Hyrum Dam - The Hansen Widow's House

One day as I was mailing a letter home to Mother I heard a small full grown lady ahead of me in the waiting line say to another person in line. “We have been trying to take in roomers but so far no one has called or asked us about the rooms.: Immediately I stepped from the line and approached her and said, “I heard you talking about having rooms for rent.” She answered “yes I have.” Her name was Hansen. She was about 5’3” tall and old, maybe in the 70s. How could she handle four rough construction men? I was informed that her daughter and her daughter’s husband lived with her. Finding where she lived, I made and appointment for the three drivers and myself to visit her home that evening. Her home was a two storied rock construction building. It was near pioneer vintage. All the rooms were small. She was still cooking with wood and coal; using ice for refrigeration; heating with coal but the place had modern plumbing; basins, toilets and bath tubs. The four of us decided to try the upstairs two bedrooms. They each had two twin beds. So; Scrap Iron, Big Blondie, Clyde and I moved in. It turned out to be just like home. The little lady was just like a mother to us. He cooking reminded me of home; the cheery fire for the approaching fall was more than welcome. The beds were always clean as was the house. Except when they would get drunk the hard nosed truck drivers were an epitome of politeness in that wonderful little ladies home. Since I knew of Blondie’s spending habits I would collect the little Ladies rent from him on payday, before he started to drink away his paycheck. Besides the good home feeling we had we were now able to walk downtown; go to a movie; play pool at the pool hall; and visit with the neighbors on the way.