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Member Societies and their secretaries are responsible for seeing that the correct address for their society is up-to-date. Please send any change to both the Treasurer and the Editor at the addresses inside the back cover The Annual Return as at October 31st should include telephone numbers for contact.

Members’ dues for the year 1988/89 were paid by the following Members Societies:

Alberni District Historical Society, Box 284, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M7 Atlin Historical Society, P0. Box 111, Atlin, B.C. VOW lAO BCHF - Gulf Island Branch, c/o Marian Worrall, Mayne Island, VON2J0 BCHF - Victoria Section, do Charlene Rees, 2 - 224 Superior Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1T3 Burnaby Historical Society, 4521 Watling Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5J 1V7 Chemainus Valley Historical Society, P0. Box 172, Chemainus, B.C. VOR 1KO Cowichan Historical Society, P0. Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2 District 69 Historical Society, PC. Box 3014, Parksville, B.C. VOR 2S0 East Kootenay Historical Association, P0. Box 74, Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4H6 Golden & District Historical Society, Box 992, Golden, B.C. VOA1HO Laclysmith Historical Society, Box 11, Ladysmith, B.C. VOR 2EO Lantzville Historical Society, Box 501, Lantzville, B.C. VOR 2HO Nanaimo Historical Society, PC, Box 933, Station ‘A’,Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 North Shore Historical Society, 623 East 10th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2E9 North Shuswap Historical Society, PC. Box 22, Celista, B.C. VOE 1LO Princeton & District Pioneer Museum and Archives, Box 687, Princeton, B.C. vox iWO Qualicum Beach Historical & Museum Society, do Mrs. Cora Skipsey, PC. Box 352, Qualicum Beach, B.C. VOR 2TO Saltspring Island Historical Society, P0. Box 705, Ganges, B.C. VOS lEO Sidney and North Saanich Historical Society, PC. Box 2404, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3Y3 Silvery Slocan Historical Society, PC. Box 301, New Denver, B.C. VOG 150 Trail Historical Society, P0. Box 405, Trail, B.C. Vi R 4L7 Vancouver Historical Society, P0. Box 3071, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6

Affiliated Groups B.C. Museum of Mining, P0. Box 155, Britannia Beach, B.C. VON 1JO City ofWhite Rock Museum Archives Society, 1030 Martin Street, White Rock, B.C. V4B 5E3 Fort Steele Heritage Park, Fort Steele, B.C. VOB 1NO The Hallmark Society, 207 Government Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 2K8 Nanaimo Centennial Museum Society, 100 Cameron Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2X1

Second Class registration number 4447

Published fall, winter, spring, and summer by the British Columbia Historical Federation, PC. Box 35326, Station E, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 4G5. A Charitable Society recognized under the Income Tax Act. Subscriptions: Institutional, $16.00 per year; Individual (non-members), $8.00. Financially assisted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture through the British Columbia Heritage Trust and British Columbia Lotteries.

Back issues of the British Columbia Historical News are available in microform from Micromedia Ltd., 158 Pearl St., Toronto, Ontario M5H iL3 - Micromedia also publishes the Canadian Magazine Index and the Canadian Business Index.

Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL NEWS

Volume 23, No. 2 Journal of the B.C. Historical Federation Spring, 1990

Editorial Contents We are deeply indebted to a Kelowna resi Features Page dent, Winston A. Shilvock, for making the “Okanagan Special” possible. This gentle 0 Table of Contents & Editorial 1 man introduced himself in August 1988 as “a Camp Fairview friend of the 0 Historical News” He has con- by Hester E. White 5 tributed articles, and advice, for previous is- 0 OHS Reports #12 (1946) 59-66 sues and now has collected articles, illustra- p. tions and fillers which are presented in the 0 Brief History of the Town of Oliver following pages. 0f’ by Constance Seeley 7 Many of the stories are new, and a few are favorites from annual Reports of the 0 0 Appreciation - Leonard Norris Okanagan Historical Soddy, which the cur- by 8 rent editor, Bob Cowan selected. The execu- 0 Margaret Ormsby tive of the Okanagan Historical Society has OHS Reports #11(1945) p. 15-19 graciously granted permission to the B.C. 0 Vernon Celebrates Historical News to print these articles in the 0 by Edna Oram 10 Spring 1990 edition. The source of each arti- OHS Reports #47 (1983) 29-30 cle from OHS Reports is indicated beside the 0 p. authors name in the table of Contents on this Soldiers of the Soil page. Naomi Miller 0 by William Ruhmann 11 0 OHS Reports #47 (1983) p. 68-76 Map of the Okanagan on page Penticton - The Beginning by A. David MacDonald 14 On to Okanagan in Cartoons Cover Credit: by E.A. Harris 15

The John Innes painting “H.B.Co. Fur / The Okanagan - Nicola Connections of the 1830’s Brigade Passing Okanagan Lake” is repro- by R.C. Harris 16 duced with permission from the Native Daughters of B.C. who sell postcards of this Armstrong: From Celery to Cheese and other B.C. historical scenes at the Old 0 by Judy Riemche 19 Hastings Mill Museum in Vancouver 0 The Role of Enderby in Early Okanagan History The H.B.Co. collected ffirs from throughout 0 New Caledonia. The Brigade started from by Bob Cowan 21 Fort Alexandria, paused at Fort Kamloops Commando Bay where great bands of horses 0 were maintained 23 to serve as fresh mounts and pack animals. by Winston Shilvock They travelled across dun-colored hills, 0 Private Schools in the Okanagan passed Grand Prairie (Westwold) to the 0 by Winston Shilvock 25 shores of Lake Okanagan. The travellers skirted the west side of the lake and followed 0 John Moore Robinson the Okanagan River to Fort Okanogan, where 04 by Shilvock 26 the horses would be pastured and the brigade Winston took to boats for the trip down the Columbian 0 Development of the Orchard Industry 1890-1940 River to Fort Vancouver 0 by David Dendy 28 At the head of the annual brigade, following OHS Reports #38 (1974) 68-73 the guides, rode the Chief Factor of the dis- 0 p. trict. Custom dictated that he wear a high 0 Gems from the Archives 31 beaver hat, collar to the ears, ruffled shirt, 0 and a coat of dark blue or black. When camp 0 Writing Competition - 1989 32 was made, his fire was the first lighted; his News & Notes 33 tent the first erected; and when entering or 0 leaving a fort, three guns were fired as a sa- 0 Bk Sheff: Book Reviews lute in his honor The young man riding with the Chief Stein;TheWayoftheRiver-by orge Newell 35 Factor is James Douglas, who, at age 27, 0 36 was enroute to his posting to Fort Vancouver 0 in 1830. Writing Competition Guidlines Back Cover Manuscripts and correspondence for the editor are to be sent to P0. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB 2K0 Correspondence regarding subscriptions are to be directed to the subscription secretary (see inside back cover) B.C. Historical News 1

2

Ne B.C. Historical

reservations had Kamloops, been he the throughout where Okanogan Smith be could certain

had of the Douglas District from Cox George mark off Indian Cox proceeded eastward.” Now

Douglas they William of attended moved 1860, affairs. Indian to sume. The English Commission has

they registered In (Kettle) preemptions; land the River. Colville spring parallel l’ them committed, I pre

nues; Boundary public they the oversaw Creek into emptied works; rectify some error connected with the

jails; they where ten collected stream miles down government reve yesterday en Osoyoos route to to

police of minimum Rock miners assistance Creek at were and 500 and no passed through here (Rock Creek)

They ing kept there By May order law October 7, and 1860. a with American Commission Boundary

the of field the began gold min He Rock at Colonial Creek. Government. on 27, April 1861 find: we “The

Commissioners discovered the to agents were Similkameen Colville in their American companions.” Then

The Beam, strategically from travelling placed Adam Gold while 200 yards south those of built by

shortly. Canadian, In October a 1859 built their monuments more than

Keremeos. But 10,000 Fraser miners Haynes of on more River the the English Commissioners have

opened estimated newly it customs were that was there port of 1860 he wrote: “I that also perceive

Collector of Deputy of end and cret Customs May the by was out the at mentions them. On December 9,

se amcalHaynes Carmichael who 1858 in became the Company. However marking the boundary. Cox Twice

The assistant ties. Bay to was Hudson’s by be the Indians John surveying 49th the Parallel and

with his sistance administrative native from discreetly du chased Boundary Commissions were busy

Commissioner pur had been him and as promised before this gold even Creek American and British

him a made he work although for 1856 in Gold April Columbia While was Cox stationed at Rock

with impressed upper on been have the of Cox’s gold mention source of historical detail.

Douglas to Victoria. way must back official his had first made Douglas any. Such are dispatches a rich

he Hope 5 on was October his at Secretary and es, settlement state the of if

next miners of company day. Colonial By the Young, WA.G. and and fauna, soil timber and resourc

he addressed 25 September Police; a where of Inspector Brew, Chartres tures, geographical features, flora

Rock Douglas at Creek arrived on Judge; Begbie, Baillie Matthew the state of country: climatic fea

ried including 1857. in from in posts major Hope the cers for but also reported on the general

he scions grown car had which offi selected from Government Imperial not only dealt current business with

apple of orchard Smith’s progress the Bay Company, Hudson’s to the Colonial in Secretary he which

monitor able Douglas the to was connection the his with sever he ed write to frequent full reports and

in Perhaps American. 1860 that proviso the Governoi its with A Gold was Commissioner expect

in British was territory land or Douglas and colony a become ficially July 4!

not knowing his Lake of whether yoos territory had and Once the order. written at Rock Creek and dated

the shores settle of on cided to Soo keep to law and British sovereignty the government Cox’s report with

Smith In Okanogan. de had 1855 assert to Victoria at Company was dated June 30 was and sent to

and Fort between Fort Hope Bay Hudson’s Factor the of Chief serve at h head the of Okanagan Lake

the Bay Company Hudson’s mail for and Island Vancouver of Governor The Indians. sketch re of map the

Smith) (Okanogan who as a carried had in him powers vested the Okanagan in consultation the with

Hiram he F if visited Smith dering all had used rush, gold California

1831-18&S Haynes, John Carmichael help One Osoyoos. cannot at won 1849 of the aftermath the in north

24th 1846. Treaty was he By the in spread miners who of influx the by

of Boundary the Oregon signing alarmed Douglas, James fore that

subsequent be been to the developed However 1858. 2, even August

and Bay farm post Hudson’s had on Commons of House British

a 21 September at where Keremeos by the passed colony was crown a

region, visited stopping the Douglas Columbia British Bill making The

of fall 1860 the Governor In place. this very

from administered once interior was Okanagan.1

the and Similkameen the in on both southern Columbia’s British of whole

and collect licences, er’s customs the that realize and water sun, sand

keep sell law min and to order, was noigour enjoying visitors summer its or

to Rock Magistrate, he Creek where retirees resident of Osoyoos’s Few

Jean by Webber

Colonial Osoyoos that his land was in the United with enough food to get him to the In 1865 Haynes had the Customs States. Instructions were sent to Cariboo. Haynes was highly com house moved to a more central Cox and Haynes to see that the mended for his part by the Colonial location about one half a mile west of markers erected along the boundary Office but Cox was reprimanded and the bridge over the narrows. The were not interfered with.2 told that he personally would have original shake roof was to be replaced Cox, in his official reports, fre to pay for the horses he had let the by a shingle roof. A cellar was to be quently referred to the order and men keep. added as well as a section containing peace in the camp. One finds this In September 1861 Cox received a dining room, kitchen, two cells and rather surprising considering that in permission to build a Customs house a small room. This work was done the eighteen months or so of Cox’s at Osoyoos, This decision confirmed under contract by S.T. Marshall for posting at Rock Creek there was a the importance of the corridor to the $750. Again the great safe must shooting over a land dispute in central and northern interior which have been moved for we have Mrs. which the murderer escaped; the had been discovered by David Stuart Chrestenza Kruger’s dramatic knifing of a white man by an Indian in 1811 and used by the fur bri description of the fire which after which the Indian was captured gades of thirty-five years. The destroyed this second customs house and lynched at the traverse or ford building was to be made of logs, in 1878: “One day in April 1878, we at the south end of Osoyoos Lake; 20x30 feet and 10 feet high, chinked noticed the customs house on fire. the kidnapping of a miner’s child by and daubed, logs hewn outside and Mn Kruger jumped on a horse and an Indian (the child was rescued); in. The floor was to be of boards galloped over to assist, arriving just the drumming out of town of a nailed down. There were to be: one about the time when the Haynes young Englishman caught robbing good strong batten door with strong family became aware of the fire. The sluice boxes; and the forced depar door post and knob, two rooms with iron safe which Cox brought into Rock ture of a gambler only too ready to doors and knobs, four windows, two Creek in 1860 was in the house and relieve miners of their hard-earned with twelve lights and two with six. Haynes was much concerned about it gold. The cost was not to exceed 130 as it held a lot of money and all his By November 15, 1861 the rush pounds. The house was located at valuable papers. The safe weighed was all over. The miners had moved the north end of Osoyoos Lake on a about 1200 pounds, but my husband north to Mission Creek, Cherry knoll which afforded a commanding soon solved the problem. He was a Creek and even to the Cariboo, Cox view of trails on both sides of the big man, standing over six feet and was moved to a more active field. lake, not far from the present cemet weighing about 290 pounds, and so His deputy and assistant, Haynes, ery. he tumbled the safe end over end out remained. When Cox was moved from the dis through the door to a place of safety, John Carmichael Haynes arrived trict Haynes was made Gold fortunately, the joists and flooring from his native Ireland in Victoria on Commissioner. The great iron safe held. “ Christmas Day 1858. He was car weighing 1200 pounds which Cox In 1864 Haynes received an rying an introduction to Chartres had brought into Rock Creek by way appointment as Stipendiary Brew and testimonial letters from of the Dalles was moved down to the Magistrate. Gold had been the Mayor and Chief Magistrate of Osoyoos Customs house. discovered on Wild Horse Creek near the City of Cork. By the fall of 1859 Livestock, destined to be driven to today’s Fort Steele and an Haynes was Chief Constable at Yale the Cariboo over the old fur brigade undisciplined horde of miners had and was already being noticed for trail, was the principal customs rushed to the spot. Already one his efficiency and integrity. From item. Records for 1861 and 1862 murder had occurred. Haynes was Yale he was posted to Keremeos as show:3 dispatched to the East Kootenay to Deputy Customs Officer to man the establish order. The very day on Jan. 1 to Oct. 19, 1861 newly opened port. which his instructions arrived In April of 1861 Haynes reported Horses Cattle Mules Sheep Haynes set out with one man and to the Colonial Secretary that he 365 625 92 five horses. But how was one to get had seized sixteen horses laden with Oct. 19 to Apr. 30, 1862 there through what appeared to be a liquors, tobaccos, cigars, candles and 172 250 . trackless wilderness of mountains, other items useful for sale in the May 963 681 203 swift rivers and lakes? Haynes Cariboo all to the value of several June 1065 488 135 headed for Colville where he could get thousand dollars. The party, which July 461 1532 238 400 information from old Hudson’s Bay had avoided paying duty, were over Aug 141 163 82 646 Company hands. taken at Okanagan Falls. When an Sept 172 958 6 When Colonial Secretary Arthur N. appeal was made to Cox, the Gold Oct 54 53 . 325 Birch visited Wild Horse camp at the commissioner allowed the group to Nov 67 19 end of September he reported as keep one pack-horse and each man Dec 12 . .. . 3 follows: “I arrived within six weeks of to keep a horse and saddle along Mn Haynes’ residence in the district 3396 4817 778 1371

B.C. Historical News 3 to find the mining laws of the preemptions, an expanding task in no “Osoyoos”. Colony in full force, all customs the 1860’s. In 1866 when AL. After the sudden death of John duties paid, no pistols to be seen Fortune and three Overlander Qarmichael Haynes in 1888 and everything as quiet and orderly friends wished to stake preemptions temporary arrangements were made as it could possibly be in the most at Enderby they were told that they concerning his official duties. Then civilized district of the land, and must register with J.C. Haynes, in 1889 Theodore Kruger was made mitch to the surprise of many of the Gold Commissioner at Osoyoos.7 Customs Officer of Osoyoos and in miners who recalled the ear/v days In 1864 Sir James Douglas retired 1890 C.A.R. Lambly became of mining in the State of California. as Governor of the Crown Colonies of Government Agent. Lambly served Haynes’ accounts show that he has Vancouver Island and British at Osoyoos until 1898 at which time collected over sixteen thousand Columbia. The new administration the government office was moved to dollars between August 10th and wasted little time in cutting back the new and flourishing hard-rock September 30th, and which he kept Indian reserves as laid out by Cox mining community of Fairview. in a valise in his office. whom they believed to have been That move of the Provincial Agent One result of this report was the overly generous. Haynes, in 1865, to Fairview signalled the end of Governor Douglas appointed took to the field with Chief Nicola in Osoyoos’s glory days. Haynes a member of the Legislative attendance and negotiated is a educato,; former Council of British Columbia. A One report Jean Webber retired substantial cut-backs. president of further honour was conferred in editor ofthe O.H.S. Report and with sketch was written in his tent the Osoyoos / Oliver Branch ofthe Okanagan 1866 when Havnes was made a at the head of Okanagan Lake in Historical Society. Jean Webber won two County Court Judge, hence the the very late fall. Certificates ofMerit for Best Article in the widely used popular name, Judge In 1871 British Columbia entered B.C. Historical News - 1986, and Best Haynes. the Confederation of Canada. The Anthology in the B.C.H.F. Writing Competition for 1986. Another effect of the Wild Horse colonial ‘days were over. Colonial Creek strike was that, in order to officials became provincial agents. BIBLIOGRAPHY facilitate communication, a contract One change in 1871 which would was made with Edgar Dewdney to have been very noticeable in Osoyoos Colonial Papers, B.C. Provincial Archives Frase, Dorothy - A Short History and Diiption of extend his trail through the was the selling of the Hudson’s Bay Oyo. 1967 Sirnilkameen. over the Okanagan, Company posts in both Osoyoos and Fraser, George F - TheStoryofOsc’cx. 1952 Okanagan Historical Society through the Boundary country to the Kererneos to Barrington Price. Two &hRortl935); I2thReortl948: Kootenavs. Included in the contract years later Price sold the Osoyoos I5thRert 1951); l7thReport 1953). Ormsb3 Margaret A. - was the first bridge over the narrows store to Theodore Kruger who in Bsitish Columbia, a History 1958 of Osovoos Lake, a structure five 1884 became Osoyoos’s first Post Pethick. Derek. James Douglaa Servant of Two Emi*es feet in width with loose split rails for 1969 Master. Smith, Dorothy Blakey - a deck. During high water the loose After the fire of 1878 Haynes built James Douglaa Father of British Columbia. 1971 rails were removed and travellers a fine house on the east side of the walked the stringers while their lake, a house presently inhabited by FOOTNOTFS

horses swam.’ Doug and Dorothy Fraser. One I, OHS Report #17: p 49-56 No doubt it was the Dewdney trail room was used for an office. A 2. OHS #6: 198-199 3. Ibid and bridge which precipitated the provincial map published some time 4. OHS #6: 77 move of the Customs house to its after 1884 shows and names 5. G. Fraser p76 6. Ibid p 88 new location. A crossroads had been “Osoyoos Lake”, “Haynes Customs” 7. OHS #6: 276 established. In 1866 the Hudson’s at the location of the new house, but Bay Company, appreciating the change in circumstances, established a trading post just west of the bridge. Roderick Finlaison. Chief Factor, hired Theodore Kruger to manage the post. Kruger was born a British subject in Hanover which in 1829 belonged to the British crown, Now with the bridge, the Customs house and the trading post the foundations of the future town had House built on the east side of Osoyoos Lake Send Customs Ofl and Official Residence been laid. by John Carmichael Haynes 1878-1882. The destroyed by fire, 1878. As with Cox one of Haynes’s duties house as viewed from the south 1985. was the registration of land

B.C. Historical News 4 Camp Fairview

by Hester E. White

Years ago when “one-armed Reed’ by W. Poole and Evan Morris and of Reed Creek to wind around the and his partner; Ryan, placer min sold later to Patrick and Clemens; hill, was the stamp-mill. Blue ers came on the scene, a beautiful and the Tin Horn, the Smuggler; the House, the residence of the limpid stream frolicked down the Black Diamond and the Wild Horse. Stratheyre Mining Company’s repre gulch, casting a cooling freshness After the finding of several well- sentatives, Messrs. Atwood and upon all around, but revealing noth defined veins of gold ore, a large Reynolds, was on the eminence over ing of the hidden riches which it amount of English and American looking the quartz mill, and com passed on its way from its source capital was invested in the mines manded a beautiful panoramic view high up on the mountain-side. The and several stamp-mills were set of the Okanagan Valley to the name “Reed Creek” is the only evi up. The Stratheyre was an English south. It was the view here which dence left to show that they were company which sent out James caused the name “Fairview” to be the first to discover gold in this vicin Atwood and Harry Reynolds in chosen. From this point one could ity. In 1887 Fred Gwatkins and 1892, and which, on Atwood’s rec overlook Okanagan Valley, hemmed George Sheenan put in the first ommendation purchased Brown in by hills and mountains, with the stakes on the Stemwinder, which be Bear located in 1887 by George river meandering through the low came known as the discovery claim. Wilkinson and Joe Bromley. land, through Haynes Meadows and On the main ledges on the eastern For nearly twenty years the camp losing itself in the glistening waters side of a low range of mountains at Fairview flourished. In 1893 of Osoyoos Lake. At this time cattle separating the Okanagan and when a great amount of ore was pro were grazing here and there amidst Similkameen Valleys, 700 feet above duced at Fairview, there was consid sage-brush and grease-wood. the Okanagan River; a number of erable settlement. Starting up the Near the Blue House was the resi valuable claims were recorded. gulch in that year; one would be wel dence of Dr. Ben Boyce, the popular Indeed, the recording mining claims comed at its mouth by Mr. F.R. physician of the camp, who had been eventually extended over an area of Kline, owner of the Golden Gate brought to the west by the 30 miles, for many were staked un Hotel, a well-built log house of two Stratheyre Mining Company. der the old mining law which per stories. On the left side was Miner’s Farther up the road was W.T. mitted the location of extension Rest, owned and operated by Mr. Thompson’s store which carried a claims without requiring mineral to and Mrs. Evan Morris. It was here large stock of goods suitable for min be in sight. that many of the “cousin Jacks”, ers’ needs. Thompson was a It would be a useless effort to at Cornish miners would gather to “Boston Man” who had been around tempt to enumerate all claims. I have a rip-roaring time. Miner’s and mining camps since his boyhood. will mention the major holdings. prospector’s cabins would be found Past numerous shafts and tunnel There was the Stemwinder; the as one proceeded up the gulch. mouths of various mines was J. Morning Star; taken up in 1898 by Ahead, and situated at a sharp turn Moffatt’s Saloon. Still farther along Thomas Woodland, Steve Mangott, in the road, where it left the course was WT. Shatford’s store with RH. and Danny McEachern; the Evening Star held by Harry Rose who also had a fraction of the Morning Star and the August; the Rattler; first owned by H. Mankind who sold it to a company which put up a five- stamp mill, and which was later bought by the Stratheyre Mining Company; the Ontario owned by _1 Dune Carmichael; the Wynn M. owned by Harry Simpson; the Wide West which lay across the gulch from the Brown Bear, owned at first by Jon Stevens and Mat Hodder, I and eventually by the Stratheyre Company; the Joe Dandy, taken up The Big Teepee Hotel in Fairview.

B.C. Historical Ne 5 French in charge. At the head of the doctor was called to attend Old two tubs, and there was enough gulch was the store of Tommy Edward, an Indian, who had been room for four qudrille sets and a Elliott, the pioneer merchant who attacked by another Indian while he good caller for the dances. Some still caters to miners. was asleep in a tent down near the conscientious objectors preferred not When the writer arrived back in river. Old Edward’s leg had been to dance, but played games and the Okanagan from England on smashed with a gun. Dr. White am romped in the second vat, which was January 21, 1895, the stage pulled putated the leg on the ground in the known ever after as the “Methodist up in front of the Golden Gate, and tent, with the assistance of Mr. Tub.” the passengers were greeted by Bate. When Edward recovered, a After 1906 little mining was done Tommy Elliott and James collection was made for an artificial and the place was soon deserted. Adamson, now the hosts, and min leg. Some years later after the The Guggenheim interests held the ers galore. After wine and chicken Indian’s death, his old wife Jenny Susie for many years; the Granby lunch we left with “Mexican Joe”, rode into Fairview one day with the people studied the field. Britannia, the drivei for Osoyoos. Fairview leg hanging over the saddle. She Premiei and Hecla interests all cast had changed by this time. The had brought it to sell and wanted enquiring eyes at Fairview; but the Stratheyre Company had pulled up $80 for it. Consolidated Mining and Smelting its stakes and gone and Steve Tragedy had stalked down the Company in time procured most of Mangott was running Morning Star gulch in 1893 when a diphtheria ep the ground, for they needed the par ore through the Stratheyre mill. idemic took the lives of some of the ticular quartz at Fairview with its Fairview quartz was tricky; in pock small children. In November 1902, silica as a flux in the smelter in ets the ore was very rich and gloom was cast over the whole coun Trail. With the high value of gold streaks of gold were plainly visible, tryside when the “Big Teepee” was and better price for silvei Fairview but then it would disappear. In destroyed by fire with loss of life. is more than paying its way. All 1897 eastern capital came in when The following year the large livery the dumps at the old mine have the Fairview Gold Mining Company stable was burned, and thirty valua been trucked away. leased or purchased claims and com ble horses were lost. Few people are left who experi menced work on the Stemwinder. The tragedy of 1902 was really enced the thrills and chills of This company built the three story the beginning of the end of Fairview. Fairview. The little creek has lost Fairview Hotel known as the “Big But as long as the camp flourished, its song and its skirts of green along Teepee” on the flat below the gulch the settlers had many good times. its banks have died with time. Still, and laid out a townsite. Soon there Many dances were held at Elliott’s memory lives on of the good old were livery stables, offices, a drug Hall where Paddy Atkins (known as Fairview Days. store, a butcher shop, and W.T. the “Man that stole the boots”) Shatford’s store was moved down played the piano into the wee small The site of the former mining town of the gulch. Jim Schubert built the hours. The Marks Brothers staged Fairview is situated 2 miles south-west new government building; CAR. ‘Uncle Tom Cabin” in Elliott’s Hall of Oliver on the road to Cawston. Turn Lambly, Goyernment Agent, and his and thrilled the crowd. Pauline up the street (7th) at the traffic light. family were moved from Osoyoos. Johnson with Walter McRae gave a Drive until you reach the information J.R. Brown, the Assessoi built a cot most entertaining performance at sign re Fairview. This was erected by tage nearby. As Fairview boomed the “Teepee”. Isobel Kerr was a the Oliver-Osoyoos Historical Society again the Bassett Brothers’ freight charming elocutionist. A on the two lots owned by the teams were often needed to haul the ventriloquist with many shabby Okanagan Historical Society and which huge loads up to the mines. For a dolls drew a crowd; and some was the site of the Fairview short time, five mills were active: the Italians with trained white bears Presbyterian Church. You will find pic Stemwinder the Joe Dandy, the Tin caused excitement, especially when nic tables there so you can enjoy the Horn, the Smuggler and the some “over-joyed” cowboys roped the fantastic view. Stratheyre. bears and took them down the Soon after Dr. Boyce had moved to gulch.

Kelowna, Dr. R.B. White arrived in The miners at the Steniwinder Hester Emily White - 1877-1963 camp on May 24, 1897. Dr. White’s gave a unique dance on one occa Hester was the eldest daughter of Judge first patient was Mike Moon, a sion. The company was to operate a J.C. Haynes. She spent her childhood in years in Victoria, and cyanide plant for reduction of ore, Osoyoos, some school freighter, whose badly crushed leg some in England. In 1897 she married necessitated amputation. The oper and four vats, 36 feet in diameter, CA.R. Lambly, Government Agent first in ation was performed in the doctor’s and 10 feet deep were beautifully Osoyoos then in Camp Fairview. Lambly office, with the assistance of Tony built and finished. The miners died in 1907 and Hester married Dr R.B. Genn. Mike was cared for by the asked all inhabitants to a supper White in 1908. She later lived in Pentwton, ofmany community The floors were polished; the where she was a member doctor in his office and nursed back dance. organizations, and a very valued member of to health. On another occasion the fiddlers were on a platform between the Okanagan Historical Society

B.C. Historical Ne 6 Briefhistory ofthe Town ofOliver

by Constance Seeley

The British Columbia government worked for the season on the devel Later a school was built at made a survey of the land south of opment area, picking rocks and Testalinda Creek with volunteer la McIntyre Bluff to the United States throwing them into piles, irrigating bour and material scrounged from border, and in 1919 they advanced the trees and hoeing around them. the Bucket of Blood Hotel at the idea of placing the South Some of the farmers grew canta Fairview, thus affording convenience Okanagan under irrigation with the loupe, watermelon, cucumbers, to for the children in the rural area. purpose of supplying farm land to matoes and even the tobacco indus By 1926 the population of Oliver ex-servicemen from the First World try was given a try. The Oliver Co was 500 with 60 school children. War. The project came into effect in op formed in 1923 had a member The Community Hall had been 1921 under Premier ‘Honest John ship of 25 growers. built and partially funded by the en Oliver’ for whom the town of Oliver Vic Fairweathei one of the first gineers and local help during the was named. The Oliver district was businessmen in Oliver, recalls only construction of the irrigation project. the hub of excitement from 1920 to four buildings when he arrived in The once arid desert land has in 1924 when men from all walks of 1921. He soon discovered there was deed borne fruit and become a thriv life came to lend their energies to a need for goods and set up a second ing community. the construction of the irrigation pro hand store on the site of the present ject. The engineers’ camp was situ Royal Bank. J.K. Anderson built ********** ated where now stands the Oliver the first grocery store; Carl Collen and District Arena. opened a dry goods store across the Constance Seeley was a long time On completion of the project the en street. Major Thompson operated a resident of Olive,: She now resides gineers’ camp was abandoned and real estate office where Tuck’s Cafe in Ottawa. settlement began in earnest. Where now stands. Harry Nash built a bil previously nothing but pine trees, liard hall beside Cohen’s. By 1922 clumps of sagebrush and bunch Oliver had a bake shop, Dr. Geo. grass grew and large herds of cattle Kearney had an office, and there roamed, now those who purchased was Elliott’s restaurant, Bill land could grow crops. Raincocks butcher shop, the R.W. he word “Okanagan” Although apples had been grown Smith drugstore, Charlie Jones was first written by David in the Okanagan Valley since the butcher shop, Shorty Knight and Thompson on July 6, mid 1800’s, Pete McIntyre was the Slim Archibald’s garage, a bank, Al first to experiment with growing ap Rynd and Bill Foster’s barbershop, 1811, when he recorded, ples in the Oliver area on his proper Mrs. Hill’s restaurant, Elmer .a fine view and see ty at the foot of the bluff named for Johnson’s garage; a liquor store, high woody mountains of him. post office and blacksmith shop. the Oachenawawgan The year 1921 marked the sale of Harry Fairweather brought the the first land in the Oliver District. Oliver Hotel from New Westminster River.” Since then there In 1922 the government planted by truck and train in 1921. The have been 35 other ways 300 acres known as the develop first church service was held in Carl of spelling the name but ment area. This rocky land was re Collen’s store, later the United all have disappeared ex planted every year until 1928 when Church was built. The first school it was sold to the Apex Orchard Co., which later became a garage and cept two. In British of Kelowna. In those days it was shelter for Rev. Feir’s cow was the Columbia the word is said that many people believed an first formal classroom. In 1922 ‘the spelled Okanagan and in apple tree was an annual plant be little red schoolhouse’ was built and Washington State, cause each tree was replaced annu used for about five years. Two ally. While waiting for their orchard teachers taught grades 1 to 8 in the Okanogan. to bear fruit many of the settlers two rooms.

B.C. Historical News 7 An Appreciation

by Di Margaret A. Ormsby

With the death of Mr. Leonard Those who worked with him knew to the Okanagan Valley in 1882. Norris on April 18th, 1945, the that he was a man of fine fibre, From the first he found delight in Okanagan Historical Society representing many of the qualities the natural charm of the Okanagan, suffered a great blow, for it lost its which he admired most in the and he always spoke with warmth founder and its mentor. The Society Okanagan pioneer, but they of the beauty of the bunchgrass hills was started in Vernon on September discovered little about his back and of the lakes that reflected it. 4th, 1925, after Mr. Norris had ground or his experiences. Some of his feelings he expressed in injected into a group of his Occasionally he would be reminded poems which he wrote in his later townsmen and old friends some of of past events which he considered life. At first he had no intention of the enthusiasm he had for the study amusing or ridiculous, then he settling in the Okanagan Valley, of local history It was he who did would recount them with delicacy but he came to admire the qualities most of the hard work in the of the pioneer settlers and to Society and assumed the appreciate the hospitality he responsibility of seeing that found in their homes. He sufficient material was worked first on ranches in the collected so that the Reports Lumby District, then in were issued regularly. He December 1887, he decided to persuaded pioneers in the pre-empt land in the vicinity Valley to write their of Round Lake, just off the reminiscences, revised and Vernon-Kamloops Road. edited articles submitted to Thoreau’s philosophy and him, did research in topics in way of life appealed to him, the wider field of British and he was convinced that in Columbia historç encouraged farming a small piece of land young historians and and in living close to nature, scientists to write for the personal happiness could be Reports, made arrangements attained. But as events with the publishers, did the turned out, he was to live a proof-reading and arranged different kind of life. for the distribution of the He had hardly taken up his Reports. His was the spirit land, when he was asked to that breathed life into the be Provincial Police Constable activities of the Society, and Leonard Norris the founder ofthe Ohanagan Historical at Lansdowne. He was there could be no better s— reluctant, but was finally memorial to him than this Report and discernment. He never retailed persuaded when he was promised which represents the work of his last gossip or slander, he was kindly that the appointment would be years. and appreciative in speaking of oth temporar and that he would soon It is unfortunate and sad that ers although he could be indignant be replaced. Once he had entered more is not known of the life of a about injustices or wrong-doings and public service, he found it difficult to man who served the province of he always understated his own ac break away - new duties and British Columbia well and who complishments. responsibilities were pressed on him, helped to fill in the pages of British The early years of Mr. Norris’ life and he was soon embarked on a Columbia History. Long before he were spent in Ontario. He was born career as a public servant. In July, was known as an historian, Mr. on a farm near Brampton in 1865, 1890, he was asked to become Norris had won for himself a not far from the land now occupied Collector of the Provincial Revenue reputation as an outstanding public by the Dale Nurseries. He was nine Tax, and after the death of Moses official. But he was the last to draw years of age when his family moved Lumby, he was appointed in attention to the quality of his work to Langley Prairie, and a young October 1893, Government Agent at or to expect credit or thanks for it. man of seventeen when he first came Vernon. He was the third man to

B.C. Historical News 8 hold this office, and he established but he was never known to betray a of the French language, and to what will probably become a record confidence or to give out information perfect his grasp, he subscribed to for long tenure. When he retired in which might cause unhappiness. newspapers published in Quebec, 1926, he had served thirty-three Whatever knowledge came to him, and bought phonograph records to years as Government Agent. he regarded it in a purely hear the spoken word. He had an

Old-timers will recall the impersonal and objective light - excellent library of historical works, enthusiasm Mr. Norris had for his except in one respect. Although he but he also read poetry and collected work and the thoroughness with believed that every person should phonograph records. During these which he carried it out. They can tell stand on his own feet, he could not years, he indulged in all the amusing stories of his pursuit of remain unconcerned when there was pleasures which go with the fugitives, while he was still Police suffering. More than one family cultivation of a fine mind. As a Constable, and how on occasion he experienced the bounty of his result he had a remarkable fund of was outwitted. They know the generous nature and found it knowledge and the ability to inspire respect he had for individual worth, difficult to express adequate thanks, others with his enthusiasm for great and how little real crime he thought for Mr. Norris was not one to look for works of literature and music. existed in mining settlements or in returns or to want public As a historian, he made a very other parts of the Valley He had a acknowledgement of his good works. real contribution to our knowledge of very strong sense of justice, as During his lifetime, Mr. Norris saw local history, and his work won persons who were sometimes hauled the character of farming change in acknowledgement and acclaim in into the Magistrate’s court can the Okanagan Valley. after the the east as well as in the west. Its testify, and he was very much in coming of the railroad, the cattle great appeal, of course, was to the favour of having misunderstandings ranches were broken up and fruit people of the Okanagan Valley, for settled in private and without farming started. He was keenly here were recorded the stories of the outside intervention. One of his interested in the experiments in early settlers, the adventures and favourite stories was the chase after co-operative marketing and in the vicissitudes of their arduous lives. Smart Alec, following the murder in technical improvements which were The spirit that permeates all his the Cherry Creek mining field, but made in the growing of fruit. He writings, reflects something of the this must have taken place while he took pride in these changes, yet quality of the man himself - for he was still a farm-hand in the Lumby always felt that more attention reveals his kindly feeling towards district and before he had should be paid to producing fruit at his fellow men, his high moral responsibility for bringing criminals lower cost for the benefit of the standards, his patience with and to justice. As Police Constable, his prairie farmer. He thought, too, amusement at human foibles, and duties sometimes took him as far that a high degree of specialization his great sincerity. It was typical of north as Enderby and sometimes as might embarrass the farmer in him that he should have preferred to far south as Penticton, so he came to times of depression, and he had a write of the exploits and know settlers throughout the whole nostalgic fondness for mixed farming achievements of others, rather than length of the Okanagan Valley. which he had known in Ontario and of his own important work as one of After 1890, he was more closely in his early days in the Okanagan. the real founders of the Okanagan identified with people in the Vernon His chief interest, however lay in Valley. We can count that as our district. He knew Vernon before it recording the events of the past so great loss, for his character as was incorporated in 1862, while it that they would become known to revealed in his life and work would was still called “Priest’s Valley”, the new settlers in the Valley and to have held inspiration for many. and he lived to see it grow from a those who knew little of the romance settlement of four or five scattered of the early days of the interior of houses to its present size of six or British Columbia. He turned his The Okanagart Historical Society has seven thousand. More than any attention to this work after his prepared, with financial assistance other man, he had his finger upon retirement from office. He had from B.C. Heritage Trust, a plaque the pulse of life in the community already read widely in the field of honoring Leonard Norris. The plaque For he was not only Magistrate, but Canadian and British Columbia will be affixed to the wall of the Collector of Land and other Taxes, history and now he did research at Courthouse in Vernon following the Registrar of the County Court and the Provincial Archives and in the OHS. Annual meeting in May 1990. District Registrar of the Supreme Provincial Library at Victoria, and ********** Court, Registrar of Voters, Judge of started to write. While he was the small Debts Court, Official primarily interested in writing the Di: Margaret Ormsby was born and grew Administrator, and Registrar of history of the Okanagan Valley, his up near Vernon. She was on the Faculty of Vital Statistics. History at U.B.C. for many years, author of He must have horizon was by no means limited to British Columbia: A History 1958 and known something of the private this study. For one thing, he Fresident oftheRC. Historical Federation in affairs of almost every individual, decided to acquire some knowledge 1949-50.

B.C. Historical Ne 9 Vernon Celebrates Ninety Years ofInrporation

by Edna Oram

Thursday afternoon, December 30, street display prepared by the family Many descendants of early 1982, people flocked to the Friends of History, showing photo settlers live in the original homes of Recreation Centre to celebrate graphs and stories of the early their grandparents. Vernon’s 90th birthday. The city days. Copies of an illustrated histo Superimposed on the base of set

was the first to be incorporated in ry - Ninety Years of Vernon - are tlers from the British Isles are more the Okanagan Valley, the charter still selling well. residents of varied ethnic back for incorporation being granted The first permanent settler was ground than in any other city. December 30, 1892. Luc Girouard who, in 1867, pre Emigrants are coming from uncer They came early, greeted friends, empted land which today encom tain futures in Europe and Asia. welcomed holiday visitors they passes the central core of the city. Retirees come for the salubrious cli hadn’t seen for years and settled in Other settlers followed, mostly from mate. Young families come to get for an afternoon of light entertain the British Isles. They brought with away from the stress of life in large ment by choirs, bands, dancers, and them traditions of law and order, metropolitan areas. Vernon is truly ethnic performers. culture, sports, pride in themselves international. Activity for the children was at the and a strong sense of community re Vernon has no desire to become a outdoor skating rink and the indoor sponsibility that remain the corner large industrial city. There is no swimming pooi but you can swim stone of life today. large single employer of labor. and skate anytime so the children The tiny hamlet of forty people in There are many low-profile small drifted in and out of the auditorium 1888 was in the right place at the businesses, craft workers, service in to watch the colourful swirl of the en right time and had settlers with the dustries and ever growing business tertainers. In a corner of the audi foresight to take advantage of the es catering to tourists. Volunteer torium three pre-schoolers put on a coming of the railway to Sicamous in associations provide health, educa spontaneous dance of their own. 1885 and to Vernon and Okanagan tional, religious, cultural, sport and People for whom this was a working Landing in 1892. The railways and social services. There is a relatively day, dropped in for a few minutes the development of a connecting boat sound economic base affected only and lingered on. service for travel south opened the marginally by world events. It’s just In formal dress of the 1890’s, Ian southern part of the valley to set a pleasant place in which to live and MacLean was a great master of cer tlers. raise a family. emonies. Mayor Hanson gave the For years Vernon was the centre of In 1904, on a trip from Manitoba welcoming address. Good Citizens all provincial and federal govern to the coast, Sam Polson stopped and Freemen of the city, including ment services and was a distribution over in Vernon, with the result that 100 year old Guy Bagnall, were in point for movement of people and he wired his family “get ready to vited to place of honor on stage and supplies up and down the valley. move. I’ve found the Garden of individually introduced. Winners of Today Vernon is a bustling city of Eden.” He is remembered today as the birthday cake contest were an some 20,000 and a distribution and the donor of the land for the Vernon nounced. The cakes were cut with a shopping centre for over 75,000 area Jubilee Hospital and for the park piece for everyone and a cup of tea or residents. that bears his name. Those born in coffee to enjoy while they mingled A provincial Heritage Trust official Vernon take the good life here for with the crowd. says that Vernon has more historic granted. Newcomers agree with Mr. Royce Moore, Chairman, and his buildings than any other valley city. Poison. Birthday Celebration Committee In addition to the beautiful provin ********** came up with an afternoon of fun cial court house, the CPR railway well suited to the multicultural tal station, Park and Bearisto School ents and the friendliness of and many private homes, there are Edna Orwn was a Social Worker in Vernon. Vernonites. eighteen buildings within the central She served as Treasurer ofthe Okanagan For the ensuing six weeks, visitors core awaiting historic restoration. Historical Society from 1976-79. enjoyed displays in the Greater There are in business today eight Vernon Museum and Art Gallery, firms founded in 1892, some into the the foyer of City Hall and in a main fourth generation of the founding

B.C. Historical News 10 Soldiers ofthe Soil 1914-1919

by William Ruhmann

It was summer and I was happy trumpet band was formed in 1916 to During the summer of 1916 a to be visiting my grandparents in escort the guard unit. It was group of ten schoolboys organized to Kelowna. Then one day I came trained and lead by Sgt. Tommy deliver the daily paper to men in the home to find Grandma weeping - Vaughn; adult members were W. camp. This was strictly a business Grandpa angry! Germany had at Western and A.G. Treadgold (of venture. They made arrangements tacked Russia! England and France Kelowna), and Marriott, Pruitt and to have the two town jitneys (Model had declared war on Germany. Newell. The rest were high school T Fords with the tops removed) at The next day, August 5, 1914, my boys from Vernon. the station when the noon train ar grandparents put me on board the rived from Vancouver. Each boy paddle-wheeler S.S. Sicanious for my Trumi,eters Corporal Spence grabbed fifty papers when the bun trip back to Vernon. My homecom Newell, Lance Corporal Frank dled newspapers were thrown out of ing as I remember, was rather re Marriott, Walter “Wally” Mattock, the baggage car. They jumped strained. Questions about my visit Robert “Bert” Mattock, Ted Pruitt, aboard the jitneys for a noisy race to seemed perfunctory. There were no William May, Horace Foote, Alan the Hill, down Barnard Avenue and

smiling faces - the shock of war was Robey, A.G. “Bert” Treadgold, up 32nd Street (Seventh Street) with already changing our lives. The Wilfred Phillips, Cecil Phillips. horns blowing. They raced to the newspaper headlines were: Side Drums: Willfred Moffat, Stuart camp gate where the soldiers were VOLUNTEER! JOIN UP! SERVE Jenkins, Leslie Dodd, Sidney eagerly waiting.

KING AND COUNTRY! For the Briard, Homer Conn, Albert “Spud” Men in uniform were everywhere - youth of the land fun, games and Murphy, W Western. on Barnard Avenue Saturday eve laughter were lost. Bass Drunimer: Maurice Mitchell. ning, at church on Sunday, as Squadrons of the Okanagan guests in homes, relaxing on the Valley reserve regiment, the 30th In December 1916, a fourteen year beach at Kalamalka Lake. Four British Columbia Horse which con old high school boy, Thomas E. battalions trained at the Central sisted of more than 500 cavalrymen, Jessett, joined the 30th B.C. Horse Mobilization Camp at Vernon. By were called into active service. A Regiment. Because of his self- the winter of 1916, the 2nd training camp was established on taught stenographic skill, he quickly Canadian Mounted Rifles, the Mission Hill south of Vernon. Row advanced to Orderly Room Corporal. Okanagan’s own battalion, and the on row of white bell tents were a con Tom, with a glint in his eye, years 172nd Battalion, called the Rocky stant reminder that our soldiers later commented, ‘My rank caused Mountain Rangers, were overseas. were in training. problems at home-Dad was just a The 158th, Duke of Connaught’s After establishment of this camp, private in the same regiment.” Own Rifles left in November. Still an internment camp for enemy ali The battalions in training on the training on the Hill was the 225th ens was constructed. The new camp Hill grew as recruits from through Battalion made up of recruits from was ten acres, enclosed by a high out the Province arrived by troop the Kootenay and Boundary re barbed-wire fence, located at the in trains. Soon there were soldiers eve gions. Four years of close contact tersection of 27th Street (Mara rywhere! They were marching on with soldiers had a noticeable effect Avenue) and 43rd Avenue. Soldiers the parade ground, attacking dum on the youth of the community. valked on guard duty between the mies in bayonet drills, performing Almost every boy collected momen sentry boxes. Each guard would call long marches in full packs and tos such as officers’ swagger sticks out the hour and, on a descending shooting on the rifle ranges. Those and bronze hat badges from various note, “All’s Well!” How the inter in the Signal Corps practiced send regiments. nees and townspeople endured that ing messages with flags and, when The war was seriously depleting hourly call for more than four years the sun was shining, by heliograph. the work force of the Okanagan is impossible to say. Each day there At night, messages went from one Valley. More than 22% of the man was a changing of the guard. Those hill to another by lights blinking power had enlisted. At that time at the internment camp were re dots and dashes. Boys who had the fruit crops were the mainstay of placed by a new unit from Mission learned the Morse Code made clan the area. Harvesting the apple

Hill. destine watches - hoping to intercept crops, and other agricultural prod A marching group with drum and a secret communication. ucts, became a problem. On

B.C. Histrica1 News 11 January 4, 1917 Thomas Richmond, ing and care of livestock. Farm with Paris Green (copper arsenite). chairman of the Farmers’ Institute, work became our war effort in 1917. Up and down the rows I spread this reported that the Department of The 30th B.C. Horse, along with toxic lunch for the worms. I don’t Agriculture was advocating the es the drum and trumpet band, was know if the worms ate the bait be tablishment of training schools to disbanded early in 1918. Those cause of its beautiful green colour or teach high school boys and girls how over sixteen and those too old or too because they liked the molasses. to pack apples. Making boxes in the disabled to serve overseas were My bean patch was saved! packing houses was a job that boys transferred to the 11th Battalion That summer the government sent enjoyed. (Hammer damaged Canadian Garrison Regiment. They a bean thresher through the thumbs were proudly exhibited.) were stationed at the internment Okanagan Valley to harvest the At a Consumers League meeting camp doing guard duty. enormous crop. The Hon. E,D. in Vancouver it was proposed that Trumpeters Alan Robey, Horace G. Barrow, Minister of Agriculture, women from that area help with the Foote, and Robert Mattock served as travelled with the thresher and oper harvest of the apple crop in the buglers. In December Robey fol ated it. This, he said, was an ideal Okanagan. “What kind of dress lowed Corporal Thomas Jessett into opportunity to get away from the would be worn in the orchards?” the position of Orderly Room political scene at the Provincial capi asked a woman. “Overalls,” some Corporal under Major Nash. Robey tal. one shouted. There was a ripple of served as a guard in the transfer of When school closed in June, I was laughter. “Yes,” said the chairman, the last war prisoners to Europe, hired as chore boy at the Vernon “this would be one time when wom and was able to visit relatives in Orchards, a 250 acre fruit ranch on en will be permitted to wear England before returning to Vernon. the east side of Swan Lake. Pol Overalls.” SOLDIERS OF THE SOIL were LeGuen, a native of Brittany, During the Easter vacation six of formed in March 1918 as part of a France, was manager of the orchard us boys had a job picking up prun federal plan to increase food sup and Frank Lucas was foreman. (Pol ings in an orchard on Silver Star plies. Boys 13 to 18 years of age LeGuen, though a naturalized Road. Our employer transported us were registered with the British subject, was called up by in a very crowded Model T Ford. Department of Agriculture under France to serve on the front in his Charlie White and I got a summer Deputy Minister William E. Scott. old regiment. He was invalided job on a twenty acre orchard on Rev. J.H. Miller of Cloverdale was home in 1915.) Ranch teamsters Swan Lake Road three miles north appointed head of the B.C. sector. were Len Rice, Jack Brown, and Len of town. Our first job was to pull Thirty-four Vernon boys, out of 130 Parent. Farmhands that summer weeds from rows of navy beans in the Okanagan Valley, had regis were Camillo and Angello planted between the orchard trees. tered in April. In spring, as farming Gaspardoni. We lived in a two story Kytes also wanted other chores done activity accelerated, some of the SOS bunkhouse. The “plumbing” was so they boarded me to save the six boys were excused from school to outside and water was by bucket mile daily walk. I split firewood, start jobs assigned to them. Some of from a hand pump at the horse hilled half an acre of potatoes, and us worked on Saturdays. I recall trough. The washstand was on the helped prepare the packing house working with Thomas Richmond, porch and the dining room was in for apples. Some trees were an ear President of the Farmers’ Institute. the manager’s residence. Our cook ly variety of apple so picking started He plowed and harrowed a vacant was Mrs. Jane Roze. I was paid mid-summer. My mother joined lot while my friends and I cut pota $15 a month to milk two Holstein some other women with this first toes for seeding. We followed each cows, clean the barn, care for a sad picking. Hornets harassed our pick furrow planting the potatoes. When dle horse and a driving horse, tend ers, so I volunteered to burn out the this lot was finished I rode with Mr. several pigs, help with fruit harvest nests. At dusk when all the insects Richmond on the wagon to a fenced ing and haying. When school reo were home for the night I used a lot at the east end of Pine street pened, after milking the cows, feed birchbark torch on the end of a stick. (39th Avenue) near the 12th Street ing the pigs, cleaning my share of (Incredibly I survived without a intersection. When this lot was the barn and having breakfast I sting.) Pickers were paid four or five plowed and harrowed I was given a would hitch Caesar to the democrat cents per 55 pound orchard box; an bag of navy beans to plant. I kept and drive to school with the three energetic boy could pick 60 or more close watch on my bean patch. One Lucas children, Bill, Dorothy and boxes in a ten hour day. Many older Saturday I discovered that cut- Donald, as well as Bernie Roze, the boys worked in packing houses oper worms were levelling my crop. son of our cook. I was in eighth ating hand trucks to move boxes of Catastrophe! What could I do? I grade. packed fruit into storage or into box went to the entymology office in the In 1918 the influenza epidemic cars for shipping; box making was Court House for help. They pre swept across Canada and on piece work done as time permitted pared a bucket of poison bait-bran October 21 our school was closed. Some lads helped with haying, milk mixed with molasses and sprinkled Now life on the ranch became boring.

B.C. Historical Ne 12 There wasnt much to do between had just received my new heav belt big bonfire across the street. I the 6:00 am, and 6:00 p.m. milk ed jacket from the T. Eaton Co. It suppose someone took your team to ings. To pass the time I would go cost me nearly a months pay, but get wood tr the fire. Don’t worry. down to the lake and trap musk when school opened again my trips you’ll get it back.” “Bitt,” I said, “I rats. I did very well until the lake to school would be more comfortable. have to haul a load of oats back to froze over. Harry Blurton, a trapper One morning I was given the job of the ranch.” I still hadn’t realized and fur buyer from Enderby, came taking a wagon load of harness to that the war was over. The Mayor by every few weeks to buy my pelts town for repair. As I drove down took me over to the Police Station at 20 cents each. Barnard Avenue I thought it and telephoned my boss, Pol Len Rice, a teamster who lived in strangely deserted. I backed the LeGuen. “Pol,” lie said, “have you the bunkhouse, had his own saddle wagon into the sidewalk in front of heard the news? wonderful isn’t it.

horse, a wild, mean animal sixteen the Okanagan Harness and Say, your Billy-boy is here with me -

hands high. His brother Harry often Saddlery Co., across from the eh - Bill is here with me. We would visited. On Halloween the two of Empress Theatre. I dragged a set like to borrow his team to help build them invited me to ride into town of harness into the store, hoping for a bonfire for the celebration this eve with them. Each wore a big Stetson help from the two men in the back of ning. Thanks, Pol.” hat; Len had bat-wing chaps and the shop. Suddenly a huge explo “Well, Bill, we’re all fixed up. We Harry wore black angora long haired sion shook the area. I jumped to can use your team and you have the ones. Their spurs jungled and their stop my team from bolting. At that day off.” That day, Monday horses pranced. I felt a bit subdued moment, the two men dashed out of November 11, 1918, I made the big me with my grade school knickers the shop and ran in the direction of jump from “Billy-boy”, fourth grade riding Queenie who had the the blast. The once deserted street marbles champion to eighth grade “heaves”. We attracted a lot of at was now alive with excited people. I “Bill.” tention. After entertaining the inter quieted my team and dragged the Behind the Royal Bank Jim mission crowd at the theatre we rest of the harness into the shop. As Vallance and Jim Silver were explod rode down Coldstream Avenue to I turned to leave I saw my team and ing dynamite. Once, deciding to 33rd. I was told to ride down 33rd wagon going up the street at a dead make a bigger bang, they enlarged to the next intersection and wait. run. There was another explosion. the powder charge. Unfortunately We were in Chinatown. The street Then I heard the fire bell clanging several windows in nearby buildings was alive with Chinamen. (The im madly, and the church bells at the were shattered. My friends and I migrant Chinese work force in Presbyterian and Anglican churches were fascinated. But it was getting Vernon was estimated at 500). On on Mara Avenue. cold, and since my toque and new each side of the street were unpaint “My team, my team-someone’s coat were in the wagon I headed for ed, boxlike two-storey buildings. stealing my team and my brand home missing a parade in the after They were dimly lit. In the back new jacket in the wagon!” I shouted. noon and bonfire in the evening. ground unfamiliar tones of a The horses disappeared around the Those boys who had signed up for stringed instrument were heard and corner at the Post Office. I ran as soldiers of the Soil were recognized there was the drone of singsong voic best I could with cleated rubber at a ceremony at the Court House. es in the air. A couple of men were boots, oversocks with tassels that Dr. K,C. MacDonald, M.L.A., con seated on a porch with lighted gyrated as I moved. Another explo gratulated the boys and presented punks in hand sucking on their gur sion, this time in the Post Office each with a small bronze lapel but gling water pipes. Noise coming Block. I made the turn and saw a ton provided by the Dominion from one building told us that a group of men in front of the Police Government. 1, 671 British gambling game was underway. As station; there was the Mayor City Columbia boys took part in the I rode down the street doors opened Clerk and some aldermen. I ran Soldiers of the Soil program while and men came out to investigate. past them to Chief Constable RN. many others worked on farms una Then two “phantom horsemen” Clerke, who was wearing his cavalry ware of the requirement to sign up emerged from the shadows, their officer’s uniform. “They stole my and thus did not receive public recog horses rearing and plunging in an team - didn’t you see them?” The nition. ********** apparent uncontrolled charge. The fire bell was clanging - there was William Ruhmann prepared this article as men standing in the street lunged in another explosion - Chief Clerke had part ofaproject for the Vernon Museum. He all directions. The commotion was an odd expression on “The his face. lived in Lake Oswego, Oregon in the latter unbelievabl& When Len and Harry war is over Billy-boy. We ‘re part ofhis life reached me they were laughing so celebrating. Don’t you understand? ACKNOWLEDGEMEN’I: hard they could hardly speak. “We the war is over:” Many assisted with recollections covering the activities of Vb,’non boys during the war years. sure broke up their fan-tan game, Mayor Shatford put his hand on The Vernon News 1914 thiough 1919. didn’t we?” my shoulder. “Billy-boy, we are Corporal Tom ,Jessett As now a Canon in the Epicopal Church in Seattle. Further recollections are (in file in the Vernon November brought cold weather. I celebrating. We are going to build a Museum.

B.C. Historical Ne 13

14

B.C. News Historical

the filled Mass when Cordilleran crease number the in Ice trees of an and group but hunting was important an

until begin years ago od about follow to was 19,000 which de a saw ciety. Hunters alone, might travel

the not did affect lower Southern floor. Interior dry warm, A peri valley a tionally hunting so gathering and

last The to the Ponderosa glacial major dominated pine episode drier; Okanagan The tradi were Indians

entirely. the wetter upper; valley while sides present.

ice of etation. shrank either Lodgepole disappeared or iedominated pine about at 3,500 the years before

ete during weather sheets valley the sides great by which were covered veg set area the area pre-history the of

periods mild glacial the of by disappearance of warm, lake, relatively Archeological in studies Osoyoos the

hundred separated low Within temperatures few a years of the of were but val is this too speculative.

area Periods as country eelaid were they down. the moved. enmade been to arri establish time a

shaping advanced Penticton-Suminerland-Naramata and retreated, linguistic studies. Attempts have

America characteristic clay North of cliffs covered which sheets the Support for this theory comes from

(varved ice clays) years created ago. which great The 9,000 continent the by Pacific. the of way

lake h layered the about the cial Southern that Interior from they silts had onto come American the

Lake It disappeared in Penticton. ice the of age remnant this was of gla the Indians to lay that west, the

allowing last the that us tell development the Geologists Glacial of Some believe the that home original

McIntyre blockage a roots. community present Bluff; to its the occured, always is based on slender evidence.

link south Penticton, of which possibly threads many at remain Yet Speculation a on matter kind of this

the of front times. To ice. unknown retreating in change the previous scholars of ty and lay alike. persons

of matched lakes glacial acceleration an by been the along and edge in people native has the piqued curiosi

accompanied by the have Penticton of of (1908-1983) ration development Interior the The Salish. the of origin

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Brent of ley mo height the to a Canada, fleeting history Mountain of the to Prior the arrival white the of

the Picture in an field ice an chaper shorter Canada, covering even val tants.

mountains the the to western and east history the in of time west. which brush greeted the first inhabi

a Okanagan the Valley long

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- ___ source of food and large band hunts concentration of population in the camp; linguists have analyzed the were organized four times a year. Okanagan Valley. The choice was word as ‘pen-tk-in’ meaning ‘always- Large game such as deer; elk, big- logical, being midway in the valley’s time-place.’ Some persons believe horn sheep and bear were plentiful chain of lakes which provided easy that it was the constant flow of wa while goat and moose were found oc transportation by dugout canoes ter in the river which accounted for casionally. Fishing had both social and rafts in summer and over the ice the use of the term. In late spring and economic significance, the rap in winter. The river at this point and early summer; the small creeks ids in Okanagan River at Okanagan consisted of a half-mile stretch of feeding the main lakes and river Falls being a favorite spot at which gravel shoals providing easy ford rose in flood but by mid-summer the to gather during the salmon run. ing. The campsite was well shel flow of the water has been attached Berry picking in season and collect tered, fuel was abundant and game to the site itself, a ‘permanent’ ing roots for drying added to the abounded. Materials for the manu abode or ‘place to stay forever.’ food supply. However; by the time facture of weapons, baskets, ropes Whatever the exact meaning, both the white settlers arrived the and garments were close at hand. Indian and white settler agreed that Indians had become proficient stock The name Penticton is derived it was a highly desirable place to raisers and were growing crops, from the language of the Okanagan live. thus they knew the value of agricul Indians but its exact meaning has tural land. Their main village which been interpreted in several ways, all they called Pen-tik-tan, was located of which centre around the word on the east bank of the Okanagan “permanent.” The village on This was written by A. David MacDonald, River and extended from the south Okanagan River between Okanagan editor of “1908-1983 75 Penticton - Years to Remember” as an introduction to apublica end of Railway Street to the and Skaha Lakes was a permanent tion sponsored by the City of Penticton to Fairview Road bridge. Indian camp when the first white commemorate its 75th A,zniversary. Archeological research tells us that man arrived. The Indians referred the site accommodated the largest to the camp as ‘pentktn’, permanent

000POGOs a mythical creature — Okanagan Lakes special feature. Some say they have seen His coils, scaly green,

Others scoff - (though one viewers a preacher>.

B.C. Historical News 15 The Okanagcm-Nicola Connector ofthe 183O by R.C. Harris

The southern interior of British 1, from the early fur trade days Kamloops. Before the arrival of the Columbia was first explored for the shows that the territory of the Canadian Pacific Railway, fur trade from the south, when Okanagan Indians reached north Kamloops was north of Thompson David Stuart started from the and west of Okanagan Lake and River. Columbia River late in 1811. By over the Columbia divide to include Looking at the early maps; 1813, using Indian trails, two main Nicola Lake and the upper Nicola Archibald Macdonald, 1827, 1 shows routes from the Columbia basin to country The cuttoff trail of interest the extent of the Okanagans’ territo Kamloops had been examined. to the HBCo lay entirely within this ry, and the trail up the What became the first main trail ran territory The Handbook of Indians Similkameen, past Nicola Lake to up the west side of Okanagan Lake of Canada , states that the Upper Kamloops. On this he notes “Mr and round by Monte Lake to Nicola Indian Reserves are assigned Archd McDonald’s trail in Oct. Kamloops. The other more impor to the Okanagan Indians; for exam 1826”. Samuel Black, c.1833, 2 tant in later years, ran up ple: gives more detail, showing the cut Similkameen River and Otter Creek, “Spahamin (Upper Nicola). An toff trail in addition to the main reaching Kamloops via Nicola and Okanagan village situated at trails. He names the cutoff as “Rout Stump lakes, 13,14,15 Douglas Lake, 11 miles from to Jacques River by SB”. (“SB” was Though both routes made easy Quilchena.” the South Branch of Thompson’s crossing of the Columbia divide, they Nina Woolliams, writing of the River, i.e. it was Nicola River). were somewhat circuitous. Using Douglas cattle ranch gives sever Jacques River or Rivière de Jacques other Indian trails, a shortcut was al instances of long established trav was the old name for Trépanier developed between the two main el over the Columbia divide between Creek, and was named for Jacques trails for use by light and express the Okanagan and the Nicola. Trépanier. traffic, see accompanying sketch Using today’s place names, the Black 2.4, also shows the trail pass map. This cutoff headed northwest cutoff left the regular brigade trail ing either side of “Snow Monte” from near today’s Peachland, via along Okanagan Lake at Trépanier (Mount (}ottfriedsen), and he shows upper Nicola River and Chapperon Creek, just north of Peachiand. It Nicola River rising from a lake Lake, to join the Similkameen ran up the east side to the forks of (Hatheume) and flowing first east, Kamloops trail at Stump Lake. The the creek, where the trail also then north. This interpretation re cutoff was impractical for heavy forked, passing on either side of mained until the 1930s, when the pack trains. Not only were parts of massive Mount Gottfriedsen, former name “Nicola River” was moved to a the trail steep and narrow, but it ly known as Mount Swara or tributary from the northeast, where climbed to 5500 ft. elevation, and Hatheume. The two parts rejoined it remains today. Other locations the snow lay late. on the upper Nicola River, following for Nicola River have been Spahomin It was 90 miles to Kamloops from the right bank northwesterly, pass Creek, flowing from Pennask Lake the site of Peachiand, using the cut ing to the left of Chapperon Lake, to Douglas Lake, 6, 7, and Alocin off, a saving of 40 miles, or two then to the left of Glimpse Lake, Creek, which is ‘Nicola’ reversed. days, compared with going by the then north to the left side of Peter AC Anderson shows the cutoff trail head of Okanagan Lake. Alexander Hope Lake, whence it descended to on his 1867 map , as a dashed line, Ross travelled twice from Fort the east slopes of Stump Lake. whereas all other trails are solid Okanagan to Kamloops in 1812, go Here it joined the other main trail of lines. Along the trail, he wrote 14 ing by the head of the lake, taking the fur trade. “Trail to Okn Lake - Snow lies xxx ten days each time. AC Anderson, From Stump Lake, this trail con Summit”. One word is obscured by in his 1867 map , shows the nine tinued north, deep in the valley of Anderson’s heavy line for traditional camps on the journey. “Lake River”, today’s Campbell “Watershed of the Columbia”. This confirms that ten days were Creek. At Richie Lake the trail Many geographic features have still allowed for the journey, and climbed north on to the plateau, changed names in the last 100 suggests that Ross as early as 1812 passing between Brigade Lake and years; some of these old names are was travelling on well established Brigade Hill, but closer to the lake, shown on the accompanying map in trails. maintaining a northerly course be capital letters. Settlers and survey Archibald Macdonald’s 1827 map fore descending Peterson Creek to ors came and went. “Rivers” were

B.C. Historical Ne 16 921

LAC- deWs CI4( 5romr

THE OKANAGAN’NICOLA CUTOFFcarC-c) PR1 USED B OKAMCN Qt N1COL INDIANS IHE FUR FRADE 0 miIe CUTDPF TRAIL MAIN TRAILS c Ip 15 ZOk DTI-IER. TRAILS cAJrreMt flme cre lower c€. Ietterinc3.

B.C. Historical News 17 moved, and renamed “Creeks”. (now Highway 5A) near Aspen from personal explorations between the years Many of the early 1832 and 1851”. names were Grove. 6. 1877, 1882. G.M. Dawson. “GEOLOGICAL French; the working language of the One or other of the trails past MAP of a portion of the Southern Interior of fur trade was Canadian French. Mount Gottfriedsen was shown on BRITISH COLUMBIA” In May of 1989, Ray 7. 1930. Department of Lands, B.C. Map No. 4N Findlay, Bill government maps until the 1960s, PENTICTON. Shows the trail west of Mount Sanderson, Harley Hatfield, Ken by which time the trails had been Gottfriedsen, but not up the East Fork Favrholdt and Bob Harris looked for supplanted by easier routes, mostly (Lacoma). This trail crossed “Nicola River”, the trail up which at that time rose southwest of Mount Trépanier Creek. A logging access. Gottfriedsen. good section of trail was found up The old trails here no longer have 8. 1960. Department of Lands and Forests, B.C. the east fork, leading to the aban commercial significance, but are in Sheet 82 E,’NW, KELQWNA, Second Status. doned Shows the trail up Lacoma, the east fork, con Lacoma dam. There was not teresting to hikers and historians, tinuingon the west side of the creek beyond time to cross and continue up to the ********** the dam to Cameo (Cameron) Lake, just over the divide. The trail passes both sides of divide. Latei a section of the west REFERENCES: MAPS SHOWING THE TRAILS erly Cameo Lake. This is the last government map branch was found on top, as yet to show either branch of the trail past Mount 1827. Archibald Macdonald. “Sketch map of untouched by the extensive clearcut Gottfriedsen. Thompson’s River District’. logging nearby. The south slopes of 2. c. 1833. Undated, untitled, worn and folded REFFERENCE& BOOKS Mount Gottfriedsen may have been manuscript map of Thompson’s River District, attributed to Samuel Black. Shows rivers, too steep for logging, and we expect 9. 1912. HANDBOOK OF INDIANS OF lakes and trails; and mountains by shading. CANADA. Geographic Board, Canada. to find more of the trail there in Probably the basis for several of the following 10. 1979. Nina Woolliams. “Cattle Ranch. The maps. 1990. Story of the Douglas Lake Cattle Company’. Meanwhile, four-lane Coquihalla 3. 1861. Royal Engineers. “BRITISH COLUMBIA, THOMPSON RIVER DISTRICT. REFERENCER B.C. HISIORICAL NEWS III, the latest “Okanagan From a Map in the possession of H. E. GOV Connector”, is nearing completion. DOUGLAS, C.B. made in 1835 by S. Black 11. 1978 November This crosses Trépanier Creek low Esq. HR. Company’s Service This copy of “Blackeyes and 1849 HBC Trail” Black’s map, presumably a fair copy of 2 down, and runs up its south 12. 1979 Summer side, above, is lost. “The HBC 1849 Brigade Trail. Fort Hops to passing over the Columbia divide 4. 1862. Gust[avu]s Epner. “Map of the GOLD Kamloops. Collins Gulch Section” and heading due west over an REGIONS in BRITISH COLUMBIA”. The 13. 1980 Fall. earli place names on this map make an interesting er location of Nicola Rive; “The Hope-Nicola Trail, 1875-19 13” and past study. 14. 1983 Spring. Pennask Mountain. It joins the an 6. 1867. A.C. Anderson. “Map of a portion of the “The Brigade Trail. Nicola Lake to Kamloops” cient Similkameen-Kamloops trail Colony of BRITISH COLUMBIA Compiled 15. 1989 Summer. from various sources, including original Notes “Fur Trade Trails. Princeton to Nicola Lake”

THE GHOST OF GALLAGHER’S CANYON SMALLEST POST OFFICE The Chinese who came to the Okanagan Valley in mid 1800s Although it had no building, no name, no postmaster and no were very efficient at panning gold and one of their sites was on postmark, it routed the mail and sold stamps for ten years and Mission Creek where it flows through Gallagher’s Canyon. earned the distinction of being Canada’s smallest post office. One day a cloudburst roared through the canyon and one of the Thomas Alva Wood (Wood Lake) gave his middle name Alva to Chinese workers was caught in the flood and drowned. When his the post office named Alvaston which was established in 1909, body was recovered it was buried beside the stream on the present where Winfield is now. But it was set up a half mile from the day golf course. Kelowna-Vernon mail coach route which followed today’s Highway About 16 years later a sheepherder named Clegg pre-empted 97, and thereby hangs our story. land and built a cabin close to the grave. Then strange thing began The stage had a schedule to keep and the driver refused to trav to happen. Every night when he doused his lantern he was visited el a mile out of his way to the post office to deliver and pick up the by a ghostly Chinese image with a pigtail hanging down his back. mail. The problem was quickly overcome, howeve by the local After numerous ghostly visitations, Clegg became fed up and ap residents when they acquired a large packing case with a lid on top pealed to the boss Chinaman in Kelowna, Lim Yun, who lived on and set it up by the side of the road where the stage would pass. Abbott Street where the Underhill Clinic is today. The driver then agreed to deliver and pick up the mail. “That Chinaman you got buried up at my place?” From 1909 to 1919, the postmasters of Alvaston P0., A. “Yes, we know him.” Chatterhorn; H. Horsnell and C. Lodge, cooperated with this ar “Well he keeps coming to my place and wants to get out.” rangement and obligingly took the outgoing mail to the packing A couple of weeks went by and nothing was done, so Clegg again case and picked up the incoming mail to be distributed from the of visited Lim Yun and said, “That man you got buried up at my place ficial post office. says if you don come up and take him away he’s coming to town.” Individual pieces of outgoing mail were allowed to be left in the The next morning a party of Chinese arrived in the canyon and packing case rather than go through the regular post office and for took away their compatriot. History doesn’t record what hap the convenience of the sende an empty four-pound jam tin con pened, but since it was the Chinese custom in those days to ship taining a dollar or two in stamps was kept inside and money for remains back to China, that is probably what happened. In any stamps taken would be left in the tin. case Clegg had no more wraithy visits and that was the end of the This bizarre arrangement worked splendidly throughout the Ghost of Gallagher’s Canyon. whole decade that the Alvaston post office existed and it’s record

- Win Shilvock ed that never was the privilege abused. No mail, money or stamps

were ever stolen from the jam tin post office. - Win Shilvock B.C. Historical News 18 Armstrong: From Celery to Cheese by Judy Riemehe Armstrong held its 90th annual to its present site on Patterson Ave., had been reporting on all these since Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE) where it’s still serving the people of 1902. in September. For nearly a century Armstrong. One of the major crops grown was this yearly celebration has recog Farmers had followed the fur trad hay, but harvests included berries of nized the integral link between the ers who were the first to settle in several kinds (strawberries, raspber people of Armstrong and B.C. They came from Britain, ries and black currants), potatoes, Spallumcheen, and the land. Western Europe, from eastern and turnips. Orchards were thriv In the earliest history of the area, Canada and the United States, and ing, and the Egg and Poultry Co-op when settlers came to the swampy with them they brought their own had been established to grade and lowland country they came to farm. familiar types and varieties of live market eggs and processed fowl, People were farming in the Knob stock, and their own farming meth Vegetable production attracted Hill and Round Prairie areas when ods. Each came with their own va hard-working Chinese families, who Robert Wood, Daniel Rabbitt and riety of seeds and plants, poultry came in 1907. Where other had E.C. Cargill founded the town. and animals. Over the years they seen only black muck in the drained Those three men, trading under the discovered which produced better in swamp grounds, the Chinese saw name of E.C. Cargill Co., were har the soil and climate of the area, and gold in the production of celery let vesting fir and cottonwood from the those observations resulted in more tuce and cabbage. Their faith in region. efficient and successful farming tech their own hard work saw its own In 1887, the area known as “The niques. harvest when five packing houses Swamp” surrounded the island of Rapid change followed the laying were built to process the vegetables land where Armstrong was eventu of the railway lines. The municipali and ship them to the prairie provinc ally established. In that year the ty of Spallumcheen was organized es and west to the coastal cities. swamp was drained and the black and a council elected, A grist mill The Chinese lived near their land, soil left behind was planted in vege was built beside the railway line, in buildings on Okanagan Street. tables. It was the beginning of a processing and shipping locally- Foster Whitaker, who came to change in the direction and the char grown wheat. C. Brewer built a ma Armstrong in 1910, remembers a acter of the town, and led to the jor sawmill at the east end of town, large building near Spallumcheen’s city’s new nickname - Celery City which was later purchased by T.K. newly-established road paving plant The first established settlement Smith. And these were the days which housed about 100 Chinese. had been at Lansdowne, about three when farmers saw the first of many More Chinese buildings lined the miles northeast of the present city of threshing machines rolling through street to the corner north of the pay.. Armstrong. The coming of the the fields of golden grain. ing plant, and in the general vicini Shuswap & Okanagan railway line In 1900, the IPE was established ty. He said, at the peak, there were in 1891 changed the location of the as a table fair under the leadership more Chinese adults over 21 than townsite, and brought many chang of Donald Matheson, who served as white. es in the lives of the people. president for the next 14 years. It When Alex Adair arrived in the Settlers wanted to call their town was the producers’ way of celebrat city in 1911 to start his merchant Aberdeen, but when the railway ing the industry that played a major tailor business, there were “two ho came through, the name of role in the lives of the settlers, but it tels, a theatre, two grocery stores, Armstrong was erected at the sta was also a way of comparing agri two butcher shops, two drug stores, tion house. The name was in hon cultural methods, not only among a confectionery a bakery, two livery our of Mr. Heaton-Armstrong, a the local producers, but with farmers stables, dry goods store, gent’s fur banker who had arranged the issue from the surrounding towns. nishings, pool hall, five or six church of bonds to finance the Shuswap and By 1903 the population of es, a harness shop, blacksmith shop Okanagan Railroad. Townspeople Armstrong proper had reached over and various emporiums,” according held on to their chosen name of 500. Three of the largest industries to his daughter. The elementary Aberdeen until the Post Office was in town included the Okanagan and high schools were well estab built and when it too was named Flour Mill Co., the Farmers lished, and the first cottage hospital Armstrong, Aberdeen faded. When Exchange and the Okanagan on Patterson Ave. was nearing the it became obvious that Armstrong Creamery Association. Four church end of its time. A new hospital was would be the centre of commerce, the es, an elementary and a high school, built in 1912, with Dr. Van Kleek settlement of Lansdowne itself and several lodges (including Odd the first doctor. moved to the Armstrong townsite, in Fellows, Foresters, Orangemen and Peggy Adair Landon, who came to 1892. The Anglican church, St. the Masons) had large member Armstrong with her father in 1911, James, was moved from Lansdowne ships. The Armstrong Advertiser said: “When we first came, Messers B.C. Historical News 19 Daykin and Jackson ran a success more milk per animal. The dairy in added to the grounds, the livestock ful flour mill, but the chiefjob oppor dustry was served by a creamery es buildings and grandstand were rear tunities were at the lumber yard tablished by local farmers which has ranged to make room for a quarter- and sawmills, the Creamery, and evolved to become the Armstrong mile race track and 200 feet of box the packing houses.” Cheese plant. stalls. On March 31, 1913, the City of As agriculture grew, new related And agriculture, like the fair has Armstrong was incorporated, formal industries sprang up in the town- continued to endure and grow. The ly separating itself as an entity site. Feed and supply stores were days following World War II saw apart from the Municipality of established, with Buckerfield’s the rapid price hikes, and again consu Spallumcheen. first. Charlie Hoover built an alfalfa mers and farmers alike had to re After the first World War with mill (where the Pea Growers now spond to a changing environment. Germany and Holland rebuilding stands) to grind alfalfa, and he oper The first hay balers were used in the their own agricultrual industries, ated Inland Flour Mills, later pur district in the late 1940s, and more the bottom fell out of the seed mar chased, in 1946, by Buckerfield’s mechanization meant higher initial ket, and Armstrong’s Seed Co-op When the CNR brought in its branch costs to farmers. It also gave them closed. Small farms were in trouble line in 1924, there were four trains the means to become more efficient, as jobs became more readily availa coming through the town every day, and to remain in the industry. ble in industry, and that caused bringing in necessities and taking Changes in the railroad system both remaining packing houses to away farm products to markets both also had its effect on agriculture. close. Cheap produce from east and west. Farm machinery Throughout the early history of California and Washington guaran and equipment sales outlets were Armstrong, farmers depended on the teed the loss of Armstrong’s vegeta built to service the growing trend to railway to ship their goods, but dur ble markets, and imported eggs did ward mechanization on the farm. ing the 1950s costs for shipping the same to the egg industry But Each wintei hundreds of tons of were rising. That, combined with that still didn’t daunt many of the ice were hauled in from Otter Lake the fact better highways were being producers. by teams of horses and sleighs. constructed to connect Armstrong A fire destroyed the Chinese sec They were stored in straw and saw with major markets both east and tion of town in 1912 but didn’t hold dust, kept ready for packing fresh west, brought about changes in how back the production of vegetables. vegetables. By 1925 there were four goods were shipped. The last pas While production of celery and some packing houses in Armstrong, with senger train pulled out of Armstrong of the other vegetables growing in a Chinese shipping office (Wong okn March 16, 1957, a service no the area had declined, the discovery Chong & Co.) established later near longer felt necessary because of the that asparagus grew well in the stockyards. completion of Highway 97 the pre Armstrong created an expansion in Throughout those years, the ex ceding year. In March of 1958, that direction. Soon Armstrong be pansion and changes in the industry steam locomotive number 4308 came one of the major asparagus were reflected each year at the IPE. made its final run through the city, growing districts in the country Farmers continued to bring their and an era ended. Hog production also survived, and new varieties of stock and produce, Farming continues to be the back with the increase in asparagus, and their innovative ideas, to the bone of the Armstrong economy. growers had a strong basis on which fair. The need for expansion was in Dairymen supply Armstrong Cheese to build. Ranchers and cattlemen creased by the burning of the cattle with milk for its operation, and who were raising pure breeding ani barn on the fairgrounds in 1925. there is a flourishing poultry mar mals improved the strains and con Over the next four years, Fair direc ket. Hatcheries, breeders, and poul tinued successfully. Mechanization, tors bought more land and built a try farm supply Colonial Farms and specialization, and new technologr sheep barn, poultry barn and two Starbird Enterprises, and egg pro meant successful farming. more 30 x 100-foot barns to house ducers are a growing industry. Automatic feeding systems, seeding the swelling interest in exhibiting. The city has benefitted through and thrashing machines came into The Depression and War years the many related industries that general use, changing the family brought the Armstrong area the serve those involved in agriculture, farm forever. same hard times as every other part and logging continues to contribute This was also a time of revolution of the ocuntry went through. Times to the economy. This year, (1989) in the dairy industry. Smaller herds changed, markets dwindled, and the city again paid tribute to its be gave way to larger ones, milking many of the Chinese moved away, ginnings with the IPE, and 50,000 parlours were made more efficient, leaving the economy at its weakest. people, the largest crowd evei joined with several cows being milked at But the pursuit of agriculture contin in the celebration. one time by automatic milking ma ued. The IPE reflected the changes, chines. The herds themselves were and served as a reminder of the Judy Riemche 18 a feature writer with the changed through new breeding strength of the land. In 1930 the VERNON MORNING STAR papei and methods that enabled cattle to make IPE Association held its first class B Secretary of the ArmstronglEnderby OHS more efficient use of feed to create show; by 1938 further land was bmnch. B.C. Historical Ne 20 The Role ofEnderby in Early Okanagan History by Bob Cowan

Enderby played a pivotal role in for the Okanagan Polling division, cial government (June 9, 1887) on the development of the Okanagan and had his office initially in part of the viability of the Okanagan for fu Valley. Situated on the west bank the warehouse. The site became ture development if a rail line was of the Spallumcheen or Shuswap known as Lambly’s Landing or extended from Sicamous to River, it was located at a point Steamboat Landing. Okanagan Landing with the follow where the river changed its westerly The large ranches to the south con ing: flow to a northerly direction, empty tinued to grow and prosper. They Messers. Lawes and Rashdale ex ing into Mara Lake. It was a mile had considerable success with wheat pect to have their mill in running or south of this point that Alexander and other cereal cultivation. To mill der by the first of August next. Leslie Fortune, an Overlander, pre their crop the farmers had to take They inform me that they have empted land in 1866, thus becoming their product to the Fortune mill (no 1,500 tons of last years’s wheat on the first white settler in the north relation to A.L. Fortune) in hand, which quantity is sufficient to Okanagan. Kamloops or the Brent mill near supply the mill at its full capacity This geographical quirk made the Okanagan Mission. for four months. The cost of the mill bend in the river an ideal stopping With the completion of the CPR on the day it starts work will be over spot for steamboats from Kamloops mainline in 1885, it did not seem $60,000. I mention this fact to shipping supplies to settlers in the unreasonable that a flour mill could show Mi Lawes’ firm belief in the south, It was from this point that be built at Lambly’s to handle the wheat growing capacity of the dis goods could be transhipped to the wheat production in the trict in the first place, and his confi head of Okanagan Lake, a distance Spallumcheen and transport the fin dence in being able to manufacture of twenty miles. ished product to Sicamous by boat. an article offlour which will compete In 1871 Fredrick Brent bought Messers. Lawes and Rashdale con successfully with that imported from mill-stones, iron frame and hopper structed a five story roller mill on Oregon, in the second. in San Francisco for his flour mill the river bank in 1887. Mr. Lawes If Messers. Lawes and Rashdale near Okanagan Mission. They ar had come from an old milling family succeed in stopping the drain on the rived by sailing ship in Victoria, in the neighborhood of Salisbury, resources of the province for bread where they were re-shipped to Yale. Wiltshire, England. More recently stuff amounting annually to over They travelled by freight wagon to he had managed a mill in Oregon. $200,000.00, they will deserve the Savona’s Ferry where they were AS. Farwell reported to the provin thanks of the community at large. again placed on a steamboat. They progressed through the Thompson River system, Shuswap Lake, and then up the Shuswap River to Fortune’s Landing. From there they were taken overland to the head of Okanagan Lake near Cornelius O’Keefe’s ranch. A rowboat took them to Lequimes Landing where they were off-loaded and skidded by stone-boat four miles inland. ‘ The connection at Fortune’s Landing was central to the success of this marathon adventure. Recognizing the importance of this spot on the river, Thomas and Robert Lambly pre-empted the 320 acres to the west and north of the Spallumeheen Band Reserve in 1876. They built a large ware house. Thomas Lambly was made Commissioner of Lands and Works Columbia Flour Mil4 Enderby. Jack Balky delivering flou, circa 1892.

B.C. Historical News 21

22

B.C. Historical News

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the frolIc, to In parilclpate invited

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from frolIc the will The Endcrby open band held,

he will a Hour of All Fools Ball. street celebration

to a Gran the and days as sports. the prelude

Foflowir, Ball room the ball engaged. of blocl

Conibloed

on for floor. 100 Acco,,uowlat,oo the

Ball in Grand Evening

cigars. men—Box 50

single v& Tug-of-war, married

sent—Medals.

they d4e rJdents the town ot repr

4 Re1y must rw3e, be bona men,

12: 1. 2nd, 1st,

yards, 75 open race. to all— Girl’s

4; let, 2nd, $2.

raoe blindfolded— Wpeelbarrow

KpotctPnaU’8 2nd, race—let, $2;

2nd, SOc.

12—1st, Sack boys $1; under race,

$3; under—let, 2nd, $2.

boys, Obstacle 16 race, and for

$4;

1st, $2. 2nd,

P. by a the home,

excited became group

#6 22 Reports 3. 24 & OHS

Fat

over race, Man’s

200-lbs.—-

Mrs.

at erary Lawes’ gathering

2nd, $2.

2. p. AS.

9, Farwell 22 June 1887 Report

-

oi,eu to Ilaif-tiulo, $4; all—:Iet,

a lit At Lambly’s (Mrs. preference)?

F.M. 1. Ogopogo’s iluckland. p.43 Vigil $2.

2nd.

or

Belvedere Landing Lambly’s to 100—yards, open $4; all—ist,

BIBLIOGRAPHY

to

Four to three enter, utrt.

or Landing be it

Would

Steamboat

an

,mns’s will fee racm be of entrance charged. ISo

First m. at RAClNG In race 410 called all p. the mark? post on would appear

Report. OHS

Game tl,li0

rn called

p.

But name what General Store,

LACROSSE v. Arm.troag

Vernon

and Society, Museum District current of

editor

conclusion the of lacrosse the In match at turnoon.

Harvey’s Mr.

in

to

open slated

is

of chaimzan Bob

Cowan

tlw

and Enderby

will m.; be caBal a. at at tho tbi second 112111

Captains aane The draw bye. for will the irat post was office A the of construction.

BASEBAL-L Ver,,ou.ArcmtrocaEojsrhy

* * * * * * * * * *

the

hub be the would on ment river

SPORTS FIELD

as

or Kelowna. such Vernon the settle little and was coming,

race, Launch

to open

all—-Trophy.

of other Okanagan cities importance o’clock 12 the that railway It seemed clear

Walking PoIe—$5. Greasy

the to development proportional and

Railway. Okanagan

and the

11.40 o’clock

became and importance inversely $15. Shuswap the to committed cially

Log

contest—One

Rolling

prize,

ily growth Enderby’s by-passed.

finan to become vincial government

11.20

oclock

could be the eas town Enderby, now pro the persuading in instrumental 2nd, $6; dies—-ist, $3.

Klootchman’s 3-pad- race, Canoe

be easily more shipped could from was as

Ranch), the Stepney known

U o’clock

(and lumber) flour as later such

later south ranch of town, large Valley—Trophy.

br the the of championship amateur the While into products Okanagan. of the

(owner Lumby Moses with

white Canoe race, Singlit man’s,

the

of shipment for goods pivotal

together He, Landing. Okanagan 10.40 o’clock

No $4; Enderby. dles—lst, Enderby was longer 2nd, $2. with Sicamous connect that would

race, Canoe Man’s White

2-pad-

of marked end

era the 1891 an for

Railway and Okanagan Shuswap o’clock 10.20

2nd, $4.60; of the The railway completion $1.60. in the proposed in

shareholder major

Indian race, Canoe

3-paddles—-let,

Star. the Red owned

a Mr. was Rithet mill. the chased 10 o’clock—sharp

SPORTS WATER

north. the mill also Mr. from Rithet pur businessman, a Rithet, Victoria

guoote city’s welcome the

south material flour and struction

R.P Mr. in receivership. mill was

The of booming

chorus will whistica a! canon

and

river the plied railway carrying con a. Royal and m. 9:45 Salute the Lawes By Rashdale 1888

The the scow crews. Red tion Star, narrows. Sicamous

and construc Okanagan Shuswap at the ice the under his team

was for the the centre Enderby

lose only to and lake river frozen the 908 25 May

Enderby. in

over to of a Sicamous load flour take

B.C. ENDERBY,

that they were dents surprised lived

to attempted Hotel, the Enderby DAY VICTORIA

fall, that resi local many opened of and owner teamster local Wright,

the When Enderby”. office post Web point, one At regularity.

“The tune the Brides playing OFFICIAL of PROGRAM any with Sicamous to product ished

by of the bells church chiming saved fin their getting difficulty had great

The of were villagers water. tide and Rashdale Lawes tion, Messers.

rising a about poem Englow Jean rail transporta of aid the Without Commandos in the Ohanagan Valley

by Win Shilvock

During the 1939-45 world wai the however, when the story leaked out, fellow before he killed you. It was British war cabinet operated an or local custom changed the name to necessary to know radio telegraphy ganization called Special Operations Commando Bay, a name that is now and this was carried out on the lake Executive (SOE) which trained com preserved forever as part of shore north and south of the camp. mandos to function behind enemy Okanagan Mountain Park. Sabotage required demolition and lines in Europe, Few people ever In addition to the volunteers, the many thumps, booms and crumps knew that these covert activities party that arrived in Pentiction via were heard day and night by the also operated in the peaceful the Kettle Valley Railway from residents on the west side of Okanagan Valley in British Vancouver on the first of May, com Okanagan Lake. The benches above Columbia. prised Major Legg, two Canadian the camp took a pounding and an The action began in 1944 when at sergeants who were trained in explo abandoned cabin in Wild Horse tention was directed more closely to sives and sabotage and Mr. & Mrs. Canyon was annihilated. activities in the South Pacific. In Francis Kendall. Mrs. Kendall was Secrecy forbade movement too far April, Major Hugh John Legg, who Chinese and the couple had lived for from the training area, but twice in worked with the SOE for some years many years in the Far East. the four-month period everyone in England, was ordered to Besides contributing a knowledge of crossed the lake to Paradise Ranch Vancouver to set up the organiza the country the commandos would and picked fruit for a few hours. tion. operate in, Kendall was also a dem The routine was also broken when Since Occidentals wouldn’t fit into olition expert. General George Pearkes, GOC Asian setting, a search began for At this point a curious fact was Pacific Command, spent a week-end Chinese men who would volunteer discovered. Since the trainees were at the camp to see how things were for this very perilous assignment. all Chinese it was assumed they all going. Many Chinese had enlisted in the spoke Chinese, but such wasn’t the Training was completed the first of Canadian army and from these sev case. Eight of the 12 had been September, 1944, and the comman eral dozen quickly volunteered, but raised in families that spoke only dos shifted to B.C. coastal waters for only 12 were required to fill the es English at home, so Mrs. Kendall undersea exercises. This was quick tablishment. set up classes to teach her compatri ly completed, and after a circuitous The names of these intrepid men ots the rudiments of their native lan journey via New Guinea to dodge en were; Tom Lock, Eddie Chow, Henry guage. emy action, the party arrived in Wong, Raymond Low, John Ko, By the middle of May, with a Australia. Here, at another secret Doug Jung, W.L. Wong and wharf constructed and a campsite Norman Wong. The remaining four, set up, a rigorous training schedule Roy Chan, James Shiu, Norman was put into effect. Low and Louie King would receive Only four months had been allot the Military Medal for their heroic ted for training so the schedule was actions in combat. All were given rigid and intense. Every one was the NCO rank of Sergeant. up and in the lake at six a.m. Secrecy was important to the mis Then it was discovered that none of sion so a secluded spot on the east the boys could swim. This was side of Okanagan Lake was chosen quickly taken in hand and by the for the training area. It was a small end of the course all excelled in the bay directly opposite today’s govern art, Brisk exercises were next and ment campsites between following breakfast from seven to Summerland and Peachland. No seven-thirty, a half-hour clean up roads led to the site and access was took place. Except for time out for gained to it only by water. meals, training went from 8 am. to At this time it was known as 9 p.m. Dunrobin Bay after L.R. Dunrobin The basic instructions were self- Commandos (L to R.) Loule King, Jim Shiu who had pre-empted the area many preservation and sabotage which and Eddie Chow Courtesy Penticton years before. After the war, meant being able to kill the other Museum &Archives.

B.C. Historical News 23 SOE camp, parachute training was time to retake the area after the B.C. was able to erect a memorial at received. bombs were dropped on Japan in Commando Bay extolling the deeds The moment of truth came when August 1945. of the 12 intrepid Chinese-Canadian they were parachuted into the interi Despite the manifold perils of the volunteers. The ceremony was held on September 17, 1988. Wing Won, although now 87 years old, was able to attend. He had lied about his age and although he was 43 at the time, was able to keep up to the grinding pace required of a commando. Another veteran in attendance, at the age of 64, was Doug Jung. After his discharge Jung spearhead ed the Chinese community in Vancouver to obtain the Chinese right to vote. If we were good enough to fight for our country (there were 400 Chinese-Canadians in the armed forces) we were certainly good enough to vote. In 1947 the fran chise was acquired. Jung also studied law, and in Commando Bay - Okanagan Lake. Photo Courtesy Penticton Museum and Archives. 1953 when his compatriots were al or of Borneo among the native head jungle and many encounters with lowed to be called to the British hunters. The combination of trained the enemy, all 12 men survived. Columbia Bar, he became the third commandos and natives who knew However, Norman Low, who won the such lawyer to qualify. He was then the jungle and were skilled in the Military Medal, was wounded and attracted to politics and became the art of quick killing worked extremely despite several years of hospital first Chinese in Canada to become well. So well, that in two months treatment died in 1960. an MF serving Vancouver Centre the Japanese were forced from the The operation was so secret that from 1957 to 1962. interior to the coast. no official records were ever kept and Although the memory of events The radio telegraphy training re for 44 years any recognition of the fades with time, there will always ceived in the Okanagan now became part played by these men in the be a small reminder at Commando very important. From the continuous Pacific was was masked with si Bay on Okanagan Lake of the ex reports that were sent, the Allies lence. Although many details will ploits of 12 brave men who played knew exactly the whereabouts of the never be known, enough came to an integral part in the war in the Japanese on Borneo when it came light over the years so that Parks South Pacific.

THE BOUCHERIE MOUNTAIN SECRET Our story of buried treasure takes place near the log house been reached when on March 28, 1886, Phillips became ill and went where John and Susan Allison (Allison Pass) lived at Sunnyside, to bed in his cabin which was near the Allison house where just east of today’s Westbank. The house still stands at the cor Armstrong lived. ner of Sunnyside and Boucherie Roads. For some time Armstrong stewed over the halter matter and hav When Allison’s cattle were all but wiped out in the frightful winter ing worked himself into a state of almost frenzy, decided some of 1879-80 he was forced to sell his property and move back to his thing should be done about it. Picking up a large stick he crossed old home at Vermillion Forks (Princeton. to Phillips’ cabin, determined to get the matter settled. When the The purchaser was a grizzled cowpuncher named John Phillips burly Irishman exploded through the door, wielding a stick, Phillips who, the following year went into partnership with Hugh Armstrong, panicked, grabbed a nearby rifle, fired and Armstrong dropped a tough bullheaded Irishman who came from the Oregon Territory. dead. Armstrong had just sold some property down south for a consider After a lengthy trial in Kamloops, a jury decided Phillips acted in able amount of gold which he was carrying when he arrived at self-defence and he was acquitted of a murder charge. It was sug Sunnyside. Not knowing what to do with it he buried it but kept se gested, though, that he might have done in Armstrong in order to cret its location. get the gold. But he had never been told the secret and Armstrong The cattle-ranch partnership carried on amicably until 1886 took the location of the treasure to his grave. when the two men had a falling out and agreed to divide the stock So somewhere around the south side of Boucherie Mountain is and horses and sell the property. All went well until a vicious argu buried a lot of gold. To this day no one has found it. ment erupted over who owned a certain halter. No decision had - Win Shilvock

B.C. Historical Ne 24 Private Schools in the Ohanagan

by Winston A. Shilvock

In the early days of the Okanagan Coast. The first few years were very Bennett and Mrs. Harvey took over Valley there was a plethora of pri successful, but when a depression as joint owner. vate schools but most had a compar hit in 1912 and the war started in The school was never very success atively short life, due mainly to fi 1914, attendance declined rapidly ful financially and, as with the nancial problems. and indebtedness rose sharply. Baptist College, the depression of The schools grew out of a need for The future looked bleak and de 1912 and war of 1914 caused a de discipline; religious education; ath spite an affiliation with McMasters cline in attendance. However, the letic facilities; small classes that University, in the Fall of 1915 the two owners managed to carry on un gave personal instruction; more de Baptist Union of Western Canada til 1924 when they married each sirable companions, and personal decided to close the college and write other and returned to North supervision 24 hours a day for off the many tens of thousands of Vancouver, again joining Scriven boarders. A large percentage of the dollars invested. who had returned to Canada and youngsters came from the Coast, for The gymnasium became a fruit started Kingsley School. oddly, few private schools existed packing house but today is a Youth The record shows, that in the 12 there. Centre in Summerland and the years it operated, Chesterfield The first record of a “private” women’s residence became a Home School in Kelowna graduated 71 school is when F. Adrian Myers be for the Friendless. The two largest boys. Attesting to the excellent edu gan what he called a “College” in buildings remained, but in 1941 one cation received, many of the young his home in Vernon in 1893. This was destroyed by fire and off and on people became famous in future failed to develop and it was followed for the next 47 years the other years and made names for them in 1905 by a school in the served as a restaurant. Finally, in selves in the military, politics and Coldstream run by the Reverend St. July, 1988, the last vestige of the the professions. John Mildmay. This, too, didn’t Okanagan Baptist College vanished The private schools that were most last long. when the building was moved to successful in the Valley were two Two years latei in 1907, the en Penticton to serve as a restaurant that began within a year of each terprising Okanagan Baptist and pub. other in Vernon. College was founded at West Almost in step with the St. Michael’s School was started in Summerland. Although it existed Summerland venture was an at 1913 by Miss Maud LeGallais to for only eight years it left a lasting tempt by a Miss Bloomfield to estab cater to girls aged eight to 18. It be impression on local education. lish a co-ed day school at Okanagan gan in two houses, but by 1921 it The main building was three and Mission in 1908. Little is known of had prospered to the extent that a one-half stories high, heated with this effort except that it ceased to new, large, three-story building was hot water and had full electric operate in 1909 and the peak atten able to be built on five acres of land lighting. There was accommodation dance is thought to have been about on a hill overlooking Vernon. for 50 boarders, seven teachers and 10 pupils. It had four dormitories and an in the household staff; a large chapel, In 1908 A.H. Scriven established a firmary, class rooms and rooms for music room, principal’s office and a non-denominational boys school in music, dancing and dramatics. dining room to seat 100. North Vancouver, called Chesterfield From the start it had the blessing of A gymnasium and large women’s School. Howevei in 1912 his wife the Anglican Church and back in residence were added the following became seriously ill and was told to 1917 was designated “The Bishop’s year. All this was built 600 feet up move to a drier climate. The school School of the Diocese of Kootenay”. on the side of Giant’s Head was sold and a move made to the Conformity in dress was required Mountain, providing a magnificent Okanagan Valley where Scriven, his and all girls wore a tunic, silk blouse view over the town and Okanagan senior teacher WJ. Bennett, and and blazer. Bloomers were worn for Lake. Matron, Mrs. T.W. Harvey, began sports for shorts were unheard of for The project had an auspicious another Chesterfield School in young ladies in those days. start when almost immediately the Kelowna. Physical fitness was stressed and enrollment was 71 pupils. They Shortly after the opening in there was a well equipped gymna came from as far away as Ontario, October 1912, the Scriven’s decided sium. In the surrounding acreage Saskatchewan, Alberta and the B.C. to return to England and Mr. grass hockey, tennis, badminton

B.C. Historical News 25 and cricket were played. The cricket emphasis was placed on physical fit went downhill, however and in the team often competed successfully ness. The men were graduates from mid 1960s was closed permanently with one from the nearby boys St. John’s School, Leatherhead, and and became a home for the elderly. school. the Rev. A.C. also from Corpus The last private school to start Financial problems arose during Christi College, Cambridge and and the only one still in operation is the depression of the 1930s and St. Durham University. They were well the Okanagan Adventist Academy. Michael’s School was forced to close grounded in the rigid Old Country In 1917 Robert Clayton, a in 1937. It was turned into an methods of schooling. Seventh-Day Adventist, opened a apartment block which, when deteri “Mackie’s” as it was affectionately family school in his home in oration later set in, was torn down called, never made much money but Rutland. In time the facilities be and a condominium complex was it did construct several buildings for came too small and in 1920 a move built on the site. It’s called St. dormitories, classrooms and a was made to a nearby hotel where a Michael’s Court which today carries gymnasium. It also acquired land co-ed boarding academy was estab on the proud memory of the school. for great sporting events and in lished. The Vernon Preparatory School for 1921 the graceful St. Nicholas At the same time property was boys was founded by the Rev. AC. Chapel was dedicated to the relig purchased in Rutland and in 1925 a Mackie and his brother. HF. ious aspects of education. A well- school was built to handle all grades Mackie, January 13, 1914, and be stocked library provided reference up to Grade 10. This was known as gan in a small house in the books on manifold subjects. the Rutland Junior Academy. Coldstream with packing crates for An unfortunate incident happened Growth continued and the school desks. in 1927 when one of the boys was was expanded and in 1944 Grades It catered to boys eight to 15 bitten by a rattlesnake and died. 11 and 12 were added and the years of age and covered grades one Rev. Mackie swore a vendetta on the name changed to the Rutland to io. On opening there were five creatures and is reputed to have Academy. students which grew in number killed more than 4,000 during the Finally, in 1968, the building in when a maximum of 63 was reached rest of his life. use today was built and the name in 1921. When the brothers retired In 1946 C.M.WC. Twite took over changed to the Okanagan Adventist in 1946 they had educated 456 boys and ran the school until 1953 when Academy which is carrying on the during a 32-year period. it was incorporated as an educational traditions established The school was run in a typical Educational Trust. It gradually by Robert Clayton. English spartan manner and great

John Moore Robinson

by Win Shilvock Three towns in the Okanagan Portage la Prairie and Brandon. He to organize his affairs in Manitoba Valley in British Columbia owe their had also found the time and stamina and it wasn’t until 1897 that he was existence to the workings of the spir to be Grand Master of the Orange able to carry out his plans. it world, a long-dead Sioux Indian Lodge and a member of the Robinson was keenly interested in chief and the considerable foresight Manitoba Legislature. the occult so when he formed a min and unbounded energy of John In 1888 Robinson made a trip to ing company from among his Moore Robinson. the Kootenays in southern British Manitoba associates, one of the six “J.M.,” as Robinson was invaria Columbia to investigate several min directors was a Mr. Anderson, a bly called was born of English stock ing operations. Then, continuing clairvoyant. Diamond drills and in Ontario in 1855. A good educa westward he came to the scanners were unknown in those tion was obtained in Canada and Similkameen Valley which extends days and J.M. reasoned that the United States when he moved for 70 miles between Princeton and Anderson could invoke the aid of the west to Winnipeg, Manitoba. By the Okanagan Lake. He took an imme spirit world to locate the mother time J.M. was 33 he had been a diate liking to the country and deter lode. school teachei a newspaper reporter mined this was the place to search The spirits didn’t cooperate, howev and owned three newspapers in for gold. It took some time, howevei er, and the venture failed. One day

EC. Historical News 26 while looking over the situation near English bank, along with several In naming this new development Okanagan Lake, Robinson had marginal pre-emptions. With the J.M. toyed with the idea of calling it lunch with Charles Lambly who ran construction of an extensive irriga Brighton Beach in honor of the a cattle operation at Trepanier tion system things began to hum English locale of his family. Creek and had a few fruit trees for and as more settlers flowed into the Howevei the matter was settled one his personal use. When some lus valley a townsite was laid out on night when a seance was held in the cious peaches were served for des the lakeshore. tent home of J.S. Gillespie whose sert and Robinson learned they had A two-story 20-room hotel was wife was a noted medium. been grown just a few yards away built; a domestic water system in- In 1931 Robinson wrote to a friend his agile mind jumped at the explaining what happened. idea of developing the land “The question of the name commercially to grow fruit of NARAMATA has been identi all kinds - apples, pears, fied with claims of spiritual plums, cherries and grapes. ism and I hesitate to explain Up to now Ontario was the it to you as you will not know only area in Canada to grow what I’m talking about un fruit commercially. less you, too, have spent the Not one to daily when he last 30 or 40 years trying to got an idea, he discarded the investigate the subject.” mining venture and with the He went on to say that Mrs. help of some more Gillespie was entered by the Winnipegonians, in 1898 spirit of a Sioux Indian chief founded the Peachiand named Big Moose who spoke Townsite Co. Ltd. Extensive of his beloved wife, calling her blocks of land were purchased NAR-RA-MAT-TAH which from early pre-emptors and meant “Smile of Manitou.” divided into 10-acre fruit lots. Robinson then continued, “I With irrigation water guar decided this was a good anteed from Deep Creek, the name for our village.” The lots sold for $100 an acre. unnecessary letters were Through intensive promo dropped and NARAMATA tion back east, immigration came into being. surged following the first car Of the three towns estab load of settlers who arrived J..M Robinson. lished by Robinson, May 6, 1898. So rapid was Naramata appealed to him the flow that in December that year stalled; a hydro-electric plant was the most and in 1907 he gave up a post office was opened and at the constructed, making Summerland the spacious family home in request of Robinson was named the first community in the Summerland, and with his wife, five “Peachiand.” Okanagan Valley to have electric daughters and three sons, moved While all this was going on J.M. lights. In Novembei 1902, a post across the lake where he lived until had been surveying the country im office was opened and at Robinson’s passing away February 23, 1943. mediately south of Peachland. suggestion was named None of the three towns he found Some pre-emptions were being “Summerland.” By the end of 1906 ed has grown to a metropolis, but worked in the Trout Creek area, but the population warranted incorpora they are, and probably always will the benches to the west were practi tion and Robinson was elected the be, quiet, comfortable places to live. cally virgin territory since no irriga first reeve. Through them the dynamic, vision tion was available. He reasoned Never content with his accomplish ary John Moore Robinson attracted that if water could be provided the ments he looked south for further more settlers to the Okanagan land would be as good or better than property to develop but was thwart Valley than any other person. what he had already developed. ed by the cattle baron, Tom Ellis, In 1902 the Summerland who owned the land. Howevei Ellis Development Co. Ltd was incorpo agreed to sell 12,000 acres directly rated and with the help of a across the lake from Summerland $75,000 loan from Sir Thomas and in 1906, 3,000 acres were devel Shaughnessy of CPR fame, acquired oped into 10-acre lots. This venture a huge block of land owned by also boomed and in 1907 a post of George N. Barclay of Barclay’s fice was opened.

B.C Historical News 27 The Development ofthe Orchcud Industry in the Okanagan Valley, 1890-1914

by David Dendy

Fruit has been grown in the Okanagan almost as long as the area has been settled. The Oblate Fathers planted apple trees at the Okanagan Mission in 1863, and small orchards were laid out by oth er settlers, such as George Whelan and Alfred Postill at Kelowna in 1875-76. But these were small plantin, intended only to supply fruit for the ranchers themselves. There were no serious attempts at commercial fruit-growing in the Okanagan until the 1890s. Basically, the small production was a result of the lack of transpor tation facilities. The completion of the C.PR. in 1885 really did little to alter the situation, for the line was forty miles or more north of the best fruit lands at Vernon and Early ditch and flume irrigation, cwca 189O. south. While relatively imperisha had been planted in the Yale of his Coldstream Ranch in 1893, ble grain and cattle could withstand Cariboo district, largely at Kelowna and the Okanagan Land such a trip in a wagon or afoot, fruit and Vernon, Development Company also sold could not. But this burst of energy did not some lands in smaller plots, but All this was changed by the last. One very significant check on most of the land was still locked up Shuswap and Okanagan Railway the expansion of the industry in the in huge ranches. which was completed from Sicamous Okanagan was the continent-wide Other problems beset the infant in through Vernon to Okanagan Lake depression which commenced in late dustry as well. Many went into or on May 12, 1892. But fruit was not 1893 and lasted for five years. Such charding with the belief that all that king of the land yet. conditions were not conducive to ven had to be done was to plant the The man who brought fruit to at tures requiring large capital expen trees, which would take care of tention and prominence, more than ditures, and fruit growing fell into themselves, and to collect the prof any othei was the Earl of Aberdeen, that category. Lady Aberdeen, for its. Even Lord Aberdeen’s experi Governor General of Canada from example, wrote that the prospective ments suffered from this assump 1893 to 1898. In the fall of 1890 he orchardist needed a capital of not tion. In 1896 the ‘Guisachan’ bought 480 acres at Okanagan less than £ 500 so as to afford to orchard had to be pulled out, and Mission (later named the buy twenty acres, plant it, put up a the original plantings at Coldstream ‘Guisachan’ Ranch) and in 1891 the house, and live for the four or five were also not very successful. It Coldstream Ranch of Forbes G. years before the trees produced a was not until the turn of the century Vernon, an estate of over 13,000 crop. and the coming into bearing of the acres. Lord Aberdeen was an inno Development was also slowed by replanted areas, that the vative man, and in 1892 planted the fact that so much of the best Coldstream estate could again be out 200 acres at each of his ranches land was part of huge properties of pointed out as an example of the to orchard, as well as experimenting the original cattle ranchers, and un success of orcharding, as can be seen with hops. Some of the farmers in til they decided to sell there was no from the fruit production statistics: the valley, inspired by this example, possibility of extensive fruit growing. 25 tons in 1897, 150 in 1898, 100 also planted fruit trees. By 1893 Lord Aberdeen attempted to allevi in 1899 and 279 in 1900. roughly 75,000 trees, mostly apples ate the problem by subdividing part A final problem was that of finding

B.C. Historical News 28 markets for the fruit and getting it moved on to wider fields, and in not match up to the promises. one to them. As early as 1894 the man 1903 incorporated the Summerland man, who had bought an orchard ager of the Coldstream Ranch com Development Company. from the Coldstream Estate, then plained that Lack of markets we Others, noting the trend of the sold out and returned to Britain in consider the greatest drawback to times, were quick to follow 1911 reported: It was impossible farming in this district, and also the Robinson’s example. WR. Pooley not to be struck with the obvious, high freight rates. The first sales, and EM. Carruthers had been en shall I say, lack of riches every of course, were local. The miners at gaged in the real estate business at where. I met man after man, some Fairview and Camp McKinney in Kelowna since 1902 and in 1904 of whom had been fifteen or twenty the southern Okanagan provided a they combined with T.W. Stirling to years in the country, but never a one market for some fruit, particularly form the Kelowna Lands and of them had done much more than from Summerland and south, but Orchard Co., which bought 6,743 keep his head above watei these camps were not large and acres from the Lequime family for The sceptics were confirmed in could certainly not absorb the crop $65,000. This land was quickly 1912. By this time many of the new from further north. provided with roads and irrigation, orchards were coming into bearing. The prairies were another matter and placed on the market at prices A heavy crop in the Okanagan coin Most of the fruit sold there came from $100 to $200 per acre. In cided with similar heavy crops in from the United States. The 1905 the Southern Okanagan Land Washington and Oregon, and the re Canadian fruit which was sold on Company, a similar enterprise, was sult was that the usual markets on the prairies was almost entirely incorporated at Penticton to buy the the Canadian prairies were glutted from Nova Scotia and Ontario, huge Ellis estate and subdivide it. with the American surplus at low which had the transportation ad The great Okanagan land boom was prices, and the Okanagan fruit, vantage of cheap Great Lakes on. which came onto the market later shipping. Freight rates were very An illustration of the boom can be than the American crop, was put at high on the eRR., and only very seen in the statistics of fruit acreage an enormous disadvantage, with re slowly was it pressured into reduc in British Columbia: in 1901 there sultant disastrously low prices. ing them; for example, it cost six were 7,430 acres planted. In 1904 One result if the disaster of 1912 cents per pound in 1895 on fruit ex there were 13,340, and in 1905 a to was that the growers decided that pressed from Vancouver to tal of 29,000, almost all of the ex cooperation was a must if they were Winnipeg, and by 1899 this rate pansion being in the Okanagan. to survive. The only cooperative or had been reduced to two and a quar “This increase in acreage for 1905 ganization previously extant, the ter cents. By 1901 rates had been meant the planting of about Okanagan Fruit Union, had been cut to the point where apples could 1,000,000 young trees.” It should formed in 1908 and had operated on be shipped from points in the be noted that most of the first buy a small scale, but was forced to go Okanagan to Calgary for only ers were settlers from Manitoba and into liquidation as a result of the eighty-five cents per hundred the prairies who were well oft, but 1912 debacle. A new organization, pounds. who had had enough of prairie Okanagan United Growers Ltd., The time was ripe for renewed in weather. Only later was there an was formed in May of 1913. This terest in Okanagan fruit lands. influx of English settlers, lured out venture was more successful, and British Columbia was emerging to farm the colonies by expensive ad managed to hold a large portion of from the economic doldrums, and vertisements promising large re the market until 1923, when a new the older orchards were now produc turns and appealing for British im and larger cooperative association ing enough to show that fruit grow migrants. was set up. ing could be profitable. The promoters of Okanagan lands As far as land sales were con Surprisingly, it was a prairie man continued to boost their holdings, cerned, the damage had been done. who first took advantage of the new promising great profits: After a Although the promoters tried to conditions. J.M. Robinson came maximum wait of five years, I un keep the boom going the customers from Manitoba to prospect for gold derstand the settler may look for no longer appeared. Conditions near Peachiand. The mining ven ward with reasonable certainty to a were aggravated by the collapse of ture was a failure, but Robinson was net income of from $100 to $150 per the province-wide real estate and in impressed by the fruit he found acre, after all expenses of cultivation vestment market at the beginning of there. In 1899 he started selling have been paid. Some advertise 1913. After 1912 land sales fruit lands at Peachland to wheat ments went higher, speaking of in dropped off to almost nothing, and farmers from the prairies, who were come from a ten-acre orchard as the land companies were left in se entranced by the combination of fa £600 or even £700 per annum. vere difficulties, for few of them had vourable climate, sport, and easy By 1911 scepticism was rising, sold more than a third of their irri living. When he had finished selling particularly among those who found gable lands. They had been depend the land available at Peachiand he that the land they had been sold did ing on the revenue from sales of land

B.C. Historical News 29 ______

to pay for the building and repair of the Okanagan valley. They farmers more than $640,000 and their rather makeshift irrigation changed the complexion of the land with 30,000 people dependent on works, now; with sales vanishing, from that of extensive to that of in- the success or failure of the crop or they had still to maintain these ex- tensive agriculture, and firmly es Fruit growing had become the estab pensive systems for the settlers who tablished orcharding as a major eco lished and important industry of the bought land already, and who had nomic activity. The fruit industry of Okanagan. been promised cheap water as an in- the Okanagan had grown to the ducement to purchase. point where it accounted for the vast Despite the shortcomings of the majority of the province’s output, David Dendy is a graduate of the land promoters, they fulfilled a valu- producing in 1913 over twenty mil- University ofBritish Columbia. He is now teaching in the Department of History at able function in the development of lion to the pounds of fruit, worth Okanagan College in Kelowna.

In !7Vlemorüim

Barbara Stannard, Honorary Life Member of the B.C. Historical Federation, passed away in Nanaimo on Saturday, March 24, 1990. Mrs. Stannard was a valued member of the staff at the Nanaimo Centennial Museum for

many years. She was President of the B.C.H.F. from 1981 - 84. She assisted the implementation of the Competition for Writers of B.C. History It is suggested that donations in her memory be made to the B.C.H.E Writing Competition Fund.

Donations should be sent to:

The Treasurer - B.C. Historical Federation Mr. E Sleigh P0. Box 29 Deroche, B.C. VOM 1GO

This Okanagan Special issue of the B.C. SUBS CR1 PT IONS Historical News is reaching history buffs all over the province. For those reading this magazine for i the first time we will briefly define our editorial policy. Spring and Fall issues are compiled with a I NAME theme; Summer and Winter editions are a potpourri of B.C. History. The Fall 1990 theme is ADDRESS Because of the War which may refer to the I effects of any war since 1858. Articles are being POSTAL CODE sought for Because of the War, deadline July I — 15, 1990. A projected theme for 1991 is B.C.s GIFT FROM Coast and Islands. i If new readers wish to join the B.C. Historical I Mail your cheque to: Federation see the form on p. 35. Readers who wishtosubscribeorgiveagiftsubscriptiontoa I The Subscription Secretary - B.C. Historical News friend, may do so at a cost of $8 per year to an i 5928 Baffin Place address within Canada, $12 outside Canada. Burnaby, B.C. V5H 3S8 I

B.C. Historical News 30 Gems from the Archives

0 kanaaaniD 4

APPLE

PRODUCT OF CANADA 4.5 VOLUME BUSHEL

pOLY

PACK Shown are 3 examples of fruit box labels that were used in packaging. There were many L)I different kinds. XLJ— -.. . Labels courtesy of the British Columbia Orchard Industry Museum in Kelowna

at. FRUIT SHIPPERS LTD., VERNON, SUMMERIAND AND OLIVER, at.

PRICE 10 CENTS. At the turn of the century, tobacco growing was a major industry in the Kelowna area. During the harvest, cut tobacco roçramme leaves would be pierced onto a OF THE four foot piece of wooden lathe by

way of a removeable spear-head - PEACHLAND such as the one pictured here. amateur Once the lathe was full, it was guatic ociation’S ‘econb hung in a vented tobacco barn annuaL where the leaves would dry and cure. The artifact pictured is part of the Kelowna Museums Permanent Collection. 3acc!atta Photo courtesy the Kelowna Museum. 3Iutp 21, 1910. Research by Connie Liebholz tjurbar,

B.C. Historical News 31 Writing Competition - 1989

IThe following books were submitted for the seventh annual Competition for Writers of B.C. History. Books are listed in the order in which they were submitted for judging. Books are for sale at local bookstores or may be obtained by writing to the address given below the title.

WINNERS - Obtainable from: Milestone Publications, P0. $9.95 128 pp - Soft Cover Box 35548, Vancouver, Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal Stn. E, B.C. V6M 4G8 ISBN 0-929069-00-5 or WetCoast Ventures, Box 94, Tofino, B.C. Sonotek Publishing, P0. Box 1725, Merritt, ROBERT BROWN AND THE VANCOUVER VOR2ZO B.C. VOK2BO EXPLORING EXPEDITION Mine finding on Vancouver Island described. Pioneer Life and the Spence’s Bridge Best History for Juniors Orchards, 1853-1 946 HAIERSTONF.: BIOGRAPHY OF AN WIDOW SMITH OF SPENCES BRIDGE ISLAND: by Olivia Fletcher DICHONARY OF LOGGING TERMS

$17.95 - 150 - Soft Cover Gordon W. Carefoot Best Anthology pp ISBN 0-9693960-0-7 $6.95- 72 pp - Soft Cover FACES OF THE PAST Apple Press, Hornby Island, VOR 1ZO Published by the author Copies from Mrs.

. + + + •. .• .:• .. The historical geography and growth of Robin Schatz, P0. Box 464, Cultus Lake, Hornby Island B.C. VOX 1HO CONTINENTAL DASH Tei-ms garnei-ed from loggers across Canada The Russian-American Telegraph: A WHITE MANS PROVINCE by Rosemary Neering B.C. Politicians and Chinese and Japanese WE1’COAST WORDS: by Tom Parkin

- - $22.95 - 244 pp - Hard Cover Immigrants, 1858-1914: by Patricia E. Roy $9.95 156 pp Soft Cover ISBN 0-920663-07-9 $37.95 - 327 pp - Hard Cover ISBN 0-920501-30-3 Horsdal and Schubart Publishers Ltd., ISBN 0-7748-0330-4 Orca Book Publishers, Box 5626, Stn. B P0. Box 1, Ganges, B.C. VOS lEO University of B.C. Press, 303-6344 Memorial Victoria, B.C. V8S 3H9 The story of the Collins Overload Telegraph Rd., Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5 A dictionary of B.C. words and phrrzses. Changing attitudes towards Asian THE FERNWOOD FILES immigrants. 1990 AND COUNTING: Ed. John John J. Ellis with Charles Lillard McTaggart, for the Sharon History Book **ROBEIIT $12.95 - 125 pp - Soft Cover BROWN AND THE VANCOUVER Committee, Chairman Norman Sheritt. ISBN 0-920501-17-6 ISLAND EXPLORING EXPEDITION: $25.00 - 183 pp - Hard Cover Orca Book Publishers, P0. Box 5626, Stn. B by Ed. John Hayman Published by Sharon United Church History Victoria, B.C. V8R 6S4 $29.95 -211 pp - Hard Cover Book Committee. History of the Fernwood District, Victoria, since University of B.C. Press, 303-6344 Memorial Obtainable from: Richard Chell

1843 Rd., Vancouver B.C. V6T 1W5 507 - 21973 48th Ave., Selections from Brown’s 1864 Journols Langley, B.C. V3A 3N1 Add $3.00 postage THE COAL COAS’f by Eric Newsome Histo,y of Sharon United Church, Miirroyville

$13.95 - 195 pp - Soft Cover ASSU OF CAPE MUDGE Harry Assu with ISBN 0-920501-11-7 (Hard cover $26.95 Joy Inglis EDGE OF DISCOVER’ñ by D.E. Isenor E.G. ISBN 0-920501-25-7) $29.95 - 163 pp - Cloth Cover Stephens, and D.E. Watson Orca Book Publishers, P0. Box 5626, Stn. B. ISBN 0-7748-0333-9 $49.95 - 471 pp - Hard Cover Victoria, B.C. V8R 6S4 (Soft Cover, $19.95, ISBN 0-7748-0341-x) ISBN 0-919537-10-3 Drama and conflict ofcoal mining in B.C., University of B.C. Press, 303-6344 Memorial Ptarmigan Press Ltd., Campbell River, B.C. 1835-1900 Rd., Vancouvei B.C. V6T 1W5 Obtainable front Campbell River Museum and Personal recollections of on Indion Coastal Archives, 1235 Island Highway, Campbell THE JOURNALS OF GEORGE M. DAWSON Chief together with Indian. legends. River, V9W 2C7 Attn.: Irene Ross. British Columbia, 1875-78: A history of the Campbell RIver district.

Ed Douglas - L. Cole and Bradley J Lockner THIS WAS OUR VALLEX Earl K. Pollon NICOLA VALLE An $70.00 2 volume set. Vol 1 296 pp 1875-6 and Shirlee Smith Matheson MERR1TF AND THE

- - Archives Vol. 2 297-611 pp 1877-8 $26.95 403 pp Hard Cover Illustrated History: by Nicola Valley ISBN 0-7748-0276-6 & 07748-0286-3 ISBN 0-920490-92-1 (Soft Cover $17.95, Association. University of B.C. Press, 303-6344 Memorial ISBN 0-920490-91-3 $14.95 - 120 pp - Soft Cover Rd. Vancouver, B.C. V6T lW5 Detselig Enterprises Ltd., P0. Box G 399, ISBN 0-929069-01-3 Calgary, Alberta T3A 2G3 Sonotek Publishing, P0. Box 1752, Merritt, CROFION HOUSE SCHOOL Effects on. th.e Hudson’s Hope areo of building B.C. VOK 2B0 Obtainable front Sandhill The first ninety years. the WA.C. Bennett Darn. Book Marketing, Box 197, Stn. A, Kelowna, by Elizabeth Bell-Irving V1Y 7N5

$21.00 - 273 pp - Hard Cover, plus $2 p & p. THE SAME AS YESTERDAYS Accounts of the pioneers and life in the area. ISBN 0-9693399-0-1 Joanne Drake-Terry Crofton House School, 3200 West 41st Aye, $29.95 - 341 pp - Soft Cover BRASS ROOTS: by Amy Campbell Vancouver, B.C. V6N 3E 1 ISBN 0-88925-925-9 $12.95 - 68 pp - Soft Cover (plus p & p1 ISBN 0-9694313-0-9 The school’s history since 1898 - Lillooet Tribal Council Press P0 Box 1420, Lillooet, B.C VOK 1VO Published by Amy Campbell, 3681 Place Rd, WETcOAS’r VENTURES by Walter Guppy The Lillooet chronicle the theft of their land Nanaimo, B C. V9T 1M9 $11.95, postpaid - 192 pp - Soft Cover A history of the Nanirno Concert Band since ISBN 0-919763-12-x **WJDOW SMITH OF SPENCES BRIDGE 1872. Cappis Press, 1119 Oscar St. Jessie Ann Smith, as told to J. Meryl Victoria, V8V 2X3 Campbell and Audrey Ward.

B.C. Historical News 32 GUARDIAN ANGLES CHURCIt Ed. Mary Lan dry. NEWS & NOTES

$10.00 - 86 pp - Soft Cover Published by Guardian Angels Parish SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Government grant $2000 to assist with Anniversary Book Committee, 1161 Six provincial historical societies partici publication of quarterly magazine. This Brougbton St., Vancouver, B.C. V6G 2B3 pated in a meeting held October 25, 1989 society also has an annual Writing 40th Anniversory of Gao rdion Angels Parish in the Hotel Vancouver in conjunction Competition, Scholarship, and offers Cha,rh. with the Heritage Canada 1989 short term loans to a member or society to assist with publishing cost. WRiTE IT ON YOUR l{EART The Epic Conference. In the reporting of the func World of an Okanagan Storyteller by Harry tioning and financing of the provincial Robinson, Edited by Wendy Wickwire. organizations, the following facts appear: $18.95 - 319 pp - Soft Cover ISBN 0-88922-273-8 Historical Society of Alberta - Talon Books, 201 - 1019 East Cordova, Membership of 2000. Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1M8 Annual fee $15. Indian stories ond legends by a native stwy Government grant of $23,000 to assist teller with financing the publication of a quar terly magazine, newsletter and a series THE GHOSTLAND PEOPLE of books. by Charles Lillard

$18.95 - 318 pp - Hard Cover Saskatchewan Historical and ISBN 1-55039-016-3 Folklore Society - Sono Nis Press, 1745 Blanshard St., Victoria, Annual fee $20. Single, $30. Family B.C. VSW 258 Annual Budget of $300,000 - 45r% of A documentary history of the Queen which comes from lotteries. Charlotte Islands 18.59-1906. Society has an office with 3 full time, 3 part time staff. They publish a quarterly HISTORY OF MUSIC IN BRiTISH magazine, mark heritage farms and COLUMBIA 1850:1950: by Dale McIntosh businesses, offer school programs, an an $29.95 - 296 pp - Hard Cover nual writing competition and have an Sono Nis Press, 1745 Blanshai-d St, Victoria, oral history project. B.C. V8W 258 Manitoba Historical - “The first complete music history in B.C.” Society Membership of 700 BARNSTORMING TO BUSHFLYING Government grant of $6000 to assist SCHOLARSHIP WINNER 1989 by Peter Corley Smith with publication of a twice yearly maga David McCrady of Penticton received $1895 - 244 pp - Soft Cover zine. the 1989 B.C. Historical Scholarship. A ISBN 0-55039-020-1 Government assistance for special pro presentation $500 award was made at Sono Nis Press, 1745 Blanshard St. Victoria, jects, and an office with one full time the November meeting of the Victoria B.C. VSW 258 secretary and a part time Executive Branch of the B.C.H.F. David is a seri B.C. ‘s Aviatioo Pioneers, 1910-1930 Director. ous young man who began his post-

- secondary career studying political sci STREET NAMES OF PRINCE GEORGE - Ontario Historical Society OUR IUSTORYi University Womens Club of Menthership of 3000. ence at the Kelowna campus of Prince George. Annual fee $40. Okanagan College. The highlight of his

- student - years there was attending, - with $10.00 144 pp plus separate map - Spiral A million dollar budget 1/3 of which is a government four other Okanagan College bound - (add $1.50 p & p) grant. Society has a perma students, ISBN 0-921087-06-3 nent office, Executive Director and 7 the 1988 North American Model United University Women’s Club of Prince George, staff members. Publishes a quarterly Nations held in Toronto. In the fall of do Community Arts Council, Studio 2880, magazine and a newsletter; gives 300 1988 he enrolled in the honours history 2880, 15th Ave., workshops annually; arranges travelling program at the University of Victoria. Prince George, B.C. V2M 1T1 displays, school programs, heritage con He is concentrating on research to docu The orinin and history of street aornes in the servation advice, and multicultural pro ment native/white relations in the City. grams. Okanagan Valley. David sends sincere thanks to those in the B.C. Historical Federation of Historical Societies of WHiTE BEARS AND OTHER CURIOSIT1E& Federation who made this scholarship a Quebec - by Peter Corley Smith viable entity. Membership of 80 societies - 148 pp - Soft Cover almost 20,000 Crown Publications Inc., 546 Yates St. members. Victoria, B.C. V8W 11(8 This society was given a large endow THE BRITISH COLUMBIA ment The first 100 yeors of the Provincial Museum by the government and operates CHURCH HISTORY GROUP mainly on annual interest from this **FACES OF THE PASTS Ed. Barbara sum. The B.C. Church History Group held its founding meeting in September, 1989. MacPherson for the Arrow Lakes Historical Publishes a quarterly magazine - occa Society. sional government supplemental grants. They are still setting objectives and ar

$25.00 - 216 - Hard ranging for exchange of information. pp Cover British Columbia Historical ISBN 0-9694236-0-8 Anyone interested in this group is asked Federation - Membership-23 local socie Arrow Lakes Historical Society, to contact Rod Fowler at 420-3316, Tom P0. Box ties -1,800 Annual fee $1 584, Nakusp, B.C. VOG lEO Lascelles at 736-9363, or Jacqueline Subscription cost to members of member First volume in a series to commemorate the Gresko at 520-5466 societies - $5 (Local members pay be centennial of Nakusp. tween $2 and $20 local dues)

B.C. Historical News 33 REPORT FROM THE NEWS ute books and records. There was a time LIKELY CEMETERY INFORMATION PUBLISHING COMMITTEE when the Women’s Institute was the only WANTED We are happy to report that the meeting place for women, other than The Likely Cemetery (Restoration) both Heritage Trust has increased our grant their church, The WI., valuable to Society would like to receive ANY infor to $2000 for each of the next two years. urban and rural members, was supported niation pertaining to the identity of Agriculture Unfortunately this will not be enough to by the Provincial Ministry of graves; or names of persons buried at Organizations with balance our budget as all our costs con from 1911 onward. Quesnel Forks, Keithly Creek, Snowshoe aware tinue to mount. During the coming year aural history programs should be Creek, or other gravesites in this area. of the cost of publishing each copy of the of the potential for commemoration Also sought are xerox copies of any pre News will reach $1.75 or $7 per annual the WI. in 1997. 1975 photos of cemeteries or graves in subscription. This means that our rates ********** this area. (14 graves have been restored will have to be increased to at least $7 at three sites in 1989.) Write to: for members subscribers. Non-members Secretary Lucy Robinson, Box 1952, HISTORICAL pay $8, institutions $16. CANADIAN Likely B.C. VOL 1NO (604) 790-2468. As you consider this increase in price, ASSOCIATION TO MEET IN we would remind you that the magazine VICTORIA has increased from 28 to 36 pages and GRAND FORKS - MAY 10-13, 1990 The Annual Meeting of the Canadian now contains twice as many articles as it Historical Society has Historical Association will be held May The Boundary did in the past. For this we thank our for delegates at 27-29, 1990 in Victoria. For details con planned a full program editors contacts and commitment. Historical Federation tact Chairperson, Dr. Patricia Roy, the B.C. We have three new members on the be talks on Department of History, University of Conference. There will Publishing Committee: Tony Farr mining, smelting, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2 Doukhobour history, (Saltspring), Penny McDonald (North agriculture, and the Cascade power pro and Margaret Matovich Vancouver) ject. There will be a Doukhobour dinner (Burnaby). Margaret has undertaken and an awards banquet. Guest speaker task of keeping our books, the onerous at the banquet is Bill Barlee, M.L.A. and Treat yourself or a friend. Buy a thus relieving some of the load of the historian. Deadline for registration is treasurer. HISTORICAL Federation Subscription to the B.C. May 1, 1990. All members and friends of Finally a reminder to branch treasur NEWS for only $8 per year in Canada, $12 historical societies are invited. ers that we should like to have cheques per year outside Canada. Mail your Registration forms are available from covering subscription renewals sent di cheque today to: Branch Secretaries or from Boundary rectly to the Subscription Secretary, Historical Society. Phone 442-3865 or Nancy Peter; Federation membership Secretary 442-3283 for further information. fees continue to go to the Treasurer. Subscription 5928 Baffin Place, ********** ********** Burnaby, B.C. V5H 3S8 UNSUNG HEROES AND BURNABY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HEROINES SCHOLARSHIP A proposal has been made that the The Burnaby Historical Society NOMINATIONS FOR ORDER OF B.C.H.E compile and publish a book on Scholarship, given by Dr. and Mrs benefac BRITISH COLUMBIA lesser known characters” and Blythe Eagles in honour of Evelyn tors in B.C. history. This sounds like a Salisbury is a ne annual award of ap Do you know a British Columbian who fascinating project. Can we assemble a proximately $500 to a fourth year under has demonstrated outstanding achieve production team? Anyone interested in graduate student enrolled in a major or ment, excellence or distinction in any participating in the selecting and editing an honours program that specializes in field of endeavor benefiting the people of please contact Naomi Miller in Wasa. the history of British Columbia. the Province or elsewhere? Here’s your (Phone 422-3594) Candidates should apply in writing, out opportunity to do something about it. lining their studies to date, including a You can nominate that person to the current academic transcript and letter of Order of British Columbia. Nominations recommendation from two professors, will be considered by an Advisory A HISTORY OF B.C. such application to be submitted by June Council. Honorary Chairperson is the AGRICULTURE 15th to: Lieutenant-Governor of B.C. To nomi Help is needed to compile a history of THE BURNABY HISTORICAL nate someone, simply write for a bro agriculture in this province prior to SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP chure and nomination form to: 1920. The researcher seeks prepared ar COMMflI’EE ticles on horticultural activities, plus do THE MAYORS OFFICE Order of British Columbia wishing to prepare a bibliography of ma 4949 CANADA WAY, BURNABY, B.C. Honors and Awards Secretariat terial available for future researchers. V5G 1M2 do Deputy Provincial Secretary Please notify: Parliament Buildings Sharon Rempel Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4 R.R. 1 THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE or Keremeos, B.C. VOX 1NO The WI. will mark its centennial in Phone: (604) 499-5172 Contact your nearest Government diaries, 1997. Historical Societies and Museums if you have any books, journals, Agent’s Office va are urged to commence recording the photos, brochures or details of crops, history of their local Women’s Institute rieties grown, garden designs, or other while older members are still here to references. flesh out information available in mm-

B.C. Historical News 34 ______

Book Shelf Books for review and book reviews should be sent directly to the book review edltor Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1E4.

Stein; The Way ofthe Rive, the final section, “The Journey There are a few shortcomings Michael M’Gonigle and Wendy Ahead”, with some thoughts on the which appear to be unnecessary. Wickwire. Vancouver B.C. future of the valley and its surround The maps are not listed in a table of Talonbooks, 1988. Pp. 192, ing area. In addition there are a contents and one must search the Illustrated, Maps, Notes. $39.95 foreword by David Suzuki of T.V pages in order to find them. They The Stein river valley has in recent fame, a preface by Chief Ruby are often difficult to read, most espe years become a focus for public de Dunstan of the Lytton Indian Band, cially the historical ones. There are bate in British Columbia and Stein; an introduction by the authors, and minor design problems; for example, The Way of the River is a contribu an epilogue by John McCandless the a photograph featuring Harlan “Stein tion to that debate. The valley, trib Coordinator” for the Lytton Smith appears on page 39 with the utary to the Fraser and a few miles and Mount Currie Indian Bands. major text for Smith on page 36, to the north and west of the village To bring together such a wide va while a photograph of James Teit on of Lytton, is well defined, a distinct riety of materials requires that most page 37 is separated from the text watershed cut off by mountains and careful design controls and the pub on Teit on page 39 - since the photos ridges and is, the authors argue, ‘a lishers and their designers have, on are much the same size, I wonder at unique North American ecological the whole, succeeded admirably. the arrangement. Reading the and cultural treasure.” Its proximi The cumulative impression is good. “Stein Declaration” of the Lytton ty to the major population centres of The various items are well integrat and Mount Currie Bands, an inter the Lower Mainland and the fact ed so that the reader ends with a esting and illuminating document, that the valley is essentially un strong and vivid impression of both requires a magnifying glass. touched by agriculture, mining, or the human and the natural history Primarily Stein; The Way of the forestry have combined to make its of the valley. However as is usually Riv is a political document pro protection a cause for conservation the case, the merits of the elements duced to promote the preservation of ists. differ greatly. Some quotations are the valley, and its language and its This book is a compilation of writ of the very highest quality, for ex presentation reflect that. The pres ings, photographs, drawings and ample a section selected from the ervationists’ and the authors’ oppo paintings, and maps, and a narra presentation of Roy Mason of the sition, the enemy, is “The Global Federation tive by the authors which serves as of Mountain Clubs, to the Intruder”, modern industrial devel a connective and provides the back provincial government in 1973 (p. opment. “At issue”, the authors ground for the other materials. 124). Others have little literary or argue, “from the Stein watershed to other There are four main sections to the value, and repeat only the the Amazon basin is not just how we book. The first deals with the hu most mundane of observations. The manage the land base, but who ulti man history both native and non- gobbledegook of government bureau mately controls it.” native; the second with the geologr cracy approaches the ridiculous in a quotation (p. 126) from a 1976 re George Newell. and the natural life; the third with B.C.H.F., Victoria developments since about 1900; and port on the valley.

The British Columbia Historical APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP Federation was traditionally comprised of local historical societies. In 1988 the constitution was amended to create I NAME Associate Members. Associates are persons who wish to support the ADDRESS provincial organization and participate in POSTAL CODE the fun of the Annual Conference BUT I do not have access to a branch society. We invite new readers to become Associate Members for $10 per year. Mail this form (or a photocopy thereof) with a cheque for $10 to; This is $2 for Membership and $8 for a I subscription to the B.C. Historical Membership Chairman, Mrs. M. Haslam News quarterly magazine. Box 10, Cowichan Bay, B.C. VOR 1NO

B.C. Historical News 35 RECENT PUBLICATIONS vation but will give various commu Shuswap Chronicles 1989, Vol. 2. nities and interest groups a sense of Published by the North Shuswap A Progression ofJudges; how to begin the process of preserv Historical Society, Celista, B.C. VOE a history of the Supreme Court of ing heritage landscapes. 1LO Pp. 44 British Columbia. This second volume contains arti David R. Verchere. University of ********** cles on Adams Lake, early schools of British Columbia Press, 1988. North Shuswap, post offices, home $31.95 Shared Memories; The Old School steads of the north Shuswap, and a This book focuses on the Supreme Inspectoi variety of reminiscences of early Court’s colorful and sometimes con Dorothy M. Marryatt. Victoria, days. troversial judges. At the same time B.C., 1989. (1616 Agnew Ave., it chronicles the metamorphosis of Victoria, B.C. V8V 5M6.) Pp. 60. the two young colonies - the Colony 1 00Anniversary; Vancouver District of Vancouver Island and the Colony Stories of the area from McBride in LabourCouncil, 1889-1989, of British Columbia - from a rough the east to Vanderhoof in the west - Adele Perry Vancouver 1989. frontier to a sophisticated province, milltown and farming communities. Pp. 71. as it is reflected in the maturing of Pictorial history of the Vancouver the judicial system and growth of District Labour Council and its the legal profession. members

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j’McLu, v ‘ Mgl.rnont Mo. Itinerant Canadian I.. - ke JAMT1 William F. Duthie. Victoria, Orca %l!k —7 I iii. Sh,,.p - •..• -. .* .‘, Book Publishers, 1989. Pp. 193, -. * H;ffleyCn,ek Camc.us; Illustrated $13.95 k ‘ Cek_%, e I ‘ Canoe. Y L William F. Duthie recalls his fami • ;i - PritcI!.ard ly’s - from the O, journeys frontier min Kamlo ps . nteCreeb Grindrod ing communities in the Kootenays CI.t&A2nA to the historical towns of New L: Brunswick. Beginning with his )1SP:ncese great grandparents’ world of the late 1800’s, Duthie writes from a personal perspective of the turn of the century and the 1920’s, the Nicola . ;fdy w.ngs Ldg6 A. . Great Depression and World War II, Cartord- L.,/ Douglas Lake * “Meriitt Lowe’ ç and the turbulent years that fol Okanaganceiitre I Stn,e.,, Mm ..rY Lr,k. . Wnf,eid lowed. A 5lS Jb.I.. Mo. I-.,,,..k L ‘1 Mi Ge,,I..,is.n lire A Kngsnae p.,.,,aa.l.,, * RuUand ********** Bostn Bar A ( Kelowua , * Aspen Grove MS ,. • (AL.., Bred.. - West- Culloch 5 A L Peachland - BrOO bank WI... Mt loin. Be Heritage Landscapes in British Mazama ‘A “ A!..,a.. Mt TI.,.... L.,,?. WI.4. Mo. ‘ 8..dge I. 1i0 A’ Columbia, a Guide to their identifi z.:’.. Chute A cation, documentation and preserva II, ./Err.s N.ppl. Mu. .TUla,rIe . Summerland Namt tion. C.h.lIa Jura Mm 8,..,i G.b. Douglas Paterson. Vancouver, Coalmon?\\ 7W A Carm. Pnncctan p ,. Penticton Landscape Architecture Program, University of British Columbia, 1989 Pp. 78, Illustrated This publication is intended to serve as a general guide to the iden tification, documentation and pres ervation of heritage landscapes throughout British Columbia. It is hoped that it will not only increase the general awareness of the impor tance of heritage landscape preser

B.C. Historical News 36 THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION

Honorary Patron: His Honour, the Honourable David C. Lam, CM, LL.D., Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia Honorary President: Mrs. Clare McAllister Officers

President John D. Spittle, 1241 Mount Crown Road, North Vancouver, B.C. V7R 1R9 988-4565

1st Vice President Myrtle Haslam, PC. Box 10, Cowichan Bay, B.C. V0R 1NO 748-8397

2nd Vice President Dorothy Crosby, 33662 Northcote Crescent, Mission, B.C. V2V 5V2 826-8808

Secretary T Don Sale, 262 Juniper Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 1X4 753-2067

Recording Secretary Shirley Cuthbertson, 306 - 225 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 4T9 387-2486 (business), 382-0288 (residence)

Treasurer Francis Sleigh, Box 29, Deroche, B.C. VOM1GO 826-0451

Members-at-Large Margaret Stoneberg, PC. Box 687, Princeton, B.C. VOX iWO 295-3362

Alice Glanville, PC. Box 746, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH 1HO 442-3865

Past President Naomi Miller

Editor Naomi Miller,Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2KO 422-3594 Chairmen of Committees Archivist Margaret Stoneburg

Publications Assistance Helen Akrigg, 8-2575 Tolmie Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6R 4M1 Committee 228-8606 (not involved with Loans are available for publications, Please contact B.C. Historical News) Helen Akrigg prior to submitting manuscript.

B.C. Historical News Ann W. Johnston, R.R. 1, Mayne Island, B.C. VON2JO Publishing Committee 539-2888

Subscription Secretary Nancy Peter, 5928 Baffin Place, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 3S8 437-6115

Book Review Editor Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Avenue, Vancouver V6S 1E4 228-4879 (business) 733-6484 (residence)

Heritage Cemeteries John D. Adams, 628 Battery Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V1E5 342-2895 Lieutenant- Governor’s Award Committee Pamela Mar, PC. Box 933, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 758-2828

Scholarship Committee Evelyn Salisbury, 5406 Manor Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 1B7 298-5777

Historic Trails and Markers John D. Spittle ______

The British Columbia Historical News Second Class Mail P0. Box 35326 Stn. E. Registration No. 4447 Vancouve B.C. V6M4G5 ADDRESS LABEL HERE

British Columbia Historical Federation WRITING COMPETITION The British Columbia Historical Federation invites submissions of books or articles for the eighth annual Competition for Writers of B.C. History Any book dealing with any facet of British Columbia history, published in 1990, is eligible. The work may be a community history, a biography, a record of a project or an organization, or personal recollections giving glimpses of the past. Name, dates, and places with relevant maps or pictures turn a story into history’. The judges are looking for fresh presentations of historical information (especially if prepared by amateur historians) with appropriate illustrations, careful proof reading, an adequate in dex, table of contents and bibliography Winners will be chosen in the following categories:

1) Best History Book by an individual writer (Lieutenant - Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing.). 2) Best History as prepared by a group (Eg. Buiwh Grass to Barbed Wire was published by Rose Hill Farmers Institute) 3) Best History for Junior Readers. Awards are given where entries warrant. (i.e. a lone entry in group 2 or S will not automatically be given a prize.) Winners will receive a monetary award, a Certificate of Merit, considerable publicity, and an invitation to the Annual B.C. Historical Federation Conference in Cowichan in May 1991. Deadline for 1990 books is January 31, 1991, BUT submissions are requested as soon as possi ble after publication. Those submitting books should include name, address, telephone num ber selling price of the book, and an address from which the book may be ordered if a reader has to shop by mail. Send to: B.C. Historical Writing Competition P0. Box 933, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2

There will also be an award for Best article published in the British Columbia Historical News. This prize is reserved for amateur historians and/or undergraduate or graduate stu dents. Articles should be no more than 2,500 words, substantiated with footnotes if possible, accompa nied by photographs if available, and typed double spaced. (Photos will be returned.) Deadlines for quarterly issues are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. Please send articles directly to: The Editor, B.C. Historical News P0. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0