Mason took a good look around the area where the hospital and orphanage were to be built. Construction had only just commenced and Mason knew that it was off to a good start. Wellman had briefed him on what had happened so far and the deal with Christoph Alders, the man who was going to supply the lumber.
It was now going to be his job to supervise the building and he was eager to start. When Leah Steelgrave had employed his firm, he had studied the plans and was confident that all would go well. The only problem would be if Leah's father or anyone else hindered the project. From what Wellman had told him, the new mayor was a supporter and that was a bonus in his book.
Wellman had bought with him a few leading hands but most of the workers would be locals, so his first job was to advise them, as well as Miss Steelgrave about the sudden and unexpected change in plans. He wasn't sure if Leah would be around this morning but if she didn't turn up by lunch time, he would have to go looking for her.
However, first on the agenda was to get his men to work.
September 23, 1876
Leah Steelgrave made her usual morning pilgrimage to the construction site, the lumber deal having been completed the day before. She was dressed in trousers, a calico blouse, a plaid coat, and boots, complete with a hat. There was no reason to be all gussied up to visit the site, and as she usually was, she would be there for a while, staying out of the way, and simply watching the progress as it happened. Even though the mornings were crisp, the day promised to be nice and comfortable once again.
There was a man she had not seen before, looking around and directing some men, so she walked over to him and asked; "And you are. sir? I am Leah Steelgrave, the owner, and I've not seen you here before. Can I help you?"
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Mason turned around and for a moment was taken by surprise by the young woman who had addressed him. He had expected her to at least be dressed like a woman and not wearing men's clothing...even though she was very becoming in them.
When the contract for the hospital was being negoiated, Leah had dealt with his brother Stephen and so she wouldn't know him. His arrival was also unexpected, so he could understand why she was a little bit on the cautious side.
Holding out his hand, he smiled, "Good morning, Miss Steelgrave. My name is Mason Aldridge."
Before she could say anything, Mason continued, "I'm sorry for the short notice but I'm here to takeover for Darius Wellman. There's been a development that requires him to return home to his family. He left earlier this morning."
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, but Mister Wellman and the men he brought have done a fine job to this point. With the local men he has hired, I'm sure that they will continue the work in under your supervision" She said, these things happened, and she understood, but the work would continue even if Wellman was not here to supervise it.
"Your foremen, Mister Fuller, Carney Fuller I believe it is, and you will certainly see to it as we push toward the onset of winter, which may not be that far off." She explained. "Weather can be dicey as we go into October. as you well know, granted we are a bit further west than Helena, but that seems to matter very little at times. "
"Mister Wellman and I have secured the lumber from a local mill for the spring push to finish the work on the hospital since there is no way to complete it before the winter." She added, and perhaps she had been a bit too chatty, but giving Mister Aldridge what information she had was important.
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"Yes, I've spoken to both Carney and Darius about the project. They've briefed me on the problems and the progress they have made so far," Mason replied.
Looking around where they were standing, Mason could see a couple makeshift benches that the workers probably used when they were having a break. The benches were just two planks straddling a couple of beam off-cuts but it was better than sitting on the ground. He motioned to Leah to come and sit with him on the benches.
After they had sat down, Mason took a deep breath. He wasn't quite sure what to expect but he had to know, "I hope you don't mind me asking you this Miss Steelgrave and I have no doubt that you've been asked this a lot of times before but I am a newcomer. This is an important matter as I want to protect my men as well as the building. What I would like to know is just how big of a threat your father is?"
"That is the question. How big of a threat? One can really only guess at this point. Now there have been rumors that he fell sick, but Doctor Danforth was not called out to the Evergreen." She said, expecting him to ask or say something about her father, who, she was glad to hear, would have no input on the members of the Town Council as he had before. Something she kept secret.
"My father is a most capable, man Mister Aldrige, and what he may or may not do? Even he does not know. In fact, the Army has an officer sequestered at the hotel, supposedly recovering from a leg wound. I believe he is in place to call out the cavalry should my father attempt anything. And, with the Marshal recovering and his Deputy out of town, there is only one Deputy here. Not to say there are men ready to step in should anything happen, because there are." She added.
Yes, there were plenty of men that could step in to help Charlie Wentworth, including the men who were acting as her bodyguards. The men from the Evergreen would get a very warm welcome should they try anything.
"Hmmm...well I think I should have a guard or two just in case someone does try to do something, especially at night when there's no-one around," Mason replied.
Getting the Kalispell hospital built was going to take some time and there were going to many obstacles. If Elias Steelgrave or anyone else wanted to stop the project there were many ways he could do it. From what Wellman and his brother had told him so far, there had already been a few delays. Now that the building was going up, Mason knew that there would be more attempts at derailing Leah's plans.
"I know some of the men here but there are others that I don't know," Mason said pensively, "so there is the possibility of men being bribed to sabotage the project from the inside. We'll have to think of something to stop this from happening. Maybe some sort of article in the local newspaper saying that we know about the opposition to the hospital and if it is derailed, then there will be consequences."
He smiled, "See it as some sort of a veiled warning to both employees and others who want to attempt something."
"Leah smiled and listened intently to what Mister Aldridge had to say. True, there might be those that could be bribed to damage the project, destroy work already done, or supplies that were needed, though they would not know of the lumber agreement with Christopher Alders which had recently been made. Replacing lumber would not be a problem. Men? That would be a different story altogether.
"Mister McVay would run the warning if I asked. That I can promise you." She said frankly. McVay would certainly do it, and she was prepared to pay for the front page space. "I shall see to it today. Now, about the men that are locals, so far I know most of them fairly well, a couple I have noted as living in town somewhere, so for now I am comfortable. But I do agree about Watchmen. Yes, now my question is, do you have the men for the job?
If not, she could provide the men, they may not like it, but she knew that they would do it for her. If he had the men for the watchman duties, well, so much the better. What her father might do, she had no idea, but he was a threat.
"I have an agreement for lumber from Mister Christof Alders for what is needed for the spring when we will resume construction, so that will take care of the need to bring any in from Helena." She said matter of factly.
Mason nodded, "That's good to hear. I hope I can meet Mr. Alders soon as I like to know who I am dealing with. I will leave the particulars of the contract with you."
He mentally began to take note of how many men he would need to guard the site at night. Initially, it would only be two or three but later on, when the building got bigger and walls were built he may need more. "I'll take care of the watchmen as we have some already working for our company. Until they arrive, if you know of anyone who is suitable then please let me know."
At this point, the men working on the building were preparing the ground. There was still a lot more to do before construction could start, including some groundwork and levelling. He surmised that they could start the building within a few days and by then his company's watchmen would be there.
"It seems everything is progressing well...which I like. I also like the way you do business, Miss Steelgrave. Your efficiency is remarkable...I know a lot of men who could take a leaf out of your book. Is there anything in particular you wish to discuss? If not, then I'll get back to work."
"Watchmen? Yes, in fact, I do. I have some men most capable of watching over the place at night since it will only require two or three at the start. They will be most competent, I guarantee that Mister Aldridge." She smiled at the thought of 'her boys' working for Mister Aldridge, but in the same breath, she had been thinking of using them because of their prowess. It would be the same as protecting her.
"I'll look them up. And how much were you willing to pay?" She asked, not that it was all that important to her, and probably not to them either, but it was a reasonable question, and they had an adversary that could be quite ruthless, but there was no sense in telling him that.
"I will see these men today at some point and ask them about taking the job, so far they have been most cooperative with anything I have asked of them." She added. "I've kept you from, your work long enough, Mister Aldridge." She smiled. "Have yourself a fine day.
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