David Chadwick

1893

The year was 1900, a cold year for the miners of Fairview, Utah, who were traveling to Winter Quarters in search of work. One particular night, I remember my father Joel Benson, who worked this mine just a year ago, before tragically passing in an explosion. When we arrived at the camp, the Supervisor told me that I needed to go see Howard down in the Eye Pit. He handed me a cracked white helmet, with the name Ashcroft written on it. As I entered the mine, the coal felt as if heavy stone filled my chest, making it harder to breathe the deeper I went. The elevator creaked and squealed as it lowered deeper into the pit. When I reached the bottom, a man covered in black dust towered over me. In a deep stern voice, he said "Boy! what are you doin' down here?! Don't tell me you're the new Dog!" After a few minutes of talking, he instructed me to grab chocks and to bring them to the end of the tunnel. 14 hours later, work was done for the day. We all went back to the surface to clean up and ready up for supper. A few days pass and Howard looked at me confused and asked why I came out here for work. I told him "My Pa died, and left me some stuff for me and my siblings." I pulled out a picture of the family, and Howard jumped up and exclaimed "Oh shoot! That's your Pa? Joel is your Pa! Hahahaa.." As we sat there, we continued to talk over the crackling fire. I learned all of Pa's belongings were in a tent, that was once his sleeping quarters. As I entered the tent, the first thing I noticed was a wooden chest beside his cot. Noticing that the chest was locked, I searched for a key, which was not to be found anywhere. So, I grabbed a pickaxe and broke the lock. Inside the chest, there was a photo, an astonishing amount of cash, cigarettes and under a false floor, was a Black Notebook and a Remington Model 1890. The photo read: "August 18, 1893. The Butch Boys. The Last Ride."