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Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Sisters Night Out

March 18, 2020 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sheriff-Fay-F.-Browns-Badge-Episode-17.mp3

· Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge:

Sisters Night Out

It’s the evening of June 18, 1927. Cora Phares Brown, 33, and her sister, Occie Phares Hamilton, 40, are going to the Midland Theater to see the silent film, “The Telephone Girl.”

*

Occie pulled her Overland coupe up to the sheriff’s residence which was part of the Reno County Jail, at 15 B, east, Hutchinson, and got out. Recalling brother-in-law, Sheriff Fay Brown’s cautionary advice, she locked the doors.

Cora stepped out of the residence, onto the front porch, and welcomed Occie, “Hello Sis, you’re right on time.”

After a quick hug, the sisters started walking to the corner of Main St., and proceeded north. It was a comfortable June night.

“Seven months ago, I had a fairly predictable job at the telephone company,” said Cora, “but Fay seems to relish the uncertainties of being sheriff.”

“Do you expect him back from Washington soon?” asked Occie.

“I don’t know yet,” said Cora. “Picking up the prisoner in Chehalis took longer than expected. Fay told me he’d have to miss our movie night, but he encouraged me to go without him. I don’t even know if the movie’s going to be worthwhile, but at least we can count on fresh popcorn at the Midland Theater.”

“I know you wouldn’t pass up a movie with the title, The Telephone Girl,” said Occie. “I hear that Madge Bellamy is a stunner in her role as Kitty O’Brien.”

“I hope they have scenes at the telephone company,” said Cora. “I’ll see if they ring true.”

*

“Thank god for farmers, but I could never be one,” said Cora.

“I’m glad we got off the farm when we did,” agreed Occie.

“The farmers have had it tough ever since Europe’s agriculture recovered after the war,” she continued.

“No wonder American farmers are losing their farms,” agreed Cora. “They went into serious debt when wheat and corn was selling high. Now, with these prices, they can barely break even.”

“And this cold, rainy weather is making things bad for the farmers and the harvesters,” said Occie. “When I was on Sherman Street this morning, I saw men lined up at the free employment agency. They’re waiting for harvesting work.”

Harry Chabin, the manager at the agency, is warning of hungry men who expected to have money in their pockets by now,” said Cora. “The state depends on the annual migration of harvest hands, but this weather has created problems for the city and county. Penniless men have been forced to go house-to-house canvassing for food.”

“Hungry men mean hungry families,” said Occie.

“Exactly,” said Cora. “Until today, we had two men sitting in jail, waiting for trial in district court, with no money to bond out. With destitute families, the children have been receiving food and clothes from the county. They’d starve to death without the aid.”

“What kind of charges?” asked Occie. “Theft?”

“The one that’s still in jail, Arthur Townley, was caught stealing copper cabling from Carey Salt,” replied Cora. “He’s got a wife and three children. They’re newcomers from Kansas City.

“I’m really surprised that the prisoner with the more serious offense of assault, Chester Crouch, was paroled today after pleading guilty to lesser charges,” Cora continued. “Maybe it’s because he has a trade as a plumber. He has a wife and six children. Crouch promised the judge that he and his family would leave Hutchinson immediately and return to Oklahoma City.”

“It sounds like the county commission and county attorney will decide these difficult situations on a case-by-case basis,” said Cora. “The question is, ‘If these men are released, will they take good care of their families by working an honest job, or will they commit more crime?’ Who knows?”

“I read that Lindbergh flew to St. Louis in his Spirit of St. Louis, said Occie. He helped present 1926 World Series Championship rings on the field to members of the Cardinals prior to their ball game.”

“And I heard that the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce sent Lindy a telegraph, inviting him to visit and celebrate at our fair city on July 4th,” said Cora.

“What are the chances of that happening?” asked Occie.

“About zero,” replied Cora. “But it never hurts to ask.”

“I heard he’s tired of making speeches and tired of eating chicken at formal dinners,” said Occie.

“And I understand that he’s included his mother in most of the festivities,” said Cora. “He’s a good son. I wonder how she got to St. Louis from the east coast. Lindy could have flown her, only the Spirit of St. Louis is a one-seater, not two.”

“President Coolidge and Mrs. President are vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota,” said Occie. “Apparently, the president is trying to avoid the sweltering summers in D.C. They plan on spending the summer at a higher elevation where he will take care of presidential business.”

“Like fishing?” asked Cora. “I heard President Coolidge is learning how to fly-fish rather than drown worms. He’s already caught rainbow trout. Wonder if Mrs. President is cooking or if the White House chef is along?”

“It wouldn’t be a real vacation for me if I was cooking,” said Occie.

“Babe Ruth, the Home Run King, has already hit twenty-one balls over the fence for the Yankees,” said Cora. “I think he’ll set more records by the end of the season.”

“Charlie Chaplin’s divorce trial may never go to court, but the news says he’s expected to pay Lita Gray Chaplin one million dollars,” advised Occie.

“He’s a genius writer and actor, but it serves him right for cheating on his wife,” said Cora.

*

Occie bought the theater tickets. Cora purchased the popcorn and soft drinks.

*

“I’m a little disappointed,” said Cora. “The movie was a political melodrama, not a training film for Southwestern Bell Telephone operators.”

“Madge Bellamy was divine,” offered Occie.

“She was nice looking and played her part well,” Cora agreed. “I like how Kitty refused to cooperate with the political boss, Jim Blake.”

“When did you know Kelly and Tom were going to get married?” asked Occie.

“I wasn’t sure until the end,” answered Cora, “because I kept thinking that if they married, Kitty would have to put up with Tom’s father as her father-in-law. Then I realized, Tom’s father wasn’t all bad or his son wouldn’t have turned out so good.”

“In real life,” added Cora, “if only for a day, it would have been a dream come true for me to have met Fay’s parents. Marcus and Orilla died much too soon. You know, Fay was orphaned at age six.

“If they were alive today, they’d be so proud of their son.”

*

Until next time, happy writing and reading.

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Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: Arthur Townley, Babe Ruth, Black Hills South Dakota, Charles A. Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, Chester Crouch, Cora Brown, Fay Brown, Harry Chabin, Jim Potter, Kansas Authors Club, Lita Gray Chaplin, Lucky Lindy, Madge Bellamy, Marcus Brown, Nancy Orilla Brown, Occie Phares Hamilton, President Coolidge, Reno County Sheriff, Sheriff Fay Brown, Sheriff Fay Brown's Badge, Southwestern Bell Telephone, Spirit of St Louis, St. Louis Cardinals, The Telephone Girl

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Comments

  1. AvatarAlex says

    March 18, 2020 at 9:22 am

    Love the rich dialog!

    Reply
    • Jim PotterJim Potter says

      March 18, 2020 at 9:36 am

      Thanks, Alex!

      Reply

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What People Are Saying

Sean McArdle

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:24:22-06:00

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centres on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to give enough detail to bring the characters to life, yet not too much so as to slow down the pace of the developing story. A climactic event affects the main characters and it is at this point Potter’s deep knowledge of people and police procedures really hits home; page by page we read how a seemingly simple, though terrible occurrence, can have huge consequences. To Potter’s credit the story does not have a completely conclusive or simplistic ending. Instead it leaves the reader thinking about how the events of a single minute can affect lives forever. I would whole heartedly recommend this book not as a crime novel or even as a novel about crime but as a beautiful and positive affirmation about what it is to be human and how ultimately it is relationships which matter more than events.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sean-mcardle/

Rebecca

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:41:14-06:00

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca/

Wynona Winn

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:18:33-06:00

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/wynona-winn/

Denise Low

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:31:21-06:00

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/denise-low/

Larry Kruckman

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:27:15-06:00

Larry Kruckman, Anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a jail, art fair, powwow, rehab center, courtroom, albinos, and even someone in the throes of postpartum depression. So detailed are the descriptions that they must be drawn from the author’s personal experience. Besides the artfully created characters such as the struggling jailer and husband Tom Jennings, local artist Jesse Thomas, and Native American Joe Morningcloud, there is a tight story line that grabs your attention and won’t let go. Human tensions, love, conflict, joys and sorrows are all there. Magically, all the many pieces come together in a final crescendo, giving hope that even when we find ourselves in big trouble we can survive. This is a novel I highly recommend!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/larry-kruckman/

Deb Theis

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:20:29-06:00

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller that the reader quickly becomes immersed and has a ‘bonding experience’ with each of the characters, feeling their joy, fear, passion and pain. Jim’s novel speaks to the empowerment of persistence with the characters as they work through their trials. As a therapist, I appreciated the heartfelt struggles from each of the characters and their diversity. I also found value in the novel’s understanding of society’s misunderstanding of both mental health and other conditions in which people struggle. The novel contains rich exposure to various realities that many of us do not know about . . . but should. When I finished this captivating novel, I was wanting to read the sequel! It was an honor and a wonderful, mesmerizing experience reading this book. Congratulations, Jim!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/deb-theis/

John & Cindy Morrill

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:14:56-06:00

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters and the settings in which they live and work. It makes a story more realistic if you can say, I am familiar with the area; I know where that town is or I have traveled that street. It was easy to relate to the characters. In one way or another, I have met them all somewhere in my journeys
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/john-cindy-morrill/

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.

Morgan Penner

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:25:35-06:00

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental illness. One of my favorite quotes from Taking Back the Bullet is “We’re all just a critical moment from being disabled or mentally ill, and we don’t want to think about it.” The novel also provides the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how mental illness impacts the individuals, their family, friends, and society. Taking Back the Bullet is a story of forgiveness and overcoming life’s struggles and tragedies.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/morgan-penner/

Dennis Perrin

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Dennis Perrin, educator

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:44:55-06:00

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/dennis-perrin/

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Rebecca Schillaci

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:46:40-06:00

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/rebecca-schillaci/

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Sheryl Remar

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T11:47:46-06:00

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/sheryl-remar/

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Jane Holzrichter

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:21:41-06:00

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/jane-holzrichter/

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Steve Becker

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:26:21-06:00

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/steve-becker/

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Diana Dester

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:19:23-06:00

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/diana-dester/

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:44:26-06:00

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/karleen-wilson-moon/

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

Judy Hawk

Sandhenge Publications
5
2017-11-17T18:15:48-06:00

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .
https://jimpotterauthor.com/testimonials/judy-hawk/
16
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