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

MEMBERS’ DUES for the current year were paid by the following Societies: Alberni District Historical Society Box 284, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M7 Alder Grove Heritage Society 3190 - 271 St. Aldergrove, B.C. V4W 3H7 Anderson Lake Historical Society Box 40, D’Arcy,B.C. VON1LO Arrow Lakes Historical Society RR#1, Site 1C, Comp 27, Nakusp, B.C. VOG1RO AtlinHistorical Society Box lii, Atlin, B.C.VOW lAO Boundary Historical Society Box 580, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH1HO Bowen Island Historians Box 97, Bowen Island, B.C. VON1GO Burnaby Historical Society 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 3T6 Chemainus Valley Historical Society Box 172, Chemainus, B.C. VOR1KO Cowichan Historical Society PC. Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2 District 69 Historical Society Box 1452, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2H4 East Kootenay Historical Association PC. Box 74, Cranbrook, B.C. Vi C 4H6 Gulf Islands Branch, BCHF do A. Loveridge, S.22, C.11, RR#1, Galiano. VON1P0 Hedley Heritage Society Box 218, Hedley, B.C. VOX 1KO Kamloops Museum Association 207 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2E7 Koksilah School Historical Society 5203 Trans Canada Highway, Koksilah, B.C. VOR2CO Kootenay Museum & Historical Society 402 Anderson Street, Nelson, B.C. Vi L 3Y3 Lantzville Historical Society do Box 274, Lantzville, B.C. VOR2HO Nanaimo Historical Society PC. Box 933, Station A, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 Nicola Valley Musuem &Archives PC. Box 1262, Merritt, B.C. Vik iB8 North Shore Historical Society 1541 Merlynn Crescent, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 2X9 North Shuswap Historical Society Box 317, Celista, B.C. VOE1LO Princeton & District Museum &Archives Box 281, Princeton, B.C. VOXiWO Qualicum Beach Historical & Museum Society 587 Beach Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1K7 Salt Spring Island Historical Society 129 McPhillips Avenue, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K2T6 Sidney & North Saanich Historical Society 10840 Innwood Rd. North Saanich, B.C. V8L 5H9 Silvery Slocan Historical Society Box 301, New Denver, B.C. VOGiSO Surrey Historical Society Box 34003 17790 #10 Hwy, Surrey, B.C. V3S 8C4 Texada Island Historical Society Box 122, Van Anda, B.C. VON3KO Trail Historical Society PC. Box 405, Trail, B.C. Vi R 4L7 Vancouver Historical Society P0. Box 3071, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6 Victoria Historical Society P0. Box 43035, Victoria North, Victoria, B.C. V8X 3G2 AFFILIATED GROUPS Kootenay Lake Historical Society Box 537, Kaslo, B.C. VOGiMO Lasqueti Island Historical Society do P Forbes, Lasqueti Island, B.C. VOR2J0 Nanaimo and District Museum Society 100 Cameron Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2X1 Okanagan Historical Society Box 313, Vernon, B.C. V1T 6M3

SUBSCRIPTIONS I BACK ISSUES Published winter, spring, summer and fall by British Columbia Historical Federation PC. Box 5254, Station B Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4 A Charitable Society recognized under the Income Tax Act. Institutional subscriptions .$i6peryear Individual (non-members) .$i2peryear Members of Member Societies For addresses outside Canada, add .$5peryear.$ioperyear Back issues of the British Columbia Historical News are available in microform from Micromedia Limited, 20 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2N8, phone (416) 362-5211, fax (416) 362-6161, toll free 1-800-387-2689. This publication is indexed in the Canadian Index published by Micromedia. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 1245716. Financially assisted by () 43 Bddih CothbTia Historical News Journal of the B.C. Historical Federation Volume 31, No.4 Fall 1998 EDITORIAL CONTENTS

October is Women’s History Month. Jean FFATURES Barman’s research on “Vancouver’s For Serving the Great Depression 2 gotten Entrepreneurs” is a very special by NIL Sprinkling presentation acknowledging the accom Sara’s World 4 plishments of six women, describing the by Lynda Maeve Orr challenges of each time period, and giv Letters from Salt Spring Island 1860-61 10 ing readers plenty History.” of “Women’s by Thm Wright As the Sara a bonus, biography of My War Years 15 McLagan was received in time to enrich by Hon. James Harvey the theme of women who achieved great Feng-Shui in Barkerville 17 things. by Larry Peters To avoid an overload of Women’s History Vancouver’s Forgotten Entrepreneurs: Women Who we present some contrasting topics, such Ran Their Own Schools 21 as Jonathan Begg’s “Letters from Salt by Jean Barman Spring Island 1860-61,” “Feng-Shui in The Spanish Fort at Nootka Barkerville,” and many book 30 reviews. by John Crosse This Fall issue come to you after much A Presbyterian Heritage, Princeton, B.C 32 blood, sweat (a super hot summer) and by Margaret Stoneberg tears (of frustration about a series of tech The Sikh nical glitches.) But cheer up! We are al Immigrant Experience 34 ready planning the Winter issue with bySoniaManak some fascinating material. NEW from BRANCHES 39 NEWS and NOTES 40 Naomi Miller BOOKSHELF First Across the Continent: Sir Alexandar Mackenzie 9 Review by W Kaye Lamb Pnina Granirer: Portrait of an Artist 9 Review by Sheryl Saioum The Life and Times of Grand Forks 41 Review by Dorothy Zoellner Trail of Memories; Trail, B.C. 1895-1945 41 A Perfect Childhood: 100 Years of Heritage Homes in Nelson.. 42 Reviews by Adam Waldie Looking Back at the Cariboo-Chilcotin 42 Goldpanning in the Cariboo: A Prospector’s Treasure Trail to Creeks of Gold 42 COVER CREDIT The Promise of Paradise: Utopian Communities 42 Reviews by Leslie Kopas “Green Dragon and White Tiger on Gold Dangerous Waters: Wrecks and Rescues Off the B.C. Coast 43 Mountain.” Larry Peters has investigated Review by Philip Teece the use of the geomancy compass (shown Around the Sound 43 here) as part of his study on Feng-Shui Review by Carl Ian Walker in Barkerville. Geomancy is a little known A Thousand Blunders; the Grand Trunk Pacific science but it has its own special com Railway and Northern British Columbia pass. The cover is a composite created Review by Kenneth Mackenzie by Kwik Print’s typesetter Colleen Nelson. Copying People 44 Review by Laurenda Daniells Manuscripts and correspondence to the editor are to be sent to P0. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB 2K0. Correspondence regarding subscriptions is to be directed to the Subscription Secretary (see inside back cover).

Printed in Canada by Kootenay Kwik Print Ltd. Serving the Great Depression by NH. Sprinkling

It started for me when I was six years member sawing up 20ft 2x4’s, that were to the other boys, “Got a run”, and they old in 1929. My dear dad, a prominent clear of any knots, just to burn. would scramble into the box car to re tailor in Victoria, lost everything after the There was another source of lumber trieve the grain. With our Wild Rose stock market crash; from then on we were at the docks. We called them stanchions. flour sacks filled, home we would go to a poor family of eight and dad had to They supported the lumber on the flat feed the chickens. finally take rel ief (now called welfare). It’s deck railway cars. The longshoremen The area ofthe Ogden Point docks had hard to believe we had nothing. I had would just break them off as they un still more to offer: fish. This was really a three sisters and two brothers. My oldest loaded the flat decks. And we would Godsend. The area was close by and the brother and sister quit school to seek stand by with our cart. fish was plentiful and fresh. With our employment; my sister served as a house Ogden Point docks had other things rowboat, we could fish all year long. We maid, my brother was fortunate as he to offer besides lumber: green bananas often had fish for breakfast. landed a job on a C.PR. steamship and and grain for our chickens. We lived on a halfacre on Boyd Street. was able to give the family good finan Banana stalks were unloaded, from the There was an old orchard there and I cial support. freighter holds, in huge wooden crates. think it must have been part of the origi We lived a block from the ocean and a The crates were lowered by a sling to carts nal H.B.C. Beckley farm. The orchard few more blocks from the Ogden Point on the docks. Four or five longshoremen supplied us with apples, plums, pears, docks. Both the beach and the docks would push the carts into the shed where and cherries. It still amazes me how my helped us get through the depression. trucks were waiting. Twelve to fifteen dear mother could make so many dishes

My younger brother and I had the job James Bay boys - my brother and I in out of apples. Of course, mother would of supplying wood for burning in the cluded - would wait fifteen feet away on put up preserves. And we had a vegeta kitchen stove, the fireplaces, and an old a chalk line until the last stalk was lifted ble garden and my younger brother and heater in the hall. We went to the beach out of its crate and when it was - it was I got out of weeding it as often as we for wood and by watching the other boys our signal - we would run and dive into could. Dad had two goats that supplied and men we learned how to differentiate the crates and grab as many loose bananas us with our milk. between fir (the best wood for burning) as we could. Then home we would go to Even though my younger brother and and the other woods: we chipped a log put the bananas in our dirt floor base I supplied the wood, fish, bananas, and with an axe and smelled the wood. We ment to ripen. grain, it was not enough; even in those sawed the fir log into cord wood with a In those days, Victoria had a grain el days, you needed money and he and I crosscut saw which our older brother had evator. The grain was brought over from had different ways of earning it. bought. We then split the wood with iron Vancouver on railway barges. ‘When the We would go door to door and try to wedges and a sledge hammer. box cars were emptied, they sat on a side sell six to seven pound salmon for twenty- There was a sea wall to tackle before track for a few days. five cents and lots of times we couldn’t we could get the wood from the beach Inside the box car there was tongue and sell it. I remember a particularly profit to the road. We used a block and tackle groove siding from the floor up, but not able day in November when we sold to get the wood up to the road where we to the top; about a foot short of the top, eighty easy-to-catch black bass and rock loaded the wood on an old wooden cart the wood was fastened to the steel ribs; cod. We took the fish in potato sacks to with iron wheels. Home we would go. this left a space of three to four inches Chinatown and emptied them on the We were not very old. between the wood and outside steel of sidewalk. The Chinese paid five cents

We had a row boat - one we built our the box car. ‘When the box car was filled each for the black bass and ten cents each selves - on a float inside the breakwater. with grain, the top grain would spill over for the rock cod. The buyers did not carry We would row the boat out to the big and fill up the space between the wood money with them. They picked up the freighters, at Ogden Point docks, where and the outside of the box car. fish and said, “We go. We bring money the longshoremen were loading lumber. When the box car was left empty, and back.” And they always did. Sometimes they would loose a sling of unattended, we James Bay boys entered We also earned money by selling news lumber over the side and when they did the box car with a brace and bit and papers on the street. And we packed suit we would tie a rope on to as many 2x4’s drilled a hole one inch from the bottom. cases. as we could tow to shore and, eventually, Sometimes we would come up empty When passengers disembarked from to our little wooden cart. I can still re But if we did hit grain, we would holler the Princess ships at the CJR. docks,

2 B.C. Historical News - FaIl 1998 we would say, “Carry your bag, mister?” the remaining fifteen cents. I was scolded we survived the war, too. (or “mam”). If they said “yes” we would by my mother for spending that dime. In my house today I have a little mu pack their luggage to wherever they were As I grew older, I got jobs that paid a seum and a little art gallery In the mu going: hotel, bus depot, whatever. They little more. I was slow in school and in seum is the crosscut saw and steel wedges usually gave us twenty-five cents. I re grade seven I quit it to get a real job to and sledge hammer we used to bring the member packing one heavy bag to the help support the family — which was a wood home to our dear mother nearly bus depot for a gentleman. He got on common thing to do in those days. I got sixty years ago. I am sitting in my art the bus and said “thanks” but he didn’t an apprenticeship as an automobile me gallery writing this and it occurs to me give me any money. chanic. My weekly salary of $4.28 was that the Great Depression is staring me We picked berries to earn money in turned over to my mother for board. in the face. In front of me is a painting the summer. We rode our bikes to Yes, I survived the Great Depression. done by my father in the thirties; it is Saanich to do this. At Christmas, we sold And I cannot speak for my brothers or done on a cedar shingle; to the right of holly. Of course, we always turned our sisters but I would not trade those won me is a painting by Thomas Bamford and earnings over to mother. Once I packed derful years for the greedy ones of today. it is done on plywood. Artists just didn’t a cord of wood off the street for a lady I know it was hard for our parents, but have the money to buy canvas. and stacked it in her basement. I received not for us kids. twenty-five cents for this. On the way Later my two brothers and I joined the Mr. Sprinkling contributed information home I spent ten cents on two to fight the to for navy war and each month Victoria Historical Society members at an Out butterhorns and I took them home with we sent board money home. Thank God ing in the Ogden Point area lastyear. He now lives in the rural outskirts of Victoria.

CANADIAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION The Clio Awards I Les Prix Clio Every year the Canadian Historical Association solicits nomhnations for its Clio Awards, which recognize excellence and contributions to regional history. The British Columbia Region will issue two awards: (1) one for an outstanding publication or video on some aspect of regional history; (2) one for individuals, societies, or institutions who have demonstrated excellence in regional history. Nominations, accompanied by supporting material, must be submitted by 15 December to John Douglas Beishaw, Department of Philosophy, History & Politics, University College of the Cariboo, Kamloops, B.C. V2N 5N3. The 1997 Certificates of Merit were awarded to Cole Harris, for his book The Resettlement of British Columbia: Essays on Canadian and Georanhical Change (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997) and, posthumously, to Professor Douglas Cole of Simon Fraser University’s Department of History for his long and distinguished contribution to British Columbia historical studies.

THE BEAVER (Special Offer) Beaver is a bi-monthly, award winning publication devoted The Beaver, Canada’s history magazine, has a special to Canadian history. It is rich, robust, fascinating history subscription offer for readers of the British Columbia told through attractively designed and well written articles Historical News. It is an opportunity to subscribe to the aimed at a general audience. Personal benefits of Society magazine at its 1995 price of $25. This represents a $2.50 membership include admission discounts to many savings from the current one-year subscription rate of museums and books at reduced price through the Beaver $27.50. As added benefits, the offer also includes Book Club. membership in Canada’s National History Society and a To order using a credit card, call 1-800-816-6777 (between complimentary copy of the magazine’s 75th anniversary 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Central Time, Monday to Friday) and issue. This special edition offers views of Canada’s 20th mention that you are a B.C. Historical News reader. century by some of Canada’s leading historians. All this As another bonus of membership, you are entitled to give for$25. gifts of The Beaver at the special membership rate of $22. Founded in 1920 by Hudson’s Bay Company and now You can place your gift orders - for Christmas, for instance published by Canada’s National History Society, The - at the same time as you join.

3 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 Sarac World by Linda Maeve Orr

Sara’s decision per, was printed by Ian Bushell, whose to run the news daughter Elizabeth was an excellent type paper herselfwas setter. unusual for the It is impossible to gauge exactly how time. In an age many women were involved in the print when women ing business, as their husbands or fathers were expected to were often credited with the actual work. be wives and A survey of women’s work in Canada mothers, only a compiled by the National Council of few were able to Women of Canada in 1900 reveals that make the transi over 1,237 women were engaged in tion from the fe printing, publishing and bookbinding, male private with fifty listed as journalists. Although world to the Sara McLagan was on the committee re public male do sponsible for tabulating the statistics, her main. Women name does not appear OH the list, so she were unable to might well have remained invisible like vote provincially so many other women, were it not for or federally, were the untimely death ofher husband. How prohibited from ever, after John McLagan’s death there practising law or was no doubt as to who was in charge. holding public The name S.A. McLagan appeared on the office, and as late editorial masthead of The World and a as 1887 married pamphlet entitled Industrial British women in Brit Columbia, published by the The World ish Columbia Publishing Company depicted a very had no legal laxed confident looking president, Mrs. rights to their S.A. McLagan. own property. What prompted Sara McLagan to as In this portrait taken in 1900 we see Sara Ann MeLagan (nee Maclure) with her Hedged in as sume such a public role when so many family. Stepson Jack stands behind ber Her daughters (left to right) are Margarite (8), Doris (6) and Hazel (13). [Daughter Geraldine died in 1891.1John Campbell they were by le ofher contemporaries remained confined McLagan is seated with son Douglas (10) at hisfeet. gal and profes to the private sphere ofhearth and home? Photo courtesy of Peter D. Daniell. S i o n a 1 Why was she so confident she could suc In April 1901, following the death of restrictions, few women in Victorian ceed? What can her story tell us about her husband, Sara McLagan became the Canada held positions of influence the expectations and lifestyles of women publisher and editor of The Vancouver within the corporate world. in British Columbia at the turn of the Daily World newspaper, which she and Against such a backdrop Sara’s “com century? It will not be easy to find the her husband had founded in September plete emergence into public life” as edi answers, as very little that Sara wrote sur 1888. She thus became the first woman tor of the World seems quite remarkable. vives. Only by piecing together a patch in Canada to own and publish a daily However, it should be noted that the work of articles about her more famous newspaper, a position she took very seri printing profession was one of the few brothers and combing through reminis ously. areas ofemployment where women were cences does a picture gradually emerge. Day after day she attended the office able to carve out a niche. Traditionally Sara McLagan was born in Ireland on from early morning till late in the evening many small Canadian newspapers were the first of April, 1856. When she was striving in every way possible to produce family run enterprises with women per two years old she travelled to the new a paper which would reflect in some forming a variety of tasks, from setting colony of British Columbia with her measure the high journalistic ideas she type to writing weekly columns. The mother Martha and baby sister Susan, ever held before her. Halifax Gazette, Canada’s first newspa aboard the Thames City arriving on 12th

4 B.C. ifiSTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 April, 1859. Her father John John MacLure realised the strategic im creased so much, Sara asked for an in Cunningham MacLure, a surveyor with portance of the site, as he knew Western crease in salary Her supervisor granted the Royal Engineers, had arrived in the Union would eventually build a branch this request as she was “an efficient em colony the previous year, and Martha was line from La Conner thus making his ployee and most zealous in her exertions very anxious “lest her husband had been homestead an important repeating sta to further the interests of the company.” killed in the wild new country” How tion. By 1873 Sara’s salary was 100 dollars a ever, she was overjoyed to find him alive Sara, who was by now twelve years old, month. and well and waiting on the dock at became fascinated with the telegraph key Such a position of authority seems ex Esquimalt. which sat in the living room. Her father traordinary for a sixteen year old girl, The McLures ‘first home was a beauti began to teach her how to use it and she given the time period, but it was not ful embroidered tent in the Engineers’ proved to be an apt pupil, which was for unheard of in rural telegraph offices, camp in Sapperton. John MacLure was tunate for all concerned. John MacLure where the office was regarded as a family often away surveying, but Martha and was away repairing the line when a rag resource and stations were often handed the children were never lonely while they ing forest fire changed direction and from one family member to another. lived in the camp. Sara attended school threatened Hazelbrae, the family home. Neither was Sara’s salary hers to keep; it and the whole family which now con Sara and Martha began to dig a fire break, was used to buy much needed equipment sisted of three boys and the two girls en when suddenly they heard the telegraph for the family farm. Sara loved music and joyed life there. ticking and realised he had succeeded in desperately wanted to buy a piano, but When the Engineers were disbanded fixing it. Snatching the book of instruc when she had saved enough, it was dis in 1863, 130 men decided to remain in tions, she slowly tapped out a message covered that a new team of oxen was the colony, among them John MacLure. warning her father of their precarious needed for the farm. So the oxen were He set up his own surveying business situation. She was ecstatic when she de purchased and nicknamed Sara’s piano. with his friend James Turnbull, but in ciphered his reply. “coming at once by This story is not unusual for the times; 1865 went to work for The Collins Over water”. Shortly after John MacLure ar for example the heroines of Willa land Telegraph. Successive attempts to lay rived with a group of local Indians and Cather’s novels who worked “out” were a telegraph cable across the Atlantic had the family was saved. always buying horses and binders for failed, so an American entrepreneur None of the family ever forgot this their fathers’ farms. called Perry McDonough Collins con episode, it appears in all their reminis In 1875 new technology made the re cluded that it might be possible to con cences with only the slightest discrepan peater station at Hazelbrae redundant, so nect America with Europe by laying a cies. John MacLure was so impressed by it was closed down, and the older cable through British Columbia and her ability to remain calm under pres MacLure children were offered employ Alaska across to Siberia. It was a huge sure, he decided to train her as a full- ment at other stations. Susan went to undertaking, and John MacLure was time operator. In 1869, while on an New Westminster, while Sara opted for given the responsibility of surveying the inspection tour, the superintendent of Victoria. The work of an urban telegra section from Quesnelle to Telegraph telegraphs was astounded to find a young pher differed from the rural one, as it en Creek. Despite the enormous outlay, the girl alone in the Matsqui office sending tailed constant high speed sending and scheme was abandoned some time after and receiving messages. Picking up a was regarded as far more skilled. It was the Atlantic cable was successfully laid book by Buiwer Lytton, he informed her much more unusual for a woman to suc in 1866. However British Columbia was that when she could relay the first page, ceed in this milieu. American telegraph left with a working telegraph system she would be officially appointed as as superintendents stated “they did not call which stretched from the border to sistant operator and placed on the pay upon women to perform at the rate of Quesnelle and John MacLure was ap roll, a feat Sara quickly accomplished. 1500 words per hour and they did not pointed to manage the line through “the In November of 1871 Sara was ap expect it of them”. wild country between Westminster and pointed as the regular operator of the Nevertheless Sara thrived in the busy Chilliwack.” He acquired a military land Matsqui office at a salary of sixty five environment and so impressed the Gov grant of 150 acres near Matsqui and dollars a month. The office was a busy ernment Telegraph Service, that in 1880, moved his family there in 1868. place, not only did Sara send and receive she was sent to take over the busy Yale After the busy life in camp the Matsqui messages, it was also her job to ensure office temporarily. Yale was a rough min prairie seemed a very lonely spot and to the line was kept in good repair. The tel ing town and her mother fiercely disap make matters worse John MacLure was egraph line required constant vigilance, proved of Sara going to such an often away repairing the line. In later as it was a vital link in the province’s com unsuitable place, but Sara herself seems years Charles MacLure could never un munication “being the point at which the to have had no qualms about the idea. derstand why his father, with the whole branch line at Swinomish intersects with She soon had the office running of British Columbia to choose from, had the main line from New Westminster.” smoothly and enjoyed her brief stay in picked that particular spot. However By 1872 the volume of work had in- Yale. Her best friend was a charming

5 B.C. Historical News - Fall 1998 young American man who worked as a World will spare no pains to satisfy the to society by urbanisation convinced bartender in the local hotel. He proposed wants of the reading public”. them of the need to “perform for the to Sara, but she refused him. The extent of Sara’s involvement re larger society the same tasks of mother By now it was becoming apparent that mains a mystery. A newspaper article ing and maintenance they performed Sara’s life was very different from that of written in 1913 states “with the excep within their own homes.” most young women. At a time when few tion of reading the exchanges and com Sara’s list of impressive philanthropic women worked outside the home, she piling a weekly page which was of great achievements began in 1888, the year she was establishing herself in a career and interest to women, Mrs. McLagan took moved to Vancouver, when in company was held in very high esteem by her em no active part on the paper.” (still it does with Mrs. T.E. Atkins and Mr. Jonathan ployers, “being a first-class morse system sound like a quite a lot of work). But a Rogers, she helped to found the Young operator and thoroughly conversant with brief biography of Sara in the Canadian Men’s Christian Association. Next, in the book keeping and accounts of im Women’s Press Club maintains “she mar 1894, came The Arts Historical and Sci portant stations” The details of her stay ried J.C. McLagan, and on September entific Association, the city’s first cultural in Victoria are sketchy, but it appears that 29, 1888, they founded the Vancouver organization. Sara was president from in 1881, she was promoted to the posi Daily World, and she became a work 1903 to 1905 and it was during her presi tion of assistant superintendent of tel ing journalist in every sense ofthe word” dency that proceedings were begun to egraphs for British Columbia, and may Even more intriguing is a statement by transfer the association’s collection to the have travelled to other stations on tours family members that Sara personally bor city. Later on in the same year, she was of inspection. She also established her rowed 5000 dollars from James among a number ofwomen who decided younger brothers at stations, both Dunsmuir to start The World, and that to start a Vancouver branch of the local Charles and Samuel worked at the when her stepson Jack took her to court council ofwomen, a decision which had Clinton and Vancouver offices for a time. claiming the paper belonged to him, the far reaching implications for Sara as it While Sara was working in Victoria she judge threw the case out as Sara had used brought her to the attention of Lady met her future husband, John Campbell her own money to establish the paper. Aberdeen, the national president. McLagan, a widower from Guelph On In any event the amount of space The From the outset Sara was very active tario with considerable experience in the World devoted to women’s organizations in the National Council ofWomen, she printing business. In October 1884 Sara and the introduction of a women’s page was treasurer of the Vancouver branch resigned from the telegraph company and reflect her influence. The World of from 1895 to 1897 and president from in December she and John were married. course was not alone in publishing a 1898 to 1900. In 1898 at the request of By giving up her job, Sara was conform women’s page, as newspaper proprietors Lady Aberdeen she helped to start a ing to the traditional mores of the day, began to depend more and more on ad branch in New Westminster which for it was considered socially unaccept vertising revenue, rather than political proved fortuitous as a disastrous fire later able for married women to work outside patronage. Publishers realised they were that year underscored the need for such the home. Henceforward a woman’s task missing a potential market. To that end, an organization. As Sara herself later was to consist of looking after home and many Canadian newspapers began to wrote husband and “providing a refuge from include a page or column featuring arti I think the New W’stminster fire dem the harsh impersonal public sphere.” cles on dress, society or club news. How onstrated to everyone the need ofan organ Sara and John lived in Victoria for four ever a series of articles published by The ized body of women in every community years, where their first two daughters World was much more serious in con ready to be called together fir any were born, Geraldine in 1886 and Hazel tent. On January 9 1897, an article on gency;frr without such an organization we in 1887. John worked at The Victoria suffrage written by the mysterious Lady should have been powerless to act as Times as managing editor and honed his Cook stated promptly or as ej9ctively in alleviating the journalism skills to the point where he The tyranny oftaxation without repre siffl’ring ofthe distressedfamilies. felt ready to start his own enterprise. In sentation against which every Englishman The Vancouver branch collected an 1888 the family moved to Vancouver and feelsjustfled in taking up arms the world astonishing $1,555.65 for the citizens of on September 29 the first edition of over is laid on women still How long is New Westminster. Could the amount McLagan’s paper, The World rolled off this grave injustice to continue? have been so large because every day The the presses. J.C. McLagan clearly saw Meanwhile Sara was becoming in World published the names of the con Vancouver’s potential and the small four volved in many fledgling organizations tributors? Sara never hesitated to use the paged newspaper reflected his enthusi in Vancouver. In working to alleviate the columns of the paper to advance the asm for the city The first editorial an lot of the less fortunate, Sara was very causes she believed in, this, coupled with nounced the “The World proposes first conventional. Women of her class ac her formidable managerial skills made of all to conserve the very best interests cepted their domestic responsibility but her an asset to any organization. of Vancouver,” and promised that “The increasing concern over the threat posed Sara first made the acquaintance of

6 B.C. Historical News - Fall 1998 Lady Aberdeen in 1895, when she trav Vancouver were a constant round of the status of journalism as a profession elled to Toronto for the annual confer meetings and receptions, every one of for women.” Like many other profes ence of the national council. Despite the which was reported in TheWorld “these sional women, they felt ignored by their differences in class and education, the nurses look to be women who realise that male colleagues and resented being con two women had much in common. Lady their mission is no ordinary one — the fined to trivial stories while “the highest Aberdeen always knew she could rely on next 3 years will bring much of toil and prizes go to men.” Of all the women in Sara to get things done, Sara in her turn perhaps sorrow into their lives.” the club, Sara was the only one with the admired Lady Aberdeen’s ability to over Often personal experience was the cata power to redress this situation and her come obstacles in her path. lyst for the decision to work towards es peers felt it was due to her influence that A major concern of the National tablishing much needed services in the Vancouver’s women journalists enjoyed Council ofWomen was “the dangers and community Adelaide Hoodless, founder such a high profile. hardships encountered by women, who the The Women’s Institute worked tire In 1905 Sara was faced with a difficult in their greatest hour of need were often lessly to educate women about hygiene decision: should she sell The World? miles from medical or professional aid after her baby died from drinking im Louis Denison Taylor offered her of any kind.” Originally the Vancouver pure milk. Sara McLagan may have $65,000 and as it was a good price, she Council petitioned the national execu worked so hard to establish The Victo reluctantly decided to accept. In a letter tive to “bring the matter before the gov rian Order of Nurses because she knew to her mother she wrote, “This is practi ernment with a view to offering from first hand experience what it was cally my last day with the dear old World inducements to medical men to settle in like to be miles from medical help. When after so many years of joy and sorrows.” their districts” Then another council she was twelve years old, the smoke from Sara remained active in all the many broached the idea of establishing a nurs the dreadful forest fire which nearly en organizations to which she belonged un ing order to commemorate the diamond gulfed their home gave her mother se til 1908 when she moved back to jubilee of Queen Victoria, and the Vic vere inflammation of the lungs, so her Matsqui. Her father had died the previ torian Order of Nurses came into exist father had to travel to New Westminster ous year and she was concerned about ence. However the scheme met with for help leaving Sara alone with her her mother (they had always been close); severe opposition from the medical es mother and younger siblings. every day Sara sent her the newspaper tablishment. Undaunted, Lady Aberdeen In addition to her charity and news and a little note. The railway engineer invited a prestigious American doctor to paper work, Sara was also busy raising used to drop the parcel at the farm gate. Toronto to persuade the doctors to her family of three girls and a boy. Her Sara took up farming as her next profes change their minds and she changed the energy is impressive but she was used to sion. Her attempts at raising chickens format of the scheme to overcome the working hard, and even more was to be proved disastrous, but she succeeded in nurses’ objections. The rest of the coun heaped upon her plate. In 1900 her hus making a good living from growing fruit. try was won over by a sensational public band fell seriously ill and Sara took over In 1904, her brother Charles had relations event. the management ofThe World. She ap founded the Vancouver Fireclay Com In the spring of 1898 four Victorian pointed her youngest brother Fred as pany at Clayburn close to Hazelbrae, the Order nurses, accompanied by a detach managing director, but the burden of family farm. Although Sara was listed as ment of soldiers and Faith Fenton ofThe publishing a daily paper “with enterprise one of the shareholders it doesn’t appear Globe travelled to the Yukon, where the as its watchword, utilizing every mod-. that she was involved in the running of discovery of gold had electrified the en em up to date appliance in producing the business. However, whenever Charles tire continent. Fenton’s dispatches to the several editions”, fell on her shoul got into difficulties he called upon Sara. both The Globe and The World de ders. No detail escaped her, at one point In 1905 when he discovered a new de scribed the nurses’ harrowing adventures she even proofread the paper herself, as posit of fireclay he was faced with the on the trail and the reaction of those she was concerned that reporters might problem of acquiring the land on which miners lucky enough to meet the “min try to insert unauthorized copy. This it was found. So he telegraphed Sara who istering angels” Fenton reported that the brought her into conflict with the local was in Ottawa on newspaper business, “craving of strong men in their sickness typographical union, but Sara was able “she had 640 acres of it in his hand the for a woman’s care and their complete to get an exemption, which allowed her same day at a dollar an acre.” dependence upon them is a marvellous to “read proof” while allowing The Despite the fact that she was living thing.” World to continue to hold its union la quite a distance from Vancouver, Sara The trip needed meticulous planning. bel. maintained her links with the women’s In April Lady Aberdeen wrote to Sara While she was running The World, press club. A Vancouver branch was about supplies needed by the nurses, “co Sara became involved in The Canadian formed in 1909 and Sara gave a witty coa, compressed tea, essence of beef and Women’s Press Club. She was thus a speech at the first annual luncheon, then vegetables” Sara also organized the nurses’ founding member of an organization in 1913 she helped to edit the special itinerary The two weeks they spent in which aimed to “maintain and improve women’s issue of the Vancouver Sun.

7 B.C. Historical News - Fall 1998 That same year she moved to Kilgard emerge from the private where her brother Charles had built a sphere. new brick plant. He had lost control of On the other hand, the the Vancouver Fireclay company but was life Sara led was quite dif equally unsuccessful with his new enter ferent from the norm. At prise and this caused Sara and other a time when few women shareholders to lose a great deal ofmoney held careers, Sara pursued In 1914 when her son Douglas left several; she was a telegra Kilgard to enlist in the war, Sara returned pher, a publisher, a social briefly to Vancouver, before moving to activist, a reliefworker and California to live with her daughter Mar finally a matron in a sen guerite. Although Sara was now 61 years ior citizens home. As the old, it seems she had no intention of re publisher of The World tiring as she applied to work as a telegra she maintained a high pro pher with the Los Angeles shipbuilding file in Vancouver, and at a company. The Board’s initial refusal to time when women were hire her because she couldn’t type didn’t unable to vote provincially deter Sara in the least. Three weeks later and federally, she was able she took her typing test and passed with to exert her influence by flying colours. publishing in her paper Then in 1917 her son Douglas was the names of the candi killed in action and on the last day of dates she preferred. So the war her son in law R.H. Winslow great was her interest in died. Sara was devastated, her world had politics that on election been turned upside down, but her re night she would sit at the sponse to tragedy was unusual, she de telegraph key herself in cided to go to France to help the victims order to obtain the results of the war rebuild their lives. Her old as fast as possible. friend Julia Henshaw was in charge of It is difficult to under relief work in the Canadian sector at stand why Sara was so Vitry and she arranged for Sara to assist comfortable in the public her in relocating the refugees. One of world of business when Sara’s most enduring memories was many ofher contemporar Christmas day when she helped Sara McLagan assisted with WWI refugees in Europe. She is shown here ies were within 1918, at Vitry, France in 1918. cocooned distribute food to over 500 families who Photo courtesty of Peter Daniells. the private familial world. waited patiently in the pouring rain for young. She also hosted many meetings Perhaps it had to do with her upbring tins of Canadian peaches and coffee and ofthe Vancouver branch ofthe C.WPC. ing. The MacLures seem to have instilled bacon. As all the trees had been destroyed After a long and accomplished career and a quiet confidence in all their children. in the conflict the best they could do for a life so full it makes one breathless just Her brother Samuel spent only a year at a Christmas tree was to nail some bare to read about it, Sara McLagan died of art school but he became one of the prov branches to a pedestal and cover them cancer on March 20, 1924 at the home ince’s most revered architects, and al with ivy. Her daughter Doris was also in of her daughter Doris. though Charles faced financial setbacks, France working for the Red Cross and So having looked closely at her life, he did succeed in establishing a thriving on Sundays she would drive Sara around what does her story reveal about the his brick industry in the Fraser Valley. An the cemeteries in a battered old ambu tory ofwomen in British Columbia, and other reason may be that her family home lance looking for Douglas’ grave, but even more importantly, what does it tell Hazelbrae straddled both worlds, the sadly they never found it. us about our present? To some extent Sara private and the public, with a telegraph On her return to Vancouver in 1920 typifies that generation of reforming key sitting in the middle of the dining Sara, who was now 64 years old, was middle class Anglo-Saxon women who room table and a steady stream of cus made Superintendent of the Old People’s realised that the unjust laws affecting tomers wishing to send telegrams. The Home in Vancouver where her mother women had to be changed. Faced with family home was a busy place. was a resident. She enjoyed the work and the problems caused by the changing Another reason Sara was able to achieve was very popular with the old folk, they focus of Canadian society, they banded so much was that attitudes were some used to have wonderful chats about the together to work for the good of both what different in a pioneering society. good old days when the province was family and state, and slowly began to The rules were different, and many

8 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIL 1998 The author is Head Interpreter atBurnaby Bessie Lamb, “From Tickler to Telegram: Notes on Early women often found themselves perform Vancouver Newspapers,” in British Columbia Historical Village Museum. She researched the life ofSara ing tasks they would never have dreamed Quarterly, 9.3 (1945). (MacLure) McLagan for a course in Women’c Marjory Lang and Linda Hale, “The Lives and Times of of doing in the old country The contri History at Simon Fraser University. The origi Vancouver Newspaper-women in the First Quarter of the butions of both men and women were nal essay, beautzfi4ly written, ran to 8000 words Twentieth Century,” in B.C. Studies (Spring 1990). Corday MacKay, “The Collins Overland Telegraph,” in equally valued in the struggle to estab with 139 footnotes. Mrs. Orr condensed her British Columbia Historical Quarterly 10.2 (1946). lish farms, businesses and families. How workfor this magazine. Any reader wishing a Paul Rutherford, Making of the Canadian Media (Toronr: copy oftbe complete essay may obtain it by send McGraw Hill Ryerson, 1944). ever as Vancouver grew in size and Paul Rutherford, AVictorian Authority: The Daily Press in ing $5.00 to the editor at Box 105, Warn, B.C. far Late Nineteenth Century Canada (Toronto: University importance, local society became VOB 2K0. of Toronto Press, 1982). more structured, and expectations BIBLIOGRAPHY Martin Segger. The Buildings of Samuel MacLure (Victoria: Sono Press, 1986). changed. Women found themselves rel John Adams, Clayburn: A Study of Its Brick Industr Its Veronica Strong-Boag, The Parliament ofWomen: The egated to less significant roles. Architecture and Its Preservation, MA. Thesis, National Council of Women of Canada 1893-1929 University ofToronto, 1976. (Ottawa: Natioisal Museums of Canada, 1976). Sara McLagan was a strong independ Burt R. Campbell, “From Handset to Linotype” in British Shirley Tillotson, Canadian Telegraphers 1900-1930. A ent woman who demonstrated just how Columbia Historical Quarterly 10.2 (1946). Case Study in Gender and Skill Hierarchies, Ph.D. Douglas Fetherling, The Rise of The Canadian Newspaper Thesis, Queen’s University, 1989. successful women could be provided they (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1990), 4. City ofVancouver Archives (hereafter C.VA.), Canadian were given the opportunity She was and Barbara M. Freeman, The Journalism of Kathleen Blake Women’s Press Club, Add. Mss 396, Volume 2, Coleman (Ottawa: Carleton University Press, 1989). Scrapbook. still is a powerful role model. At a time Linda Hale, The British Columbia Woman Sufilage Gillian Weiss, “As Women and Citizens”, Clubwomen in Movement 1890-1917, M.A. Thesis, U.B.C. 1977. Vancouver 1910-1938. Ph.D. Thesis, University of when so many women were confined to Beth Hill Sappers. The Royal Engineers in British British Columbia, 1984. hearth and home she truly was a woman Columbia (Ganges: Horsdal and Schubart, 1987). Personal family papers in possession of Sally Carter. F.W Howay and E.O.S. Scholfield, British Columbia From Vancouver Daily Province, of the world. the Earliest Times to the Present. Volume IV (Vancouver Vancouver Daily World, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1914). Vancouver Evening Sun, Vancouver Sunday Sun. BOOKSHELF First Across the Continent: Sir Alexander afterwards by the honour of a knighthood. He was Childhood Series, the Wild Goose Series, the West Mackenzie. Barry Gough. Toronto, McCleIland & also frequently in Montreal, where the wild dinners Coast Series, The Trials of Eve Suite, the Carved Stewart, 1997. 232 p., illus., maps, bib. $29.95 of his confreres were famous. Stone Series, and the Buddha Series, among oth A reviewer in the Globe and Mail twice referred The maps and illustrations are adequate and in ers. Excerpts from Granirer’s diary, selections of to this as a slight book, but ignored the fact that it is formative. It is a pity that the fine reproduction of her poetry, commentaries from the artist, and re published as number 14 in the Oklahoma West Lawrence’s portrait of Mackenzie on the dust cover views of her work layer the text with differing per ern Biographies, and simply conforms to the for is not repeated as a frontispiece of the book proper. spectives, much as Granirer layers her paintings with mat of the series. She quite ignored the fact that The Oklahoma Series has a “no footnote” for symbols and meanings. exceptionally good use was made of the space avail mat, but Gough has added a detailed, annotated Granirer is a Romanian born emigre to Canada able. bibliography that is the best available source of whose work has been exhibited locally and inter Quite properly, the bulk of the narrative is de material related to Mackenzie and his achievements. nationally. A resident of Vancouver since 1965, she voted to Mackenzie’s two great voyages of discov has had an impact on the city and the country: for ery; proper recognition is also given to earlier W Kaye Lamb, example, she was an instructor in the Art Depart explorations, notably those of Peter Pond, who was Dr. Lamb, former Dominion Archivist ment, Centre for Continuing Studies, UBC, until the first to cross the Methye Portage and opened and National Librarian, edited the B.C. 1996; in the 1970s she gave presentations and up the way to Athabaska from which Mackenzie Historical Quarterly for its first 10 years. workshops at Vancouver area schools; in 1989 she set out on his two great voyages to the Arctic and was a founding member of the Jewish Festival of Pacific waters. the Arts, and a founder of the Art Gallery at Van Mackenzie’s ambilion extended far beyond these Pnina Granirer: Portrait of an Artist. Ted couver’s Temple Shalom; in 1993 she was a co explorations. He envisaged a trans-Pacific trade to Lindberg. Ronsdale Press, 1998. 191 p., illus. founder of the “Artists in our Midst” program in the Orient - supply ships would leave Montreal or $39.95 hard cover. which the public is invited to artists’ studios. Granirer Britain, travel round Cape Horn, engage in the sea Pnina Granirer has said that her work as an il has twice won prizes for book design from the Alcuin otter trade and, in addition, pick up the furs that lustrator, draftswoman, printmaker, and painter “is Society (1990, 1989). Some of her commissions the North West Company had collected in the far a magic carpet” that takes her “to unexpected include drawings and woodblock prints for Cana. west of Canada, thus saving the long exhausting worlds of new shapes, images and ideas.” Like dian Fiction Magazine; covers for magazines such overland trek to Montreal. When he retired from wise, Ted Lindberg’s exploration of Granirer’s col as Prism International and Playboy Magazine; the North West Company, he tried to implement ourful, electric, innovative, and provocative work sets for the Vancouver productions of A Midsum this scheme, but circumstances in the end defeated transports the reader through her personal history mer Night’s Dream (1983) and The Comedy of him. But he never lost the vision and in later years and the progression of her work. An individual who Errors (1984); a Christmas card for Amnesty In. took an active interest in certain American expedi “has come under the shadow of catastrophe at sev ternational (1985) and one for the Cancer Soci lions that were leaving the Atlantic Coast, round eral times in her life,” Granirer has also had to bal ety (1996); and two paintings for the Vancouver ing the Horn, and heading for the Northwest Coast, ance her struggle to be an artist with her domestic Intemational Airport (1996). and China and Russia. duties as a wife and mother. Lindberg thoroughly Lindberg’s analysis of Granirer’s career is de Mackenzie also became engaged in various scrutinizes the way in which Granirer’s Jewish her tailed; his book thoroughly portrays the history, in clashes in the fur trade, and with Lord Selkirk and itage, family life and circumstances, and intuitive spirations, and passions of a talented local artist his plans for a Red River Colony and domination and spiritual inspirations have shaped her art. The of the Hudson’s Bay Company. He retired to his result is, as Lindberg states, “lucid, life-affirming and Sheryl Salloum, native Scotland where he had an attractive estate, extraordinarily resourceful.” Sheryl Salloum is the author of Malcolm but spent part of the year in London for the sea One hundred and eighty-five splendid illustra Lowry: Vancouver Days (Harbor Publishing, son. Soon after arriving in London, his remarkable tions complement Lindberg’s insightful accounts of 1987) and Underlying Vibrations: The journal was published, and this was followed shortly the themes that have shaped Granirer’s work: The Photography and Life of John Vanderpant (Horsdal & Schubart 1995).

9 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 Letters From Salt Spring Island 1860-61 by Tom Wright On July 27th, 1859 a small group of pioneer settlers landed on Admiral Island, even then popularly known as Saltspring Island. Across the Straits, the Fraser River gold rush was in full swing.

Among the newcomers was a Scot graphs, added commas and periods and Igot up apublic meeting in one oftheprin named Jonathan Begg, who recently ar edited out the capital letters which cipal hotels where strong resolutions accom rived in Victoria, coming from California Jonathan used with enthusiasm. Some in panied by an urgentpetition to the governor by way of Ontario. He was lucky in the teresting spelling has been left in. and local legislature was carried A deputa draw for land, and selected a prime 200 tion of the most respectable citizens was acres stretching from Trincomali Channel Aboyne Place chosen to wait upon the governor etc. So the to the beautiful lake now known as St. Salt Spring Island movement went until the FIB. governor Mary: Near l’2mcouver Island and councel had to submit to thepopular de Begg was a market gardener and was de March 10th, 1860 mand The result is we have been allowed to termined to set up in business. He built a pre-emptfrr 2 or 3 years the public land to small store in what became known as Dear William and Margret, the extent of200 acres each with theprospect Beggsville and eventually was called I take this opportunity of again writing ofbeing able to obtain them at about $1.25 Fernwood. you fivm this place. The history ofmy trans per acre, as by that time they will be in the On March 10th, 1860 he wrote to actions and operations since I came to the hands ofthe local legislature who arepledged William and Margret Chishoim in Onion pa%fic coast are so voluminous that I cannot to a man to reduce them to the abovefire. Grove, in Cedar Country: Iowa, to tell begin to tell you all Yu are aware that I After the above movement was concluded them of his arrival and to describe his new wintered lastyear in Ca4/rnia, where Jim to the satisfaction ofallparties I was one of home. William Chisholm, who travelled mediateiy got employment at $40per month 18 adventurers who went out to view the back and forth from Scotland bringing to superintend a nursery After remaining lana when we lzghted on the island men Clydesdale horses for eager Iowa &rmers, there some 3 mo. and having seen quite tioned on the heading of this letter It is was married to Jonathan’s sister Margret. enough ofthe society and climate to suit me about 20 miles long and varyingfrom 2 to Years later when William died, Jonathan I left without a penny in my pocket to push seven miles wide. It lies at the bend of the Begg’s letter was one of several left behind myflirtune in the North. Canal de Horo in the Georgian Channel, in a small black chest. The chest became a On arriving in Victoria about thefirst of and lies immediate’y opposite the mouth of family treasure. June oflastyear the town was suff’ringfrom Fraser Rivei being distant about 40 miles During the hard times of the a reverse in business caused by bad news NW of Victoria, and within 1/2 mile of Depression, William’s grandson sold some from the mines. Finding I couldget no work Vancouverc Island I can see the mouth of of the envelopes, then valuable because of ofany kind as there were hundreds more out Fraser distant about 20 miles with the their packet stamps. According to ofemployment, I immediatei5i went to work Cascade Mountains distant 75 miles any William’s great-grandaughter one “black and rented a vacant house with 2/5 ofan clear day on going back about 1/4 miles to packet stamp,” possibly the very one sent acre ofland where Iput in about 1500 cab the top ofa mountain behind me. by Jonathan Begg on his letter, realized bage etc. As the land was ofpoor desmjtion This is one ofthe most romantic regions I $750, which was enough to feed the I did not realize much from it. In the fall was ever in. Scotland is no where in that re family for a year! advertised as gardener etc. in the localpaper spect: But to my narrative, the bank ofad- Fortunately the letters themselves sur when Igot ajob to work frr M Wiod the venturers referred to including mys4ffinding vived. Not long ago Jonathan Begg’s great banke which set me a little on my fret the island beautifid& situated in the midst of grandaughter brought copies of some of again. an archipelago more beautfid than the them to Saltspring Island, where they are When I resided in Victoria I had other 1000 islands on St. Lawrence. This being now safe in our archives. work on hand ofgreater moment than my the most convenient to Victoria (north?) and In March of 1860, Jonathan Begg had everyday employment I frund the land to San Juan, we determined tofirnn the set lived on Saltspring for less than eight system in such a deplorable condition that no tlement here. W drewfir choices ofselection, months. His letter to the Chisholms pro one out of employment of the HB. Coy andl wasfiirtunate enough to get the second vides a fascinating glimpse of life on the is couldprocure an acre ofthe public domain. so you may readily conceive I have not a bad land during very early pioneer days. I saw thatjustice and refirm was necessary finn. My lotfronts 1/4 ofa mile in a nice Here is the letter in its entirety: To help so I commenced a movement which has since little bay where about 2 miles opposed be the reader, I have divided it into para changed the whole land system ofthe colony tween me and Fraser River lies a long is-

10 B.C. ifiSTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 land shielding me flvm the N W summer So,,tk,2, p1. wind Behind my lot, on its rea it borders a beautfIs!fresh water lake ofsome 2 miles in length, teeming with fish. I have about 80 acres ofprairies on thefarm. It is not exactIy EGG 5A1’IPSON a prairie as it more resembles an English ADMIRAL W(ker park. as here and there is a clump ofbeau k H ISLAND tsl balsam growing Last fall I erected a Pt- cabin on my lot- 14’x17- itisa log one and 1860 covered with shakes onpoles, being altogether more open than a house that wouldfreeze to death a cow in winter in Canada, with nothing but a s-mallfireplace and mudfiooi yet so beautfisl is the climate that I have passed the winter in it very comflrtab I need not tellyou that commencing in a wilderness without capitah anda stranger to boot; had been a hard task, but I have by perseverence and industry sofar surmounted all my dffIculties very satictory and am now in possession of 200 acres of the best land on the Pai4fic coast. This spring I have commenced operations in company of 2 young men I have taken in companyfor this year ont’y I have got about 3 acres enclosed and under cultivation which Jam atpresent at work on. W will be able to put in 1 acres vegetables, 1 acres turnips and cabbage, I acres potatoes. I have planted 75 apple trees this spring and put in a number ofgoose C’p berries and current bushes in addition to the crops already referred to. You may imagine have atpresent has done it. seen a little of both Calrnia and this how vegetablespay here when green peas sell My live stock at present consists ofa torn country In Ca4fbrnia the climate in the at 10 to 2 1/2 ctslb, cabbagesfrom 2 1/2 to cat and young dog. I may mention that I winter is indeed beautzji4 but there is some l0ctslh, turnis21/2cts-10ctsetc. have a valuable salt spring on my lot, very thing so very relaxing in the Ca4frnia cli Schooners pass to Victoria by my place strong1y impregnated with pure salt, being mate as to make you sensitive to the least air from Nanaimo about 3 times a week, and 1/5 salt of co/st I was astonished on arrival in we have a weeki)i maiL I am Post Maste, The fare is $25 from Sanfrancisco to Sanfrancisco last year to find men sitting and have established a little store on my lot Victoria to my place they chg $2 in shivering at the stoves when in fact the in addition to myfarming operations. I will schooners. weather was something like early June sendyou a paper with my advertisement in It is very cheap living here as the Indians weather in Ginada. Iflit the eft’ect myse it. who are very usefid and very good to white After being there a few mos. I began to be There are now 50 settlers on the island men bring us large quantities ofthe best the sensitive to the least air ofcold wind and the The frrms are 200 acres each 1/4 mile waters, woods andfirest can produce fir a winds blow very strong in manyplaces there. fronting the Straihts and 1 1/4 back, so mere song For instance, I buy a good buck The summer here is like Ita while in there is a settler and house 1/4 mile on each weighing 100 lbs fir $1.50 in trade, that Giuifirnia everything is burned up by an al side ofmefir quite a distance. trade costing me originally about haFthat most vertical sun, turning the seasons most From being the originator of the land amt. A salmon wezhing 10 lbs can often be comp/et4y so that the summer is the season of movement I am known through the length boughtfir 12 1/2 cts. A duck costs about 12 rest in the vegetable world ofCalifornia. The and breadth of the Colony and I now 1/2 cti Grouse 25 cts in trade. society ofCalfhrnia, although improving, is mingle in the best society in it. English noblemen live no better in this re not any the best; and the government is ras I have not been in such good health fir spect than we dofir we have the best the sea cally bad No man except a clever rogue or many years as Jam atpresent. Thefine cli and land can provi4efir a trifle. Irishman can attain any position there. The mate, plenty of work and good prospects I A word about the climate. I have now onI’y thing I like about California were her

11 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS FaIl 1998 ____

Ifyou get this all riht do please answer your answer to this No. 2so as I shall know what you repi3i to. Send me all the newsfar and near fir 18 months past, and I will write in return. Give my kind regards to any ofmy friends you may see or write to. Rem me to the Buffalo fllks, and also to your Pickeringfriendc. Yours truely Jonathan Beg Saltspring Island PM by Victoria 1’incouver Island via overland route.

Dedpbing a 130-year-old letter was not easy. Can you find the two passages shown? fruits. In that she is superb. This colony and cheapz’y as in Thronto, and many things the adjacent territory presents numerous ad cheaper owing to Victoria being afree port. vantagesfor a new beginner over Ca4fornia. Now having brought forward my history The land here is excellent in many places. for the last two years I may now ask you The government is better and this climate what you have been doing and what are and society is more to my taste. I have quite your prospects, frr I have learned nothing a number of Canadians frr neighbours, at from the East since I left it except one letter least parties recenti’yfrom Canada. from yourseif in Calfrnia, which con This is the cheapestplace in the American tained no news except a number of queries Continent to live in. Every thing wearable which I have now tried to answer in the and required in a famii’y can be bought as above.

Jonathan Begg - Chapter Two Jonathan Begg described his 1859 ar is now proved beyond a doubt that it con every reason to believe, I can notfail doing rival on Saltspring Island to his sister and tains inexhaustible supplies of the precious well here in a fiw years. The climate is ex brother-in-law in his letter to Iowa of metal all along the river and its numerous cellent so fir as I am able to judge, and I March 10th, 1860. tributaries through 6 or 7 hundred miles of have nowjust one yearc experience ofit. The Having had no response to his first country summer here is unrivalled and the country letter, he tried again on June 3rd, 1860, as I have taken afarm — and am now hard looks like a gentleman pleasure grounds, so follows: at work putting in cabbages 6r. I have 4 splendid and variegated does it look in its Balmorah acres under frnce and two acres already in summer vesture. Salt Spring Island potatoes and vegetables. The balance will be Farming is not conducted here on grand Near Van Couver Island in cabbage and turnips. I hope to have in principles. Any little that is done or has been June 3rd 1860. 10,000 cabbages this summer which will done heretofire has been by old servants of My dear Friends, bring in sometimes at 10t per lb. which I the HB. Coy who are more awkward than I take this opportunity ofagain writing to expect they will bring me in the spring the animals they drive. One can see here the you. I have not up to this time heardfrom My finn contains 200 acres of the best old carts, farm implements and mode ofcul you since I arrived in the colony. In my last land in the colony and is admirab’y situated tivation in vogue 50 years ago in Britain. A I related my experience on the Pacf1c Coast midway between New Westminster and good practical firmer here with a little together with my views etc., so that it would Victoria, the respective capitals of British means would not fill to make it rich in a be needless to repeat it. Suffice it to say that Columbia and Van Couver Island I am few years; fir instance turnips sell at 1 cent it, the country has shown proof of lasting very wellpleased with myprospects here, and per lb. by the quantity hay 30 to 50 dollars greatness this summerfew have dreamed of should the gold field of British Columbia per ton, butter 50 cts lb, eggs 75 cents doz. and so far as the Fraser River is concerned it prove of a lasting charactei which I have and every other thing ofproduce in propor

12 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 tion — and theseprices must last so long as the goldflelds are productive, and that is now a fixedfact, frr dry dgging ofboundless extent has been discovered this spring which aver agesfrom 5 to 10 dollarsper day to the man. are not badly offfrr company here. There is already quite a number of Canadians co-settlers on this Island as we lie on the highway to Nanaimo, the coalfields and on1’y 25 miles distant from that place. W have always as many as three or 4 schooners &c calling on us weekly on the way fram Vancouver to Victoria; and we have a mail about every ten days. Andyour humble servant has been appointedpostmaster W had an election oflegislative assembly men and Salt Spring e!c sent a member I was appointed returning officer on the occa sion. The members had to be worth $1500 so we had to appoint a man from Victoria as Salt SprmglskmL July 16th, 1860 no settler could qualij5 The member is electedfrr three years. By that time we hope Salt Spring Island I am glad to notice that your republican to be represented by a local man. I had the Near Vancouverc Island tastes are dying out; That institution is beau honour oforganizing theflrst agriculturalso tifrl in theory but will not stand the taste ciety in the colony so we have the Salt Spring Written across page one is the (sic) ofpractice in this degenerate age. Jam IslandA,gricultural Society and hope to have following: loosing (sic) interest in Canada, and were it something good to show nextfall W’ are at notfrr afewfriends I left there I should blot present anxiousy waiting to hearfrom home James and Elspet must be grown to quite itfrom my rememberancefrr ever Jam dis [i.e., Britain] in order to have the land re a size. I should be glad fJames were here. couraged at some of my Canadian friends’ duced to $1.25pr acre. A petitionfrom the He would be excellent companyJhr me, and conduct in not writing to me. I have sent local legislature has gone home to obtain said would thrive here like the cedars ofLebanon several letters & papers to Legg and others, reduction. in its nativefrrest; butihave got no rep I like this better than any country I ever Igot a letterfrom Mi j Begg; Aberdeen lived in and had we oniy a little good society Jonathan had no sooner sent this letter distillery He tells me that 1? Legg has got it would be aperftctparadise. I may remark than a reply to his first letter arrived on married and Rachel is about being married that society is dait’y improving by respectable Saltspring Island. He again took up his to a doctor in Demerara. frmilies coming from England and the pen, and wrote the following: (remember A friend McIntyre who Canada with colonies. that Vancouver’s Island and British me is about 200 miles up the river and is It costs little to live here. Our natives Columbia were not to join Confederation connected with a sluicing company who are suppi> us with all lurury ofthe season fi3r a for another eleven years, so “Canada’ and averaging there 8 dollarsper day to the man. “Canadians” refer to what we would now There is nofrar ofa man that likes to work trifle. Fancy a fine buck Jbr $1 — salmon wezhing20 lbs. 121/2 cents, brace ofgrouse call “Eastern Canad’.) can do very well anywhere he likes to go 25 cents 8’c. This is the countryfir any epi throughout this region of country But the curist. Dear Friends, place is cursed with a lot offrhows who came I am in excellent health and spirits, I am in receipt ofyour letter dated on out after government situating who are too hoping this may find you all the same. March 1st and observe its contents. I was ex genteel to handle a spade and pick. and Hoping you will send me a long letter with pecting never to have heard from you any usefrlflir no puepose in a new colony The all the newsfrom there. more. I think the excuse ofnot knowing my result is many ofthem has met bitter disap Yours tnay address a very lame one. pointment coming out here, and they write Jonathan Begg In gleaning over your letter I notice that of losing accounts accordin I often meet George has got an heir I was glad ofthat as with men who have excellent, yea most aris Via Overland Route I thought my fàmity name was doomed to tocratical connections in Canada driving a Address die out with this generation. I regret to hear cart, wheeling a barrow, or taking lumber j Begç of the death of Mr Green. I suppose his fram a sawmill This is the country that has Post Master brother is working thefarm. no respect ofpersons. The Doom is work or

13 B.C. hISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 starve! But to the man who is willing to was laid out, and now it has so Jar pro So things seemed to be going smoothly work there is rich reward gressed as to show the outlines of general for Jonathan Begg. His store and nursery streets, whafi and docks, and with houses business near present-day Fernwood were Note: Here a page is missing. The nar occupyingagooddealoffrontage ofthe town thriving. Perhaps all he might have wished rative continues: already There were eleven boats ing inport for was a companion to share his life in at the time ofmy arrival there. this new land. It is now mid-summe, and the weather is There is nothing finer or more romantic Jonathan could not know it at the time, all that the heart can desire. The climate here in the world than the scenery round about but a major disruption of his life was to is beautiflul in the extreme. Seldom does here. Ongoing back ofmy house a little way occur only a few months later. winter last longer than afirtnzht, and the you can see the mouth ofFraserc River and Nearby Fort Victoria had undergone spring, summer and autum is superb. its course to the Cascade Range, that range runaway growth, land speculation and a Referring to the subjectyou have ( ) re towering like huge giants in the distance 80 building boom as the sudden influx of ferring to the soil I couldn give you a more miles away. The snow is to be seen allyear overseas and American gold miners had approximate idea than stating that the soil round on them. overwhelmed the formerly peaceful fur resembles very much the best lands of I think I will be able to make more out of trading post. Victoria had not yet begun Scotland with here a range of mountains my 4 acres thisyear than you will out ofyour to develop the genteel ‘Little England’ at and there afertile valley and there is a beau improvedfarm. mosphere of which it would become so tfiul valley of200+ miles on the Fraser River Mr Donald McKay is the ont’y man in proud in the first half of the twentieth a little distancefrom the mouth. Canada that has taken the trouble to answer century It was then very much a ‘wild Everything is going on wonderfr4’y on my letters, and the on& person in conse west’ town. Fraserc River this season. It has been proved quence with whom I correspond He informs Eye-witnesses at the time speak of the now beyond a doubt thatgold does exist there me that in his last that T Legg was just re whizz of revolver bullets, the rattle of the in large quantities. All the miners are doing turned from Demerara, and Rachel was dice box, discordant sounds of instru well this year on the Fraser River Thails are about being married and that Kate was, ments badly played, angry words, and being cut, steamboats are being built on the horrible to relate, in a nunnery oaths too terrible to name. Inner Lakes, and everywhere vast improve Unlike the fur traders, who had every ments are being carried on throughout the [The next part, written across the earlier reason to get on well with the natives, the Interio, missing page, is lost.} new settlers feared and mistrusted them, Farming will bepaying business herefer a and had already taken steps to remove the long time, as witness butter 50cts lb eggs 75 labourers’ wagesfrom 25 to 40 dollars local Songhees village farther from the dozen. Oh fbr a good ducking hen with a the month and boarä a man and his wfr fort. Many settlers had newly arrived from wellfilled nest! can get 50 dollars readit’y A good woman places where the solution to the “Indian Thu will be wanting to know what I have can earn fir more than a man in this problem” had been to eradiacate them al been about this summer 1Vel/ Ihvej?nced 4 country as a general wage. together. acres and have the most of it under crop, I hayejust to close the mail as the schooner Many townspeople were infuriated by principally potatoes, cabbages, turnps. The is waiting in the office opposite my door to what was now an annual migration of potatoes I expect to be able to sellfer 2 1/2 take it on board many hundreds of northern Indians () cts lb. and the other crops in propor (Haidas, Tsimshians, Kwakiutls and tion. [Undecihered sentence here.] PS. Give my kind regardc to all our others) who camped around the fort each Iput in 64 apple trees this spring and they friends. Remember me to your Buffalo winter and spring to trade. Even though are all doing welL Some ofthem are gyown friendc andgive them my condolences too. It their camp was separated from that of the in fat sprouts this spring already was a serious affliction the loss ofsuch nice Songhees, bad blood between the two This is the most bountiful country fer children as theirs. Thu know Jam not likely groups and also the white settlers resulted wild berries in the north they are so beau to relish children much but I had a partic in skirmishes and drunken brawls. t)c4L ular liking Jar these as they were so gentle Amor de Cosmos in The Colonist I have a valuable mineral Salt Spring on andpretty I hope all your fàmi& are well talked darkly about ‘vagrancy, filth, dis my lotfrom which this place has derived its Jammie (sic) must be quite a lad by this ease, drunkenness, larceny, maiming, name. I have named my place Balmor4 time. I hope to be able to pay you a visit in murder [and] prostitutiod’, and advocated and hope to make it afashionable watering five years should I live as LinK By that time a policy which would put an end to the place some day lexpecta RR will bepretty much under way annual migrations. Ihavejust returnedfrom Queensburgh, or connecting this side to the () Eist In May of 1861, as the northern visitors rather New Wistminstei the capital of started on their long journey home, a British Columbia, being situated 15 miles Yours very truly band of about 400 Haidas, in thirty ca from the mouth of the Fraser River It is a Jonathan Begg noes, landed at Beggsvifle on Saltspring very stirringplace. On& oneyear ago since it Island, to camp for the night. In spite of

14 B.C. ifiSTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 remonstrances from the settlers they then brought a volley of rifle fire in response. Among the items recovered was a proceeded to ransack Jonathan Begg’s Metal shields were raised on the Forward, “writing desk with the owner’s name” and store, stripping it of blankets, clothing, and cannons were brought to bear on the it is intriguing to speculate that it might tools, and utensils and food. Haida canoes. A withering fire from the ri have been the very desk on which were When the Haidas had shoved off in flemen on the Forward then raked the written letters of Jonathan Begg of their canoes and continued north, the dis shattered remains of the native canoes, Beggsville, on Saltspring Island, near traught settlers sent an urgent call for help forcing the warriors to take to the woods. Vancouver’s Island, over one hundred and to Governor Douglas in Victoria. When several chiefi had been taken thirty years ago. The gunboat Forward, under hostage, the remaining Haidas surren Lieutenant Robson RN, was soon in hot dered and were disarmed. A large quantity Thm pursuit and caught up with the travelling of pilfered articles was recovered, Wright lives on Salt Spring IslantL He in recogniz.es the local despute band of Haidas near between those who Cape Mudge on cluding saws, hammers, planes, clothing, call the Island Salt Spring and those who favor Quadra Island. blankets and food, and also some naviga the one word Saltspring Canada Post uses two The jeering warriors refused to parley tional instruments from an unknown words; BC Thi just one. W thank Mr. Wrzbt and a cannon shot over their heads simply source. frr sending these chapters previously published in the Gz4fIslands Guardian.

My War Years by Hon. James Harvey

As a member of the Non-permanent in coast gunnery, which is a very different been signalled by the Examination Vessel Active Militia, I was called up for active thing, and he was unfamiliar with Prince to stop the ship, which meant to fire at it service with my unit, the 102nd Coast Rupert, or indeed with the Pacific Ocean. with our six-inch gun. At that range we Battery; on August 26, 1939. Anchored in the harbour was a naval couldnt have missed. The ship would have In late September 1939, I also made my vessel (Examination Vessel) to which in been blown up. I shudder to think of the most important contribution to the war coming vessels were required to report be consequences, particularly as the U.S.A. effort. Barrett Fort, near Prince Rupert, fore proceeding to the inner harbour. It was then an isolationist neutral, at war had not been completed but we had one was manned by naval personnel and com with neither Japan or Germany; of the two six-inch guns in action. These municated with our O.P by flag signals With great good fortune I was able to were the main armaments. In action they and with the Senior Naval Officer (for save the situation, but only by seconds as were armed 100 with lb. armour-piercing merly the Harbour Master) in Prince the 100 pound armour-piercing shell had shells and two bags of high explosive. We Rupert by Morse code. been rammed up the gun barrel, followed also had in action a 6-pounder gun to fire At the bottom of the hill I had noticed by the first bag of cordite. over the bow of a vessel approaching the the approach of a beautiful white Before shouting “STOP”, not the cor inner harbour to it signal to stop. The American cruise ship. It was making its rect word ofcommand but nonetheless ef guns were mounted on top of a hill about last return voyage of the season from fective, I was impressed by the efficiency 400 yards from a temporary construction Alaska, stopping in Prince Rupert, before of the gun crew, whom I had trained. shack used by us as the orderly room, proceeding to Seattle and, of course, was Needless to say, this incident became one pending completion of a permanent well known to me but Joe didnt know the of the best kept secrets of World War II. building on the bill. Meanwhile, there was difference between a friendly cruise ship From this time until after the defeat of no telephone communication between the and a hostile cruiser. Japan the war for me was largely six long orderly room and the Observation Post on With complete innocence the ship had years of boredom, loneliness and frustra the hill. failed to report to the Examination Vessel tion, punctuated by periods of hard work I was the senior officer present at the which then signalled us to fire our six and long hours. My first break was to time. The officer in the Observation Post pounder over its bow. By this time I had wards the end of 1940 when I was ap (O.P) was an elderly officer whom I will started running up the hill. The vessel pointed Staff Captain of the 10th Infantry call Joe, recently posted to our Battery continued to sail on, either not noticing Brigade of the 4th Canadian Infantry from somewhere in the interior. He had the splash of the six-pounder shell, or not Division, an odd appointment for a Coast some training in field gunnery but none recognizing its meaning. We had now defence gunner. The brigade was forming

15 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 at Nanaimo where accommodation was being built. Other regiments joined us as accommodation became available, first the British Columbia Regiment, next the South Alberta Regiment and finally the 16/22nd Saskatchewan Horse. After training there for some months we went to Debert, Nova Scotia, with a brief pe riod in between at the Niagara area. It was originally intended that we would follow the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division over seas but at Debert we were reformed as the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. In the event our departure overseas was delayed until after that of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division. Meanwhile I was posted to Ottawa with the rank of Major, awaiting my atten dance at the Fifth Canadian War Staff Course in Kingston, Ontario, for four months between October 1942 and January 1943. This turned out to be the hardest work I have ever done and I was surprised to survive it with a passing grade. Thereafter I held a variety ofstaffjobs in England, Normandy, Belgium and Holland. By chance I was in London on ME. Day. Against my strong but ineffective objec tions I was next posted to Washington, D.C., with the rank of Lieutenant- Colonel. I was there on MJ. Day. I was then able to resume my law practice in Prince Rupert. I was awarded the M.B.E. for my services in Europe.

Judge Harvey is now retired still living in Prince Rupert His youngest son is Christopher Harvey Q.C., a partner in the firm ofRussell Portrait ofJim Harvey during World War IL and DuMoulin in Vancouvei

A GIFT IDEA Send your order for a Gift Subscription to the BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL NEWS to: Subscription Secretaiy Joel Wnge, RR#2 Si3 C60, Cranbrook, B.C. Vi C 4H3 $12 per year within Canada. $17 to out of country addresses. Price effective to December 31, 1998

16 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS. FaIl 1998 Green Dragons and White Tigers on Gold Mountain: Feng-Shui in Barkerville by Larry Peters

Geomancy: fundamentals: Li Ch’i (arranging ch’i), The art of adapting the residences of which uses a compass to access proper site the living and the dead, so as to co-op locations; although more commonly used erate and harmonize with local currents 294 was a concept called Luan Tou (mountain

of the cosmic breath. . . Chatleys. peak). This philosophy makes use of the topography, hydrology, and vegetation of This sturdy hypothesizes that the the landscape.6 An observable model such Chinese in Barkerville employedfeng-shui, as this is more understandable than the as (sometimes called Geomancy), an ancient 753 trological concept of Li Ch’i’s use of a Chinese art and science, to determine the compass to position humanity in the location of the Chinese graveyards at both cosmos advantageously. The positioning Stanley and Richfield. The methodology of dwellings within the natural configura of this study is to first provide a brief his tion ofthe earth’s surface to take advantage tory and model outlining the parameters of shelter and natural resources concerns of feng-shui, which translates literally as 61 8 anyone who has ever built a house. To “wind and water” and its use to place hu avoid any confusion, this paper will refer manity in harmony with nature; and them to both as Feng-Shui. formulate a conclusion by studying the There are four major requirements for cultural landscape of Chinatown in belief is the concept of feng-shui, the an an ideal feng-shui site: First, the topog Barkerville. It will examine: artifacts re cient Chinese art of placement. The belief raphy should be smooth in form and out trieved at the site relating to use offing is that the “universe is composed of invis line. Rough mountains, chasms, steep de shui; Chinese architecture at Barkervile ible, shapeless, and untouchable currents clivities and difficult terrain that exert evil and its position in the environment; and of energy called Ch’i” (dragon’s breath). forces should be avoided. Straight lines of finally, the burial sites’ topographical rela This ch’i forms the source of all life, water ways, mountain ranges, roads, rail tionships within the natural environment. linking the universe together as one.3 The ways and other natural and human fea The Chinese who came to Barkerville in earth itself is seen as a living entity (the tures should not point to the tomb site as the 1860s, like the occidentals, came dragon). When the dragon breathes it cre these will disturb the quiet repose of in dreaming of gold, hoping not only to gain ates yang, or positive energy Resting cre habitants.7 The reasoning is that ancient individual wealth, but trying also to in ates yin, a negative or passive force which spirits travel in straight lines, but would crease their family’s wealth and good for works together, (not opposed as in western become lost on a winding path. Secondly, tune. They brought with them an ancient thought) to form all life. Proof of this en water courses should be open to view from set of beliefs, with origins predating the ergy is manifested in chains of mountains. site. Water is the symbol ofwealth and in Han dynasty’ (202 BC-AD 221), that Careful community planning in relation fluence and sites set where streams con they imposed upon the natural landscape to ch’i, is seen as beneficial to the inhabi verge gather ch’i thereby increasing the of the Cariboo in an attempt to achieve tants of dwellings and future generations.4 good fortune.8 The third parameter relates this goal. This religion, the fifth largest Since the Chinese miners came to to feng-shui. Nature is a living organism recognized belief system in the world, Barkerville to increase their families’ good that breathes. When it moves, its breath sometimes called Chinese folk religion, fortune, they would not have jeopardized produces the yang or male energy when it was a mixture of the teachings of this by Euiling to carefully consider where rests it produces the Yin or female energy ConfIicius, Tao and Buddha. It reflected to bury friends and kin unfortunate Yin and Yang interact and produce all the ideals of the Chinese people: poly enough to die before returning home.5 forms of existence on earth. Mountain theism, Yin and Yang theoty divination, Parameters of the Model chains are indications of the life giving en filial and ancestor worship.2 Central to this The feng-shui model exhibits two main ergies of Ch’i. The “Green Dragon” is

17 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 symbolized by the higher mountain, tool used for divination of sites by the ge dragons. Upon arriving at the designated where all yang energy originates; while the omancer. Joseph Needham has traced the site, he found the landscape contained lower range is beheld as the “White Tiger” origin of the compass, developed in only eight mountains. Becoming despon and represents the feminine or yin energy9 China, as far back as the fourth century dent, he threw himself into the sea, forget Fourth, a well-drained slope of a domi BC, but he contends its primaty purpose ting that as Emperor, he constituted the nant mountain is necessaiy where these was for Geomancy not navigation.’5 ninth dragon.2° two forces interact vigorously and are kept The elite ofthe Han Dynasty developed Is there any evidence that the Chinese in in constant harmony. Such a site, with an a cult of “centrality” with the sacred Barkerville actually used feng-shui in the abundance of streams and commanding number five, involving the study of as construction of their community? Would view of the water and valley is an ideal lo tronomy, numerology and geography. the Chinese, considering themselves tem cation for a tomb, 10 Topographically such Like other civilizations they needed to porary residents in the Cariboo, discard a site has the dragon mountain running place themselves at the center of the uni established beliefs for a short time? One out to the left and the tiger mountain out verse, in order to regulate their realms. flictor that compounds the problem of de of the right forming an armchair or horse The Middle kingdom of China was seen termining whether feng—shui contributed shoe configuration opening to the South as the center of the inhabited world con in the construction of a building is that and containing a stream.” Variation in sisting of nine provinces, and that China many of the same conditions feng-shui topography can make this model quite was one of the nine continents. These nine seeks to address such as orientation to complex. If possible, sites should be situ continents formed one central mountain, wind, sun, and view are the concerns of ated as to obtain three-fifths yang and called Kunlun, known as the universe.’6 every builder. A person unaware of feng two-fifths yin. In order to achieve the de This belief known as “centerquest” shui, may mistake various features of ar sired balance, the geomancer’s main tool, manifests itself in the study of nu chitecture, believing the builders to be the compass, makes use of the hexagrams merology Taking the form of the magic merely pragmatic in their approach to of! Ching, as well as lunar cycles, cardinal square of three and viewed as proof that construction. Neville Ritchie in studying points, and days ofyear.’2 Some compasses nature intended man to be at the center of the Chinese miners in New Zealand’s gold are so complex that they contain forty the 7universe.’ (see page 17) rush of the same time period concludes levels of information around the heaven This combination of numbers provided that it is “unlikely that the Chinese would pool (center of the compass containing certain proofs such as: the sum of any have neglected their deeply entrenched the needle.)’ In the graveyard, the heads combination of numbers, horizontally, notions of feng-shut.”2’ Ritchie extrapo of the deceased should point northward, vertically, or diagonally totals fifteen. That lates this theory upon the American and the graveyard entrance should be number is divisible by the center five; the Chinese immigrant as well. from the South; although, if this is im product of which is three, the base A Survey of Barkerville’s Architecture practical, measures such as planting trees number of the square. One can see there A comparison of the feng-shui model or building mounds of earth can divert or are many such combinations possible and the location of the graveyards at trap the ch’i as needed, in a beneficial way from this configuration. The ancient Stanley and Richfield, combined with a if all parameters cannot be met. Chinese saw them as proof of man’s place survey of surviving artifacts, and the re History of Feng Shui in the perfect balance of the universe. maining architecture in Barkerville, To properly understand Chinese culture Coincidentally, the eight numbers sur should reveal if Chinese miners did prac in Barkerville, an exploration of the ori rounding the five also correspond with the tice feng-shui in their daily lives. gins of Feng-shui is necessaly While this eight hexagrams of I Ching surrounding Most popular contemporary works sug paper is not the proper venue to explore the heaven pooi or center of the universe.’8 gest the Chinese miners’ segregation to the fully such a diverse subject, a brief These ideas remained sacred until the southend of town as a result of racism.22 overview tracing ideas central to this belief Sung dynasty (AD 960-1279) when This paper contends that the miners’ con should help to understand it. Confucian philosophy underwent a pro sciously chose to live there and actually The origin of feng-shui is unclear. found change in medieval China. preferred the location over the lower flatter Research suggests that feng-shui pre-dates Centerquest then became a more secular sections of Barkerville. This is not to sug the Han dynasty It is probable the idea’s and popularized theory with common gest that racism did not exist, it did, but is roots originate with Taoist naturalists people, who viewed it as an available av offered to suggest another possibility ex seeking harmony and balance with nature enue to increase their own wealth and for plaining the location of “Chinatown” attempting to improve agricultural condi tune.’9 Feng-shui was so popular it became within the community If the Chinese tions. What is certain, is that feng-shui entrenched into the mythology of the miners held to the ideals of feng-shui as long pre-dates the age of Neo-Confucians Chinese. The name Kowloon (Nine suggested by Ritchie, then one can sur (circa 12th-i 8th centuries) who popular Dragons) alludes to a tale of the last Sung mise that the south-end ofthe community ized it and employed it as a means of dynasty emperor. While fleeing the in would be a desirable place to live. The urban planning and social conttol.’4 As vading Mongols, a seer advised the em construction of traditional Chinese cities stated earlier, the compass was the main peror to seek a land in the South with nine follows a strict pattern, displaying a hierar

18 B.C. IUSTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 chical power structure along a north-south tablet called a Tai San Shui Kan to deflect Chinese into historic context. A connec axis. The markets anchor the north end of bad ch’i. Since this tablet aligns with the tion between the “nine mountains” and the axis and the southern urban area is re main entrance it is possibly meant to ad the “three Gods” could suggest devotion served for royalty23 In the Chinese mind, just or deflect bad ch’i.28 to either a cult of centrality or the myth of the position where the royalty resides re In order to maximize the effects offeng Kowloon or both. Regardless of what is ceives the most beneficial ch’i; therefore shui on a building it is necessary to con signified, a connection between the signs that area of any urban area would be first sider the alignment of structures with the and the landscape of the Barkerville area is choice when considering their habitation magnetic lines of force. Nearly all build visible. The translation links the belief and site. Add to this idea, the fact that the ings in Barkerville face the street in an importance of the physical and mytholog south-end of Barkerville constitutes the east-west configuration, but there are two ical landscape to the three Gods: Lao, high ground (elevation) of the commu Chinese buildings that display a different Confucius, and Buddha,35 thereby pro nity creating a favorable position ac orientation. One is the Lowhee toolshed, viding strong evidence that the Chinese in cording to feng-shui theory,24 and you can and the other is Trapper Dan’s Cabin Barkerville practiced feng-shui. see how the concepts of feng-shui work in named after Chan Fong who died in the The Graveyards At Stanley and the favor of the Chinese in Barkerville. 1950s. Measurements indicate the walls of Richfield This elevated position generated several Trapper Dan’s cabin align precisely along The main argument of this hypothesis is complaints concerning sanitation from the magnetic lines of force in a north- similarity in the topography of the the occupants of the lower, northern sec south axis.29 The building’s south &cing Chinese graveyards at Stanley and tion of town. entrance opens into a single room Richfield. Stanley a small ghost town Just as location within the landscape dwelling. The building is rectangular in about twenty kilometers west of holds significance for the Chinese in shape, measuring five meters long and Barkerville started in 1861 when gold was Barkerville, the position within a building four meters wide,° a size and shape found. Very little of Stanley now remains can influence fortune. Environments as common for the bunkhouse style housing that would suggest the large Chinese com large as the universe or as small as a room of Chinese miners.31 Ritchie suggests in his munity that lived there. The only re fit the feng-shui model. The consideration study that these dimensions were favoured maining evidence is the depression in the of a building’s location and structural de by the miners for good feng-shui. Before ground marking the now exhumed graves sign, in an urban setting is called ba-gua. Chan Fong purchased this building its of the Chinese. In 1959 the Chinese This is a concept where doors, windows, main use was that of a Chinese hospice Benevolent Society located and exhumed sleeping quarters, and offices all take on house, a hospital where old men came to the graves of Chinese individuals to return importance in the architecture. Any en die. It may be the design of the building to their homes for burial alongside their trance is symbolic of the North, the source was intended to provide maximum bene ancestors. Could the empty graves reveal of killing ch’i and is best avoided. The po ficial ch’i either to prolong the lives of the anything about Chinese Culture in sition of power in a building is in the left residents or to ease their suffering and se Barkerville? Will the graveyard conform to hand rear in relation to the entrance. If a cure good feng-shui in death.4 the given paradigm? The exhumation left person’s bed or office is too close to the One other building, the Chui Kung clearly defined depressions in the ground door there will be too much disrupting T’ang deserves some scrutiny in this dis orienting the sites of the graves. Compass ch’i thereby reducing good fortune.25 cussion of feng-shui, and connects readings reveal that the graves at both sites Observations of the architecture in Barkerville with the numerology discussed align along a north-south axis.37 The Barkerville confirm such features do exist earlier. Lily Chow states in her book graveyards exhibit similar patterns of in in the Chinese structures.26 Structures Sojourners in the North, “the Chee terment except that two of the exhumed such as the Kwong Sang Wing Store (circa Kung Tong assumed the role of preserving graves in the Stanley site align along an 1890) and the representations of the Wa and promoting the Chinese beliefs in east-west axis. As no records exist one can Lee and Yan War stores demonstrate the Barkerville,” that since the Chee Kung only assume that the people who buried concepts of feng-shui withing a building; Tong building is the only Chinese struc them were either not Chinese or if they each contains an office or storage room at ture now displaying original signs and were Chinese, they had become so accul the back ofthe building.27 The Kwong Lee given the assumed role, the translation of turated into Wester tradition as to have ‘Wing Kee Co. Manager’s residence (circa the signs given in Wright’s book lost their own culture. Both of these grave 1901) is an excellent example of a house Barkerville take on new meaning when sit inside the fenced off section containing designed with good feng-shui. The man placed in context of feng-shui. The two Caucasian graves and align east-west like ager’s bedroom occupies the position of blue banners on the outside of the the graves ofWhite residents. power. A small wooden tablet on the wall building read “Outside, nine mountains The topography of both sites bears a of the kitchen flices the front entrance. An lie beautifully verdant” and “Inside the striking resemblance to the armchair inscription written on the tablet translates temple, three Gods are solemnly seated.” model as well. The Stanley site sits on a roughly as the “The Dragon’s Breath.” It This translation places the importance of south-&cing slope of Dragon Mountain was common to place a stone or wooden myth and ancient beliefs of Barkerville’s with a slightly lower mountain running

19 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998

20 Fall 1998 NEWS B.C. ifiSTORICAL -

The and the universe. world in lationships

re of

set

an in

ever-expanding

chologically

psy and a both place, physically created

feng-shul (North America), Mountain

came Gold to the Chinese When universe.

the place of within our understanding

some all we seek ideas differently, similar

express cultures different While humanity

to vely is place important of idea The

Conclusion

purposes. quasi-magical

for used One compass. a is geomancer’s

18. lbid.p.219.

1987.

Sprirsg West vol.7,

Canadians

Barkes’ville. Chinatown,

-

17. lbid.p.218 this one, the wooden small like pocket a in

1993.

Quarters B.C.: Winter D,aorao Wright, Ridsard. Barkerville,

P.

219. 1991).

U.S.A.:

Quest

Ill.

1989. & Shunter, Tnmnrn: Sioson Invention. and Discovery,

be to carried

compass a

not This Swan. is (Wheaton. Janses eel. points. Power Place, of The and

Korea”,

China

Science, of 3000

Years China, of

Genius Robert. The Tensple,

J. in Tradiriossal Astrology Terrestrial as

“Fnrg-shssi

Nemeth, 16. David

1991. Quest U.S.A.:

the compass of graduations finer ignating

151.

III. ed. Swan. (Wlsraross,

Place, Jnnses

Power

The Geomaocy,’ of

p.

Shusrer, 1989), & Sissoss

(Torcosto: end

Discovery, Invention,

Shui The the of’Feng Art des James. Dragon: ‘Befriessdisg of Swan. graduations, levels several includes

of Science, Years 15. Chinat Genius of The 3000

Tensple, Robert

1983. Dssrron, p.

1991),

219, Quest

U.S.A.: Ill.

but

compass

the

smaller on

tion

displayed

(New An York: Placement. of Chinese

The Sarah. Ftog-Shui

Rosnbad,,

(Whearon. Swan, James eel. of Power Place, The and Korea”,

China

1993. Baywond. Yvrk:

J.

in

Traditional Astrology Trrrevtrsal as

“Fr.srg.shni Nenseth, 14. David

the

all

informa

contains

It

more complex.

(New Prisilla Wegerv. Ed. Chinese, the of Overseas Anchacology

P.

59

1962,

Press,

Heritage Historical Zealand.

‘Hidden New Southern

irs

University

Cambridge (London: Thought, of

Scientific and History is larger other The direction. finding

Dwellissgs Miners’ Century Chinese Nissereessth and

“Form Adaprarion:

2. Chins in Volnme

Civilisanou and Scrence Nredham, 13. Joseph

1986.

P. for

solely

been

used

have could 219. and

1991), device Quest U.S.A.: Ill.

Zealand. Otagn. of New University Thrsis, Pssblished PhD.

Zealand.

(Whearon,

Swan. James Place, ed. and of The Power Korea”,

Clsina

New in Clsinese History &

of Asseheology Neville. The Ritchie,

a

is simple

and hexagrams, Ching I the J. in Traditional Terrestrial as Astrology

Nemeth, 12. David “Fra,g.shni

1993.

II.

Ibid.

Baywnod, York: Ed. (New Prisilla Wegers. Overseas the points Chinese. the cardinal contains that device

Ibid. 10.

of Anchuenlugy Hintnrir,.l Heritagr

“Hidden Idaho Salmnrs River.

9,

Ibid.

folding wooden

small a pool.

One, Lower the Use along heaven vlChioese Evidence David. “Arclsaeological Sinson.

1974.

Decen*,er 4

1991. Quest U.S.A.:

Ill.

64

No. voL

America,. Geographers. of of Association

the Amsraals

the

surrounding

hexagrams I Ching

Wlsestnn, by Swan, edited Jaisses Place, Power Korea”, of The and

Locarioss odes” a an Model “A

Shui

Feng 8.

Lai,

he-a David Chuen-Yan

J.

Clsina in Traditiossal Terrestrial

as Astrology

David “Fr’ng-shrsi

Nenrerls,

1974.

December 4 the with complete compasses,

mancer’s

1962.

Press, Causbridgr Ussiversiry Londnn: Scientific

Thooght, of

64 voL

No.

Amerur.ao

Geographers. of d.c of Association Amsnals

.H.nno.y 2. Chins

Volume and Civilisation in jvrepls. Science Nredl,ans.

geo. pair a of a Locasioo compasses, as SIsal loden” Model ‘A 7. Lai, small Ring Davsd

are two Clsssers-Yao

1974.

Decensber

1994.

Illinois Clsan:paign. Urbana

No.4. vol. 6 4. Geographers. Americ.aas of of Association

there

Actually compass. geomancer’s small Illsnois, of

Univerv:sy

Architecture Landscape of

Thesis. Deparrmessr

Annals a Loarion

odes” as Ring Model “A Slsui David.

Lai,

Cisuen-Yan

Manreet

Landscape” Unpublished and

‘Feng-shui Han,

6. Ke-Tssnsg

1950.

[‘tess. University N.).: Prisscetoss Prissceton, a is Willselns Richard cabinet a display in hidden partly and

p.

660. 1986.

Trans.

I or Changes.” of to Book Ching “Foreword The Jung,

Carl.

New

Zealand, Orago. of

University PhD. Thesis. Psrblishesl

Zealand,

in behind

Pushed museum. Chinese 1990. the West, Frarscisco:

m New 5. Chmese of &

History The Anrheology Neville,

Rirdsie

Saa Geography, Hudan, Cultural Lloyd Riclsard.,

and Jackson.

p.

359. 1962), Press,

in

Treasurers of Small room the in found

(3)

23 1996. vol. E.nvirom.vent,

University Cambridge

(London:

Thought, of

Scientific History

Landscape”. in Fvs:g-Shui of Study Empirical

Nan.

K.e-Tsvssg. “Ass

2.

Chins m Volume

Ckeilisaao.s Science ansI

Needham,

jasepls 4. is of evidence piece

That

of feng-shui.

19%.

B.C.: George. CarEs, Prince the

North, Las Sojourners Lily Chow,

(3)

p.

23 36-49.

19%, vol.

Environments,

use in the Landscape’. with of

Study clues Feng-Slssai 3. together Empirical “Ass disparate

Han, Ke-Tsnng these

BIBLIOGRAPHY

p. 399. 1990), West, Francisco:

tie

to

evidence concrete some is (San needed Geography, Cultural Hudan, Lloyd Jackson, 2. Richard

P.

218. 1991), Quest

U.S.A.: Ill.

1950). p.sxiv. Press. Ussiversiry is What coincidental. as

be

mistaken just

(Wheaton, ed. James Swats. Place.

of Power The and Korea”.

China

N.J.:

Princeton (Prirsceroo, by

Willselnt,

Richard Translated

J.

in

Traditional

Astrology Terrestrial as

“Feog-shni

Nemerh, I.

I)avid

could of provided

Clsnasges.’ 39. to Book Chiog I evidence or The “Foreword Jsng. Carl the topographical

P.

39 1983), Duttos, York:

F0OTNOrES

and

the architectural separately, Taken (New of Placement, 38. An Chinese The

Rossbach. Feasg-Sh.u Sarah

37. sores. Fseld

site. the

just

below

Creek

p. 135.

this of readers magazine. with his research

1993).

Winter

Qnarrrrv (Duncan

B.C.: Wright, 36. Barkerviile. Richard

William’s with converges creek share to smaller Peters encouraged Kelm Ellen D,’ Mary

p. 97.

1993). Winter (Dsnsc.an Quarters 35. B.C.: Barlcerville, Riclsard Wriglst, instructor B.C. His Northern of

the University a and

to the East by runs Creek William’s

Fosg sound hospital. the lot

the Pissg Tai elsat said

407

at

History in student a was

The

author

has was Wright hospital

sn. the to bssildiog as whicls West Canadian site. 38 feng-shui a good for needed

and

Wright

between oposcon sn is There

dslference sore. 34. Authors

P.

39 1987. Spring Went 33. configuration -v.(7) Canadian classic

armchair Barkerville, Chinatown. the forming

32. Ibid.

mountain Tiger the White p. become tains CarlJungl9 366.

1993). (New Baywood, Wegers, York:

Prisilla Ed.

Chinese,

Overseas the

of Aathaeolugy Historical

structure.

hysical chop moun three of the

lowest

the

Mountain Heritage

Zealand”, Hidden New Southern in Miners’ Dwellings

p.y

Chirrese

Century Nineteenth

Adaptation:

and 31.

“Form Rirdsie, Neville

decidediy a is world the

of model his

Conklin

while left, to the out running

30.

Ibid.

Ibid. 29. that deny cannot who

plysicist, modern the Dragon Green the of the role assumes tam

01-07-97. notes. obtained Field

28.

of that to comparable way a

01.07-97. sores.

obtaissed in cosmos 27. the Field Barkerville Barkerville. rounding

01.07-97.

obtained

stores, 26. Field

contemplates mind Chinese

ancient p. The sur 208. mountains 1991), U.S.A.: the

Quest three of highest

III. eel. Swan, (Whearon, James Power Place. of The Geomancy.”

tigers.

white

and

the Mountain, Richfield on sits graveyard Slsui Air The 25. of’Feng Dragon:

she Swan James “Befriending

p.

1996), 71.

dragons

saw

they green

them,

rounding The

Barkerville.

above

Gulch Stout’s

Catlin. B.C.: George, North, (Prince

las Chow. Sojourners 24. sht Lsly

P.

84.

Dsrrrnn, 1983). York:

sur

mountains

snow-covered

the at

gazed

overlooking

north faces

except

Stanley it

(New of Art

Placement, Chinese The Rossbads, 23. FengShoi Sarah

p. 71 .

1996), they When the universe.

in place their in as the way same the in

presented

model

B.C.: (Prince Carliss, George,

In Nortl.,

the Sojourner.

22. Chow. Lily

p.

secure were 366. differences, awo,1993), Baywood, York:

(New and cultural Wegers, guage the fits Richfield at graveyard The

Ed. Prisilla Chinese. tire

Overseas of Aanl.aeology

Historical

lan

by community main the from gated Heritage valley Hidden New the Zealand”, Southern in Dwellings

Miners’ through that runs Creek

Clsinese Century Ninereenrls and 21. “Form Neville Adaptation: Ritchie,

segre landscape,

hostile and

frigid a in

Lighming of view a site has The the p. right. 34. 1983), Duttors, York:

(New

Ant Chinese The

Placement, Rossbach, 20. of Feug.Shui Sarah

life

from

civilized isolated miners, to Chinese range lower even an and the left out to

IS. Ibid,p.2l6. Vancouverc Forgotten Entrepreneurs: Women Who Ran Their Own Schook byJean Barman

In Canada, as elsewhere, the business Vancouver’s beginnings at least through world was long considered a man’s game. the Second World War have been for the L The qualities associated with being an en most part forgotten. They themselves, by trepreneur - to use a dictionary definition, their necessary duplicity; almost wholly “a person who organizes and manages any determined that they would not be per enterprise, esp. a business, usually with ceived as entrepreneurs either contempo considerable initiative and risk,”2 - are not raneously or in retrospect. Women’s suc the qualities long associated with being a cess depended on not being found out, in woman. Vancouver may have been espe not appearing to be what they in fact cially entrepreneurial among Canadian were.4 cities in being shaped by single individ If any field of entrepreneurial activity uals, as suggested in R.A.J. McDonald’s was amenable to female initiative, it had to Jessie Gordon. Making Vancouver.3 Among the best be education. State-run, free, nondenomi Photo courtesy of Croftort House School. known of those taking a chance on the national public schools were established were perceived to need in order to be good young city in the hope of making a living soon after British Columbia’s entry into wives and mothers. Female teachers were and, if possible a very good living, were the Canadian confederation in 1871, but often preferred in the public system, and the Oppenheimer brothers in real estate, the law said absolutely nothing about pri by the early twentieth century came to B.T Rogers in sugar, Henry 0. Bell-Irving vate alternatives.5 All that was necessary dominate its lower levels. On the other in salmon canning, WH. Malkin and was that each British Columbian be hand, that was about the extent of it. Robert Kelly in wholesaling, Charles somehow educated. Such an arrangement Women were expected to dabble for a few Woodward in retail, and so on. Such a list then remained virtually unchanged for years in anticipation of marriage as op can easily be continued down to the pre over a century, until 1978 when private posed to making teaching their life’s work. sent day, and be it Vancouver or some schools were offered ongoing financial as Sufficient information survives in oral other part of Canada will be almost sistance in exchange for adhering to cer or written form to profile half a dozen of wholly comprised of men. Still today, tain general guidelines in accord with the these entrepreneurial ventures. The por when you look in the Globe and Mail at public school system. traits of women who ran their own the announcements of appointments to Thus, for over a century in British schools, which are based so far as possible major business positions across Canada, it Columbia the business of running a pri in their own voices or the voices of those is mosdy the faces of men who peer back vate school, be it for children, youth, or who know them, divide into three pairs, at you. adults, was quintessentially entrepre in a roughly chronological sequence from A consequence has been that women neurial. As one woman head put it to me, Vancouver’s beginnings through the who were entrepreneurs could not under “anything could go on in schools.”6 Unlike Second World War. The first two are what any circumstances allow themselves to be the public system whose upper bureau might be conceived as genteel entrepre perceived as such. They had to live a con cracy and teaching force quickly became neurs, the second collegial entrepreneurs, tradiction. Their success depended on ap controlled by men, any person could and the third entrepreneurs of necessity; pearing to be what they were not. The begin a school, advertise as they would, Then comes the nutty question of succes qualities of refinement and gentility and and hope that enough individuals would sion, of what happened when women deference associated with being a woman be enticed there to make a go of it. This running their own schools decided they had to remain front and centre for them uncontrolled speculation in people’s lives had had enough. While this was a serious to maintain the reputation essential to the constituted, in many ways, the consum dilemma for any founding entrepreneur, it success of a business venture. A man could mate, perhaps the ultimate, business ad was particularly so for women, most of be, and likely was expected to be, aggres venture. And it was one in which women whom were single and so without the di sive, tough, hard-nosed, but these were the did have an advantage growing out of the rect biological heirs possessed by many of very same qualities that for a woman broad based acceptance of teaching as one their male counterparts in the business would have spelled disaster. It is in good of the few occupations considered to be world. The sequences of events around part for this reason that the women who “woman like” because it encouraged the succession suggests yet another reason why did become successful entrepreneurs from nurturing attributes which young women these early Vancouver entrepreneurs have

21 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 been largely forgotten. Granville School.’6 wards English Bay”22 The building, to GENTEEL ENTREPRENEURS Then Jessie Gordon gambled, at what serve both as school and as residence for The first two women, while very dif she later termed “a crucial moment” in the Gordon sisters, was equipped with the ferent, share a common impetus to entre Vancouver’s history, in a fashion as entre most modern conveniences, both electric preneurship in the Klondike gold rush on preneurial an many men of the day’7 In lighting and central heating, at a total cost 1898. Although Vancouver never became 1898, amidst the Klondike euphoria, the of $7,000, a huge amount for the time.23 as important as Seattle to the south, it was twenty-five-year old Jessie, assisted by her Ethel Wilson personified the accomplish also a gateway seemingly destining the city sisters Edith and Mary; opened “a school ment: “This was Crofton House, a real for success. Jessie Gordon and Eveline for young ladies,” enrolling just four girls school with a real name and real boarders

Richards each grasped the opportunity to in the basement of the family home at upstairs, and monitors and uniforms and - become their own person.8 To do so they 1219 Georgia Street in the West end.’8 later on - prefects. Secretly I felt a slight had perforce to give up important aspects The very first ad in the News-Advertiser uneasy grandeur about this fine new of their personal lives, including what was the soul of discretion: “Miss Gordon, name. Crofton House. As for me, I still were likely numerous opportunities for late of Newnham College, Cambridge, went to Miss Gordon’s School.”24 marriage, but in those years it was virtually has vacancies for pupils after Easter. Terms Jessie Gordon had gambled and come inevitable that this would be the necessary on application.” One of her early stu up a winner, surely the mark of a suc trade off for any genteel entrepreneur. dents was the future novelist Ethel cessful entrepreneur, but she soon lost one JESSIE GORDON Wilson, whose recollections capture what ofher main supports. At this point in time Of pioneer Vancouver women who ran were clearly some of the attributes al no question existed but that a married their own schools, the name most likely to lowing Jessie Gordon to be at one and the woman’s place was in the home; to run a come to mind is the indomitable “Miss same time an exemplar and an entrepre school like this, however genteel one Gordon,” as Jessie Gordon was always neur. “It seems to me that, to begin with, might be, it was absolutely essential to be known.9 The founder of Crofton House, a there were about eight pupils at the single. And so, according to an early stu large private girls’ school which endures school, perhaps more. Then quickly dent, “When forming the school Miss very successfully to the present day, she has twelve of us, and so on and on. Miss Jessie, Miss Mary and Miss Edith made a taken on the stuff of myth. Gordon, who was fair and pretty and pact. That was to always stay together and Jessie Gordon came to Vancouver at the young, did most of the teaching herself; never to marry.”25 Then one day Jessie age of thirteen, arriving with her parents and a good deal of it was done in so small Gordon appeared with what this student and six siblings on the new railroad in a school by the method of sitting down recalled as ‘\‘ery red eyes and halting 1886.’° The family settled in Mount beside a pupil and ‘showing her how,’ and voice,” and “it later came out that Miss Pleasant cottage, and Jessie and her sister a very good and kindly method it was.. Edith had broken the pact and become

Mary walked across the bridge to Schenley .Perhaps the most important things that engaged. . . . We all suffered with Miss House School, where their classmates in were taught at Miss Gordon’s School were Jessie.”26 Edith Gordon married in 1904, cluded the daughters of some of the new not mentioned in the curriculum at all. but Mary spent her life assisting Jessie with city’s leading families.” Two years later, They were, I think integrity; considera domestic arrangements to do with about the time that their father helped tion, and simple good manners, and they boarders and school finances.27 found one ofVancouver’s first newspapers, were taught more by example than by pre Even with sibling assistance a business the News-Advertiser, the Gordons, in cept. We did not all learn these things, Im the size of Crofton House was no easy cluding Jessie now aged fifteen, returned sure; but certainly Miss Gordon, Miss matter, as Elizabeth Bell-Irving O’Keily to England so the daughters could get a Edith and Miss Mary taught them to has shown in her history of the school.28 proper education and their ill mother us.”2° The qualities necessary for success were in could die at home.’2 Jessie then studied for Three years later Jessie Gordon took an many ways the antithesis of the crafty two years at Newnham College, even greater risk. Borrowing money from business strategies associated with male Cambridge University; to get a teaching her English aunts, she bought a piece of entrepreneurship. Crofton House did dis credential,’3 just before which she lived in land on the southwest corner of Nelson creetly advertise with an annual residences known as the Crofton and Jervis, then at the edge of the forest prospectus, as well in the newspaper. The Cottages.’4 By the time Jessie followed her but also, as she would later explain, strate 1913 prospectus lauded its headmistress family back to Vancouver in 1894, her fa gically sited “on the brow of the hill over as: “Miss Gordon, Newnham College, ther’s economic situation had turned looking English Bay and Stanley Park in Cambridge; Registered Teacher’s sour.’5 So, after acting as governess to the the highest and healthiest position of the Registration Council, London; Bell-Irving daughters, Jessie attended the west end of town.2’ As Jessie’s sister Mary Cambridge Higher Honours Certificate’ new Vancouver high school to acquire the later recalled, “Nelson street at that time First-Class Teacher’s Certificate from the knowledge necessary to pass the provincial was just a lane with dandelions growing in Education Department of the Province.”29 teaching examination, and taught for a profusion along its borders, bush on both The prospectus included fees, and in 1913 time under Mademoiselle Kern at sides, and only one house below us to- it cost about $100 a term for board, and

22 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 $25 for tuition with additional fees of the conduct of a business school, where $10-16 for piano or drawing,3° meaning the youngsters of the day could learn that, with about 175 girls enrolled, over typing, business writing and the things $10,000 a quarter flowed through the which were deemed necessary to business school.31 By the standards of the day then.37 Eveline Richards’ father returned Crofton House was no mean enterprise, home alone whereas she, at first with “just and Jessie Gordon no mean entrepreneur. a little handful ofstudents,” continued her EVELINE RICHARDS entrepreneurial adventure38 Up to that The second school to come out of the time, the only institutions bearing the Klondike gold rush was as different as dif Pitman name were run by the Pitman ferent could be from Crofton House, family, but her father persuaded his old however much the two were joined by the friend to make an exception so that hers tenacity of their founders. The outward became the only independent Pitman’s uniqueness of Pitman Business College lay anywhere in the world.39 in its aura of association with the very Pitman Business College was, from the popular Pitman system of shorthand, but onset, Eveline Richards’ gamble. As put by its less visible strength was its genteel en her niece Virginia Richards Bazilli, “she trepreneur. In reality the two were closely ran it, trained the teachers, and ran the Eveline Richards. Photo courtesy of Virginia Richards Bazilli. linked. Eveline Richards’ father had been business.. . she rented the building, paid both a friend and student of Sir Issac the stafE totally in charge, didn’t have a months, or maybe eleven months.” In ad Pitman, who in the late 1830s in England bookkeeper.”4° Eveline Richards was aged dition, “there were quite a few men taking invented a new phonetic system of short just twenty-two when she began Pitman bookkeeping” and some being trained as hand that quickly became extraordinarily Business College, but she caught a wave, court reporters. Small classes, “a lot of one popular around the world.32 From the age so to speak. The young city ofVancouver to one,” and a night school twice a week of twelve Eveline took shorthand dictation boomed in the early years of the century, made it possible for a very diverse student from her father and then transcribed it on and Eveline prospered. As her niece ex body to complete their preferred program that other great secretarial innovation of plained, “every Vancouver woman up to and get out into the workforce. Pitman’s the day, the typewriter. At the age of six the Second World War had three choices: was, according to Eveline Richards’ niece, teen she won a prize for all of Britain as Vancouver General to become a nurse, “known to the employers of Vancouver,” most proficient in shorthand, and soon Vancouver Normal to become a teacher, who were “always phoning her” for thereafter graduated from a technical or go to Pitman’s.” prospective staff school with a certificate as a teacher of the At first Eveline Richards taught just In 1931, by which time several thou

Pitman system.33 three subjects - shorthand, typing and sand students had passed through Pitman In 1898, Eveline Richards’ father and bookkeeping,41 but by 1905 Pitman’s was Business College, about two-thirds of cousin took her with them on a ship they advertising itself as “the only Telegraphic them women, Eveline Richards shared her had chartered with about sixty others to School in the province that has success- positive business philosophy with a male travel around the southern tip of South hilly trained operators for the Canadian reporter: “Keep sticking! Just keep America on a grand scheme to set up a Pacific Railway and the Cable Co.”42 sticking, no matter what happens. Never steamship line servicing the Klondike gold Growth brought larger premises, in 1905 give up. When you make your plan just

rush.34 On arriving in Vancouver they conveniently opposite the Hotel stay right with it through thick and thin - heard stories about how rough and ready Vancouver,43 and in 1930 Eveline through adversity and success. If the plan the Yukon was, and the men persuaded Richards opened a branch at the corner of is one which will help other people to their sole female passenger to stay be Broadway and Granville, which eventually greater happiness you are bound to win hind.35 The head of a local law firm became the school’s main premises. The out. You just can’t fail!”4 Yet, as with Jessie somehow found out about her skills, and passage of time also meant a greater range Gordon at Crofton House, there was a persuaded her to instruct some young of classes, which eventually encompassed trade-off for such genteel entrepreneurs. women to work in his office so that, by office procedures, business English, busi Outwardly, Eveline Richards was what her the time her father returned to Vancouver ness machines, receptionist skills, and niece has characterized as an “English gen later in 1898 after the ship had gone on manners for dealing with the public. To tlewoman” who “never lost her English ac the rocks to pick up his daughter for the quote her niece: “It was a college that was cent.” She was “very composed, quiet, soft return trip home to England, he found grooming people more than just training spoken,” and also perforce a single her hard at work.6 As she later recalled to them” There was a nine-month secretarial woman. As summed up by her niece, “she an interviewer, “she just commenced get course, but one in which students, almost was married to the college, and that was ting busy and doing a little pioneering on all of whom were female, “would go at an the only way that the place survived, it was her own account” and “launched forth in individual pace, so [it took) maybe six not an eight-hour-a-day, five-day-a-week

23 B.C. IUSTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 job.” As put by Eveline Richards herself in finer city in which to live.”’ The practical when her soldier fiance in the medical 1931, after over four decades in charge, consequence may have been even greater corps was killed one week before the 1918

“my school is my life, it is my romance - success, for, to quote her niece once again, armistice by a wounded German to whom for what greater romance could one ask “all students loved her and the staff were he had offered a canister of water.52 Alice than those years of helping others to hap devoted to her.” Eveline Richards took Keenleyside worked for a time under Miss piness.” risks and exercised leadership equal to that Seymour at St. Mirina’s53 and some time in All the same, Eveline Richards may have of any man, but in the ways that she the 1920s founded St. Clare School for operared her business differently had she worked to provide community for her stu Girls in Shaughnessy Then came the been a man. Her niece recalls her as “a dents she did so very much as a women.49 crash of 1929, which she met by letting very gentle, sweet, caring person” who COLIEGIAL ENTREPRENEURS some staff go and reducing the salaries of “made it possible for many people who While it was often individual women others in order that the school itself might couldn’t afford to go, to do dictation or who became entrepreneurs, some groups survive.55 clean and get tuition free.” As well as also did so, and enough information can It was this sequence of events which in paying students, “she allowed others to be gleaned to evoke two of them. The first 1932 led five of the “teachers and the ma learn without having to pay When there were the women who came together to tron of our old St. Clare staff” to strike were about 150 taking shorthand, she had found York House, the second the cluster out on their own “group venture.”56 These to have a lot of readers, who were paid,” around Miss Isabel Bodie at Queen’s Hall. six women and one other who joined and also classrooms which needed THE WOMEN OF YORK HOUSE them a year later wanted “to continue the cleaning. Eveline Richards went further, The origins of York House go back to idea of a Canadian private school . . . We for “when girls came from out of town, yet another of the myriad women who weren’t going to teach an English accent, she personally checked up on places for founded girls’ schools. Born in Ontario, for instance, which so many of the schools them” to stay4’ Social life was very much a Alice Keenleyside had moved with her did all the time.”5 Thus, a note in the part of the college. There was a “marvelous family to Vancouver in 1899 when she original ledger of York House explained piano,” a Christmas dance, and gradua was eight. Her younger brother Hugh, that there should be “not too much em tion ceremonies. It was “a happy place, who would become well-known as a phasis on C. of E. (Church of England) very well behaved.” There was even an diplomat, considered her “the inrellecmal for the prospectus.”5’ The initiative also alumni association intended to keep sm of the family,” and in 1913 she received had a more practical impetus, for three of dents in contact after finishing their her bachelor’s degree from McGill in the group had husbands, and, as one of schooling, intended to “make all of them tending to become a teacher.5’ The degree them recalled, “we wanted to keep on better citizens,” and “Vancouver an even likely took on even greater significance working and were not allowed to teach in public school because we were married.” The women were clearly assisted by their mutual respect, complementary areas of expertise, and willingness to divide up re sponsibilities without any of them feeling compelled to assume control. To the extent there was a leader, for mally or informally, it was Mrs. Lena Cotsworth Clarke, daughter of local intel lectual of sorts Moses Cotsworth, best known for advocating a thirteen-month calendar,6° and the oldest among them at forty-two.6’ The group chose her colle gially and consensually, by acclamation,62 for, as Lena Cotsworth Clarke recalled, “we started the school because we were a group of teachers and felt we might be able to give something and we got to gether and I was asked to be the leader. we were seven women and we never had a

... II> — fight.”63 Perhaps — IC 99 to honour her willingness IC to assume position — the of principal, the - — new school was named after her county of 9191 1 III birth in England.’’ )rk House SchooL 1933. Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Arctsves #CVA99-4358. The foundation of York House re

24 B.C. IfiSTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 mained vety much of a joint enterprise. As Anthony’s College, a large girls’ boarding downpayment on the old turreted West one of the group explained, “we were school run by an Anglican order of nuns End house at the corner of Granville and women with fervor.”65 Another wrote at who in 1939 decided to convert them Nanton that had stood vacant for several the time to a friend: “We may be criticized selves to Catholicism and the school into a years,n and gather around her a group of for venturing into new fields in a time of rest home for the elderly.76 “When it was women willing to take a chance alongside business depression. But we have confi suddenly announced to me that St. her. One of them later recalled: “so there

was - dence that our strength lies in the union of Anthony’s closing I decided, out of we were the eight of us. . we were bound a few well-qualified teachers with the blue, to start my own school.”7 Thus together by the ties of our profession, and cessfiil experience.” There was a consid Isabel Bodie seized the moment, encour some of us at least, by the love ofwhat was erable amount of risk, for, as yet another aged to do so by former St. Anthony’s still a small and tender thing, the school.”84 of the six recalled: “In the best sense it was pupils searching for a successor school for They were also, much like their predeces an adventure. It was in the depths of the their daughters and, very importantly, by a sors who founded York House, bound to depression.. . we didn’t have any money; strong collegial support group.78 gether by gender. They were, as this actually I don’t think we realized how little Isabel Bodie’s willingness to take a risk woman put it, “an organization of we really had.”67 was almost certainly assisted by her educa women.85

The company that the group incorpo tional background. Born in Scotland, she It was to a considerable extent the ties of rated in June 1932 established a block of had attended an Aberdeen girls’ school, on gender which spurred Isabel Bodie’s loyal 1000 shares at $10 each, of which two of which she would model Queen’s Hall, be band onward. During the summer of the women bought forty shares each, most fore her family came to Vancouver in 1939 they accumulated as many used of the remainder being issued over the 1907 when she was aged sixteen.79 After desks and chairs as they could find and next years in lieu of salaries.68 In other finishing high school in Vancouvei Isabel cleaned and painted the house.86 This was, words, as one of the founders explained, went east to McGill to get a BA and then however, the easy part of what the chron during York House’s first years the women attended Vancouver Normal School for a icler of the first years of Queen’s Hall has worked for nothing.65 “We survived (as a teaching certificate.° termed the “Rehearsal.”87 Would there be school because we were) willing to give of Nonetheless, the decision could not pupils? Would it all be a financial debacle? ourselves without compensation.”7° One have been easy Not only was Vancouver The risks inherent in entrepreneurship of them kept very carefiil control over the still at the tail end of the depression, but were lived on an everyday basis during the finances, and, “if we asked for something Isabel Bodie was already aged forty-eight summer of 1939, and are graphically and we couldn’t afford it, we we just didn’t and without financial resources.8 caught in this excerpt. “We were waiting, have jt.”’ Somehow she managed to scrounge the just as the house was, but we made much The women arranged to lease at $75 a month what one of them described as “a comfortable Shaughnessy home.”72 Since, to quote from the group, “the School was founded on ideas, not equipment,”7 they fixed up the house located at 27th and Granville as economically as possible “with borrowed furniture” and breathed a sigh of reliefwhen in September 1932 sev enteen students enrolled.4 Numbers dou bled by the first Christmas, and within three years a neighbouring house had to be leased as well. Collegial entrepreneur ship had paid oW and York House was on its way to becoming the popular private girls’ school it remains to the present day; ISABEL BODLE AND QUEEN’S HALL n comparison with York House, the Queen’s Hall initiative lay far more with a single woman, but it was its collaborative character which contributed mightily to its success. As her niece, Janet Bingham, has recorded, for over a decade Isabel Quee,?s Hail senior students and staffwith Isabel Bodie in the cenn, 1946 Bodie taught senior French at St. Ptoto courtesy of Janet Bngham and Vancouver City Archrves.

25 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 talked charmingly to our guests, we Toronto and Winnipeg before, married showed them our sunny halls, our exten with a young son, moving on to St. sive plumbing. We marched them to the George’s boys School in Vancouver.93 top of the house to see the view We Three years later he died suddenly, and his banged the mattresses on the beds to show widow found herseW at the age of forty their worth. Above all, we stressed our ad with a child of five virtually penniless equate grounds, quaint annex, and conve without prospect of employment. So she nient proximity to the street cars. Our vis decided to chase her husband’s dream,

itors were impressed - at least those who which was one day to have a school of his

sent their daughters must have been - and own, but now it would have to be her we felt full of the dignity and importance school alone. She used her husband’s life of our position.” insurance to buy a piece of property at In September 1939, just days before the 3235 West 39th Avenue on the edge of Anna Sproti beginning of the Second World War, the prosperous suburb of Kerrisdale. With Photo courtesy of Vancouver City Archives #br.R50 N.40. Queen’s Hall opened its doors.n9 As the business advice of a family friend who more fuss about it. The house slowly came growing attendance demonstrated, the was a lawyer, Violet Dryvynsyde set herself to life, collecting its dignity about it, until school filled a niche, attracting not only up as a limited company ofwhich she held it showed a certain pride and mellowness. former St. Anthony’s girls but others all but one of the shares in order to allow spent excited days scanning letters whose families may have wanted a greater the company to carry on in the event of from parents of prospective pupils, ar dose of Scottish common sense and re her death. ranging desks in prospective classrooms, sourcefulness than was offered in the ex Athlone opened in September 1940 as a engaging domestic help and answering the isting girls’ schools.° By 1944, the school kindergarten of just five boys, including telephone. Above all, in answering the was taking in almost $20,000 a term in Violet Dryvynsyde’s young son. At first telephone! The days that it did not ring tuition and board.’ No question can exist the energetic and dynamic widow did ab were counted as lost, or the days when it but that collegiality and the ties of gender solutely everything from teaching to only rang twice, we wanted to weep. We could provide an important basis for en cooking to ensuring that boys turned up did not care who phoned - people trepreneurial success. in their school uniform of short pants, wanting prospectuses, salesmen wanting ENTREPRENEURS OF NECESSITY blue sweater, and hat. There was no gym orders, newspapers wanting information - By the time of the Second World War, nasium or playing fields, but simply, as re the activity showed that we had started and especially during the war, it became called by her son, a woman of determina our venture, that we were on the way and more acceptable for women to put them tion who was convinced she could build a that our new school planned for and selves forward into public life and, where community of learners. So each year dreamt of for many months was indeed to necessity called, to take advantage of the Violet Dryvynsyde added another class, be a reality But the excited frenzy of unexpected. The last pair, Violet until by 1949 the school reached grade 9, rushing from the top floor of the building Dryvynsyde and Anna Sprott, were what and then she stopped, which meant that to answer the phone, and the terrific ac might be termed entrepreneurs of neces she did not have to invest in the expensive tivity occasioned by having two dozen sity Unexpectedly widowed, they each re science and other equipment by now ex chairs to paint or varnish was all a sec bounded to turn adversity into opportu pected at the high-school level. She also ondary occurrence. Each afternoon we nity, surely the mark of a true entrepre had the good sense, in this era when many took off our paint stained smocks, washed neur. of the pupils had fathers in the armed our faces, combed our hair, and prepared VIOLET DRYVYNSYDE forces, to hire men to teach the upper to receive our visitors. It was all very well Perhaps nothing so exemplifies the am grades.5 Violet Dryvynsyde gave families to do our own painting, cook our own bivalent shifts that occurred in Vancouver, what they wanted: a strict academic edu meals, but when that all important in terms of expectations for women, as cation with Latin and French being taught person, ‘the parent,’ came in view we had Athlone school, founded in 1940 for boys earlier and to a far higher level than in the to present a serene & well-ordered front. It rather than girls by a widow rather than an public schoolsY was true that we usually answered the unwed woman. Still, Violet Dryvynsyde Despite the ongoing competition with door ourselves, and we tried not to rush remained encapsulated in the identity of the much better established St. George’s unduly or to give our visitors a too obvi her husband, never being referred to pub boys’ school, whose headmaster Douglas ously hearty welcome. It was true that our licly by a first name, always in the press Harker is said to have resented the uppity impromptu tea-parties lacked method, the and by former students into the early ness with which Violet Dryvynsyde had tea often being delayed and the china 1970s only as “Mrs. Dryvynsyde.”92 met the challenge of her husband’s death, sketchy. There were a thousand and one Violet Dryvynsyde’s husband had, after Achlone became a success, although not errors in procedure and ‘dignificarion,’ but immigrating from England following the without its head having had to demon we did things as well as we could. We First World War, taught at boys’ schools in strate her mettle in a fashion comparable

26 B.C. ifiSTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 toy male entrepreneur of the day. In the much to charge to make a living but not Westminster, and Calgary”2 Interviewed summer of 1944, by which time Athione too much to appear greedy. It was a fine in 1947, Anna Sprott emphasized that enrolled about 85 boys,” she decided that balance, but she managed to walk that line even “today she could no more give up the time had come to expand into with care and precision. teaching than breathing.”3 boarding facilities and acquired two and a ANNA SPROIT What is clear is that Anna Sprort used half acres on the corner of Granville and The second entrepreneur of necessity her entrepreneurial position to advantage, 49th, with the intention of accommo was quite different in that she inherited, exactly the opposite of what would have dating what a supporter lauded as “just 24 rather than created, the educational insti been possible for Jessie Gordon or Eveline little boys up to 10 years of age.” By this tution that she headed on her husband’s Richards half a century earlier. In 1949 time the city of Vancouver required var death. Born in Ontario, Anna Sprott’s she ran for Vancouver City council pre ious permits to operate boarding facilities, husband Robert had in 1903, in his early cisely on that basis, being the first female and unhappy neighbours in this area of thirties, taken over an existing business candidate sponsored for a council seat by single-family houses were soon forming college on downtown Hastings Street and the ruling Non-Partisan Association.”4 themselves into a South Granville renamed it the Sprott-Shaw Business Interviewed during the campaign, she Ratepayers’ Association numbering about University after himself and a business proclaimed: “I have always been active in fifty to sixty members. To counter them, partner named Shaw’°’ Irish by descent, business.”5 A large newspaper advertise Violet Dryvynsyde and her supporters the future Anna Sprott arrived in ment was headlined ‘Anna Sprott is a suc mustered some 293 signatures of what Vancouver from Ontario in 1911 as a cessful business woman,” and gave as the they termed “South Granville mothers.” A young widow in her early thirties with a first of numerous positions, “President two-hour hearing before the civic licensing daughter, took a course at Sprott-Shaw, Sprort-Shaw Schools.” Anna Sprott was committee was packed to capacity with became an instructor there, and in 1918 elected on her first try decisively defeating her “mothers,” reported in the press to married its proprietor.102 Over the next among others CCF incumbent Laura have “cheered loudly when their years Robert Sprott absorbed six com Jamieson, and after ten years on council spokesmen made a point in their argu peting schools,’° opened Sprott-Shaw becoming the longest serving woman in ments.” In the end Violet Dryvynsyde branches in North Vancouver and the history of the city”7 Stories about her won the day with a five-four vote on Victoria, founded the first radio station would from time to time emphasize her Vancouver City Council, clearly through west of 05Winnipeg,’ and began a separate entrepreneurial face, as in how, “due to her having powerful friends in the right places, Sprott-Shaw Wireless and Radio School former business training, she . . . can still some of them very likely parents of stu and then a Sprott-Shaw Aviation pick up her pencil and take down dicta dents taught just a few years earlier by her School.’°6 At least in the public eye, Anna tion or conversation in shorthand with the husband at St. George’s who now wanted Sprott was an active “club woman” and swift, sure speed of a telegrapher tapping to do right by his plucky widow.9h1 very much a social asset for her husband.’° out a message.. . She runs her beautiful Not just in the dispute with neighbours, On the other hand, reflecting back in later home on Southwest Marine Drive, her of but more generally, Violet Dryvynsyde life, Anna Sprott considered that she had fices, her life and her mind with the mea used her powers as a woman at one and “worked all her life,” and that she and her sured preciseness of pneumatic drill en the same time to coopt other women and . husband had “together” expanded “their cased in felt. . and when she sinks her to persuade men. A student of the school’s business interests.” All of this may ex teeth into a cause, she worries it to victory first year has explained how, to quote him, plain why on his death in 1942, already in in a manner somewhat similar to a fox-ter “she sought advice but remained in her early sixties and unmentioned in her rier meeting up with its first rag doll.” In charge.”5 He recalled conversations late at husband’s obituaries except as an un 1951 Anna Sprort became the first night in the family kitchen between her named “sorrowing wife,”° Anna Sprott woman to serve as acting mayor of and his father, a medical doctor, on how nonetheless seamlessly took over as head Vancouver, the press observing that “part best to run things at the school.0 Violet ofSprott-Shaw Schools and, either then or of her time is still given over to her job as Dryvynsyde also networked with the later, also as president of CKMO, the president of Sprott-Shaw Schools, since heads of the other private schools and Vancouver radio station he founded.” she is vitally interested in young people would, according to her son, gossip with It is difficult to disentangle the extent to who are mapping out careers in the busi the head of Crofton House until the early which Ann Sprott ever became an entre ness world.”9 Anna Sprott remained pres hours of the morning. From 1942 she had preneur of desire such as was Violet ident of the Sprott-Shaw schools to her a board of directors, made up of Jessie Dryvynsyde as well as an entrepreneur of death in 1961 at the age of eighty-two.’2’ Gordon, by now retired, and, in a fine act necessity Press accounts continued to em THE SUCCESSION of cooperation, John Harker of St. phasize her voluntary activities and to laud Succession was no easy matter for George’s. Violet Dryvynsyde clearly was, her as “one of the city’s most active club- Vancouver women who ran their own as recalled by those who knew her, a de women,” but at the same time Sprott schools, whether it be genteel entrepre termined, passionate woman with a good Shaw business schools expanded, opening neurs like Jessie Gordon and Eveline head for business, knowing just how new branches in Nanaimo, New Richards, the collegial entrepreneurships

27 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 at York House and Queen’s Hall, or entre one of them recalled, the board, com neurship of almost forty years was in the preneurs of necessity as were Vivian prised mostly of parents, “gave advice and course of just four transformed into an

Dryvynsyde and Anna Sprott. At least moral backing - nothing more.”° The impersonal highly professional educa three options existed, and all three were real decision came in 1958 when the two tional institution. tried by them and their counterparts. oldest founders reached retirement age CONCLUSION The first was for female entrepreneurs with the capital that they needed to live on What do these half dozen profiles tell to equate themselves with the adventure, tied up in the school, since they had re us? Most of all perhaps, that it is not sur and on their retirement for the school ceived so little in salaries over the years.’3’ prising that, even in a city as entrepre simply to close, as did many of the small As one of their fellow founders recalled, neurial as Vancouver, the women who ran girls’ schools scattered around Vancouver. “The rest of us didn’t want to go on with their own schools should not have been For all of the collegiality which underlay the school separately, and we, as a com recognized alongside their male counter the initial adventure, Isabel Bodie had al pany, didn’t want to expand. .. We could parts. The assumption was long held that ways identified Queen’s Hall with herself either close the school or pass the leader women simply did not count in the “real” and held on until 1969, when she was sev ship on to an educational trust.”132 Parents business of city building. Up until the enty-eight and broke her hip.’2’ At first decided to keep York House in operation, Second World War, for a woman to have “the ever-energetic Miss Bodie,” to quote and the board formed a non-profit educa been acknowledged as an entrepreneur a newspaper account, determined to run tional trust, which then bought the prop would have run counter to, and likely the school from her bed, but by the end of erty and fi.trnishings.’ made impossible, the very real success that term had decided that she had had With Crofton House the transition to a many of them achieved. Vet women were enough. As she put it, “I couldn’t have had male-dominated board came in May 1937 incredibly versatile and, as with the groups a happier time, but the time comes when when Jessie Gordon and her sister Mary who founded York House and Queen’s you have to stop.”22 retired without making provision for a Hall, could be ingenious in ways very “This has been a 24-hour job.”123 The successor.’34 As Jessie Gordon phrased it at likely unacceptable to their male counter

Sun newspaper headline told the story the time, ‘Ah, well - but after 40 years one parts. Only in the war’s aftermath could Over.”524 “School’s Out - and In some realizes that a time must come when someone as self-confident and well placed cases a school’s closure was not inten someone else will have to take up the as Anna Sprott dare publicly to use female tional, as with Violet Dryvynsyde at work. According to a former stu entrepreneurship to advantage. The indi Atblone who may also have made do for dent, they had simply “planned to close vidual initiative which women brought to too long without making adequate provi Crofton House forever.”” But almost im education extends to other fields of en sion for her succession.’25 The announce mediately a group of seven men, mostly deavour, as with Sara McLagan who ment of Athlone’s closure in 1973, fol fathers, set up an “emergency committee,” owned the Vancouver World newspaper, lowing her death, emphasized that “it was so the local press put it, “determined that first with her husband and then on her a question ofeconomics. The school needs Crofton House School for Girls with its own after his death in 1901,’ and the certain structural repairs and a fee increase name, ideals and tradition will con hundreds and likely thousands of women of at least 30 percent would have been tinue.”l37 The school was within four years who into the present day quietly and necessary to cover these costs.”1251totally reorganized into a male image of unassumingly run their own business. A second option was for the founding success. The first step was incorporation head to ensure a transition. Eveline under a board of governors’38 A mortgage Jean Barman is a profrssor at UBC and the Richards of Pitman Business College ef was secured to buy the building and all its current chair ofB.C. Heritage Trust. She wishes fectively did so by incorporating a private fittings.’ The new head selected by the to thank Sue Baptie andJanet Binghamfor sug company on her father’s death in 1921 of board was a professional as opposed to gesting the topic and assisting with the research. which she became president and her being an entrepreneur, having previously FOOTNOTES I This essay originated as an invited talk given to the Friends of the lawyer brother a director.27 This meant headed a girls’ school in Calgary.’4° The Vancouver Archives in March 1997. and I an, grateful to Vancouver embodiment of school further shifted City Archivist Sue Baptie and to Jaset Binghans and Eliaaberls that when she died in 1941 her brother the O’Kiely for cajoling me to delve intn the topic. from the person to the institution with the 2. First definition in Random House Dictionary of the English almost seamlessly took charge.’28 Langoage. Unabridged edition (New Yodc Raudo,,, House. 1966). A third option was for a school to be re organization of a formal alumni group in 3. RA.J. McDonald, Making Vsmconver, Class. statas, and Social Boundaries, 1863-1913 (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1996). formed under a male-dominated board of the spring of 1938.141 Three years later 4. It is not just that the wonsen the,sselves had to live a contradiction. but rhe source materials that might densonstrate their ingenuity governors. The existence of a board, it Crofton House moved to new quarters, a have been largely structured on the same assumption. Often tl,e,e is absolute silence. Nutlsing Isas been collected. Even what little Sat should be emphasized, did not necessarily ten-acre estate on West 4lSt in Kerrisdale euisrs can be misleading or inaccurate. In searching fo rolse wo,ssan entreprelseur, I eventually turned up her obitnary. but filed under mean the eclipse of female entrepreneur purchased by issuing bonds.’42 As the so the name of her falser who, raslser than Isis dauglster, was identified Pinnan Business cially prominent Province newspaper on die file folder as the business’ founder. Ar the rinse dais woman ship, as exemplified by died, in 1941, it was believed that a nsan sinsply l,ad to Isave been College and also by the women of York summed up, “the old gives way to the new in charge. Compare Essvelope of M 7942, CVA, which identified the falser as the school’s founder, with for esatnple, “Gradnates House who in 1936 set up an advisory and the old West End is out-dated with Have Take,s Leading Place Hete,” unidentified clipping, 16 August 1939, CVA, which in the first paragmpls describes “Mist E.A. board of governors without any directive the rapid growth of the residential sub Richards” as the founder.” 5. On the histoty of education in British Colnnsbia, see Jean Bamsan, power over the school or its finances.’29 As urbs.”43 Miss Gordon’s genteel entrepre Neil Sutlserland, a,sd J. Donald Wilson, ed ChiMrr.n Teachers and

28 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 Schools i0 the History of British Colombia (Calgary: [)etselig. Match 1913). front abort, 1916 Miss Mary Seymour iseaded St. “Would Allow New School” Province, 14 Seprenrber 1944; 1995), sod Jean Barman, The West Beyond the West, A History Marinals Sclsool at 1185 Burrord. also in rise West Bird (Gail “Liceusce Grarsted wins Reservanions.” News Herald, 15 Septeotber of British Columbia, rev. ed. (Toronto: University ofToronro Edwards, “Chasing Ghosts in the Archives: Toward a Methodology i944 “Ratepayers’ Groiup Coussirruies Protest,” Press, 1996). for Research on a Vancouver Private Gitld School.” unpublished 6. Conversarioo with Mrs. Marie Gerhardt-Oily, Vancouver, 25 paper used witln pernsission of the anrisor), Miss Eli Goifiand February 1981. began Crosby School in 1921 and four years later nsosed it to 7. The essay draws in part on conversations and other research under North Vancouver where it cantiiiinrd to operate at least daring rise taken f6rJean Bannan, Growing Up British it. British Colombia, iinnrer war years (“Crosby School.” .hncouver Sun School Boys in Private School (Vancoavee UBC Press, 1982. Supplement. 3 August 1935), and in 1927 Mrs. B.M. Ruffell 8. Jessie Gordon and Evelirse Richards were not, it skonid be enspha. founded a second Vancouver Collegiate giris udsool in residentially sized, tile first women in British Columbia, or in Vancouver. to run prestigious Slsaaglnnessy area (“Vaitcouver Collegiate Sclsoal and their own schools, although many of their predecessors have sot Kindergarten,” Vancouver Sun School Supplement, 3 August vived as nanses and sot muds else. One of Victoria’s first female en 1935). Tisen there was Miss Joan M. Railtoa who in 1940 moved trepreneurs was Madame Pettibeau who simply stored iser school her Tautiron House gin? school front rise snarls side of tile Bartard north from San Francisco with the gold us1, and taught a genera Street Bridge, where it had operated since at least 1930. to a vacant tion of young woolen the social graces. Tise earliest wonren to mis isorel in Nortis Vancouver (Coisversaniois with Bazili; and “Taunron their own sclsools in Vancouver were likely a Mrs. Hayes in tile House,” Vancouver Sun School Supplement, 3 Aagast 1935, and favoured residential area near tire False Creek Bridge in 1886 and a various nsareruals, CVA). Miss Wales, sister to the CPR treasurer, on Seynsoar Street in the 50. Hugh L. Keenleyside, Memoirs, vol. 1 (Toroisro: McClelland aird even nsore fashionable West End in about 1887. The test year a Stewart, 1981), 16 and 40, Miss Upton began Scheisley House on Oppenheinrer Street. later SI. Keeoleysidv. Memoirs, 16 and 85. renamed Corsioba Street, a:sd in about 1889 Miss Maria G.E. 52. Keenleyside, Memoirs, 74. Mairland opened a sdsooi at the corner of Duosmuir and Grauvilie, 53. Coisversaniau with Gerhardt-Oily. followed soon tisereafter by a Miss Julia Johnston who headed 54. Prospectus front about 1935, CVA. Vancouver Collegiate Scisol on Burrard Street near Robson, all in 55. Cosnvvrsa:inis with Gerhardt-Oily. the Wets End. In 1896 Mile. Marie-Louisa Kern a:sd her sister 56, Janet MacDaitald to Madanse Sandersos-Moisgin, undated, quoted bogart Granvilie School with o distinct Freitch flair in the tradition in Mereditis Yearsiey, Not For Ourselves Alone: Fifty Years at York of Victoria’s Madame Pettibean. Soisse of tisese schools were fairly House School 1932-1982 (Vaitcoaver: York House Scisool. 1933), simplistic, a fnnner student of Miss Maidand recalling “apple bones

and coal oil carts - for sears.” See Major Martisews’ noces on private 57. Maria Gerhardt-Oily. quoted in Yearsley Not For Ourselves Alone, scisools and his interview with Jessie Gordon. I Mards 1944, irs CVA, and Beatrice Darling, “Ambasadrens of Culture,” Province, I 58. Jotter MacDonaldS notebook, quoted in Yearsley, Not For May 1954, arsd psospectns (1900-06), CVA. Ourselves Alone, 3, 9. Dorothy Bell, “Words Can’t Be Fosnid foe What Miss Gordon 59. Cottversarinit with Gerhardt_Oily. Means to Old Girls,” Province, 26 Febrssaty 1948; and “Miss 60. Yearsley, Not For Oorselves Alone, 6. Gordon of CroOns House,” News Herald. 13 April 1951. 61. Co:sversatioit wins Gerlsardr-OIly; and “Funeral services set for York 10. Walter Gordon, “Crofton House Marks Half Crnssny,” Province, House founder,” Sun, 6 December 1983. 28 Febuary 1948; arsd Noel Robinson, “‘Old Scisooi Spirit’ Bred in 62. Carolyo Gossage, A Question of Privileges Canadak Independent Young Vanconver,” Province, II Decensher 1937. Schools (Torosito: Peter MartIn: Associates, 1977), 263. Ii. Ehioabetir Bell-irving, Crnftnn Houses the First Ninety Years 63. Conversation with Mrs. Lena Corswartis Clarke, West Vancouver. 1898-1988 (Vancouver Croftors House Scisool, 1988), 10. 10 May 1980. 2. Gordon. “Crofton Hoose Marks Half Century.” 64. Conoersariort wish: Gvrlsards-Olly. 13. Bell-lrvirsg, Croftnn Home School, 14. 65. Contersasions wins Gerhardt-OIly. 14. Robinson, “Old Sdsooi Spirit’.” 66. Janet MacDonald to Madame Sansdvrsass-Mangin, undared quoted 15. Bell-Irving. Croftno House School, 12. an Yearsley, Not For Ourselves Alone, I. 16. Rnbinsois, “Old School Spirit’.” 67. Virginia Monre Mackay. quoted in Doisna Anderson. “Old things 17. Jessie Gordon. 1898. qnotesl ins Bell-Irving, Crofton House pass into new.” Sun, 29 Jane 1971. School, 17. 68. Donors Ar:drrson, “Old tlrissgs into new,” Sun 29 June 1971; and 18. Robirssso:s, “‘Old School Spirit”, aisd “Mics Jessie Gordon, Great Yearsley, Nut For Ourselves Alone, I. Teaciser, Diet.” 69. Cosiveisationu with Geri:ardr_Olly. 19. News-Advertiser. 8 April 1898. quoted in Bell-Irving, Crofton 70. Cooversatiors with Gerhardt_OIly. House School, 3. 71. Gladys Mordeim Jopling, quoted in Yearsky, Not For Ourselves 20. Erisel Wilson, “Tins was Miss Gordon’s School in 1898,” Province, Alone, 9. 2 May 1948. 72. Janet MacDonald to Madanse Sanderssa-Mongin, undated qaored 21. Jessie Gordon. qnotrsi irs Bell-Irving, Crofton Housr School, 21. in YeorsIey, Not For Ourselves Alone, I. 22. Mary Gordnns, qsosvd iii Robinson, “‘Old School Spirit.’” 73. Gladys Mauler, Jopling, quoted in Yearsley, Not For Ourselves 23. Bell-Irving, Crofton House School, 21. Alone, I. 24. Ethel Wilson:, “Tisis Was Miss GordorO School in 1898,” Province, 74. Virginia Moore Mackay, quoted in Anderson. “Old tImings pass irssto 2 May 1948. new”; Lihbooet Davidson. “School founders Isonoresi,” Vancouver 25. Margery Wade, qssored in Bell-irving. Crofton House School, 36, T’.mm, 26 Septeisnher 1964; and Yearsley, Not For Or.aselsvs 26. Margery Wade, quoted inn Bell-Irving. Crofton Home School, 36. Alone. 4. 27. Bell-irving, Crofton House School, 23; Robissson, “Old Scisool 75. Virginia Moore Mackay. quoted in Anderson, “Old risings pass into Spirit’”; and “Miss Jessie Gordon, Great Teacher. Dies.” ssrw”; aund YearsIey. Not For Ourselves Alone, 5. 28. Bull-irving, Crofton House School. 76. Janet Bingltann, “Queeis Hall School. 1939-1969, “1996, CVA. 29. Crofton House, Sdsooi for Girls, Vas:couver, B.C.. Prospectus, 77. Isabel Bodie. quoted inn Sally Abbort. “Sdnool’s Our - And Over.” 1913. in CVA. Sun, 28J:urse 1969. 30. Crofton House. Prospects..s 1913, itt CVA, 78. Biaglsam, “QureesS Hall School,” 31. Crnfton Hoose, Prospectus 1913. TIse assunrprionr used is that 79, Abhors, “ScIsoolS Our,” and Biagham, “Queens Hail School.” about a quarter were boarders arid lsalf took earn lessons. 1996. BodieS obisuary Isas Iser arriving in Vanncoaver atuiy in 1910 32. Pirusan Business College Linuised, Fifty Years of Service, 1898- (QueenS Hall founder dies,” Province, II Decentber 1971). 1948, in CVA. 80. Bingham, “Qave:rS Hall School.” 33. Prtsnasr Business College, Filly Years of Service; and Andrew 81. Bingham, “Queersiu Hall Scisool.” Selwyn, “Business Romances of Successftsl B.C, Wonsen: Miss E. 82. Aileen Cantpbell, “Housi:rrg history,” Province, 10 October 1974. Riclsards (Pitnsan Business College).” Sun, 25 Septeosber 1931. 83. BingIsant, “Qsreen’s Hall School.” 34. Selwyn, “Business Romances.” 84. Patricia Joi:::soun, “Sdsool Clsmnicle, 1939-40,” CVA. 35. Pirman Business College, Fifty Years of Service. 85. Jolsrnson, “Sdsool Chronicle.” 36. Consersatson win: Virginia Richards Bacilli, Mission, 3 March 86. Bisghaiss, “Queen’s Hall Sdsool.” 1997; and Selwyn, “Bnsi,sess Ransances.” 87. Jolsnson, “School Chronicle.” 37. Selwyis. “Business Ronsances.” 88. Joitoson, “School Chuss:icle.” 38. Selwyn. “Business Romances.” 89. Birsghauns. “QueenS Hall School.” 39. Cossversatious wins Bacilli. 90. Birsghans, “QueenS Hull Sclsool”. CVA: and Abbott, “Sclsnul’s 40. Conversations with Bacilli. Wlsere not otherwise cited, ioforntarion Oar.” inn the nest paragrapiss on Pitmaus Business College comes from this 91. liscanse tax statement for QueenS Hall flat 1944, CVA. and a subsequent conversation or: I April 1997 wids Virginia 92. The use of Violet appeared iint rise press oniy on iser death (“Buys’ Riclsard Bacilli. Sdsnoi Founder Diet,” Sun, 31 October 1969). 41, Pirniaus Business College. Fifty Years of Service. 93. Conversation with B.O. Diysyrssyde, Vancouver 29 Jaoaany 1980. 42. “Telegn’aplsy $2 per niotith.” unidentified dippinug. about 23 l:rforusanio:: not otiserwise cited in the next paragrapiss comes fruit: Jannary 1905. this conversation. 43. “Telegrapisy $2 per nioisth,” 94. Conversations with B.O. Dnysyssyde, and Arhioov Sci:ool 44. Pisittan Basinsess College, Fifty Years of Service. Conspany Scrapbook, urn possession of Violet DiyoynsydeS son 45. Qooted in Selwyn, “Business Rousances.” B.O. Dtyvyr:syde. The ootsrandittg shave was held originally by 46. Selwyn, “Business Romances.” Jolsn Harker, bein:g transferred in 1959 no her son Barry 47. Cousvrrsasion with Bazilli; and Selwyn, “Business Ronsances.” 95. Contversania:n wins Dtysynsyde, and dipping front Nests Herald, 9 48. Seiwyis. “Business Romances.” June 1944, in possessions of B.O, Dryvyosyde. 49, Before moving on to the nest pair of forgotten eutrepreisears, it is 96, Cos:versatiatr with Tom Nelson, Norni: Vancouver. 21 January important to nsake tile point, once agaisri. tisar the women able to 1980. be profiled Isere were not ainne, particularly in the case of gids’ 97. Clipping dated I April 1944 in B.O. Drysymssyde papers. schools, for, as one female entrepreneur recalled. tisey “sprang up 98, Tlsis paragraphy is based ott “Boarding School Protest Goes no City like ntuslsusoms’ dating these years” (Conversation with Gerhardt Council.” Sun, 7 Seprenuber 1944; “Plan Court Acrion if City Oily), For exaisiple. Miss B. Carosell advertised herself in 1913 as Rehl.ises Licence to ScIsool,” Sun, 12 Seprenrnber 1944. “Sdsool head of Barrard College at 850 Burrard (Ad in New Advertiser, 15 Bartle Still Sralen:ased,” Nests Herald. 12 September 1944; The Spanish FortAt Nootka byJohn Crosse

A rough survey was made in August of 1996 of the flat area on the top of San Miguel Island at Friendly Cove in an at tempt to locate the old Spanish fort there. Although previous examinations of the island have been made, notably that by Parks Canada in 1966, none had available Salvador Fidalgo’s chart, first published by Warren Cook in his book ‘Flood Tide of Empire’ in 1973.1 San Miguel Island is the small island furthest out in the cove. It is accessible via the larger San Rafael Island, where the lighthouse stands, though you have to fight your way through dense scrub and inch round a cliff to get there. In recent years breakwaters have been added between the various islands to pro vide better protection for the bay, and in side the breakwaters beaches have formed. But in Spanish times San Miguel would have been only accessible by boat, the larger island being used to keep pigs, and marked on some charts as ‘Hog Island’. I4iendt Covefrom the south. San Miguel b&na on which the Spanishfort was located is thefisrthest to the San Miguel itself is an uneven rocky is right. land about 30 ft. high at its highest point. Between the pillar and this cliW a sur main rampart of the old fort was probably There are numerous off-lying shoals, so its veyor’s benchmark2 was found set into the 60 ft. northeast of the present concrete size varies with the height of the tide. rock. Because this is a geographically iden pillar, though a more professional survey Fidalgo’s chart shows it to be about 115 tifiable location, it is an even better spot would be needed to establish this more ex yards from east to west, and 75 yds. north from which to commence a survey actly. to south, with fort located in the centre of It was decided to run a rough survey the island. round the reasonably flat area on the top To reach the top of the island it is nec of the island. A line was run from the FOOTNOTES essary to find your way up a small basalt benchmark to the highest point at the 1. Previous surveys seen, to have assumed that rise lint was con cliff The Spaniards had built a wooden south-east end of the cliW and from structed of granite blocks, although the Spanisis artist, José Cardero, clearly shows a log construction. The confusion teens, staircase here, but this has long since dis thence along the top to another high point to have arisers because tire other two sketches of rise fort, by rise is concrete at the north-east end. The surface here be Nor-ti, Loropean artist, Sigisinuod Bacsrrom, shows what appear appeared. Once on top there a to be large granite blocks at the ware?s edge. There is no evi marker, about four feet high, on the comes reasonably flat and the survey line dence that tire Spaniards ever enspioyed stonensasons at Noorka, and it is far mote likely risar rise fort was, as Cardero slsows, highest point of the island. Being the most was therefore continued to the west to the bout of logs, the traditional bnilditsg material of the Padlic Northwest. visible landmark on the island, this is a highest point. To close the survey, the last 2. The benchmark is a nnsali round bronze plate cemented into the overgrown rock and ersscribed: - natural point from which to start a survey side returned across an and B.C. Legal Survey Marker 1966 The top of San Miguel is reasonably flat pitted area up to the starting pillar. 644 W1E 30 S it Back in Vancouver it became clear that and is not difficult to see where the 417 have built the present concrete pillar (E) marked the Spaniards would most likely it marks a survey point for a Water Lot off San Rahrei Island. their fort. On the east side there is a small location of the old Spanish Ammunition 3. The survey was made wins the most rudinsentary eqnipnsenr, and the exercise becanse even n,ore diIilcssir becanse a risick cliff which would have been a natural lo Store. 25 feet to the east is the Bench blanket of fog rolled in haihvay tlsrossgls. In ross only whess back in Vancouver and able to plot rise restslrs that it was possible to cation for the rampart from which to Mark. locate the Northwest Rampart. Photographs of this area show roselsip thickens, winch osakes it diificsnlr to verilr- results cover vessels approaching from the sea. In conclusion we might say that the wirisoar Ilarrisen examination.

30 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 NORTH

Source: Archivo General de la - NaciOn, Mexico City.

p - - z-- SURVEY LINE : -

) . — (B Sentry Post r I C Guard House ) \i / / D Flagstaff ,._ E Ammunition Stc’rae • ‘, I ) \ & Modern Marker Pillar / - /—— V ( F Steps / “ I . I G Kitchen Benchmark 7 SCALE IN FEET

NW Battery 3 guns 44’ x 10’ Scale of 25 Cast ilian Varas NE Battery 3 guns 44’ X 10’ (1 Vara Castillana 2 74ft) SE Battery 2 guns 32’ x 10’

SALVADOR FIDALGO’S PLAN OF SAN MIGUEL ISLAND WITH THE 1996 SURVEY ADDED.

I5/4/y? A Presbyterian Heritage, Princeton, B. C. by Margaret Stoneberg

St. Paul’s United Church is in came independent and the first Presbytety building a church. This found favour with Princeton, a town in the centre of several included Mr. George Murray who was as the congregation and by hard work the communities in an area where its history signed to Nicola. He had spiritual over ladies raised $1,000 and this was soon goes back to the very beginning of British sight of the whole country east of the raised by contributions, ranging from Columbia as a Province. The story of the Cascades. He travelled over his territory $100 to $3,000. The list of donors can church therefore starts with the first on horseback and came to Granite Creek still be seen. The final cost of the building Presbyterian presence. 1885-90 once a month, holding a service was $4814.86 being $900 for the land Presbyterians are those Protestants who either at Archie Irwin’s house or at one of and $3900 for the building. the mortgage belong to churches in which rule is exer the hotels. Business would cease for an was paid off Nov. 1920. Total grant pro cised by Presbyters or elders, both clerical hour and recommence afterwards. vided by the Presbyery $1,000. or lay (as opposed to the hierarchical From that time on the following gen The church opened for worship Dec. 9, system of Episcopalians). It dates back to tlemen have held the appointment in 1920 and was dedicated on the second the Reformation and Calvin and was in Princeton: Rev RA. Finlayson, 1901; Sunday in January 1921 by Dr. G.A. troduced into Scotland by John Knox Rev. John Stuart, 1902; Rev. A.J. Fowley Wilson. There was a manse built by Dec. (1505-72). He had lived for a time with 1904-5; Rev. D.E Smith 1906; Rev. M. 1921 to replace the house rented for the Calvin befoe he returned to Scotland in McDonald 1907 when the name St. Paul’s minister for which the Ladies Aid paid 1559. was used; Rev. J.E Conn, 1909; Mr. Craig $10 monthly. Two years later girls’ club, Doctrinal standard is the Westminster 1911-12; Mr. Stewart 1912; Rev. RJ. the Bluebirds, raised money to buy a bell Confession of Faith (1646) which is defi McLean 1912-13; Rev. Mr. Gillam 1913- which was installed in the belfry This was nitely Calvinistic. Each individual church 15; Rev. Jas. A. Leslie 1915-17; Rev. J.B. the first church bell in the Okanagan and

is governed by the kirk-session, - that is an Miller 1917-18; Rev. R Herbison 1919- still rings today (1995) every Sunday to ordained minister and a number ofelected 24. call worshippers to church. lay-elders. The Presbytery of the District is St PAULS, PRINCETON The church premises were not too large made up of a minister and an elected lay- Services were held in various places, and it soon became apparent that another elder from each congregation. The records show, such as schools at One Mile facility must be added. This building of a General Assembly represents the whole and Five-Mile, also at Coalmont, sort was donated by Mr. Gibson and by church. The president is the Moderator. Blakeburn, Tulameen and Copper much work and labour was converted to IN CANADA Mountain. Weddings were often held at an addition behind the church building. In the early 1800s the Anglican and the minister’s house, sometimes at the From 1931 on the ladies had a kitchen Presbyterian churches were the local hotel. Midweek meetings at homes and there was a Sunday School room

“Established” churches, - those endowed were held. Latterly services were held at (This annex was torn down when the new with “Clergy Reserve” land, and were the the Land Company’s building, and the hall was added, adjacent, in 1965). only Protestant churches empowered to Court House. The Anglican St. Cuthbert’s The ladies were very active helping to perform marriages. Other denominations church was built in 1911 and the facilities pay off the church debt, paying the taxes, challenged these privileges. This was one were lent frequently to St. Paul’s organiza contributed to the minister’s stipend, half of the causes of the 1837 Rebellion. tions. In 1916 for a time, when the the cost of the minister’s car at $25 a IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Anglicans had no minister, St. Paul’s month, and paid a boy $2.00 a month to The new colony had a strong church was held in their facilities. light the heater before chruch. Presbyterian flavour since so many of the AT LAST A CHURCH BUILDING CHURCH UNION Hudson’s Bay men were of Scottish de When the Rev. Mr. Herbison was ap In 1925 the Presbyterians joined with scent. Rev John Hall is said to be the pointed at his own request to a rural the Methodists and Congregationalists founder of the Presbyterian Church in parish, namely St. Paul’s Princeton, the and some Baptists to form the United B.C. He arrived in 1861. In 1862, in New congregations grew steadily. He found Church of Canada. In St. Paul’s when the Westminster, Rev. Robert Jameson orga that he was required to travel by automo vote was taken nine people voted in favour nized St. Andrew’s Church as well as mis bile, and in bad weather he frequently but there were no dissenting votes. sions in surrounding territory In 1865 the wa]ked, to Coalmont (12 miles) and to The minister was Rev. J.K. Unsworth. minister was the Rev D. Duff Copper Mountain (14 miles). He was In 1927 Dr. Goodfellow was the Minister The church was at first connected with serving 300-400 families. at St. Paul’s. Her contributed much to the the Church of Scotland but in 1874 be- He brought forward the idea of community and was renowned as a histo

32 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 nan of the B.C. United Church. He was President of the B.C. Historical Association 1941-42. ANNiVERSARY ..i. The present congregation celebrated 75 years in the same building, holding a . weekend of events at Thanksgiving,

. 1995. :. . Wherever the Presbyterian Church has been found it has stamped its imprint on the life and habits of the public. It has I. not aimed at controlling the state but has tried to inform it with its spirit. Since I 8. .:. Union many changes have taken place. At one B.C. Presbytery gathering the theme was “Unity in Diversity”. This is very evident in• St. Paul’s where the Anglican congregation in the ‘70s I merged with the United Church and the two have lived together happily ever since. Another B.C historic church. This is St. Eugene Mission Church near Cranbrook, Photo courtesy of Betty Nakahara.

Margaret Stoneberg has been active with the Princeton Museum andArchivesftr manyyears.

REFERENCE

I. Sr. Paufs Uned Chords Pr,nceron files. 2. Vancouver Theological College file re Presbyterian and Uoired Clsrrrdsex B.C. 3. Interview Mary Herbison daughter of Rev. Herbison. 4. Notes Similkarneen Historical Association 1932. Conversation between Dt. John Goodidlow and Hugh Hunter. Gold Comnniss,oner Granite Creek 1885-9, Gooemment Agent Princeton, 1900-1927. 5. Back Copies Pri,.ceoo.. Star, 1919-1921. 6. Prevbyrerianism in B.C.” by Rev. Alex. Dunn, D.D. 1905. Printed by Jacksou Printing Co. New Westminster 1913.

This shows a glimpse ofthe recently restored interior ofthe St. Eugene Mission Church. Band Galiano Island Museum elder Agnes McCoy gave a talk to visitorsfrom the East Kootenay HistoricalAssociation. Photo courtesy of A. Ross. Photo courtesy of Betty Nakahara.

33 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 The Sikh Immigrant Experience by Sonia Manak

This paper is dedicated to my grandfathet Karm Singh Manak and all the early Sikh pioneers, both men and women, who fought through the institutionalized racism to create a home for themselves and their future children and grandchildren. When I feel the injustices of racism I think of all my grandfather and the early pioneers overcame and it gives me hope.

I was never the same after my encounter an economically vassal state.” British Indians crossed Canada on its way to the with racial discrimination, Canadian style. policies brought about the decline of the coronation of Edward VII. These two ini With the passage of time, the hatredfithed domestic handicraft industry throwing tial contacts would help to initiate Indian and disappeared But I never lost the rage at many craftsmen out ofwork. The Punjab, immigration to Canada as the word about the injustice, stupidity and blind cruelty of which was the last province to succumb to this new land was spread. prejudice. British rule, was especially hard hit.2 The During these two initial contacts, the Rosemary Brown villages in the Punjab were rapidly im Sikhs were well received by the Canadian Today Canada is seen as a diverse nation mersed into a money economy. population. The Sikhs were admired for that consists of a multitude of ethnic Agriculture was transformed from a sub their exotic costumes, their strength and groups. Canada is a nation which is held sistence to a commercial enterprise.3 The stature and their superb military capabili in high regard by people around the world villagers were faced with rising agricultural ties. This initial positive view of Sikhs only for its humanitarianism and acceptance of prices as well as rising land values. occurred because the Sikhs did not pose a all peoples. However, this has not always Subsequently, mortgages became a part of threat to “white Canada” The Sikhs “were been the case. Canada and in particular everyday life: not immigrants and were in a sense, safe the Province of British Columbia has a Mortgages were rare at the beginning of foreigners.”bo strong history of racism and prejudice the British regime, but by the 1920s they There was already a large number of against Asian groups. It is only in the last made up a large proportion ofa vast{y in Chinese and Japanese in British 40 years that Canada has begun to remove creasing rural debt.4 Columbia by 1900, most of whom were some of the structural barriers put in front The destruction of the traditional brought over as indentured labourers to of minorities. While government sanc means of livelihood left the Indians in work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. In tioned racism and discrimination has search of new lands, adventures, and eco 1903 a head tax of $500 was placed on all more or less disappeared, racism among nomic opportunities. Sikhs migrated to Chinese immigrants in order to reduce the general populace has not. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaya, as Asian immigration.11 Thus, the anti-Asian Subsequently, as various minority groups dairymen, cart drivers, and mine sentiment had roots in British Columbia become an ever increasing percentage of labourers. High wages for farm work at well before the Indians arrived, With the the Canadian population, it becomes tracted a few adventurous men to implementation of the head tax, Chinese more and more important to recognize Australia until the passage of anti-oriental immigration began to decline. The result and acknowledge their history and suf immigration laws in 1901 6 Canada also was an increased number of vacant jobs fering in Canada. This essay will examine became a viable option as news spread for unskilled workers. Many employers the early Sikh immigrant experience in about the abundance of economic oppor were unhappy because they had to pay British Columbia. In doing so, this essay tunities in British Columbia. white workers more money to do un will look at the institutionalized racism in There were two initial contacts with skilled jobs that an Asian would do for flicted on Indo-Canadians by the federal Canada before the onset of Sikh immigra less.12 Subsequently, the capitalist desire and provincial governments as well as tion. The first Sikhs to visit Canada were for cheap Asian labour also played a role racial attitudes exerted by the British in the British army who passed through in initiating Sikh immigration. British Columbia public. Canada after the celebration of Queen Columbia employers were happy to ben By the middle of the nineteenth cen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in London in efit from this cheap source of labour. tury almost all of India had come under 1 897. The Sikhs were attracted by the CPR advertising was also another im the political and economic control of potential they saw in British Columbia, petus for Sikh immigration to British Britain. The British rule in India invoked which at the time, was undeveloped agri Columbia. The Chinese head tax also af many changes in traditional Indian life. culturally and industrially. They saw this fected the CPR shipping lines. Their Colonial rule brought poverty stricken British dominion “ftill of vast opportuni trans-pacific passenger service from Hong conditions to most of India. The interests ties” for employment and prospects of a Kong to Vancouver suffered a substantial of India were hence subordinated to the good future.8 In June, 1902, a Hong decrease in Chinese passengers. As a result interests of the empire as “India was to be Kong regiment which included some the CPR lost money’3 Thus, the CPR

34 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 agents wanted to increase immigration built railroads. But the biggest employer landlords would not rent houses to Indian from India in order to cover the loss of was the sawmill. immigrants even though they had the profit from the decrease of Chinese immi The increased number of Indians cre money to pay for it.28 As a result many grants. The CPR agents “circulated posters ated immense fear in the white popula had to spend cold sleepless night in in Calcutta and in the Punjab advertising tion in British Columbia. The influx of Stanley Park. The Vancouver city council the benefits of coming to Canada.”4 Indian immigrants resulted in hardened searched for every possible means to evict The news of good job opportunities in government attitudes which produced all Indians. The resentment towards Canada and America spread quickly discriminatory legislation. From 1906 to Indians became so apparent that many amongst the rural people in India. The ad the outbreak of World War I, the “cov Indians could not buy firewood or food.29 vantages of this new land were spread by erage of South Asians in papers was to be The Japanese, Chinese and Indian word of mouth and by CPR advertise the most negative accorded to any B.C. communities made up a significant part ments. The few Indian Sikhs who reached ethnic group.”20 The language and termi of British Columbis population. There British Columbia in 1904 wrote back to nology found in the newspapers described was a concealed fear among members of relatives and described the opportunities Sikh immigrants as the “other”. They the white population that the Asiatic in this new land. For many Indians, espe were described as alien, foreign, and form community was, in &ct, superior. This cially those in the Punjab, British an inferior race. Quotes taken from fear resulted from the belief that an evil Columbia seemed to be the answer to all British Columbia newspapers in 1906 de genetic difference made the Asiatic com their economic ills. Preferring adventure scribe “Hindus ... (as) a peculiar munity inherently undesirable. According abroad to starvation at home, they left in people”.2’ Further newspaper articles to S.S. Osterhoust in 1929: Asiatics are a large groups for Calcutta where the ships stated that “they (Hindus) present a virile, potential people, possessing an ethnic destined for Vancouver were docked.’ grotesquely striking spectacle “because potency almost unsurpassed in the human The majority of the early Sikh pioneers they are” unkempt and somewhat race. They possess ambition and thr/l with believed they would be able to accumulate slovenly appearing natives.”22 People with marvelous power ofadaptation to new con their savings and then send the money Euro-British ancestry were seen as ditions.° back to India to help pay their mort number one on the human hierarchy Thus, with their vitality, thrift and will gages.’6 Mihan Sing Manak, an early Sikh while Asians, Blacks and First Nations ingness to do hard work for less, the pioneer, came to Canada in 1906. His peoples were seen as inferior. A quote Asiatics were able to compete with their reason for leaving the Punjab, as with from the Vancouver Province in 1908 white counterparts. Subsequently, these many others, was economic. He wanted describes this Social Darwinism approach characteristics made their Canadian com to make enough money so that he could to racial stratification which was prevalent petitors in the labour was vehemently op pay off his land debt in India. in B.C. society at the time. posed to the importation of cheap labour. Unfirtunately, he and many other Indians declare unequivocallyfrr total exclu All Asian groups were refused union soon realized that British Columbia was a sion of all class of Orientaic (as the) one membership.’ Consequently, the white society and the government wanted method whereby the ascendancy ofthe white working class remained divided to the it to remain a “white man’s land.”7 race can be maintainecL2 benefit of the white capitalist. From the period 1904 to 1906, Indians Headlines like “Get rid of Hindus at Although the majority of Sikhs were entered British Columbia with no legal re Whatever Cost”, “Horde of Hungary able to find employment, they had to &ce strictions. This was partly due to their rel Hindoos invade Vancouver city” and a great deal of discrimination from the atively small numbers. There were only “Hindoos are the fikhiest”24 were found in federal and provincial governments and 387 Indians in B.C. in 1906.18 The all B.C. newspapers. The press described the host community The Sikhs were Province of B.C. was mostly concerned them as immoral, diseased, with unac easily identified because of their beards with the overwhelming population of the ceptable religion and cultural practices.25 and turbans and, thus, became an easy Chinese and Japanese at the time. Thus The newspapers of Vancouver and target ofhatred. By the time 1300 Indians the Indians did not pose much of a threat. Victoria printed stories that Indians were had arrived in Vancouver, two Vancouver This would change in 1906 with a sudden a danger to white women. They described M.Ps went to Prime Minister Sir Wilfred increase in Sikh immigration. Between Indians as undesirable, sick and a menace Laurier “demanding that the Hindoos be 1904 and 1908, more than 5000 Indians to society26 One article entitled “Hindu shut out.”32 reached British Columbia and, of this Hordes Make Themselves at Home,” de From 1906 to 1907 there was increased total, approximately 3000 crossed into the scribes how the Hindu invasion was the pressure on the federal government by the United States.’9 Most Indians obtained most pressing problem. The mayor of Province of British Columbia to put a ban jobs easily. There were two main reasons Vancouver was upset at the fact that many on Indian immigration. Two factors con for this: they were willing to work for low Hindus were camping in Stanley Park and tributed to this sudden preoccupation wages and they were willing to do the jobs were a “danger to the city and the with Indians: the sudden increase of im that were considered “dirty” by the white province.”27 What the mayor and the migrants from India and the decline of population. Many worked in mines and paper fail to acknowledge is that White the B.C. economy in 1907.

35 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 Consequently, things grew worse for have at least the authority to deny him the local Indian community escaped “from

Indian immigrants as there was increased privilege offranchise and to.. . keep B.C a being in the riot by discreetly remaining unemployment and racial hostility The white man country to the extent that is in indoors.”47 rise in unemployment increased pressure ourpower4° As a result of the Vancouver riot, the on local services. In Vancouver, 500 whites There was also a change in the federal government responded to British lost their jobs. The majority of unem Municipality Incorporation Act which de Columbia’s fears and legislated two dis ployed whites felt that the Indians were nied Indians the right to vote in criminatory Orders-in-Council. The fed taking away their jobs. However, most of Vancouver.4’ As a result, even though an eral government realized that because the jobs the Indians held were previously Indian paid taxes, was a permanent resi Indians were British subjects, they could jobs held by Chinese and Japanese dent in B.C. and a British subject, he not produce legislation to strictly prohibit labourers and were not normally jobs held would “not be permitted to exercise his Indian immigration. Due to Indiaa status by whites.34 Furthermore, owners of franchise.”42 The effects of this change within the British Empire, and the sup lumber mills “preferred Sikh labourers as were enormous because in order to vote posed equality of all British subjects, an they were hard working, displayed great federally one had to be on the provincial attempt had to be made “to avoid any em skill, were rarely absent, and ‘did not voters list. Thus, Indians lost their right to barrassment to the imperial government” haggle over wages.”5 vote both federally and provincially43 by passing regulations which appeared The federal government received nu Without the right to vote Indians could “not to be directed specifically against East merous petitions, telegrams and com not vote for, or become, school trustees. Indians.”48The result was legislation that plaints from white residents in British Furthermore, Indians could not be elected mentioned no specific people but stated Columbia. The white population and the to public office or serve on juries. Other that: All immiants must henceforth B.C. government wanted immigration discriminatory restrictions also became come by continuous journey and on stopped. Mass meetings were held in universal. Indians were prohibited em through tickets from the country of their Vancouver and Victoria in 1906 by the ployment on public works contracts, they birth or citizenship.4 Trades and Labour Councils. At these could not sell Crown timber and they In addition, all immigrants required in meetings citizens “passed resolutions re were prohibited from the professions of their possession $200 instead of the questing the Government to stop further law and pharmacy The B.C. provincial former $25 when they arrived in immigration of the Asiatics.” One city government had done everything in its Canada.5° The “continuous journey” legis official summed up the whole situation power to socially and politically isolate lation was the most effective in curbing when he said “the city of Vancouver will Indian immigrants from white society in immigration from India as the only com not stand for any further dumping of East the hopes that they would return home. pany which operated a direct cargo service Indians.” The federal government was However, the racial discrimination did from Calcutta to Canada, the Canadian extremely cautious about restricting not stop there. Pacific Railway, was “by secret order of the Indian immigration. Indians were, after In 1907 the Asiatic Exclusion League Viceroy,” barred from taking any Indian all, British subjects with British rights and was formed in Vancouver. It was a racist passenger on its ship.5’ It is evident from privileges. This angered the provincial organization that wanted the government the immigration records of 1911 that government.38 Furthermore, the govern to ban all Asian immigration. Its members these orders almost stopped Indian immi ment of British Columbia was appalled included jobless workers and some of the gration. In that year, 11,832 Chinese im when it learned that because Indians were province’s most prominent business, mili migrants entered Canada along with British subjects they had the right to tary; and religious leaders. They arranged 2986 Japanese and 37 Indians.52 Only vote.39 Subsequently, the government of meetings where they delivered speeches three Indians entered Canada in 191 British Columbia began to take matters against immigrant groups, such as Sikhs British Columbia was still not satisfied into its own hands. and Hindus, met ministers and members with the immigration laws. The provincial In March 1907 the British Columbia of parliament, sent deputations, sub government introduced an act which government invoked oppressive limita mitted memorandums, and published ar barred immigrants entry into British tions on the rights and privileges of tides. In order to protest to the govern Columbia who could not pass a test in a Indians. B.C. Premier Bowser introduced ment over the number ofAsians entering European language. this legislation was a bill that denied all Indians the right of British Columbia, they caused the worst struck down by the courts after a group of vote even though they were British sub race riot in Vancouver in September 1907 Indians appealed it. In 1913 the federal jects. This bill was passed unanimously. against the Chinese and Japanese. In what government passed another Order-in- Bowser introduced the bill and stated that: is known as the Anti-Asiatic Riots, partic Council that stated: In view ofthe present It must be admitted that the Hindu being ipants carried signs reading “Keep Canada overcrowded condition ofthe labour market strange to our language, laws and customs White” and “Stop the Yellow Peril” as in B.C it is ilegalfrr artisans or labourers, can never assimilate with the people of the they descended on City Hall.45 The riot skilled or unskilled to land at any port of province, and although we have been told caused $36,000 worth of damage to entry in thatprovince.55 that we have notthe rightto bar him out, we Chinese and Japanese property46 The By 1914, there were three Orders con-

36 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 cerning Asian immigration. These dis in relations between Indo-Canadians and could only live in the west part of town.63 criminatory orders made it virtually im the government for many years to come. Thus, many friendships were formed be possible for Indian immigrants in Canada During the 1920s and 1930s many tween the local Chinese, Japanese and to have their wives and children come to Indian delegations from India and Indians. Rajinder Manak, one of the few Canada from India. As a result, B.C. got Canada protested to the Canadian gov Sikh women living in Duncan during the what it wanted. Indian immigration de ernment about the unfairness of its poli period, describes how friendships, which clined substantially There were 2292 cies towards Asians. In the 1930s, the were formed as a result of this segregation, Indians in B.C. in 1911. In 1921, there CCF began defending the rights ofAsians continue to exist to this day. Mrs. Manak were only 951 Indians in BRITISH CO and provided the Indian community with describes how even the movie theatre in LUMBIA. Although there were minor political support. However, it was not Duncan was segregated: W’ had to sit up changes in Canada’s immigration policy until after World War II that the Indians stairs in the balcony with the Chinese, after World War I, the men who had ar in Canada made gains. The Khalsa Diwan Japanese and Natives. The whites sat in the rived in 1903 to 1908 formed the bulk of Society which was formed in 1906, was iowerpart. I never thought much ofit at the the Indian population in British the main instrument for the Indian com time. Itjust seemed normaL64 Columbia until the 1940s. munity. This society organized the Mr. Manak has an interesting story The Sikh community did not take the building of the first Sikh temple in about how, before Xrld War II, the local restrictions set out by the provincial and Vancouver and was also the main instm white barbers would not cut Asiatic hair. federal government lightly. The ment in pressing for Indian voting There was one Japanese barber that cut Komagata Maru Incident is an example rights.6° On April 2, 1947 the Khalsa both the Asiatics’ and the aboriginal of the Sikh attempt to challenge Canada’s Diwan Society achieved one of its goals; people’s hair. However, during the war, racist “Continuous Journey” legislation. the right to vote for Indians.6’ the Japanese were interned so there was In April, 1914, GurditSingh, aSikh busi In 1952, Karm Singh Manak and a no place for the “undesirable Asiatics” to ness man, chartered the Komagata group of Indians formed the East Indian have their hair cut. Mr. Manak decided to Maru. The ship set sail from Calcutta to Welfare Association. The main focus of get his hair cut by one of the white bar Vancouver. the Komagata Maru arrived this group lobbied the federal government bers. The barber told Mr. Manak that he in Vancouver on May 23, 1914. In total, throughout the 1950s to change the re was busy However, there were no other 376 prospective Indian immigrants re strictive immigration policy Finally, in customers in the shop. Mr. Manak real mained in Burrard Inlet for two months 1962, a new system for immigrating to ized that the barber just wasn’t going to because local immigrantion authorities re Canada based on points was introduced.2 cut his hair. To solve the problem, Mr. fused to allow the ship to dock. This inci The discussion so far has focused on the Manak bought shares in a barber shop: I dent occured despite the fact that the ship institutionalized racism exerted by the knew oneguy who owned a hashare ofone had followed Canadian law and come di provincial and federal governments to ofthe barber shops and his partner wanted rectly from India thereby complying to wards Indian immigrants. It is important to leave. So I bought ha’ interest in the the two orders in council. The views of to emphasize that there is another side to barber shop (laughs), so that way we got our Canadian and British Columbian author racism which may be even more harmful. famii’y and ourpeopln’c hair cut there. That ities on this matter were quite clearly rep This type of racism affects the individual. solved the barber shop problem (laughs).65 resented by B.C. premier Sir Richard This racism is found in everyday activities Mr. Manak is not resentful over the way McBride. According to McBride: Th and includes name calling, stereotypes he was treated. He also points out that admit Orientaic in large numbers would and prejudicial attitudes. It is important there were many supportive white people. mean in the end the extinction ofthe white to provide a few examples of this society- Mr. Manak always believed it was impor people and we always have in mind the ne based racism because one often disregards tant to be a good Canadian. Canada was cessity of keeping this a white man how racism affects that individual. his home. Thus, he felt it was natural to country58 Karm Singh Manak was a main propo demand some basic democratic rights. He Despite efforts by the local Sikh com nent in the fight to gain the right to vote never let the racism interfere with his munity to fight the deportation orders, for Indian immigrants and to have the goals. the Komagata Maru was ordered to discriminatory immigration legislation The plight of the Sikh community in leave. The ship began its return voyage on changed. He lived through much of the British Columbia from 1903 to 1960 July 24, 1914 after a two month ordeal institutionalized racism. Manak describes proves that the Province of British with Canadian and British Columbian how “in those days” the Indians, Chinese, Columbia was racially intolerant. authorities. All Indians living in Canada Japanese and Yugoslavians all formed their Furthermore, the history of Indo and America - whether businessmen, own unique community in Duncan. Canadians is the history of institutional priests, students, farmers, or workers - re There was a general dislike ofthese groups ized racism and discrimination in govern sented the expulsion of Komagata Maru by the dominant white population. A by ment policies. The discriminatory legisla passengers from British Columbia. This law existed in the city of Duncan which tion produced by the federal and provin resentment was to play an important role stated that all people of Asian descent

37 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 cial governments had immense negative 29. Bucltignani, p. 19. 30. Osterhour, p. 5. effects on the Indian community in 31. Ktsan,p.lO. 32. Johnston, East Indians in Canada, p. 6. British Columbia. The legislation pur 33. Johsssron, East Indians be Canada. p. 7. 34. Joisnston, East Indians in Canada, P. 6. posely kept the community small and iso 35. Malsinder Singls Dhillon, A History of the Sikbs in Canada and ii.... California, (Pariala, Irsdic Royson Printers. 1981) p. 5. lated. It also contributed to the imbalance 36. Murhaana, p. 36. 37. Murhanna, p. 36. in the Indian population. Only 400 38. Jolsasron, East Indians be Canada, p.7. 39. Bachignani, p. 19. Indian women and 423 children migrated 40. ‘Hindus are Excluded by Iinaninsons Decision,” The Vancouver to Canada before World War II and, prior Province, March 27, 1907, p. 10. 4,f \,v6/g 41. Baclsignani, p.22. to 1920, there were only 18 women.06 42. Murhanna, pp. 49-5 I. vOso 43. Brachignani. p. 21. (, Subsequently, a lack ofnormal married life 44. Mudsanna, p. 56. 45. Fergasoss. p. 4. meant a delay in Canadian-born Indians.67 46. E.W Morse, “Sense Aspects nf the Komagata Mam Affair 1914.” Canadian Historical Association Report, 1936, p. 100. The Indians were an unwelcome minority 47. Mutbanna. p. 55. 48. Bolaria and Li, Racial Oppression be Canada, p. 164. group who were ridiculed and alienated by 49. Mutlsanna, p. 55. the government and the public. They were 50. Morse, P. 100. 51. Botaria and Li, Racial Oppression be Canada, p. 146. used as a cheap source of labour by the 52. Ferguson. p. 7. 53. Johnstnn, East Indians in Canada, p. 8. white British Columbian capitalists and 54. Buchignani, p. 24. 55. Morse,p. 101. relegated to unskilled blue collar positions. 56. Buchignasi, p. 73. 57. S. Chandrasrkhat, “A History of Canadian Legislation with Respect C’n The Indian community has struggled and to Immigration lions India.” Plural Societies. xvi 1986, p. 264. I ‘I 58. Ferguson, p. 10. continues to struggle against racism and 59. Ferguson, p. 141. prejudice. It is unfortunate that it took 60. Hugis Johnston. “The Development of rise Punjabi Community in Vancouver since 1961.” Canadian Ethnic Studies, Vol. 20, No. 2, b’ some 50 years before Indian immigrants p.sS. \ 61. Karm Singh Maoak. were allowed some basic democratic rights 62. Karm Singh Manak. 63. Karm Singh Manak. so that they would finally begin the 64. Rajisder Manak., Interviewed by Sonia Manak in Duncars, B.C. on Nov. 26, 1995. process of feeling truly Canadian. 65. Sarjcet Sisgls jagpsl.. Becoming Canadians Pioneer SiIahs us their Owss Words. (Vancouver, Harbour Pabhslsrng., 1994) p. 58. 66. B. Singh Bolaria., Racial Oppression be Canada (Toronto, Garansond Press, 1988) P. 172. This was written as an essayfor History 355 67. Bolaria, Racial Oppression be Canada. p. 176. at the Univer.sity of Victoria for instructor Di BIBLIOGRAPHY Some clips from WILSONS John Lutz Bolaria, B. Sissgh & Peter S. Li, Racial Oppression be Canada. Toronto: Garan,orsd Press, 1988. advertisements, 1917. FOOTNOTES Buchignani Norman. Continuous Joonscy. Toronto: McClellarsd and Stewart Ltd., 1985. I. Keroail Siogh Sandu. Indtao.n m Malaya (London: Cambridge Clsandrasekhar, S. “A History of Canadian Legislation with Respect ra University Press, 1969). 32. Insmigtarion from India.” Plural Societies, Vol. 16. pp. 254-280 p. and 2. Rams Singh Manak. Interviewed by Sonia Man.ak in Duncm BC DIsillon, Mahinder Sing. A History Book of the Silsbs in Canada on November 25, 1995. He arrived in Canada in 1921. His father California. Patiala: Roysou Printers, 1981. was one of the first Indians to arrive in Vancouver in 1906. Fergssson Ted. A White Man’s Country. Toronto: TH. Best Printing Co. 3. B. Singls Bolaria and Peter S. Li, Racial Oppression be Canada Ltd., 1975. Jagpal, Sarjeet Sing. Becoming Canadiant Pioneer Sikhs in their Own (Toronto: Garansond Press, 1985) p. 139. 4. Hugh Johnston, East Indians in Canada, (Ottawa, Canadian Words. Vancouver Harbour Publishing, 1994. Jahnstors, Hugls. East Indians in Canada. Ottawa: Canadian Historical Historical Association,) 1984), P. 3. 1984, Booklet 5. Johnssoo, East Indians hr Canada, p. 3. Association, 5. Hssgh. “Tlsr Development of the Pussjab Consissunity 6. Johnston, East Indians be Canada, p. 5. Johnston, Canadian Edsnic Studies, Vol. 20 No. 7. Sarjeer Singh Jagpal. Becoming Canadian, Pioneer Sikhs be their inVancouver Since 1961.” Own Words (Madeita Park and Vancouver, B.C.: Harbour 2. PP. 1-19. Josh, Sohan Sing. Tragedy of Komag’ata Mar,,. New Dellsi: People’s Publishing. 1994) P. 18. 8. Sohan Singh Josh, Tragedy of Icimagata Man,. (New Delhi: Publishing House, 1975. Indians People’s Publishing House, 1975) I. Khan, Shahnaz. “Influences Slsaping Relations Between the East p. Journal of 9. Norman Brachignani. Continuous Journeys A Social History of and the Anglo-Canadians in Canada, 1903-1947,” South Asians be Canada (Toronro, McClrlIand and Stewart Ltd., Ethnic Studies, Vol. 19, No. I, pp.311-328. Manak, Karns Singls. Interviewed by Sonia Manak in Daocan B.C. an 1985) p.6. 10. Shahnaz Khan, ‘Influences Shaping Relations Between the East November 25, 1995. on Indians and thr Anglo-Canadians in Canada, 1903-1947,” Journal Manak, Rajinder. Interviewed by Sonia Manak in Duncan B.C. of Ethnic Studies, l99l,Vol. 19, No. I, p. 102. November 25, 1995. Morse, E,W “Souse Aspects of the Konsagata Mam Affair 1914.” II. I.M. Mutlsanna, People of India in North An.enira (Bangalote, Canadian Historical Association Report. 1936, 100-108. Lotns Printers, 1975) P. 84. PP. Mutisanna, I.M. People of India be North America, Bangalore: Lotus 12. Bachignani, p. 8. 13. S. Chaindrnvrkhat, “A History of Canadian Legislation with Printers, 1975. Osrerhout, 5.5. Orirntals be Canada. Toronto: Ryerson Press. 1929. Respect to Immigration from India,” Plural Societies, Vol. 16, p. Cambridge University 263. Sassdu, Kemail Singh. Indians be Malaya. London: Press, 14. Buchignani, 9. 1969. p. Vancouver Province. Sept. 1906, I. 15. Johnston. East Indians in Canada, P.5. P. 16. Karm Singls Manak, Vancouver Province, March 27, 1907, p. 10. 17. Karns Singh Manak. Vancouver Province. May 21. 1908. p. 1. 18. Osterhout, S.S., Orientals be Canada (Toronto, Ryersnn Press, Victoria Colonist, Nay, 25, 1906, p. 20. Victoria Tunes, Aug. 15, 1906, 1929) P. 18. p.3. 19. Johnstan, East Indians be Canada, p. 5. 20. Ted Ferguson, A White Massh Co.mtr8s An Exeteise be Canadian Prejudice (Toronto: Doubleday Canada Ltd., 1975) p. 19. 21. V,ctoniaT.mrs, Aug. 15,1906, p.3. 22. “The Invasion of the Hindus,” Victoria Colonist, Nov. 25, 1906, p. 20. 23. “Assti-Asiatics so Offer Candidate,” Vancouver Province, May 21. 1908. p.1. 24. Khan, p. 108. 25. Khan, P. 109. 26. Johnston, East Indians in Canada, p. 6. 27. “The Hindu Hordes Make Themselves at Home,” Province, Sept. 1906, p.l. 28. Khan, p. 109. 38 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 NEWS FROM BRANCHES

North Shuswap Historical Society Cowichan Valley history has gone high-tech Association visited Princeton to study the with a C-D Rom Project funded in part by the Princeton Cemetery and the private Allison When the North Shuswap Community Hall B.C. Arts Council. family cemetery. held its 50th Anniversary in July 1984 the at tendees decided to form a Historical Society. Bowen Island Historians Canada Trail organizers took many pictures in and near Princeton. The abandoned Kettle The initial enthusiasm took members and In June 1997 Bowen Island Museum & Valley Rail route was traced for a consider friends to visit local homes built prior to 1940. Archives Building was officially opened. Many able distance to evaluate that as a possible An archives was started and many old photos activities have taken place centered around hiking or biking trail. were copied and filed. The first Shuswap this collection point for photos and artifacts. Chronicle, dedicated to Pioneers was pub Leonard and Leone Brewer were honoured A Wine Tasting affair in September was a lished in 1988; Vol. II, dedicated to First as a family living on the same property for great fund raiser. Since then there have been People of the Shuswap, out in 1989, 100 years. Leone is a member of the Rabbit came Christmas, Heritage Week, Fish n’ Ships dis and Vol. III in 1990. Chronicle IV, family of Tulameen. entitled play and an Elderhostel class hosted by “Love, Laughter ad Good Home Cooking” ap these historians. Nanaimo Historical Society peared in 1993, and V followed in 1995. Many of the original members are now gone Gulf Islands Branch BCHF This group has over 90 members, many of whom attend regular monthly meetings. A but the North Shuswap Society has put flesh The scattered members travel by boat to at committee is collecting short stories of histor on the bare bones of history with feelings and tend meetings, talks or tours on neigh a ical significance to be published this fall. a sense of humour for the benefit of citizens, bouring island. Special highlights in recent especially school children. months included a talk by former premier Salt Spring Island Historical Albemi District Historical Society Mike Harcourt at his Pender Island home, Society Mayne Island pioneer Vera Robson and This group is preparing to host the BC Andrew Loveridge on his research in This group is looking to expand archival Historical Federation Annual Conference in Scotland on the Georgeson family. storage with a view to becoming the holder of the year 2000. Meanwhile it concentrates on Islands Trust records. Their speakers and Galiano Island, meanwhile, has established a maintaining the archives in the Alberni Valley topics of interest ranged from the naming of small museum, and the proponents partici Museum building at the corner of Wallace streets and roads, how a local murder be pate in every possible community festival to Street and 10th Avenue. came a mystery on the “web”, to fisheries, the keep islanders aware of their history. Galiano Volunteers open the archives to the public HBCo, and Hawaiian settlers on Salt Spring. is mourning the loss of Ralph Brine, author of every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to Ken Mackenzie, retired archivist for the CN Canada’s Forgotten Highway, who died at 3pm. New major collections in this archives Railway, is president this year. his home in December. are records from the West Coast General Silvery Slocan Historical Society Hospital Society, Branch 55 Royal Canadian Burnaby Historical Society A tremendous amount of work was put into Legion and Alberni Plywood Company. This very active society meets monthly in the restoring the Bank of Montreal building in Carousel Pavillion in the Burnaby Village Boundary Historical Society New Denver which houses their museum. Museum. They have speakers, Show & Tell Alice and Jim Glanville were presented with The parent company ignored early pleas for evenings, Christmas dinner, and a picnic Grand Forks Centennial Rose plants while on financial help with the project but when a rep which attract members to participate enthusi the June 1997 farm field day tour. resentative attended the re-opening cere Members astically. visited an apiary, a Jersey cheese factory, mony in August 1997 he relayed an enthusi Hardy Roses of the North nursery, a potato Kootenay Museum and Archives astic recommendation to Head office. The farm and concluded with a feast of borscht at These people were very busy throughout Bank of Montreal contribution toward the Bea Zucco’s acreage. 1997 with emphasis on celebrating Nelson’s $200,000 reconstruction was $15,000. This spring four hard working members of the Centennial. The reunions and walks down Surrey Historical Society Boundary Historical Society were declared memory lane resulted in donations of many Apart from hosting the BCHF 1998 “Freemen of the City of Grand Forks” artifacts and archival items. These in turn Conference this organization has had suc Honored were Ray Orser, Helen Campbell, overcrowded the storage area of the mu cess with a historical essay competition in the Alice and Jim Glanville. Congratulations! seum. Kootenay Museum staff and sup high schools, plus placing their earlier publi porters are begging for a larger home - with District 69 Historical Society cation (courtesy Surrey Metro Savings) separate space for a Public Art Gallery. The main thrust of this organization is to LOOKING BACK AT SURREY in every Nelson has been named ‘The Top Small Art maintain and operate the Craig Heritage Park school library in the district. Centre in Canada” for its many presentations & Museum in Parksville. They do enjoy out by repeated Artwalks, so it is certainly justi Sidney ings. Also they have found novel ways to & North Saanich fied in planning a public art gallery AND ex raise funds, such as the Fashion Show by Historical Society panded museum facilities. Ivan Sayer which netted $2500, and the The membership here has dwindled to the Heritage Bridge Tournament, plus renting out Nicola Valley Museum & Archives point where meetings are held in private Knox Church at Craig Village complex. The enthusiastic delegates from Meritt ex homes rather than in the hall previously Cowichan Historical Society tended a cordial invitation to all to attend the rented for their use. Volunteers are putting BCHF Conference there from April 29 to May their time and energy into “The Saanich The Society has undertaken to restore and 2, 1999. Their museum presents the history Pioneers” or the “Saanich Historical Artifact preserve a giant poster. (13 ft. by 8 ft.) of the of the Coldwater and Nicola River water Society” or the Sidney Museum. 1924 British Empire Games. The poster hung sheds. Buses will take delegates in 1999 on a wall in Duncan Elementary School from Trail Historical through some of this territory. Society 1924 to 1996. Members worked with the committee The Municipality of North Cowichan cele Princeton & District Museum & preparing TRAIL MEMORIES. (see Bookshelf brates 125 years of incorporation this year. A Archives. page 41). special exhibit is created for this anniversary. Entertainment at a recent picnic were tapes Thirty-five members of the Old Cemeteries of two Amos & Andy radio programs. At an-

39 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 other meeting they heard the history of the A new society has been created to sponsor Rossland Light Opera Player from a lady who the Nakusp and District Museum, splitting off had performed with that troupe for 35 years. from the archival, research and publishing East Kootenay Historical Society function of the Arrow Lakes Historical Society. The September 1997 bus tour took partici Victoria Historical Society pants to Wayside Garden and Arboretum in Members have arranged for a plaque to be Creston, the Doukhobor Village Museum and set in Irving Park in the James Bay district. Zuckerberg Island in Castlegar and Verigin’s This will tell of Captain John Irving, founder of Tomb. The evening menu was delicious the Canadian Pacific Navigation Co. Ltd. Doukhobor food. (which later became the B.C. Coast Service Arrow Lakes Historical of the Canadian Pacific Railway.) Captain Society Irving’s home sat on the property now called A new book SILENT SHORES AND Irving Park. SUNKEN SHIPS came from the printers The group’s annual scholarship to a history shortly after Christmas. This is the third book student at the University of Victoria has been in the presentation of Arrow Lakes history. increased to $500. Soo Line Railway Ca courtesy of cranbrook Archives. NEWS & NOTES

Reader’s Responses Canadiana Costume Museum the United States, eastern Canada, Alberta and even Australia, leaving Kamloops with Commenting on the Price Ellingson biography President Iris Emerson will be missed after many happy memories. in the Summer 1998 News, a lady wrote, “fi contributing leadership and countless hours nally someone tells both sides of the story. of volunteer work. Emerson passed away on B.C. Historical Federation Too many of the historical articles paint such July 1st, 1998 after a short illness. The Scholarship glowing pictures of a scoundrel Meanwhile a Canadiana Costume Museum and Archives gentleman from Victoria protested, “It seems of B.C. holds a collection of period clothing Frances Gundry and her committee were to be flashy’ in offering a tale of corruption by which is brought out for displays at various very pleased with the entries received for the one of our early politicians, when Ellingson heritage sites and occasionally at the Royal 1998 Scholarship. The winning essay was bankrupted himself trying to save a large B.C. B.C. Museum in Victoria. submitted by George Richard of Kelowna. Mr. trust company. We are exposed to much Richard graduated with a B.A. in History from worse by present day politicians:’ Bob Johnstone of CBC Radio Okanagan University College and will be at Honoured tending the University of Victoria to pursue Pacific Northwest History the Secondary Teaching Professional pro Canada’s National History Society awarded gram. Congratulations! Conference the Pierre Burton Award for popularizing his The Pacific Northwest History Conference, or tory to Bob Johnstone of the CBC radio pro Stephanie (Bowes) Manson ganized by Washington State Historical gram “Today in History.” This program is cur Society, will be meeting in Victoria April 15- rently carried by 24 CBC stations across 1913-1998 17, 1999 at the Laurel Point Hotel. All mem Canada and is heard daily by hundreds of Stephanie was born in Victoria, educated at bers of the B.C. Historical Federation will be thousands in the listening audience. A book St. Ann’s Academy and Oak Bay High, then welcome to attend. For details contact Dr. containing a selection of his broadcasts has worked for the Motor Vehicle Branch where Patricia Roy at the Department of History, sold over 8,000 copies. she worked closely with the B.C. Police University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3P4 Force. Cecil Clark, head of the B.C. Police at or by E-mail, [email protected] Captain Vancouver that time, was a close friend. She joined their S.S. Respectfully Acknowledged pistol shooting club and became a crack shot, Moyie 100th Anniversary beating all in the force at their own game, and The S.S. Moyle sits in a cradle on the beach May 10, 1998 was the Bicentennial of the won several trophies. death of Captain George Vancouver. died at Kaslo. It was launched from the shipyard in He She married Gordon Bowes (author of Peace a sick and lonely Nelson in 1898 to serve on Kootenay Lake, man, discredited despite his River Chronicles) and the couple were very completion of difficult mapping of our B.C. initially connecting with the new Crowsnest active in the Vancouver Historical Society. coastline. This anniversary, line at Kootenay Landing. The steel ribbed however, church After Gordon died, she married Norman services were Moyie is the only surviving sternwheeler on held in Petersham, Surrey and Manson and moved to Victoria. The Mansons in Victoria, B.C. to honour his memory. In Kootenay Lake. The Kootenay Lake Historical were closely associated with the Victoria England a Royal Society has been caring for the historic Navy Captain laid a wreath Historical Society. vessel since 1957. Major restoration com on Vancouver’s grave on behalf of the menced in 1988. The refinishing of the main Admiralty, and the Hon. Roy MacLaren, PC., Speakers Sought: “B.C. Prior to deck has seen dramatic revelations of deco led a contingent of public representatives at 1871” rative panels and stained glass window the memorial service. Historians willing to present a 30-40 minute panes, hand sanding of parquet flooring, re Cattle Drive talk at a “Birthday Party” to be held January trieval of treasures and junk dropped below 9-10, 1999 at Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring windows into the wall, and the Ladies’ Saloon Two hundred visiting riders paid for the privi Island are asked to contact Richard Mackie, has been refurnished with upholstered chairs, lege of accompanying a cattle drive in early 3005 - 2363 Lam Circle, Victoria, B.C. V8N new curtains, luxurious carpeting and more. July. This annual event commences at some 6K8 Phone (250) 477-8023. Incorporated but subtly hidden are numerous distance from Kamloops and treks toward this safety devices such as sprinklers and alarms. city. Nancy Green Raine accompanied riders The S.S. Moyie truly deserves its status as a from her home at Sun Peaks. Fifty volunteers National Historic Site. kept things running smoothly. Participants were entertained in the evening by cowboy poets and singers. Riders came from parts of

40 B.C. IUSTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 BOOKSH ELF Books for review and book reviews should be sent directly to the Book Review Editor: Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Avenue, Vanvouver, B.C. V6S 1 E4

The Life and Times of Grand Forks: Jim pages, the toll and triumph, the prosperity and ad generations later, they comprise a large part of the and Alice Glanville. Blue Moose Publications versity and the culmination of the dreams of a skilled and professional workers of the local popu 1997. Available from the authors: citizenry that has made Grand Forks what it is to lation. Indeed many of the elected civic and com Box 746, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH H0, day.” munity officials today have their roots in families Fax: (250) 442-3265. 210 PP., $18.75 Indeed, The Life and Times of Grand Forks going back to the turn of the century. Leafing through an old poetry book, I was should be in every B.C. historian’s library! Of course I recognized most of the names of the stopped by lines expressing a wish to have listened Dorothy Zoeliner, students with whom I attended school in the twen more. I thought-those are my sentiments! Why Life Member Okanagan Historical ties and thirties but it was interesting to note the hadn’t I listened to my older family members - their Society, co-author of Tours Made Easy places of origin of their parents and the fact that stories rich with the history, not only of my family, and More Tours Made Easy. many of them had spent a few years on the prai but also of my home-town. ries or in the Crow’s Nest mines before coming on

How fortunate that Jim and Alice Glanville have Trail of Memories; Trail, B.C. 1895 - 1945. to Trail. Many families reported losing breadwin published the history of Grand Forks in print and Trail, Trail History and Heritage Committee, ners in the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, but equally pictures, a wonderful. lastng document for the en 1997. 679 p., illus., map. $55. hard cover. remarkable was the support system they describe joyment of generations to come. This book is both Available from Trail History and Heritage which helped them through desperate days before for those who have had the good fortune to live in Committee, City Hall, 1394 Pine Ave., Trail, B.C. the advent of the welfare state we have today. the area and for those who are researching a fasci V1R 4E6. While it was vaguely known to us at the time nating part of our province. This handsome volume will be of interest to any that we were living in a privileged community and The Life and Times of Grand Forks (Where one who lived in Trail in the first fifty years of its enjoying the fruits of a paternalistic industrial rela the Kettle River flows) is a centennial history, pro history. It is the product of a large co-operative ef tions policy of the Company, one senses that many duced to commemorate the one hundreth anni fort by many dedicated volunteers of the area, and of the workers had come from dependant social versary of the 1897 incorporation of the City of it has obviously been a labour of love. stratas in European and British countries, and were Grand Forks. It is impossible for me to be objective in my over probably more comfortable with the existing com The Glanvilles are both Life Members of the all assessment, because I was part of the period. A pany union than they would have been with the Boundary Historical Society and Alice is a Past few of the submissions are too long for the material big American AFL or CIO models. President of the B.C. Historical Federation. Both they contain, but they do not detract significantly Many of the families in writing their accounts paid Alice and Jim were born in B.C. ‘s Boundary Coun from the general interest. Taken together these fam tribute to the generally excellent teachers that we try, and have lived all their lives there. Their love of ily stories represent a good cross section of the lives had at the time. It was rumoured that the Com the area, their admiration for its extensive history of people in a small industrial city in this province pany either subsidized their salaries, or saw to it and their intimate knowledge of this history mani from the turn of the century, through tMDrld War I, that there was a continuity in School Board per fest itself on every one of the over two hundred the twenties, the Great Depression (which barely sonnel with progressive policies which attracted pages. affected Trail), and through the WWII era. While better teachers. Several mentioned Otto Generously augmented with numerous pictures most of the accounts reflect a gratitude for the good Niedermann, a graduate chemical engineer from plus applicable illustrations and maps, the book is fortune of having lived in the area at the time, a few IJBC who was very effective as a science teacher, divided into five chapters, presented in chronologi are tinged with real pathos. then for a short time director of a model appren cal order. The first hundred pages give a nice, balanced ticeship training program for Cominco. Chapter One- 1897-1906 First Decade. overview of the history of the community, and con While the medical care was not described in Chapter Two- The Buoyant Years to 1920. tain a number of essays on the various ethnic groups detail, there were several references to the Com Chapter Three- Consolidation and Regeneration and social and cultural organizations represented. pany subsidizing state of the art facilities for the in the 20s and 30s. There are listings of many of the businesses, and hospital. The doctors united into one group about Chapter Four- Development through the civic councils and cultural organizations, and a few 1925 and were paid largely by monthly contribu 40s, 50s and 60s. photographs of some of the more famous athletic tions from the Workmen’s Benevolent Society. In Chapter Five- The Changing Society 1970 teams, but none to the point of tedium. The re some ways they operated like a mini Mayo Clinic, to Present. maining five hundred pages are given over to the but particularly at the time of WWII, there were In each chapter, explicit information is given on family stories, many of which have been submitted serious threats of what we would now call job ac subjects much as Mining, Agriculture, Forestry, by friends or relatives now far removed from Trail. tion because their incomes were so low in com Railroads, Transportation, Electric ft)wer, Water, Inevitably some of the pioneers would have left no parison to doctors in the rest of the province, even Schools, Business, Leisure Time, Church, World descendants to write of their contributions, but it is though their overall standard of work was prob Wars, People and Heritage. The culture and con to the great credit of the editors that they have re ably higher. tributions of the Doukhobor people, an integral part printed abstracts from the obituaries of some of The Chinese community was very small and as of Boundary history, are presented with clarity and the outstanding early citizens, such as WK. Esling, would be expected in a community with many sin understanding. Lorne Campbell and J.D. Anderson. Representa gle workmen it was made up largely of restaurant Included in the book are three appendices: Or tive photographs have been well chosen, and workers and laundrymen. A high profile exception ganizations Celebrating 100 Year Anniversaries, throughout one can see the guiding hand of the was that of Harry Pang, a young greengrocer in the Colour Photographs and City Councils-Mayors and civic archivist, Jamie Forbes. The pen and ink cover thirties who was a fanatic swimmer and innovative Aldermen (Councillors) 1897 to 1997. Also in design by local artist Stella LaRoque sets the tone businessman. Several of the contributors remem cluded are maps, table of contents, index of names nicely, and the front cover liner by Cushner recre bered one or two of the market gardeners who and a bibliography. ates the 1896 origin of the town, Trail Creek, or pedalled their produce from shoulder yokes or from Grand Forks, located in Sunshine Valley at the Trail Creek Landing on the Columbia River. a small wagon pulled by a grey horse, and recalled junction of the Kettle and Granby Rivers, enjoys a The large Italian community seems to have been the seasonal gifts of Chinese lilies, ginger or leechee vast history aptly recorded by the Glanvilles. This particularly involved in the project, but little won nuts. volume surely meets the criteria of the authors when der when the first generation were largely immi In all this volume is a very creditable production they state: “To recognize 100 years of achievement grant workers who were refugees from oppressive from the people of Trail, enjoyable to read or we have attempted to capsulize, between these conditions in their home land. Today, three or four browse, and for any Smokeater it will be a con-

41 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 BOOKSHELF stant source of conversation to have on one’s cof Looking Back at the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Begbie and John “Cariboo” Cameron are nigh ir fee table. It may even be a valuable addition to the Irene Stangoe. Surrey. Heritage House, 1997. 157 resistible subjects. They make an appearance. More social history of the area. p., maps, illus. $14.95, paperback. recent notable characters are described, too, such Adam Waldie Irene Stangoe is a Cariboo successor to as Rudy Johnson, who put a private bridge across Herodotus, the Greek father of history who wrote the Fraser River in 1968 for easier access to Williams A Perfect Childhood; 100 Years of Heritage “in the hope thereby of preserving from decay the Lake from his ranch. At the westem edge of the Homes in Nelson. Art Joyce. Nelson, B.C., remembrance of what men have done, and pre Chilcotin, the local people built their own road into Kootenay Museum Association and Historical venting the great and wonderful actions of the the Bella Coola valley in 1953. What is one to make Society, 1997. 176 p., illus., maps. $23.95 Greeks and barbarians from losing their due need of the bizarre Cariboo Indian Girls Pipe Band paperback. Available from Shawn Lamb, 402 of glory.” Writing about the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Irene dressed in tartans and blowing bagpipes? They were Anderson St, Nelson, B.C. V1L 3Y3. Stangoe was short of Greeks. She had, however, very accomplished, playing on Parliament Hill and Art Joyce writes a weekly column on heritage Italians, Mexicans, Americans, Scots, English, Ca at Expo 67 in Montreal. The Lac La Hache sport of homes in the Nelson Daily News. In conjunction nadians, and Irish. She begins with herself and her “skating down fish” - chasing fish swimming be with the local Museum and Historical Association husband, Canadians. neath clear ice and spearing them at an opening - is he has produced a fine, glossy coffee table book as In 1950,Irene and Clive Stangoe bought the no longer done. It is now illegal to spear game fish. part of the 1997 Centennial celebrations of the City Williams Iake Tribune newspaper; they published Looking Back at the Cariboo-Chilcotin is of Nelson. Its anecdotal style, readable text, quality it for 23 years. When they retired, they stayed in loaded with accurate historical facts. But only within photographs and distinctive typography make it a the Cariboo. They know the country well. the most basic definition of history - an account of very attractive volume indeed. The helpful end Looking Back at the Cariboo-Chilcotin is a past events - can the book be called history. The notes and the decorative half tone drawings of pe collection of 26 short essays and stories - the pub 26 articles are neither linked nor arranged chrono riod artifacts add to the quality of the production. lisher calls them factual yams - about the central logically. The characters in them seldom cross paths. One is amazed to read of the accomplishments interior, with Williams Lake as the pivot. The The book as whole does not have a thesis. It is the of John Houston, an itinerant printer who settled Cariboo gold creeks, the Cariboo Road, and the place, the Cariboo-Chilcotin, that unites the stories. long enough to become Nelson’s first mayor and Pacific Great Eastem Railway are a backdrop to It comes from the page as a very interesting place, the push behind one of the first civic-owned hy many stories and give a reason for the influx of past and present. In addition, a number of Cariboo droelectric plants in Canada, the first municipally Europeans into the region. Well-chosen photo characters have received their due need of glory. owned electric street car system, and the incorpo graphs enhance the book. Herodotus would approve. ration of the City itself in 1897. He then abandoned Leslie Kopas Leslie Kopas his wife and small family, was elected MLA, and is said to have brought in the legislation for the first The Promise of Paradise: Utopian Communi.. 40-hour week. He disappeared again, surfaced Goldpanning in the Cariboo: A Prospector’s ties in B.C. Andrew Scott Vancouver. Whitecap briefly in the new port city of Prince Rupert, and Treasure Trail to Creeks of Gold. Jim Lewis and Books, 1997. 224 p., maps, illus. $17.95, paper died suddenly at 150 mile House en route back to Charles Hart. Surrey, Heritage House, 1997. 95 back. Nelson. One can only assume that with this history p., maps, illus. $9.95, paperback. Only four years after Queen Victoria named Brit he would be known today as a manic-depressive Goldpanning in the Cariboo is aimed at the ish Columbia, the place had its first utopian settle personality disorder. The home he built at 702 innocent According to the publisher’s foreword, ment Since then, it has seldom been without one. Carbonate Street in 1907 still stands, and is cur the Cariboo creeks “are still laden with gold.” All The history of utopian communities in British Co rently owned by a retired surgeon. you need to get started is a gold pan, enthusiasm, lumbia runs as a counterpoint to the history of the Many old-time Nelson families occupied these and the book. conventional communities. Both are manifestations heritage homes, amongst which one recognizes the The book begins with advice on where to look of human ideas and ideology; utopias are notable Dewdneys, the Dawsons, the Gansners and the for gold in a creek, how to pan for gold, and how to for their refusal to conform fully to the currently Wragges, and many others. stake a mining claim. The second section lists and governing ideology. There is a particularly good chapter devoted to comments on the Cariboo creeks where gold has In The Promise of Paradise Andrew Scott be the life and times of Selwyn G. Blaylock, the pio been found. gins with a discussion about utopias, pointing out neer metallurgist who developed the Trail smelter The information about the creeks is largely irrel that they are created by deliberate intent, and that and its far-flung properties, and operated the com evant for novice gold panners. It tells of gold strikes they have a common purpose that differs from the pany for forty years. The building of his country from at least half a century ago - and diggings far surrounding society. Scott continues with a concise estate, Lakewood, at Willow Point, a few miles east below the surface. history of notable British Columbia utopias. His of Nelson on the North Shore, provided badly Misinformation about well-documented events book is a commendable meld of thorough archival needed work for tradesmen in the early depression is astonishing. The authors say that Williams Creek research and professional journalism. It has a com years. Fragmentary as it is, there is no better ac was named after “Bill Williams.” It was, in fact, prehensive bibliography. count anywhere of the private life of this scientist named after William “Dutch Bill” Dietz. A photo Metlakatla, the north coast holy city established and industrialist who carried the company through caption claims to show “William Cameron of 1858 in 1862 by Anglican missionary William Duncan the First World War, the expansion period in the gold rush fame.” It actually shows John “Cariboo” and peopled by Tsimshian Indians, was the first twenties, the depression, and through to the end Cameron at his Cariboo claim on August20, 1863. British Columbia utopia. Norwegians looking for free of World War II. He was particularly noted for his Cameron was not famous in the 1858 gold rush. land more than for God (but looking for Him, too), paternalistic style of labour relations and his easy Brief historical analysis goes astray, too, when the established a “colony” in the Bella Coola valley and camaraderie with his workmen and their families. authors explain that “in 1912, with war approach at Quatsino in the 1890s. On their heels were Danes The present tense narration of anecdotal mate ing, there were less miners around.” The war started at Cape Scott, also after free land and the freedom rial takes a little getting used to, and one wonders in August 1914. to be clannish. A Finnish utopia began at Sointula about the imaginary conversations reported. But The list of gold creeks and the sketch maps might in 1901 to escape the hell of Robert Dunsmuir’s these are small matters. The book is a delight and give the book some use for exploring the Cariboo Nanaimo coal mines. will be of interest to anyone who ever lived in the gold rush country. The historical comments are too The interior of British Columbia received its first Kootenays, at least until after the Second War. disjointed and suspect to be more than entertain utopians in 1909 when Doukhobors settled in the Adam C. Waldie, ment boundary country and the West Kootenay. They Dr. Adam Waldie grew up in the Kootenays. The stories are taken from a span of more than were particularly exasperating to the reigning con a century. For any Cariboo writer, Judge Matthew ventional ideology because they were successful and

42 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - FaIl 1998 BOOKSH ELF very unconventional. that the violence of the seas was too great to per books, surprisingly no books outline the history of Utopias seem to need either a strong leader or mit him to hang on. This story ends with the fisher Squamish or Woodfibre in any detail, nor is mate interminable discussion; it is hard to say which is man’s rescue by a nearby seine-boat. Two other rial readily available on most of the smaller islands. best since they both ultimately fail. But with a strong vessels close at hand were lost, with their crews. Mrs. Armitage attempts to fill that void, and does a crackbrained leader things go very wrong very fast. Coast Guard rescue ships and helicopters fea good job of it For example, in 1927 Edward Wilson, also known ture largely in many of the rescues. The author! Apart from the almost obligatory chapters on as Brother XII, convinced members of the Aquarian interviewer gives us a sobering look at the stresses geology and early exploration, the work is more or Foundation to establish a utopia on the Gulf Is and risks involved in professional rescue work. A less chronologicalily organized into thematic chap lands. By 1932 it was British Columbia’s first dys case in point is the incident of a small Coast Guard ters, each cutely beginning with “s”, a gimmick topia (if William Duncan’s church politics are cutter, designed chiefly for inshore rescue, but dis which could well have been avoided. overlooked.) patched out into Hecate Strait in an 80-knot hurri As well as relying upon other written accounts, The interior acquired another utopia in 1940 cane. While the little cutter (in her commanding Armitage has made extensive use of interviews of when Martin Exeter, a British Lord, founded the officer’s words) “tossed like a cork” in 40-foot seas, pioneers and their descendants. Their recollections Emissaries of Divine Light on his ranch at 100 Mile her crew climbed into an inflatable Zodiac for the sometimes strike me as somewhat idyllic; surely it House. In 1952, American Quakers, rejecting actual rescue. could not have been much fun rowing in all types United States society, moved to Argenta on A recurrent theme in some of the stories raises of weather to the nearest community to get medi Kootenay Lake. The classical soprano, Nancy an implicit concern: one example is an interview cal attention, supplies or mail. Argenta (stage name) comes from this utopia. with the skipper of a small tugboat that began to list I was impressed by the self reliance of the pio When the Age of Aquarius officially arrived in dangerously while travelling up Vancouver Island’s neers, and was not aware that so many of them the 1960s and 1970s, utopianism acquired vogue. west coast. After the tug foundered, her crew took depended on the sale of produce from their own The back-to-the-land movement spawned many to their liferaft in a southeasterly gale and huge seas. gardens to supplement their otherwise non-exist small utopias called communes. One of the first Their rescue, after a 35-mile, all-night drift, occurred ent income. It is interesting to read that so many of was set up on Lasqueti Island by Ted Sideras, an only because they were spotted by the keepers of the remote islands and communities were settled American, in 1967, the hippies’ summer of love. the Lennard Island Light Station. by single families or hermits, indicating that escap In 1970 the group of about 80 moved to Calvert The book cites more than one instance of lives ing urban hustle and bustle is by no means a new Island on the central coast, then to Kingcome Inlet, saved because of the proximity of manned light phenomenon. then to Fiji. Nearly all the Age of Aquarius utopias houses. Although Keller does not explicitly com The author paid suitable attention to the impor died quickly - the land does not forgive foolishness. ment on the automation of lightstations, one does tance of issues of transportation; the PG.E. Rail Exceptions are the hardnosed Ochiltree Commune find oneself mentally reviewing that issue. way, the Union Steamships and other ferry systems, in the Cariboo, and the New West Co-op in New It is difficult to give an adequate impression of and of course the notorious Highway 99. She also Westminster. the range and variety of incidents the author has adequately touched upon the recreational feature The last chapter of The Promise of Paradise surveyed here. In additon to commercial shipping available in the Sea to Sky Corridor. She has been describes co-operative communities in British Co disasters like those mentioned above, the book meticulous throughout in explaining the derivation lumbia today. They are mostly housing co-ops. In comprises cautionary (to this reader, at least) sam of place names, and has often included the Indian British Columbia the impulse toward utopia has ples of distress involving private small craft. For in names. shifted from a search for God to a search for af stance, a kayak, capsized in the huge seas of a storm Because of my personal long-standing connec fordable housing with a communal ambiance. It swept Johnstone Strait, may seem especially rel tion with Squamish, I had naturally hoped to have remains, above all, a search for community. evant to many people. read more about its history. Perhaps Mrs. Armitage From his file of cliffhanging interviews Keller would consider making use of her obvious literary Leslie Kopas, draws some fascinating insights. One of these is the talents and would further extend her local contacts Leslie Kopas is a resident fact that the several participants in a traumatic mis in doing a book on Squamish. It is greatly needed. of Bella Coola. adventure tend to have quite discrepant memories She might have devoted a little more attention of the event I was once told by an oral history to Britannia and the unusual funky community it Dangerous Waters: Wrecks and Rescues Off specialist at the B.C. Provincial Archives that this is has become. Also it would have been fun to have the BC Coast. Keith Keller. Madeira Park, B.C., a recognized feature of eyewitness accounts. read about the mysterious ill-fated M.V. Prince Harbour Publishing, 1997. 272 p., illus., $28.95, Another insight involves a salutary trait often George, and its recent demise. hard cover found among both rescuers and survivors: a ten I did make special note of Mrs. Armitage’s si All of us hear radio reports about mariners in dency to downplay disaster. One westcoast fisher multaneous political correctness and practicality, in distress along our coast, and of rescue operations man, interviewed after his hairbreadth escape from using both metric and imperial measurements that have succeeded (or failed). Keith Keller, lis death, described the sea-state during a 70-knot throughout A typically Canadian compromise, ehl tening to many such newscasts, came up with an storm as “wrinkly.” All in all, a most informative and enjoyable work. intriguing idea: he contacted and interviewed the Keith Keller’s excellent book is indexed, and is participants in twenty-one of these harrowing mari provided with good sketch-charts for each marine Carl Ian Walker, time disasters. incident. Carl recently retired after a 38 year stint Keller’s interviews with fishermen, tugboat crews, as Magistrate/Provincial Court yachtsmen, lightkeepers and Coast Guard rescue Philip Teece Judge at Squamish. personnel have a gripping immediacy that no sec Philip Teece is a librarian at the Greater ond - or third hand reporting would possibly con Victoria Public Library. A Thousand Blunders; the Grand Trunk Pa vey. cific Railway and Northern British Columbia,

A commercial fisherman, for instance, tells of his Around the Sound; a history of Howe Sound - Frank Leonard. UBC Press, Vancouver, B.C. 344 ill-fated run up the outer coast of Vancouver Is Whistler. Sound- Doreen Armitage. Madeira Park pp., illus. $25.95 paperback. land, with a forecast wind of only about 25 knots. Harbour Publishing 1997. 250 p., illus. $28.95. This is the history of one Canadian railway that He recalls his mounting tension as the wind esca Around the Sound by former educator, Doreen was built into northern British Columbia, its pro lated to 75 knots, his thirty-six-foot troller lost power Armitage, provides a much-needed overview of the moters convinced that the area’s relative proximity and control, and the vessel finally capsized. He viv several locations, communities and enterprises to Asian markets would eventually tip the balance idly communicates his terror as he discovered, af within this geographical area. While some of the in its favour over southern ports such as Vancou ter crawling out through the wheelhouse window, places have already been dealt with in their own ver. Known as the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway

43 B.C. HISTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 BOOKSHELF

(GTP) it was built at enormous cost to connect the vessels the company employed. These performed phy they were constrained by the technology; cum north-west coast with its hinterland, the rest of yeoman service, and fond memories remain to this bersome equipment, and fragile glass plates which Canada. It is hard to obtain this sense of destiny, day of the many who travelled in them up and down were easily broken when hauled by canoe or horse let alone any idea of the merits of the case, from the coast Canada’s war effort during both world back. Long exposure times resulted in stiff strained Leonard’s book. He appears to have commenced wars benefitted from the existence of this dock. portraits. The introduction, in 1888, of the hand with a pre-conceived idea of “arrested develop Factual errors are rare, but egregious is that which held Kodak camera made it possible for amateurs ment” (Preface p. viii) and never looked back. mis-states the nature of construction on Sanford to enter the field. Faster exposures resulted in more “Stumbling” and “bumbling” along (p. 14), he Fleming’s Intercolonial Railway, in the Maritimes. relaxed subjects. What professionals and amateurs would have us believe that the GTP was an un It is bad enough to misspell ‘Sandford’ throughout, had in common was that their photographs reflected mitigated disaster from its conception right up to in a book dealing with railway building in Canada, a white world’s image of the First Nations people. what for him was its regrettable completion. This but to suggest it had “many timber structures” (p. Mr. Francis, a freelance historical researcher and book is avowedly a lexicon on how not to build a 56)is wrong. Fleming’s railway had very few, as he writer whose work has chiefly focused on native railway. Unfortunately it is also an example of how built for permanence. history and the fur trade in Canada, has gathered not to write an academic history. Read this book for its facts, and form your own together a diverse collection of the images of na

A Thousand Blunders. . . is breathtaking in its opinions as to the extent of the blunders commit tive British Columbians taken by non-natives. His diligence. There probably remain no records that ted. In the final analysis access to a hinterland is title reflects his theme. “Copying people” is a trans could be used to add to what Leonard has uncov what makes or breaks coastal communities. The lation of a Haida word for camera, which is a play ered, unless some of the long-lost CN records which GTP, for all of its warts, provided Prince Rupert on the word for masks. Mr. Francis believes that he bemoans periodically should somehow miracu and the Pacific northwest with just that access early photographs, like masks, both reveal and conceal lously appear. Its footnotes are comprehensive, and enough in its history to show that the rest of Canada the truth. He shows how many of the photographs in all this the book is a worthy production. was involved. As this review is being typed people attempted to document the “traditional” Indian, There are really two main issues making up the in the north-eastern corner of the province are dis with subjects dressed up in costumes and props, multitude of errors: the fundamental one as to cussing secession to Alberta, claiming isolation from while others portrayed their subjects in contempo whether or not the railway should actually ever have the movers and shakers in southern B.C. Had the rary dress with an eye to indicating they had joined been built. In this he quotes contemporary oppo GTP not been built when it was, it is highly unlikely “civilized” society. Some tried to present the “no nents of the project with gusto. As these include it would ever have been built Perhaps Leonard is ble savage” while others preferred to focus on the the CPR, to which any competition was anathema, correct, and that would in the long run have been savage. All influenced the contemporary image of and the federal Minister of Finance, who in the the better solution. Without the railway, though, the Indian. normal progression of railway building Canadian Prince Rupert stands little chance in this modem Following a short introduction, which gives a brief style could be expected to be drawn willy-nilly into world of ours. history of photography and photographers in the providing financial succour in one form or another, Kenneth Mackenzie, colonial west, the book divides into three main it is hardly surprising to find opposition to the Kenneth is a transportation historian, chapters: The Pioneers, 1860-1900; Peoples of the scheme. But that does not prove Leonard’s claim living in Salt Spring Island. Coast; and Peoples of the Interior. Each chapter that the underlying mistake was in going forward contains a very short account of the photographers (p. 268). Copying People. Photographing British Colum of the period followed by a generous number of The other issue was how “the company failed to bia First Nations, 1860-1940. Daniel Francis: illustrations. The photographs are identified, where control expenditure” on what turned out to be the Saskatoon & Calgary, Fifth House Publishing, possible, by location, photographer, date and ar ruinously-expensive western section, from the 1996. 150 p., illus. paperback $19.95. chival source. Some are also accompanied by brief Rockies west Here Leonard is on much firmer Few travellers today venture to foreign parts with historical notes. The book concludes with a list of ground, as the GTP was built to ridiculously high out a trusty camera or camcorder dangling from suggested readings which should prove helpful to standards. But what railway ever adequately and their necks or hanging out of pockets. Indeed, if a those who wish to extend their knowledge of the accurately estimated the real cost of penetrating the photographic device is forgotten, whole ranges of subject. Rockies and driving west? In the forty one pages of cheap instant cameras, with or without flash, are Some of the 140 images chosen by Mr. Francis Chapter Three Leonard gives us chapter and verse available from the closest pharmacy. And usually are, perhaps, overfamiliar to those who are inter on the woes faced by the GTP’s construction engi tourists are anxious to take images of the locals to ested in the interpretation of the photographic neers. It is fascinating reading. He also reveals the show the folks back home. In many cases the lo record of First Nations life. And one wishes that ancillary aspects of pioneer railway-building- how cals happily cooperate, sometimes in exchange for some of them, the Curtis photographs for exam to deal with those whose expectations of fortune a polaroid or a promise, in other cases the images ple, could have been seen in all their original glory. run amok whenever a surveyor’s stake pokes above appear to be exploitative or stolen and ethically Nevertheless there are many powerful and beauti the horizon. The chapter on the company’s opera questionable. Travel is cheap today (well, relatively ful images in the collection. There is a haunting tions is necessarily scant, as the line was hardly in so) but those of us who cannot afford the time or quality in many of the faces which is slightly dis operation by the time he brings the story to his the money to go to exotic spots can see them in turbing. As a person of distant native heritage my conclusion. comfort at home on the television, or possibly on self I wondered fleetingly about the images Mr. We do not learn much about the principals of the Internet We are accustomed, with the click of a Francis selected. Did he fall into the same tempta the story, particularly the character of the GTP’s channel changer or mouse, to visit anywhere in tion as the early photographers did and opt for the president; Charles Melville Hays. Unquestionably the world and to see with our own eyes, from many sensational and picturesque in order to prove his the GTP would never have been built had Hays different points of view, a vast display of different point? Were there other, less dramatic, photographs not been around. The records are regrettably cultures and societies. available to him in the archives and museums he sparse, but Hays was so important to the story a Photography was not so easily accessible in the visited which might have shown a different way of better effort at painting his picture should have been period (1860-1940) Daniel Francis has chosen to life? Copying People raises many questions about attempted. He was not a stupid man, and he sin explore in Copying Fople but a curious white so photography and its intrusion into the lives of First gle-handedly convinced a highly sceptical Board ciety was eager for information about the aborigi Nations people. This is a useful and relatively inex of Directors in London to keep going. nal people who occupied the far west Travel was pensive introductory book for those who have an As to the story of GTP’s maritime efforts we are neither cheap nor easy. Many of the early images interest in the subject and it gives a good lead into told little except for the litany of errors in building in this collection of photographs were taken by pro future study. the floating dock at Prince Rupert (p. 148), noth fessional photographers, surveyors, anthropologists, Laurenda DanielIs, Archivist Ementa, ing of the fine fleet of coastal passenger and freight and civil servants. In the earliest days of photogra University of British Columbia.

44 B.C. ifiSTORICAL NEWS - Fall 1998 THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION - Organized October 31, 1922

Web Address: http://www.selkirk. bc.caJbchf/main 1.htm

HONORARY PATRON

His Honour, the Honorable Garde B. Gardom Q.C.

HONORARY PRESIDENT

Leonard McCann do Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6J 1A3 (604) 257-8306 FX (604) 737-2621

OFFICERS

President Ron Welwood RR #1, S22 Ci, Nelson, B.C. Vi L 5P4 (250) 825-4743 weiwood @netidea.com

First Vice President Wayne Desrochers #2 - 6712 Baker Road, Delta, B.C. V4E 2V3 (604) 599-4206 Fax (604) 507-4202

Second Vice President Melva Dwyer 2976 McBride Ave., Surrey, B.C. V4A 3G6 (604) 535-3041

Secretary Arnold Ranneris 1898 Quamichan Street, Victoria, B.C. V8S 2B9 (250) 598-3035

Recording Secretary R. George Thomson #19, 141 East 5th Ave., Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1N5 (250) 752-8861

Treasurer Ronald Greene P.O. Box 1351 Victoria, B.C. V8W 2W7 (250) 598-1835 [email protected] FX (250) 598-5539

Members at Large Roy J.V. Pallant 1541 Merlynn Crescent, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 2X9 (604) 986-8969 Robert J. Cathro RR#i Box U-39, Bowen Island, B.C. VON1GO (604) 947-0038

Past President Alice Glanville Box 746, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH1HO (250) 442-3865 [email protected] COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Archivist Margaret Stoneberg Box 687, Princeton, B.C. VOXiWO (250) 295-3362

B.C. Historical News Publishing Committee Tony Farr 125 Castle Cross Rd, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2G1 (250) 537-1123

Book Review Editor Anne Yandle 3450 West 20th Aye, Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1E4 (604) 733-6484 yandle@ unixg.ubc.ca

Editor Naomi Miller Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0 (250) 422-3594 FX (250) 422-3244 Membership Secretary Nancy Peter #7 - 5400 Patterson Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 2M5 (604)437-6115

Subscription Secretary Joel Vinge RR#2 S13 C60, Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4H3 (250) 489-2490 jvinge @cyberlink.bc.ca Historical Trails and Markers John Spittle 1241 Mount Crown Rd, North Vancouver, B.C. V7R 1R9 (604) 988-4565

Publications Assistance Nancy Stuart-Stubbs 2651 York Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6K 1E6 (604) 738-5132 (not involved with Contact Nancy for advice and details to apply for a loan toward the cost of publishing. B.C. Historical News)

Scholarship Committee Frances Gundry 255 Niagara Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1G4 (250) 385-6353 [email protected]

Writing Competition Shirley Cuthbertson #306 - 225 Belleville St. Victoria, B.C. V8V 4T9 (250) 382-0288 (Lieutenant Governor’s FX (250) 387-5360 Award) The British Columbia Historical News Canadian Publications Mail P.O. Box 5254, Stn. B Product Sales Agreement Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4 No. 1245716

BC HISTORICAL FEDERATION WRITING COMPETITION

The British Columbia Historical Federation invites submissions of books for the sixteenth annual Com petition for Writers of B.C. History. Any book presenting any facet of B.C. history, published in 1998, is eligible. Thismay be acommunity history, biography, record of a project or an organization, or personal recollections giving a glimpse of the past. Names, dates and places, with relevant maps or pictures, turn a story into “history.” The judges are looking for quality presentations, especially if fresh material is included, with appropriate illustrations, careful proofreading, an adequate index, table of contents and bibliography, from first-time writ ers as well as established authors. NOTE: Reprints or revisions of books are not eligible. The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be awarded to an individual writer whose book contributes significantly to the recorded history of British Columbia. Other awards will be made as recommended by the judges to valuable books prepared by groups or individuals. All entries receive considerable publicity. Winners will receive a Certificate of Merit, a monetary award and an invitation to the BCHF annual conference to be held in Merritt in May 1999. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: All books must have been published in 1998 and should be submit ted as soon as possible after publication. Two copies of each book should be submitted. Books entered be come property of the B.C. Historical Federation. Please state name, address and telephone number of sender, the selling price of all editions of the book, and the address from which it may be purchased, if the reader has to shop by mail. If by mail, please include shipping and handling costs if applicable. SEND TO: B.C. Historical Writing Competition do Shirley Cuthbertson #306 - 225 Belleville Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 4T9 DEADLINE: December 31, 1998.

**********

There is also an award for the Best Article published each year in the B.C. Historical News magazine. This is directed to amateur historians or students. Articles should be no more than 3,000 words, typed double spaced, accompanied by photographs if available, and substantiated with footnotes where applicable. (Pho tographs should be accompanied with information re: the source, permission to publish, archival number if applicable, and a brief caption. Photos will be returned to the writer.) Please send articles directly to: The Editor,B.C. HistoricalNews, P.O. Box 105,Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0