The HMR railway was a successful narrow gauge operation serving the mining area around the town of Chanexa. Through daring investments and common sense management it stayed in operations while many similar railways went bankrupt. The railway, mining district, and local town all had a history that was interwoven as was typical of mining towns and mining railways.
The railway was founded by Harry Wade. Harry worked for the mighty Union Pacific Railway drafting sidings and providing estimates to businesses along the UP right of way. In 1898 he drafted plans for a short line railway to connect a mining district in the Colorado Mountains to the UP branch line at Chanexa. The UP decided not to pursue this line as it was too risky and did not fit their focus of moving heavy freight across the Midwest. As the mining area grew it became desperate for transportation. Harry saw too much of an opportunity and left the UP to start the railway. Harry founded the railway with his son Martin as the H&M Railway. Martin led the general operations and expanded the railway as the mining needs rose.
The origin and main office of the H&M Railway were located in the town of Chanexa. One notable member of the town was Pastor Roger Hett. He not only was the pastor of the town church but also saw to the needs of the miners. He made frequent trips into the mining district. He was so well received that the local miners wanted to recognize him in the name of their mining district. Pastor Hett was a humble man and was uncomfortable with this recognition, but the miners kept asking. Finally, Pastor Hett allowed them to use the middle name of his daughter Lora and the Lee Mining District was named. Pastor Hett’s wife Rosalie was also notable as she founded the town’s one room schoolhouse. Harry’s wife Beverly was the town seamstress.
As the town of Chanexa, the Lee Mining District, and the H&M Railway grew together, it was not surprising to see the key families of Wades and Hetts come together as Martin Wade married Lora Hett in 1911. They had two children Ryan and Amanda. The Lee name was even carried forward as Amanda’s middle name. Lora also worked with her mother Rosalie in the town school which had grown as well. Lora’s brothers also joined the Mining District starting the Stevenson Mine and Davidson Mine. Martin’s brother Jeffrey was the Head Chef at the famous Harvey House in Jackson. Jackson was the main stop on the UP main line and was the origin of the Branch freight and passenger lines that served Chanexa. Lora’s younger sister Kristin married Jeremy Wrolstad. Soon after, Jeremy opened the J&K Stamp Mill. The Stamp mill was a great success as it allowed local processing of the mine ore.
The H&M Railway weathered the storms of time through WWI, the depression, and the rise and fall of mineral prices. As time went by Amanda and Ryan grew in age and responsibilities. Amanda joined Beverly and opened a fashionable clothing store with Beverly sewing Amanda’s creations. Ryan worked on the Railway in many capacities and soon became the Chief Engineer. At this time the H&M was renamed as the HMR Railway. The local mining community quickly gave it the name “Hammer Railway”. This name stuck as it resounded well with both the hard working miners and with the solid consistent performance of the railway.