. . . a new work of historical fiction is coming from Pat Curran
Jumping the Hawk Lode
A fictional account of the 1880’s mining boom in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
A synopsis of Jumping the Hawk Lode
While still healing from the Civil War, America was consumed with western expansion in the 1870s and 1880s. Settlers rushed west staking homesteads and mining claims driving off anyone that got in their way.
Though the General Mining Act of 1872 granted patents to legitimate claimants, it also created an unintended land rush for grasping speculators and claim jumpers.
A properly staked claim on the snow-capped peaks of the San Juan’s could only be worked for several months in the summer; and as such, these claims became a flashing green light for jumpers and high-graders.
Big gold fever begot big bold greed.
Ed Baer in front of the Blue Bell Mine in Rico, CO
When Shag Carroll, a wounded Civil War veteran from Kentucky and Joel Erhardt, an over-dressed Yankee from New York, lawfully staked and claimed the Hawk Lode in June of 1880, they never suspect they were in for a bloody, ten-year mine war.
As Shag and Joel seek to resolve their differences and defend their claim, Shag is surprised and delighted to hear he’s the father of a son born to an old flame, Big Mama Louise, the Madam at the Pioneer Saloon in Rico. Though abducted and orphaned by Comanche’s as a girl in West Texas, Big Mama is forgiving enough to support the Ute Indians who are being driven off their land; and touchy enough to “wing” Shag in a domestic shootout. Shag, a cantankerous, gun slinging cowboy and drifter, is no match for Big Mama Louise.
Shag struggles to regain his mining claim and become a proper father to his son, which means forsaking his rambling ways and settling down. Meanwhile, Big Mama is torn between “good old fashion greed” and Presbyterian redemption. They declare a ceasefire, after several failed efforts, and agree to become loving parents, if not loving partners.
There seems to be no picket fences in their future, as they work to patch up their broken lives and hold on to the Hawk Lode.