer you have is Ottumwa.” Guffey said. “We can bring the plows and cultivators right here to Centerville where farmers can see them and touch them and not have to order them out of a catalog page.”

“Sounds good,” The Tycoon said. “Everything is made in Moline?”

“Yes, sir.” Guffey said. “If you have a rail connection in Ottumwa, I can get them that far, and your freighters can bring them too my yard. If all goes well here, and with your financier, Mr. Stufflebeam, I’ll have everything secured by tomorrow.”

Jewett reached across the table to shake Guffey’s hand. “I’ll have our contracts ready for you to sign tomorrow. And since Harrington and I both use the same lawyer, B. Bushell Esquire, it can all be done at one time.”

“That’s right,” the Tycoon said. “I look forward to doing business with you.”

“Likewise,” Guffey said.

“By the way Mr. Guffey,” the Tycoon said. “How are you at cowboy work?”

“Well, I’ve never done it. Why do you ask?”

“I see. Well, I guess you can stay here and play poker with Jewett. I’m heading to a cattle drive.”

* * * * *

Tycoon Harrington rode out to Baron Anderson’s ranch to join the cattle roundup. There was a fancy white horse tied to the hitching post, with a black saddle and silver conchos. The Tycoon walked into the house to see a man that he’d never seen before. By the nature of their friendly exchange, the Tycoon assumed he and the Baron were well acquainted.

“Ah, Harrington,” the Baron said. “This is M. Barger. He’s known around the upper Midwest as the Poker King. They say he’s a mean gambler, but that’s just because they’re afraid of his skill as a sporting man.”

“Howdy, Mr. Barger.” Harrington said. “What brings you to these parts?”

“I’m going to sit in on a few poker games in Mystic. Madam Lorrie always arranges them for me. But since the Baron here is excommunicated from that lovely mining town, I had to come out here to pay him a visit.”

“Excommunicated is one word to describe it,” Harrington said. “If he goes back there again he’ll be executed!”

The Baron put a hand on Barger’s shoulder. “The Poker King here was just telling me about bringing a wrestler to Centerville. Says it draws quite a crowd.”

“Yes,” Barger said. “There is a wrestler up in Minnesota as tall as a moose and as strong as an oxen. He wrestles those big Swedes for a share of the bets. Said he has roots here in Mystic.”

“From Mystic?” The Baron asked. “What’s his name?”

“Not sure about his real name, “Barger said,” But they call him “The Bonus.”

* * * * *

In the next episode of CENTERVILLE 1884:
Ms. Winona walks the beat of Centerville meeting the merchants and the mayor, making herself known in the courthouse. The Baptist Women’s Club meets at the church to discuss their concerns about a wagering event coming to town. A child has an accident on the playground and Ms. Tina takes him to the city hospital. The cattle drive arrives at the stockyard railhead. And the Baron meets with the Tycoon and Jewett to welcome “The Bonus” to Centerville and start building the wrestling ring.