The Bolts the Beginning Part 1
It was a beautiful fall morning in Scotland, as Jonathan and Jennifer Bolt along with their 3 sons boarded the ship named "Drake" that would take them to their new home Seattle in Washington territory. They were leaving Kilmaren, the home of the Bolt Clan, for over 500 years. Jonathan had already traveled to Seattle and brought a mountain there he called Bridal Veil and he set up a logging camp, he also prepared a home for his family. He was now ready to bring his family to Seattle.
Jonathan was talking with his twin brother Duncan about the journey Duncan was the head of the Bolt Clan being the older brother. He wished the family a good journey, he glared at Jennifer who was already on board and she was holding toddler Jeremy. As the ship left the harbor Jason watched until Scotland faded out of sight.
Drake stopped in New Bedford, MA to pick up supplies, since it was a Sunday. The Bolt family was able to go to the church services! The family sat in the back row, in front of them was a family with a little girl, Jeremy was looking at her and she started talking to Jeremy, she had beautiful red hair, and Jeremy was talking with her. The little girl's mother called to her to leave. "Candy, it's time to go", Jeremy watched as the little red headed girl went with her mother she was waiving to Jeremy as she left.
A short time later the Bolt family was back on board the ship, Jennifer was amazed with Jeremy because he rarely took interest in other people, he always shied away!
After many months on board the Drake, the family finally arrived in Seattle which looked like a dirty camp. Jason looked at his father and Jonathan replied to his son's unasked question. "This is only the beginning; Seattle will one day be a great city! With tall buildings and streets with sidewalks" At that moment the dream of Seattle becoming a city was now shared by Jason.
By then Jennifer, Joshua and Jeremy joined them on deck watching Bridal Veil Mountain come into full sight. Jonathan said to Jennifer "What do you think?" "The mountain it's ours, it's our new home!" she looked at her husband "It's Beautiful" she said.
Once they were on land, Jonathan introduced his family to Lottie Hatfield who owned the local Saloon hotel. Lottie liked Jennifer and the boys, as time went on Lottie would become more like family than just a friend. Jennifer looked around. There were only a few buildings: the Church, General store, Lottie's, a Stable and a jail. A few minutes later Jonathan returned with a wagon to take his family to their Cabin. As they reached the cabin Jennifer looked at the cabin, she never saw anything like it before "Once you add your special touches to it, it will be great!" Jonathan said to his wife. Jennifer smiled at her husband.
A short time later Jonathan and Jason were back in town to start to bring the families belonging to the cabin. While loading up when they heard a buggy coming down on the main road, another family was arriving in Seattle: a father, mother and two children. The father Peter Stempel had recently bought the lumber mill and had a nice home built for his wife Rebecca, and his children Aaron and Julie. Jonathan had met Peter Stempel when he originally bought the mill, Jonathan didn't care for the man, he was just too uppity! As they drove past Jason looked at Peter's son Aaron, "That one will be trouble!" Jason said to his father. "How do you know that" Jonathan asked "something about the look on his face" Jason answered. At the same time Aaron look was looking at Jonathan and Jason and looked at his father; "Who are they" he asked his father, Peter looked at them and replied "trouble" Peter Stempel had the local Mill and was determine to make it a success and but he had wanted Bridal Veil Mountain too, but Jonathan had beaten him to it!
As time ran on, Jason got to be very tall and very handsome. He worked alongside his father, earning the respect of all the loggers and town folk. Joshua was also growing up. He was going to be tall then and was starting to learn the ropes to be a logger though his mom thought he was too young. Jeremy liked to stay close to his mother. Jennifer was teaching Josh and Jeremy school lessons since Seattle didn't have a teacher yet.
Over at Stemples mill Peter Stempel was teaching his son Aaron how to run the Lumber Mill! He was becoming ruthless like his father and shared his father's dream of owning Bridal Veil Mountain.
Jennifer Bolt was doing her best teaching her children math, history, English! Jason adored English, especially Shakespeare. One day she was getting dinner ready for her family, and she wasn't feeling well, Jeremy had been working on his lessons. Suddenly Jennifer faded, Jeremy went to his mother and tried to wake her, but she didn't wake up. Jeremy was crying for her to come too but she didn't Jeremy started to run to the logging camp but as soon he outside his father and brothers was coming down the path "Papa, Mama is sick "they all ran to the cabin, Jonathan went to his wife's side she had a bad fever, he gently lifted her and place her on the bed, Jonathan told Jason to get Lottie to help them.
The rainy season in Seattle had been worse than normal, it had been storming heavily around which seemed to match the mood in the Bolt Cabin. Jason just added more wood to the fire. Looking over to his father Jonathan they knew that Jennifer was near death, she looked up at her husband, she was barely able to talk and said, "Jason, Joshua, Jeremy!" Jonathan looked over at Jason and nodded to him. Lottie was there doing what she could to help, Jason got up quickly and went to the bedroom to get his brothers! On his return Jonathan gathered everyone around the bed. Jennifer looked at each of her son's she knew her time was near. "Jennifer looked at her husband and three sons. She told each one she loved them. She looked at Lottie and said "take care of my boys", after that Jennifer closed her eyes and passed to the next world.
Later the Bolt family and dear friends gathered at the graveyard near the Church, Jonathan stood next to his wife's casket with Joshua's hand in his, Jason was holding Jeremy in his arms next to them was a dear friend Lottie Hatfield she was looking at the Bolt brothers Jason was the strongest of the brothers she knew he would help his Father with the two youngest brothers. The Minister was finishing up the service and saying the final prayers. When it came to the saying "Amen" young Jeremy couldn't say it he stuttered and started to cry even harder, Jonathan looked to his youngest son and took him from Jason's arm to comfort Jeremy.
As the years passed Jonathan taught his sons about logging, he owned the Mountain there in Seattle each of the brothers would one day own 1/3 of Bridal view Mountain. Jason, Joshua, and Jeremy were growing up Jason being the eldest took control of the logging camp under his father, Joshua was growing up to be a smart young man he was always number one in school. Jeremy was a sensitive kid, he felt things very deeply and since the day of his mother's funeral he stuttered, and was withdrawn.
Jason was 21 years old, when Jonathan passed away, he promised to take care of his brothers. Joshua at the time was 14 years old and Jeremy was 10 years old. After his funeral Aaron walked over to Jason, told him he was sorry about his father. Then Aaron Stempel since he wanted Bridal Veil Mountain. Told Jason he should take his brothers back to Scotland. He would buy the mountain. Jason looked directly at Aaron and stated "NEVER"! "You will never get to our mountain!"
In another part of the country in New Bedford, MA the little girl with red hair named Candy Pruitt was at the cemetery with her mother and Grandfather she was bidding her father a final goodbye, James Pruitt had passed away leaving behind his wife Amanda and their 3 children behind. Candy was the oldest at 10, then Molly and Christopher who were 3 and 2 years of age. Candy's grandfather Benjamin Pruitt slipped his hand into Candy's hand 'Poppet" he said "It's going to be okay". Candy at the age of 10 was already headstrong, he knew Candy would help her mother, and take care of her siblings. Benjamin stayed in New Bedford for a while to help the family!
Not long after her father's death, Candy was sweeping the porch and saw her grandfather looking off into the distance, she knew her Grandfather was a dreamer and loved to travel. Candy went over and sat next to him "Your mind is dreaming again'' she said' "Yes Poppet" he replied "Grandpa, I think it's time for you to move on, we are fine". Benjamin looked at Candy, she was already grown years beyond her age. He smiled. Benjamin always made sure Amanda knew where he was in case, they needed him.
Back in Seattle the Bolt brothers were still adjusting to their new life, Jason made sure the logging camp was run properly, and his brothers had everything they needed, Josh was now doing the books for the logging camp even though he was young he understood how the books should be kept and was very good at it. Jeremy would stay with Lottie during the day and with his brothers at night. Jason did his best to be there for Jeremy. He was shy and stuttered a lot. The other kids would tease him and he would run home crying.
During all of this in the North and South violence was coming to a head a great war was about to break out. A war people thought that would only last a few weeks which turned into 4 long years
As time passed on, there were hard years due to the Civil War so many men had lost their lives, many women had to take on jobs that only men did, for Candy worked us a fire person! Back in Seattle the Bolts and the rest of Seattle continued every day task.
In Seattle Jason and his brothers ran the logging camp, the loggers were all hard workers, but the men were not happy there were hardly any women and they were going to leave. But Jason promised to get women.
Part 2
Part 2
Jason Bolt is not one to give up so easily. "If it's women you want, I'll get 'em for you."
Jason and his men went into Lottie's saloon, Jason was commenting on women coming to Seattle. When Lottie came into the room.
Jason: I'm going down to San Francisco and I'm gonna bring me back a passel of girls.
Lottie: What are you gonna do with 'em?
Jason: The first thing I'm gonna do, I'm gonna let you hire 'em.
But a very skeptical Lottie isn't buying it especially when Jason tells her she's going to become a very rich woman.
Lottie: Oh I see. You think I'd like to hire a bunch of Fancy Ladies, do you?
Jason: You don't?
Lottie: Nope. Somebody else tried it and they were run out of town by Aaron Stempel. So long, boys!
Miss Essie came into the saloon she wanted to apologize to Big Swede, they left together for a walk.
Jason turned to Lottie
Lottie: - Jason. Real men want real women, not floozies. Now I'll tell you what to do. You get yourself some respectable women. Women who want to get married. Those are the kind you need. You're not gonna find them in San Francisco, but I'll tell you where you will. New England. There's been a war Jason. Lots of women are left without men. Not the fancy ones, the plain ones. The Marrying Kind
Jason Knew Lottie was right!
Stepping Outside of Lottie's, Jason was talking about bringing the women to town with the town people, who were agreeable, when Aaron Stempel came up to him. Stating that the town folk didn't have enough money to pay to bring back the women.
Aaron points out that the town folk was risking everything, but Jason was risking nothing. All Jason and his brothers have is Bridal Veil Mountain which they had inherited from their parents. After consulting with Jeremy and Joshua, the Bolts agree to bet their mountain to pay for the trip but the woman had to be Marriageable meaning. Jason asked Aaron what he meant by marriageable.
1. He must bring back 100 women. No less
2. They must all be marriageable. Or as Stempel puts it: No Tramps.
These girls have to be clean, decent, upright. Marriageable.
3. Jason must agree that the women must stay one full year.
The Bolt brothers started their long trip to New England, they left Seattle by stage and travel to New Bedford traveling by stage and switching to a train in Ohio which took them into New Bedford. While traveling outside of Port Angeles the stage was stopped my bandits, the bandits ordered the passengers out of the Stage, Jason got out first and bandits saw how tall he was, with Joshua following they were instantly afraid because there were only two of them, and they were drunk. They got back on their horses and ran away. The stagecoach driver looked at Jason I need to keep guys around" Jason smiled and got back into the stage.
The brothers at one point thought they would never get to New Bedford, because the train broke down 5 times in Pennsylvania then once outside of New York City.
The brothers finally arrived in New Bedford after traveling to almost two months, once there they checked into the New Bedford Inn, and they started making plans for the next day.
Jason noticed that Jeremy was being unusually quiet! "Jeremy! what's bothering you?" "Do you think we will be able to get 100 girls to come back to Seattle with us?" "I think it is possible" Jason replied "But what if we don't! Jeremy replied, we'll lose the Mountain to Stempel" "We will make sure that doesn't happen" Jason replied!"
The next morning Jason, Josh, and Jeremy rented a hall so they can have a meeting with the girls. Then they started putting up hand bills and meeting the lady's, who seemed to be coming out of nowhere.
Soon the brothers walked into the Fire Department there were two women there cleaning the engine the one lady had no interest in men, but the girl that was cleaning the smokestack whose name was Candy was, but when she had heard Jason and Joshua talk to the other girls Biddie, Anne and a couple others Candy then thought they were rassle dazzlers and told Jason, he'd better be ready for lots of questions.
During this time Jeremy was looking at Candy there was something familiar, but how could that be?
Later that evening at the meeting the Jason telling the girls all about Seattle, but the girls wanted to know about the men. At this time Jeremy was looking at Candy again "What is it about her" Jeremy kept thinking. But in the audience Candy was also looking at Jeremy there was something about him, like a lost memory. Candy cleared her head to asks questions about Seattle, but the thoughts of the youngest Bolt Brother was still there.
Candy: Mr. Bolt What we're getting at is what about the men? Are they honest? Can a woman rely on them?
Biddie: Are they good looking? Are they tall?
Franny: Are they as tall as you?
Jason: Tall lady? Where I come from they call me a little half-pint.
Franny: Are they strong Mr. Bolt? 'Cause I want a strong one.
Jason: Strong Sister! Why when a Seattle man spits in the wind, tall trees fall down. And talking about trees, they've got trees so tall they punch holes right through the ceiling of the sky. And the sky, when the suns ridin' in it, that sky's so gold, why if you get married in the daytime, your boyfriend will just reach up his right hand and pull out a wedding ring. And if you get married at night, diamonds. He'll just swish around up there for a shower of stars and hang 'em around your neck as a necklace. And he'll tack a couple of extras on your high heel shoes. Let me tell you about the snow. You've never seen snow until you've seen it snow in Seattle. And the rain. Why if you get wet in the Seattle spring rain you won't wanna take a bath for a month because you don't want to wash off how clean you feel. But the big thing ladies, can I tell you about the big thing? I'll bet you think you know what the color of green is. Evergreen, that's what it is. Green like the morning the world started. Green like the carpet of Adam and Eve. Green like the morning the Lord first painted his garden. Green forever, yes sir, ladies we got everything in Seattle. Everything! But we haven't got you. And if we haven't got you, we haven't got anything. So who'll go."
By the end of the meeting Candy and the girls decided they would move to Seattle!
As Candy walked home from the meeting her mind was on Jeremy Bolt, he had a kind face and the bluest eye's. Though he was shorter than his brothers he was still very handsome. But something about him was familiar! "Hello Candy" said her mother Elizabeth who was sitting on the rocker on the front porch "How was the meeting?" "It was fine Mother!" Candy replied, Elizabeth looked at her daughter "Well!" Candy looked at her mother and said, "well Mother, I'm moving to Seattle." "And I'll be leaving the end of the week."
Elizabeth asks Candy if she was sure that's what she wanted to do, Candy replied "Yes, Mother I've never be so sure about anything in my life"
"Mother!" Candy asked, "have you ever met someone that you know you couldn't have before but feel like you have!" "At the meeting there was a young man his name is named Jeremy, I know I never saw him before, but there's something about him that feels like I've known him forever! "Jeremy her mother thought, that name sounds familiar. There was so much to do to get Candy ready to move to Seattle.