Tom Hatch was a contractor in Arizona in the 1890's.
In 1899 his wife passed away leaving seven children.
He had a contract to supply mine props for a mining
company. The timber was to be cut on the Blue River.
He had twenty-five, six horse teams working and making
about $3000.00 per month. It was during this time that his
wife died. The gov't declared his working area a National
Park, so he had to leave one whole winter's work in the
park. He tried all legal means to get the props out, but to
no avail. He gathered up his children and went to Logan,
Utah where his father lived, but saw no prospects there.
In September, 1901, the family moved to Stirling. My
mother, Chloe, the oldest girl cared for the tamily as best
she could at 15 years of age.

In the spring of 1902 Tom got a contract to break 200
acres for John A. Wolfe in Spring Coulee so we moved
there. He then bought one and a half sections from Mr.
Wolfe. In 1903 his crop was excellent, but his son Ron
(Lorenzo), that winter lost his leg from an injury. "So
that broke my heart again," said Thomas.

In the fall of 1904 he sold his land to W.L.Thompson,
both transactions were at $10.00 per acre. Then he
moved to a homestead in Brant, Alberta. He farmed
there until 1937 when he moved to Cardston.

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