"Hansen, Mrs. Hansen and Little Jack" written on back.
Photograph taken in San Sebastian, El Salvador, in Central America
between 1912-13. Is John riding Fanny the mule?
My great grandfather, John Hartwig Hansen, boarded the steamship "City of Para" in San Francisco and sailed for the Central American port of La Union on June 25th, 1910. He was on his way to take a job as a mining foreman for the San Sebastian Mine owned and operated by the Pullinger and Butters Co. He spent three years there and eventually wrote (in story form) of his many adventures in San Sebastian. The family has his original manuscript, as well as his letters from various editors declining the stories for publication (but that is another story)...
The Morning Union June 23, 1910
Grass Valley, California
Cousin Gay Hansen Sandberg transcribed and edited his manuscript into a book many years ago, and it remains a unique family treasure. In his memoirs John told of his many adventures from almost drowning in a raging river during a rain storm to being given death threats by the locals. He related stories of native wildlife from mules to monkeys to iguanas to scorpions. We were told of murder in the mine and chaos at the cantina.
When you read his stories you get the feel of his ability as a story teller. He wrote with lots of description, emotion and a subtle sense of humor. You can almost hear him chuckling in the background. You wouldn't believe that he came to America in the 1880's speaking only Norwegian!
He was a natural storyteller all of his life. I have written extensively about his family and adventures (see the links on the right for John Hartwig Hansen and Bad Monkey). It is always fun to revisit his stories. This story today is taken from his memoirs, and tells us how his wife Vere (he calls her Clara in the story) and small son Jack arrived in La Union for an extended visit to San Sebastian. The photographs taken of the family during this time make this story extra special. Enjoy!
John Hartwig Hansen wrote....
"House where author lived" written on back
(enlarged) John Hansen on left with little Jack seated. Vere put her gardening skills to use and grew flowers in her temporary home, and saved seeds as well to take back home to Grass Valley. John called her the "Central American Botanist". Until that fateful day when the army ants ate everything up. But that's another story.
Jack Hansen contracted Panama Fever on the way to El Salvador. He thankfully recovered.
The Morning Union August 3, 1912 (Grass Valley, California)
Morning Union, 6 August, 1912 LITTLE JOHN HANSEN RECOVERS FROM FEVER...Another letter has been received in this city from Salvador in which the news is given that little John (Jack) Hansen has recovered from the attack of fever which the little fellow suffered while en route on the steamer for Salvador. He was a very sick boy for awhile, but treatment he received by the boat physician and also upon his arrival caused the fever to leave and Mrs. Hansen stated in her letter that the lad was able to run about as usual. Mrs. Hansen and child will visit with Mr. Hansen at Salvador for several months.
John Hartwig Hansen wearing his wide Panama hat. San Sebastian, El Salvador. 1910-1913.
John Hansen, Vere Hansen and Jack Hansen. John gave the parakeet to his son Jack. The bird could say a few words in Spanish (!) Vere did not want the bird come home to Grass Valley with Jack (but what exactly happened to the poor bird is another story).
San Sebastian, El Salvador 1912-1913
Postcard of the San Sebastian mine 1910 to 1913
Vere and Jack stayed almost 8 months with John, enjoying parties, dances, receptions and moonlight rides through the jungle. When the president of El Salvador was assassinated in February of 1913 and martial law declared, the Hansens thought it was time to head for home. On the day of their departure they threw silver coins to the locals and Jack's little friends he had made. But getting out of the country was another story....
When John Hansen left for El Salvador, my great grandmother Vere was pregnant with my grandfather Harold, who was born in October of 1910. She was staying with her three boys at her mother's home in Oakland. What possessed her to take her oldest son and join her husband for almost 8 months in the wild jungles of Central America? They must have missed each other very much. And Vere must have had a great sense of adventure just like her husband. But what an adventure!
Relationship Reference:
Me->Margaret Hansen Boothby->Harold Hansen (older brothers Robley and Jack)->John Hartwig Hansen m. Clara Vere Burrows Hansen
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