Synopsis: Jason Crowley lost both his parents to the grip in January, 1867. Suddenly, he was responsible for his little brother, William, who was 7 years old. Jason was but 19 years old himself and he had been accustomed to working with his Pa in the machine shop of Walter Brothers Steam Tractor Company of Stockton, California. They lived in a rented house that belonged to Jeffery Walter. Mr. Walter told Jason they could continue to live there until spring, but then the Crowley Brothers would have to move on. Jason had only the mechanical skills his Pa had taught him, he was frantic, how was he going to support himself and Willy?