1876
Bessie was at college and Joel was in Bethlehem watching the construction of his steel mill. Ongoing at the same time was the wood construction of the mill town. The 'company' store was one of the first buildings competed. At the mill construction site, a temporary office was the first building that had a roof over it. Joel had his office there as well as the book keeper, architect representative, engineer and construction superintendent.
Joel had been busy investigating steel orders for rail track. After the Civil War the USA realized they needed a Navy of sorts. Steel was being demanded as the Industrial Revolution took hold. Not to mention the need for rails across and up and down America.
By fall of 1876 Stanten Steel Mills produced its first steel in the form of railroad tracks. It was a time of celebration second only to the announcement that Bessie would have a baby around Christmas time. By then their home would be finished. Joel didn't want to look like he was better than the next guy so his house was a simple up and down four bedroom house. He did employ a housekeeper and a nanny when the baby came.
Bessie came home on Thanksgiving Day. It hadn't been that long since Joel had visited her in Boston on his way to New York on business, but he was so excited she was coming home to stay permanently.
Joel was at the Bethlehem train station waiting for Bessie to arrive. It was true he hadn't seen her for two months, but he was a little shocked to see how big she was. She'd hired a young companion from school to assist her as she was quite uncomfortable dressing and undressing. Not to mention all other things a wife might do to run a house.
Bessie stepped off the train gingerly and other than very pregnant, was more beautiful than ever, Joel thought. Simply put, he never thought life could be this good with a woman. Now he knew what his father felt both when his mother was alive and when she passed on. Joel shuddered thinking if ever something happen to……………. And then she was in his arms. Never mind the propriety of not showing affection. She loved her man and he loved her back. The men that worked for him loaded up her trunks and boxes in a wagon for the ride to home. Joel had a new buggy that sat four, drawn by two sleek black horses.
Bessie introduced her friend, Marlene Counts, and they were off to home. This would be Bessie's first time to see the mill and her new home. She was so excited and bubbling with happiness. She held onto Joel arm as if he would fly away if she didn't hold him to his seat.
Joel had brought some wool blankets along as it was very cold out in November. No snow yet, but it was coming. The road was a little rough so Joel slowed the horses down. When Bessie looked around it looked rather bleak all around her. Leaves had long since fallen leaving just a skeleton standing waiting for spring to pass by. The river was a little swollen from the rains, but no flooding had occurred yet. They traveled against a line of hills until they came to a neat row of mill houses. They were all full of workers and their families. In the middle of the row of houses a store that held everything from soup to nuts and a kitchen sink if you needed one. Joel told her the store operated on a break even basis. The company families all had accounts there and the monies spent were deducted from their wages. So far so good, he told her.
At the last company house, just back and up the hill a short ways, sat their home. It had been painted white with a green roof. All of the houses were white with green roofs. However, that would change over the next few years as the steel mill belched out particles of things not good for paint or humans either.
Be that as it may, the Stanten Mills and town were easy on the eyes. He also told them there was still lots of work to be done as wooden sidewalks, post office and things like that were coming soon.
As they turned up the slight hill to her new home, Bessie gave out a big sigh indicating she was happy with her new home. Smoke was coming out of two chimneys. A man came out from the back of the house to hold the horses while they stepped out. Joel made sure his wife didn't fall. A wooden walkway led to the porch. Bessie was a little slow going up the steps and Joel was very patient with her. Marlene was on the other side holding her arm. Once into the house, warm air greeted the new mistress of the house. Bessie stopped in the foyer and looked around. Pale yellow wall with landscape prints made the place feel like home. Down a short hall she walked and turned right into the living room where a fire was burning brightly.
The walls were covered in wall paper a mix of light browns with vertical lines about six inches wide. The multi colored vertical lines made the room look higher than it actually was. There were only two arm chairs sitting in front of the fireplace. Joel said, "I left the furniture up to you dear Bessie. I did get us a bed, but left all other furnishings for your choice. We have a kitchen table, but no dining table yet. Our cook and house keeper is Mable Rose. She's one good cook, if I say so myself. I've put on a few pounds since she started cooking for me."
Bessie was not listening very much, but thinking about what furniture to make this a home everyone would be happy with. She said, "I'm hungry and I also need to use the toilet."
Joel led her to the back where the new indoor plumbing made it comfortable to do an everyday job with. For now we have a downstairs bedroom because it might be difficult for you to walk up and down the stairs. Now, come dear and let's go meet Mable. Walking down the hall to the kitchen in the back of the house, Bessie was looking first left and then right. After that the kitchen greeted her with bright white painted walls. The kitchen was facing the morning sun and in front of the wood stove stood a stout black lady who was stirring a very good smelling stew. She did a small curtsey
Mable said, "Pleased to meet you madam. I'm Mable originally from Alabama, but we moved up here after the war. I hope my cooking and cleaning will please the madam."
With an equally big smile Bessie said, "I'm sure all will be fine. My companion and friend here is Marlene Counts." She pulled Marlene forward as she was very shy. Joel stood back and let the girls sort out the introductions. Marlene said, "Nice to meet you Mable. I too am from Alabama. I recognized your accent right away. Mobile is my home and where did you live Mable?"
"I'm from Montgomery and we lived on the river. Yes, we were slaves and chose not to stay and work the fields anymore. We got lucky and found this wonderful place. My husband works at the mill and we have no children," she said with a downward look at the floor. Then she perked up and said, "Hey y'all let's sit you down and it's time to eat."
After a wonderful dinner, Bessie rubbed her big stomach and said to Joel, "Well, what do you think husband, boy or girl?"
"I don't care as long as it looks like you I'll be very happy. Regardless, she will have your curly blonde hair and my ugly nose."
Bessie and Marlene laughed and Bessie said, "You said she. Does that mean you think it’s a girl?" He chuckled and wiped his mouth after apple pie.
He looked her in the eye and said, "I'm already jealous that the baby will take away my time with you."
"I'm a little tired. Let's go to bed and then we can wake up to the smell of bacon cooking."
-IX-
The doctor swatted the baby boy on the butt making him cry his lungs out. He cut the cord, stepped back and let the nurse clean the baby and mother. The mother was still breathing hard from twenty hours of labor to produce a living breathing human being into the world. At first she thought it too much pain, but after a few days, mother was so happy she wanted more and more. Father Joel was pacing outside the bedroom door and then stopped when he heard the baby cry. He smiled and rubbed his hands together.
He reached for the door knob, but hesitated until someone let him in. That someone was Mable who instantly told him he was a proud father and mother was doing just fine. Joel hurried to his wife's side and saw the small bundle tucked into her breast looking for some nourishment. Bessie said, "It's a boy Joel. I thought all the time it was going to be a girl so I didn't think of any names. Do you have a name in mind dear?"
"Yes, but how are you my dear. I see the little guy is fine and about y
ou I need some reassurance my darling wife is fine too."
The doctor said, "She is doing well Mr. Stanten. Mable here will take good care of your wife. She appears to have a lot of experience with birthing."
"See my dear, I'm fine. I won't miss the big stomach though. I understand there's a lot of snow on the ground. Doctor, are you able to get home okay?"
"Ah, yes I can. My old horse and I have been out many a time on nights like this. I'll come by tomorrow evening and see how you're doing."
The doctor left and Marlene, Mable crowded around the bed. Joel said, "How about we name our son Joel Will Stanten Junior."
Bessie looked at Marlene, then to Mable and then back to Joel. "Sounds fine to me my husband. Write his name in the bible."
-X-
1880
After three years of production, Stanten Steel Mills was making money and starting to flex its muscles in the ship building business. With the Industrial Revolution living up to its name, Joel Stanten and his steel mill was second only to the big steel mill in Pittsburg. Second place was fine with him.
Joel needed a good manager for his ship building. Surprisingly, Raleigh told him about a man who knew a man. As it turned out that man, Mike Anderson had immigrated to America from England where he was in the ship building business. Joel met him in New York and they struck an agreement. Also, Raleigh didn't do badly himself. He loaned the biggest portion of the investment.
Joel, with the help of his architect, found 40 acres of wharf and land. A year later they had a contract for two Navy frigates and a cargo ship. Joel was not sure but it seemed he could do no wrong. The one thing he and others like him had going for them, was a period of time where manufacturing and construction was booming.
Joel returned home from New York tired but happy. His pregnant wife was full of joy as she radiated her motherhood to everyone. Riding up to house his son Junior, with short, but stout legs ran to his father's carriage. The driver stopped, Junior climbed with help from dad, and then sat in his lap for the short distance to the house.
Joel said, "Son, have you been taking good care of momma since I was gone?" His son answered with polite speech, "I did what you told me father. I made sure mommy feet were warm." Joel laughed and so did Bessie.
They went inside. Fall was in the air, but the trees still held onto their green foliage. However, as the end of October was upon them, the trees would soon shed their leaves. As usual, the smell of good cooking greeted his nose while he took off his overcoat. Marlene was sitting in the living room knitting up a storm. She was so sure this baby was a girl the socks she was working on were pink.
Joel sat down heavily giving off a big sigh of pleasure for being home with the family. Bessie asked him about New York and he told her the story of finding property for ship building. He went on to tell her that track orders were slowing down and now they were going to concentrate on steel I-beams for buildings and factories. And of course, sheet steel for ships.
Bessie had a serious look on her face and Brad asked, "Honey, are you feeling well?" Junior was sitting on his father's lap and then jumped down as he heard Mable calling him from the kitchen. Bessie said, "Yes, physically I'm fine, but Mable told me some disturbing news the other day. She said the company store had or they think the manager was cheating some customers. I guess it's serious enough that a small committee of workers is going to ask to meet with you when you return to the office."
Joel's face never showed my expression, but both Marlene and Bessie could see he was not happy hearing this news. Mable came in to announce that dinner was served. Joel and Junior washed their hands and faces. Junior ran into the dining room to sit at the opposite end of the long table from his father. Bessie and Marlene smiled at the gesture. Joel waved at his son who waved back. He said, "Son you're a long ways from the food up here. Don’t you want to come closer?"
"Mommy make me a plate and I'll come and get it. I want to sit here."
"Okay son, that's your place if you want it to be."
After dinner he asked Mable to enlighten him about the company store situation. She was sitting on the edge of her chair in the living room while Bessie and Marlene were getting Junior ready for bed. She said, "Sir, most folks buy the same things over and over each month. Their bills are usually about the same each month. Well, some of the workers noticed more was being taken out of their wages than usual. And of course those workers can't read or write so they have no idea what is going on. Once word got around, it was discovered quite of few workers store account was much higher than usual."
"I'll meet with the workers tomorrow and get to the bottom of this tomorrow first thing. Please say nothing to the store manager."
The next morning, as stated by Mable, six men showed up to talk with Joel. All held their hats in their hands looking at the floor. One man, Roy was his name said, "Mr. Stanten sir, we hate to bother you, but we think the store manager is cheating us for what we buy at the store."
"This is what I would like for you all to do. I know some of you or all of you can neither read nor write. I want your wives to come to our lunch room and my wife and companion will make a list of what each family usually buys at the store for a month. Now please go home and fetch your wives. No your wages will not be deducted while we sort this out."
Joel sent word for his wife and Marlene to come to the office. Then he asked his secretary to get the file on the store manager. In short order he had the file on John Sharpen. He read that John Sharpen was forty five years old, married and had five kids. Joel himself had hired the guy. His references from Pittsburgh were good. He wondered why this guy would cheat the customers."
Two hours later, in the mill's lunch room, Bessie and Marlene had a list of goods bought from the company store by family. The wives even remembered the cost of each item. After that Joel had the book keeper give him the store's account for each month for every family. After comparing it was obvious that John was taking items off the shelves, charging it to the company workers, then who knows what he did with the commodities.
Joel had two security men working for the mill on each shift. He called them in the office and gave them instructions to bring John Sharpen and his wife to the office. In case he runs, keep the wife, he told them.
Joel sat at his desk looking at the production figures. He'd almost forgotten about the crisis when his secretary knocked on his door. Joel opened the door and there stood John and is wife Mary. Joel told them to sit down and after he glared at John, he said, "Why, John?"
John, hat in hand, twirled the hat while leaning his arms on his legs. He knew the gig was up. "I just didn't make enough or we didn’t have enough to feed my family. We have five boys who eat a lot. At first it was just a can here or a potato there, but after awhile we began to have money left over to spend. By then it was too late to stop. I knew it was wrong and I also knew I would be caught. I'm glad it's over and now I can sleep again at night. I hope my prison term is not long, but I'm ready to accept my punishment."
Joel sat there satisfied he had guessed what happened. The problem stemmed not for people being dishonest, but from lack of education. He wasn't sure what the literacy rate was, but he guessed 95% couldn't read nor write. He'd already decided that he needed a general manager who would keep an eye on things like that in the future. Now what was he to do with John and his family? If he charged him then five kids and wife would likely go hungry. Of course he would lose his store job, but John could read and write.
Joel decided to ask him this question, "John, would you be willing to work off what you stole a little each month until the books are even?"
"I'll do whatever you say Mr. Stanten."
"Okay, I'll put you to work in New York City at my shipyards. You'll be watched closely. I hope I make myself clear. I'm giving you a chance to pay back from your fellow man what you stole. May God forgive you John?"
Bessie was so proud of the way Joel handled the problem. She said, "You're a good guy husband. At least a fai
r man. Oh, by the way, I got a letter from momma and she said, Beth is coming for a visit. I remember what you told me about Rex abusing her, but I forgot the rest of the story. I was too excited about making love at that time. Tell me again what happened."
"Well, as I understand it, he was out riding his horse when a rattler spooked the horse. He was not able to stay on the horse and fell off backwards hitting his head on a rock. It killed him instantly." He gave off a slight grin and said, "It was a tragic accident. There was a large turnout at the cemetery. Your sister is a rich women now Bessie dear. But not as rich as I am with a beauty like you as my wife."
-XI-
1890
Joel was thirty eight years old and Joel Junior was fourteen. Jane Beth was ten years old. Life was good. Business was even better. Joel had hired an overall General Manager of both the steel mill and the shipyards. Joel and family moved to New York to live for awhile and to actively increase an already profitable import and export business.
They left their house in Mable's good hands. Clinton Stillwater, forty six years old ran the steel and ship business with a fair but iron hand. He was part Native American. He'd come highly recommended from his lawyer Jess Boomer.
At first Bessie was reluctant to move to New York City. She thought their kids would be spoiled there. However, Junior was a carbon copy of his father and Jane Beth was a handful sometimes. It would seem she took after her aunt Beth more than anyone else. She could be best described as talkative, stubborn, and rebellious and more than a little spoiled being the youngest; and a girl. Her father was the guilty one spoiling her.
They lived in Manhattan next to Central Park. Both kids went to private schools. Junior did fine, but his sister bask in glory being a rich kid. At only ten years old, both parents realized something must be done.
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