Many who recall Marshal Tucker are pleased to see his return. They feel it shows the Territory has kept an interest in the small town and it alleviates concerns that a lawless town might prevail.

Michael Garrett, the Territorial Representative, was also well received. Announcing at the town meeting that he will be returning to Helena to acquire relief funds for rebuilding. This offered a bit of a hope to some townsfolk who were listened to the new bank president, Mr. Jason Delaware Clysdon announced that once the bank reopens a silent auction will be held for plots with unpaid liens. While some of the upper class of Maddock can understand the need for the bank to recoup it's losses, many see the silent auction as a means for anyone with the funds to wrestle control of prime plots away from those well meaning enough to develop it for something good.

The miner's are happy! Now that Walter Challows is no longer standing at the office door glaring at each and every one of them, they can work less and sneak down to town more often. They haven't seen much of the new nephew, Allister Winthrop yet, but the man has yet to start running the mining company with the iron hand of Mr. Challows so the miner's like the absent man immensely. They also cheer Damien D'aray's name, as the man has established a small saloon tent north of the Ellis place. It isn't nearly as nice as the Dusty Lady, but it serves whiskey and that really is all that matters.

The residents of West Maddock, often those of moderate but comfortable means and mostly untouched by the fire have begun to once again push for temporary housing to be built. Preferably, away from them. Several misplaced girls from the Dusty Lady and Grey Horse Saloon have seen fit to pitch tents in their area, forming a line of 'cribs' from which they continue to conduct the business they can no longer conduct from the saloon. Suddenly the idea of re-building the saloon quickly is starting to look more appealing.

Those who recall the reign Karl Quintan has held over the town since the early sixties are a little weary and cautious towards Christopher Quintan's suddenly generous offer to take on people at his ranch with a three month upfront pay. Many who turned up at his door to accept did not appear to be the type to earn their work or repay the offer, mostly drifters who saw it as a means to make a quick dollar before moving on. Most were disappointed to learn that the Quintan indeed has enough common sense to turn those types away.

Many of the working folks are pleased to know that the new schoolteacher is pushing for a school. They would rather see their children schooled now, before the spring harvest hits and they need all the hands they can get as workers. Several have commented to her that perhaps the Reformed Church could act as a temporary school house during the non-worshipping days.

There's an Irish man running about town trying to purchase goods with greenbacks. Most of those who have established small trade posts just outside their tents often shake their head and point the man towards the bank. Maybe he can exchange the paper for gold.

And so the town is moving forward, clearing the debris and rubble from the center of town in hopes of rebuilding the Sheriff's office by the beginning of March. Most of the debris is being hauled eastward, dumped to the south of the wagon road till more permanent arrangements can be made.

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