Marshal Marshall, Baron Anderson and Appanoose County Sheriff W. Cowan met Ms. Winona at the office of the Daily Iowegian and they produced the telegraph for Ms Winona to transcribe.

“We need this printed in its entirety for all the townsfolk to read,” the Baron said.

“I want you to print a message,” Sheriff Cowan said. “I want all the county to know to load their shotguns and rifles and pistols and be alert. Womenfolk, specifically the widows, need to bar their doors and stay inside. Women and children, too. We’ve formed a posse to hunt down this dreg. Once we get him, and we will get him, I’ll send the deputies out to inform the rural folks.

“Same with the town,” Marshal Marshall added. “Once we capture or kill this madman, I’ll alert the constables and we’ll have a gathering on the town square.”

“We will print a special edition,” Ms. Winona said. “A flyer. This needs to be done now. It can’t wait for tomorrow’s daily.”

Ms. Winona summoned D. Ancell, and along with Ms. Mary Jo and Ms. Lisa, the staff worked diligently to get the flyer ready for printing.

Ms. Winona asked Marshal Marshall if he would find help getting the flyers distributed. “I don’t believe this is a good time for children to be on the streets.”

* * * * *

Since Magnate Lawson used to be a Pinkerton man, Baron Anderson asked him to join the posse. “We need men who know how to deal with dangerous men.”

Lawson didn’t hesitate, put on his riding clothes and met them at the town livery armed to the teeth.

As the men gathered, Sheriff Cowan gave all the men the lowdown on what they were dealing with.

“We’re going to be riding north toward Moravia,” the sheriff said. “We’ll be meeting the Monroe County Sheriff at the marshal’s office there to find out more about what’s going on .”

“I hate to deal with that Strickling feller,” Tycoon Harrington said, “but he needs to be on the lookout too. He has a railroad crew now working in Taylor township. No doubt those boys will have a vantage point.”

“Good idea,” the sheriff said. “We know who we’re looking for, so let’s make the rounds and spread the word. Ms. Winona is printing up some flyers. I want one of you boys to get a bundle of those and get some folks up north to help spread them out. Especially to those farms and communities in Taylor, Union, and Charlton townships. Have someone ride to each township, to Unionville and Iconium. Whatever it takes to get the word out fast.”

* * * * *

D. Ancell pulled the first printing of the flyer off the press and the staff helped Ms. Winona proofread and compared it to the telegraph. Once they all concurred it was perfect Ms. Winona directed D. Ancell to proceed.

“Keep the press rolling,” Ms. Winona said. “We’ll keep getting them out the door until the sheriff or marshal tells us to stop.”

(See image of telegraph)

* * * * *

In the next episode of CENTERVILLE 1884: The posse scours the northern townships spreading flyers and looking for the Blue Demon. Tycoon Harrington meets with Tycoon Strickling to set aside their business differences for the benefit of the community. Ms. Lawson takes the long journey to Monroe County to interview a victim who encountered the horrors of the Blue Demon.