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Journal of the B.C. Historical Federation

Editorial Contents Looking back at 1989, my first full Features Page year as editor I extend a big Table of Contents & Editorial 1 “Thank You” to all who have con 0 tributed articles; to Colleen, our 0 The First Bank of British Columbia typesetter and her fellow staff mem- by Kenneth M. Pattison 2 bers at Kootenay Kwik Print 0 Cranbrook; to my spouse for diligent Was Vancouver Named by Americans? proofreading; and Ann Johnston, 0 by Leonard Meyers 3 Nancy Peter and Anne Yandle who 0 make it possible for this magazine British Columbia’s Pioneer Inventor to appear every three months. 0 by Valerie Green 5 1990 will be good year for the B.C. Historical Federation. Grand The Beholder Forks is hosting our annual confer- 0 by Russell C. Shelton 8 ence in May, and we make optimis 0 tic predictions for the News. Buddhism in British Columbia Material has been assembled for the 0 by Douglas Henderson 11 “Okanagan Special” by Winston 0 The Withy Hoax Shilvock of Kelowna with the help of 0 by Ron Welwood 15 a few members of the Okanagan 0 Historical Society. Several fascinat- 0 The Florence Nightingale of Vancouver ing articles are on hand for the by Helen Borrell 16 Summer 1990 issue. 0/ Now we are looking for articles / Peter Skene Ogden - A Great Explorer which will fill out the Fall theme by Winston A. Shilvock 18 “Because of the War” (any war). Do you have special memories of the 0 Something Out of Nothing: Mission’s Memorial Hospital blackout I brownout? or community 0 by Catherine Marcellus 20 clubs which prepared parcels for 0 overseas ? rationing? What of com- 0 The Hunter Family of Thetis Island munities that suddenly became gar- 0 by Grace Dickie 24 risons? What was it like to arrive as 4 a war bride ? to be on staff at a 0 Photographer of Nootka Sound Veterans Hospital? Agricultural 0 by Eleanor W Hancock 26 practices were changed in some plac- 0 News & Notes 28 es “because of the war”. Tuum Est! 4 Deadline July 1, 1990. 0 Bock Shelf: Book Reviews Naomi Miller *** *** * * ** $ Crofton House School 0 Review by JoAnne Naslund 30 Cover Credit: Continental Dash Review by Gerry Andrews 30 The Canadian Bank of Commerce $ Building at the corner of 4 Robert Brown and the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition Government and Fort Streets in 0 Review by John Spittle 31 Victoria as it was in Service’s day. 0 Widow Smith of Spence’s Bridge Photo courtesy of the CIBC Archives 4 0 Review by Naomi Miller 32

Manuscripts and correspondence for the editor are to be sent to P0. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB 21(0 Correspondence regarding subscriptions are to be directed to the subscription secretary (see inside back cover)

B.C. HicdcaJ News 1 The FirstBank ofBritish Columbia

by Kenneth M. Pattison

With the closing of the Canadian Many factors encouraged the to Victoria. The total trip took a lit Imperial Bank of Commerce branch founding of the bank, primarily gold tle less than two months and cost at Government and Fort streets in on the Fraser and in the Cariboo nearly 200 pounds. Victoria in 1987 we should be re and the presence of much capital in Then there were the hardy few minded of’ the part this handsome England needing opportunities for who ventured overland from New building played in the history of investment. York to San Francisco, then took a British Columbia. Finally, Queen Victoria’s Privy steamer to Victoria. In 1860-61 by letters to the Council acted. In April 1862 a James D. Walker was appointed Colonial Office in London, Governor group of London bankers received a resident manager and with three as Douglas pleaded for the establish Royal Charter and issued a sistants chose the Panama route. ment of stable banking facilities for Prospectus under the name “The Arriving from England in July 1862 the Colonies. Apparently, existing Chartered Bank of British Columbia they set up quarters for the new banking services were not faring too and Vancouver’s Island.” This was bank in the former home of Victoria’s well for he complained that miners subsequently changed to “Bank of first Mayor Thomas Harris. were walking around Victoria with British Columbia” with Head Office Many branches were opened in the no place to deposit their gold and no in London. next few years; New Westminster in cash to acquire their daily needs. The prospectus indicated that the October 1862, Richfield 1863, In a dispatch from the Governor to bank was to provide facilities essen Quesnel, Yale and San Francisco the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of tial to the colonies of British 1864, Portland 1865, Vancouver State for the Colonies, he wrote: Columbia and Vancouver’s Island. 1886 and in 1889 Seattle and “Much anxiety has been expressed The Prospectus also stated: “Great Tacoma, The Richfield branch by the miners generally upon the complaints were made by the miners moved to Camerontown in 1865 subject of banks which are greatly that they could not sell their gold.” then to Barkerville in 1867. needed in every district of British (and) “The salubrity of the climate Further expansion was made in Columbia. The miner’s only alterna and its suitability to the European the late ‘80s and early ‘90s with tive at present being to bury his gold constitution; the fitness of the soil branches opening in Nanaimo, dust for security, which is known to for agricultural purposes; the im Kamloops, Nelson, Sandon, Kaslo, be the general practice on Fraser’s mense mineral wealth of both colo and Rossland. River; but were banks of deposit es nies, and the existence of English The Bank was also an outstand tablished, they would willingly pay laws, are strong inducements to rap ing example of an International a monthly percentage on any sums id and extensive emigration, and are Bank, with the branches in the they might deposit. 1 have long also powerful reasons for at once es United States often surpassing the been convinced of the value and im tablishing a bank with large capital, Canadian business in size and prof portance of such institutions, but especially as the only existing bank its. without men of tried integrity and ing accommodation is so inadequate Twenty-four years after James business habits, no such scheme to meet the exigencies of the colo Walker arrived, the magnificent could be carried out with advantage nies.” building we now see on the south to individuals or to the public.” With all negotiations completed it west corner of Fort and Government The London Times reported, was time to appoint staff and send opened for business as the new “According to our correspondent them to the Colony. There were headquarters of the ever-widening Donald Frasei; resident in Victoria, three ways to make the trip from influence the Bank was exercising on the gold digging of British Columbia England to Victoria, none of them the Pacific Coast. is a lottery in which there are no easy. Victoria’s Daily Colonist of April blanks; and the prizes are indeed Around the Horn by sailing vessel 20, 1886, in reporting on the new splendid. The Law is strong, and was the cheapest and longest, tak bank stated: “Business was trans public opinion is sound under British ing 4-6 months at a cost of 60 acted for the first time yesterday in Rule. Thus, we are told, that pounds. The shorter route was by the new Bank ofBritish Columbia of British Columbia offers a good in steamer to Colon, Panama. Then by fices. They are spacious and ele vestment both for labour and capi railway across the isthmus to the gant, and attracted the admiration tat.” Pacific, with the final leg by steamer of everybody. Every possible conven

B.C. Historical Ne 2 ience is afforded for customers and employees and business can now be carried on with comfort to all con cerned. There is probably no hand somer or better arranged banking of- flee on the coast.” Prior to the bank there were three occupants on the property that are worth noting. It was the site of the first Legislative Assembly, later the first school house in the Colony and finally, before the bank, the location of Parker Brothers butcher shop. When it united with the Bank of Commerce in 1901, the Bank of British Columbia brought to the mer ger the results of a successful 40 year career with many prosperous branches flourishing in most major centres of the Province. Robert Service the poet worked for Interior ofthe Canadian Bank ofCommerce - Victoria B.C. -August 191O this new Bank of Commerce for a CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, GOVERNMENT & FORI’ VICTORIA good part of 1903-04, but that is The building was constructed in 1885 and occupied by the bank of British Columbia in 1886. It was purchased in 1901 as part of the amalgamation with the Canadian Bank of Commerce. part of another story In its day, it was reputed to be the largest and best bank building in the province. In November, 1975, the building was designated as a heritage building and is protected from dem ********** olition or exterior alteration unless approved by City Council. Branch closed October 25, 1987, and the business transferred to Douglas & View. The building, a 3-storey brick structure on a stone foundation, contains approximately 22,000 Ken Pattison is the author orMilestones On square feet. Vancouver IslancL London financiers and merchants established the Bank of British Columbia in 1862, opening He worked in the Kootenays and in the the Victoria branch on the present day Government Street site of the Bank of Montreal. The Okanagan Valleyprior to moving to Victoria Bank played an important role in the development of the province. It refused to extend further in 1965. credit to the colonial government, thereby encouraging BC. to enter Confederation. In 1903, Robert Service was an employee, at a salary of $50 per month!

Was Vancouver Named by Americans?

by Leonard Meyers

Vancouver was conceived in contro sponsible for choosing the name of Granville, or Gastown as the little versy. Vancouverites can never Vancouver for this fledgling young mill settlement was unofficially agree on anything. In the early city as is generally believed. One lo called. days they debated whether to call cal historian, several years ago, In fact, long before the appearance this isolated outpost on the Pacific argued that the name Vancouver of the latter-day doubters, a bronze Hastings, Granville, City of even appeared in early American plaque was erected on a stone Liverpool, Vancouver; New Brighton, west coast newspapers when refer drinking fountain at the corner of (Iastown, etc. ring to the new western terminus of Carrall and Water Streets by the In recent years certain Vancouver the Canadian Pacific Railway in “Pioneers of Vancouver” and un historians seriously questioned British Columbia months before rail veiled on June 13, 1925. (It was whether, indeed, Sir William Van road builder Van Home set foot, in also on June 13th, 1792, that Home, the CPR’s builder; was re 1884, on the tall-timbered environs Captain George Vancouver explored

B.C. Historical News 3 Burrard Inlet, and also on June 13, cuss the vital and historic issue. “He (Captain Vancouver) had al 1886, that the newly incorporated Obviously the provincial govern ready passed by the site of the city City of Vancouver went up in ment would be receptive to the that Sir William Van Home of the flames). The original plaque has Gastown petition. Consequently in CPR was to name after him. . . “ since been set in the pavement on January of 1886, 432 residents of Historian Alan Morley in his book the site of Captain John “Gassy Granville duly inscribed their signa Vancouver: From Militown to Jack” Deighton’s famous maple tree tures to and presented the document Metropolis covers both bases. He after the restoration of old Gastown. to the Legislature in Victoria asking wrote: “It is probable the name had Its inscription reads: HERE STOOD for incorporation of the City of been under general consideration for THE OLD MAPLE TREE UNDER Vancouver. A subsequent act incor some time previously, since as early WHOSE BRANCHES THE PIONEERS porating the new city received third as August, 1884, it had been used MET IN 1885 AND CHOSE THE NAME and final reading on April 2nd of the in Portland, Oregon, newspapers for VANCOUVER FOR THIS CITY same year, with royal assent grant the western terminus of the CPR.” No mention here of the historic role ed by Lieutenant-Governor C.F. While under a portrait of Van Home played by William Cornelius Van Cornwall on April 6, 1886, creating appearing in the same book, a cap Home in proposing an appropriate a new city with a brand-new name - tion that rather categorically states: name for his new transcontinental Vancouver. “As general manager of the new railway’s western terminus. Even in But you can be sure that the same Canadian Pacific Railway, Van those days the CPR had its detrac citizens’ committee had Van Home’s Home named Vancouver to com tore. personal blessing from the start. memorate, through the great city he Compare that to another bronze After all, without the “brass pounder then foresaw, the British navigatot plaque attached to a wall in Pioneer from Illinois” there would be no Captain George Vancouver” Place, at Hastings and Carrall great city of Vancouver, no flourish Lastly but not least, John Murray Streets, a mere two blocks away. ing port on the mainland of British Gibbon in his book Steel of Empire, Which quite emphatically proclaims Columbia. And certainly no signifi perhaps the most definitive history the following: PIONEER PLACE. of the CPR ever writ HERE VANCOUVER WAS FOUNDED. cance for themselves as nation build of the building 1886. HERE, IN THE SILENCE OF em. And no Confederation. They ten, and published in 1935 when the THE FOREST COVERING THE “C.PR. would have died in obscurity as non building of the great railway was TOWNSITE, STOOD VAN HORNE, entities of a rag-tag community still relatively fresh in mind, had VICE PRESIDENT CANADIAN called Granville, isolated and forlorn this to say: “(quoting the Montreal PACIFIC RAILWAY AND L.A. in perpetual forest setting of a dis “The name of Vancouver has HAMILTON, LAND COMMISSIONER. a Star), VAN HORNE EXCLAIMED tant West Coast of North America. been chosen by Mr. Van Home for HAMILTON! HAMILTON! THIS IS And so, in a sense, it would ap the terminus at Coal Harbour On DESTINED TO BE A GREAT CITY pear that an expatriate American Burrard Inlet. . PERHAPS THE GREATEST IN had a major hand in the naming of Mr. Van Home’s favorite books, he CANADA, AND WE MUST SEE TO IT Vancouver, even not the ones cer further went on to say, dealt with THAT IT HAS A NAME if COMMENSURATE WITH ITS tain historians had in mind. But explorers and adventurers, and it DESTINY AND IMPORTANCE. AND what do other historians say? The was therefore natural, he assumed, VANCOUVER IT SHALL BE IF I HAVE record seems to be quite clear. It be that Van Home should select for the THE ULTIMATE DECISION. speaks a certain unanimity. One fa Pacific terminus of a transcontinen ERECTED BY THE CITIZENS ON THE voring Van Home. tal railway conceived and carried out SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF enterprise, the name INCORPORATION, 1961. An extract from the City’s own with such bold adventurer. Added to Needless to say the two plaques publication, 60 Years!, commemorat of this great kinship, as both appear at variance with each other. ing Vancouver’s diamond jubilee in this, a certain Vancouver and William Van A sin of omission regarding the for 1946, reads as follows “Mr Van George were of Dutch ancestry And mer? Home inspected the little town of Home . . keeping it in the As for Van Home, not a citizen of Granville. and stated he would nothing like Granville, nor a local property own change the name of the railway ter family. as, he obviously possessed no legal minal from Granville to Vancouve, a means to personally petition the proposal which received endorsation Legislative assembly in Victoria not in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and London.. Leonard Meyers is a freelance writer who only to incorporate but to officially in nwnerous neus And again in the Encyclopedia has had articlespublished name the emerging young city. papers and magawws After fiveyears in the brief en That remained for a citizens’ delega Canadiana there appears a Royal Canadian Navy he became a cartoonist tion, in all probability the one that try relative to Captain George then a student atBanff&hool ofFine Art. He ished a book ofsocial historyp1us a congregated under the famous old Vancouver encountering Spanish has pubi Vessels, the Sutil and the Mexicana volume ofpoetry and a book ofhumorous es maple tree alongside Gassy Jack says. Deighton’s Hotel in Gastown to dis off Point Grey on June 22nd, 1792, B.C. Historical News 4 British Colwnbias Pioneer Inventor

by Valerie Green

Bagster Roads Seabrook was born The Albion Iron Works had a con in New Westminster in 1865 when siderable reputation which Bagster it was still the colony’s capital. His Seabrook greatly helped to enhance family moved to Victoria in 1869 during his time with them. Among where his father, Roads Seabrook the many hundreds of vessels they was Vice-President of the R.PRithet built or repaired were the stern & Co. Ltd. Shipping Company as wheelers, “Ora”, “Nora” and well as being an incorporator of the “Flora”, the first to reach Dawson Victoria Sealing Company. His during the 1898 gold rush. somewhat unusual name “Roads” Two of the more famous contracts was the anglicized version of a Albion had under Bagster’s manage Dutch name. Louisa Annette ment were the William Head Seabrook, Bagster’s mother, was Quarantine Station in 1893, and the born in England in 1842, grand complete iron and steel works for the daughter of London publisher, Parliament Buildings in Victoria. It Samuel Bagster. was whilst working as supervisory Bagster Roads Seabrook (Taken 13th July, The family lived in an elegant head of this second project that 1941, at age 76- 9years before he died) Swiss chalet-style home on an acre Bagster was said to have delighted the pretty Miss Crosby. of land on the outskirts of Victoria. in personally climbing to the top of Not long after their marriage, they The elaborate stables adjacent to the the Dome to drill the last rivet into themselves built a large home on the property enabled young Bagster to place. Gorge Road in Victoria at the consid indulge his love of horses inherited During his time with Albion, erable cost of $18,000. The house from his paternal grandfather back Bagster had also been working on stood on two acres (0.8 hectares) of in Ontario. numerous inventions of his own, his land which also accommodated a When the Seabrook family moved active mind never idle. His first in house for their Chinese houseboys from New Westminster to Victoria, vention was the bicycle rear brake and an impressive set of stables for Bagster was only foui but already which sold, in application form, for Bagster’s six horses. his inquiring mind was anxious to $2,000 in Vancouver. His typewrit Bagster had always retained his learn and create. He was sent to all er backspacer was never patented. love for horses. One particular team the finest schools to obtain the best His rock crusher invention was fea of fast horses he imported from San possible education, the first being a tured in the British Columbia Francisco at a cost of $3,500 ena private school run by a Mr. Vicussex MiningRecord for April of 1897. bled him to ride around Beacon Hill boasting among its pupils, future In 1888, Bagster married Elvira A. in Victoria (a distance of approxi premier Simon Tolmie. Bagster lat Crosby of Markham, Ontario. At the mately one mile (1.61 km) in a light er attended the Collegiate School in time of their meeting, Elvira was rig in three minutes flat, a consider Victoria, a well-known Anglican visiting her uncle, financier Alfred C. able feat in those days. academy. Flumerfelt. Flumerfelt had come to Bagster and Elvira had two chil By 18, Bagster was ready for the British Columbia in the early 1880’s dren, a son Norman, and a daughter world. business He began his career and was prominent in many busi Ada, named for her godmother, Ada as an engineer-businessman with ness operations, mining develop Flumerfelt. the Albion Iron Works Ltd., the larg ments and civic affairs. One of his After 20 years with Albion and est engineering plant north of San daughters later became a doctoi a still only 38 years old, Bagster de Francisco. Albion had branches in most unusual accomplishment for a cided to go into business on his own. both Victoria and Vancouver and it woman at that time. The It was now April of 1903, the turn took Bagster a years mere 12 with Flumerfelts’ house on Pemberton of a brand new century, and the company in Victoria before he Avenue in Victoria was a showpiece Bagster’s energetic brain was busy rose to the position of general man of old Victoria for many years, and it generating new ideas and innova ager. He was still only 30 years was there that young Bagster tions. old. Seabrook met and fell in love with One of the first contracts he Se- B.C. Historical News 5 cured for his own business was a war years he went into the paper nal idea had been conceived back in spiral stairway for the Carnegie business and later headed for New 1886 whilst living in Victoria, and Library in Vancouver, the total York where he worked on one of his Bageter had worked at it on and off weight of which, in steel and cast most famous inventions, the for the next 40 years. iron, was 9,888 pounds (4,500 ki Seabrook Phonograph. The entire work, which was writ los). Priced at $2,279, the ten in long hand and re stairway had a full tread ad checked numerous times, re joining the rail said to be the quired 780,000 calculations, first of that kind in Canada. involving more than By the year 1903, Bagster’s 63,000,000 figures. interests had also gone in an The principles contained in other direction. That was the the Manual were applicable to year he shipped the first steam any line of business, and by car into Victoria from San application of the tables which Francisco. He himself took the were based on ‘reciprocal’, all automobile for a trial run out to math problems could be solved Wright’s Hotel in Saanich on faster than, or at least as fast the outskirts of town, in compa as, a calculating machine. ny with a Mr. H.D. Ryus who Bagster had originally in was timing and making notes tended that these principles of the whole operation. should be in the form of a ma Obviously satisfied with the chine but, when he returned to car’s performance, Bagster then Mishawaka in February of sold it for the sum of $1,800 to B.R. Seabrook home on Gorge Road, Victoria - About 1898. 1924, he decided that there his first customei a Mr. Bert Seabrook children by steps (left) Ada (right) Norman. would be more advantage to Todd, and thus became The phonograph came to be known having his work applied in Victoria’s first recorded car sales as “the first new and fundamental book form. For the next two years, man. improvement in talking machines in therefore, he set about converting his Bert Todd later became Bagster’s thirty years.” The machine received machine plans into a book. son-in-law when in 1910 he married wide publicity throughout the He had previously been on a five- Bagster’s young daughter Ada. United States and was described as month tour of such business institu Their honeymoon trip became fa “revolutionary in charactei” The tions as General Motors, Pierce mous in the history books as the pio horn was particularly revolutionary Arrow and Cadillac, to investigate neer travel of the Pacific coast road because the melody could now be the various methods used in these from Los Angeles to Vancouver. heard close up without the previous companies in order to adapt his sys Later when Bagster decided to unpleasant crackling sound effects. tern to those methods. His Manual move to Los Angeles, the Seabrook By moving away from the machine, was acclaimed by engineers, mathe plant in Victoria was bought out by the sound waves became amplified. maticians and actuaries alike, and James Dunsmuir and Bagster was This, it was stated, “upset some rec it was a proud day for the Seabrook then able to pursue his career as an ognized principles of science.” family when the first copies of the inventor extraordinaire. Another interesting feature of the book were rolling off the presses of Together with a business asso Seabrook Phonograph (a brochure publisher WB. Conkey Company of ciate, Thomas Allen Box, he worked about which can be found in the Hammond, Indiana. on and produced his invention, the Provincial Archives in Victoria) was On that September day in 1926, Seabrook-Box railway differential that the speed could now be regulat various distributors from other axle. The test of the railway axle ed which was not previously possi states had gathered at the Seabrook was made in August of 1909 in Los ble, Reproduction of the human home at 410 Lincoln Way East, to Angeles on Oil Tank Car #96307 on voice was also particularly good. form a procession of some 40 cars the Santa Fe Railway. It had been However it was in 1926, that containing nearly 100 people. They proved that after five months of ser Bagster Roads Seabrook who was then headed off towards South vice the wheels remained in perfect then living in Mishawaka, Indiana, Bend, LaPorte, Valparaiso and oth condition. In 1913, the two men finalized what he considered to be er small towns along the Lincoln sold this invention to the French his greatest achievement. It was Highway to Hammond to inspect government for $2,000,000. the culmination of 40 years of pa the first copies of the Manual coming Bagster later became involved in tient dedication, but finally in off the press at the Conkey consulting engineering in the September 1926, he was able to Publishing plant. Toronto area where he lived until bring out his Business Manual on Many of the cars in the procession the outbreak of WWI. During the Handling Computations. The origi were decorated with banners,

B.C. Historical News 6 Bagster’s reading “Seabrook’s complete loss of vision, no doubt the BIBLIOGRAPHY

Business Manual - Official Car - result of long hours spent at close Correspondence with Richard Hunter Todd, grandson of Bagater Roads Seabrook, between Februa 1987, and Home Office, Hammond, Indiana.” study. November1987. The Seabrook sales organization At that time, his doctor had Provincial P.rchhoa, Victoria B.C. was to be known as B.R. and E.A. warned him that he must stay quiet Whoa Who in Canada, 1922. Seabrook but later was incorporated and avoid working. He had previ AWflCL Daily Colonist, 29th April 1920. VirteslnvesstrAth under the name of the Seabrook ously been spending a great deal of Todd Sales Corporation. time down in his basement making, Daily Colonist, June 30th, 1967 (Centennial Edition). First DrhIntoShawlgan - Bert Todd Led Tourist Parade. The appointment of 29 State dis among other things, furniture. The South Bend Tribune, Octer 10th, 1926- New Sales tributors had been made and con Being the man that he was, he could QseiLsBgOrntzlHeze- Seabrook State Distributors Go To Hammond For First Copies of Book. tracts already signed for over not bear to just sit quietly and re By Ralph Hutchinaon. 22,000 books monthly to be sold at main idle. Even if his body must Times-Colonist (Islander Section), October 18th, 1987. Vhlsr*a Buion,anwa Mast” lnvrsitoi By Valerie $30 a copy. The sales territory rest, his mind certainly could not. Green. stretched from the Atlantic to the He therefore decided to take up The Vancouver Daily Province, March 2nd, 1946. Enesgyaixl Ability Are HarnI By This Inventive Son IBXD. Pacific, a remarkable feat consider playing solitaire and for the next By L. Bell-Clemmens. ing there had been no advance ad few years kept a written record of Pamphlet “The Seabrook in Provincial Archives, Victoria, B.C. vertising. every game he played as he estab It was indeed a proud day for lished a trend based on the number Interview in Victoria with Richard Hunter Todd, on September 11th, 1987. Bagster Seabrook. His dream had of shuffles to the cards and the num become reality. British Columbia’s ber of cuts made each time. His Interview in Victoria with Joe Fretwell, grandson of Bagster Roads Seabrook, on September 11th, 1987. native born son, who had travelled written records were kept in the the North American continent exten family for many years. Copy of flFVine1andIndepalent editorial dated September 20th, 1877, supplied by Mrs. Jay Godson Ray, niece of Bagater sively and, at various times, main In 1950, at the age of 85, Bagster Roads Seabrook, age 82. tained laboratories in Toronto, Roads Seabrook died peacefully in Victoria, Vancouver, Los Angeles his Seattle home. His incredibly ac and Mishawaka, had achieved tive brain was still at last and one of world-wide acclaim. He was a leg Western Canada’s greatest pioneer end in his own time. inventors was gone. It would be When well into his 80’s, Bagster’s many years before the world would alert inventor’s mind was still very see his like again. active. By then, the Seabrooks were living in a suburb of Seattle. At age 81, Bagster was busy working on ********** his third book and was still able to recall all his past business dealings The author is a freelance writer living in in British Columbia with amazing Victoria with her husband and two teenaged accuracy. children. She writes regularly for The Islander and has published articles and A photograph taken of him in later poems in English and Canadian nmgazlnes. years shows that one eye appears to She is currentlyprepari,ng a book on the Todd be pointed off to the right due to a fwnily

Albion Iron Works - Victoria Plant (About 1900). B.c Histoiical News 7 “The Beholder”

by Russell C Shelton (erRoyalAustralianAir Force)

After more than forty years the railway carried us through the mag visual impact of beautiful British nificence of British Columbia’s moun Columbia on the senses of observant tains and valleys to the schools and impressionable young flying fields of the prairies. Commonwealth airmen who passed Exactly forty-six years after as a this way, remains fixed in the mem member of the older generation, I ories of the living, regardless of sense a historical value to the twen present residence. ty photographs for which I gave al Canada, the aerodrome of democ most one day’s pay at the CPR racy during the terrible years from Station when I place them with the 1940 to 1945, welcomed some stored memories of grim but none 15,000 Royal Australian Air Force theless happy times. British personnel, all eager to master their Columbians may find the diary rec distinctly separate categories of pi ollections of a twenty year old ser lot, navigator, bomb aimei wireless viceman of interest not only from the air gunnei or “straight AIG” (air standpoint of how a young “foreign gunner.) To be selected for the er” reacted to totally unfamiliar “Canadian draft” was a special bo sights and sensations, but also to nus, even if it meant that we were recall for themselves the soon-to-be L.A./C. Shelton, R.C. RAAE Taken at City destined to become reinforcements forgotten days of the steam locomo Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 28th, 1944. for Britain’s Royal Air Force, to do tives, and the open air “rock-jumper” mode of travel - and we’ve still 3 battle in European skies. A larger observation cars of the 1920’s and more welcome days of it ahead. We benefit was all I could see, - one 1930’s, depicted in the aging photo came through New Westminster - year’s “Cook’s tour” by sea and rail, graphs. quite a large town reminding me of of a sister Dominion, Canada, that Wartime Diary March 19th 1944 my birth place, - Gympie vast country of such contrast to I awakened at 7 a.m. to find our (Queensland) It’s “coat-hanger” Australia’s tropical and sub-tropical selves in Seattle, Washington, on a bridge is reminiscent of Sydney’s cel climes. In school days of the 1930’s very dull but not too cold morning. ebrated likeness, about which we I had needed no While car encouragement to we slept, a CPR dining kidded the Sydney - ites among us. absorb the curriculum regarding far superior in appearance and ser We pulled into Vancouver about 1 things Canadian. Long before vice to Southern Pacific’s had been p.m. and it was too cold for this March 1944, all Australians had coupled to our train. Such luxury! Queenslander just out from summer been made aware of the warm wel We slept in made-up bunks with and some equatorial sun-baking on come and hospitality their boys re sheets and pillows, after months in the troopship. Looking across the ceived from the Canadian people, Australian camps that provided us harbour I believe Vancouver to be one not omitting the allure of their girls with only straw-filled paliasses of the most beautiful places I have who spoke in such “accents faii” (sacking) and two blankets. Now seen. If Sydney had such moun many of whom had yet to meet the Canadians have added the com tains, rising right from the shore mothers-in-law in Australia. fort of chinaware and silver cutlery line or so it seems, then it would in Invariably the 16 to 21 days voy in a mobile restaurant; truly “some deed be the best. A portion of this age across the Pacific Ocean itself thing to write home about.” city nestles along the water’s edge not without a degree of danger after We should be in Vancouver at 12 for some distance, and then the Japan’s entry into the wai would noon and a few hours leave to help steep sided mountains, cloaked in end with Australian’s disembarking get rid of our sea legs would be ap tall timber show their tops as at either Los Angeles, or San preciated, even if it is Sunday. I though icing sugar had been sprin Francisco from whence Southern still can’t believe I’m in North kled on them, the overflow trickling Pacific Railroad carried us to the America after all my dreams of a down into the many crevasses, still beautiful but now defunct few months ago. This is the first We were to depart for the east at Canadian Pacific Railway station in train trip which has not bored me 4:30 p.m. No leave. We had our Vancouver. From there that great within twenty four hours of that meagre money supply changed into B.C. Historical Ne 8 Canadian. I sent mother a cable for changable and awesome that I just fir menus. I was learning the differ her birthday and bought a souvenir keep looking. ence between “a la carte,” and “ta embroidered cushion cover - Supper time - as they say here - ble d’hote.” At Beavermouth, “Vancouver”. I splurged a dollar on (not tea-time) provided chicken, McCarthy and Peterson snapped CPR postcards to illustrate the route peach pie (not tart) and tea more fla some of us with a mountain back we were to travel in the mountains. voursome than Australia’s best, I ground, and snow and ice underfoot. Some Canadian children appreciated turn in so contented, sorry that so I got my first lesson in the dangers receiving my kangaroo clad enor much unseen scenery is going by of leather soles on ice, by falling “on mous pennies; theirs are so small. while we sleep. my neck” boarding the steps of the A French-Canadian chap appeared Monday 20th March coach. grateful for my comforts fund gift of I awaken to find the train at rest, We are still in British Columbia “log cabin” cigarette tobacco. and a fairyland of snow outside the now in the heart of the Selkirk The sergeant marched us to the window. Light snow was falling Ranges, partially iced up mountain CPR coaches, all noticeably better when I went to the back platform of streams show that the thaw is on. looking than their U.S. counterparts our car. I have never in my life seen Tiny foot-prints in the snow reveal a with strange names on the sides, - snow or touched it. It feels so soft, fox’s (7) passing. Here are mountain Lillooet, Shannon Falls, Squamish, but too cold, and our thoughtless tunnels, one five miles long, the and fine upholstery and heating high command gave us no gloves, longest in the British Empire! The system which had us a little too scarfs or galoshes, which the Connaught tunnel shows Australia warm though; still, no complaints Canadians call “rubbers”. We to have lesser problems but neces heard from our boys. How much stayed on board so I have yet to “go sarily different beauties. We are in longer will the luxuries last? As I out” in the snow. Last night we the last car and I looked at two tan write darkness has set in. I have stopped at a little settlement called dem steam engines running up a the impression that the further we North Bend and we conversed with gorge between two mountains, and travel the more beautiful B.C. be an old railwayman. I told him of another mountain filling the picture comes. Australia cannot compare its Australia’s so called cough remedy - at the end. Snow must be C.PR.’s beauty with this. Here it is more “Buckley’s Canadiol mixture,- in greatest enemy, and I would guess spectacular even in late winter than blizzardly cold Canada - “. We got a it can build up destructive forces. reports claim it to be. The hills have kick out of his claim that his tried Yes, it’s “Springtime in the not yet lost their snow cap although and tested remedy was rum, - and Rockies”, but always the evergreens it has thawed long ago in the coast he’d never heard of ours. surround us. How beautiful are the al regions. (Note. “Aussies” didn’t We had our first real contact with green rivers, fast-flowing in places, understand that B.C’s lower main snow at a one-shack whistle stop jagged lumps of ice protruding in land was not subject to the kind of called Glasgow. Don Willis and I, others. freezing we found on the prairies). with a couple of the lads got out and Before dinner we stopped at Field, We are always at the bases of promptly engaged in our first brisk a little town sheltered beneath a mountains, running along streams snow fight - grown men (?) acting mighty mountain. Ever hungry, and lake shores, and in places we like kids. The cold got to us quickly many of us scampered across the paralled the C.N.R. often just across and we scrambled aboard, ready for street to buy bags of cakes and a a rocky, mountain stream rushing a free C.PR. breakfast from which bottle of milk. From here we wit with melting snow. Scenery is so we emerged with prestigious souve nessed another railroad wonder - the Spiral Tunnels. I could look out and find where we entered the mountain head-on and gained 104 feet, by the time we exited above it. Still we climb, and soon we’ll be in Alberta. While we fledgling airmen enjoyed the officer class service of the C.PR. diner I saw the wooden letters, GREAT DIVIDE slip by, the provin cial border and an end to the ever-so beautiful British Columbia, not with standing further feasts for the eye sight at Banff. We can feel the downhill roll to our train now, and like the droplets of water which will flow either to the Pacific Ocean or to The Great Divide. Between the Provinces ofAlberta and British Columbia. Hudson Bay from the Great Divide

B.C. Histmical News 9

10

B.C. News Histmicai

quality, age 8-5331. and of contain information wealth a other- September 1989

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3 No. be to know now we what for

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by Douglas Henderson

British Columbia, the westernmost tants, houses were made of planks, These coins were found by miners province of Canada has a long, pos people wrote on tree bark, bartered near Telegraph Creek.”4 sibly ancient connection with for goods, and had a very clear sys And furthei Buddhism. The purpose of this tem of rank, being led by a king .“some years later, while prospect paper is to examine sources and give treated with much pomp and cere ing in the same area, the Chinese a brief description of the history of mony. Of Wan Shan, it was said court interpreter from Victoria met the contact of this great world relig that the inhabitants marked their Indians who showed him several an ion with the peoples of British bodies to indicate tribal rank and cient Buddhist silver ceremonial Columbia. lived in houses surrounded by moats dishes and a number of brass Pre-Modern times filled with ‘yin shui”, a term diffi charms. Though they were reluc One of the most tantalizing theo cult to translate but suggesting sil tant to part with any of it, the ries to surface again and again is ver-watet now considered to have Indians did give him one of the that of Chinese Buddhist monks been eulachan (a fish) in process of charms, which was estimated to be having contact with British having their oil extracted.” 2 at least 1,500 years old. It had Columbians in pre-499 A.D. times1 The placement of these various been found, along with the other ob In the Imperial Annals we are told countries was computed mechanical jects, buried in the roots of a large of one Ma Twan Lin composing his ly by the 19th century scholar tree.” A small statue of the tory based on reports of a returned Edward P Viningi as follows; Ta Buddha was found also in the roots explorei the monk Huei Shan. This Han in the Aleutian Chain, Wan of a large tree, when the townsite of monk had returned from lands far to Shan on the north Pacific Coast and Powell River, B.C. was being the east. Fusang in Mexico. cleared. 6 In Nanaimo, B.C. remains “He told of a land named Obscure written records are one of a Japanese sword of ancient man Fusang, and of two lands before it thing, what of artifacts, hard physi ufacture were found at a depth of eleven feet. We cannot lose sight of the suggestion, however, that these physical items were diffused by trade through the Aleutians and down to B.C. by middlemen cultural brokers. Lawrance, previously cited, also avers that Canada’s foremost ethno musicologist the late Marius Barbeau “entertained theories that the Northwest Coast tribal music was strongly flavoured by Buddhist temple chanting.” 8 One does not have to read much 19th century and early 20th century anthropology and ethnology to find Douglas Henderson, bias about third world priest ofIron Mountain culture. Buddhist Gmup “These chaps must have learned Victona, B.C., Canada this from the Chinese (or the Greeks or whatever)” is a common view. Photo credit: Victoria &a1 Certainly we live on a small planet. The oceans though huge, are passa ble in pre-historic fragile craft. Pace, named Wan Shan (the country of cal evidence? The October 25th, St. Brendan. But one must main marked bodies) and Ta Han (Great 1882 issue of the Weekly Colonist in tain a detached view and not wax China). In Fusand, which derived Victoria, B.C. ran a story of a cache rhapsodic over every excavated its name from a tree which produced of bronze coins bound by wire which cross-legged figure as that of the food and clothing for the inhabi were alleged to be 3000 years old. Buddha. Meditative figurines (and,

B.C. Historical Ne 11 indeed the art of meditation) thrives craftsmen many would be Buddhist. British Columbia is recorded in everywhere, in every culture. A few Chinese craftsmen were church documents as occurring in Howarth, previously cited, states about the various Hudson Bay 1917. Bukkyo-kai received into its that “...another Japanese junk was Company posts that dotted British membership a Mr. and Mrs. Greep wrecked on the north-west coast of Columbia, but massive immigration who were given Buddhist names. 20 America near Queen Charlotte’s didn’t start until the gold rushes. By 1921 out of a total of 21,000 Island (sic) in the winter of 1833-4, During those hectic times Chinese Japanese living in Canada, most of and the numerous crew were mur from California and China itself whom lived in British Columbia, dered by the natives, with the excep worked the claims and established more than 4,000 were Canadian tion of two survivors. They were many a ‘Chinatown’. ‘Joss-houses’ born. 21 Sunday school services and sent to England by the agents of the established in most of these young people’s groups abounded. Hudson Bay Company and thence to Chinatowns by miners offered relig Missionary work, chiefly on the East, but were not allowed to ious worship centres for the ‘Three Vancouver Island and in the 22 land in Japan by the authorities”, Religions’ - Buddhism, Taoism and Vancouver area was extensive. the latter circumstance dictated by Confucianism. From this time peri From 1927 to the start of WWII the long-standing flat of the od we have yet to secure an exclu eleven Bukkyo-kai centres were es Shogunate prohibiting the return of sively Buddhist house of worship. 13 tablished in British Columbia, viz: off-shore adventurers. Until well into the twentieth centu New Westminster (1927); Marpole We must also mention here the re ry we have no evidence of European- (1928); Steveston (1928); Royston liable accounts of the great Chief of descent residents of British (1930); Maple Ridge (1932); the Nootka, Maquinna having Columbia having Buddhist affilia Chemainus (1932); Okanagan Japanese slaves in the late 1700’s, tions. 14 Buddhist Mission at Kelowna very likely the hapless survivors of From the 1880’s onward the (1933); Victoria (1934); Skeena similar shipwrecks. Japanese presence was felt in (1934); Ocean Falls (1935) and Even to-day it is common beach British Columbia. Working as fish Whonnock (1939). 23 Seven combers’ jetsam- - - glass and plastic ermen, in forestry and farming Buddhist clergy from Kyoto admin floats of the Japanese fishing fleets young Japanese men came to this istered to a flock of about 1,500 at following the currents to the shores province to seek their fortunes. By this time. of British Columbia. far the overwhelming majority of Then disaster struck. With the Our premise is that barring the these young Japanese men were of outbreak of WWII all Japanese mists of antiquity we may assume the Pure Land, Jodoshinshu gatherings except funerals were out quite reasonably that amongst the Buddhist faith. 13 By 1901 “dharma lawed. Soon, all Japanese males, slaves of Maquinna and the survi talks” were being held in a private then whole families were relocated vors of the 1833-4 wreck were follow home of a layman, Hatsutaru to camps in the British Columbia in ers of the Buddhist faith. Nishimura in Sapperton, B.C. This terior and further east to Alberta The first firm date of Chinese occu man had been given a “Buddhist and Manitoba. During all this tur pation in British Columbia is May name” Shin-ei- by a high abbot at moil clergy still held services carry 13, 1788 when Capt. John Meares sect headquarters in Kyoto as well ing images and altar items with brought fifty Chinese craftsmen to as an image of Amida Buddha on a them from camp to camp. Two Friendly Cove, Vancouver Island, scroll. Devotees gathered regularly. years after the War’s end the B.C. for the construction of a trading 16 By November 1905 a regular Japanese population was 7,200 a post and stockade. 11 The following Jodoshinshu priest Rev. Senju drop from a pre-war estimate of year a further twenty-nine crafts Sasaki and his wife were in 22,000. Many of the Bukkyo-kai men joined their fellows from China. Vancouver. Several temporary loca had been sold under war-time draco In May of 1789 Spanish frigates tions were used over the years for nian legislation. seized the Chinese workmen as part Buddhist services, 17 Sister organi Contemporary Thnes of the Nootka Incident which came zations were established in New After the return of the Japanese and close to creating war between the Westminster Sapperton, Barnet Japanese-Canadians to British Spanish and the British. Of the sev and Port Moody, B.C. The total ac Columbia a total of six Jodoshinshu enty or so, the Spanish only account tive membership was about 650. In churches were re-established. They ed for twenty-nine--so allowing for 1909 the government of British are at Ladnei Kamloops, Kelowna, scurvy and injuries we can assume Columbia officially recognized the in Richmond, Vancouver and Vernon. 24 some were killed, some enslaved by corporation of this endeavor as Other Japanese denominations es Indians and some absorbed into Nihon Bukkyo-Kai. 18 Buddhist tablished including a small Shingon Indian population through mar Women’s League (Bukkyo Fujin-kai) group of laypersons in Steveston, riage. was formed in 1913.19 B.C., Rinzai Zen style groups meet Again our premise is that amongst The very first official formal conver ing at the Zen Center of Vancouver that seventy or so band of Chinese sion of Westerners to Buddhism in and the Victoria Zen Center; Soto

B.C. Historical News 12 Zen style in Vancouver at Lion’s Gate Priory; and a small Shingon Shugendo group, Iron Mountain Buddhist Group in Victoria. There are also several Nichiren Shoshu (Sokka Hakkai) groups throughout the lower mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. 25 In 1971 Most Ven. Kalu Rimpoche, an esteemed meditation master of the Tibetan Kargugpa School estab lished a centre, Kagyu Kunkhyab His Holiness the Choling in Vancouver. This group Dakii Lwna has visited British under the leadership of Ven Tzenjur Columbia seveml Rimpoche maintains their centre in times to give Vancouver as well as a 160 acre re teachings. treat facility on nearby Saltspring Island. 26 Several years ago retrea Photo credit: Brian BeresftntL tants completed a three year three - —-—: month three day traditional total re .. -; treat to study and practice tradition - . al Tibetan ascetics. At the time of writing sixteen people are in retreat rites. tous temple and Gracious Hall, for the same traditional period. Two Buddhist monumental stupas quite the most impressive in all the Other Tibetan centres include that of or Chortens each about lOm in province. It is constructed in tradi Ven. Sakya Lama Tashi Namgyal, height have been erected in British tional Chinese style with peaked who has established the Victoria Columbia. The first in Tibetan Style roofs, etc. Buddhist Dharma Society-Sakya of brick and mortar was erected in The Hua Tsang Buddhist Society, Thubten Kunga Choling in Victoria; the 1960’s near Nelson, B.C. by a modern Chinese mahayana socie 26 the Sakya Bodhi Dharma Society Karma Kuzhang, a disciple of ty meets regularly in Vancouver and established in Vancouver by Ven. Namgyal Rimpoche, both publishes monthly ‘Lotus Treasury’ Chime Luding (Jetsun Kusho) sister Westerners. under the editorship of Mr. Harvey of H.H. Sakya Trizen, Head of the The second was erected in the Cheung. Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism; 1970’s on Galiano Island in the The Theravadin (Teachings of the the centres known as respectively Strait of Georgia by another asso Elders) Tradition is a small but ac Gaden Rime Zong Ling in Vancouver ciate of Namgyal Rimpoche, a tive force in the province. The Ariya and Tashi Choling in Nelson estab Burmese monk. It is in the southern Theravada Society operates in lished by Ven. Zasep Tulku and the Buddhist style using mortar and im Vancouver. The Anagarika Vajradhatu / Dhamadhatu centres pervious new polymer epoxy bonds Dhamma Society 26 is active in established by the late Ven. for longevity. Both are symbolic rep Halfmoon Bay, B.C.. A new but dy Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche at resentations of the body of the Lord namic aspect of Theravadin practice Victoria, Vancouver and Nelson. 26 Buddha comprised of earth, water, is that of the Vipassana 26 societies All these lames have been instru air, fire and space. under the aegis of Mr. Goenka of mental in bringing high lamas to In modern times the Chinese com Burma. This pragmatic austere ap British Columbia to give teaching munity has established several cen proach to meditation is regularly since 1972; some of the visitants in tres of worship devoted exclusively taught in Victoria and Vancouver. cluding such illustrious personages to Buddhism. The Universal No doubt small groups of Laos and as the H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Chinese Church “a lay Chinese Cambodian refugees are meeting in Sakya Sakya Trizin, H.H. the Buddhist temple” 24 has been estab British Columbia privately but as Gyalwa Karmapa, the late great lished for several years in yet these pious and devout people Zong Rimpoche, Luding Ken Vancouver. Recent arrivals in have had no part in public Buddhist Rimpoche, the late great Dezhung Vancouver are Gold Buddha functions. Rimpoche, Dakchen Rimpoche, etc. Monastery under the aegis of The Vietnamese people who have etc. In keeping with Tibetan tradi Tripataka Master Hsuan Hua of settled in British Columbia have es tions many of these visitant lames San Francisco and supervised by tablished two Centres in Vancouver as well as resident lamas have giv two Westerner monk of his; and in Copgun Tai Vancouver B.C. and en ordinations, refuge in the Three nearby Richmond the International Chua Phoc Long 26 Another centre Jewels and initiations into tantric Buddhist Society has built a sump in Victoria, the Victoria Vietnamese u.c Histveical News 13 Buddhist Association is currently be rial service for a deceased lama-but related artifacts mentioned herein. ing incorporated. always 8. Lawrance, ibid. the sense of the moment is 9. for some of the more far-fetched theories the Organizations endowed with the feeling that what reader is referred to: article, “Buddhism in The Buddhist Council of Canada, ever sect is represented all clergy the Pacific” by Sir Henry H. Howarth, an outgrowth and K.CJ.E., DCL., ER.S., Journal of the of the Toronto layfolk are united and unani Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. LI, Buddhist Federation, is currently ex mous in the view of tolerance and re 1921 pp. 279-287 in which Howarth postu ploring ways of extending communi spect for each other’s belief. lates Tibetan lamas coming to the Hawaiian cation amongst When Islands due to a perceived similarity in various Canadian a Buddhist bows or does capes and helmets of rank. Howarth is Buddhist groups. A representative prostrations to the Triple Gem - the more credible in his reporting of wrecked met with some Victoria groups in Buddha, the Kharma and the Japanese fishermen in historical times. (see later). 1987 with that end in view. The Sangha - in British Columbia he 10. Howarth, ibid., Pg. 284. Buddhist Co-op of Vancouver 26 is a should bear in mind that the 11. article, “First Chinese Get Their Due” by loose federation of groups that meet Sangha quite possibly goes back to Jacque Mar, Victoria B.C. Times-Colonist newspapel ‘Islander’ supplement Pg. M2, to exchange views and increase pub the mists of antiquity to the closing 29 May, 1988. lic awareness about Buddhism. of the fifth century A.D. and to those 12. ibid. Several learned pandits teach early co-religionists, the early 3. An eminent geographer, Dr. David Lai, Associate Professor at the University of Buddhism at the University of Japanese and Chinese lost and en Victoria, and expert on British Columbia’s British Columbia at Vancouver in slaved on these coasts two hundred ‘Chinatowns offered the following views, cluding Dr. Leon Hurvitz renowned years ago; and those doughty “thejoss-houses were syncretic which is to say, Buddhist-Taoist-Confucian...they were translator of a new edition of the Japanese clergy of the turn of this primarily concerned with worldly prosperity Lotus Sutra and Dr. Daniel century who laboured in fish camp and could not in any way be considered Overmyei an expert on Chinese folk and saw mill and the selfless other ‘Buddhist temples or exclusively Buddhist places of worship.’ Buddhist culture. Through their Asians -- the Tibetans, Vietnamese Conversation with the author, 20 May, and others efforts a massive library who laboured to bring this faith to 1988. (the Asian Studies Library) has been British Columbia. The story has 14. The author solicited information from the Theosophical Society, a society with some assembled with many texts of inter just begun. Buddhists-inspired roots. I asked specifical est to scholars. Buddhism is regu Acknowlegements ly about contact between the T.S. and any larly taught in several undergradu Buddhist in British Columbia. This society The writer would like to thank Virginia has been active in British Columbia for ate/graduate studies level courses at E. Appell, M.A. of the University of many years. Except for a relatively recent the University of British Columbia British Columbia’s Graduate contact 1985?-86?) between the Victoria and the University of Victoria. (Anthropology Department) Programme Lodge and a local Victoria Tibetan-lineage for securing the Howarth material; and nun, no other contacts have as yet been re A Buddhist archive (#87-10) has Maiyse Dumas, B. Ed. of the University ported. Oetter to author, 27 April, 1988 from been established by the writer at the of Victoria’s Graduate (Musicology) Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong, vice.president, British Columbia Archives in Victoria Programme for inquiries re: the Marius Victoria T.S. Lodge.) 15. article, “Buddhists in British Columbia by B.C. Barbeau material and also for decipher Circle Voices --A History mss. Yasuo Izumi in of Qnclusicn ing my handwriting and typing the of the Religious Communities of British The establishment of a Buddhist Columbia edited by Charles P Anderson, Notes Tirthankar Bose and Joseph I. Richardson, archive in the Provincial Archives 1. article, “Buddhist Columbia” by Scott Oolichan Books, Lantzville, British will hopefully aid the historian of re Lawrance, ‘Raincoast Chronicles First Columbia 1983 pp. 27-33. Izumis title is a ligion in the future. This brief histo Five’, bit of a misnomer for his survey covers only Harbour Publishing, Box 119, Madeira his particular denomination (and except for ry is but an outline of the events Park, B.C. 1971, PP. 67-68. a few Caucasian converts to that denomina that lead up to the successful trans 2. ibid. tion) is devoted to reports exclusively about planting of this profound and gentle 3. Edward Payson Vining (1847-1920) “An ethnic Japanese. It is hoped that the writ Inglorious Columbus, or Evidence that er’s current article will provide a more ex World Religion in British Columbia. Hwui Shan and a party of Buddhist monks pansive view. Nevertheless the writer is In the writer’s capacity of president from Afghanistan discovered America in the grateful for the extensive material pub and priest of Iron Mountain Fifth Century AD.’ lished by Rev. Izumi --- it aided a tremen New York, Appleton 1885. dous amount in the writer’s researches. Buddhist Group he has often been 4. Lawrance, ibid. 16. ibid., Pg. 28 called upon to assemble with his co 5. ibid. 17. ibid. religionists--sometimes in a joyful oc 6. ibid. 18. ibid. 7. ibid. In 1979 in my capacity of Registrar of 19. ibid. casion--the celebration of H.H. the the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria I was 20. ibid. Dalai Lama’s birthday culminating asked by Mr. David Pepper of the Royal 21. ibid. in the release of one hundred and Ontario Museum, Toronto about the where 22. ibid. abouts of this Japanese sword. Material 23. ibid.. Pg. 30 eight helium balloons bearing selec was then being assembled for the celebra 24. article, “Buddhism in Canada” in ‘Spring tions of sutras; or the exposition of tion of the centennial of the arrival of “the Wind .- Buddhist Cultural Forum’ Sprrng/ various forms of Buddhism by vari first Japanese” to British Columbia and Summer 1985, vol. 5 no. 1&2, pp. 167-195. Canada. My enquiries proved fruitless. I 25. ibid., names and addresses of most of the ous Buddhist clergy at the Victoria am, at the time of the compilation of this groups cited appear in this issue, see also International Folkfest-sometimes paper attempting through the British addenda in the succeeding issue of Spring the occasion is melancholy; a memo- Columbia Museums Association’s newsletter Wind. to locate this sword and any other Buddhist 26. ibid. B.C. Historical News 14 The Withy Hoax

by Ron Weiwood

Since the publication of my article, September 5th reads: nor deviation which could easily be “Wilby in the Kootenays”, several Left Ottawa at 7:30 a.m. I was ready at overlooked when reading Wilby’s ac significant sources of additional in 6:30 but the Captain of the schooner count, ‘Above the rush and roar of formation have been uncovered. slept in so we could not get away .. .Had a Columbia, as we followed the de warm argument with the Captain to-day. the Although, at the time of researching He says it makes him sick to run over a vious paths of its green waters from and writing the article I suspected chicken, also he is afraid to go more than Canada into America and back Thomas William Wilby was not the 25 m.p.h. (40 krn.p.h.) --- Rather a soft again....” (250) Unfortunately, the great automobiling hero he pretend outfit for the Captain of a transcontinen rough, mountainous terrain had tal automobile devil does ed to be, I did not have the resources trip. One poor forced the Reoists to cross the border all the work ‘that’s me “. I am hooked up to prove it. This short addendum with about the worst companion that pos just south of Rossland at Patterson records additional facts that have sibly could be. The work is going to be and to return north at Cascade, B.C. come to light since the writing of hard after leaving Toronto , and not hav This was the only detour from an that article. ing a MAN with me, I don’t know how I’ll otherwise all-Canadian route. Readers will recall that in 1912, make out. Until recently Wilby’s book present This tension between the two travel under the auspices of the fledgling ed the only public, but distorted, lers is subtiely documented in A Canadian Highway Association and record of this epic journey. Wilby Motor Tour Thmugh Canada where the sponsorship of the Reo Motor had, indeed, succeeded in keeping Wilby deliberately omitted any men Car Company, Wilby proposed an Haney’s name obscure and anony tion of Haney’s name! This colorful epic journey to support the Good mous. However new evidence has but exaggerated account of the trip Roads Movement and to promote a finally revealed the true hero of this only refers to him as the “driver” or Trans-Canadian Highway from amazing saga. Ironically after such the ‘hauffeur”. In fact, the vindic Atlantic to Pacific via the All Red a prolonged silence, 1989 has seen tive and deceitful Wilby went so far Route. the publication of John Nicol’s short as to either obscure or airbrush Wilby was accompanied by test book and broadcasting of a C.B.C. Haney’s image from the book’s pho driver Fonce Val (Jack) Haney, 23, radio play, “A Motor Tour Through tographs! (Nicol 23, 50) who was considered a mechanical Canada”, by Charles Tidler on In order to have his own memen wizard by his employer the Reo Morninguide (May 1989). A special tos of the trip, Haney had purchased Motor Car Company of St. display in the St. Catharines a simple box camera in New Catharines, Ont, Although Wilby Historical Museum commemorating Brunswick. Naturally he had Wilby basked in the glory it was Haney Haney and the trusty Reo Special take photographs of himself at vari who did all the work -- driving all Touring Car will also help ous locations along the way; but day and repairing the Reo at night. Canadians to remember the quiet when he got to Ontario and had the Wilby unashamedly took full credit but tenacious Haney. These are just film developed every photo that as the triumphant automobilist but, a few deserving testimonials to the Wilby took of him was out-of-focus. in fact, he was chauffeured all but hero of the All Red Route, Photo after photo,...blurred, blurred, true Jack 60 miles (100 km.) of the entire trip blurred. The scenery photos Wilby took Haney. across Canada! According to local using his own camera were fine, so why newspaper accounts Wilby was at were only the pictures he took of Haney the wheel when the automobilists spoiled? Jack thought Wilby intentional The author Is a librarian at Selkirk college entered some of the larger Canadian ly ruined them. This realization was the in Castlegai He is a real history buffwho final straw: Jack Haney was determined cities. So it seems he only drove has done a great deal ofresearch about the the to quit the trip. (Nicol 29) Kootenays. Reo from the outskirts of those com However out of a strong sense of BIBLiOGRAPHY munities where he would receive loyalty to the Reo Motor Car “Book Chronicles Pioneer’s 1912 Cross-Canada Drive.” wide press coverage. In this way he Company he was convinced by com WncsxiwesSm 4 March 1989: A18. maintained the pretense that he pany representatives to continue. Haney Ky. Diary of LW. Haney Halifax toVanexrnvee 1912. was the great automobiling hero (unpublished) August 27- October 14, 1912. After a second Reo employee, Earl Nicol, John D. JadHaney. Markham, Ont.: Fitzhenry& that he imagined himself to be. Wise, joined them in Regina, Sank., Whiteside, 1989 It is obvious from Haney’s travel Haney no longer mentioned his frus “No Glory for Drive.” P,oviri 5 March1989: 19. diary that there was great enmity tration with Wilby. Welwood, Ron. “Wilby in the Kootenays.” British Cohinibia between British Wilby and Historical Neax 20 (Fall 1987): 8-11 Although the trip was touted as Wilby, Thomas W AMohrTharThrcnghCanada London: Colonialist Haney. His entry for the All Red Route, there was one mi John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1914 B.C. Hstorica1 News 15

16

HIstor4e1 B.C. News

in James’, Anglican church, St. sick of to and the any weather; Frances observed if British that,

Granville first their received and hours in reach all her, and took door-handles” sweep. and Sister

Mill Hastings miles. The of villages typhoid. Sister with Frances’ out ward every article ‘from to scissors

square 160,000 its dotted sparsely was first in, rushed one delirious helpless she patients, polish had to

settlements bush posts and ing B.C. parts Opening On of Day the that, the besides arduous of care

trad Frontier in 1879. Westminster tal, it patients received from all hospital, wrote Frances to Sister

of New Diocese Columbia’s of British being children; the girls, hospi city’s first her probationing in an English

Bishop the became first Sillitoe, who sick sheltered many homeless and Westminster; 1899. August, One of

ily was Acton One much to Canada”.

maternity a St. hospital, Luke’s ChurchRecord, of Diocese New 1

mean to who young were churchmen operating as Planned primar room. of news them for report in the her

missionary-minded met “restless added later wards they two an all and her former students, and gave

Henry young Oxford, at sportsman bedroom, the frame seven hospital; Redmond had motherly a in interest

active a and student theology As borrowed to money and Church build con, E. Rev. W. Frances Pugh.

of the Newcastle. Duke of cousin ter; St. three James’ next to lots C.PR. graduate later the married archdea

an minis Anglo-Catholic of son first purchased and Clinton Father she Hester Crickmay matron. as This

Nottinghamshire, the in born was Hospital. Lytton Mission, with Nurse her

Fiennes-Clinton Henry 1854 In St. away Luke’s her a from turned Church for hospital at Indians

Montreal. Universitç Laval at wife need others, in no one many small-pox was for Mission; in she organized

nurse mid and a as trained name, for did destitute so she patient; in phoid Sound Howe and outposts,

in still was she as Redmond, Mrs. her a bed services group up to to give was of combatted she nurses, ty

and England, in school sent to was of city’s her doctors. One first few her much-sought-after small, With

Jr., Charles William days.) in those the indispensable She to soon was She pital. volunteered to direct it.

that, just were (private lives cably; nurse. organize the required hos isolation

separated ami Redmonds the riage, public Vancouver’s first to Sister health be Frances best was to qualified

mar in their Early Pentreath. Mrs. administrative gifts, her asked small-pox and epidemics out. broke

Archdeacon and of friend the lifelong Redmond’s Frances knew Clinton preventive In medicine. 1890’s the

became Frances where Winnipeg, three-bed infirmary. Frontier Rev. C.PR.’s had no Columbia British

moved to They an infant. died the structed was hospital only practical the demic; in work.

one Sons; two had they and officer; en diseases and phoid the gave were other Frances Sister lectures; in

a Naval Redmond, Charles William ty piped had and water; no the uniforms. city and Doctors surgeons

married She service. Navy British lined tents; was students with Street Cordova rious in floor-length white

tradition of a with family a of the anniversary Fire, of on shows photo the class, her se first eight

1854, in England in was born name) training church, 210-seat new, in shipped school the An nurses. for early

that (she earned Frances Sister first family directed wor his the she parish Province’s first When

beds. 25 in years. for Vancouver. needy Luke’s At Vancouver” St.

seven had which hospital, general

of ‘Anglican father the was Clinton

Fras Sister

first Vancouver’s built partners two tuberculosis, Rev. low been level

The deaconess. and nurse as come to seems what Undefeated have by

to Redmond Dairymple Frances same site. on protectively the today,

invited Church, Anglican founding successor towers stone white sive

the James’, St. of rector Clinton, (then Its Street. mas Oppenheimer)

Fiennes Henry Father churches. Cordova and Avenue at Gore ed lots

and halls

community pioneer donat C.PR. mills, two congregation on -

lumber two with cabins pioneer his growing St. for James’ second

scattered some then It Street. was the built and halls community in

Main present the and Hastings worship services held he Fire, Great

of area the in Burrard Inlet Vancouver’s undaunted by 1885;

fringed terminus C.PR. and town in rector late its became Clinton,

mill little the when service Father life’s young priest, English The

to her called was She Nightingale. Inlet. Burrard

Florence near building wooden a tiny a 1881, had Vancouver

Helen Borrell by

Vancouver of Nightingale Florence The Columbia nurses were so trained, rewarded the men and boys of the sitting hall, dining room, library; “we would not so often hear the com choii” 2 the Sunday School party, and bedroom for Sister Frances. In plaint regarding household matters, the visits, and generous friends of the spirit which always guided hei nowadays spoken of as housemaid’s her Home. On Bowen Island, in she made sure that Mrs. Crooks, her work. I myself have- several times 1902, Father Clinton opened the faithful assistant for 27 years, received the answer from a new pro Choir Boys’ Camp; nearby, Sister should have a permanent home in bationei ‘Oh, I did not know that Frances built a summer cottage, St. Luke’s. Among the many friends was for a nurse to do, I call that where her nurses, and the business who showered donations for the new housework and not fit for a lady.’ girls who later resided at St. Luke’s building was an English lady who Needless to say, she does not suit.” Home, enjoyed seaside holidays be had never forgotten that Sister Vancouver’s founding nurse was an neath Howe Sound’s majestic moun Frances had sheltered her, a needy other Florence Nightingale. tains. Also, this was a God-given child - thirty years before. Sister Frances, who mothered setting for St. James’ Church But the new St. Luke’s was, finan many waifs, later adopted a girl retreats. cially, the gift of the wealthy philan and two boys. She gained a devot Typical of Sister Frances was her thropist, Joseph Greaves - the pio ed, permanent helper - admitted as “busman’s holiday” in Victoria in neer immigrant of romance; he came a seriously ill young mothei unable 1902; she helped some of her former to British Columbia as a butcher and to manage her own home. Her ser nurses set up a small maternity retired as the owner of B.C.’s largest vices to Sister Frances made St. hospital. Charles Redmond pre cattle ranch. Besides his legacies to Luke’s Home hers for the rest of her sented his mother with a residence other hospitals, he bequeathed to life. in the California diocese of Paso the Directors of St. Luke’s an When the City Hospital and St. Robles, a sunshine blessed haven amount generous enough to build Paul’s were built in growing which became her Home for the new home and to pay off the Vancouver they had more facilities Convalescents. It was also a haven mortgage and tax arrears which had for more nursing students than St. for Father Clinton, when the illness burdened the first home. Luke’s; its school was gradually he had valiantly battled during his His inspiration? The single visit phased out. But from its opening 25 years’ leadership of the mother he had made to St. Luke’os in its St. Luke’s Home was Vancouver’s Anglican church finally ended his early days; he was helping one of first social service centre. Sister life. Sister Frances put her assist the five non-paying patients cared Frances, Father Clinton’s adminis ant in charge of St. Luke’s, and she for there. He observed Sister trative partnei; raised funds for his and another of her graduates, Mrs. Frances’ sound business manage many “firsts” in early Vancouver. E.W. Pugh, nursed him until his ment, and asked her assistant One cold wintei she opened a soup death on January 29, 1912. His about their care of the needy; and re kitchen in the basement of Market many services to his adopted home alized that this haven in the city’s Hall. She was President of the first city were her legacy, and she contin poorest district was worth the for Anglican Women’s group, the Guild ued them under his successors. She tune he could give to it. of St. Agatha, for girls and young was honoured with a life member “The kindness to me has been women. The little girls in her church ship in the Women’s Auxiliary to marvelous,” Vancouver’s first nurse school learned to sew, to serve tea Canada’s Anglican Missionary said simply, as, with a veteran’s and entertain graciously, and to Society, Diocese of New nostalgia, she told St. Luke’s story help the unfortunate. Their models Westminster, shortly before the to a Vancouver Province reporter. were Sister Frances’ team of parish Great War. In that mass slaughter She and her nurses had once taken mothers; notably, Mrs. Margaret one of the millions killed was Sister charge of the Vancouver General Thain and Violet Sillitoe, widow of Frances’ son. In his memory; she Hospital for six weeks, while a new the first Bishop of New placed a sanctuary lamp in the matron was sought. On March 15, Westminstei who gave lifelong ser church for which she lived. By the 1925, the Province gave a deserved vice to the extended family of St. 1920’s, this grand old pioneer and full-page spread to the completion of James’ Church. its Parish Hall had to be replaced by the present St. Luke’s Home, includ In the parish paper The Church up-to-date buildings; so did St. ing photos and Sister Frances’ Raxrd, Sister Frances always gave Luke’s Home, by then a creaky fire thanks for each gift toward its fur warm thanks to every donor for gifts trap, unable to meet civic standards. nishings. Perhaps the two givers to St. Luke’s Home. For two hun The new, larger St. Luke’s Home, who had so briefly known her - the dred children, Easter Monday, 1901, with its dignified, Old English style former homeless child, and the mil was a holiday in fairyland; in exterior - a contrast to the austerely lionaire - were the best witnesses to grown-up words, an Easter egg par plain, New Era design of today’s St. her full life. ty in St. Luke’s garden. After James’ Church - was a home in In 1929, “the little mother of the Christmas, Sister Frances wrote joy which the aged were given devoted sick and needy of Vancouver” was ously of the “Dickensian feast which care. its ground floor contained a chosen by the community for the

B.C. Historical News 17 BIBUOGRAPHYARI’ICLES; “Good Citizen” award, bestowed by quiet, well-kept home, combined the Native Sons of British Columbia. with religious surroundings and a I. Phyllis Reeve: Evesy Good Gith A HI.teeydSt.Jamee Frances Redmond died on April chapel” it was called. In recent ¼,ssues Mitchell Press Ltd., Vancouver, B.C. 1980. 15, 1932 and was buried in years, it has been remodelled into 2. EyGocxiGlfl Page 45. Mountain View Cemetery; like her seven suites where residents live in 3. EvyGocsJGift Page 47. leader and friend, Henry Clinton. dependently. All through her career another friend The unseen life of Sister Frances linked her with the founding of the is, of course, the Christlike ideal and New Westminster Diocese - the first the practical administrative skills Bishop’s widow, Mrs. Violet Sillitoe, which she bequeathed to St. James’ who died in 1933. clergy and community servants who, Sister Frances’ church family gave today, are indispensable to her and Father Clinton a memorial Vancouver’s Downtown. chapel in the present St. James’ *********** Anglican Church built in 1935, But she lived on what Miss Helen Borrell was born and raised in in she founded. Vancouver but worked in Thronto and Halifax St. Luke’s continued as a women’s as a stenographer: She then worked at the residence and guest house, man United Church Hospital in Bella Bella. She aged by the Anglican Sisters of the has recently retired in Vancouver with time to Society of the Love of Jesus. “A do research & writing.

Peter Skene Ogden - A Great Explorer

by Winston A. Shilvock

Peter Skene Ogden was the last of where, in the Indian way, he mar Canada’s great fur-trading explor ried a Cree woman. After giving ers, following closely in the steps of him two sons she died, and since her those other great adventurers of the name was never recorded, disap

North West Company - Alexander peared into history without a trace. Mackenzie, Simon Fraser and David So well did he perform with the Thompson. Nor’Westers that in 1820 he as The tough, intrepid Nor’Westers made a partner and a year latei were ideally suited to Ogden’s, devil- when the North West Company and may-care nature. Against the wish the Hudson’s Bay Company joined es of his father an admiralty court forces, he became a chief trader with judge in Lower Canada, the young, the new organization. This necessi 16-year-old gave up the study of law tated a move to the strategically lo and entered the fur business in cated Spokane House which David 1810. Not long aftei one of his as Thompson had built a decade before sociates described him as the “hit in what is now Washington State. morous, honest, eccentric, law- It was from here that Peter Ogden, defying Peter Ogden.” His own per at the age of 27, would begin the Peter Skene Ogden sonal motto, indicative of his later work that would enshrine his name actions was, “Necessity has no in history as one of our great explor whom he paid 50 horses. Like her law.” ers. husband, Julia was intelligent, ag For the next few years Ogden Here, too, he met and married gressive and had a mind of her own. served an apprenticeship in the Julia Rivet, a full-blooded Flathead Two recorded stories exemplify this. harsh Saskatchewan River country Indian from the Spokane area for Once, when a raft load of furs broke

B.C. Historical News 18 loose on a swift-flowing, ice-cold nv wrote, “Only the fit survive and not Columbia) along the Stikine River ei she quickly dove in after it and all of those.” In 1835 he led an expedition south several hundred yards downstream Nevertheless he pressed on. From and established a trading post at steered it to shore. Decembei 1824, when he left Fort the junction of the Sacramento and On another occasion Julia was Nez Perce (Walla Walla, Jesus Maria Rivers in California. travelling with an Ogden expedition Washington) until 1829, he and his That same year he was appointed when American mountain men raid 58-man troupes completed six fur- Chief Factor at Fort St. James ed the group and stampeded many gathering expeditions. The travels, which had been built by Simon of the fur-laden horses. When Julia mainly on horseback because horses Fraser in 1806. This was the centre realized that one of the stolen ani could carry furs and they and the ac of all activity in the New Caledonia mals was carrying her first-born son companying dogs were frequently district and the position of Factor tied to the saddle, she leaped onto needed for food, took him east to carried tremendous power and pres another horse and started after the Idaho Falls and south to the Great tige. From here, as a member of raiding party. Galloping into the Salt Lake. On the way he rode past management, he led several fur middle of the enemy camp she the site of today’s Ogden, Utah, bridges over the famous Brigade quickly switched to the horse bear which is named in his honor. Trail through the Okanagan Valley ing her son, grabbed the reins of an On the fifth expedition he went to attend meetings at the company other one loaded with furs, and be south through Kiamath Indian coun headquarters at Fort Vancouver at fore the astonished Americans try (Klamath Falls, Oregon) and the mouth of the Columbia River. realized what was happening, dis discovered “a fine large stream” With the establishment of the appeared into the surrounding for which he called the Unknown River. International Boundary in 1846, the est. Today this is the Humbolt River in headquarters of the company were The marriage of Peter and Julia northern Nevada. On the last trip moved to Victoria and for the next was idyllic and lasted for 34 years he went through to the Gulf of eight years Peter Ogden and James until Peter’s death. Julia then California. Douglas jointly administered the moved to Lac la Hache in the Ogden was meticulous in recount enormous expanse of the Columbia Cariboo country of British Columbia ing these explorations and it has Department. Ogden Point, the site where their descendants live today. been said by historians that the ex of the Outer Wharves in Victoria, is After the amalgamation of the peditions constituted one of the most named for him. Nor’Westers and the RB Co, com magnificent chapters in the history Then, at age 60, Peter Skene plete control of the fur trade in the of exploration in western North Ogden suffered a bout with “the fe north was secure and attention was America and that Peter Skene ver” and died on September 27, turned to the south and east of the Ogden was one of the greatest path- 1854. Columbia River for new fields to take finders, traders and diplomats the ************ over. As a commissioned gentleman West ever knew. and the ablest one around, Ogden His agility and endurance were Wbtsfon Shilueck is a rdbwl businessman was a natural choice to lead the at the more amazing when one consid living in Kelowna. He took up writing and tack. ers that his short, stocky frame car has had 154 articles pubiished since 1969- The first assault on this virgin ter ried a tremendous amount of fat. most ofthese with historical oontent. ritory began in the Snake River He was so obese that he was a con country an area that now takes in tinual source of amusement to the the States of Washington, Idaho Indians who were themselves slim and Oregon. The next step was to and wiry move into what is now Utah, Over the next few years Ogden Nevada and California. performed various other duties for The odds against operating in this the Hudson’s Bay Company. In terrain were formidable. The coun 1831 he assisted in founding Fort try was a vast sea of mountains Simpson on the British Columbia broken by violent rivers; the Indians coast and inaugurated a coastal were hostile; winters brought enor trade for the company. He went mous snowfalls and the American north to the southern tip of Alaska mountain-men trappers, unhappy and diplomatically warned off the over the intrusion, put up a stiff re Russians who were encroaching on sistance. Of this period Ogden New Caledonia (north central British B.C. Historical Ne 19 Something Out ofNothing Mission Memorial Hospitals by Catherine Marcellus

In 1919, when the soldiers who was not long before she was also on “There is a lack of understanding had survived the “Great War” were the Hospital Board and Mrs. of the proper relation of the hospital returning to their homes, and the Lambarde was working for the to the community The practice ravages of the “flu” were subsiding, Auxiliary. of requiring those who are sick and the women of Mission turned their Two other women were members of who use the hospital to pay for the energies towards improving their both groups, Mrs. A.J. Stuart and hospital building and equipment is community by creating a memorial Mrs. A.L. McQuarrie, the wives of wrong The trend of present for the men who died, They devel the town’s two doctors. They were day thought is towards the concen oped an original idea, a hospital, usually given the double title, “Mrs. tration of hospitals, wherever practi which they said would forever be a Dr.” Their husbands, too, were cable, and their full and complete “living memorial”. They had no members of the board, for they knew ownership by the community which money, nothing but their energy and the need better than anyone. They they seek to serve.” enthusiasm, but in less than two were joined by WH. Mathewson, the Not everyone agreed with the prin years they had a small, makeshift bank manager and John ciple. building in full operation and in five Catherwood who would soon become Mission’s new Hospital Board years they had a beautiful new brick ML.A. for Dewdney. J.B. Millar, faced a monumental task. The building, debt free. They had truly who had retired from his position at “Stokes House” was the only availa created “Something Out of Clayburn Brickworks in 1917, was ble building in the community. It Nothing”. elected president, and it was he who was an old two-storey dwelling and Mrs. Beryl Lambarde was an ener influenced the physical appearance quite unsuitable for a hospital, but it getic Englishwoman who was dedi of the new facility. would have to do. The Board must cated to improving health care. In The double mission of this group find a way to pay for the daily oper January 1919, she organized “The first appeared in print in 1919. An ating expenses of a hospital while Mothers of the Empire League” article in the Fraser Valley Record trying to save enough money for a whose aim, she said, was no less (almost certainly in Mrs. new building. Two forces contribut than to unify all women. However; Lambarde’s breathless style) said, ed to the successful outcome. in August of the same year; she and “Now times have become more nor Of primary importance were the the other “Mothers” decided to mal again, so “Lest we Forget” - volunteer women who formed the transfer their loyalties to the new and nothing in life is easier than to Hospital Auxiliary and sparked the

Gallipoli Branch of the I.O.D.E. By forget - and before what our men enthusiasm of the Women’s January 1920, they had found a have done becomes but a faint mem project; they raised money by put ory, let us turn our attention to ting on a dance and opened a soup what we can do to keep the memory kitchen in the local school. of their sacrifice green in the minds, The soup kitchen did not seem to not only of the present generation, be demanding enough of Mrs. but of those to follow, when the Lambarde’s considerable energy, “Great War” itself has become but a and in March she and the other matter of history And how can we members of the Gallipoli Branch do that better than by erecting a “who had been discussing the sub hospital.” ject of having a hospital”.. . . turned In British Columbia, public hospi the matter over to a provisional tals were appearing in a number of Board of Directors.’ Mrs. Lambarde centers, but there was, as yet, no was elected secretary A month lat legislation or body of regulations to er; on April 9, the ladies met again determine how much tax money and formed a Hospital Auxiliary 2 should be given for their support. The president of this organization An editorial in the Fraser Valley was Mrs. Emma Houlder; another Record of March 1, 1923 explained Miss Midiiall - Matron 1924 determined Englishwoman, and it the philosophy.

B.C. Historical News 20 Institutes in the surrounding areas. etc.” 6 Their heroic efforts through erating the hospital was They contributed determination, per 1920 raised $1,222.26 from teas, a $35,471.10. There was, therefore a sistence, and seemingly unlimited whist drive, tag days, catering, raf shortfall of $3,194 07, an amount amounts of physical labour. The fles, and donations. In the spring of which was met by the contributions second force comprised the members 1921, they produced the first May of the Auxiliary In addition, mem of the Board who borrowed, mort Day which made an astonishing bers of the community donated their gaged and juggled finances while $1,233.38 and became a Mission in own produce, and the Fraser Valley consistently pressuring local councils stitution. By February 1925, they Re.xrd published the names of don and the provincial government for had contributed $6,557.56, of which ors each week. A typical list includ funds which they considered to be $1,150 went to the building fund, ed flowers, eggs, vegetables, and rightfully theirs. Some of these $668 to a Nurse’s Home, and fruit. On November 8, 1923, the sec Board members were women who $13.25 to a flagpole! The remain retary of the Board recorded a deci were providing volunteer labour at dei $3,294.38, “was spent entirely sion “to cost out the gifts to get a the hospital and were also baking on supplies for the hospital.” 6 true maintenance cost”. The results as many as ten pies each for various Once the hospital was open, it were never recorded. fund raising events. At the Board could earn money, but it also cost Salaries were an important item. level, they were innovative adminis money to run. The Board’s sources ‘At first we started with two nurses trators and politically astute fund of earned income were the patients, and a cook “, the Report of 1925 ex raisers. Before their task was com who were charged a fee; the plains, “but it was not long before a pleted they learned to manipulate Provincial Government, which paid a third nurse was needed and a helper the larger world of liquor profits and grant of $1 for each hospital day; in the kitchen.” The nurses were shaky provincial politics. How they and Workmen’s Compensation paid $70 a month, but there were so did it is part of the story Board. many resignations that in March The first stage was to become in- Indigent patients posed a special 1924, the Board raised the amount corporated as “Mission Memorial problem which was often mentioned to $75. Hospital” and then to consider how by the Board minutes. Like Boards At the end of the first year, Mr. to buy Stokes house on the corner of at other small B.C. hospitals, the Stokes refused to renew the lease, Third Avenue and Birch Street, con Mission Memorial Board considered and the Board had to buy the prop vert it into a hospital, buy furniture, itself morally bound to accept “indi erty WH. Mathewson said, “So in and hire staff. This was an ambi gents” who were often transient la 1921 we bought the property for tious plan for a group with no funds. bourers or “those developing land “. $5,000 and subsequently paid Mr. Stokes wished to sell his prop In March 1923, the Board secretary everything but $1,400 which is the erty outright but nevertheless noted that Village commissioners present debt on the old building. agreed to rent for one year for $350. were responsible for indigents, but Mrs. Stokes was paid in full on “The first transaction was a loan of this was understandably not a pop January 12, 1922, and this meant $365 from a private source to pay ular burden for local taxpayers. In that a mortgage had been arranged. our rent in advance. This was not a 1924 the Board signed a resolution On the same date, according to the good beginning”, said W.H. (initiated by the Vernon Jubilee Re*x*xl some lots had been sold for Mathewson, writing the storey in Hospital) asking for Provincial $600. On September 14, 1922, the 1925. The Auxiliary minutes re Government assistance with the Board invested $4,000 in Canada veal that the loan came from Mrs. problem. As late as 1948 indigents Victory Bonds, a sum which must Marryat, Mrs. Lambarde’s mother. were still written off the Board’s fi have been an aggregate of the sale The house needed “considerable ren nancial statement. 8 of the lots, the contributions of the ovations”, and the twenty-three In February 1925, the Board re Hospital Auxiliary to the building members of the newly formed ported that the total amount of pa fund, and donations by other com Hospital Auxiliary undertook the tients’ fees received since the opera munity groups. In addition, the task. “They cleaned and calcimined tion began was $22,497.83 and that Municipal Council had sent the walls, stained the floors, put there had been 917 patients with $1,148.68, only half of the collected down the linoleum, put up curtains, 12,309 hospital days. This meant Poll Tax and Liquor Pofits. etc.” According to Mrs. Joan Gutch that the average patient’s bill was It was a wise move for the Board her father Barrie Lambarde, did all $24.53. The Provincial Government to lock up $4,000 in bonds that the carpentry Within two months it grant received for hospital days was could not be used for operating ex was ready to open. $9,779.20, or just under 80 cents a penses. The next task was to raise the day. As the per capita grant was The Stokes house, now the Mission money for equipment, and the ladies supposed to be $1, it seemed clear Memorial Hospital, continued to cost promptly held a bazaar which made that some Provincial money was money. In May 1922, the secretary $150, spent on “bedding, table lin still owing. was instructed to “find out the cost en, nightshirts, towels, baby clothes, The total amount paid out for op of shingling the roof and get it

B.C. Historical Ne 21 done”, and in July of the same year British Columbians as a possible long enough and formed a commit a summer kitchen was added and a source of government income. Under tee to make the journey. Three men room for the baby nursery ($300). “Prohibition” or the “Dry Act”, there set out in December (paying their Towards the end of 1920, before it were only two ways to get liquor; to own way of course) and reported leased the Stokes house, the Board import it from outside the province, back to the January 1922 meeting had negotiated the purchase of “half or to consult a physician. The phy that they had been promised 20% of of the Bowyer block for $2,000. The sician could prescribe 8oz., or “up to the cost of the hospital and that sum of $500 was paid and the bal. 2 quarts - if it is really necessary”.13 they would get “$3,000 this year ance by raising a mortgage of The government made an immense and $1,000 next year”. These sums $1,500 which is still running”. 10 profit of 45%, or an aggregate of were never received. This transaction occurred before $1,700,000 14 on the sale of such Another committee had gone to the Board minutes were retained, but it liquor foi according to WJ. Bowser Municipal Council and reported to is clear that, by the beginning of the Leader of the Opposition, the same meeting that they would 1922, the Board had two mortgages 315,000 prescriptions had been is be sent $1,148.64, half of the collect on its books. The Bowyer property sued under “Prohibition” and 516 ed Poll Tax and Liquor Profits, 16 was a magnificent site on 5th Import permits had been given to in and in June, Mr. Catherwood went Avenue, overlooking the valley, and dustrial concerns. He said that to the Council and reported back by 1921, the Board was drawing many had gone to the underworld. that they would get 75% of the “liq 15 plans. It was estimated that at uor money “. At the end of December least $20,000 would be needed for The government was forced into a 1922, delegations went to Victoria the new building. 11 referendum on “Moderation”, which on behalf of hospitals from all over Even the most committed volun really meant control of the excesses the province. J.B. Millar went from teers could not hope to raise such a of “Prohibition”, and on October 20, Mission and reported that they were large sum; consequently, the Board 1920, when women voted for the all in favor of “eliminating division looked to other governments for pos first time in B.C. “Moderation” of liquor profits at present” 17 The sible funding. The Municipality of passed by 25,000 votes. Cagey confusion was clearly province wide. Mission had managed the rural area Premier Oliver did not make any During January 1923, Mr. since 1892, and had taxed the town- clear statement on the details as his Catherwood was reported to be in site for schools and street lighting. own political position was increas vestigating “Liquor Control money” The town was also taxed by Victoria ingly insecure. However it is clear in Victoria, and by March the Board for roads and services, but on that the municipality of Mission and had still not received its current pay December 30, 1922, it became incor the Hospital Board both thought ment from the municipality. The porated as the Village of Mission they would benefit from liquor prof Board wrote the Council once more City with the right to levy its own its. and at the May meeting, Mr. property tax. Oliver called an election for Catherwood reported that the gov As population increased through December 1920. He was the mem ernment had sent the money in July out the early post-war years, de ber for Dewdney, but the local roads and December of 1922. In July, mands for services escalated. The were so bad that voters “turfed” him 75% had been sent to the Hospital resulting struggle for the tax dollar out and elected John Catherwood, Board, but in December, nothing at sharpened conflict between local and the Conservative, who was also a provincial governments. The prov member of the Hospital Board. ince had a poli tax and an amuse Oliver won a seat in Victoria, but left ment tax, both of which were unpop Mission with no voice in the Cabinet. ular and hard to collect. In April The debate over liquor raged 1920, Premier John Oliver, an through 1921, still without clarifica nounced a plan to relinquish to the tion. In Mission, the members of the municipalities the poll tax and to in Hospital Board waited each month crease the amusement tax to 20%. for news that would allow them to One half of the money was to be ear plan their building. There were two marked for schools and hospitals. problems, first to find out whether The Opposition was scathing 12, the liquor profits were coming to the claiming that the municipalities municipalities, and second, to find would ‘pay the shot” for collecting out how much would be turned over what was almost uncollectable in to the hospital if the money did ar widely scattered areas. rive. An entertaining chapter of social The trip to Victoria was long and history unfolded when politicians be expensive, but by September 1921, gan to look at the drinking habits of the Board decided it had waited

B.C. Historical News 22 all had been sent. In a fury the announced that he had arranged true, for the last government cheque Board moved to send a bill to the with his old company, the Clayburn did not arrive until July, but “the Council with interest, but “after dis Brickworks, a special price of “$15 large gathering of the residents of cussion the nwtion was withdrawn”. per m.” for the bricks, a vote of the whole countryside gave her three 18 Doubtless, it was thought to be thanks was passed for Mr. Millar cheers and a tiger”. She deserved it, more diplomatic to write another let and he and E.J. Abbott, Chairman of and so did they all, the volunteers of ter of complaint. the Village Commissioners, were Mission who with their extraordi And so it continued; every month sent to choose and purchase the nary commitment had truly made the Board sent a delegation to coun bricks, something out of nothing. cil, and every few months it wrote By the meeting of June 10, just 14 Victoria. In January 1924, the days before the election, the Board Councils (for now there were two) had received a letter from the BIBUOGRAPHY said they would give 25% of 5/7th of Provincial Secretary promising that I. Min Mesrlal HospitalAnnual Report, the liquor money! Again angry the the government would pay 40% of February 25, 1925. 2. Mc.n Mmnraial l-kjspital Auxiliaiy Annual Report, Board wrote Victoria. the cost of the new hospital.” The February 19, 19’25 In spite of its frustration, its per Board called for tenders the same 3. FraserVaUr’ Rua,rd. February 20, 1919. 4. Mimion Memorial Hospital Annual Report. sistence paid off, and by March of day. February 25. 1925 1924, the Board could announce The decision to call on Maxwell 5. Mlinu Memorial Hospital Awdliaay Annual Report. February 25,1925 that it had $12,000 ‘Trom liquor Smith was brilliant, and it was obvi K. Ibid. profits and the Auxiliary” The ously done with John Catherwood’s 7. Ibid. 8. Muazon Memorial Hospital Board Minutes, Auxiliary had donated $1,150 to the approval. It was no coincidence that August 14, 1924 building fund, so that meant that the election on June 20 was so close 9. Mimion Memorial Hospital Annual Report, February 25, 1925 the Board had received $10,850 that the results had to be estab II. Miaon Memorial Hospital Board Minutes, from the liquor profits. The hospital lished by judicial recount, but the November 11, 1921. 12. Fraser Valley Record, April 8, 1920. would have received little money two men were close friends and had IS. Fraser Valley Record. April 22, 1920 from either council without this unre the interests of the community at 14. Fraser Valley Record, April 1, 1920 15. Fraser ¼lley Reeoinl. April 15, 1920 lenting pressure from the Board. heart. When the building was 16. Mituan Memorial Hospital Bosni Minutes. However, there was still not opened on February 19, 1925, they January 12, 1922. I?. Mscn Memorial Hospital Board Minutes, enough money for a new building. both made speeches in which they December 14. 1922. “You will recall” said Mr. congratulated Dr. MacLean, the 18. Mcn Memorial Hospital Board Minutes, May 11, 1923 Mathewson, “that during 1923, Minister of Health, “who had so no 19. Fraser SitIley Record. May 25. 1924. plans of the new building were final bly stepped forward and helped the 20. Mimion Memorial Hospital Annual Reporl February 2.5, 1925. ly approved but owing to lack of establishment of a hospital in our 2!. Mon Memorial Hospital Board Minutes, money no decision as to the building midst.” 22 These were Catherwood’s May 8, 1924. . Fraser Valley Rem.nl, February 26,1925. was arrived at. However, in 1924 words and Maxwell Smith “also said 23. Ibid. the matter became a lively topic and that he gave the Honorable gentle arrangements were advanced to a man good advice, and that was that point in May where it was decided he should give 40% to the new hos to press our application to the pital.” There was, says the Record, Government for aid.” 2 “Laughter” and “Applause”. Mr. Mathewson did not mention The Board had read the political that the delegation that had gone to situation correctly, had used its Have You Enjoyed Victoria in 1922 had been promised friends to gain an election promise, This Magazine? assistance which it never received. and had come out with support from He also did not say that provincial both parties. politics had reached a crisis in 1924, They built their beautiful brick me when “Honest John” Oliver and Bill morial quickly, for by January 1925, If so, tell a friend, or buy Bowser found themselves under at it was finished, and by the middle of a tack from a third party. Premier the next month it was equipped Oliver called an election for June, with the help of many community Gift Subscription 1924. donations, especially from people In Mission, the Hospital Board who lost sons in the war. for only met on May 8, and immediately de On that gala occasion, Mrs. $8 within Canada. cided to send a letter to Mr. Maxwell Lambarde said “that she was hap Smith, the Liberal candidate for py to say that the hospital was all $12 outside Canada. Dewdney, telling him to ask for “6 paid for, an announcement that or 7 thousand” for the hospital. 21 brought forth loud applause”. 23 At the same meeting Mr. J.B. Millar She was exaggerating a trifle, it is

B.C. Historical Ne 23 The Hunter Family ofThetis Island, B.C.

by Grace Dickie

Six kilometers off shore from hundred tomato plants - just think In 1942 Adam Hunter married Chemainus mid way up the east- of the weeding, staking and picking! Margaret Weber of Youngstown, coast of Vancouver Island, is a (Adam Hunter has carried on rais Alberta and they raised six sons small, picturesque and most inter ing tomatoes and has planted up to here on Thetis Island. Adam has esting body of land - Thetis Island. three hundred plants at a time. I been involved in logging for years This island was one of a nameless think everyone on the island has now but he also finds time to have a group visited in the early 1850’s by tasted these delicious tomatoes at large crop of tomatoes every year. the British frigate HMS Thetis on one time or another especially on lo When the ferry service started be patrol from Victoria’s naval base at cal Sportsnik Day.) In addition to tween Chemainus and Thetis Island Esquimalt. The twin islands of the tomatoes, the Hunters raised in 1959, Ethel Hunter was then 80 Thetis and Kuper were named for goats, sheep, cows, chickens and years of age and the oldest resident Captain Augustus Kuper and Thetis horses. on the island and the ferry was for his ship by Admiral Sir George In 1896 Peter Hunter received a named after her. Henry Richards exploring the letter from the Government Agent in In June of that same year power Trincomoli and Stuart Channels in Nanaimo (which Adam still has in came to Thetis Island and B.C. HMS Plumper in 1858 and 1859. his possession) authorizing the Hydro honoured Ethel Hunter by The Hunter family were one of the Hunter brothers to build a road from having her turn on the switch. Ethel first which have settled and remain North Cove to Preedy Harbour. This Hunter lived to the age of 92 and I today on Thetis Island. entailed cutting and hauling trees to am pleased that I had the privilege Peter Donald Hunter was born in clear the right-of-way and digging of knowing that gracious lady. The 1864 in the Shetland Islands and, ditches, surfacing the road with Hunter family have contributed so with his brother Joseph, he came to sand and gravel. For the whole pro much to the development of this is North America in 1887. The two ject, they received the total contract land that it is hoped that some brothers came to Thetis Island in price of one hundred and fifty dol member of the family will one day 1891 and bought land at North Cove lars. That is the road that is known write “the Hunter story”. and later Peter purchased land on today as North Cove Road. Adam Hunter donated the land for the west side where he built a home In 1907 Peter Hunter went to New Pioneer Pacific Camp to become a re about 1895. The Hunter family still Brunswick where he met and mar ality and he also started the road have a sailing skiff called the Sea ried Ethel Fawcett and returned to from Clam Bay to Pilkey Point Saucer which was built by Peter in Thetis Island in 1908 with his bride. which opened up the whole east side 1893. The Hunter brothers would Ethel and Peter had two children, and arranged to have two wells row or sail this 17 1/2 foot skiff to the Ena and Adam. When Ena grew up drilled to show that there was water Fraser River every summer to fish she married Roland Savage of available. At one time Adam Hunter for salmon. Victoria and they had one son, was road foreman on the island. Peter’s mother, Janet Hunter, Russell, who is now Dr. Russell The Hunters have a large home came to Thetis Island about 1897 as Savage. Ph.D in Calgary Alberta. facing on North Cove and it has been well as three of Peter’s brothers, James, William and Thomas and one sistei Jessie. All joined Joseph and lived at North Cove. Peter made his home on the west side . where Don and Gwen Hunter now reside with their three children, Heather David and Darlene. It is hard to realize the work that went into clearing land. They had a team of oxen which they raised and they were used for plowing. Even in those very early days the Hunters were noted for their tomatoes which were sold on Vancouver Island and The skiffbuilt by Peter Hunter about 1892. (Canvas shelter was added latei) one year they planted over twelve Taken in 1946-Adam Hunter in boat. This boat is still in us’a The “Sea Saucer” B.C. Historical News 24 the scene of many, many gatherings on the island. Over the years the young people of the island have spent a great deal of time at the Hunter home with the six Sons of Adam and Marge- David, Donald, Ernie, Kenneth, Arden (Arthur) and obtrniueut Phil. ®fflct, One of Marge Hunter’s talents is Vctni,irno, . C.,. t baking and decorating cakes and I don’t think Marge herself has any idea of how many cakes she has 1% beautifully decorated for birthdays, christenings, weddings, showers and other such receptions. Adam and Ena Hunter were pupils in the first school on Thetis Island for the school year 1920-21. When : ) the present school was opened in :‘. 1951, Adam’s oldest son, David, 116-LLA) t,jl4 e_a6{, &t_A. c,wt Z was one of the students. Ernie Hunter and his wife Lynn with their (&aILQ 1W ,‘aA5 c /bw three children, Teddy, Bradley and 1ó — CJ ap;4d.J U/4) Tricia live at North Cove. Don’s and 1 t4*L / Ernie’s children are fifth generation t24 LUfl-O J7L 1t9-w - L. Hunters to live on this small island. ti-c ‘- ei- (LI.:CLCL) /L./-C w_ David’s son, Arthur lives in Victoria (M-&(..) t with his mother and spends his summers on Thetis Island. There it4 -yL / - ac are more boys than girls among the tt4) /1-W l/4W ‘ cL Hunter grandchildren so it would seem that the Hunter name will con tt (øfr1&I ‘LcA). tinue indefinitely. I, , ********** Lc0 ,q V Grace Diclae has been very active with the / Chemainus Valley Historical Society, and is the Fast-President.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The information in this article comes from knowing Hunter letter from “Your obedient servent, 1896” the Hunter family for over thirty years. The family picture was provided by Marge Huntei

FORT STEELE UPDATE The vacant lots in Fort ing project each summer. Steele Heritage Town are On the next avenue there is a small milliners shop and the being filled in. Some buildings are originals moved onto proper Kootenay Men’s Club. The men’s club was formed in 1897 and af footings. Others are replications of buildings that existed during ter three years of meeting upstairs in the Opera House they had the boom years of Fort Steele. There is Mrs. Underhill’s Bakery - their own clubhouse built. This building, now in the centre of Fort a large building which will have a wood fired brick oven producing Steele, was opened in April 1900 “with no formal ceremony but in up to 400 loaves of bread per day in the summer of 1990. Coming formal opening of many small bottles.” up close by is the International Hotel 30 x 90 feet. The ground During July and August many buildings are manned by volunteers floor will become a turn-of-the-century restaurant while the upper or interpreters. You may find a telegrapher operating his keys in floor will house meeting rooms and reception areas. Next to the the Telegraph office, a schoolteacher giving lessons to visitors, a Kershaw Store stands Mrs. Sprague’s Confectionery which sells knowledgeable druggist demonstrating preparation of pills or oint old fashioned candy in a pleasant little shop with old time wallpa ments, the newspaper office humming with press activity, or a per and display cabinets. seamstress covering her parasol. The Living History Troop per The McBride Hardware Store, across the Street from Kershaws’s forms street scenes which incorporate people and events of the was erected during to tourist season 1989 as a demonstration 1 890s. A bright red passenger wagon pulled by a team of horses, construction project using hand tools only. This was a major gives free rides around town. Make Fort Steele one of your pre crowd pleaser. It is hoped that their will be a demonstration build- ferred destinations in 1990. B.C. Historical Ne 25

26

Ne Historical B.C.

the fishing, (Today an the of occupation cial story he counterfeit- PABC 1lation .Peny John the /kn

photo

This him. 1936s the with in taken Peter 1’riy hobby, John resumed commer -

tray took he home which developing a busy and with household

a darkroom the found upstairs in John John of charge the With

In ends. film. and were there roll had odds still used never he

had a years 11 plate passed, glass and camera, evidence himself

had once as taken police for had items 1000 built John over While

master in the counterfeiter. studio Although California. photo

of a cultured, owned the two-storey had cabin Latvian, other

once the Kalnin, furnished handsomely to tips. an some John

Perry Intrigued, a John paid and visit gave camera Kodak a

been captured. them sold the homestead, of er

Leon, two Albert had and pushers former the own Kalnin, Julius

the Only Beaumont, leader, Calif. friend, Peter’s Friendly Cove.

The in had originated operation picturesque at Youquot

II. Czar help to of overthrow Nicholas Village Indian the near

an raise to in three money attempt U.S.A. years for occupied brother

ran the in big-time a and operation who he his the homestead at

as a settlers disguised cabin log in counterfeiters start his got He

by in 1911 and pied Russian 1910 work. his

occu been had other one pre-emption hallmarks which subjects his

feel and least at property The for a as moved. known quality elusive wealthy, him make it did nor suit

not re of unique far tidbit history Perry that achieved John camera, pur sole his not was Photography

a for a the with photographers, reputation recording involved, Being scenery the and always ebrations;

had it The Inlet. out, homestead, turned Muchalat on claims their on cel other and days sports weddings,

of outlet. much needed mining and stint a did prospected towns; fledgling villages, Indian

of a study photography they provided thirties the in struck fever gold mines; and miners prospectors,

The him. for in army years plants. the When jobs fish at term short outfits; logging gyppo and gers

six ed of beginning 1915, in John and the took commercially fished log pilchard; the of arrival the ter

draft was he when been had farming, ruined Peter tried fox trapped, af 1926 in up sprang which plants

a career and for area, plans university they the in activities other reduction the workers, cannery and

and In his mate Latvia isolation. Paralleling them. knew who those fishermen the photographed He

cli the by he and impression depressed was on a lasting made phy, annotating. of

no had spoke money, English, no photogra John’s with which, pair the task with busy weeks spent and

Perry John Victoria. Maquinna from re boat and building skiff in dustry collection his donate to agreed Perry

Princess CPS month cottage the per by in their to led woodworking Archives, the of Division Records

three and times plant in skill serviced was remarkable Perry’s Peter Visual the by Contacted bonanza.

fish only the was a Wash. Tahsis. at Everett, bridge March, last a as regarded are and thirties ties

of Company 1940’s Packing the and, Everett the in Inlet Tahsis on twen the of photos his therefore ras,

in by 1917 n Perry and built Nootka the cannery River Lake Perry them: came owned people few and rived

exist; i not did and Tahsis Zeballos for landmarks of naming the in ed ar he when development of verge

The of villages day present B.C. has result the of which area opment the on was Sound Nootka business.

set to first oton foot European recorded the to devel a contribution made ers a small into it turned and tography

the 1778, in James Cook broth bachelor arrived the Together, Peter. pho of study the undertook 1922,

as as Captain when untouched his brother, with combination in in Island Vancouver of coast west

1922 In Sound almost was Nootka today remembered Perry is John the on Nootka at arrived Latvian,

builder. Sound. a Perry, Mr. Collection. Perry

a been had furniture Nootka in years 38 professional their during ing h John the become will which graphs

he In a earn business to Latvia opportunities. liv undertook brother his photo 500 some Archives Columbia

to began consider he and and he Angeles, other by endeavours the cally British the to over turned 1989

1906 Los since had at followed enhanced artisti work his and was March in Oliver of 95, Perry John

Hancock Witton Eleanor by

Sound Nootka of Photographer ers is entrenched in the lore of developing for local people. sold the homestead to the Tahsis Nootka Sound, and some people feel Among the many cameras he Company and bought four acres of that Peter Perry and Julius Kalnin would acquire, including a Super land near Ceepeecee. John was 58 were part of the group, Peter per Ricohflex 120, a Voightlander Bessie now and Peter, 74. They re haps as a fisherman delivering bun II, and a Baldaflex 120 which could assembled the sawmill, built a two dles of bills to Washington coastal take 8, 12 or 16 pictures on a roll, storey house and continued working points. The storey can be read in the best investment he would make until 1960 when they retired to Tales of the British Columbia was a Graflex, a camera with a Oliver. For westcoasters, their de Provincial Police by Cecil Clark.) magazine for 12 cut-films for post parture marked the passing of an John Perry’s second camera was a cards. Postcards of the scenery and era. secondhand telephoto double exten industries of Nootka Sound were in Today John Perry is married, and sion bellows plate camera for 5x7’s demand by tourists aboard the despite the complaints of old age he which he purchased in Victoria in Princess Maquinna; in summer John keeps active. He has returned to the 1924. (He spent three months in would meet the steamer when it coast only once, in March 1988, for Victoria that summer studying called at Ceepeecee, a cannery and the opening of the Perry Bridge at English at the Sprott-Shaw reduction plant six miles away. Tahsis, where he was an honoured Business Institute.) The telephoto The homestead at the head of guest along with Municipal Affairs camera proved to be excellent for Tahsis Inlet was home for 27 years. Minister Rita Johnson. group portraits and for making cop Here the Perrys built a simple saw In May 1987 a bng overdue pro ies of double size. In 1925 the mill and began a skiff building and ject got under way, the Nootka Perrys moved to a homestead at the boat repair business to serve the de Sound History Project. The project head of Tahsis Inlet and after build veloping area. was initiated by the West Coast ing a house with a darkroom John In 1945 an export lumber mill was Committee of the Comox-Strathcona was able to start developing, tinting built one mile away by the now- Regional District as a two-year en and making enlargements with a legendary Gibson brothers. It was deavour to compile the history of the homemade printing box, a six-volt Gordon Gibson who named Perry region in written, audio and visual storage battery for printing and a Lake and Perry River. The new formats. John Perry has contributed six-volt charger for continuous pow town, Tahsis, was too close for com a number of photographs to the pro er. Eventually he was doing a lot of fort, however and in 1952 the Perrys ject and has been interviewed about his experiences. A videotape, Nootka Sound Explored, has already been produced, in which he appears. After being contacted by the Visual Records Division of the Provincial Archives he decided to donate his photo collection to the Archives, a fit ting spot, westcoasters will agree, for the work of the Photographer of Nootka Sound.

Eleanor Witton Hancock, currently the edi tor of the Kamloops Museum Association newslettej’ grew up at Zeballos. She writes articles about the west coast. She is a friend and admirer ofJohn Riry.

A Tele.Geaftex Voigtlander Perkeo ofthe 193Os

B.C. Historical News 27 NEWS & NOTES

University of B.C. - Focus 1915 paper artifacts. The Archives, manned With regular meetings being held, usu by 15 volunteers, is open Mondays and ally with speakers, which are well at U.B.C.’s Open House in March 1990 Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Facilities tended, it can be considered an active so will take the year 1915 as its focus for have been used by 105 researchers and ciety. programs. Mrs. Christine Parkin of volunteers have responded to 20 inquir Substantial support has been received U.B.C.’s English Department invites ies by mail. A major research project on from the Cowichan-Chemainus Valley anyone who has special memories of; or Robertson Creek done for the Ecomuseum. information about that year (or era) to Department of Fisheries earned some J.A. Green, President contact her at 224-5486 or 263-5160 money for the developing resource cen tre. Alberni District Historical Society JoAnn Whittaker, now a graduate prints a “Did You Know” brochure to give student at the University of Victoria, is historical highlights to tourists and citi Nanaimo Historical Society researching the history of nursing in zens. The book Place Names of the British Columbia. She seeks input from Alberni Valley is into its second print In January of 1989 the Nanaimo nurses who trained between 1920 and ing. Historical Society initiated a search for a 1950, even those who did not complete The first fall meeting saw 100 people professional archivist to serve Nanaimo the course. She especially wishes input attending a talk on the West Coast Trail. and area. Many groups have responded from those who graduated from the positively and cooperated in the forma small schools of nursing in the interiot Sue M. Watson - President tion of an Archivist Advisory Committee. If you or someone you know, are willing The Retired Teachers Association spon to participate in this survey please con sored a School History Project, with col tact Mrs. Whittaker and let her know 1) lected tapes and materials stored at the the outline of your nursing / personal Cowichan Historical Society Centennial Museum awaiting a future history 2) whether you hold any memor home in Archives. abilia of training or work experience Our museum in the renovated Duncan A burst water pipe on the third floor of (pictures, diaries, notes, uniforms or Train Station opened on 23rd June and the Bastion created havoc with papers, textbooks) and 3) whether you would be in the ten remaining weeks of the tourist paintings and photographs stored on low prepared to write or tape your memories. season received 4,400 visitors. The main er levels. All wet paper items had to be exhibit room is still incomplete but appli placed in a deep freeze (which the Coast Write to: Mrs. J Whittaker cation has been made to obtain a profes Bastion Hotel promptly supplied). R.R. #2 Hutchinson Road sional planner to prepare a lay-out. Paintings and photographs had to be Cobble Hifi, B.C. VOR 1LO Storage rooms have been set up with dried slowly, in a cool place, turned fre or Phone: (604) 743-9443 shelving, cupboards and drawers, and an quently, and stored in such a way to keep archival records and research section is them from warping. Advice came from in place. The “General Store” display in Shirley Cuthbertson and Dr. Mary Lou cludes of the Self Help For Writers a gift shop. The exterior Florian of the Royal British Columbia building, repaired and painted, with con Museum, and space and supervision of While short courses on writing are crete walks and garden beds supplied by the collected treasures was given by pres available in many communities around the city of Duncan, make the station a ident Daphne Patterson in the basement the province, few, if any, offer guidance very different place to the building of not of her home. Several people have con on how to approach a publisher. There so long ago. Nine totem poles and a rail tributed their time and expertise; gradu are books on the market arid in libraries way caboose add interest to the grounds. ally there has been reclamation of the which offer hints on what to strive for in The only contribution to station main salvaged documents and pictures. your presentation, and how to arrange tenance made by the railways in recent, for publishing. Some B.C.H.E members and not so recent years has been three Daphne Paterson have compiled a list of books which could benches supplied by Via Rail. The answer your questions. Those wishing to Historical Society alone spent over obtain this list may do so by sending a $140,000 on renovations, and with the stamped self addressed envelope to: programs completed by other Duncan or Boundary Historical Society held a ganizations and the City of Duncan well tea in Grand Forks in October to honour N. Miller, Box 105 over $200,000 has been invested in the Lois Haggen on her 90th Birthday. Mrs Wasa, B.C. VOB 21(0 building. Our lease, otherwise providing Haggen was President of the B.C. occupancy until the year 2005, expires Historical Association in 1959 - 60, and PS. to Published Writers. Do you have with the termination of VIA Rail service M.L.A. for Boundary area for many a favorite handbook which has helped 15 January 1990. Our only hope is that years. you over the hurdles? Please send us the CP Rail will see fit to lease the property title, authoi and description of the book direct to us, or to us through some alter so that we may add it to our list of sug native to VIA Rail. Strong representa gested self-help references. tions against the closure of VIA Rail The Nanooa Historical Society is no have been submitted by many organiza more. Its members voted to dissolve the organization and to become members of AIbi District Historical Society tions to no avail. The Society provided much volunteer District 69 Historical Society. The Archives of the Alberni Valley are work on the building, and is now provid expanding constantly and much work ing docents and other workers to main has been done restoring maps and other tain the museum, gift shop and archives.

B.C. Histoiical Ne 28 West Coast Railway Association PS. Cowichan Historical Society has booked Ilma Dunn and her friends in the The West Coast the conference headquarters for Railway Association the 1991 Conference, has leased a 20 acre and Burnaby is al Cariboo in “Enterprise in the 1930s” site near Squamish ready planning to create a Railway our 1992 gathering. sang a song which may have many Museum. The Dates chosen Museum project is keeping are the second weekend in verses or versions. volunteers May for both years. very busy When the C.N.R. made a do ************** nation of 180 tons of rail, plus ties, turn Readers have written to supply outs and miscellaneous materials (most these options to; of which came from the Point Ellice yard Prondal 1Hsc in downtown Victoria) many members Societies Meeting put in weekends ‘working on the rail roads” taking up track. Paid employees On October 25, 1989, Myrtle Haslam THE PIG GOT UP AND were hired to complete the clean-up and chaired a meeting in the Hotel SLOWLY WALKED AWAY meet the deadline for removal of track Vancouver with representatives from six materials which were shipped to provincial historical societies and the One evening in September Squamish by Sidney Freightways. The Canadian Historical Association. An in Museum complex expects to have 4 miles teresting discussion took place on 1) the As far as I remember of railway track operational within the involvement of Historical Societies with I walked along in alcoholic glee, next three years. Heritage Canada, and 2) whether this Without a murmur or a mutter The WC.R.A. have worked closely group of historical societies should for I fell into the gutter with the Historic Transportation Centre malize. It was agreed that more fre And a little pig came and sat by me. in Cloverdale and have had the C.PR. quent meetings were not necessary. business car ‘The British Columbia’ and There was consideration given to estab Without a murmur or a mutter Colonist Car #2514 on display there. lishing a closer relationship with the As I sat there in the gutter Since 1961 the West Coast Railway Canadian Historical Association. Efforts A lady passing by was heard to say, Association has operated tours on lines will be made to include societies from the “It is easy known who boozes in the Pacific Northwest. There have Atlantic provinces. In conclusion Cohn the company he chooses.” been trips to Lillooet which included at Read (Ontario) moved and Ann Wood By tending the annual Judge Begbie Days, (Saskatchewan) seconded ‘That we con And with that the pig got up and and longer trips to Fort Nelson. These vey to the Board of Governors of walked away. trips are great fun because the tour Heritage Canada that the provincial so guides are so enthused about railroads. cieties would like to continue to meet an Anyone interested may obtain brochures nually in conjunction with the Heritage about tours or meetings by writing to: Canada Conference, and that they would West Coast Railway Association, also like to meet in joint sessions with The above was from Victoria, P0. Box 2790, Vancouver, B.C. provincial representatives of Heritage and the following from a V6B 3X2. Canada.” Vancouver reader Next meeting Wednesday, September 12, 1990 in St. Johns, Newfoundland. - Grand Forks - May 10, 11 & 12, 1990 ************** One evening October when Members of the Boundary Historical in I was Society are busy preparing to host the Look for a more detailed report of the far from sober, 1990 B.C. Historical Federation Annual whole Heritage Canada Conference in To keep my feet from wandering I Convention on May 10, 11 & 12. the next issue. tried. As well as a tour of Doukhobor sites in My poor legs were all a flutter so I lay the Boundary and talk a by Eli Popoff down about Doukhobor heritage, convention in the gutter, guests will be treated to a trip to the Help Save the Harrison-Lillooet Gold And a pig came up and lay down by Cascade Powerhouse by Cascade Power Rush Trail my side. Restoration Society president, Eric We sang, “Never mind the weather Burnaby students began using this Coleman. as long as we’re together,” Featured speakers at the convention trail in 1976 to have an introduction to will Till lady passing by heard to be Bill Barlee, on prospecting and min B.C. history, semi-wilderness hiking, a was ing, and Anne Yandle, on ‘Helpful Hints meet native people and a chance to ex say, for Researching History’. plore a very beautiful valley. These 1000 “All his self respect he loses when These talks, tours, ethnic food and the students are in the forefront to appeal to such company he chooses,” the government to permanently protect Annual General Meeting will be sure to And the pig got up and slowly walked keep conference-goers the trail by creating a recreational corri busy away, Registration forms will be available from dor park along the trail from Port local secretaries about March 1, and oth Douglas to 29 Mile House. You can add Slowly walked away, slowly walked er interested readers are very welcome your voice by writing to Lyall Hanson, away. to attend. Write to: Minister of Municipal Affairs, Yes, the pig got up, then smiled and Recreation and Culture. Or you can Mrs. & Mrs. J. Glanvifle, Box 746, winked at me Grand Forks, treat yourself to a calendar depicting the B.C. VOR iRO slowly walked away. For information and registration. trail by sending $6 (plus $1 postage) to: As he Burnaby North Secondary School, Hike Calendar 1990, 751 Hammarskjold Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4A1

B.C. Histcñcal News 29

30

Ristorical B.C. Ne

of school. the

life

been

Corday

MacKay’s 30-page article author, The Elizabeth de Bell-Irving,

role played

in the important an

Church

for the

Collins

Overland Telegraph has

provide to

a

balanced tempt

viewpoint.

Paul’s many Anglican years,

St. For

For

forty over years

the

reference best

sides

been presented both

an in have

at

school rote. by

achieved

was

mainly the

phy,

illustrations,

index.

$22.95.

differences

of

opinion where

have

existed

Learning sport. the official first in came

Pp. xii, maps, 231;

footnotes, bibliogra

as

objectively reported

as

possible

and

basketball school be colours;

and the

Horsdal

&

Schubart,

Ganges,

1989. B.C.

and about individuals events

have been white motto. became Green

and Latin

Rosemary

Neering;

Victoria, B.C.

and ters

other

memorabilia.

Comments

Fidem

the Servabo

School;

and House

American lèlegraph:

tries,

teachers’

notes,

photographs,

let

of

symbol leaf Crofton became

the Ivy

Continental interviews, taped

simple Dash-

chats, The Russian diary en

ideal

picture.

this

read.

lively The

narrative

is

upon based part of a natural were simply

schools

clear is writing The

easy and style

to

Private class

distinctions.

with

plete

lected

pieced and

skillfully

together. University of British Columbia Library

home, of

com picture their

ideal

into

nae been teachers and have

carefully

se

Curriculum Laboratory

possible as

closely as Vancouver

fashion

Croftonian

from and

comments

alum

JoAnne Naslund,

to

determined

were city prosperous and

Excerpts source

from material.

the

new

the in

arriving and

settlers

visitors

dating as from

served 1913

excellent

braries in

British Columbia. the and British

snobbish

absurdly was

the of Archives

and issues

in Croftonian

tions

university, college and li public society

Vancouver

time

the At

England.

The

House Crofton

extensive

School addition to archival and education collec from

whom

were of all staff,

resident

research

aid.

and

As

well, students. will useful a be it a

pupils,

and

eighty

six

classrooms,

over

the of reduces sion

the a value book

as

Croftonians alumnae, parents, teachers - had School

House

1904, By

Crofton

ence an materials Such consulted. will It

omis be prized a possession among

and

society.

women

education, to

respect

erences

the for quotations

rfor or

refer

Overall,

is it high a quality production. years ninety

with past

over

the

curred

a

there

citing not is

bibliography

and

the ref well presented photographs. oc that changes

the

have social

upon

vided to the aid

reader.

Unfortunately, paper, clear print, well binding, sewn sheds light some

school,

and private

subject detailed A

is and name

index

attractive pro

green cover, quality good a of

development

and

growth the brates

of arms of coat

and

history

property the

beautiful

publication

well formatted, - School

cele House

Crofton of

history

the

hymns, school school song,

school

students

prayer, alumnae. and It stands a as out

of

recounting A

girls

Vancouver. in

for

Also included in

appendix the are

the

its achievements

of founders, teachers, school private

prestigious

most a

come

members

Headmistresses,

staff; of etc. opment

the of school. celebrates It the and

be endured

for has

beginning what

Parents’

Committee

Chairmen,

forming us the about growth and devel professional

base

academic and initial

Alumnae School

Foundation,

Presidents,

Ninety

Years

1898-1988 in in succeeds the as

School

served

rience

at Granville

of Board

Crofton

House Governors, Crofton

First the Rouse School;

expe

teaching

years’

and two Certificate

in

appendix the included Items list

acter the

the of school.

B.C.

Teacher’s

with

her combined

and property, location

that

it programme. little

conveys char about

the real

College, Newnham

and School

Grammar

of facility, iquette,

purchase physical

Crofton

House School

so is

condensed

Girls’

Bradford

at

English education

school

uniform), tion discipline, the of

cal et

material, the and about information

Gordon’s

Jessie

College.

Newnham

such

school as

activities,

Frank fashion

(evolu Keane,

includes

only histori brief at

new

wing

a of

the

building pending

document Individual

things chapters Schools

of by British

Columbia

(1989)

students

women

for

houses as overflow

(p.227)

ing

those to

students times.”

provided. is

Independent

used

which

were

Cambridge, at College

times the and moving school, while with

its

and adjusf

personnel, programme

of Newnham outside

cottages

Crofton

much the and best standards, our of

traditions

oecomplete more the

picture

of

the of

memories

by

Jessie

Gordon’s ed

the

school cussing kept has think “I

upon commented: a history the

one of school,

suggest

was

House

Crofton name

The

As past. the sporting Miss present

Addison to By local community. or club

fo

Park.

n Stanley and Bay English

School in that the House linked Crofton

the history celebrate

company, a of

overlooking

Streets

and Nelson Jervis

traditions line

Rather, those of

proud it have that

akin more publications to is

of

the to

corner

relocated fifty 1901,

with ends an out section This of litical Addison. fabric

society. Canadian

September

By

Georgia Street. West

W Miss school Rosalind the and po emerging Bedford-Jones,

social within

and

on Gordon

home

the of room billiard

of Miss Ellen

Muriel K.

School Bryan, Miss as Crofton private a House

in

spacious the

school a started Edith,

headmistresses not attempt included: role critically to

examine Subsequent

the

and Mary

sisters, with her Gordon Jessie

Blenheim. and 41st

(1984) Private school book this Schools to

does the

229)

(p.

In

1898 them.” for doors open to

of British relocation and

nBritish in board a of in Columbia; formation

Boys

power

her in

all did she Moreove, tists.

(1937-1958), headmistress Unlike Jean as Up Barman’s Macdonald Growing

scien

and lawyers doctors, successful

Miss in E.G. Sara with handsome cluded Part publication. this begins 2

would become

that most women of ahead

in the House in history School Crofton the been devoted era

recollections to have

far

and saw women, for education higher

parent ended This that the made. was care much first school energy time, and

tradition of

proud of the

vanguard the

existence the to the of continued sion in who Lishe, as is graduated

ap

1975.

It

in

“was Gordon Jessie doubt, a Without

at ‘Pye’ Mary time which deci a Gordon, and Jessie and her daughter Bell-Irving,

Crofton retirement of with School Mary the and did as ends mother, her House Illustrated.

pp. and spent Nelson years all Streets Jervis at at her school the school nearly 273 School, 1988. House Crofton

Gordon the She the ness 1900’s. early life begins 1 since sisters, with Part Vancouver, Bell-Irving. Elizabeth

into major two organized busi parts. has Vancouver’s prominent been in family 1898-1988. Years, Ninety

a scends history House from School of clan, large Crofton The Bell-Irving the First the School; House Crofton

1E4. B.C. Ave., 20th V6S Vancouver West 3450 Yandle, Anne

editor: the sent review book directly to should be reviews book and review for Books Bookshelf under that title in the B.C. Historical wilderness of two continents were re Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska and Quarterly Vol. X No. 3, July 1946, pp. cruited for labor, guides, interpreters, Eastern Siberia. She takes the wraps off 187-215. MacKay stressed the B.C. provisions and accommodation. A fleet a fascinating body of sources with specif scope of that enterprise which covered of ships fanned out from San Francisco ics for access to them. Her style is metic primary exploration, 1865-67, before to remote harbors in the North Pacific ulous yet easy, with an eye for humor that for the C.PR. under Sir Sanford moving supplies and personnel, subject to and personalities. Fleming 1871-c1884. hazards of primitive navigation. On 2 A sequel to Continental Dash could Rosemary Neering, in 240 pages, cov September 1866 the Atlantic cable suc well be a like treatment of the Yukon ers the whole Collins enterprise which ceeded but the Western Union Extension Telegraph so vital in the Klondike frenzy spanned a global arc of over 5,000 miles, Telegraph Co. did not formally abandon a generation later. It followed very between New Westminster, B.C. and its overland project till 9 March 1867. closely the same route as far as Dawson European Russia, mostly through un Their remote detachments in Alaska and City For this too, there is a wealth of ac mapped wilderness. She starts with Siberia finally boarded the ship cessible source material waiting the skill man’s discovery of Electricity for com “Nightingale” 6 September 1867 to be and dedication of Rosemary Neering. munication by wire, traveling with the paid off in San Francisco. A loss of $3 speed of light in contrast to months for million was absorbed by the parent com Gerry Andrews, Victoria, B.C. colonial mail between B.C. and Britain. pany. The sale of Alaska by Russia to Wireless (radio) superseded transmission the USA was ratified 20 June that year. Gerry Andrew’s is a Past President by wire some sixty years later, about Several of the dramatis personae in of the B.C. Historical Federation. 1920. Continental Dash recorded their experi The catalyst for Continental Dash ences as noted in Neering’s comprehen was Perry McDonough Collins (1813- sive Bibliography which includes 27 Robert Brown and the Vancouver 1900) who travelled to Siberia in 1856 to books and 19 articles (nis and br pub Island Exploring Expedition: explore for trade extension from the US lished). Sixteen have been published ‘Recollection of the Pioneers of British west coast. He conceived the Russian since MacKay’s effort of 1946. Columbia”, Vol. 8. American Telegraph before Cyrus Fields Illustrations are well chosen; 14 from RJ Edited by John Hayrnan. UBC Press, delayed success with the Trans Atlantic Bush ‘Reindeer; Dogs & Snowshoes” 1989, pp. 211, footnotes, illustrated. cable 1866, and won support from the 1872; 9 from WIT Dali ‘Alaska and Its $29.95 USA, Britain, Russia and the Western Resources” 1870; 3 from F Pope ms, nd; When in the spring of 1864 Victoria’s Union Telegraph Co. In 1864 he got ap and 8 from F Whymper leading citizens formed a committee to proval to start construction north from “Travels....in....Alaska” 1868. Several organize an expedition to examine the New Westminster but then relinquished vintage photos are from the PABC. Four resources of southern Vancouver Island, his interests to the Western Union good maps are conveniently placed inside Robert Brown, an affable and persuasive Telegraph Co. which espoused the pro the front cover. Footnotes and Index are twenty-two-year-old Scot had little diffi ject with vigour. The American Civil adequate. culty in convincing them that he was the War; 1861-1865, had emphasized the In modern book design, the practice of man to lead it. Although his only recog value of telegraphic communication. relegating footnotes, by chapters, after nized qualifications were in the fields of Hiram Sibley for the Western Union the narrative text, is unnecessarily in botany, zoology and geology (he was at organized the Overland Telegraph convenient for the serious reader who the time being sponsored by the Project on quasi military lines based at must thumb through the pages to deter Botanical Society of Edinburgh to collect San Francisco. Colonel Charles S. mine which chapter is pertinent. One seeds), his interests and his ambitions Bulkley from the U.S. Army ‘Signals’ remedy would be to insert the chapter went much further; he agreed to furnish proved a good choice for ‘Chief of number on each page. Another would be a complete report on the topography, soil, Operations”. Among many others, his to number the footnotes in one series, in timber and other resources. Despite the remarkable staff included: this case an aggregate of 205 for 22 flattering tributes paid by Governor chapters. Can we remember a three- Kennedy and the citizens of Victoria Major Serge Abasa, Russian digit number long enough for this pur upon its completion, the Vancouver aristocrat: Siberia. pose? I think so. Island Exploring Expedition has been al Capt. Edward Conway (?-1878): For books on geography or exploration, most totally ignored by historians. At New Westminster to Quesnel, good maps are a must. Ideally every fea best, it is dismissed as having been unim 1865. ture or location mentioned in the text pressive in its accomplishments. Wm. H. Dall (1845-1927): should be shown, plus any well known For this latest addition to the Naturalist, Russian America features to clarify relationships. When “Recollections of Pioneers of British (Alaska). special maps are drawn, as for Columbia” series professor Hayman has George Kennan (1845-1924): Siberia Continental Dash, they should show meticulously transcribed and copiously 1865-67. the geographic grid of Latitude and footnoted Brown’s hitherto unpublished Robt Kennicott (1835-1866): Longitude. The official Gazetteer of journal. It not only discloses many de Naturalist, “Russian America” British Columbia, Ottawa 1985, shows tails of the expedition omitted from the (Alaska). all locations to the nearest minute of Lat Committee’s published report but pro Jas Adams Mahood (?-1901): and Long, eg. Mount Whymper 48° 57’ vides an interesting record of life in the Surveyor, Siberia 1865-67. early settlements on Vancouver Island. J.W. Pitfield: WUT agent at New 124° 08’. This locates the feature to Brown was a prolific writer and a careful Westminster. within a mile on any map showing observer. The inclusion of the account of Major Franklin L. Pope (1840-?): N of Parallels of Latitude and Meridians of his attendance as “A Guest at a Potlatch’ Quesnel 1865, Cassiar, Stikine 1866. Longitude. (Does this remark reflect given by a member of the Opetchesaht Frederick Whymper (c1840-c1910): professional bias?). tribe and “A Collection of Indian Myths Artist, North Pacific 1865, Alaska We should be grateful to Rosemary and Legends’ will delight many readers. 1866-67. Neering and her Publishers for refur Brown never missed an opportunity to bishing and expanding a primary and Indigenous people in the vast take advantage of the power of the press colorful phase in the history of British as illustrated by his article The land we B.C. Historical Ne 31 live in” written for the Victoria Daily “Fig. 1-C to mean map “C” at the foot of Widow Smith of Spence ‘5 Bridge: Chronicle. It appeared, to quote Hyman, the page but where is Fig. 2’? A diligent Jessie Ann Smith as told to J. Meryl - Campbell & Audrey Ward, edited by “...at a strategic moment when the search found that “Map 3 - Route from WEE was being organized and a leader Comox Harbour to Sproat Lake” on page Murphy Shewchuk. Sonotek Publishing, was about to be chosen”. Thirty-three 127 fits the description. These maps are Merritt, B.C. 1989 pp. 128. $9.95 sketches (or engravings made therefrom) a little short on detail and show little This is the biography of Jessie Ann by Frederick Whymper, the artist who more than the location of some of the Smith, 1853-1946. It was written in the accompanied the WEE, have been repro campsites, none of which (unfortunately) 1930s by Jessie Ann and her grand duced throughout the book. Two appen is dated. Neither Leechtown nor Leech daughters, and recently edited and pub dices provide a partial list of Brown’s river are identified. If it is any consola lished by Murphy Shewchuk. writings relating to the northwest coast tion, the quality of reproduction is excel The story starts in Scotland where and a check list of Whymper’s sketches. lent. Jessie Ann was born, schooled and be-

The index is adequate though a number The final map, on page 138, “Map 4 - came a teacher. Her childhood sweet of omissions were noted. Barclay Sound Country between Barkley Sound and heart, John Smith, came to North should have been cross-referenced to its Nanaimo” shows many of the topographi America where he worked for several correct spelling Barkley Sound. John cal features named by the VIEE. years before returning to Aberdeen to Buttle seems to have become William Neither the routes taken nor the location marry Jessie Ann. In February 1884 the Buttle. of the campsites are shown. Its style newlyweds sailed from Liverpool to New Professor Hayman in his twenty-two suggests that it is based upon one of the York, travelled by train to Tacoma, page introduction gives the reader a bio expedition’s maps, with changes in the Washington then by boat to Victoria. graphical sketch of Brown himself, de spelling of placenames. The source is not Mr. & Mrs. Smith rode a work train from scribes the events leading to the forma disclosed. Its location could of course Port Moody to the end of track at Cisco, tion of the WEE and summarizes its have been defined on map “B on page crossed the Fraser River on a cable buck routes and accomplishments to provide a 45. Barkley (Barclay) Sound itself is not et, and travelled the rest of the way to concise introduction for anyone unfamil identified on the map. Spences Bridge by horse and bug iar with Brown and the WEE. I prefer not to comment upon the John Smith worked for a Mr. John But it is for the maps included in this choice of Whymper’s “Rampant Raft for Murray in Spence’s Bridge, establishing book that I have saved my main criti the paper jacket. The saving which a large orchard. When John Murray at cism. On pages 38-39 an attempt has would have resulted from the elimina tempted to break up the marriage the been made to reproduce “Originalkarte tion of this along with the horrors to Smiths moved to Voght Valley where von Vancouver Insel” from the German which I have already referred would eas they homesteaded for ten years, raising edition of Brown’s “Memoir of the ily have offset the cost of producing one cattle and six children. In 1897 John Geography of Vancouver Island” pub large-scale fold-out map of southern Smith was able to purchase the Murray lished in 1869 UBC Press should know Vancouver Island embodying all of the estate and move his family back to that one cannot take a map drawn at a routes taken, all of the campsites with Spence’s Bridge. Jessie Ann had scale of 1:1,300,000, reduce it by some dates and all of the topographical fea watched the C.PR. being built; years lat 40%, reproduce it in halftone and expect tures named. Brown’s failure to compile er the C.N.R. laid track through her it to remain legible. Why not a map in and publish such a map was, I believe, a property, and obliged with a spur into English? The Royal Geographical major reason for the lack of recognition the orchard of 3000 trees. After the Society engraved an excellent map of afforded the WEE once the gold rush on death of her husband in 1905 Jessie Ann Vancouver Island to accompany one of Leech river was over. and her children continued to improve Brown’s papers. As the “Recollection of a Pioneer of the orchard. Her apples won top honors The second disaster is found on page British Columbia’ this book fulfills the at Horticultural Fairs in Canada, U.S.A.

45 - “Map 2a - Vancouver Island”, “2b - stated intent of the editor and the selec and England. The story tells of

South Vancouver Islandd” (sic) and “2c - tion of material has been well chosen. Walhachin, the Depression, and pioneer Route from Cowichan Bay to Chowichan Nevertheless, it does focus on the WEE life. Lake”. I assume these are intended to and Brown as an explorer; there is no ex Widow Smith of Spence’s Bridge is refer to the maps lettered “A”, “B” and cuse for those maps. a neat little book which begins with a “C” respectively. Map “A” defines the John D. Spittle map and ends with an index. It deserves “Location of Fig. 1-B; I assume this to a place in both the home and the school mean map “B”. Map “B” in turn defines John Spittle is President of the designated as easy to read B.C. History the “Location of Fig. 1-C” and the BCHF He likes expeditions and Naomi Miller “Approx. Location of Fig. 2”; I assume maps!

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Please send a change of address to: The Subscription Secretary 5928 Baffin Place Burnaby, B.C. V5H 3S8

B.C. HItorica1 News 32 THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION

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

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

1St Vice President Myrtle Haslam, P0. Box 10, Cowichan Bay, B.C. VOR 1NO 748-8397

2nd Vice President Dorothy Crosby, 33662 Northcote Crescent, Mission, B.C. V2V 5V2 826-8808 Secretary I Don Sale, 262 Juniper Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 1X4 753-2067

Recording Secretary Shirley Cuthbertson, 306 - 225 Beilevilie 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, P0. 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. VOB2K0 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. HistoricalNews) Helen Akrigg prior to submitting manuscript.

B.C. HistoricalNews Ann W. Johnston, R.R. 1, Mayne Island, B.C. VON2J0 Pubilshing 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. V8V I E5 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 4447

Mail

No.

or

in

an

the

not

stu

maps..

num

possi

1991.

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