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Asa and a partner secured title to the Joanna C. Hutchinson claim at Lime Creek in Pitkin County and he invested in other areas, apparently with no greater success than the typical speculator.  Then, with so much of his money in Colorado mining operations, Asa may have felt threatened by labor unrest among the mine workers, which showed itself just as he got back from Lynn.

On May 26, a strike began at Leadville.   By evening, it was estimated that 5,000 men were involved in the action and another 8,000 were staying home from work.  The largest mines were put under heavy guard.  The prevailing wages for Leadville mine workers ranged from $3 to $3.50 a day.  Strikers demanded an increase to $4 and an eight-hour day.

"At noon yesterday,"  according to one news report,  "the mine managers and superintendents held a meeting, and, acting largely under instructions from New-York, resolved positively not to accede to the strikers' demands.  Yesterday morning a large body of miners attempted to drive away the guards at the Chrysolite Mine, in order that they might get possession of the pumps, and, by stopping them, allow the water to flood the mines. . . .   [F]ears are entertained that it is only a commencement of violence.  The business men met yesterday morning, and took measures toward organizing a Committee of Safety."

Breastworks were erected in front of the Chrysolite and Little Chief mines and the main buildings were fortified.  Unknown parties responded to these military preparations with sniper fire at the guards.   A stalemate between the mine owners, on the one hand, and the Miners', Mechanics' and Laborers' Protective Association, on the other, seems to have followed.

On June 11, local authorities and business people agreed to close commercial establishments at 10 AM the next day.  Ten companies of 100 men each formed, armed with Winchester rifles; and, accompanied by another 500 people, they paraded the streets.  500 strikers were assembled in front of the Leadville Chronicle office.  When the militia arrived, strike leader Michael Mooney told them to go home and act like men.  The sheriff arrested him.  Not much later, the crowd dispersed.  In the afternoon, a group of strikers who were gathered near the Clarendon Hotel began hooting at members of the militia.  The cavalry was ordered to charge, though no shots were fired during this engagement.

On June 14, Provost Marshall J. L. Pritchard ordered the closing of all saloons and dance halls until further notice.  He declared it unlawful for citizens to gather to discuss issues related to the strike and for anyone, other than members of the militia, to carry weapons.  Only militia members and mine foremen were permitted on the streets after 10 PM.

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Anyone without visible means of support, according to Dennett, was rounded up and marched by his father into a "Bull Pen."  There they were examined; and those who were found guilty were taken to the city limits and told to "Get out and stay out."  "This morning," said a published source, speaking of Asa,  "I saw him with fixed bayonet and musket at right shoulder marching down the street, escorting a half dozen law-breakers to the guard house."

In 1940, mindful of a war that was raging in Europe, Oliver Dennett Hutchinson wrote a letter to his daughter Bess which focused on his own military history.  He recalled his mother's brother, Seth C. Chace, marching off to take part in the Civil War; and he spoke of becoming, at that time, a  "militant youngster."  He thought back further to being in Lawrence, Kansas, the day after it was sacked.

A few years after moving to Minnesota, Dennett organized the first state militia company in Hutchinson, while Asa served as bondsman for that outfit.  Dennett was a student during fall, winter, and spring school terms at the Red Wing Collegiate Institute, where an officer of the United States Army was in charge and where Dennett enjoyed receiving military training.  He spoke of the 1880 Leadville strike as the next event in his military experience.

Labor agitators, who were not affiliated with any union as Dennett understood it, came to Leadville.   A strike followed.  Asa and Dennett attended a meeting which was called by leading citizens of Leadville.  During this gathering, news arrived that shaft houses on the outskirts of town were being set on fire; and the Hutchinsons were among the first to respond to the Lake County sheriff's call for a volunteer posse.

The next day, martial law was imposed.   Dennett, who had been sworn in to the state militia, was among the few who had been issued army equipment.  So he was among the leaders of a parade which had been organized as a show of opposition to the strike.  Many of those who followed carried such implements as pitchforks and ax handles.

A crowd which was sympathetic to the strike was ordered at least twice to disperse.   At the start of the anti-strike parade, members of the militia with rifles were ordered to load and to fix bayonets.  After the second call for the crowd to disperse, horsemen rode up and down the avenue, thus clearing the street of people.  Evidently the point was,  Get out of the street or risk being trampled.  Next, a gunshot was said to be heard.  It was then that strikers  -  and maybe others who supported the strike  -  without visible means of support were marched to the bull pen and put on trial.  While Asa was busy there, it was learned that Dennett had some military training.  So, he became a drill sergeant.  Later, the governor appointed him to the rank of major in the state militia.

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This complex incident is quite troubling  -  from the immediate, military-style reaction to the strike, followed by the suppression of the right of free speech and assembly, on the one hand, to sniper fire at guards, shaft houses being torched, and the attempt to flood mines, on the other.

The people of Leadville who were caught between the main parties to this strike must have been under tremendous pressure.  If the biggest investors were to shut down operations, as had been rumored and threatened, the life's work of local merchants, real estate investors, other business people, and possibly even many homeowners could become practically worthless overnight.

Asa had invested in Leadville mines and real estate, and his associates included many of the city's business leaders.  He was friends with managers of large mines, such as the Chrysolite, and he seems to have accepted the characterization of the Leadville strikers and strike supporters as  "law breakers"  and the characterization of those who opposed the strike as  "citizens."  And with the imposition of martial law came the closing of saloons, striking a blow locally against King Alcohol.

Lewis Campbell was a leader of a company of forty men who struck out for Santa Fé in the spring of 1880 to prospect for mines and acquire lands.  This enterprise was funded for six months and would continue if successful.

The Campbells sold their household effects, taking only the essentials.  The wives of the company's officers set up housekeeping in their adobes, while the men went out to seek their fortunes.  But when the president of the company came back to Santa Fé on business, he said it looked like the operation would fold.  It had quickly turned from promising to disappointing.  And as was often the case, John sent money to his daughter's family.

On the first day of 1881, John started on a singing trip with Walter Kittredge.  Then on March 4, in company with Abby and Ludlow, he attended the inauguration of President Garfield.  That summer, John opened a café in Stone Cottage, placing Henry in charge.  The family sang often on behalf of temperance.

John got a message saying if he wanted to see David alive, he must hurry to Milford.  Late that evening, he reached the village hotel.  Standing on the piazza, he saw a wagon coming.  David was driving.  John rushed over and said,  "David, I came to bury you."   "Get right in here," said his oldest brother cheerfully.

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On Monday, August 29, 1881, David Hutchinson died.   Joshua spoke of him as having  "a remarkable executive talent;"  and the Farmers' Cabinet said he was  "a well-to-do farmer, of indomitable will."  Brother David made his presence felt, and no doubt his influence was great on his brothers and sisters.

David was buried in the lot on North River Road in Milford on the following Monday  -  a beautiful autumn day.  Joshua's health must have been considerably improved, for he joined John, Abby, and Ludlow, singing  "No Tear in Heaven"  and  "The Shining Shore."

Years ago the other brothers and sister  -  but not David  -  released their interest in the Milford homestead to Rhoda.  Late in life, he said,  "Rhoda, all things will be well when I go away."  In his will, David released his interest to his sister.

On Sunday, September 18, 1881, Rhoda died, having suffered for a long time with a spinal ailment.  "Possessing a high contralto,"  said Joshua,  "and a good physical constitution, her voice was strong and melodious, having a flexibility most rare.  Ever when in health was she singing while at her household duties, and the voices of Mother and Rhoda were blended in sweet duets, resounding through the old mansion. . . . "

Rhoda Gray was buried at the North River Road cemetery on the following Tuesday.   "The same quartet,"  said John,  "sang the same songs at her funeral."

Joshua said that  "physicians and others had pronounced [ him ] to be in the last stages of consumption and incurable."  He said he had been  "raised from a protracted sickness"  by use of Rock Brake Compound, "A Specific for All Throat and Lung Difficulties," in a personal testimonial in an advertisement for that product.  Either way, he was out of his death bed and singing again.

That fall, John led a seven-member troupe that toured as far as Bangor, Maine.   P. T. Barnum sent their business agent a remarkable letter of reference.  "The celebrated and honored Hutchinson Family always give a most excellent entertainment, which pleases all classes, and exercises a mighty influence for good. . . . To indorse them as the best of entertainers and philanthropists is as superfluous as a certificate to the sun for its warmth and brightness."  John's family sang quartets such as  "The Lord Is My Shepherd" by Greatorex,  "The Old Church Bell,"  and  "We're With You Once Again."  With contralto Florence Holmes and tenor Isaac Littlefield, Henry and Lillie sang pieces such as  "The Sea Hath Its Pearls"  by Pinsuti and  "La Festa"  by Gabussi.  Jennie Belle Neal played piano and gave dramatic readings, and individual members of the group sang their characteristic solos.

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About this time, Dennett moved back to Hutchinson.   He enjoyed the Leadville boomtown adventure; but by now it must have seemed that no one in the family would be making a fortune there.  With Carrie Wescott, Alice Logan, a bass named Guise, and Nellie as accompanist, Dennett's troupe began singing its way across country, evidently with Asa traveling on ahead.

A history of Minnesota's McLeod County said, speaking of Dennett in 1881,

Asa's activities, following his return to Leadville in March 1881, included many social events and outings.  On March 12, he was given a surprise birthday party, complete with music and dancing.  After Asa told the story of his trip to the East, he added,  "I was glad to return to my mountain home  -  the dearest place on earth to me."  On May 13, members celebrated the first anniversary of the Apollo Club at its rooms on East 6th Street and at a banquet that followed.   A local paper said Asa was largely responsible for making it the most popular music organization in the city.

By summer, Asa was joined by singer-songwriter James G. Clark.   In July, he was visited by his daughter Abby and her son Sammy.  On the 27th, they set out with a party to the Holy Cross region, looking for mining sites under the guidance of mediums.  "Father Hutchinson's face and voice,"  said Clark,  "were full of geniality and good cheer morning, noon and night."  Twelve claims were located and the prospects were judged good, though no actual mineral was discovered.  Most important is that the members of the party had fun together.  They went home on August 5.

In the late summer and early fall, the marriage of Asa and Joanna came undone.   They leased their house and split up, going back to their old homes.  Joanna returned to Leadville around the middle of 1882 and began operating the family home on East 4th Street as the Hutchinson House, a boarding establishment.  Then in December, she traveled to Minnesota to spend the winter with Asa.  It seems this visit was a happy one.  Apparently Joanna went on ahead and Asa left for Leadville in the spring.

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Asa was back in Minnesota in the summer and fall of 1883.   Probably he went, in part, to be with his daughter Abby, whose health was poor.  Samuel G. Anderson had a new job in the nation's capital; and he and Abby, with Asa, left for there late in the year.  Abby Anderson was to receive medical treatment, evidently at Washington.

The early days of 1883 were cheerless,  as Brother Joshua's health grew worse again.   On January 21,  he died.

"Joshua,"  said John,  "was a clothier, carding, dyeing, and weaving wool into cloth fabrics."  At one time he was a farmer; at another he was a storekeeper.  Always he was a musician.  His reputation as a performer rested mostly on his solo work.  He sang in the old quartet when needed, and at times he was called on to serve as their agent.  He sang in various other ensembles with his brothers and sisters, and he toured with Walter Kittredge and Judson's daughter Kate.  "His voice,"  said Kate,  "was very sweet. . . .   He sang from his very soul."  His Brief Narrative is a valuable record of Hutchinson family history.   A choir leader, a singing-school master, Joshua was a versatile man.  He had a wonderful career.

Joshua taught the younger members of the family in his singing schools and in the church choir; and he encouraged their efforts, not unlike a proud parent.  If not for Brother Joshua,  it is doubtful that nineteenth-century Americans would have had the Hutchinson Family singers to entertain and inspire them;  and it is unlikely that we would have their memory to amuse and intrigue us.  It must have been with particular sadness that the Hutchinsons sang this song, so closely connected with Joshua:

Joshua's funeral was held at Milford's Congregational Church on the 25th.  John and Henry sang  "The Lord Is My Shepherd,"  and they were joined by Abby, singing  "No Night There."  At the close of the service, the family sang  "We Are Almost Home."  Joshua Hutchinson was buried in the Union Street Cemetery at Milford, New Hampshire.