The very first place John decided to check out rumors was not the saloon, but rather the unfinished church. It wasn't to far from completion, and only had a few more hours of work done to the outside before the inside could be worked on. The reverend, or who John assumed was the reverend, stood outside gazing upon the structure. John walked up beside the man and shared the view. That's when the reverend turned to notice John. "Oh, hello there my good sir, how have you been this fine day?"

"Good, I reckon," John replied, still looking at the church.

"Are you to receive a blessing, or seek advice?"

"No," John shook his head and smiled. He was never a religious man and found the idea amusing. He turned his attention over to the man. He was of average height, maybe 5'5, with a slim build and short, neat brown hair. He had a friendly demeanor on his face, but the wrinkles on his forehead showed he was clearly stressed. "I'm looking for... information, and I figure you would know the folks 'round here and so maybe you have what I'm lookin' for?"

The reverend held out his hand, holding his Bible in the other hand. "My name is Reverend David Milton, but you may call me Reverend if you'd like." John shook the man's hand and was about to speak again until the Reverend spoke up. "Just tell me what it is you're after and I can hopefully tell you where you need to be. If I can't, then I will pray so that He may guide your path."

"Yeah, Reverend. I ain't much of a religious person... anyway, I'm looking for a man named Bill, Bill Sharp. He's most commonly known by Butcher Bill though. Heard he was 'round these parts and here I am, come to serve him some justice."

"Oh yes," said the Reverend, ever so eagerly, "I have heard of the man. I only just arrived two days ago, but I heard he raided some folk not three days ago. a bit of luck on my part, is it not? But no, I don't know much. You could try the saloon across the way, maybe someone in there would know."

John laughed a bit again, "Yeah, I was hopin' to avoid the saloon. All manner of folks in there I'd rather not run into." John sighed and took a last look at the church. "Well... thanks anyway, Reverend. Good meetin' you." The Reverend said his goodbyes and John turned around to face the saloon. "Oh, brother..."

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The one thing John hated about saloons was the possibility that a bounty hunter or lawman was inside waiting to spring an ambush to capture him. He had several outstanding warrants anyway, and was wanted in more than a few counties. He had managed to evade capture for a while, but his luck had to run out sooner or later. Fortunately, no one jumped up in an uproar when he walked in and everyone carried out their daily ramblings.

John walked over to the bar. He'd order a drink or two then question the barkeep to see what he may know. Unfortunately, someone else was already talking to him so John took a neat beside the man. Out of sheer coincidence the man began to ask questions that John needed to know. John overhead the man's name: Jeremiah Lexington. He seemed to be more interested in mining gold, but he was concerned about the possibility of Bill's gang attacking the site. The barkeep then warned Jeremiah of the potential dangers of such a place, but the man appeared unnerved.

"Some whiskey, please," John said when the two men finished speaking. Jeremiah began sipping from his drink and so John took the opportunity to question him. "Hey there, friend," John began, "name's... er... Jack." John was careful not to reveal his actual name, lest this man was familiar with his potential bounties. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with the barkeep. Jeremiah, is it?" The barkeep placed a shot of whiskey on the counter in front of John, so he took it and gulped it down in one go. "I ain't to... knowledgeable in the layout of Wissleon County, but I've had a few encounters with ol' Bill before. I'd be more than happy to accompany you on this... [i]endeavor[/i]. If you're interested, that is."