Reborn in 1878: America's Number One Bandit

Chapter 40 The Sacramento Butcher

Sacramento, the capital of California.

State Capitol Building.

This magnificent building, a symbol of law and order, is currently in a state of near hysteria.

The telegraph machine started beeping incessantly from early morning.

Each new telegram arriving from Marin County added to the already tense atmosphere.

Governor William Irwin felt his office had become a powder keg about to explode.

Outside the window, the roar of angry citizens who had gathered could be heard.

Inside, members of parliament and their staff were arguing anxiously.

"Governor, we must send troops immediately! If we hesitate any longer, the entire Northern California will descend into chaos!"

"We should authorize the Pinkerton Detective Agency to handle this; they are more professional!"

"No! This is a declaration of war against the state government! We must resolve this ourselves! Use the militia! Raze that place to the ground!"

William Irving frowned and remained silent.

This is extremely serious!

This is more than just a serious violent crime.

The massacre and beheading of more than 20 police officers is nothing short of a resounding slap in the face to the entire California government.

This also had an extremely negative impact on him as governor.

It exposed a complete failure of local governance and shook public trust in the law.

Doesn't this mean he's incompetent?
If this arrogance cannot be extinguished completely in the fastest and most ruthless way, then what happened in Strawberry Town today could be repeated anywhere tomorrow.

His political career, and even the future of California as a whole, hangs in the balance.

"enough!"

The governor slammed the crystal glass onto the oak desk with a loud bang.

The noisy office fell silent instantly.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like that of a hawk.

"We are preparing to hold a press conference."

"I want to make a statement to all of California, to those bastards hiding in the gutter."

Half an hour later.

Facing reporters from dozens of newspapers and the constant flashing of camera lights.

Governor William Irwin delivered his toughest speech of his term.

“Yesterday, in Marin County, we witnessed the most barbaric and shameless attack on civilization and the rule of law!”

"A group of inhuman Irish thugs murdered our brave law enforcement officers with the most brutal methods. They are not just murderers; they are enemies of California! They are enemies of the United States of America!"

“I swear this in the name of God and the people of California.”

The governor raised his fist and loudly swore: "We will use all available resources and mobilize all available forces to launch a relentless pursuit and extermination against these bandits! I assure you, the final destination of each and every one of them will be that cold rope on the gallows!"

After the speech, the governor immediately signed several emergency executive orders.

The first measure was to declare a state of emergency immediately in Marin County.

This means that all normal government operations in the county have been suspended, and all administrative and judicial powers have been directly taken over by the state government.

The second order was issued to the California Militia Command.

As the precursor to the California National Guard, this armed force, composed of veterans and volunteers, was immediately mobilized.

A full-strength battalion of over 500 men, equipped with the latest Springfield rifles and Gatling guns, was ordered to assemble within 24 hours and proceed to Marin County.

Their mission was not to investigate and collect evidence like the police, but to carry out a military-style crackdown without leaving any blind spots.

Their arrival was in itself an ultimate declaration of force—

The state government is about to go to war.

Before the signing of the most crucial third order.

The governor held a closed-door meeting in his office with several of his most trusted aides.

"General, the militia's actions must have an absolute leader."

The governor looked at the man in front of him wearing a general's star: "I can't hand over command to those useless people in Marin County; they'll only get in the way." "I need a special commissioner."

The governor pointed heavily at the location of Marin County on the map: "A special commissioner with absolute authority, who can be directly responsible to me, disregarding all procedures, has only one mission, and that is—to eradicate the bandits!"

There was a brief silence in the office.

Everyone knows what this position means.

This is a very tricky choice!

Special Commissioner! By any means necessary!
The governor's determination is already very clear.

He wanted to give this commissioner the power of life and death, and this commissioner could use any means necessary to achieve the desired result.

There aren't many people who can take on this role.

An aide hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking, "Governor, there is such a candidate... but... his style of doing things..."

"explain."

Aaron Cross.

When the name was uttered, everyone in the room fell silent.

The name Allen Cross is a taboo in Sacramento's political circles.

He was a major in the Union Army during the Civil War.

It is said that in the prisoner-of-war camp under his command, not a single Southerner ever survived more than three months.

After the war, he joined the state government, where he was put in charge of dealing with the most difficult and bloodiest violent incidents.

years ago.

He personally suppressed the dockworkers' riots along the Sacramento River.

Without negotiation or warning, he directly mobilized two companies of militia.

They fired a Gatling gun at the striking crowd for a full five minutes.

The strike ended the next day.

And Kroos thus earned a bloody nickname—

"The Sacramento Butcher".

He is the sharpest and most dangerous knife.

No one dares to use him unless absolutely necessary.

Now is the last resort.

Governor William Irwin needs a scalpel that can completely cut open the boil in Marin County.

Even if the knife will cut off large chunks of flesh along with it.

"Just him."

The governor made the final decision: "Find him immediately. Tell him I grant him full authority. In Marin County, his word is law."

The order was passed down quickly.

At the same time, in a bungalow far from the political center of Sacramento.

A tall man with broad shoulders like a bear.

He was meticulously wiping a huge Colt Dragoon revolver with an oil-soaked velvet cloth.

The room was simply furnished.

Besides a bed, a table, and a few chairs.

All that remained was a map of California hanging on the wall and a few rifles leaning against the corner.

The man's face had features that looked as if it had been carved by a knife and axe.

An old scar ran from the corner of his left eye to his chin, making him look particularly ferocious.

He is Aaron Cross.

There was a rapid knock on the door.

"Mr. Allen Cross, the mayor requests your presence; he has a mission!"

(End of this chapter)