Chapter 92 – Getting Work Done
While Wynn, Dee, Abigail and Bill were working on paperwork, the rest of the people around Hope Valley had been busy. Despite the funeral that afternoon, many people were trying to get back into a routine after a week of disruption. Most were glad that they were able to help the people of Silverton and Rock Creek, but they also knew that it was time to establish a routine again and move forward. They knew that the funeral and getting men back to work were going to be steps to that happening as well as school restarting on Monday. In the meantime they were doing what they could to establish a routine for themselves, even if it was going to the cafe for tea or looking at the shop windows.
Andy was able to get payroll out to all his workers. He also was able to get wires out about getting the new mine inspected and requesting paperwork on it. He also was able to order things that he would need for Silverton and Rock Creek to get them up and running. When he was done with the things that needed his attention, Andy spent time with his men and their families getting to know them. He had never really done that before and realized that he liked it. He had always been friendly with the people that he employed, but to sit and spend time with them was something new. Andy also realized that Hope Valley was different then any place that he had been. He wondered what made this town so different. He couldn't figure it out, but he also knew that whatever it was, he only wanted to build upon it and make things better for everyone that called this place home. He also realized that if the telephone came to Hope Valley, he saw no reason that he couldn't make this his home base at some point. He knew that he was going to have to check with Bill or Abigail about plats of land that were available, not only was he thinking of a house, but there were at least two other things that he was thinking that the town needed. He liked how people were real and honest.
The workers under Kenneth were able to complete both storage sheds and move everything from the mining office over to the one behind the infirmary. Faith briefly went through what was in there so she knew where things were and saw that the men had labeled the shelves and there was still plenty of room in there. In the storage shed behind the schoolhouse, they added shelves and also built two additional benches/desks for the school. The men had also chopped wood and stacked it by the schoolhouse, cafe, infirmary and jail being careful to make separate piles from what was already stacked. They had also chopped and stacked wood at Gowen's old house. They had finished the apartments and cabins on the south road and were just waiting for the rest of the furnishings. A group was working on the cabins on the north road, but they required more work. There was also a group working over at the row houses. They had cleared the land and staked out everything for the new houses.
Mid-morning there was a knock at the door to Lee's office. Hickum answered and saw Kenneth standing there.
"Yes." Hickum said.
"Do you have time to answer some questions?" Kenneth asked.
"Yes, please come in." Hickum said, stepping back.
"My men came across two cabins near a burn site." Kenneth said. "It is not near the other cabins, but closer toward the mine. They found it when they were clearing downed trees."
"That would be the site of the old church." Hickum said. "The cabin was where the old pastor stayed. The new pastor wasn't sure about staying out there that far alone. The other one was the teacherage, but as far as I know it was damaged during the church fire. I haven't looked at it since that day almost a year ago."
"My men said that one cabin is in good order." Kenneth said. "They believe that we could move it into town and put it near the schoolhouse or to the south road if you want. There is room there. Just let us know. Also, do you want us to clear the old burn site? I doubt that any of the wood is salvageable for use, but could be used for firewood. We will check the other cabin and see if it is salvageable or if it is better to just use the wood for firewood."
"Let me talk to Mayor Stanton first." Lee said. "But I think that both are good ideas. What would you need to move the cabin?"
"Half a dozen logs about the same size and a team of horses." Kenneth said. "We have the horses. We would also need a few jacks to lift the cabin. I could request them from Buxton and they would be here tomorrow."
"Request the jacks," Lee said. "I think if we have a cabin that can be used we need to use it. Let me talk to Abigail and see what the plan is. Have you ever done something like this before?"
"Yes." Kenneth said. "I have overseen the moving of several buildings. I haven't done the lifting, but from what the men that know tell me, it would only take a few hours. It would be slow going, but it wouldn't be hard. I agree, the biggest things are the jacks, logs and horses. Then it is simply about manpower."
"Good enough." Lee said. "I will let you know, but for now just leave that. Tell Christopher Blackman out at the mill what you need. If he has questions, he can talk to me."
"Yes." Kenneth said. "I was also going to let you know that the apartments are done and so are the cabins on the south road. Just waiting for furnishings. The others should be done later this weekend. There was more to do."
"The furnishings should be here today or tomorrow." Lee said.
"Let us know." Kenneth said. "We will help move everything in and then get people into them."
"Sounds like a plan." Lee said. "Anything else?"
"We should be ready for lumber at the houses tomorrow." Kenneth said. "My men are working on foundations today. As long as the weather holds, we might as well start on the fences while the foundations are set. We should be able to start framing on Monday as other foundations are set. We split the crew to get those other things done, but with them getting finished I can have one group working on foundations and another framing."
"Mike." Lee said.
"Three wagons cut and stacked at the mill and ready when needed." Hickum said.
"I will have my men move them then." Kenneth said.
"Let Christopher know." Hickum said. "He knows which stacks."
"Thank you." Kenneth said.
Kenneth then turned and left the office. He had his answers and knew what his men needed to do. He knew that Lee and Hickum knew where to find him when they had the other answers. Kenneth wasn't one to stand around when there was work that needed to be done.
"Mike." Lee said. "Please check …."
"I know double check everything is done." Hickum said. "What was that – trust but verify."
"Good man." Lee said. "I am going to head to talk to Abigail. Are you going to the funeral?"
"I haven't decided." Hickum said. "You?"
"Yes." Lee said. "I was there at the rescue at the mine. I feel I should be there for them."
"Understood." Hickum said. "I have my keys if you leave."
Lee nodded and Hickum left to double check what he needed. Lee finished the papers that he had been working on before heading over to talk to Abigail. When he got to the office, he saw Abigail, Wynn and Dee working on paperwork. He knocked and entered.
"Did you need something, Lee?" Abigail asked.
"Yes." Lee said. "Kenneth just talked to me. The cabins on the south road are done as well as the apartments. Just waiting on furnishings. The storage sheds are also done and everything moved over. Some of the men are working on the cabins on the north road. They required more work, but he feels that they should be done by the end of the weekend. He brought something to my attention and before we move forward I need your approval."
"What?" Abigail asked.
"He suggested moving the old parsonage either into town behind the schoolhouse or to the south road." Lee said. "He also said that his men could clear the burn site of the old church. The wood isn't salvageable, but could be used as firewood. They were also checking the old teacherage to see if anything was salvageable."
"I know that Jack talked about moving the parsonage for Frank." Abigail said. "But he wasn't sure that it would work."
"Kenneth assures me that it is possible and he can do it." Lee said.
"What do you think?" Abigail asked.
"I think Frank deserves a real place to live." Lee said. "I also think if we have usable living space we should use it."
"Agreed." Wynn said.
"Tell Kenneth to make it happen." Abigail said. "Just let me know when. I might want to see this."
"You and I both." Lee said. "He said he would need a few things from Buxton, but I had told him to have them sent. They should arrive tomorrow. I would assume they move things on Saturday."
"Just let people know." Abigail said. "I am sure people will want to see, but we need to remind them to stay out of the way."
"Of course." Lee said. "I am going to the funeral. Are you guys?"
"Yes." Abigail said. "As mayor I think I should be there."
"We are going as well." Wynn said.
"Good see you there." Lee said.
Wynn and Dee nodded before Lee left back to his office.
"Someone should tell Frank." Dee said.
"Later." Abigail said. "He is getting ready for the funeral."
"I think I am going to run to the cafe." Dee said. "I didn't eat much this morning. I also want to see if Jack and Elizabeth are up. If they are going to the house, they should know that they will need to go to the mercantile."
"Have Ann or Clara make you guys a loaf or two of bread as well." Abigail said. "On second thought, I might go with you and check out things over there."
"I am going to stay and continue working." Wynn said.
Abigail and Dee left for the cafe. Abigail was surprised how busy it was when she walked it. She looked at the time and realized that it was still early for lunch, but almost every table was full. When she walked to the kitchen, she found Ann, Clara, Mary and Charlotte.
"Looks like you have been busy." Abigail said.
"Yes." Clara said. "But Ann has been wonderful."
"Morning ladies." Dee said coming into the kitchen. "I am just going to check on Jack and Elizabeth."
"I think they still may be sleeping." Clara said.
Dee nodded, but headed for the stairs.
"Anything that you need?" Abigail asked.
"Not at the moment." Ann said. "But I took it upon myself to start a list of things that should be ordered. We aren't out of anything, but will be if we don't order soon."
"I will take that over to Ned today." Abigail said. "There are supply wagons coming in, but I didn't order much. It will be over that the mercantile and Ned will let us know when it has arrived. Thank you for making the list."
"No problem." Ann said. "I love working here. If you are hiring, I wouldn't mind helping, but we have time. You know my mother and I are staying. I will make sure that everything is moved over here and put away."
"Yes." Abigail said. "We will talk. I will need to look at the books, but I need to get through this weekend first."
"No, no." Ann said. "Understandable. Some men dropped off a wagon load of wood. It is stacked next to what was already there. Also, we need to do some laundry if things slow down this afternoon."
"Wash tub and board are hanging out back by the wood pile." Abigail said. "Clothes pins are in the storeroom upstairs. There is also a wringer washer in the small storage off the back. I usually set that up in here if I have time and use that to rinse and wring out things."
"I will get on that then right after lunch." Charlotte said. "So it is ready after the funeral."
Abigail looked around for a moment.
"Thank you." Ann said. "We are fine here. Was there something you needed?"
"No, just checking in." Abigail said. "I had a list of repairs that needed to be done, but I don't know where I put it."
"Given to Pastor Frank." Clara said. "He insisted. He already did a few things, but was going to wait on the majority until after close."
"Okay." Abigail said. "I think I will just take something back to the office and keep working. Can you make up a basket for both me and Wynn? I am going to run upstairs."
"It will be ready when you come down." Ann said. "I will also put the supply list in there."
