The Affair at Plummer's Crossing

Nate and Bertha Plummer left St. Louis, Missouri shortly after they were married in June of 1932.  Nate had worked setting type for the St. Louis Gazette until he had saved enough money to ask Old Man Daker for Bertha’s hand in marriage.  At 28, Nate was ten years older than Bertha and if not fawningly in love with her, he felt it was time to take a wife and make his way in the world.  Nate's Uncle Troy, on his mother's side, had beckoned him west, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, claiming that the American west needed men who had ambition and drive.  It would, Troy said, reward those who seized the opportunity by moving west and becoming a part of it.  Bertha welcomed any circumstance that would take her away from a domineering mother and found the thought of moving to the frontier, as it were, enticing.  When they arrived in Cheyenne, Uncle Troy welcomed the two with open arms, but within days directed them farther west, to the town of Cody where he thought Nate might start a newspaper.  Without saying so, Uncle Troy reckoned that the other end of the state was close enough for kin to live. 

So on they travelled, with Bertha beginning to question the wisdom of their first life altering decision as a married couple.  Once there, Nate was able to stake claim to a piece of land at the intersection of two dirt roads just north of town.  It was by then the spring of 1933.  His plan to start a newspaper as Uncle Troy suggested was quickly put to rest when he learned that the Cody Enterprise, founded by none other than Buffalo Bill Cody himself, and one Colonel John Peake in 1899 was already there, alive and well.  So, under Bertha’s close supervision, Nate singlehandedly constructed a building with their living quarters in one end and space for a general store in the other.  He opened the business and called it “Plummer’s Crossing.”    Nate chose that particular location reasoning that once those roads were paved, he would capture all the tourist traffic bound for Yellowstone National Park’s eastern entrance.  And he figured he’d corral all the north-south traffic heading from Utah and Wyoming up into Montana.  Bertha kindly pointed out that if he made five cents, a reasonable sale in 1933, from every car that drove into Montana from Utah and Wyoming, he wouldn’t have enough to buy a can of paint that, she also pointed out, the establishment sorely needed.  Bertha stayed on until 1938 at which time she decided that she had given Nate and the enterprise time enough to succeed.  The couple had different ideas of what defined success, and compared to the Spartan life of a homemade shack in Wyoming, well, even life near her mother seemed an improvement.  So, in the fall of that year, before the first snow, Bertha returned to their native St. Louis. 

Bertha's train had probably not yet ground to a halt back in Missouri before Nate held a sale on bolts of calicoes, ginghams, fabrics of all descriptions and anything that could even remotely be identified as a "notion."  He aimed to discontinue selling “female dry goods,” as he called them.  It was part of his effort to purge Bertha and her influence from his mind and memory.  He used the floor space to accommodate a bar, as fully stocked as could be found in Wyoming in 1938 and a few tables for his guests.  (He no longer referred to them as "customers," as Bertha had.)  He even used some of the gingham with which to fashion tablecloths, an idea of his own that brought a smile to his face every time a guest commented on them.  The business flourished with local support.  The following spring, Nate added “home cooked” food and his business grew even more.  So, when some state politicians had other ideas as to where the road into Yellowstone should go and it bypassed Plummer’s Crossing altogether, the locals continued to support Nate’s business well enough to keep the doors open and afford him a decent, if not lavish, living.

It was an evening in late October of 1954 and the first dusting of snow made its way down to the foothills and Plummer’s Crossing from Heart Mountain.  Twilight came in the late afternoon that time of year and by seven o’clock, it would be as dark outside as it was going to get.  There was just a sliver of a moon that night and it would hide itself behind the peak of the mountain causing an eerie, craggy silhouette that dominated the sky more than it deserved.  It was cold.  The few who were gathered in Plummer’s Crossing were glad to be inside and thankful for the ample firewood that had been split and stacked during the summer and fall months.  The burning of the Aspen and Cottonwood logs gave off an aroma that was as welcoming as the fire was warming.

Nate had hired Jenny Cooper, the lovely wife of “Big Dan” Cooper, and mother of young Bradley Cooper to do the cooking and take care of the kitchen.  He tended bar and ran the general store which was still the money maker of Plummer’s Crossing.  It was a workable arrangement for both Nate and Jenny.  She would arrive at five o’clock every morning driving a beat up and worn out old Ford pickup with six year old Bradley in tow.  On days when he would need the truck, Big Dan would deliver his wife and boy to the store.  She would cook breakfast for the cowhands and other locals then see Bradley off on the school bus, the Crossing being the northern limit of the Cody school bus route.  In the late afternoon the bus would drop Bradley back at the Crossing and he would do his homework while his mother prepared the evening meals for Nate’s guests.  After her duties were complete, Jenny and Bradley would be on their way back to the modest horse ranch that Big Dan hardly kept running twelve miles north of the Crossing.  Nate paid Jenny $25 a week plus food that included Bradley’s breakfast, a sack lunch that she’d prepare and dinner.  He encouraged her to take leftovers from the kitchen home, which she did with gratitude.

Big Dan Cooper was an angry and jealous man.  After taking over the meager ranch that an uncle left him for the payment of taxes owed, he sank what little additional money he had saved from working rodeos handling the livestock into a quarter horse mare that was overpriced and proved to be barren.  He then borrowed money from the Cody Farmers and Ranchers Bank to buy a stallion that he called “Thunder” for stud.  But, alas, Thunder showed no interest in mares causing Big Dan to declare him “queer.”  His horse buying decisions had dug a financial hole that he was yet to crawl out of and he acted as though the answers to his problems were printed in the bottoms of whiskey bottles.  He hated that Jenny worked at Plummer’s Crossing.  And he hated the men whom he thought hung out there just to be around her.

On this chilly night, Buck Cafferty sat drinking a cup of coffee at a table near the big stone fireplace that occupied most of the wall at the end of the room.  His son DuMont was two years older than Bradley Cooper and rode the bus to and from school in Cody with him.  The boys had become close friends and spent their afternoons together playing and doing their homework at the Crossing.  Buck’s wife had died in childbirth, leaving just him and the boy.  Nate and Jenny didn’t mind having DuMont around.  It helped Buck out and gave Bradley someone to play with while his mother worked.  Buck and DuMont ate at the Crossing most every night to return the favor.  Buck was a livestock broker and had advised Big Dan against the two mistakes that had cost him dearly.  And in the spirit of no good deed going unpunished, Big Dan never forgave him for it.

Truth be told, Buck Cafferty was in love with Jenny Cooper.  He had not intended it and tried like hell to never let on that he did.  He fought mightily not to stare at her as she went about her work.  She had a natural beauty that needed no help from make up or cosmetics.  Her hair was coal black that shone with a luster giving it the appearance of silk like strands of onyx.  Whether she wore it cascading down her delicate back, or pinned up on her head, it was flawless and lovely.  Her eyes were a deep blue that could only be compared to the big western sky on a cloudless day.  They were always smiling and kind.  Looking into them, for Buck, was often embarrassing.  He would lose his thoughts and stumble on his words.

Of course Jenny knew that Buck was attracted to her.  But she had a jealous and demanding husband.  She knew that Big Dan disliked Buck.  She knew that he resented Buck’s ability to make a fair living selecting and selling good livestock.  Still, there stirred in her a tingling of sorts when she saw Buck’s long and lanky figure stride into the Crossing.  He had a full head of chestnut hair that filled his Stetson and spilled over ears and onto his collar.  His natural expression was a subtle smile that framed his dark brown eyes.  She found it appealing, especially given his circumstance.  He spoke kindly, he treated her gently, and he displayed a love for his son that would melt a mother’s heart.  He treated her son just as well as he treated DuMont.  Buck and Jenny had a respectful admiration that went beyond the physical.

“Will Dan be picking you up tonight, Jenny?” he asked as she wiped clean the oilcloth spread on the table next to his.  “I didn’t see your truck outside.”

“Yes,” she answered, checking the clock over the bar.  “He should be here soon, I expect.  He had to pick up some posts and fencing from Cargill’s down in Cody this afternoon.”  In fact, she had expected her husband before then and silently hoped that he hadn’t stopped off at Muddy’s Saloon.

Bradley and DuMont were over in the corner of the room playing a pinball machine.  A salesman out of Laramie had come through back in the summer and talked Nate into buying it.  “It’ll bring people in and keep ‘em here longer,” he’d said.  When the weather was cold or rainy, Jenny would give the boys nickels that she kept for that purpose but only after they finished their homework.  The boys competed for high score on the old machine and when they had exhausted their supply of nickels, Nate gave Jenny more knowing that they would go right back into the machine.

Jenny continued moving about the room, making work to pass the time as she waited for her husband.  Bradley and DuMont lost interest in the pinball machine and came over to sit with Buck. 

The last of Nate’s bar guests left, smiling and tipping their hats to Jenny as they moved out the door.  Only she, Nate, Buck and the boys remained.  Nate looked up at the clock and motioned Jenny over.

“Shouldn’t Dan have been here by now?” he asked.

“I would have thought so.” she answered, unable to hide her concern.  “Cargill’s closes at five but there was no answer when I called home.”

Nate was aware of Big Dan’s fondness for drink and suggested, “Why don’t I give Muddy’s a call?  See if he’s there.”

Nate picked up the telephone and waited for the operator.  “Bea, hey, how ‘bout ringing Muddy’s Saloon for me, will ya?”  He waited a moment.  Then, “Hey, Muddy… Nate Plummer, here.  Say, is Dan Cooper there this evenin’?”  He paused.  “No?  Okay.  Thanks, hear?”  Nate put the phone back in the cradle.  “They haven’t seen him, Jenny.”

Jenny didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried.  She looked at the clock and back at Nate.  She glanced over at Buck.

“It’s quarter to eight, Jenny,” Buck said.  “Why don’t you let DuMont and me drive you two home?”

Nate said, “It’s time to close up, Jenny.  You know you are welcome to stay.  But it might be best to let Buck take you.”

“It’s a long way for you, Buck,” she said.  “We don’t want to trouble you.”

“You know it’s no trouble, Jenny.  C’mon, let’s all get in the truck.”

Bradley and DuMont slipped into their jackets and picked up their school books.  Jenny went back into the kitchen and got her own jacket and purse.  She had a paper sack with a few pieces of leftover fried chicken and some potato salad that she had set aside for her husband’s dinner. 

Buck and the boys were already outside when Jenny got to the door.  She looked back at Nate.  “See you in the morning,” she said.

He nodded.  “Give me a call when you get home and let me know everything is all right, will you?”

“Sure, Nate,” she answered.  “Thanks for your concern.”

Jenny opened the passenger door of Buck’s Chevrolet pickup.  Bradley and DuMont were already in and sitting on the bench seat.  Buck had started the engine so the truck would warm to ward off the night air that continued to drop in temperature.

The snow was falling harder as Buck drove north toward the ranch.  The flakes fell and swirled in the beams of the truck’s headlights.  Jenny stared blankly through the windshield wondering where her husband could be.  She dreaded another embarrassment if he were off drunk somewhere.

Buck slowed as he approached the entrance to the ranch.  He turned onto the gravel road under the large wooden sign identifying the place as “Circle C Ranch.”  No lights were evident as Buck approached the modest house, though his headlights found Big Dan’s truck that was parked over by the barn.  The door to the barn was open and the tailgate of the truck was down.  When Buck stopped, Jenny opened her door and stepped tentatively from the truck. 

“Let me get the boys in the house and turn on some lights,” she said, looking all the while toward the barn.

“Okay,” Buck answered already out of the truck and walking.  “I’ll check the barn.”

Bradley and DuMont followed Jenny into the house.  She turned on lights and walked back through the kitchen, searching about as she went.  “Dan?” she called.  She found nothing as she continued into their bedroom.  “Dan, are you here?”

Finding nothing, she returned to the living room.  “You boys stay inside,” she said.  “I’ll be right back.” 

Jenny quickened her pace to a trot as she approached the barn.  She saw that Buck had lit a kerosene lamp and was over in front of the stall that held Thunder.  In the flickering yellow light, the stallion stood peacefully with his bridle tied to a hitching ring on the outside wall.  A short rope tethered Thunder’s right rear leg to the post at the stall’s opening and another hung loosely from his left.  Buck Cafferty was kneeling over Big Dan Cooper who was lying flat on his back outside the stall.  He was unconscious and appeared to be bleeding from the head.  

“He’s out cold, but breathing, and alive,” Buck said.  He had found a towel and was wiping away dried blood from Dan’s face.  “Go call Doc Wilson, Jenny,” he ordered. 

Jenny started to kneel beside her husband, then turned and ran back out of the barn and into the house.  Buck Cafferty was able to roll Big Dan Cooper over and support him on his shoulders, carrying the big man over to the house and into the bedroom.  He laid him on the bed where Jenny daubed at the head wound with a warm moist cloth.  She made her husband as comfortable as possible, waiting for Doctor Edgar Wilson to make the thirty mile trip from downtown Cody to the Circle C Ranch.  Big Dan lay quietly breathing as if in a deep sleep.

When Doc Wilson arrived, he acknowledged Buck and the boys with a nod and moved quickly following Jenny to the bedroom.  Under the light of a floor lamp that Buck had brought from the living room, the doctor circled an area above Dan’s left eye with his finger.  “Do you see these indentations?” he asked.  “See this, right here?”

Jenny leaned close and answered, “Yes.  I noticed it while I was cleaning it.”

“Horse shoe.  I’ve seen it a hundred times,” explained the doctor, “but rarely this deep.  The bone is crushed.  That horse kicked the hell out of Dan.”

“Is he going to be all right?” she asked.  “He’s not woken up since we found him.”

“Too early to tell.  He could wake up in an hour or he could stay unconscious for days… or longer.  He could have permanent damage, like a stroke… you don’t ever know.  Just watch over him and if he wakes up, try to keep him quiet.”  With that, Doctor Edgar Wilson stowed his stethoscope back in his doctorin’ bag and stood to leave.  “Call me in the morning,” he said.

 Big Dan Cooper lingered on for three more days, but never woke up.  Buck Cafferty drove out to the Circle C each morning and picked up Bradley Cooper early enough to get the boys to Plummer’s Crossing in time to catch the school bus.  He delivered him home in the evenings.  While Jenny Cooper stayed at his bedside and cared for her husband, Nate Plummer picked up the slack at the Crossing, dreading having to replace her.  Now, he didn’t wish anything bad on poor ole Big Dan, but Jenny was a first rate cook and employee.  In his darkest thoughts, Nate hoped for a speedy resolution to the situation that would allow Jenny’s return.  After three days, he got it.  And after a suitable and respectful burial attended by Nate Plummer, Buck and DuMont Cafferty, Doctor Edgar Wilson, Flint Cargill and a host of the boys from Muddy’s Saloon, Jenny Cooper was back at work.

 It came as a surprise to no one when in the spring of 1956, Buck Cafferty asked Jenny Cooper to be his wife. 

As soon as he heard that Cafferty had popped the question, Nate Plummer took on a paternal air asking, “Buck, what are your intentions?”

“What do you mean, ‘what are my intentions,’ Nate?” Buck asked, bristling at the attitude.

“I mean, you ain’t planning on moving off somewheres, are you?” he asked.

“Well, no, Nate.  You’ll still have your cook.  But you don’t mind if I take her and the boys on a little trip over to Jackson Hole, do you?” Buck responded.  “Kind of a honeymoon?”

“Naw, that’ll be all right, I s’pose.  How long you gonna be gone?”

 Buck Cafferty and Jenny Cooper were married after Sunday morning worship on July 8, 1956 by Pastor Jenkins Brownlee at the only church in Cody.  DuMont Cafferty served as his father’s best man, and Bradley Cooper gave his mother away in marriage.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newly formed family filled the bench seat of Buck Cafferty’s Chevrolet pickup truck and drove to Jackson Hole.  They stayed in a small log house that was a getaway cabin belonging to one of Buck’s cattle ranch customers.

With minimal instruction from Buck, DuMont and Bradley took to and spent long afternoons fly fishing in the Snake River.  For the boys’ safety, Buck would remain close by on the riverbank, with his new bride, paying her all the attention that he could muster.  On the Thursday of that week, he was there on the riverbank lying in the summer sun.  His head lay in Jenny’s lap, a picture of wedded contentment. 

“Buck?” Jenny casually asked, stroking his long hair, “What do you suppose caused that horse to kick Dan in the head?”

“Why do you ask, Jenny?”

“Because, Dan was proud of Thunder,” she said.  “He spent a lot of money on him.”

“Well, you know that Thunder didn’t… um… perform as he was supposed to, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I know.  Dan called him the only queer horse he’d ever seen.  But Thunder was still a good, strong horse.  I just wonder why he kicked him.”

Buck leaned up on one elbow, searching for a hint that his wife was kidding with him.  “I don’t suppose you noticed what was lying on the floor of the barn next to him when we found Dan, did you?”

Jenny’s brow wrinkled as she tried to recall the scene.  “No.  What?” she asked.

“Gelding snips.”