Part Three Recap
Into the West: Sharon Springs

The people of Sharon Springs have been planning their annual Founders'

Day celebration when word comes that a train carrying foundlings in need

of homes will be stopping in their town. After the children arrive, the

townsfolk gather for their normal church services after which they meet the

children. All the foundlings are spoken for except for Elizabeth and Conner.

Tim Ruth steps forward and makes a plea to adopt Elizabeth but fears that

bringing another boy into their home would not sit too well with his son. The

family lost their daughter in a tragic accident years before and he feels

Elizabeth could be just the new addition his family needs to really heal from

that tragedy. 

Mrs. Kelly thinks Elizabeth would do well with the Ruth family but unless she

can find a home in town for Conner, she is not willing to take him back to

New York City and leave Elizabeth in the Kansas Territory on her own.

Separating the children into different homes in the same town is one thing but different parts of the country is something she was not willing to do. 

Tim’s friend, Doc Pete, and his wife had decided due to their age not to adopt any of the children from the orphan train even though, like Tim, they had lost their own child to smallpox years before. However, when they see Conner MacBride, he looks so much like their son, they begin to question their decision. When Doc Pete sees how much his best friend wants to adopt Elizabeth, he makes up his mind to take on the care of Conner to keep the children together and try to help both families heal from their loses. 

The two families have shared a close bond since before coming to Sharon Springs and assure Mrs. Kelly this new connection will only bring them all closer. Mrs. Kelly feels this is the best option she will be able to find for Elizabeth and Conner and agrees to the arrangement. She and the children return to Doc Pete’s house to finalize the paperwork with their new families. The most difficult part was how to tell the children.

Ian Somerholder overhears the arrangement and passionately protests the children’s separation. After talking with Mrs. Kelly, he understands her reasons and volunteers to help the children get settled in their new homes. 
Mrs. Kelly decides it would be better to not explain the details to Conner just yet, given his young age. Knowing the children would be seeing each other again soon, and often,  She has Elizabeth leave without having a big goodbye scene. Mrs. Kelly carries Elizabeth to Tim Ruth’s wagon and says her own final goodbyes to the girl she has come to love so much. When she is done, a brokenhearted Mrs. Kelly gather’s her belongings and moves into a room at the Saloon to wait for the train to be ready to return to Platte City, Missouri. 

Tim and Elizabeth leave and make their way back to his ranch. His wife is furious to learn he decided to adopt a girl against her wishes. Stacy Ruth is still grieving the loss of the daughter and does not want to open her heart to anyone else for fear of the pain that might come with another child she could potentially lose. With Tim determined to make Elizabeth part of their family, everyone in the family is on edge except for Timothy, their son. While he is slightly curious about Elizabeth’s presence in their home, Timothy does not seem too concerned with her, at first. 

As everyone is spending their first day getting settled into Sharon Springs, an imposing man rides into town. his first stop is the saloon where he meets up with his friend, Ike Rowlett, sheriff of Sharon Springs. Ike introduces the stranger to Patrick Gordon, the saloon owner. Patrick is taken-aback as he knows the man by reputation. His name is Marshal Blackjack James and he’s come to town on the trail of bandits. 

Patrick excuses himself after meeting the marshal and the quick departure makes marshal James suspicious. He moves to intercept Patrick as starts to slip out the backdoor of the saloon. The two men face off in what promises to be a tense confrontation.