Nearly one month after the fire, the bitter cold of winter preventing any sort of rebuilding, the morale of people of Maddock falls to an all time low. Several shopkeepers, now without shops consider picking up and moving away and visitors often take one look at the town and do not even depart the stagecoach.
Spirits are quickly bolstered however, as Mayor Evan announces a town meeting to discuss and implement rebuilding. Word spreads quickly that Federal Marshal Tucker, long thought dead, has arrived in town with a large supply of Army Surplus blankets and goods.
Several ranch hands, usually light with work until the spring have volunteered to help beginning rebuilding immediately. Still, there is the matter of obtaining the supplies.
Rumors have also spread that the Banker has arrived, this seems to raise the spirits the most as people were beginning to worry that the bank would be closed indefinitely.
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