Henry Hawley's Diary
compiled by Betsy Buck
Cabin on Fire
January 28th Monday. John and I took up our beds and walked over on the Kent Co to see if we could not straiten things up a little with the boys. Turned out two hands and took their places. I worked half of the day and night, the first night work I ever did. I had almost as soon be in prison.
January 29th Tuesday. I went after some provisions, saw George at
Whipple. We were taking out the quarts quite fast by the cord instead of by the halves. No mail.
January 30th. A hard place to get any sleep in as the cabin sets over the lode and they are blasting steady all night. Nothing exciting,.
January 31st Thursday. Got up and went to see George. Found him on the John lode which we have rented. We do not intend to give up any thing but Smith. If one thing does not pay we will try another and so keep doing. Went and got tools sharpened. Good by Mr. Jan.
February 1st Friday. This month comes in quite cold and the snow
fell during the day. We all worked as usual during the day and night. Had a little fun at noon with a Missourian who was very ancious to whip some one but came to the wise conclusion to cave in.
February 2nd Saturday. John and I throwed off our chains and left
the Kent Co and returned to our comfortable cabin P.M. Election in the gulch for recorder as a few were not satisfied or in other words wanted the office but Fasset Jr. was the choice of the people. Went to meeting in the evening, heard a very good sermon. Retired well contented with our weeks work.
February 3rd Sunday. Nothing exciting to day...no meeting therefore quite dull as I never visit saloons only to see and not to indulge. Therefore I stayed at home. Went to meeting in the evening and when we returned found that our cabin had been on fire but fortunately some kind gent happened along just in time to save it or we would have been turned out of bed and home.
February 4th Monday. Windy and cold. We commenced work on the John Lode. We have one hired hand Alex who worked with me. John went over to straiten up things on the Kent. John got a parcel of letters including a dossin or two liknesses.
February 5th Tuesday. We fixed up the chimney A. M. that got burned down on Sunday evening. P. M. everything received its usual attention.
Betsy Buck discovered Hawley’s original diary in the library of the Colorado Historical Society in Denver.
Henry James Hawley
1839 - 1923
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