Chapter 19
On Saturday, the twenty-sixth of August, Evie joined her family at the closest of the two new farms for housing victims of the fire. Her entire family had come to lend their help for the first few days. She had agreed to assist with cooking and aid Max in his teaching endeavors.
They had come in dozens of wagons with nearly one hundred people and additional supplies.
Evie marveled at the way her mother had managed it all.
She had given interviews and encouraged families who lost everything in the fire to apply for life on the farm.
Many had already moved in with local family or left Minneapolis when train vouchers were offered to relocate them, but a great many called this part of the country home and had nowhere else to go.
Several families would live on the farms, along with an equal number of single men and older couples.
Mother took it all in stride and had managed to create two groups that could easily handle the job requirements on each farm.
As her father rallied everyone to gather in the common building, Evie located Max in a corner and went to stand beside him.
“I’m impressed with the organization,” Max said, glancing around the room. “Your parents are gifted at this.”
“They are. They have always been good at assessing a need and then acting to see that need met.” Evie pointed to where most of her siblings had gathered. “Of course, it helps to have a small army to assist you.”
Max smiled and nodded. “They’ve trained you all well.”
“If everyone will gather a little closer, we’ll get started,” Evie’s father announced. “As soon as I make announcements, we will have Reverend Morgan pray a blessing on this farm and our work, and then we’ll tour the farm and get started with assignments and living arrangements.”
The first group of people moved closer to the front of the room where Evie’s father stood with several other men.
It suited the group of mostly single men to line the walls around the room, and everyone else pressed in and filled the remaining spaces.
Mothers quieted their children, but a few fussy souls were soon taken outside.
“This is to be your new home. As you know, you signed an agreement to live here and work communally to benefit one another. We will have Sunday services here tomorrow, and a week from Monday, school will start for the children. I’ll speak more about that in a moment.
“The three men you see standing here with me have agreed to act as your leadership. Mr. Flint will take on a mayoral role and be the one you come to for help regarding your housing and other issues about the farm itself, as well as transport back and forth to the city. He will appoint several men to work with him regarding supplies, building activities, and making sure everyone is pulling their weight. This type of farm only works when everyone is willing to do their part, which is why you were required to pledge yourselves in writing. Reverend Morgan has agreed to live and work here alongside you. He will handle church matters, as well as oversee the school as a sort of superintendent. He will also be in charge of the treasury and manage purchases.” Her father pointed to the man in the middle, who gave a little wave.
“Reverend Morgan will lead a weekly Sunday morning service here in the common building. Most of you are like-minded in spiritual beliefs, so hopefully, we won’t have too many difficulties getting along in matters of faith.
In time, Reverend Morgan will be open to speaking to anyone who feels strongly about joining together for home fellowship, but we’d appreciate if you’d give it until after Christmas before pressing him with those matters.
“Mr. Jackson is last, but certainly not least. He will be overseer of all things related to the animals. He grew up helping run his parents’ chicken farm back in Connecticut.
He is an expert in raising chickens and has also had a great deal of experience with horses and other animals.
If you have questions related to the animals, he will be the man to see. ”
Evie noted the thirty-something man as he gazed not at the crowd but the floor. He seemed more than a little shy, and she found herself feeling sorry for him having to face the audience.
“Several doctors signed up to rotate and come to the farm every Saturday for routine medical needs. For emergencies, Mr. Flint will arrange transportation to the city and see that you are taken to my charity hospital for care. Transportation will also be provided home. I know a few of you have your own wagons and horses, so perhaps you can work with Mr. Flint to offer transportation for others.”
A man down front raised his hand. Father looked to him and nodded. “You have a question?”
“Yes, sir. What about those of us who plan to return to our old neighborhoods once the houses have been rebuilt? Or those who want to go back to their old jobs once they’re back up and running?”
“You will have that right, to be certain. We are merely doing what we can to see that you have a job and place to live until such time as you feel able to move on.”
Father paused and looked out at them with a smile.
“I know you have lost most everything in the fire. I know many of you are faced with great uncertainty, but just as you pledged to work on this farm, we have made a promise to care for you. In the long run, you will have a chance to earn pay, save your money, and even buy your properties here. We already know this can work because we’ve put together two other farms up north, and one of those has formed its own town.
They got their post office just a month ago.
The other will soon follow suit. So be encouraged.
If you put forth the effort, we will work with you, even if you want to return to Minneapolis. ”
The people clapped and cheered at this. Evie knew from what Mother had said that most of these men had worked very hard in jobs at the sawmills, ice houses, and various manufacturing companies that had burned.
The women had maintained their children and households with pride.
There were a few who had been homeless prior to the fire and had asked to join the community.
Only time would tell what kind of workers they turned out to be, but her parents were hopeful about the group they’d assembled.
“Now, as I told you,” Father continued, “school will start a week from Monday. We will be hiring a full-time teacher to join our community, but for now we have a volunteer. Mr. Maxwell Garrison is fully qualified to teach your children. Max, give a wave.”
Father pointed in his direction, and Max stepped forward and waved. Evie felt a sense of pride. Max was her future, and she was delighted in his desire to help in this way.
“We will have classes for students grades one through twelve.” Evie’s father paused and seemed to consider his words carefully.
“I know that a good number of people believe school to be a waste of time .
. . that children should be learning a job skill instead.
I understand your feelings; however, I can tell you from experience that it is the man or woman with at least a minimal education who makes a better success of themselves.
Reading and writing are becoming more important than ever, and the day is coming when it will be necessary for most jobs.
“The state of Minnesota requires that children ages eight to eighteen attend at least twelve weeks of school a year. We will encourage children here to attend school from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, from the first week in September until the first of December. We will then break until the first of February and pick it up once again. We can reconsider this at any time depending on the weather and needs of the community. There will also be some apprentice programs for teaching the older children job skills for those of you who feel this is more important than book learning. Children can be trained as they work, and while they won’t be paid a salary, it will go toward their state educational requirements. Are there any questions?”
Several people raised their hands. Evie knew this must be an overwhelming ordeal for these people.
“Yes, go ahead,” Father said, pointing to one woman.
“I’ve a great deal of experience in midwifing and healing. If folks need remedies or attention during the week when we don’t have a doctor, I’d be happy to help.”
“Thank you,” Father said, nodding. “You’re Mrs. McGuire, are you not?”
“Yes, Nettie McGuire. Just call me Nettie.”
“Thank you again, Nettie. I believe you had a question, sir.” He motioned toward a tall man on the left.
“Yes, thank you. What if we’re assigned a job and it doesn’t suit us?”
“We tried to take into consideration the things that you wrote or asked us to write down on your applications, including everyone’s interests and abilities.
However, if you are assigned to a job that you feel unable to do or would rather not be responsible for, you will speak with Mr. Flint.
We don’t want a military unit here. It’s been our experience that if a person likes what they’re asked to do, they will do a good job and maintain a happier spirit.
We only ask that everyone be willing to work to make this farm successful.
“First that will require everyone pitching in together to get buildings up and the chickens established and housed. We have a shipment of laying hens already here and more to come. Once we have a routine established for the care of the chickens, we’ll know how to better adjust things to allow for most of the women to remain at home with their children and rotate tasks with the community jobs like cooking, childcare, and gardening. ”
There were a few more questions, and Father handled everything easily. Evie was proud of the way he treated the people there. So many in their society would have considered them unworthy of respect.