Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 7 can be read here.

Homestead Life (continued)

No jobs at this time of season were to be had, so in a few weeks Mart was home.  Ma Hammer decided to give him a team, a milk cow, and six chickens.  She also gave him one of the dogs, a cat, and the newly acquired Dew place with a one-room house.  Martin could get started on his own farm.  Before he left, he got Ted so unhappy that their fight lasted until Ted’s death.

Now Gerhardt became the manager/helper as the oldest at home.  Ted and Martin’s feud came to a close the day Martin was home and wanted his oldest place at the table.  But Ma said, “You gave up that chair when you took to the Dew place.  You are not the prodigal son yet.”  

So Martin, to still hold his own, in a funny gesture, put his finger in Ted’s coffee saying, “Here, I’ll put some sugar in your cup of coffee to sweeten you up a bit.”  Ted grabbed his coffee and threw it into Martin’s face.  Then, with the slop bucket, he ran into the boy’s room where Martin’s trunk was, opened the lid, and poured the contents of the bucket into it.  He bounced the lid shut, grabbed his twenty-two pistol and chaps, and crawled through the open bedroom window hitting the ground running.  In the stable, he saddled his horse Duchess and left.  We didn’t hear from him for several years.

Ma and Martin had about two days of discussion.  But before they came to a conclusion as to what he should do, she insisted that he leave home.  Things were working well with Gerhardt at the head.  Luck was with Martin after breakfast, the Kulhmans from Colorado Springs came for a visit.  Gus’ brother, Andy, was with him looking for one of the boys to help him get railroad and mining ties out for Cripple Creek.

Now the family was settled with the three older boys gone, far away and to be long gone.  Paul was graduating from Palmer High School in Colorado Spring with a certificate of internship with the Pacific Telephone Company.  Rod and Oscar had become dependable team drivers for the plows, corn cutters, cultivators, and anything to do with animals.  

The boys had just finished cutting and gathering the hay at the Dew place.  After caring for the teams and putting the machines under the sheds, they washed thoroughly at the big barrel with the hose to rinse off the sweat and dust.  They were a little early for dinner, but Mother Hammer had the chicken fried and ready in the oven.  The pies were cooling in the porch cupboard shelves.

“How many pieces can I have?” Rod laughingly asked.  “Ma, you said we could have lots of pieces of fried chicken if we finished the Dew place haying.”

Gerhardt and Fritz took their honored places at the table to join Rod and the younger ones.  Liz was helping with the serving.  Again Rod asked, “Can I have five pieces?”  

“Nine”, said mother pulling the tray of fried chicken from the oven.  “Today I mean the American nine.”  Everyone laughed because they were used to Ma’s nine meaning no.

Next week – Homestead Life (continued)

Summarized by Janet Frederick

The Kiowa County Press invites those who live in or have ties to Colorado - especially the southeast, however all contributions are welcome - to share their story with our readers. Family history, current life, unique sites and adventures, and other aspects of living in Colorado are welcome. Contact us at editor@KiowaCountyPress.net.