V. K.J. Malone, 1924

Longtime resident dies after relating a ghost of a tale

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of longtime resident Ed Thomas.  A former resident of Wyoming, Mr. Thomas lived in the northern Salt Lake valley for twenty-four years.  I happened to interview Mr. Thomas shortly before his passing and he related a remarkable tale of the circumstances that brought him here.  It is a fantastical tale not for the faint of heart for Mr. Thomas claimed to yours truly the means he was able to purchase his magnificent home with acres filled with every kind of fruit tree was none other than a ghost.  That’s right, dear reader, Mr. Thomas insisted he owed his small fortune to other worldly means. Continue reading →

IV. Ed Thomas, 1899

Ed Thomas was a practical man.  He also wasn’t stupid and didn’t trust Dave Lewis one bit.  Even though Dave said to meet at 10:00 p.m. he arrived at 9:45.  At 10:15 he assumed Dave chickened out.  He had wondered if Dave’s greed or cowardice would win out.  Go figure, his chicken heart trumped his avarice. Continue reading →

III. Quong Fat, 1885

Quong Fat was born in China poor.  He was determined to die in China rich.  In order to meet that goal he traveled to America to earn his fortune.  So far, by extreme discipline and frugal living he was close to achieving his goal.  Actually, by some other person’s standards, he had achieved his goal. And others would even say he exceeded his goal. Continue reading →

II. Dave Lewis, 1899

Dave Lewis was not a particularly agreeable man.  Most of the miners didn’t like him but that suited him just fine.  He didn’t like them so he didn’t lose any sleep.  If his parents hadn’t up and died when he was seven he wouldn’t be stuck working in the mines anyway.  His one personality talent his father bestowed on him was the ability to grovel and suck up when needed to and he had rose in rank to pit boss.  From his momma he was blessed him with a good sense of reality.  This was as far as he expected to climb the ladder.  He was keenly aware of his limits.  That didn’t keep him from daydreaming about making it rich and settling somewhere on a ranch where he could grow fruit trees.  Lots of fruit trees.  Far away from the dry, dusty high mountain desert he was presently stuck in. Continue reading →

I. Kit Malone, 1924

Kathryn Jane Malone, although the only time she better hear her full name is if she was in trouble, otherwise, you better call her Kit, wiped the sweat off her brow.  Of course her boss Mickey sent her on a fool’s errand for this story.  That’s what she felt like, a fool.  It wasn’t easy for a woman to break into the newspaper business but Kit was a determined sort.  All she needed was a break.  Even a bad one.  That’s why she jumped at the chance to chase down an old miner for the sake of a possible byline.  Imagine, her name in the paper.  Or the gender neutral K.J. Malone to fool the readers into thinking they were reading a story by a male reporter.  But she would know the truth.  If Mickey honored his word, this byline would be hers.  First though, she needed to get the story. Mickey sent her to get a ghost story of all things.  What a ridiculous thing to report.  No wonder Mickey relegated it to a woman.  None of his precious male reporters wanted touch it. She knew full well she was his scape-goat but she was determined to turn this lemon into lemonade. Continue reading →