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

Arrow Lakes Historical Socety Box 584, Nakusp, B.C. VOB1RO AtlinHistorical Society Box 111, Atlin, B.C. VOWlAO

Boundary Historical Society Box 580, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH1HO Burnaby Historical Society 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5G3T6 Chemainus Valley Historical Society Box 172, Chemainus, B.C. VOR1KO Cowichan Historical Society P.O. Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2 District 69 Historical Society Box 1452, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2H4 East Kootenay Historical Association P.O. Box 74, Cranbrook, B.C. Vi C 4H6

Gulf Islands Branch, BCHF do F. Dodwell, RR#1 S25—C21,Galiano Island, B.C. VON1P0 Koksilah School Historical Society 5203 Trans Canada Highway, Koksilah, B.C. VOR2CO Kootenay Lake Historical Society Box 537, Kaslo, B.C. VOG1MO Kootenay Museum & Historical Society 402 Anderson Street, Nelson, B.C. Vi L 3Y3 Lantzville Historical Society do Box 274, Lantzville, B.C. VOR2H0 Lasqueti Island Historical Society Lasqueti Island, B.C. VOR2JO Nanaimo Historical Society P.O. Box 933, Station A, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 North Shore Historical Society do 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 3G9 North Shuswap Historical Society Box 22, Celista, B.C. VOE1LO Princeton & District Pioneer Museum &Archives Box 687, Princeton, B.C. VOXiWO

Qualicum Beach Historical & Museum Society 444 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K1B2 Salt Spring Island Historical Society Box 1264, Ganges, B.C. VOS 1E0 Sidney & North Saanich Historical Society P.O. Box 2404, Sidney, B.C. V8L3Y3 Silvery Slocan Historical Society Box 301, New Denver, B.C. VOGiSO Surrey Historical Society 8811 — 152nd Street, Surrey, B.C. V3R 4E5 Trail Historical Society P.O. Box 405, Trail, B.C. Vi R 4L7 Vancouver Historical Society P.O. Box 3071, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6 Victoria HistoricalSociety Box 5123, Station B, Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4 AFFILIATED GROUPS

Fort Steele Heritage Park Fort Steele, B.C. VOB1NO Kamloops Museum Association 207 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2E7 Gavel Historical Society 4474 Rupert Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5R 2J2 Nanaimo Centennial Museum Society 100 Cameron Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2Xi Okanagan Historical Society Box 313, Vernon, B.C. V1T 6M3

SUBSCRIPTIONS / BACK ISSUES Published winter, spring, summer and fall by the British Columbia Historical Federation P.O. Box 5254, Station B Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4 A Charitable Society recognized under the Income Tax Act. Institutional subscriptions $16 per year Individual (non-members) $12 per year Members of Member Societies $9 per year For addresses outside Canada, add $5 per year 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, toIlfree i -800-387-2689. Micromedia also publishes the Canadian Magazine Index and the Canadian Business Index. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Publications Mail Registration Number 4447. Financially assisted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture through the British Columbia Heritage Trust Fund and British Columbia Lotteries. BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL NEWS

Volume 27, No. 2 Journal of B.C. Historical Federation Spring - 1994 EDITORIAL CONTENTS

Readers will find great variety in the FEATURES Page topics presented by well-known contribu Honouring the Woman Who Wrote the Book on B.C. History 2 by John Lutz tors. Peggy Nicholls thoughtfully submit The Marine Building: Vancouver’s Crown Jewel 3 ted the story of St. Anne’s Church at by Helen Borrell French Creek because this is a building we Mr. Good Evening, Earle Kelly 5 Helen Borrell will be viewing at Conference ‘94. Leonard by The Eldorado of B.C.: Lajoie and His Short-lived Company 7 Meyers presented us with another anni by H. Barry Cotton versary story, this time of a Canadian Noon Breakfast Point 12 warship on D-Day. Tomas Bartroli has by Tomàs Bartroli Seed Growing in Grand Forks 15 long been the authority on Spanish ex by Jim Glanville plorers on the B.C. coast. Jim Glanville, Early Anglicans at French Creek 19 long-time editor of Boundary Historical by Margaret Nicholls The Island Hall Hotel History 21 Reports, finally reponded to my pleas for by Marj Leffler the story on seed growing. Henry HMCS Hakla, Yesterday’s Hero 23 Stevenson of Nelson has entertained by Leonard W. Meyers Lord of Williams Lake 26 readers twice before in this magazine. Barry by Randy Poulis and John Roberts Cotton tells of “the most flamboyant ex Aviation in the West Kootenay 28 ample of promotion encountered by the by Henry E. Stevenson Flowers from Martha’s Diary Ministry of Mines.” There is a reference to 30 by Jennifer Iredale an Okanagan citizen, a Cariboo pioneer Chinatown Exhibit of the Royal British Columbia Museum 32 and others. by David Chuenyan Lai Our book review editor has had unex NEWS & NOTES 34 pected success in collecting reports from BOOK SHELF reviewers, hence the extra space allotted Working in the Woods: A History of Logging on the West Coast 35 The Logger’s Digest: From Horses to Helicopters for Book Shelf. We thank Anne Yandle for Reviews by George Newell receiving new publications and handling French Presence in Victoria 36 the mechanics of these reviews before and Review by Jacqueline Gresko Silk Trains: The Romance of Canadian Silk Trains after they appear in the News. 36 Review by Ron Meyer Naomi Miller Cork Lines and Canning Lines 37 Homer Stevens: A Life in Fishing COVER CREDIT Reviews by William McKee Vancouver: A Visual History 38 Review by Werner Kaschel “The Marine Building: Vancouver’s Crown Jewel” is Grey Fox: The True Story of Bill Miner 38 illustrated with magnificent clarity in this Leonard Review by Brian Champion Frank taken photo shortly after the building was Hourglass 40 completed. We thank Cyril Leonoff, author of the The Milk Lady prize-winning biography of Leonard Frank, An En Not Without Hope: Dr. H.A. McLean and Esperanza Hospital terprising Life, for securing a copy of this classic Reviews by Phyllis Reeve picture for our cover. Photo courtesy of the Jewish The Sculpture of Elek Imredy 40 Historical Society. Review by Melva Dwyer

Manuscripts and correspondence for the editor are to be sent to P.O. 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. 1 B.C. Historical News Spring 1994

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Book The Who Wrote Woman The The Marine Building: Vancouver’s CrownJewel by Helen Borrell

“The Marine Building — Unique Hobbs, president of Hobbs Bros. Ltd., entrance. Over its double revolving doors, Treasure” was Vancouver’s original high- ship owners, decided that Vancouver’s the massive arch encloses a design of six rise office complex.1 When completed in shipping firms, Merchants’ Exchange, stylized geese flying through the long October 1930, it was not onlythe tallest Board of Trade, Grain Exchange, and rays of the setting sun. Along the inner building in western Canada but, for over other leading businesses should have a wall of the archway are murals of famous a decade, in the British Commonwealth.2 home worthy of them. He was vice- sailing ships: Drake’s Golden Hind, 1577; Below the level of its site at Burrard and president of G.A. Stimson and Co. Lim and then those whose captains first Hastings Streets, four of its twenty-five ited of Toronto, Canada’s oldest bond reached the B.C. coast on the dates storeys are built in the sheer cliff above house. Joe Hobbs was right, agreed the written: Quadra’s Sonora, 1775; Cook’s the waterfront railway tracks. president, Lieut.-Col. F.G. Johnson; his Resolution, 1778; Vancouver’s Discovery, Today the Marine Building has firm would finance the building. Vancou 1792; the Beaver 1835; the Egeria, whose neighbours as tall and taller; but these ver’s Merchants’ Exchange contracted for crew surveyed the coast in 1898; and the starkly bare, functional glass-and-steel office space in the Marine Building for ten Canadian Pacific Empress ofJapan. office towers emphasize that the first years from its date of completion.4 Ca The Ornamental Bronze Co. installed skyscraper was “envisioned as a work of nadian materials were used whenever the bronze entrances to each revolving art that would mark Vancouver’s emer possible; all the wood came from British door. It has been said that some of the gence as an international trading port and Columbia forests.5 Marine Building’s first visitors were too financial centre.” In 1976 the City of And so, in mid-March 1929, E.J. Ryan awestruck to go into the ninety-foot long Vancouver designated the Marine Build-. Contracting Co. began construction, us entrance hall, well named the Grand ing as a heritage property, citing it as “one ing for the first time reinforced structural Concourse. The floor was covered with of the most accomplished and complete steel and modern engineering principles corkoid, a kind of thick, resilient lino examples of Art Deco style in the world. to achieve a high office tower. Sixty years leum; it was inlaid with the signs of the In addition, the literal interpretation of later, in seismic tests required by City zodiac. On the bronze door of each of the the Vancouver environment in its form Council, the Marine Building met present- five elevators, the Star of the Sea shines and details gives it a special architectural day standards.6 Another “first” in our west above a minutely engraved cluster of significance.”3 was that the architects, McCarter and many sea plants. The elevator cab walls In 1928, Lieut.-Commander J.W. Nairne, designed the building in the Art are inlaid with twelve varieties of hard Deco style. Named from the 1925 Paris wood. At a time when the normal speed Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, this art, was 150 feet per minute, the Marine popular in the 1920s and ‘30s, uses geo Building’s elevators moved at 700 feet metric ornament, zig-zags and curves. In per minute, not slow going even today, the Marine Building, it celebrates the when the fastest elevators’ speeds are 800 seaport. to 1,000 feet per minute.7 The Marine Building’s roofs are in Very original are the sculpted ships’ layers, with a pyramid at the summit. prows concealing the Grand Concourse’s McCarter and Nairne’s architects, J. lamps; the ships are carved in low relief Watson,J.D. Hunter and C. Young, draped along the balustrade of the second-storey the series of rooftops with cream terra gallery. From there one can view the cotta copings, suggestive of B.C.’s snow details of the vaulted ceiling’s carved capped mountains. On these, the com plaster decoration and the north wall’s pany’s artists carved low reliefs of frieze of “lobsters, crabs, prawns and seahorses and marine life; from one cor starfish crawling through a waving forest ner Neptune looks down at the graceful of seaweed.”8 brick walls. On the terra cotta surround At a cost of $2,500,000, the Marine ing the lower storeys, the progress of Building was completed in October 1930

transportation appears in low reliefs of — when many businesses had collapsed steamships, trains, airplanes and, yes, in the Great Depression. Alas, a later Zeppelins. casualty was G.A. Stimson and Co.; Joe A half-circle of coloured carvings of Hobbs couldn’t pay the architects; only sea plants crowns the Burrard Street the lowest four floors of the Marine

3 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 dian National Telegraphs, Vancouver Chamber of Shipping, Canadian Westinghouse and, of course, the Mer chants’ Exchange, which “Chalked up a Long Record of Port Service,” to quote The VancouverSun, December 7, 1963. It comprised “218 firms in all: ship owners, importers, exporters, wheat pools, banks, towboat operators, flour mills, ship chan diers, marine insurance, even two marine reporters.” In 1985 British Pacific Building Ltd. sold the Marine Building to Confedera tion Life and the Montreal-based Campeau Corporation. The latter’s finances obliged it, in October 1989, to sell the three side by-side office towers—the Marine Build ing, Guinness Tower and Oceanic Plaza

— to Princeton Developments Ltd. The co-owners, Confederation Life and Omers Realty Corp., now hold most of the shares; Princeton’s managers care for the Marine Building like knights defending a revered mistress. None of its distinctive beauty has been or will be lost; but it has been modernized and extensively renovated during the last eleven years. In 1983 British Pacific announced: “Recessed lighting, shadowless and non-glare, is being installed. A new pump system and other new features will provide the most comfort-oriented and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system pos sible.”10 “Brass, bronze and stained glass surfaces are being polished and refinished. The colors of tile fabulous lobby ceiling are being enriched by modern lighting Bronze elevator doors ofMarine Building. techniques.” These updated features Photographed Frank by L on September 29, 1930. Photo courtesy of Vancouver Public Library. have now been completed. And at lunch hour on a fine day, tile office workers in Building were rented. In 1933, British now automated; but previously they were the Marine Building can enjoy the sun Pacific Building Co. came to the rescue operated by five young women in white shine and the view of the mountains from and purchased the Marine Building for sailor uniforms. They were chosen for the rooftop balconies — unlike their

$900,000 — no sacrifice for Pacific’s mil their poise and beauty, to match their neighbours in tile surrounding closed, lionaire owners, Great Britain’s Guinness workplace. glass, blocklike towers. clan. They had purchased the British It seemed right that the Marine Build Paul Merrick Architects, employed Properties land on West Vancouver’s ing’s architects, McCarter and Nairne, by tile development manager of Campeau heights; later, they built Canada’s longest held its longest tenancy. They moved in Corp., replaced the lobby’s corkoid floor suspension bridge, the Lion’s Gate.9 Be when their building was officially opened, with marble; built a bright new retail sides the Marine Building, they erected in August 1930, and stayed there until corridor with an entrance to Hastings the Guinness Tower. A.J.T. Taylor, man February 1980 — five months less than Street, for whichJoel Berman made sand- aging director of British Pacific, con fifty years. The Vancouver Grain Ex blasted glass deco motifs; and converted verted the Marine Building’s highest tower change still has its office in the building; some disusecl ground-floor offices into a into a luxurious two-storey penthouse another oldtimer is Marine Printers. Other galleria and the Imperial Sea Food Res residence; but Mrs. Mona Taylor became tenants, whose directors had applied for taurant. Next to this is the $25,000 stained- nervous about living away up in the air offices when the Marine Building was glass window designed by Joel Berman and they moved out. Eventually the mil planned, were the Bank of Montreal, — a stylized flaming torch that changes lionaire’s eyrie became office space. Vancouver Board of Trade, Price colours when viewed from different an The Marine Building’s elevators are Waterhouse, Canadian Pacific and Cana gles. Below the street level, carpenters

4 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 are remodelling the lower floors. They BIBUOGRAPHY FOOTNOTES will be occupied by a school for students The Vzr concur Sun: Marine Building Supplement, October 7, 1. “Marine Building — Unique Treasure” by Cherie 1930: ‘Exchange Chalks up Long Record of Port Service,” Thiessen, St,ndct’Neus, April 30, 1978. of December 7, 1963, “Ghosts of a Long-Gone Era” by Don English as a second language, who can 2. “The Million Dollar Folly, the Marine Iluilding” by Stanley, May 19, 1978; “Deco de Luxe” by llichard Williams, Grant Bell, Motorist, March—April also study for a Master’s Degree in Busi June 20, 1980; “At 60, Marine Building is Looking more Eke its nc. 1974 Publisher: tIC. Automobile Association. West old self” by Elizabeth Godley, October 21, 1989. 999 ness Administration. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. The Vancouver Province “Marine Building Section.” Sunday, 3. Marine Building Brochure, pp. and 4. Eighteen million dollars has been October 5, 1930; Visitors’ week at Marine Building. Free 3 well spent on these improvements. Dura Adntission to the Lookout Tower all This Week,” .larch 16, 4. ‘the Marine Building, Vancouver Province October 1931; No. 313 in series of little-known stories on Vancouver by 5, 1930. bly constructed, the Marine Building is Chuck Davis, July 13, 1981) 5. “The Ilemurn of Elegance” by Lois Atkinson. Roi’al presently over ninety per cent occupied. “The Return of Elegance” by Lois Atkinson, Rotnl Centre Mall centre Mall Ness, December 1978. Publisher, Royal Neux, December 1978. Publisher: Royal Centre Merchants Centre Merchants Association. With its classically straight lines, its rich Association, 1055 Went Georgia Street, Vancouver. 6. The .tlarute lluildlng 1929-1989 Celebrating 60 but not vulgarly gaudy ornamentation, it “Million Dollar Folly, the Marine Building” by Grant Bell. B.C. thars qf Enduring ,4rchiteclure and Design. leaves an imperishable image in the Motorist, March—April 1974. Publisher: B.C. Automobile Comttmensoratire program. Publisher: Camnpeau Association, 999 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. Corp. and Confederation Life Insurance Co memories of all Vancouverites. 7. “Site Analysis of the Macinc Building’ by Marina “Marine Building — Unique Treasure” by Cherie Thiessen. Vianzon. Assignment presented for Education Sunday Nen, April 30, 1978. Sumnser Session, Simon Fraser Unms’ersiry. 1993. The Marine Builclitrg, 1929—1989. Celebrating 60 Years of 8. “No. 38, Little-known stories of Vancouver” by Enduring Architecture a,td Destdn. Commemorative program Chuck Davis. VancsurerPror’inc Sunday, July 13. published by Campeau Corp. and Coniaderation Life 1980. Insurance. Helen Borrell is a long-time resident of “Site Analysis of the Marine Building” by Marina “Site Analysis of the Marine Building” by Marina Vianzon. An 9. Vianzofl. Vancouver who delights in researching assignment for Education 498, Simon Fraser University, and writing historical tidbits. Summer Session 1993. 10. Brochure: The Marine Bttlldltag: Renorntions by Paine and Associates, Architects, Publisher: “The Marine Building.” Brochure published by British Pacific Building Ltd. in 1983. Describes the renovations by Paine and Associates, Architects.

Draft Ill, Marine Building Brochure.

ACKNOWIEDGEMENTS My warm thanks to Mr. Fred Gacica of Princeton Developments Ltd. for so interview with him and brochures given on August 20, 1993. Also, my thanks to Douglas Gaidica, Princeton Developments project analyst, for supplying information about the renovations to the Marine Building.

“Mr. Good Evening,” Earle Kelly by Helen Borrell

“Good evening!” For almost seven made one listener picture him as a be

teen years — 1929 to the start of 1946 — nevolent old colonel with a Vandyke the nine o’clock greeting resounded from beard. A near-accurate guess. An Austral every radio in British Columbia, and ian of Irish origin, he had been a major in many in Washington and Oregon. Earle the Intelligence Corps of the Australian Kelly, known as “Mr. Good Evening,” Army and had been wounded in the was the news announcer of the Vancouver disastrous Gallipoli campaign of World Daily Province. Not much chance for War I. Until his final illness, when he was originality in that, a stranger might think. sixty-seven, he was unmistakably an old

Kelly, an experienced reporter, prepared soldier — tall and erect, hair smoothly his broadcast carefully from the news brushed back, white moustache in a paper’s latest edition and the teletype ruddy face, never a crease nor speck nor bulletins. But after reading world and an unpolished button on his suits. national news, he told his listeners items As a public sen”ice. he announced all oflocal interest; he offered congratulations the requests for help, and news of emer on the golden and diamond anniversaries gencies, that his large audience sent. In of long-married couples, with brief ac fact, the latter provoked some listeners. counts of each one. He also sent birthday “We have been requested,” he once said greetings to several grand old ladies or in his clear diction, “to say less about gentlemen who had reached their nine deaths and disasters.” But anxious rela ties. Kelly, evidently, did extensive re tives had to be notified. Kelly concluded search to learn the names and histories of each fifteen-minute broadcast by wishing B.C.’s pioneers. all his listeners “on land, in the air, on the Kelly’s measured, carefully enunci water, in the mines, in the woods, and in ated, slightly aristocratic British accent lighthouses Earle Kelly, sketched byJack Bootbe [whose keepers were soli

5 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 taryl and especially [some particular group] Though he chose not to marry, his courtly heretic complained, in a letter to the a restful evening. Good night.” He greeted manners delighted his secretaries and Province editor, that Kelly’s accent was a different group each night. Among other young ladies. affected, there was righteous wrath. For them were “those who are trying to figure He had worked as a newspaper man days afterwards the Province’s letter out the rationing system” ofWorld War II, in most nations of the British Common section was full of tributes to “Mr. Good young mothers of lively children” Nearly wealth; he reported the World War II Evening.” One admirer wrote him a every group hoped he would speak to news without bias, but his patriotism was charming little ode. them, and so he did during his seventeen ardent. One secretary, who was English, Earle Kelly died on April 14, 1946. years on the radio. One Christmas Day, gave notice because she wished to join But mention his famous pseudonym to Kelly completely dropped the tone of a the Women’s Army Corps. Later she told anyone who lived in B.C. before 1946 news announcer and talked informally, his friend, Norman Cribbens, that Earle and that person’s face will glow with as to old friends. Kelly had said: “We won’t say your deci recognition. After his nightly broadcast, Earle Kelly sion is welcome to us; but as it is for yer and his secretary spent one or two hours King and yer country that you wish to Helen Barrel is a long-time resident of answering the letters that came from leave, we won’t dissuade you. Sit down, Vancouver who delights in researching thousands of “fans” everywhere in B.C., my dear, and take this reference for and writing historical tidbits. and from American listeners within radio yourself.” (Kelly always spoke of himself BIBLIOGRAPHY range of “Mr. Good Evening.” He insisted as “we” and “us.”) 1. ‘Such Interesting People. Chapter ‘1. Extra! When the on anonymity, but in time most Occasionally, Earle Kelly’s distinc I’aperr had the O,dv News, by Peter Stursberg P. ‘13 Sound Vancouverites identified the debonair tive voice and style were good-naturedly lertage Series Printed by Ministry of Provincial Secretary and Government Seivices, Provincial Archives. bachelor who lived in a select business mimicked by some public speaker. As Victoria, B.C.. 1982. men’s club and, every morning, played a Kelly always spelled the names of long- 2. t’a,tco,tterProt’inc March 25. t9’iS “Most of B.C. l.istc’tvd fast game of tennis on the Stanley Park married couples, one speaker imitated to ‘SI,. Good i?vening’.” courts. On Saturday evenings he dressed him thus: “We offer congratulations on 3. tyt,tcouterl’rovi,tce, B.C. Magazine. March 17. 1955. ‘Do in tuxedo and white tie and danced the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. You Remember ‘Mr. Good Pt citing?’ by Norman C ibbens. elegantly in the Commodore Ballroom. and Mrs. Jones, J-O-N-E-S.” But when a Exhibitsfrom the Vancouver Museum

The Barkerville Bon.esbaker plied James Skitt Matthews, the young

— acquired in 1909 depot attendant. That was the first gaso During the Cariboo Gold Rush, line that Imperial Oil sold directly to an Mr. Ritchie of Barkerville built automobile owner! himself a velocipede. He got the At the time, the only v.’ay to put gas in plans from his local newspaper. autos was to pour it into the tank with a

On May 12, 1869, the C’ariboo bucket. Talk about messy ... and danger Sentinel informed the world that ous! The staff at the Mr. Ritchie had completed his Vancouver Bulk task. Unfortunately, the story was Sales Depot came a great source of amusement to up with a great idea, the local residents, who thought and they rigged up that Mr. Ritchie had lost his mind! a tank which used Determined to prove his crea good old-fashioned tion was not a joke, but a serious method Canada’s First Gas Pump gravity to safely de of transportation, Mr. Ritchie hatched a — acquired in 1968 liver the gas to the plan. He would get aboard his new Way back in 1907, it wasn’t very easy to car. The result? bicycle and ride it to Quesnel ... a dis gas up your car. You see, most folks Canada’s first gas tance of 100 kilometres! didn’t have cars, arid getting gasoline to station. Hats off to Mr. Ritchie, the bicycle pio put in them was a real chore. During that You can still see neer. He made the trip in one piece, but year, Vancouver resident John Hendry John Hendry’s considering the condition of the roads at took delivery of his pride and joy: a shiny, horseless carriage, the time and the solid rubber tires on his new Oldsmobile runabout. and Canada’s very velocipede, the journey was like sliding Mr. Hendry placed a telephone call to first gas pump at the seat-first down 100 kilometres of stairs! the Imperial Oil Bulk Sales Depot located Vancouver Museum You can still see the aptly named at Cambie and Smythe Streets, and in “A Hundred “Barkerville Boneshaker” at the Vancou quired: “Do you sell gas that can be used Years, a Million ver Museum — “A Hundred Years, A in automobiles?” ‘We can send you a Stories.” Million Stories.” four-gallon pail of our Number 74,” re

6 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Tbe Eldorado ofB. C. Lajoie and His Short-lived Company by H. Barry Cotton

Joseph Zotique Lajoie is remembered son of the frontier, brought up in the today in the Bridge River valley by a lake, province of Quebec to a life of trapping a dam and two creeks. He was also and hunting; a man capable of telling a remembered some years ago with a good simple straightforward story; who had deal of rancour; while in Maillardville, his spent the last fourteen years in travelling name was considered by some to be the Northwest Territories, in which vast synonymous with scoundrel. area he had had almost unbelievable The settlement of Maillardville was adventures (certainly by today’s stand born in 1909, when the first migration of ards). The most surprising of these was French-Canadian lumbermen arrived on his discovery of the North Pole. But there the CPR, having been recruited largely were other incidentals, such as consort from the St. Francois Valley, P.Q., as ing with a tribe of copper-coloured na workers at the Fraser Mills Lumber tives, whose language and social customs Company. Other contingents followed he recorded in detail. The North Pole and by 1912 there were some sixty French- itself was portrayed as a small luminous Picture ofjZ Lajoiefrom the New Canadian families living there. It was to Yørk mountain about 300feet high, having a Herald ofMarch 18, 1900. prove fertile ground for Lajoie’s enterprise. bluish vapour issuing from the top and Over eighty of the shareholders in that Pelletier, at any rate, had paid hard perforated at the sides from which exuded the Lajoie Company, as well as three of cash for his holdings. a liquid resembling syrup! the directors, were recruited from In later years Pelletier had made his It must have been a relief to the Maillardville. Their investments ranged home at Tyaughton Lake. He died in scientific world when, nine years later, from one share by minors and domestics, 1969. Since the days of Lajoie, he had Admiral Peary discovered the real North two by housewives, to fifty by milihands. been active as a miner, prospector and Pole. But in 1900, Lajoie’s adventures In 1914, fifty shares at two dollars a share trapper. At eighty-eight years of age, he may well have had the ring of truth represented a lot of wages. Alphonse still had an ultimate prospect in mind because Lajoie himself as a witness was Beaubien’s family, as an example, held which, as he confided to my wife in 1968, completely believable. Perhaps plausible 260 shares, while others of the same he would be able to access by helicopter. would be a better word. Eminent scien name in Saskatchewan held over 600. But He was a very literal person and disliked tists (whose statements were appended the largest amounts of shares (and con any form of deception, even in jest. to the newspaper article) had subjected sequently losses) were held by the di According to Julie Frickberg (née Le him to the most scrupulous examination, rectors. Alphonse Beaubien himself held Compte), who knew him well, when yet he came through all their investiga 2,150. In the prospectus he was named as asked why he seldom smiled, he replied tions with flying colours. third vice-president, in spite of the fact that this was due to the memory of the Even if the scientists did take the that he had difficulty reading and writing blackguard who swindled him out of story with a pinch of salt (as I am sure English. forty years of savings. The word that Julie they did), there must have been thousands While a great many residents of quoted, however, was not “blackguard” who swallowed it whole. Jospeh Zotique Maillardville lost their savings, so did a lot but a French-Canadian expression, which Lajoie’s name was in the papers for the of other people; but it is noteworthy that she advised me not to put in print. first time. Some fourteen years later, he the list of shareholders as of June 18, It is hard to pin down Lajoie’s early would put another promotion to the test, 1915, shows a majority with French- life. He is believed to be a brother of and on this last occasion it was fortunate Canadian names. The directors included Napoleon Lajoie, who was in 1937 in for him that the advent of World War I Petre W. Allaire (named second vice- ducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in would effectively repress the headlines president and branch manager), Wilfred which case his family must have lived for which would otherwise have arisen. When Duplin (secretary), Antoine Pelletier and a while at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. he moved unobtrusively on, there was no George Corriveau (named foreman). It is But while his brother was making his hue and cry. difficult to say just how much the actual first headlines in Philadelphia in 1898, Lajoie claimed to have come to the losses of the directors were as, during the Joseph Zotique was making a different Bridge River valley several years before course of construction and tunnelling at kind of headline. On March 18, 1900, the 1890s. Although a remote area at that Lajoie Falls, they received shares in lieu of there appeared a remarkable article in the time, it was not unknown: Edgar Dewdney wages; although there is reason to believe New York Herald. It described Lajoie as a had made an exploration from the river’s

7 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 confluence with the Fraser up as far as though dropping fifty feet in three or four prospects were becoming better known, Tyaughton Creek in 1865, noting several giant steps, and equally spectacular. Both Allaire and others were shown the map Chinese miners en route, and both these falls are now submerged in Downton withdrawn from its hiding place. Then, Cadwallader Creek and the South Fork Lake, but contemporary photographs well between 1912 and 1913, the promotion are shown onJ.W. Trutch’s map of British illustrate how powerful was the water began in earnest. Columbia in 1871. Lajoie was known as flow. The first step was the staking of the an experienced traveller in that country, Since the early 1900s, mining activity mineral claims. On May 29—31, 1913, and his traplines extended from Gun in the Bridge River valley had been Lajoie staked eight claims in his own Lake and Mount Penrose to Slim Creek growing: Haylmore staked the Why-Not name at the north end of Gun Lake, in and to the headwaters of the Bridge mineral claim in 1897, Pioneer was staked two groups of four. Between the limits of River. He is reputed to have been the first in 1898, wayside in 1901. According to these, he proposed to put the Lajoie man to travel to the height of land at the Allaire’s family record, Lajoie claimed Townsite, for which he published a No head of the Bridge River valley and see that he had made a rich “strike” in the tice of Application to purchase Crown ‘the blue” (the Pacific Ocean). His influ Gun Lake area in the 1890s. Since, land in The LillooetProspectoron August ence in the area must have been great, as however, the times were not yet favorable 8, 1913. He started taking out Free Miner’s both Lajoie Falls and Zotique Falls were for raising money in such a remote area, Certificates in his own name and in that being called after him in those early days. he had carefully removed a section of of the company in May 1912 (in which Lajoie Falls was a powerful spectacle bark from a big pine tree on the banks of respect his activities were well sanctioned indeed, 150 feet wide at the brink, with a Gun Creek, dug a hole in the wood, and until 1916). Then on June 3—5 of 1913, fall of over 100 feet. Half a mile further inserted a detailed map of his findings. Lajoie staked seven more claims in his upstream was Zotique Falls, much wider Later on, when the Lorne and Pioneer own name in the area of the falls, which included both sides of the Bridge River. On April 25, 1913, G-uN L

13 ‘ ‘- “holdings,” giving Lajoie him , - C) - - - - self 575,010 shares as payment : for the deal. The other directors would soon acquire more shares for cash and, at a later date, shares in lieu of wages. In Irene Edwards’ excellent publication Short Portage to Lillooet, there appears on page

,, 237 a map of the Lajoie area. It was found in an abandoned cabin near the present dam site and is dated June 1913, about the same time that the mineral I ‘!2 .Q’JTH claims were staked. It is a good L° ‘ F0P-X5 . / - freehand drawing, possibly -. . ‘ 1— / done by Lajoie himself. But it is - f-F a crude document compared

/ FOOOo with the Lajoie Company’s ‘! .Dej,I prospectus, published May 13, 5-4A 1914. This was a masterpiece of persuasive prose, well ahead of its time. In later years it was Con,piledpkln ofLaJoies “holdings.” Map by (be author. to be kept on file at the B.C.

8 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Ministry of Mines library as being the and $100 of gold per ton; at Lajoie Falls a post claims of 1500 by 1500 feet, but only most flamboyant example of promotion true vein twelve feet wide had been one claim by location on any one vein. which they had yet encountered. located; pitchblende had been discovered Just how legal that made Lajoie’s claims, Near the beginning of this sales- (by Lajoie himself); timber holdings in two groups of four and one of seven, syllabus, strangely enough, is a statement amounting to a cut of twenty million feet, is debatable; but it was normal practice warning the investor against the “unfair and a sawmill are mentioned; a mineral when staking a discovery to protect it and reckless handling of joint stock ized zone or gold belt half a mile wide with adjacent claims. 1-lowever, a mineral company business by unscrupulous of had been discovered running through claim was never more than a chattel ficials, directors and promoters of the so- Burnaby and Burquitlam; and the power interest, renewable year by year on the called wild cat schemes.” Page five shows potential at Lajoie Falls would develop recording of the work done; and no a picture of the man who makes this 250,000 horsepower. certificates of work were filed against any announcement, President J.Z. Lajoie Today a 287-foot high dam occupies of his claims, which would all lapse on himself, described elsewhere as “explorer the site of Lajoie Falls, holding back a June 11, 1914. That work was done on at and minerologist,” and on page nine are storage lake fifteen miles long, and cer least one group is true, hut since it was pictures of the twelve directors. No less tainly in respect of water power Lajoie’s never recorded, the company’s mineral than eight pages are then devoted to a vision was prophetic. However, a brief rights were from that date as nebulous as comprehensive description of the un look at the real value of the company’s the twelve-foot vein mentioned in the tapped natural wealth of British Colum holdings when the stock was listed shows prospectus. bia with its mines and timber resources. how non-existent were the assets. The Timber Population trends, climatic conditions The Townsite Timber licences in the immediate and agriculture are all discussed with The justification for the “townsite” at area were granted to one Patrick Donnelly quotations from wholly reliable sources. the end of Gun Lake was a staking notice in 1913—1914. The only timber rights Into this texture are skilfully interwoven on the ground and the insertion of one Lajoie owned would be on his claims for the prospects of theJ.Z. Lajoie Company; Notice of Application to purchase 400 mining purposes, which would, ofcourse, the logical inference being that the best acres in The Lillooet Prospector. Proce lapse on June 11. 1914. way to invest in the former is to buy dure under the Land Act for acquiring The Water Power shares in the latter. At page twenty, Crown land in 1911 was almost identical Much has been made of Lajoie’s however, the writer sets out to divulge to that in force forty years later, and foresight in the matter of water power. the holdings of the company, and from involved also publication of the notice in The Water Act of B.C. had been rewritten here on fiction takes over. two issues of the B. C. Gazette, the filing twice, in 1912 and 1913. In previous years The Lajoie Townsite would not be of sundry affidavits, and a formal applica its looseness had led to a great deal of boomed, said the brochure, it would tion to the Land Commissioner (none of confusion and abuse. In 1914 it was again grow by natural expansion, and in five which took place). So there was no land. rewritten, and in the Report of the Water years would have a population of 5,000; The Mine Rights Branch of December 31, 1914, samples of ore had been assayed at $50 The Mineral Act in 1913 allowed two appears the following statement: under the present Act, it is no longer possible for a power company, u/tb the minimum of capital permissible under the companies Act; to stake a valuable water-power requ ir ing a large amount of money for development. The effect qf this has been to discourage the staking of power-sites for speculativepu?poses. The same

sentiments were stated in an article by the Comptroller of Water Rights in the B.C. Magazine for December 19, 1914. So it seemed that, in matters of water power, the B.C. government was not about to give anything away. Now, although priority of staking under the Water Act would always give an applicant the first right to a hearing, it II’, lu/oh’ IhIfli 1992 was still only the preliminary

9 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 step in a procedure involving presenta 1915. There were several issues of shares magazine which contains the article by tion of complete engineering data, proof to the workers in lieu of wages — in July the Comptroller of Water Rights, and it of adequate financing and other matters, and December 1914, January 1915, and hardly seems a coincidence that both before even a provisional licence would again in April 1915. Reminiscences of the articles contain photographs of the Bridge be issued. Allaire family, and of Pelletier, are mindful River falls. The “Eldorado of B.C.” was It is possible that, notwithstanding that the crew were told by Lajoie at the written by Ray 0. Smith, and one could the toughness of the new act, the Lajoie time not to believe any criticism of the well conclude that he was the author of Company’s power application had been prospect by other miners working in the the company’s prospectus also. One could processed under the 1913 act, in which valley. Nevertheless, in the spring of go further and infer that he had much to case it would have had to wait for the 1915, when pay was still not forthcoming, do with the setting up of the company in Board of Investigation, which had a huge the crew had started to ask questions. the first place. Certainly, afterJune 1915, backlog of concerns to deal with. This Lajoie left for Vancouver, ostensibly he continued to do what was necessary to would explain why the application was to raise money for payroll and attend a manage the company’s affairs, and was still pending several years later, by which meeting. There should, of course, have even attempting to keep the company time the company had gone bankrupt. So been a considerable amount of money in afloat as there was a small news item in what “rights’ did the company have in the bank, as over 55,000 shares had been The LiIIooet Prospector of July 23, 1915,

1914? Merely priority of staking — or the issued (exclusive of Lajoie’s own hold stating that: “The Lajoie Company intend right to have their application heard first. ings). Fanciful though many of the assets to do extensive development on their

But even that was a bit obscure — of the company might be, there had to be property at Lajoie Falls. At present they ownership of the land in question was at this time one real asset — cash. These are driving a tunnel.” It was now two always a prerequisite for applications were matters of which officials of the months since the company’s president under the Water Act, and by June 11, company in Vancouver must have been had departed. 1914, any right to use of the surface of the cognizant, but of which the working But obviously the company’s days company’s mineral claims was also de crew at Lajoie Falls knew very little. were numbered. Activity at Lajoie Falls funct. So it seems that Lajoie held only the But although Lajoie stayed in Van had almost ceased, and on May 16, 1916, vaguest rights to any power that would couver long enough to set up the meet the post office closed. In Vancouver, two later be generated by the falls hearing his ing, he unaccountably disappeared before years after incorporation, the Lajoie name, attending it. leaving a lot of unhappy Company Ltd. went into voluntary liqui Meanwhile, in the summer of 1914, directors. Petre Allaire was one who was dation. In 1927 it would he struck off the some twenty men were sent to the interviewed by police. Register of Companies. campsite at Lajoie Falls. Included were In the Bridge River, it was alleged In the Bridge River valley, Lajoie’s several of the directors — Allaire, that the company’s bank account had disappearance left the mining project Beaubien, Pelletier, Corriveau and Duplin accompanied Lajoie on his journey. Cer derelict. Most of the victims, with little

— with several of their family and others tainly the annual balance sheet, dated money, made their way south to Van from Maillardville. The foreman was May 15, 1915, is unique in that it shows couver. The Beaubiens, father and son, Corriveau. Duplin took on the job of various assets and liabilities in the normal moved further down the valley to the postmaster at the newly established post way, but absolutely no cash, mouth of Tommy Creek. Here they pre office of Lajoie Falls. This was located on The manager of the Vancouver office empted District Lot 3213, where the family the Corriveau mineral claim, by arrange of the Lajoie Company was Ray Oliphant lived until 1927. Those who stayed in the ment with the federal government. The Smith. Although his address is given as valley earned their living as prospectors crew were to build bunkhouses, then Lajoie Falls, B.C., he had power ofattorney or trappers. Wilfred (Bill) Allaire, his proceed with a tunnel starting through from Lajoie himself and was the signer of brother Anthim (Pat) and Pelletier took the rock slide that had covered the alleged all official documents in 1914 and 1915, over the trapline from the South Fork to paylode in the intervening years. The as managing director. He also had the the headwaters of the Bridge River, living campsite was on a flat close to Lajoie misfortune of owning more shares in the in one of Lajoies cabins the while. The Falls, now covered with water. Roly Allaire company (next to Lajoie) than any other brothers joined up forwar service in 1914 remembers visiting the site with his brother shareholder. and 1917, respectively. It is said that in the Bill in 1932, when the frames of several On December14, 1914, a well-written ‘20s Pelletier and the Allaire brothers buildings were still standing. The tunnel article appeared in the B.C. Magazine would vie with each other in carrying was started on a slight slope as a trench extolling the virtues of the Bridge River. eighty-pound packs from Goldhridge over 150 feet long, becoming deeper as it The article was called “The Eldorado of Warner Pass to supply the Taylor Wind approached the rock face, the first set of B.C.” and contained whole paragraphs fall Mine. Certainly the Allaire family timbers being in the open, then roofed taken word for word from the 1914 Lajoie continued to he associated with the val over for the last seventy-five feet. Bill, prospectus. It also contained photos of ley for many years, the younger brother, who had worked on the tunnel in 1914 as other mines in the area, Pioneer, Coro Roly, becoming Pelletier’s partner in 1935. part of the crew, explained the con nation and Wayside, a full-page picture After World War I came the Pacific struction to his brother, who was most of Lajoie Falls and three snapshots of Great Eastern Railway and there was impressed. Work continued at the site for Lajoie himself— “a pioneer of the Bridge again mining in the valley. But none of the rest of 1914 and first few months of River country.’ It is the same issue of this the activity was centred around Lajoie

10 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Falls, which by 1922 was no longer listed in the B.C. Directory. The Pioneer, Coro nation, Lome and Wayside mines were the employers of labour. Those miners who walked the long road in, over Mis A?tQ Ub TNt t.A.1.C 755 pIow.çf Q 7,V,$., lO.U sion Mountain and alongside the Bridge River, learned about Lajoie as the man who “struck it rich” by promoting a townsite at the end of Gun Lake. The

legend persists — a capricious one. I have a mental picture of Lajoie, with bulging briefcase, furtively wending his way through Vancouver’s back streets. I7z Was there a steam launch waiting for him LYV OF 1*A1 RZ3OUS LAIV FALLSb PflSH COLUIA. CAMA at the docks, or did he board the train for Seattle? We may never know. Nor do we have an authentic record of his later activities. It is said that he was murdered on the prairies by a disgruntled investor, also that he was heard from in Mexico At1T)*tZCD CAP7At. ‘ . . ‘ $2 000 000 City, when his will was probated, leaving haifa million dollars to the church and his

then wife. Again — we may never know. J.Z. Laoie was without doubt a pro moter par extraordina ire; and ulterior though his principal motive may have been, as a booster of the Bridge River LAJO4 WøXR POWERS valley his cause was prophetic. By 1928 LAJOIE tWBER LANDS the gold promised in his prospectus was LAJOtE MANUFACT1JRNG being mined (though not from the loca LUOIE TOWNSrTE PROPERTy ?U tA, i tion he had designated!), and eventually “.,W in larger quantities than even he had conjectured; the Lajoie Darn, built right 74771.f on top of the falls now impounds 534,300 acre-feet of water to help keep Vancou Front page ofLajoie Co.’s prospectus. May 13 1914. ver’s Street lights burning; and though Courtesy of B.C. Archives Bralorne-Pioneer Mines have in their turn become past history, the eye ofthe traveller is still gladdened by the snow-clad sum mits and sparkling lakes rimmed with lava-ash, just as it was eighty years ago. Ray Smith put the matter concisely in

his 1914 eulogy:” ... this district, properly associated with piles of shaggy mountains, where gold, silver, millions of acres of timber, and roaring waterfalls are all combined.”

The author is a retired surveyor now living on Salt Spring IslantL He spends many hours in the archives in Victoria piecing togetber histories ofpioneers.

SOURCES 1. B.C. Archives

2. The IV,lde,’ness Dream, Jeanette Beaubien McNa,nara. Braenar Books Ltd, Victoria, B.C.

3. Brkge River Gold, Emma de Hullu. Bridge River Valley Centennial Committee.

4. TheNeu’ York Herald, March 18, 1900. 5. Allaire family records. 6. Miscellaneous interviews.

11 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994

12

Spring News 1994 Historical B.C. -

Bank Roberts called now the by ten shoals about longboar a with were ef travelling personnel the of rest of the which

hindered was progress their but it a teen) wards pinnace; or yawl in navigated course the in days, twelve there about for

to proceeded two craft the Then Grey. (perhaps four or thirteen companions remained personnel their part and of

Point as known now the was some and U.S.A.). feature he Vancouver; of command all ships Both State, of Washington

sound.” It to ern extensive an the entrance over group such (now under One was part C’hatharn Bay Birch at arrived

south the form to seemed point bluff that Discovery them. 1792 and On June ii

he “a to noticed coast wherein north, the ashore tents inside slept the and matter. subject pitched main the of protagonist

the scanned its From they Vancouver vicinity was it coast; feasible, the is it wherever because Expedition, Vancouver

Roberts. and Point Bay, the rounded thence parts of the of reconnoitering morning, the records the in as given are events

Boundary including coast, continental starting in early days, very spent dates several of the article this In standards.

of parts the shore), reconnoitered northwards, who on pitching for tents rying be continental American the called may

1792, steered June (and 11 of hours by early car sailing or rowing by either what with keeping in dates whose were

the in Bay Birch out group The from set navigate boats could which two using Spaniards, the by June 21 but Britishers,

command. in was who Puget, Peter and men, of a was group by June endeavours such the 22 dated is historic encounter

Manhy Thomas or including for norm others, eleven The cruises. exploration fected a So, one. Spanish the after of those

day one dates kept expedition British

the that in two differ the of expeditions

Bay Birch

records the here, be not need explained

that reasons For expedition. 1 Spanish that

Roberts Pt of records the and Archibald Menzies,

and Puget Peter explorers fellow his of

Island Galiano

journals Vancouver, by book old a maps,

are article this for sources data The

victuals. with course, of boats, and, with

surveying, hydrographic instruments for

Valdes with equipped were expeditions Both

Mexicana. and ships Sutil the Navy, with

Royal Spanish the of one and Chathani,

and Discovery ships the with couver,

George Van Captain by commanded

Vancouver City

Navy, Royal one tions: British the of Island Gabnola

expedi two by charted was promontory

that year following the of June In

:.

...

•

de Lingara. Juan

z

V admiral Spanish the after Lángara, labelled

are which islands small a of cluster tuting

Inlet

consti as shown erroneously is vicinity

6

Jervis

its and point the of territory the map

this In Navy. Royal Spanish the of tion

1791 expecli an by in area effected this

of exploration cursory very the reflects

that map a in appears of feature this tion

representa cartographic earliest The

city.

Vancouver of tip western the on situated

Grey, Point of case the was such name;

one than more by designated was feature

particular a cases many In features. graphic

topo to names assigned usually who

nationalities, different of navigators by

(mapped) charted and reconnoitered was

Columbia British to belonging now coast

the of 1792 much 1774 and Between

Bartroli Tomàs by

Point Breakfast Noon and Sturgeon Bank. spent the night near its head. Departing probability including some that were Changing course, the explorers early the following morning, 13 June, Mexican born and bred. steered westward, across Georgia Strait, they moved to the entrance of the inlet Then a historic encounter took place aiming to make a stopover on land. This and stopped on the shore ofPoint Atkinson between members of the British and move required much rowing and it was — situated to the north of Point Grey — Spanish royal navies. As Vancouver’s very late at night when they were able to for a purpose thus mentioned in Puget’s book does not mention the fact that the land on the shore of one of the islands, journal: “ ... stopped for Breakfast op longboat went a separate way, readers now named Valdes and Gabriola, at a posite Noon Breakfast Point, which bore not otherwise informed would naturally spot that was steep and rocky. There, 3 Miles from this place.” assume that both the yawl and the with much difficulty, they kindled a fire Afterwards the party, with the two longboat, with a total of about twenty- and perhaps had some dinner. They boats, pushed northwards and examined five men, were present at the encounter, obviously would have liked to pitch their the coast, including Jervis Inlet. When on and this misconception is reflected in tents and sleep in them but, since the the yawl, early on 21 June, they left this several publications of the twentieth terrain was unsuitable for the purpose, place, the longboat carried its crew, with century. Actually, there was only the they slept in the boats (perhaps uncom Manby in charge (but not Puget because yawl, with perhaps fifteen or sixteen fortably). he was with Vancouver). The plans were men, including Vancouver and Puget, all About five o’clock the following for both craft to return together to Birch English speaking. Altogether, over seventy morning, 12 June, the group, with the Bay, but because of a mishap they went strangers but, apparently, no native yawl and the longboat, departed from separate ways. This separation is men people, were in the area. All indications that place, steered eastward and re-crossed tioned in the journals of Puget and Manby are that none of the Britishers knew Georgia Strait. Vancouver’s book men and also in other records, but Vancouver’s Spanish, and that only one of the tions:” ... we landed about noon on the book gives not even a hint of it. Hispanics, Alcalá Galiano, knew some abovementioned low bluff point which The yawl, carrying Vancouver, Puget English.2 in compliment to my friend Captain and some companions, steered fromJervis The yawl came alongside Sutil. The George Grey of the Navy, was called Inlet southwards, and eventually came in time must have been early morning, POINT GREY.” view ofBowen Island and its neighbouring probably when the ship’s personnel were Puget’s journal states: “We again islets, situated at a short distance from about to have breakfast. Vancouver, Puget visited the shoals whose Edge we traced Point Grey. Puget’s journal reports: “That and a midshipman climbed aboard, where to a Bluff which for Distinction sake we night we reached the Cluster of Islands in they met that personnel and, helped by shall call Noon Breakfast Point.” Mid Channel, off Breakfast Point.” Galiano’s knowledge of English, the two In subsequent references to this In the course of that day Sutil and sides were able to communicate. Van promontory, Puget’s journal reiterates the Mexicana had been anchored at a short couver was very pleased with the way he “Breakfast” denomination, but it seems distance to the west of Point Grey, and was treated by the Hispanics, and his that neither the journal nor any other of their commanders realized that the book mentions that he subsequently left the expedition’s records explains the aforementioned Spanish map was wrong the vessel “having partaken with them a reason for it. However, in the light of the in depicting this promontory of the very hearty breakfast” (obviously, aboard aforementioned and ofsubsequent events, mainland as a cluster of small islands; the ship). The book does not specify I guess: consequently, in their records they named whether or not Puget and the midshipman • Largely because of the cir it Langara Point. also partook of the breakfast, but Menzies’ cumstances of the preceding This Spanish expedition spent the journal, referring to the three men, says: night, the party set out from that night off that promontory, while the group “They went on board the Brig [Sutil] and island shore without having led by Vancouver spent it at some part of were politely detained to breakfast.” From breakfasted. the Bowen Island group, not far away. this I assume that these three Britishers • Around noon, being very tired Puget’s journal, in its entry for the breakfasted aboard that Spanish vessel. and hungry, they landed on the next day (June 22), says: “We left our (The records of the Spanish expedition shores of that bluff point. Quarters at 4 o’clock and soon after got mention this encounter, but not the • There they had a meal that was sight of two Vessels at Anchor under breakfast detail.) both breakfast and lunch, what Noon Breakfast Point.” In this respect it is fitting to ask: what is now called a brunch meal. Vancouver’s book has this statement: about the rest of the British group that

• At least provisionally, and in “As we were rowing ... for Point Grey, had been voyaging in the yawl with commemoration ofthe meal, they purposing there to land and breakfast, Vancouver, Puget and the midshipman? called the promontory Noon we discovered two vessels at anchor Did they breakfast? None of the extant Breakfast Point. under the land.” documents says anything about them. • It was not at that time, but later, Of course, these vessels were Suti4 However, a statement in Vancouver’s that Vancouver decided to call commanded by Dionisio Alcalá Galiano, book, quoted above, clearly implies that that point after George Grey. and Mexicana, commanded by Cayetano it had been planned for the whole party To reiterate, this is guesswork. In any Valdés, Their personnel totalled about to breakfast on the shores of Point Grey. case, during the rest of that day the party forty-eight men, all Spanish speaking and Therefore I assume that while Vancouver, examined the shores of Burrard Inlet, and subjects of the Spanish empire, but in all Puget and the midshipman were aboard

13 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Suti4 these other Britishers, either man- is confirmed by records from fling the yawl or else carried by the subsequent times. Surely, much Spanish boats, moved as close as possi of the shore was suitable for ble to these shores, then landed at some picnicking purposes. spot and had breakfast on it. Further Guess: It was at a spot where The more, I guess that they were joined by there was potable water that those some of the Hispanics, and that all enjoyed two breakfasts took place; the British the encounter. Indeed, I envisage a lively participants lit a fire, cooked scene on shore between Britishers and food, and used water for brew Columbia Hispanics, all young, all mariners, all far ing tea (perhaps coffee for the away from their respective home coun Hispanics), for washing them Historical tries, with smiling faces, handshaking selves, etc.3 and embracing in the friendliest mood, The Vancouver Expedition produced News eating and drinking something by way of a map which includes the area mentioned breakfast. Each side knew that its language in this article, the toponyms assigned by is available in would not be understood by the other Vancouver. In the course of time the area m icroform side, and yet, there may have been verbal was incorporated into the British Empire utterances such as: How are you? como and subsequently became part of Canada. estds? What is your name? 6’ómo te lla Naturally enough, those toponyms are Back volumes mas? Got a sweetheart? Tienes novia? now official, and that promontory on the Here, take this cigar. Toma este cigarro. western tip of Vancouver city is named of this publication And I imagine Britishers and Spaniards Grey, after a British naval officer. But, as are available in cum-Mexicans affectionately bidding each a sort of consolation prize for Spain, a microform other farewell, saying: Bye bye, buddy; golf course in the city’s area is named we’ll meet again. Hasta Ia vista, after the Spanish naval officer Lángara. I (Aim or fiche). compañero. wonder whether Vancouver’s journal still

According to Puget’s journal that exists — perhaps somewhere in England stopover of the Britishers lasted about — and whether, on the subject of that one hour. Then they made for Birch Bay, exploration cruise, it has details not and subsequently the two expeditions mentioned in his book; details that may For further met again. shed light on the questions and the To sum up, I submit the following guesses I mention here. information, combination of recorded facts and of con tact guesses. Facts: Around midday of 12 June 1792, Vancouver, Puget and some The author retired recentlyfrom the De partment ofHispanic Studies at the Uni other Britishers — perhaps about twenty-five altogether-—landed versity of British Columbia. He is a popular member of the Vancouver His on the shores of Point Grey, torical A Society. where they had a late breakfast, or a brunch meal. FOOTNOTES Micromedia Puget called the place Noon 1. Puget kept a rough journal from whirls he subsequently Breakfast Point. wrote a neat one. svith a somewhat d,ftirent text. t losvever. Limited the rough journ.iI and the neat one have virtually the sa,,,e Guess: Ten days later, about ten wording in the pans hat have a bearing on this article. Actually these parts constitute tlte core of it. Vancouver’s Canada Information or eleven of these men break book makes oniy a few contributions to it. Stanbv kept a People journal that has touch detail on some subjects and/or fasted on the same spot, perhaps events, but veiy little on others. tt does not ttaenlton the accompanied by crewmen of ‘noon breakfast” of 12 june, but t guess that if he had been with Vancouver and Puget when these met the Spaniards 20 Victoria Street, Sutil and Mexicana. he would have recorded the event, and perhaps provided Toronto, Ontario M5C2N8 Fact: At the same Vancou details that are not known now. Archibald Menzies did not time participate in this cruise. hut mentioned it in his journal. (416) 362-5211 ver, Puget and a midshipman which includes the expression quoted here. 1-800-387-2689 were breakfasting on board Sutil. 2. Curiously enough, none of the records of Ihe voyage of Guess: Strut and ,ikxicana. including AlertS Galiano’s writings. It was at some later time mentions this iittportant linguistic fact, xml it is mentioned that Vancouver decided to name in Vancouver’s book and in Puget’s jortrnal.

the point after George Grey. .3. List year was the bicentennial of these events, and I thouglst it would be appropriate that, in commemoration of Fact: The records of the voyage that noon breakfast.” a group of British citizens sponsor a of Sutiland Mexicana reveal that brunch to take place on the beach of Point Grey on a Sunday of the month of June. 1 anemptecl to publicize this at that time there was potable suggestion. bum failed water somewhere on the west ern shores of Point Grey and this

14 B.C. 1-listorical News - Spring 1994 Seed Growing in Grand Forks byJim Glanville

While the 1914—1918 War engaged roguing, weeding and frequent inspec valuable, especially in the dry season. In our men in conflict overseas, the battle tions. 1923 Mr. Atwood had secured a contract was carried on in the factories and on the Initially a great deal of hand labour from Steele Briggs Seed Co. to supply farms at home. The availability of one was employed in the harvesting, thresh 2,000 pounds of onion seed. The River vital commodity from the lowlands of ing and cleaning of the seed. The large side Nursery (C.A.S. Atwood) and C.C. Europe was terminated by the war. This number of Doukhobors who had settled Heaven received further contracts in 1926 product, necessary to provide food for in the Grand Forks area during the early from Steele Briggs, W.E. Rennie and both those fighting at the front and for the part of the century provided a reliable McKenzie seed companies. civilians at home, was vegetable seed. supply of labour for the early seed grow Seed growing continued through the When the request came to fill this gap, the ers. In the later years of seed growing Depression years. A.R. Mudie, in 1934, seed-growing concept was not entirely some of them also became seed growers. received first prize at the Vancouver new in the Grand Forks valley, thanks to In 1917 C.A.S. Atwood grew beets, Exhibition for his onion seed. C.C. Heaven, a few forward-looking, tenacious and beans and squash to be marketed through Oscar Pennoyer and A.R. Mudie were experimental farmers. the B.C. Seed Growers Association with named as a committee at a meeting in During the later years of the 1914—18 headquarters in Penticton, a central loca February 1935 to draw up details for the War, these farmers had already been tion for a warehouse and selling station of Grand Forks Seed Growers Association experimenting with the production of the provincial association. Onions were as an affiliate of the B.C. Seed Growers vegetable seed. When supplies from Eu also grown to be replanted for seed in the Association. rope were restricted, they were prepared following year. Lettuce and radish were Under the heading “Grand Forks to answer the request to step up produc added in 1919. The excellent germination Grows Most Outstanding Strains of Veg— tion. Thus began the seed-growing era in of onion seed, from ninety-two per cent etable Seed On Continent,” the Grand the Grand Forks valley which was to last to ninety-eight per cent, resulted in a Forks Gazette of September 14, 1939, for almost forty years. demand by Canadian seed houses. stated in conclusion: “The success of One of the elements necessary for a Professor Boving of the University of Grand Forks seed growers represents successful venture such as this is good B.C. and Mr. McMeen of Dominion Seed years of special training to understand management skills. The original growers came to Grand Forks in 1918 to promote how to select roots and onion bulbs that —C.A.S. Atwood, C.C. Heaven, Bj. Ralph, the growing ofvegetable seed. The result are true to type; how to rogue; how to

Wj. Lawrence and Torn Powers — were was the contracting of twenty acres in overcome varying conditions of weather few, but dedicated and determined to onions, mangels and carrots for delivery and growing that influence the harvest of succeed in this specialized branch of in 1919. A major irrigation system in seed crops. It represents many failures agriculture. They maintained strict stand stalled in the valley in 1921 guaranteed an before success was attained and, more ards during production by such means as adequate water supply and proved in- important, it involves the continuous gamble with disease, weather and soil reactions, which, while not affecting the production of ordinary crops, often have a very hazardous result on seed crops. In other words, vegetable seed growing is a specialist’s job and one must have years of experience to support even chances of fair success. It is an industry which the people of Grand Forks can well help the seed growers guard jealously.” By the early 1940s, at the onset of World War Two, seed supplies from the lowlands of Europe were again cut off and many more farmers started to raise vegetable and flower seeds in the Grand Forks valley. This was the “gold rush’ era of seed growing at Grand Forks, with over one million dollars worth of seed being produced each year. A meeting in 1942 found seed grow Onion seed in bloom in nursery area near Grand Forks, R C ers formulatinga decision to disassociate

15 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Farm land in bloom. Grand Forks, BC c. 1940. Photo courtesy of B.C. Government Travel Bureau themselves from the B.C. Seed Growers long associated with the Riverside Nurs pollination. Close neighbours, of neces Association as they felt that it would be to eries, continued to manage the large sity, had to agree on a variety to plant and their advantage to deal with any agency holdings assembled by C.A.S. Atwood, the land was zoned accordingly. they wished. In 1942 B.C. Seeds Ltd., with who passed away in 1952. Yasushi Produced under strict supervision, F.O. Blake as manager, handled most of Sugimoto, mayor of Grand Forks, was to generally at experimental farms, “elite the locally grown seed. This was a non become probably the largest producer of seed” was made available to growers profit company owned and operated by vegetable seed in Canada at one time. from which “foundation seed” could be seed growers. The directors of B.C. Seeds Grand Forks Gazette, July 22, 1943: produced. Foundation seed macic possi Ltd. were always bona-ficle seed growers. “Executives of two of the largest seed ble the growing of ‘registered seed” from The war-time displacement of the houses in Canada visited the Grand Forks which “certified seed” could be grown. Japanese to the Boundary country in Valley, J.W. Steele, president of Steele Elite seed, also grown in seed plots at the 1942 helped to provide a very necessary Briggs Co., Toronto, F.J. Harrison, vice- University of B.C., must be chrectly de labour force for local seed growers. Tem president of Rennie Seed Co., Toronto, scended from a single plant and be pure, porary living quarters were provided for and R.R. Horrocks, Manager of the Rennie clean and vigorous. To aid in fertilization, them on various farms and they proved to Seed Co. They complimented farmers by package bees were imported in quantity be hard working and dependable. That saying of all the seed districts they in in May to he purchased by the growers. year 60,QOO pounds of carrot and even spected, the crops in the Grand Forks J. Travis, l)istrict Agriculturist, quotes more of onion seed were produced. Valley were the best looked after, with statistics for 1944 which show 144 grow Radish and lettuce seed were also grown regards to weeds, segregation, etc.” ers of registered, certified and commer extensively. At least one half mile of isolation was cial grades of seed, planting 909 acres. Torn Muclie took charge of his fa required between different varieties of Included in these crops of vegetables ther’s seed farm in 1942 and Eric Atwood, carrot and onion seed to prevent cross- were onion, carrot, radish, lettuce, beans,

16 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Moth aeroplane, while the workers re a six-inch air space between the trays. mained in the fields, unaware of any The trays were piled six or seven feet potential health risks. The plane was high in a well-ventilated shed. owned by a company headed by Wes The onion seed heads had to be Docksteader. handcut and carefully put into bags when The Grand Forks Gazette of January the pods were about ten to twenty per 1947 states: “The Grand Forks seed in cent open. The heads were then spread dustry received a severe blow when a out in drying trays under cover. This large storage house on the Ray Orser would take place at the end of August ranch was destroyed by fire. Stored in the and into September. shed had been a large quantity of onion For carrot seed the whole plant was bulbs belonging to A. Pennoyer, who cut or pulled and left in bundles in a row planned to use them for the coming to dry. They would then go into a slightly season’s seed crop.” converted combine where the heads were The National Film Board spent some cut off. They then went up the conveyor time in Grand Forks during the summer and were threshed, separating the seed of 1948. Their film Eye Witness featured from the seed stem. The seed was then much of the seed industry in Grand sacked and stored. Carrot seed is a burr Forks. Fraser Carmichael, District Agri and the spines were removed in a machine culturist for almost twenty years, gave a that stirred up the seed, rubbing it against great deal of encouragement and help to the paddles and against each other. It was local seed growers. From his memories necessary to remove the spines without Anne Starchuck we quote: “No one who ever attended the damaging the shell of the seed because picking onion seeL Annual Seed Blossom Carnival at Grand the seed would not germinate if cracked. Forks will ever forget the beauty of the Large expensive machines were available beets, parsnip, marrow, squash and to area during the last of the war years and for this type of work, but local growers mato. “Ebenezer” was probably the most through to 1955. The Carnival involved did their own experimenting. popular variety of onion as were “Nantes” many volunteers in the organizing and According to Eric Atwood, one of the and “Red-Cored Chantenay” in carrots. planning of the event. Competition was “must-sees” for visitors to the valley were InJuly 1945, Hon. E.T. Kenney, Min keen in the home gardens and in the the many acres of flowers: “The nastur ister of Lands and Forests, expressed farms which were classified according to tiums with their varied colours making himself as ‘thoroughly sold on the prodi size of operation. the field appear on fire, the perfume and gality of the soil with these demonstra “Good advertising attracted many colours of the petunia and, if in the tions of irrigation and cultivation so in outsiders to view these winning farms morning, the profusion of colour of the telligently applied.” The Hon. Mr. Kenney and the general farming area and par portulaca.” had just been inspecting the vegetable ticipate in a big picnic in late July. After Unfortunately, the life and industry seed areas and garden plots of flowers for the field day and cavalcade of visitors the of those years was not to be preserved in seed, which had a retail value of up to awards were given out. Henry Wiebe, living colour. There were no video $160 per ounce. manager of the Grower’s Co-op, must be cameras nor coloured slides. That unique Thirty different varieties of flowers mentioned for his strong support of the era, however, still exists in the memories were grown on thirty-seven acres in 1946, Field Day and his hosting of many visi of those fortunate enough to have seen with a total production of 9,540 pounds tors.” the beauty of those fields of flowers and ofseed. One can only imagine the number The returns and yield from the seed the vast acreages ofonion and carrot seed of seeds in an ounce of some of these were good but, in addition to the regular in full bloom. flower seeds, when one ounce of carrot farming expenses, it was necessary for The seeds produced in that era were seed contains 24,000 seeds and an ounce the farmers to invest in frost-proof stor open pollinated. Today the concern is of onion, 9,000 seeds. One of the most age facilities for the onions, carrots and that the taste and hardiness of heirloom attractive sights in the valley in August beets which would be planted again the and other open-pollinated varieties are 1947 was the farm of Pat Heaven who had following spring. Further expenses in becoming increasingly more difficult to 80,000 gladioli bulbs planted on two cluded large drying sheds and racks for obtain. acres of land, the majority of them in full the onion seed and the need to employ As European post-war competition bloom. It was at this time that N. Van der much hand labour. began to increase and prices started a Giessen arrived from Holland with his On the suggestion of WE. Stuart of downward trend, the halcyon days of the family and assistants to open in Grand the Dominion Seed Branch, wooden trays forties were on the wane and by 1955 the Forks a branch of Van der Giessen were constructed six feet long and two lowly potato once again became the Brothers Seed Company. feet wide with six-inch sides and lath one favorite crop of many of the former seed By 1947, on contract to the growers, inch apart on the bottom. The corner growers. Diversification became the norm Tommy Scheer was flying low-level flights, posts were high enough so that when and the famous Grand Forks Blue Ribbon dusting and spraying the crops in a Tiger stacked one on top of the other there was netted gem potatoes were replaced by

17 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 many newer varieties, while onions cap tured a prominent place as a vegetable crop. An era in agricultural history was Lois Haggen 1 899—1994 over. Mrs. Lois I laggen of Grand Forks was was elected MLA for the Grand Forks/ The autborproducedover500pounds of President of the British Columbia I listori Greenwood riding in 1949. The couple “Ebenezer” seedfrom one acre ofland in Cal Association from 1957 through 1959; mcved to Grand Forks later that year. 1942, his most lucrative crop evergrown from one acre. this was at the same time she sat as the Ru pert Haggen held the seat until his only woman MLA in Victoria. death in 1956. Lois Haggen was elected to BIBUOGRAPHY

Gmncl Forks Gazette Lois was born in Alabama and came to replace him in 1956 and sat for ten years. Government Sessional Papers Quesnel with her family in 1911. She Mrs. Haggen was a founder and The Ereni,tg Sun (Grand Forks) married Rupert Haggen, PLS, movingwithin Honorary Life Member of the Boundary Interviews with Y. Sugimoto and Ft- ser Carmichael. In 19s7 Fraser Carmichael followed j. Travis as District Agriculturist. British Columbia several times. They were Historical Society. She passed away in The ttemotrs of uric Atwood. Mr. Atwood passed away in living in Rossland when Rupert Haggen Grand Forks on February 28, 1994. 1985 at the age of ninety-one.

Carl Neumetzler stands among his carrot seeds. Photo courtesy of BC. Government Travel Bureau.

18 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Early Anglicans at French Creek by Margaret Nicholls

InJuly 1938, fifty-five years from there to Aiherni by ago, the soft-toned cathedral stagecoach searching for a bells of St. Anne’s church in place to establish a church. French Creek rang as my hus In April 1894, after much band and I walked under a consultation with the pio floral arch of roses and neers, he decided upon sweetpeas held by our stu French Creek (between dents. We had just repeated Parksville and Qualicum) as our marriage vows before our a central spot. He purchased old family friend, Reverend three and a half acres of land George Arthur Bagshaw. Since which had proven to be too the consecration of these bells poor for farming from the in 1936, they have been rung Parks family, for whom for many local wedding cou Parksville had been named. ples, for baptisms, and tolled He financed the purchase of in memory of the deceased. the land himself and subse The first marriage on the quently gave the deeds to records of the church came the Anglican Synod. Through before the church was built. SL Annes Church, French Creek, Coopers foresight it was Robert John Craig of French near Parksviile and Qualicum Beach, BC possible to have a churchyard Creek and Elizabeth Ann Tip Photo courtesy of Craig Heritage Park Archives cemetery similar to those pet were married at the bride’s adjoining Old Country borne in September 1893 by Reverend can church betwen Comox and Welling churches. This delighted the people of Charles Edwin Cooper, newly appointed ton, he sent to England for his friend, Rev. the district, who were largely from Brit vicar to the district of Nanoose. This Cooper, M.A., to act as a missionary to ain. Adding to their delight was the fact district included Englishman River, later this mid-island area. That same year Rev. that Cooper promised free burial plots to known as Parksville, French Creek, Cooper travelled to Nanairno by train and all those helping in the construction. Errington, Little Qualicum, Nanoose and the yet to be named areas of Hilliers, Coomhs and Qualicum Beach. The first marriage solemnized in the church was that ofQualicumpioneerThomas Kinkade and Sarah Coqulamat, wed on the 24th of October, 1894. The most triumphant ringing of the bells will be on the 26th of July, 1994, when on St. Anne’s Day, the oldest church in the area will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary. Anglican worship in the area dates back some years before the erection of St. Anne’s. Reverend Canon Good of Nanaimo, Archdeacon Scriven and Bishop Hill ofVictoria all conducted services and baptized children in homes, hotels and schoolhouses. This was a time when parishioners left their guns at the school house door. Guns were carried to church in the hopes of shooting the evening meal on the way home. A work bee to build St. Annes, June 24, 1894. Note the “corner” men standing atop the In the spring of 1893 a new bishop, logs. They are R.P. Wallis,j Lowery, James Dunn, Otto Renz, W. Cheney, W McKenzie, B Right Reverend William Wilcox Perrin, Harris andJ. McKinnon, carpenter in charge. Others shown are W. Mills, I.G. Davis, A. arrived in Victoria. As there was no Angli Cramp, D.A. McMillan, WIL Lee, AN. Hirst, A. Cotton, Iii?. Lee, W. Groffin andj Craig.

19 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 The location of the church on the property was chosen on the 13th of April, and four days later a “bee” was held to begin the clearing of the land. Oxen and horses were used to haul the felled, hand- hewn logs from the lot and the nearby woods to the church site. Lumber for the interior was brought from Andrew Haslam’s mill in Nanaimo on a scow towed by a tug. With no wharf for un loading, tides were studied and the lum ber was unloaded in a great rush before the high tide turned. Every available horse and ox were brought into use, hauling the lumber from the beach. John McKinnon received the con tract for the erection of the building, but most of the other men were volunteers. The eight comer men were Richard Wallis, Before the lich gate. This ladj Mrs. Henderson, used to drivefrom Coombs to church. who later became member of Parliament; James Lowery, blacksmith; Otto Alphonse one man’s contribution was two loads of pudding bowl as his font. Tie became Renz, farmer and musician; J. McCarter, hay to feed the horses and oxen. known up and down the island for his hotel keeper and mail and stage contractor; Raising the walls began June 25 and genial manner, his speedy horses, and for Donald McMillan, telegraph operator and just over a month from this date the his prize-winning vegetables. road foreman; Guy Ponsford, farmer; and consecration took place on St. Anne’s Services were so well attended at Robert Craig, the recent bridegroom. Day, July 26, 1894. It was a beautiful French Creek that it became necessary to In a 1973 interview with ninety-six- summer day when carriages filled with extend the building by replacing the year-old Otto Renz at St. Mary’s Priory, celebrants travelling from Nanaimo, Wel vestry where Reverend Cooper slept when Victoria, he claimed that his neighbour lington and other outlying areas arrived he came on Saturday evenings. At about McKinnon, the contractor, was a self- at the church yard. With the group was the same time, a vestibule was cIded to appointed carpenter and that two of the the choir from St. Matthew’s church in the church entrance. volunteers were more skilled in carpen Wellington coming to accompany the Rev. Cooper improved his two in try. Unfortunately, Otto couldn’t remem newly formed choir of St. Anne’s. cumbencies at Wellington and Northfielcl. ber their names. I-Iowever, he did men A petition for the consecration and At Wellington he cleared the grounds and tion other names that are not always the keys of the locked church were made the rectory into a very stylish home. given credit in the stories of St. Anne’s. presented to the Right Reverend the Lord At Northfield he added to the church David Sullivan framed the rafters, fasten Bishop of Columbia, W.W. Perrin, by property and had a gymnasium built for ing the logs with bolts bored into position Rev. Cooper and church wardens William the church boys. Interested in the youth, with a hand auger. Otto remembers the Lee and Richard I lickey. The bishop he founded Boys’ Brigades at all his dovetailing of the corners still admired unlocked the door and the clergy entered churches. My father was a member of this today. Robert Hickey and Otto worked the church in procession, singing Psalm brigade attached to the Nanaimo churches. on the roof, and on one middle board he 24. The church was then dedicated to St. In 1896 Rev. Cooper returned to carved his own name and that of Rev. Anne — Aldermere, in memory of Jesus’ England to holiday and to visit his family. Cooper. After the building was conse grandmother. After a lengthy service, the While “home” he married Octavia, the crated, Sutherland, not satisfied with the procession beat the bounds, tracing out daughter of Archdeacon and Mrs. John construction, put in an extra rafter for the grounds, stopping at each corner and Allen. When the couple returned to Wel safety. David Hicks worked on the chapel singing as they traced the perimeter. lington in August 1896, the whole town and T.W. Buckley did much of the inside Following the religious services, a picnic turned out to greet them, including sev finishing, oiling and polishing of the logs lunch was served from the amply sup eral carriages loaded with friends from St. after the consecration. plied baskets of the parishioners. The Anne’s. There were choirs, bands, a guard Most men in the area, regardless of choir boys of St. Matthew’s church stayed, of honour, and an address read by C.N. their church affiliation, spent time on the camping for a week under Rev. Cooper’s Young, an early Nanaimo school teacher. building. Rev. Cooper, Arthur Bagshaw, charge. By 1899 Wellington miners and William and Henry Lee (postmaster), Rev. Cooper continued as vicar, buildings were transferred to Ladysmith Benjamin Crump, Otto’s father Renz Sr. (a coming every second Sunday from his as the major seams of coal had run out. Catholic), Ian Davis, W. McKenzie, Richard Wellington charge. In 1895 he instituted On the 22nd of November, 1899, the Despard, James Dunn, William Cheney, a Sunday School at the RLlssel home in Coopers were given the churches of St. W. Harris and A. Birkinstock were all men Nanoose. Here he was known to have Alban’s and St. Paul’s to continue their whom Otto reminisced about. He claimed christened children using Mrs. Russel’s work in Nanaimo. Among his parishion

20 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 ers at his new assignment were members 1902. Bagshaw became the of the families that had travelled aboard beloved vicar at St. Anne’s for the PrincessRoyal and who had sailed on two different periods, the last the 3rd of June, 1854, nine days before from 1933 to 1944. Our family Charles Cooper was born. In Nanaimo he friendship began when he built a new rectory which he donated to stopped at my great-grandpar St. Paul’s. This rectory was later the home ents’ hotel at Nanoose on his of District 69 member, Grace Ryall D’Arcy, way to his instruction each whose father was at one time the vicar at weekend. St. Paul’s. Only once was the con In 1904 the Coopers were again gregation afraid of losing their transferred, this time to the army garrison church. In August 1895, bush church of St. Savin’s near Victoria. Its fires raged on the central part congregation each Sunday was composed of the island. On Sunday the of 150 red-coated Imperial soldiers who 25th, it crept within a few yards marched to church accompanied by their of St. Anne’s, and only a valiant own band. Here the Coopers had their effort plying wet sacks to the own home named “Cherrimanse.” In 1908 church saved it. A service of they travelled to London where Rev. thanksgiving for the preserva Cooper was sent to attend the Pan Angli tion was held that evening by Rev. GA Bagsbaw, taken in his Parksvilk borne can Congress as representative of the the exhausted parishioners. on October 13, 1961. Diocese of British Columbia. In 1910 he Over the years St. Anne’s became Canon Cooper, and in 1911 he has seen some minor additions and res St. Anne’s became the mother church retired to England where he was a rector torations, often supervised by the late for St. Mark’s at Qualicurn, St. John’s at until confined to a nursing home in John Hickey, whose mother Charlotte Hilliers, and St. Mary’s at Errington, as Lincoln. He died there in 1916, aged Emily played the church organ for over well as a second church at Parksville sixty-two. At a silver anniversary of St. forty years. His sister Emily Janet was the named St. Edmund’s. Anne’s in 1919, a brass lectern was placed first child christened in the church, on the Services are still held at St. Anne’s on in the church in remembrance of his 12th day of August, 1894. Guy Ponsford special occasions. Always unlocked until work, and in 1921 a stone font was given was in charge of planting a beautiful recent vandalism, permission to visit the to the church by Mrs. Cooper in memory cedar hedge around the perimeter. He church must be requested. Sitting in the of her husband. took it upon himself to keep the hedge quiet peace of this lovely building, one One of the outstanding effects of neatly trimmed. In 1934 Parksville’s Boy can feel the spirit of the pioneers and its Cooper’s co-operative characterwas found Scout Troop took a large part in the founder, Canon Charles Edward Cooper. in his training of Arthur Bagshaw for the erection of the lich gate which provides ministry. There was no theological col a shelter for the first part of a burial lege in British Columbia when Bagshaw service. A beautiful stained-glass win had felt the calling to become a minister. dow, depicting St. Anne and her daughter Margaret (Peggy) Nicholls now lives in He walked to Cooper’s Wellington and Mary, was donated by parishioner E.B. Nanaimo where she is a valued member Nanaimo homes each weekend to re May in memory of his wife, Dorothy, who ofNanaimo Historical Society. ceive instruction, and he was ordained in died on her way to England for a holiday.

The Island Hall Hotel History by Marjorie Leffler

The history of the Island Hall Hotel Good Friday, 1917, a bridge drive the left. With this in mind, the two ladies set goes back more than seventy-five years following Saturday, and on Monday the up a poultry business at Cameron Lake, to when the land was cleared and the first first of the scores of balls that the Hall has which proved to be unsuccessful. Fol sod turned on August 28, 1916. hosted. lowing this venture Winifred Philpott So began the Island Hall, in both Misses Foster and Philpott were out started a confectionery business, making history and tradition one of the most from England on a world tour when, and selling “Cameron Candies,” also not colourful and romantic of all the Island’s upon arriving in Victoria, Miss Foster was a commercial success. Undaunted, they hostelries. A year later Miss Joan Foster advised by her solicitors that her estate decided to build an old English inn at and Miss Winifred Philpott officially was dwindling at an alarming rate and Cameron Lake to emulate the charm and opened the Island Hall with a dinner on she would have to conserve what was elegance of the inns of old England.

21 B.C. Historical News Spring 1994 Building was well under way when, on pleted in the first few months. They convention area. Further expansion re the advice of counsel, they were per discovered during their first year of own quired the acquisition of adjoining prop suaded to build in Parksville on the bay ership that people were used to calling erty and Edgewater, a six-acre resort east and the Island’s main highway. It was a their inn “The Island Hall Hotel,” so they of the Island Hall, was purchased. Three wise decision for, with Winifred as the changed it back to its original name. new annexes named Philpott, Newman main driving force and Joan as the patron When Eileen and Mary first came to and Foster were added, a nostalgic touch and partner who supplied the money, the the hotel, Bob Weld, the local magistrate, from bygone days. A coffee shop was Island Hall, as they named their country held court there in a bedroom on the top built Onto the main hotel, opening off the inn, became a centre of culture and floor and Mary’s husband, Dr. Suther Island Highway, at the same time as hospitality which has remained to this land, had his office in the hotel for a time. Gemma Galleries, an antique shop, was day. Over the years the Island Hall hosted constructed on the bench at street level. For many years the hotel advertising seminars and conventions of the CLC, Gemma Galleries has since been remod included the slogan “The Hotel with a IWA, the Liberal Party, McMillan Bloedel. elled and is known as the Sand Bar Pub. Beach for a Doorstep” and to make the the United Church and countless special By 1981 the hotel was groaning un most of the view, the dining room and events. The visits of then-Premier Byron der the strain of trying to compete. Mary lounge were built facing the beach. But Johnson and Prime Minister Louis St. thought it was time for younger blood to the heart of the Island Hall was the Laurent (Mary was an ardent Liberal all take over so her son Tom, whb had massive stone fireplace with a sixteen- her life and served in the Department of coached the Island Hall through its ups foot mantle of Douglas fir, which is still to Consumer Affairs for a time) were great and downs, was ready to take over. After be seen in the lobby. For many years it social occasions, but the visit of Princess all, his mother was now ninety years old. was the background for photos of the Elizabeth and Prince Philip remains the Torn managed the hotel for a few numerous weddings held there. The first highest point on the social calendar of the years before selling to a consortium reception held in the Island Hall was that hotel. headed by Bruce McLay. At the time of of Dorothy Price and H.P. Butler of Through the years the Island Hall writing, new plans are on the drawing Errington. They were married at St. Anne’s grew and expanded from twenty-eight board for modernization and expansion church in 1923, but although the hotel rooms to a modern hotel complex. Three of the “Grande Dame” of Island hotels, was technically closed for the winter, it additional properties were purchased, with an eye to bringing it back to its was opened for this reception. twelve modern rooms added to the north former glory as a world-famous resort. The partnership between Miss wing of the main building, and the Philpott and Miss Foster broke up in 1927 Allwood Annex was completed. The din Marj Leffler is a long-time resident ofthe when Winifred married a Dr. Woodman ing room was enlarged and the kitchens Parksville-Qualicum area and is the vol who came to the hotel while on leave made more efficient. untee,- museum managerfor Craig Herit from China. Miss Foster remained in By 1963 the hotel was ready for more age Park ii’ Parksville. She regularly Parksville for the rest of her life and is expansion but Eileen Allwood was ready • contributes historical articles to local buried in St. Anne’s cemetery. to retire. She sold her shares to Mary who newspapers and is afoundingmemberof Following the break-up of their part plunged ahead with her plans. An indoor DistrIct 69 Historical Society. nership, the hotel was purchased by the swimming pooi with a turbojet hot pool Newmans, who ran it for ten years. They and saunas was installed next to the agreed to hold a dance at the Island Hall in 1933 to help raise money for the community park, thus starting a legacy of community hospitality that continues to ‘‘••, this day. Some time later Ernie Crayton and his father bought the hotel, changing its name to the Crayhaven Inn and run ning it for a few years under that name. Enter two more ladies in the persons of Mrs. Mary Sutherland and Eileen Aliwood. In 1946, fresh from running a mountain lodge in Reveistoke Park, they saw an advertisement for the sale of the Crayhaven Inn, a year-round vacation resort located on the beach at Parksville. The following year they took over the Inn. Many renovations were needed im mediately but, undaunted, the two part ners set about facing the challenge. More bathrooms, bedroom redecorating and a complete rewiring job were all corn- Island Hall Hotel, c. 1945, Parksville, .BC Photo courtesy of Craig Herhage Park Archives

22 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 HMCS Haida, Yesterday’s Hero by Leonard W Meyers

ceed with all dispatch’ which means ‘flat Canadian navy. These included the sleek out and we’ll tell you more in a little and deadly tribal class destroyers, the while.’ Then the admiral in Plymouth Haida, Huron, Algonquin and Sioux, would say ‘Force of four to six Germans together with the armed merchant cniis believed to be destroyers moving along ers Prince Heniy and Prince David con the French coast; deal with them.’.” verted into combined operations cruis Regularly engaged in naval duels ers. These carried capacity loads of troops with German naval units afforded Haida through the treacherous waters combing with more victories than any other Cana the fortified assault beaches. From the dian warship. operations troop carriers, masses of June 6, 1944, the day of deliverance, heavily armed troops stormed ashore in finally dawned. After months of tedious flotillas oflanding craft manned by officers waiting, armies of men champing at the and ratings of the Royal Canadian Navy. bit to get going and getting it over in Sister ship Prince Robert, equipped as an Hitler’s “festung” Europe was at hand. anti-aircraft cruiser, saw active service in Petty Officer Leonard Meyers For the big show, units of the Royal that vital role and rendered outstanding Canadian Navy were in the thick of it. service in the greatest invasion operation Canada’s most celebrated warship, And to paraphrase Lord Nelson, “Canada in history. the tribal class destroyer HMCS Haida, expects every man to do his duty.” And Flotillas of Canadian navy mine commissioned in 1943, was a busy fight every man to the best of his ability, with sweepers, including the Ma/peque, Mina, ing ship indeed in the months prior to D efficiency and courage, did. Some died Wasaga, Militown and Blairmore, were Day, playing a vital role in the softening dedicated to their duty. busy sweeping the Channel to the inva up of the German navy, along with a Only a limited contingent of the sion beaches. RCN torpedo boats skimmed flotilla of British tribal destroyers such as Canadian navy (the third largest navy in around among the armada of ships. At the Ashanti, Tartar, Eskimo, Nubian, the world at war’s end in number of least twenty Canadian corvettes, veterans etc. vessels) ships were deployed to take part of Atlantic convoy escort duty fending off In the first six months of 1944, in the in the massive invasion armada, as the German U-boats preying on the large English Channel, Haida trained its 4.7- bulk of the Royal Canadian Navy was still convoys carrying vital food and war ma inch guns towards the French coast time serving in the Atlantic, escorting vital terial, participated in anti-submarine op and again and hammered away towards convoys from Canada and the U.S. to erations among multitudes of ships enemy targets with remarkable success. Britain to maintain the war effort which comprising the invasion armada. During and prior to the invasion, HMCS had now entered the final, and certainly Also on the scene were Canadian Haida sank five enemy destroyers, two vital, phase. naval vessels calgary, Alberni, Prescott minesweepers, two trawlers and one The Canadian warships taking part in and Mimico, RCN ships named after Ca German submarine. During these naval the D-Day invasion were some of the nadian towns and cities, the “little ships” encounters the only damage Haida sus finest and most modern, the elite of the which brought honour to the same corn- tained was when one of her guns ex ploded due to overheating from the con stant firing. HMCS Haidaweighed 2,745 tons with a full load of fuel and was designed for a top speed of thirty-six knots.1 Haida, along with other Canadian warships, would prowl the waters of the English Channel at night, picking up radar blips of German destroyers skulk ing along the French coast under dark ness, pouncing on them with all guns blazing. One officer serving aboard the war time Haida recently remarked on the fiftieth anniversary of the tribal’s commis sioning: “We’d get a signal saying ‘Pro- HMCS Haida infighting trim during World War Two. Drawing by Leonard Meyers.

23 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 heavy enemy fire was directed against the Allied destroyers from the enemy ships and from a number of shore batter ies. A narrow miss as a shell from one of the German destroyers passed through the Haida’s rigging. Tracer shells were arching dangerously from ahead, off the bow and midships. Concentrating on the enemy targets, all four Canadian tribal destroyers were maintaining ongoing, accurate shelling. Less than a mile separated the RCN de stroyers from the rocky shoreline when a star shell lit up an enemy destroyer crossing the Canadians’ bows a mere HMCS Prince Robert saw action as an anti-aircraft cruiser on 1)-Day. Before the war the two-and-a-half miles away. Prince Robert was a CNR passenger linerplying the waters ofthe The tribals pounded the German West Coastfor many years. RCN photo destroyer mercilessly, and clearly visible to the bridge officers of the Canadian munities and made heroes of the officers naval bombardment. One German de ships through night glasses. One accurate and seamen who manned them on that stroyer was intercepted and engaged by salvo struck the enemy vessel amidships. historic, auspicious day in 1944. HMCS Haida and Athabaskan, to be The next one smashed her forward guns Even before D-Day, the Canadian joined later by HMS Ashanti and HMCS and sent flames leaping high above the tribal class destroyers gave an heroic Huron. bridge. Another struck her stern. As the account of themselves while on patrol in One German destroyer was hit re Haida and the Athabaskan delivered the the English Channel, in preparation for peatedly and sank. The rest of the enemy final coup degrace, escaping steam could the pending invasion near the coast of ships managed to escape. The Canadian be seen. Torpedoes and shells smashed France. But the RCN flotilla sustained and British vessels returned safely to into the stricken destroyer as she slowly casualties too. harbour, suffering only minor casualties heeled over. A number of survivors The Canadian destroyers, part of a and superficial damage. When the de jumped from the sinking ship and swam naval contingent led by the Royal Navy stroyer force again entered the Channel towards life rafts, while the other German cruiser Black Prince, while on patrol in patrol area, the captain and crew did not ships fled. tercepted a German destroyer attempting anticipate anything unusual, having grown Untbrtunately a tragic disaster was to to escape after being damaged in an accustomed to routine patrol station serv befall a Canadian destroyer with the tribal earlier engagement. The enemy destroyer ice. flotilla on the next sweep of the pre was sunk after taking repeated hits from In the brooding darkness of the Eng invasion French coast when the Royal the Canadian navy warships and a British lish Channel, however, more danger Canadian Navy’s destroyer Athabaskan destroyer. lurked before the mighty invasion ar was split in two by an enemy torpedo The Canadian naval vessels taking mada of D-Day was to arrive. while in action against German naval part in the sea battle were HMCS Haida, Sailing through the dark night, the units. The stricken Athabaskan went skippered byCommanderH.G. DeWolfe, Canadian and British ships observed two down, still firing at two German destroy the Athabaskan, commanded by Lieu navigation lights on the French coast, ers that attacked her on a calm, clear but tenant-Commander J.H. Stubbs, and some twenty-five miles away. ominous night. The enemy vessel, how Huron, commanded by Lieutenant- About 2 a.m. a senior officer reported ever, did not escape unscathed. One of Commander H.S. Rayner. Another naval fairly large enemy ships. On being dis the attacking German destroyers was operation ensued when the flotilla, covered, the German warships changed driven ashore in flames. No casualties commanded by Captain D.M. Less, DSO, course and sped away. Immediately HMS were sustained by Haida. RN, in the cruiser Black Prince, encoun Black Prince fired star shells to illuminate HMCS Haida immediately pro tered an enemy force of three or four the enemy ships. Within minutes, the ceeded to where the Athabaskan went destroyers of the Elbing class. The Ger Canadian and British ships found their down, picking up survivors from the man warships altered course and tried to targets and opened fire. Salvo after salvo chilly waters. Ignoring possible German escape under a heavy smoke screen. The shattered the night sky. Busy gunners on U-boats lurking in the vicinity waiting for enemy ships were illuminated with star the Canadian destroyers were perspiring a chance to attack, the destroyer Haida shells and the Canadian and British ships profusely. The German ships fighting for nosed its way among the nearby survivors, opened fire, scoring several hits. survival threw everything they had at the some injured, and the captain had his ELMS Black Prince sighted torpedoes British and Canadian warships. men throw overboard all available approaching and took immediate evasive The running battle kept up, with the lifejackets, rafts and boats. The skipper of action, while the accompanying RCN range gradually closing. Suddenly a large the sunken Athabaskan, Lieutenant- destroyers pressed on with continuing star shell flared high above and, instantly, Commander J.H. Stuhbs, who was float-

24 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 :

- .,

: , — . C

slr” —

s

, , -, .

Invasion armada landing at Berniêres-Sur-Mer, June 6, 1944. RCN photo

ing on one of the rafts, shouted: “Get and great blobs of burning oil came and operates as a Canadian naval war away! Get clear!” showering clown. We ducked under the museum. Despite the danger of enemy craft, whaler for cover. I put up my hands to For HMCS Haida and her gallant sis

Haida spent fifteen minutes in the vicin cover my face ... The ship heeled over ter fighting ships, World War Two was a ity picking up survivors until Lieutenant- and I rolled under the cutter. A lot more time of greatness, as well as for their

Commander Stubhs’2 warning forced her debris came clown on top of it ... I fell brave and heroic crews. to take reluctant leave rather than risk over the side and struck out to swim 1-IMCS Haida was named after that another attack, another destroyer, and clear. The stern went under first and then proud and distinguished Indian nation of more lives. the bow reared up and stood on end, the same name inhabiting the Queen The engagement with the two Ger clear back to the bridge, and then slipped Charlotte Islands of British Columbia. man destroyers took place near Ile de back. I was drifting about when Haida’s Vierge, near the westerly tip of France, in boats came along, picked us up, and all the early hours of April 29, when the our troubles were over.’ patrolling tribals discovered the two Ger One hundred and thirty-one men The author served as petty officer in the man destroyers sailing along the French survived the Athabaskan sinking. Forty- RcNVRfrom 1941 to 1946 coast. When the action began, RCN six were picked up by HMCS Haida. The Athabaskan was hit by a direct shot Germans took eighty-five prisoners picked FOOThOTES forward of her bridge and flames imme up from life rafts which drifted ashore. D 1. l’igures Iron, Jane S Fiit!iw S/tips. diately engulfed her superstructure. She Day had taken its first major toll of a 2. John Stubbs. a native of Kaslo, B.C.. joined the steamed on, bravely firing her after-guns. Canadian warship and many of its gallant loyal Canadian Navy in 1930. Ic was lost when Among the Aihahas0’an sank and was postl,tnttously her complement were a number crew days before the actual invasion got ,,warded the Distinguished Service Cross. John of West Coast sailors. underway. But the tribal destroyers re Stubbs lilementary School on Zealous Crescent in Victoria was named in his tnemory. Another salvo smashed her after mainecl on duty after the D-Day landing, deck and Athabaskan slowed but con and lived to fight the enemy successfully tinueci to fire with her remaining guns by night and day until German surface until a torpedo struck her stern, which fighting ships and U-boats were finally broke off,, and sank immediately, to be swept away. And the mighty invasion followed by the fore part. One surviving armada was on the shores of France to sailor later recounted his experience of stay until that great day of liberation of that horrifying night: “The second tor Europe on yE-Day. pedo struck us about the second funnel A mere shell of its wartime fighting on the leeward side. It was lucky for us prowess, HMCS Haida is on permanent the whaler hadn’t been lowered. Debris display beside Toronto’s Ontario Place

25 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994

26

News 1994 Spring B.C. Historical -

Chulminick to is happened What

adventure of

rush The adrenaline 01 Chcc(in. Cartboo 01 Muse,jm courtesy Ph01o

Pinchbeck in photograph. undated an daughter, a Emma. William and Frederick, the Cariboo for goldfields. Victoria

Robert and Cyril, sons, more left Lyne, from William California,

had he three Elizabeth Alice With 1859, a and friend William In

Alice wife, Elizabeth. a and young Michael n Anderson. and

Helen, sister his equipment, sawmill future for hold the what did known

farm with 1884 of in and spring the discovering. on not is It of the verge

He returned England. to journeyed what was eclipse to riches William

1883 In of fall the Pinchbeck have to found great have would

Whiskey. Michael Anderson case, and the

White called Wheat spirit renowned was homelands. such If new their in

a distillery adjacent. produced The the become wealthy most would who

built were brewery distillery and a made over wager of adventure,

part a in because prospered house sense infused the with the still three,

stopping The ground grain. local that guess only can One continents.

Lake Creek, Williams from verted three different brothers, Three

by di water grist A powered mill, is Argentina). now

property. their on cattle grown were (the what southern of third Patagonia

and hogs grain, today. Vegetables, and to went Australia brothers

are Stampede Grounds liams Lake interior his B.C. the while of fields

Wil where House developed was north gold- the to heading William

valley. the the Lower in property company; parted three brothers

of most and ‘70s. corralled ‘60s They 1850s the late the In hotel. a ing

the throughout nership prospered mining operat busy kept and with

part Lyne and The Pinchbeck three the brothers California In

Willy’um. chief the ther, first power. ship meant land of

Chulminick’s grandfa named for cap owner his under tucked — son

was Lake is It Williams that believed les one valuable left with England

James. and 1867 in Jr. William sons, have may Pinchbeck William young

two Chulminick bore registered. the conditions such Under estates.

was ever marriage this whether and Hotel doubtful rmof drum the beat Pinchbeck’s ul massive built they as land the off brethren

1866. as 1863 is It about wife his in Shuswaps, Colonist the in Victoria tisement fortunate of less many their kicking

the of Willy’um the Chief of ter second adver as An House. Upper known came were the gentry landed time that At land.

Chulminick, daugh took Pinchbeck be stopping which a house Eng in included social to changes reacting were

promptly. offenders the of area most Glendale property the in located they The quite it’s but possible adventure

to him sentence enabled position which Davidson. Thomas valley, the in settler for thirst a had three the that doubt

a the of justice peace, named was a oldest the from property and buildings little is rush. gold There the the of lure

Pinchbeck Later cases. the with dispensed purchased Lyne and and Pinchbeck that oCalifornia to emigrated Anderson,

the interior, through 1863 i circuit his making it 1860 appears and and Between Michael brothers, two and his

untilJudge him/them trial for Begbie, hold 1849 rich. striking it of pursuit he 1831. in In England, Yorkshire,

accused the and capture to job beck’s vain usually their in miners gold hungry in born was Pinchbeck William

was It Pinch to Nind. commissioner Phillip feed sold was meat and wheat duce, Pinchbeck. about word said

by gold a constable named been The had pro properties. the ranch and bad a farm never others, by is there written

years Pinchbeck early these During gaol. to a partnership formed Lyne and beck records in few the Also, peace. the of

rudimentary a held House Upper Pinch valley, Lake Williams the in justice land and of constable positions held he

bar.” at be to the cigars held on pre-emptions taking After land. ranch because man honourable an been have

and liquors wines, of brands choicest and farm of the was availability must glistening He man. great very a was Pinchbeck

hand. on The description constantly saw they that was wealth the apart Eagle William measuring stick that by achieve;

every of supplies miner’s stock large A of Charles and Paxton Tom Simrock, to able Sam by was he what man the a for feel

purchase. can money vr delicacy every that Yorston, Sam Robert Lyne, Borland, get beck, is do to try you What and between. far

with supplied constantly is table The Pinch of likes the set what but period, few are remembrances and task. Records

country. by the in hotel unsurpassed any that during Cariboo the easy in arriving men an 163 not is ago years born man

for travellers as Store “Accommodation young the of be found to many in a was of portrait a put together to Trying

John Roberts and Poulis Randy by

Lake of Williams Lord unclear. Perhaps she succumbed to one of the white man’s diseases or perhaps she was sent back to her band. Neverthe NOTICE less, William Sr. appears to have re B.C. Historical Federation mained devoted to his sons William Jr. Annual Conference and James. WilliamJr. ran a pack train for April28— May 1, 1994 his father, supplying goods to the The Island Hall Beach Resort Omineca. On one trip he was deputized Parksville, B.C. by his father to bring in a suspected Whether you enjoy listening to captivating murderer who lived in a cabin on the speakers address an array of historical top pack trail. He found the man in a cellar ics or getting out and exploring a variety of under the cabin floor. A shot rang out, historic attractions, the 1994 B.C. Historical Federation Conference promises narrowly missing him. William Jr. leapt to have something for you. into the cellar and overpowered the vil The BCHF has selected our Vancouver lain, bringing the man to justice. Island communities of Parksville and In 1887, with all of Williams Lake in Qualicum Beach as the venue for the 1994 the partnership’s command, the friendship conference. which dated back to the days of the Parksville welcomes you to explore Craig California gold msh, began to unravel. Heritage Park, a collection of restored herit The reason remains a mystery. In its age buildings that will take you back to the January 15, 1888, edition, the Victoria William Pincbbeck’s tombslone. times of our earliest settlers. Qualicum Beach is proud (‘olonist recorded the dissolution: “The to show you around their expanding Power House museum project. You can help visit of Messrs. Pinchbeck and Lyne, joint William Pinchbeck now commanded celebrate the centennial of one of Vancouver owners of the Williams Lake farm in the everything he had seen in 1860 when he Island’s first log churches, St. Anne’s at Cariboo district, was for the purpose of arrived in the valley seeking fame and French Creek. You’ll also have time to dis dissolving the partnership. Mr. Pinchbeck fortune. His power and influence extended cover some of our other treasures like the purchased his partner’s interest. It is not throughout the Cariboo wherever pack restored Old School House Gallery and known how much money changed hands trains moved his supplies. He sought a Graham Beard’s natural history museum. in the transaction, hut it must have been seat in the provincial legislature in 1890 A varied conference agenda has been planned foryou. We have considerable, for the property is one of hut his bid failed. That may well have invited Hugh Taylor, renowned archivist, to give us some profes the finest ranches in B.C., five hundred been the first time he failed to succeed at sional tipsto take home. Kim RecalmaClutesi, acres being in wheat alone some years. something he seriously put his head a member of the Qualicum Indian Band, will The farm is supplied with the latest im toward achieving. In 1892 his health share her insight into some aspects of the proved agricultural machinery including began to fail. He went to Victoria and history of our First Nations peoples. In addi a steam thresher, and has on its broad underwent surgery in early 1893. On July tion, representatives from both historical so acres a large flouring mill and sawmill. It 30, 1893, he died in 150 Mile House at the cieties will speak on the history of the two is one of the most important suppliers of age of sixty-two. communities. You’ll have plenty of opportu Barkerville and other points in the Cariboo, His wife Alice sold off the assets, nity to explore our sights and attractions both on guided and is managed on a scale which is much of these to Robert Borland. She tours and on your own and then expect to relax with some light entertainment generally a surprise to strangers. moved to Victoria with the four children at a dinner and vintage fashion show. “Mr. Pinchbeck has recently com and later remarried. Alice and Joseph We look forward to hearing you’ll attend pleted handsome a residence facing the Ratchford moved the family to Kamloops the 1994 conference and we will be happy to lake and commanding a magnificent where they ran an old folks’ home. answer any questions you may have about prospect. It is his intention to continue William Pinchbeck’s tombstone any aspect of your arrangements. A reminder the extensive cultivation of the ranch. stands on a knoll above the Williams Lake here — the conference is open to non- “Mr. Lyne will probably embark in Stampede Grounds. Time has not washed members as well as delegates from member trading on Quesnelle-mouth. away the indelible mark he left on the societies. See you there! “Both gentlemen are pioneers of the region. For more information, contact: Mrs. Paddy country, Mr. Pinchbeck having been in Cardwell, President District 69 Historical Society the Imperial Service (policeman) in the 1033 Forgotten Drive early days of the Cariboo gold mining. Parksville, B.C. V9P 1T3 They returned by this morning’s steamer RandyPoulls is editoroftbe Williams Lake Phone 248-9541 to the mainland.” Advocate.Jobn Roberts is a veterinarian or Lyne moved thirteen miles north to and volunteer archivistfor the Carlboo Jim Storey, President ChilcotinArcbives. Deep Creek where he started a stopping This article is adapted Qualicum Beach Historical Society from one which appeared in theJuly 28, house, became a blacksmith and built a 615 Chester Road 1993, Advocate to draw attention to the lumber Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1A3 mill. He later moved to Ashcroft 100th anniversary ofpioneerPincbbeck s where he managed a hotel until his death Phone 752-1247 death. REGISTRATION in 1906. DEADLINE APRIL10

27 B.C. Historical News Spring 1994 Aviation in the West Kootenay by Henry E. Stevenson

William Archibald, mines manager for Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company (now Cominco), envisioned the opening of northern Canada using airplanes to explore for minerals. He promoted the idea of teaching their ge ologists and mining engineers to fly. It all began in 1929 when Archibald’s Creston farm was used as a flying school. Two DeHavilland Gypsy Moth biplanes and a Curtiss Robin monoplane were purchased and the school started. The first summer the airplanes were on wheels. When snow fell, skis were installed and the students were checked out. Page MacPhee and Bill Jewett were instructors; Ben Northwest Lockheed Electra crashed at Rosemont, October30, 1935. Photo courtesy of Henry Stevenson collection Harrop was chief pilot. Flying with skis differs from wheels due to the fact that near Lakeside Park, then fly back to A repair crew was sent up from you are without brakes and the airplanes Kaslo. Spokane. The engines and wings were are more difficult to turn on the snow- On October 30, 1935, the citizens of removed so that the fuselage could be covered runway. Nelson were surprised to see a twin- towed through town to the CPR flats In the spring of 1930 the three aircraft engine airplane flying southwest down where repairs were carried out and new were back on wheels and were flown to Kootenay valley. It was the first plane we engines mounted, wings and other parts Kaslo where they landed on the beach had seen flying at night. It was a Lockheed assembled. On November 14 the pilot, near the area where the S.S. Moyie now Electra 10 passenger plane that had lost co-pilot and flight engineer took off with stands. Here the wheels were removed its way on a flight from Billings, Montana, only twenty-five gallons of fuel, enough and floats were installed. After a reason to Spokane, Washington. After circling to get as far as Trail airport where they able check-out time, each pilot was sent over Nelson, it made a forced landing at refuelled with full tanks of gas for the north to the Northwest Territories and Rosemont, near the present site of the flight to Spokane. northern Ontario. More pilots were hired vocational school, at 10:15 p.m. On April 6, 1929, Flight Lieut. A.L. and more airplanes purchased to cover Storm conditions en route had caused Morphee flew into Nelson from Vancou the region thoroughly. static, making radio signals impossible, ver with a Fairchild monoplane that had Cominco also manufactured chemi and the beam control had failed. When the Air Force registration number “XN.” cal fertilizer dispensing machinery at Trail. Nelson came into view, the pilot thought He was accompanied by Sgt. Warner, an Each unit that was made would be he was over Wallace, Idaho. By this time engineer, and Cpl. Caraway, camerman. freighted to farmer customers on the the fuel supply was so low a landing was They were on a photographic and aerial Canadian Prairies. Pilots would fly to the imperative. The searchlight in the nose of survey mission. The floor-mounted cam customer to install the machinery on his the plane picked out the only clear area era in the airplane took pictures of rivers, tractor. The company also had planes suitable for landing. The pilot used good lakes and streams, including the areas of flying supplies to their mining projects in judgement in landing with the wheels Kootenay Flats, Howser and Duncan Riv northern Ontario and Quebec. retracted. Had he not done this the ma ers, Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes, the William Archibald had his own per chine would undoubtedly have crashed valley from Revelstoke to the head of sonal aircraft that he flew between his into a rock wall fence. Arrow Lake, West Shore and lower por Creston ranch and his office at Trail. Considerable damage was done to tion of Kootenay Lake. Often we would see his DeHavilland the undercarriage, engines and propel Clear weather was essential for the Puss Moth flying past Nelson when he lers and the right wing was scraped and work, so all flying was done on sunny was commuting. Between 1929 and 1937 dented when it came to rest against the days. Flying was done at a given eleva the C.M. and S. Company (Cominco) had rock fence. tion over courses that were clearly marked more than thirty airplanes (not all at one A radio report was immediately sent on the ground with white pyramids. The time). When the Kaslo Float School was to Spokane advising that the seven occu camera was operated with a continuous in operation, the student pilots often flew pants were not injured. A Canadian cus film, each frame covered a given dis down Kootenay Lake to Nelson for toms officer was alerted to take charge of tance, so both altitude and airspeed had practice. They would land on the lake clearing the plane and all persons aboard. to be constant. The whole project was

28 B.C. l-listorical News Spring 1994 completed in twenty-eight days. Lieut. Morphee and his crew returned to Van couver on May 5, flying by way of Penticton and Lillooet, then following the PGE Railway to Squamish and arriving at Vancouver after flying four hours, fifty- five minutes non-stop. During World War II, Stranraer flying boats landed on Kootenay Lake at Nelson. As many as seven of these large airplanes landed here at one time. Other times they would arrive two at a time or singly, using Nelson as a stopover on their way to RCAF bases on the West Coast. Stranraers were built by the Ottawa Car Mfg. Co., a division of Canadian

Vickers in Quebec. They were used for ‘XN,” Fairchildphotograpbic planeflown by Lieut. A.L Morpbee, 192& submarine surveillance on Coastal Com Photo courtesy of Henry Stevenson collechon mand. After the war these airplanes were sold to private operators as transport approached city council to study the general and to appoint committees within aircraft carrying passengers and freight. possibility of laying out the foreshore the group to dispense fuel to visiting Queen Charlotte Airlines used several of from the foot of Josephine Street toward aircraft and provide manpower to take these machines for passenger service the southwest for an airstrip. At that time care of the airport. These people cut the between Vancouver and Prince Rupert, the shoreline included a seldom-used grass around the runway and parking as well as other communities on the incinerator and a truck road ending at the apron, as well as doing many other islands and inlets on the B.C. coast. city dump. We pointed out the fact that chores. Stranraers were nicknamed by Air the refuse pile, properly structured, could In 1983 the club purchased its own Force personnel “The Flying Forest” or eventually become a usable airstrip. Up truck and snowplow from Crown Assets “The Whistling Birdcage’ owing to the to that point it was a rather shameful mess Corporation so that our members could numerous struts between their biplane of garbage, rocks and refuse of all types. keep the airport runway clear in winter. wings and the whistling noise caused by The mayor and council were co The airport has proven to be an asset. their wire-strut braces. operative. They directed a bulldozer to Sometimes when the Castlegar airport is From 1943 to 1945 the Nelson Civic grade the lumps and bumps and in two unserviceable due to fog, the scheduled Centre badminton hall became a satellite days we had a reasonably usable runway airplanes are able to use Nelson as an manufacturing plant operated by Boeing totalling about 600 feet in length. Our alternate. Aircraft of Vancouver. Aluminum hull club members, along with our wives and Upgrading of Nelson airport through frames were produced for Canso flying kids, spent several evenings and week the years has been a matter of directing boats. The assembled frames were ends clearing rocks and other obstacles the dumping of refuse in such a pattern as shipped to Vancouver, where they became from the surface. Our biggest problem to lengthen the runway. Grants from bulkhead parts for the Canso fuselage. A from there on was our attempt to keep government sources have brought our large number of local people were em cars and trucks off the runway. We were airstrip from its original 600 feet to the ployed by Boeing, including a number of very fortunate that no accidents resulted present paved runway which is 3,000 feet women. from the mix of traffic. There were a few in length by seventy-five feet in width. Early in 1947, an enthusiastic group near misses. I can recall once when a car Hangars have been built to protect the of air-minded Salmo and Nelsonites pulled out in front of me when I was on airplanes of local pilots and the City of formed a flying club. Up to that time a final approach to land on local airport was non-existent, so they the airport and had to ., based their airplane at Salmo. It was a quickly open my throttle and ‘. .,, DeHavilland Tiger Moth and Jimmy go around the circuit to land. Lougheed was their instructor. Lougheed Others also experienced was employed by Central B.C. Airways similar thrills. Sometime later flying the forestry patrol with a war the city built a fence to surplus Cessna Crane aircraft. Jim separate the road from the Lougheed taught several Salmo and Nel airstrip. son people to fly. He also instructed The Nelson Pilots’ As refresher courses for pilots who had been sociation was formed on flying with the RCAF during the war September 29, 1960. The years. object of the organization RCAF Stranraerflying boat on Kootenay Lake, Later in 1947 our Nelson members was to promote aviation in Nelson, c. 1942. Photo courtesy of Henry Stevenson collection

29 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 Nelson collects both rent and taxes from its constant use by the Air Ambulance for Henry Stevenson of Nelson was fasci the owners. The city also collects revenue medivacs. nated by airplanes u’ben be was very from every litre of fuel dispensed from The ever-increasing number of land young. He held apilots licencefrom 1947 our fuelling facility. ings and take-offs has prompted the till 1978; and now delights in assisting with research ofKootenay Nelson has a seaplane dock adjacent Department ofTransport to provide grants history, espe daily aviation history. to the airport for the exclusive use of float that built our paved runway, and grants planes. The dock was provided by the also built the fine terminal building that federal Department of Transport for itin Nelson is so proud of. erant seaplanes, but it is seldom usable Okanagan Helicopters have had their for that purpose on account of power machines based here since 1959. They boats illegally tied up there. It is a regu have always been excellent corporate lation that is seldom enforced. citizens, taking part in all civic events, It We are proud of turning our former is a great asset to have helicopters based city dump into an airport that attracts a here for rescue and ambulance work large number of flying visitors as well as throughout the district.

Flowersfrom Martha’s Diary byJenufer Iredale

In the B.C. Archives and Records as part of her education. One can imagine portions of entries related to plants only. Service Reference Service is a diary of them sitting close to each other in the My interest in these particular entries Martha Douglas, youngest daughter of Sir evenings, both writing their daily entries. stemmed from research on the flowers, James and Lady Douglas. This diary spans It seems likely James Douglas reviewed, fruits and vegetables that would have the period 1866 to 1869. It is a fascinating assisted and corrected Martha’s entries as grown in the Helmcken garden and at account of daily life in early Victoria; the words and often the tone seem ad Craigflower Farm where we are attempting entirely a social history from a child’s eye vanced for a girl of eleven or twelve years to recreate or at least interpret the historic view. She begins the diary with the entry: of age. In some cases the handwriting is landscape and gardens.

This being the first day of the New actually that of James rather than of Thursday, March 7 — Crocus and Year 1866, I propose to begin a young Martha. periwinkle are coming into flower.

journal recording the little events Further evidence that Martha wrote Sunday, March 11 — Willow and that I wish to remember, the state of her journal for her parent’s eyes and ears, hazel in flower.

the weather, the progress of vegeta not merely as a personal confidante, is Saturday, March 31 — Papa took tion and anything that may interest seen in her entry for November 30, 1867: James Helmcken out for a ride this me. This exercise will be useful in Miss Douglas has for several months afternoon. They found a number of teaching me to express my ideas and past, been remiss with her journal, wild flowers on the west side of the to write with ease and facility. I hope for which she is now very sorry and Point beyond Capt. MacNeills and I shall not be so busy or so indolent will I hope be more attentive to this brought home a bouquet of yellow as to neglect this means of im duty hereafter and strive to entertain ‘Daisies’ and ‘Forget me nots’.

provement. her readers with useful as well as April 18 — A few tulips are coming Besides the weather and vegetation, entertaining remarks into flower and one of the cherry Martha makes notes about visitors to the James Douglas seems to have been trees is coming into blossom. house; luncheons and dinners; letters keenly interested and observant of the April 26— The peach, pear and plum and visits from her sisters and brother, natural world he lived in. It was probably trees are coming into blossom. nieces and nephews; notes on births and his training that taught Martha to record May 10 — Apple trees coming into deaths; and even comments on world the daily weather in such detail and to blossom. events such as the telegraph line connect record her first observances ofwindflower Saturday, May 12 — Rode out to ing Vancouver Island to the world in 1866 blooms and the last harvest of apples. Cadhoro Bay with sister Agnes and or the major earthquake in Havana in Martha’s record of these things shows us Papa drove out with Mamma. The

1867. the landscape of Victoria for 1866 — one country is perfectly beautiful being Her diary is oddly similar to ones in which there are many recognizable thickly covered with flowers. The kept by her father. It is likely ?vlartha’s plants. buttercup and Camas being the most diary was suggested by her “dear papa” The following excerpts are those conspicuous though perhaps not the

30 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 prettiest flowers.

May 15 — I wrote to Arthur and sent him some Dahlias. Friday, May 18—The Rose Peony and Lilac are in blossom.

June 14 — Different roses coming into blossom.

June 24 — The Sweet Brier and Honey suckle coming into blossom. June 25—I drove out into the country with papa and Mamma and picked a quantity of wild strawberries. They were small, but very good and had a finer flavour than the cultivated strawberry.

Sept. 29 — The early apples have all been picked, the late keepers are getting ripe.

Oct. 15 — Began taking in the Apples for winter use.

Nov. 5 — The Roses, Nasturtiums, Heartsease, Stocks, Fuchsias still in bloom. The Gardener (Collins) took up and potted the Geraniums. He set out the tulips, crocus, narcissus and other flowering bulbs.

Nov. 6 — Gardener taking in the late apples.

Nov. 19 — The servants taking in the few apples (Rainbos) which were not gathered before the late rains. Nov. 20— Gathered the remainder of the apples, and put them away for winter use. Nov. 22— The Gardener dressing the borders. Nov. 27— The Rose bushes are still in bloom and fresh buds coming out. There are also a good many late flowers in bloom. Martha Douglas, daughter ofSirJames and Lady Douglas, later became Mrs. Dennis

Dec. 25 — Christmas Day. Fine Reginald Harris. Photo by S.A. Spenar, Victoria, and courtesy of BCARS #5826 G-9199 pleasant weather. The Rose trees still partially in blossom and other Rose buds coming. The grass is growing and the country looks fresh and green. Had a family dinner party and spent a pleasant evening.

JennJèr Iredale is currently curatorfor the South Coast Region Historic Sites, including Helmcken House, Carr House, TodandPointEllice Houses, Craigflower (all in Victoria) and the Haig-Brown House in Campbell River.

31 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994

32 News 1994 Spring - B.C. Historical

Edwardian an Street), basically Fisgard anniversary its as thirty-fifth exhibit the to provincial a as the in model future the

55 (at Cho Building $45,000 Tai the of facade Loo a of made and contribution in appeal re-built be would shop the that hoped

the after exterior is It Store. modelled to the Lions responded Club Chinatown he $5,000, because mainly for Museum

Grocery Lung Hing is structure Kwong Victoria The organizations. service Columbia Royal to British the Tong Yuck

1). first The (Fig. is display medicine on from other sought donations also seum, 1982 Man sell to January in decided Quan

and Western Chinese of the description mu of Director Executive outsider, Barkley, an by offer higher a of spite In

in a which showcase a side right-hand Bill by and Evans, Greg chaired tion, purchase. the to complete funds raising in

his on see her or a will visitor Founda exhibit exhibit, Fannin the the funding time no lost Museum also Columbia British

alley. an the Entering and four to structures addition In Chinatown Exhibit. Royal manent the of Friends The store. the of ment

Exhibit of consists Chinatown The a plan to per began Museum equip Columbia the and herbs all purchasing est in

museum. the and the between club British Royal years the later, Eight inter showed curators and museum some

a as act to liaison chairman project the cities. 2 merchants a antique few soon Tong. Very

was named Chow Ed 1992; in celebration than other in rather Victoria in Yuck museum Man closing considered Yong Foo

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Exhibit Chinatown The were duplicated on the second floor. Like struction was carried out by the Exhibits Ka Lee, Man Yuck Tong could not run and Trades staff. Virginia Careless did with profit if it depended solely on the background research on Chinese-Cana sale of herbs. In the 1910s Quan Yuen clian history, concentrating on Chinese Yen, owner of the herbalist shop, was medicine and herbalism. The Conserva himself a tailor; hence he sold herbs as tion and History Collections staff prepared well as made, altered or mended clothes, the artifacts. Bob Griffin assembled the mainly for labourers. On the left-side materials for the showcase, Gerald Luxton brick column of the store front, a visitor looked after the signs, and Norman will notice four vertical Chinese charac Charbonneau and Mark Dickson recorded ters, meaning “Lung Kong Association.” the background sound and music. Before Owners of Man Yuck Tong were promi the official opening, Margot Briggs and nent members of the Lung Kong Tin Yee Chris Higgins arranged the media cover Association; hence Man Yuck Tong was age; in addition, Tom Paifrey will write a not only a well-known herbalist store in companion book about the exhibit. It is Chinatown but also a popular rendez nearly impossible to list the role of every vous for the association members. When person since over forty members of the a Chinese organization was first formed, museum staff were involved. From the usually it did not have funds to rent or Chinese community, Quan Yong Foo build a tong house; hence the members helped to identify the Chinese herbs and initially made use of a member’s shop for equipment, and place them in their original Fig. 2 Man Yuck Tong meetings. Next to Man Yuck Tong is an location inside Man Yuck Tong. John alley closed by a wooden gate. Peeping Nipp did the calligraphy and translation. through it, a visitor will see signboards of David Lai contributed the conceptual building of the 1890s.3 A “cheater floor,” gambling clubs, restaurants and a shoe- drawing and worked closely with the a typical feature of Chinatown buildings, repairing store. On the brick wall outside team in recreating the early twentieth- is visible behind the arched store front. the gate is a peephole which was used by century Chinatown. Paul Chan and John The second floor is the tenement. A great the serveillant of a fantan club to give the Joe were involved in the sound and variety of Chinese dry goods, such as alert of a police raid. A visitor has to look conversation recording. The exhibit is salted fish and preserved eggs or ginger, up to see the last structure in the exhibit, unusual in the history of the museum is on display. The second structure is Ka the Sze Yup Tung Heung Hui (Four exhibitions because the local community Lee Show Repairing cum Employment Counties Association) Building. It is mod in Victoria has not only financially sup Agent Building. It is modelled after the elled after the third floor of the CERA ported it but also actively participated in Lum Sam Building (at 534 Pandora Av Building (at 1717 Government Street), it. The joint efforts of the museum staff enue), a typical Italianate building of the built in 1905.6 This is a typical tong and the community have made the ex 1880s.4 The decorative brickwork and building, featuring a recessed balcony, a hibit a success. symmetric Italianate windows on the pair of arched windows and delicate second floor of the building were repro wrought-iron balusters. Next to the alley duced. A projected cast-iron balcony re is a western pharmacist’s store; it is a minds visitors that originally the building significant component of the exhibit be David Chuenyan Lai is a professor of had a wooden balcony which was later cause it is used as a comparison with the geography at the University of Victoria. replaced by an iron balcony to accom Chinese herbalist shop and functions as a He has participated in many projects moclate the fire regulations of the City of transition link between Chinatown and involving the Chinesepresence in Western Canada in the Victoria in the 1890s. In the early clays, the western business district of an Old pioneeryears. small merchants or workers usually had Town. Going through the exhibit, a visi FOOTNOTES to eke out their income by getting a tor will hear very faint Chinese music and 1. SIan Suck Tong was esubhslsed inc. 1905. P0, (Ic/a,I. of its h,.iorv. see Lai. David Chuens an. SI,in Suck 1 utg fl second job. In this case the shoe-repairer conversation in the background. Victoria, B.C. II,sisocalrVeus, PaIl 1992. pp 3a—35. was also a labourer contractor. The third The exhibit covers an area of only 2. Quan Vong P00, owner of Sian Vuck Tong. prn.uc IT5tCfl.iCV, March 1992. structure, Man Yuck Tong, is the focal 500 square feet where all forms of Chi 3. La,. Davd Chuenyan. The Tha’htddei fl/v With!,, i’iciona .41vt1, Symbol alit! Srcciscape of anac/r, s 1/ar/thai point of the exhibit. It is modelled after nese imprints are crammed. However, Chi,,a!ouw. Orca look Publishers. Vie/on., 1991. p. II, the On Ring Building (at 544 Fisgard they are vividly and appropriately on and p. 1,8. 4. lbmd.. pp. 102—105. Street) where the herbalist shop was display. This reflects the genius of the 5. Ibid., pp. 119—121. previously housed.5 The shop was re curators and designers of the project, 6. Ibid.. p. 131. produced as close as possible to its origi headed byJohn Robertson. Virginia Care nal layout (Fig. 2). The “cheater floor,” less, Alan Graves and Kevin Neary pre used for storing herbs, was recreated; the pared the interpretive objectives. Alan kitchen for preparing Chinese medicine Graves also drew and revised many times was reproduced; and segmental win the working plan, and supervised the clows and a projected wooden balcony building of the exhibit. The actual con-

33 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994

34

News 1994 Spring B.C. Historical -

to Ontario an and dystrophy; muscular editorials whose newspaperman prolific

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NOTES & NEWS BOOK SHELF Books for review and book reviews should be sent directly to the book review editor: Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1 E4

Working in the Woods: A History of occasional crash of a falling tree. print. As he explains it: Logging on the West Coast They were noisy, smelly, cantan Over the last twenty years, I’ve Ken Drushka. Madeira Park, B.C., Harbour kerous machines, demanding been gathering these stories, Publishing, 1992. 304 p., illus., $39.95 entirely different skills and per keeping them alive in bars, or sonalities. They shook and vi retelling them at parties, and it

The Logger’s Digest: From Horses to brated, turning old fallers’ fingers finally hit me —. this is my culture, Helicopters into gangrenous stumps. They my heritage, my goddam roots! Barry Coulson. Victoria, Orca Book Publish were a horrible intrusion on the As is so often the case in collections, the ers, 1992. 163 p., illus., $18.95 last remnant of the good old days. writing is uneven. Moreover, the reader is But they could cut; God, they presented with some poetry, some expla Early on in his Working in the Woods, could cut. As they improved and nations of logger language, and some ex Drushka writes that “the essence of logging the skills required to master them amples of Workers’ Compensation Board involves two basic tasks: knocking ‘em were painfully acquired, a new accident reports. Unfortunately Coulson down, and dragging ‘em out.” His inten elite emerged with its own rituals does not identify the sources for much of tion is “to describe the evolution of logging and protocols. By the 1960s, the the material used, and he points out that methods used in the coastal forests of one-man falling and bucking saw “various names and places have been British Columbia, along with the people was a refined instrument, an art disguised to let me keep what remaining who created the industry.” ist’s tool, almost. friends I have.” He hopes to publish more The emphasis in the book is on the There is a lot of history in Drushka’s of the same and invites contributions for methods, and in particular on the ma book. He has synthesized a mountain of future issues of the Digest. chinery developed for and introduced into information and any person interested in In this Volume One, there is a lively the industry. Drushka’s chapter divisions the development of this province would spontaneity. There is a sense that these are reflect this emphasis. He uses a limited do well to study it. Too often we have been the loggers telling their own stories in their

number of chapters — nine in total — one inundated with matters of, presumably, own words. Clearly, in spite of a vocabu of which, for example, deals with “The more national import — for example, the lary a bit raunchy and rough at times,

Railway Era,” the following one with “The history of the Canadian Pacific Railway — Coulson is an articulate man. He quotes Birth of Truck Logging.” The book, as a at the expense of the history of our own the likes of Bob Dylan and Kurt Vonnegut consequence, has an easy-flowing natural region. “The history of coastal logging,” with effect. hike his adjectives (“the snarly tempo paced by the evolution of the in Drushka comments, “is, in the end, the end of a one-inch choker”). The result is a dustry’s machinery. story of how a regional culture came to very human and, on occasion, emotional The industry, however, was not a sci be.” view of the business of “knocking ‘em

entific business. Outfits — logging shows Working in the Woods is accomplished down and dragging ‘em out.” large and small were obliged to work with the competence we have come to The differences between Working in the with the equipment on hand under the expect from Harbour Publishing. The text Woods and The Logger’s Digest are ex conditions of a particular place and, equally has been edited well, the photographs tensive. Where Drushka has the cool mat significant, that place’s weather. Making reproduced clearly, and all brought to ter-of-fact narrative and analysis of a la do, often with beaten-up equipment, was gether in handsome format. An annotated boriously researched and carefully written the order of the day. The measuring stick recapitulation of the major sources, divided history of an industry, Coulson has the was the volume of wood brought out. chapter by chapter, is most useful, as is a everyday details of the workers in the Moreover, as Drushka points out, the listing of “Oral History Sources” which bunkhouse, the crummy, in the woods transition from stage to stage was not includes, despite the title, items other than and, above all, details about how they feel strictly sequential: in the early 1920s, for oral history sources. The index is good, about their work. The very means of pres

example, oxen and horses, ground-lead though it is printed in annoyingly small entation reflect these differences — steam donkeys, and high-lead and skyline type. Throughout, Drushka keeps to his Drushka systematic and precise, Coulson yarding systems were all in use. Generally, essential plan. “There is nothing here,” he somewhat hit and miss. Their use of pho however, the economies of the more effi notes, “about the sawmills, pulp mills and tographs is instructive. In each book the

cient brought about the replacement of other conversion plants ... nor is this a photographs are essential. They are nu the less efficient. Here he is on the intro book about the social life of loggers.” merous and clearly reproduced. Drushka duction of power saws: The Logger’s Digest is about the social provides a caption for each of his photos; They shattered the quiet rhythm life of loggers. It is primarily a collection of Coulson does not (with a few, unfortunate of axes chopping and saws cut loggers’ stories which Coulson believes exceptions). Each approach is effective in ting wood, broken only by the are worth recording in the permanency of its own setting.

35 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 BOOK SHELF

And it may be the differences in ap nadian groups in Victoria, and of the re Silk Trains: The Romance of Canadian proach and content which make each cent generation’s grouping as Silk Trains or “The Silks” book complement the other; read together “francophone. ‘ Bernard Webber. Kelowna, The Word Works they provide something more than the The authors of French Presence in Vic Publications, 1993. 123 p., illus., $18.95 sum of the two. toria B.C. raise questions and hopes for George Newell the writing of multicultural history of this Canada’s fabulous silk trains raced across George Newell is a member of the province. Was Victoria historically as much the country from the Pacific coast towards Wctoria Historical Society. a centre for its French-speaking peoples as New York and other eastern points for it was for the English and the Chinese? Did nearly fifty years. Cargoes could value the not the “More English than the English” of then unimaginable value of $1,000,000 a Victoria develop their character because trainload! Today the silk trains are unknown French Presence in Victoria B.C. 1943— of the French and Chinese presences? Or, or forgotten by almost all but those who 1991. English version of Presence as the academic historians might say, were tell the story of these freights, so important Francophone e1 Victoria not the French, like the Chinese and the that every other train, from crack express John Greene, et al. L’Association Histonque First Nations, part of the “Others” against Francophone de Victoria, C.B., 1991. to Prince of Wales’ special, was sidetracked which the Victorian English identity was until they had passed. A book-length treat constructed? Did Emily Carr’s parents ment on the “silks” is more than welcome, This is a remarkable book. It will en cherish their British cultural heritage more and with that in mind I looked forward to lighten future authors of histories of British because of the presence of the others, of reading Bernard Webber’s book, Silk Columbia communities. The authors, a defence as much as of desire? If the Victo Trains. group of French professional and cultural ria French community members of today Webber focuses mainly on two main men in Victoria, tell the story of their are collecting and writing history in coop aspects of the silk traffic. The first, the early community as part of the general regional eration with the provincial archives, in trans-Pacific silk trade by the Canadian community, and do not neglect the im cluding the relations of French-Canadi Pacific Railway’s shipping line, has already portant role of women nor links with other ans, French and other ethnic groups, then been well documented by W. Kaye Lamb cultures. may we expect ongoing search for records and others. The post-1920 silk train serv In 1991 John Greene, Marc Lapprand, and interviews? ice provided by Canadian National Rail Gerald Moreau and Gerald Richard did Such ongoing heritage activity, not just ways is the author’s second area of inter British Columbia historians a valuable writing and donating of “the book” to the est, and is much more welcome, even if service by translating and adding to an library shelves, is needed by all the com somewhat less than comprehensive. Also earlier French-language publication on the munities of British Columbia. This is espe of interest are the various original docu French presence in Victoria 1843 to 1987. cially so for those peoples whose younger ments (correspondence, telegrams, tables, They tell the history of Victoria’s French- generations may no longer speak or write etc.) reproduced alongside the text. But speaking peoples in chapters on the fur the ancestral languages, and for whom many of the illustrations, such as the sev trade and gold rush era, religion and cul federal language programs have not been eral pages of early passenger timetables, ture, education, arts and health. Greene widely available. do not pertain directly to the topic. And, and his colleagues give general British My wish for the future of British Columbia apart from the cover, there is only one Columbia background to the story of history is that Greene, Lapprand, Moreau photograph of a silk train. French-speaking people in Victoria, from and Richard, blessed with skills and experi Unfortunately, the overall outcome of Canadiens and Métis to Quebecois and ence in multilingual research and writing, in reading was disappointment. Much of the Francais. They detail the origins of French accessing grants and getting published, will silk train story remains to be told, espe health-care societies of the late nineteenth continue in these directions. One project cially that of the CPR, which had the lion’s century and French immersion classes of they might initiate would be a biographical share of the traffic for many years. At times the late twentieth century. dictionary of Victorians using the Dictionary it even took silk business away from the As francophone men, Greene and his of Canadian Biography volumes and the Great Northern and other American fellows write ethnic history that surprises research of the University of Victoria Public railroads. Owning its own shipping line and delights readers by emphasizing the History Group as well as that of other ethnic permitted the CPR to transport silk from work of women such as the Sisters of Saint and religious communities. Yokohama to New York by ship and train

Ann, parish wardens, university instructors Jacqueline Gresko in just thirteen days — a speed the compe and secretaries. They note too the efforts Jacqueline Gresko, a member of the tition could rarely match! Other omissions French-Canadian sisters of Notre Dame Vancouver Historical Society, is a member are apparent: for instance, no mention is des Anges made at Loretto Hall in mission of the History Department made of the disastrous CPR silk train wreck to Chinese Canadians. Yet they do not at Douglas College. near Yale, B.C. in September 1927, from neglect male leaders and clerics of the which a few remnants of the lost silk (much pioneer years of French and French-Ca- was recovered) now reside in the little

36 B.C. Historical News Spring 1994 BOOK SHELF museum at Hope, B.C. Very little is said mindless rush to exploit the rich fisheries of interest in a specific topic will not have an about, and no photographs or plans are the Fraser River and the high cost aborigi easily accessible reference to check. From shown of, the special rolling stock that was nals and others paid in that process. Both high school teachers and their students to developed to haul the delicate cargo. authors have brought many years of prac the general reader, the task of gaining a Already a slim book, the publisher’s tical, related experience and knowledge to further understanding of the history of the choice of a larger-than-usual font makes their task: Stacey, a blend of experience as industry will not be easy. That criticism one realize it would be even shorter in a fisherman, tenderman, seaman, student aside, Cork Lines and Canning Lines is an normal-size print, although those with of the history of the industry, writer, and eminently readable volume. weaker vision will no doubt appreciate the museum researcher and curator in related Homer Stevens: A Life in Fishing is an greater ease of reading. Despite its prom projects, and Meggs, with years of experi excellent companion volume to Meggs’ ise, this is only an introductory look at the ence as editor of The Fisherman, the and Stacey’s since it focuses on the career subject. The “definitive” book on Cana publication of the United Fishermen and of an important labour leader during re dian silk trains has still to be written. Allied Workers Union. He, of course, re cent decades. Ron Meyer cently produced the award-winning book While the book includes some useful Ron Meyer is a member of both the Salmon: The Decline of the British Co sections of snapshot photographs of Vancouver Historical Society and the lumbia Fishery. Homer, his family and colleagues, as well Pacific Coast Division of the Canadian Meggs and Stacey offer detailed pictures as some of the individuals who have been Railroad Historical Association. of the rush by early owners to exploit the involved in the industry and over He is an instructor at Vancouver UFAWU fisheries, the turbulent history Community College. of the early four recent decades, it is primarily a textual canneries, the normally appalling working presentation. It is, in fact, really the autobi conditions encountered by both fisher ography or a rich personal oral history of men and shoreworkers, and the almost Stevens, as related to writer RoIf Knight. mindless despoilation of a priceless re Stevens was, of course, known on the Cork Lines and CanningLines: The Glory source. There are also useful summaries of west coast for many years as the outspo Years of Fishing on the West Coast the evolving technology, something that ken and very committed leader of one of Geoff lvleggs and Duncan Stacey. Vancouver, will no doubt be appreciated by many British Columbia’s most important and Douglas & McIntyre, 1992. 166 p., illus., $35 readers. The book also gives valuable im militant unions, the UFAWU. He has also pressions of the lives and work of native been known for his strong political beliefs Homer Stevens: A Life in Fishing fishermen and shoreworkers, and Japa and affiliation with the Communist Party Homer Stevens and Roif Knight. Madeira Park, nese fishermen. of Canada throughout the many difficult Harbour Publishing, 1992. 260 p., illus., $29.95 I was particularly interested in chapter years of the Cold War. While these firm six, which offered an outline of the horrific beliefs often brought widespread antago For anyone interested in the history of story of the 1913 Hell’s Gate rock slide nism to him, they were a measure of the the west coast fishing industry, I would and its impact, an event described by the serious dedication he felt to his cause. This highly recommend both Cork Lines and authors as “the greatest single environ political commitment underpinned his Canning Lines and Homer Stevens. Using mental catastrophe in the history of the profound commitment to serving the un different approaches, both volumes provide province.” ion, and working people in general. Clearly, informative insights, particularly into the Other sections of the book look at other the members of his union retained a long- lives of the people who have toiled in it. equally significant issues. The sections of term confidence in his work for their cause, Meggs and Stacey have produced a very photographs are more than interesting since he remained the union’s secretary- readable and amply illustrated volume, visual interludes; they are a means for treasurer, representing them in negotia clearly intended to provide an overview of conveying to readers additional informa tions, for many years. For someone used the history of commercial fishing and tion about many topics and complement to reading reports in the popular press that processing on the British Columbia coast. what the authors have said in the text. were invariably antagonistic to Stevens, The well-crafted informative text, dealing I have only one criticism of this book. A this book brought new insights into an with key periods and issues in the history of publication such as CorkLines and Canning important part of the history of the fishing the industry, is complemented by sections Lines, intended to convey the rich story of industry and organized labour in British of related archival photographs, many this industry to many uninitiated readers, Columbia in recent decades. never previously seen by such a wide should have footnotes or endnotes and a It is a very personal book, intended to audience. short bibliography where the reader can summarize Homer Stevens’ impressions Yet to state that this is an overview is not locate the sources on which much of the text of his long career and of the history of his to suggest that it is superficial. Despite the is based. The absence of such basic infor union, but is not the official history of the boosterish title, “The Glory Years of Fish mation diminishes the value of the book. A union. There is, of course, little need for ing on the West Coast,” this book ad wide range of individuals will read this vol footnotes in this case since most of the text dresses serious issues, including the almost ume and those who may want to pursue an is obviously based on the personal memory

37 B.C. Historical News- Spring 1994 BOOK SHELF of the subject Greater Vancouver create the remaining made Greenwood. Finally, according to a Homer Stevens: A Life in Fishing is a two pages. The author has eloquently few sources, the date for Vancouver Island good read for anyone interested in the used city skylines from each decade, start becoming a colony was January 1849 and history of the coast and of the people who ing in the 1880s with a picture of Granville, not the date of 1850 mentioned in the have worked in one of its main industries. to highlight some of the transformation of book on page thirteen. It also provides a good fresh perspective Vancouver that has taken place up to the The author should be commended for on the life and work of one of British present. Each decade provides an over the book’s remarkable cartography. The Columbia’s most important labour leaders view of the population growth of Vancou information found on the maps is easy to in the last forty years. ver and Greater Vancouver region, the read as a result of the effective use of William McKee development of B.C.’s economy and the colours and because the facts on the maps William Mckee is a curator at the political representatives from each level of are not overcrowded. Readers can spend Canadian Museum of Civilization. government from the province. The for hours studying the maps looking at the mat of the book allows the reader to easily infra-structure and building changes that examine the changes that occurred in the have occurred between the decades since industrial, commercial, residential, institu Vancouver’s inception as a city. Vancouver: A Visual History tional, recreational and undeveloped ar Vancouver: A Visual History provides a Bruce Macdonald. Talon Books, 1992. eas of the city through the well-detailed concise overview of Vancouver’s history 84 p., $45 and intricate maps and descriptions. One up until the 1980s. This atlas can be used of the many interesting features of the as a supplement to those books already Though quite young in comparison to maps is the wildlife symbols which Bruce published on Vancouver or it can be an Asian and European cities, Vancouver, Macdonald uses to show some of the first independent resource for teachers, re British Columbia, offers the public an in and last sightings of bears, cougars, deer, searchers or the general public. Bruce triguing and entertaining history, which is beaver and whales in the Vancouver area. Macdonald has done a marvellous job evident in Bruce Macdonald’s book Van The third section considers the changes completing his objective of allowing the couver: A Visual History. The idea for the of social facets of the city using maps and reader to visualize the social, political, eco book started in 1984, with the completion charts to describe elections, gender, ethnic nomical and building changes that have in 1992. The purpose of the atlas is to heritage, religion and consumer culture. taken place within Vancouver’s relatively provide the reader with a “bird’s eye view In my opinion there are a number of young history. to the ground” using maps to display the minor flaws with the book. I would have Werner Kaschel development and growth of Vancouver liked to see more information in either Werner Kaschel, a member of the describing the “economy, the regional graph/chart form and/or in wriften form Vancouver Historical Society, is a school context, the politics, and the people.” The provided on the working class using such teacher for the Surrey School District. atlas is divided into three sections. variables as years, number of workers, The first section consists of reference gender, ethnic background and type of maps and information that refers to: 1) work (industry, service and government how glaciation affected Vancouver’s and sectors). As well, more information on the Grey Fox: The True Story ofBill Miner, the surrounding area’s landscape some education system and the educated peo Last of the Old-Time Bandits 11,000 years ago; 2) Vancouver’s present- ple of Vancouver could have been incor Mark Dugan and John Boessenecker. day mean temperature and rainfall; 3) porated. Although this task would have Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma Press, names of the different neighbourhoods been time consuming, the end results would 1992. 260 p., illus., $24.95 found in Vancouver and; 4) a street refer have been both interesting and valuable ence map. for cross-referencing information. Addi Bill Miner was a tough old cuss, addicted The second section describes the history tional charts and more information depict to robbing trains when robbing trains was of the city, which is divided up into dec ing some of the imported and exported no longer a “safe” crime in the Wild West. ades starting with the 1850s and ending in commodities or resources could have been Time was when the likes of Jesse James, the 1980s. This segment (comprising al summarized and appended to the eco the Dalton Gang or Black Bart could plun most seventy per cent of the book) has nomical section of the book. Perhaps a few der a stagecoach or solitary eastbound four pages per decade, which includes one picture inserts of old Vancouver’s bird’s- and live comfortably for weeks on the very comprehensive map presented in a eye views or city plans could have been proceeds of their ill-gotten booty. Back two-page layout describing some of the incorporated, to add more nostalgia to the then, lawmen were as rare as clean sheets most significant events of that period. In book. Two typing errors were found. One in the bunkhouse, and train robbers could triguing pictures and anecdotes of impor was on page seventeen where “Altantic” (and did) get away with it. But long after tant Vancouverites from each decade, as should read Atlantic and the second error the Wild West was less wild, Bill Miner, a well as charts describing population, poli was found on page twenty-nine. “Siver contemporary of the aforementioned tics and economics, and a small map of made Greenwood” should read silver thieves, was still sticking up hapless train

38 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994 BOOK SHELF conductors and filching as much loot as a ninety-five kilometres east of Vancouver. confused sexual orientation. Indeed, post train then could carry. He became a social The desperadoes cracked two safes, ers with large “Wanted” headlines and and criminal anachronism, the last of a cleaned out bags of gold dust plus $50,000 illustrated with his photo dotted the North lionized breed of mythological crooks that in U.S. bonds and nearly a quarter of a west and warned readers to beware of stole from the rich and gave to the poor. million dollars in Australian securities. Thus Miner, wanted as much for sodomy as for Ezra Allen Miner was called, at times, was accomplished Canada’s first armed bank robbery. Though modern social tax Allen by his family and Bill by his friends, train robbery. This heist so angered the onomists might classify him as bisexual (he associates and pursuers (though, in fact, railroad and the securities’ owners that lived with a woman in Washington State he had a younger brother named William). they posted a large reward for Miner’s for eight years), his homosexuality would Born on the fourth last day of 1843 in capture. Bounty hunters from the western be as much a grounds for arrest and Michigan of farming parents, Miner suf U.S. and Canada converged on the lower prosecution as would his larceny. fered the ravages of juvenile emotional mainland in a feverish but futile search for Dugan and Bossenecker have re trauma when his father died of a brain Miner. The wily Miner eluded arrest and searched Miner’s life as thoroughly as can disease when Bill was a month short of his robbed another train eighteen months later be done and have documented the sorry tenth birthday. Miner senior left no will nor near Kamloops. So outraged were the life of a repeat offender. That he was the an estate, and Miner’s mother Harriet was good burghers of the southern Interior that last of the big bank and train robbers, forced to sell the family farm; she and they called in Mounties from as far away as stealing only from large corporations or thousands of others were caught up in Banff and Morley, Alberta, to track down businesses, never wounding a soul in all western fever and the fatherless clan moved the thieving villains. In a perverse coinci the stick-ups (though expert with a pistol) to California. Bill joined the Union Army dence, the Mounties happened to be is to gilt a shabby life of social and eco during the Civil War in 1860 at Sacramento camped near where Miner and company nomic parasitism. Though the fellow pau but lasted only four months — he de also were camped, and in a brief shoot-out pers with whom he shared his booty hailed serted, claiming military life was not for with the red-coats Miner sustained a slight him a folk hero on the scale of Robin him. When he was eighteen (around 1862) wound. Unable to flee he was arrested and Hood, there is nothing in this biography to a woman of bawdy reputation seems to the two Mounties responsible for the warrant that much sympathy. He trusted have corrupted young Bill and initiated capture of Canadian Public Enemy no one, had few minutes of peace of mind, him into a life of crime. He must have Number One split an $11,500 reward. and suffered miserably from the effects of relished aspects of this lifestyle as he stayed Sentenced to New Westminster Prison, his opium dependence. In the end it is a with it for the rest of his life. By the time he Miner subsequently escaped. Dugan and truly sad story, not a thriller on the glam was thirty-seven he’d spent thirteen years Bossenecker claim the CPR helped Miner ourous life of the big-time crook. Miner is in prison, including three trips to San slip the surly bonds of enforced confine a hollow and depressing subject, and Quentin. By the time he was fifty-five he’d ment in exchange for information on the though the authors have toiled expertly, spent thirty-three years in prison or await whereabouts of the missing Australian se one feels slightly dingy for having read this ing jail. After stints in and out of prison in curities. He left Canada and made his way book. It is suitable for academic and large Colorado, Michigan and California, he to Georgia where he was arrested yet public library collections on the old west or headed to the Pacific Northwest and con again for robbery. He died in the Midgeville the history of crime, and for the locales tinued his illicit profession, stealing from State Prison in 1913 at the age of seventy. where Miner’s robberies occurred. stores, trains and stages. The authors wish to portray Miner as a Brian Champion Early in the new century Miner and a few do-good bandit, stealing only from large Brian Champion is American History professional associates wandered into corporations and sharing his loot with the Librarian, University of Alberta Libraiy. Canada, probably to avoid arrest in Wash socially and economically disadvantaged; ington State. Miner and his pals came his charity to the indigent was seemingly north to the Okanagan Valley, where they limitless. This also may be one of the hired themselves out as ranch help. They motivations for his crimes. But Miner was drove cattle between Princeton and an incorrigible habitual criminal, satisfied MOVING?? Kelowna and noticed that the Canadian with honest work only for short periods of Pacific Railway’s eastbound Transconti time. As a young man, the dark side of his Send your nental chugged through the Okanagari life took over and never let go. Some change of address hills on a regular schedule. The old urges where he became addicted to opium returned, the lessons of prison either to (perhaps in San Francisco, where he was to: tally forgotten or completely remembered, known to frequent its many opium dens and on the night of 10 September 1904 and its derivative, heroin, not yet being Subscription Secretary three masked and armed men forced the illegal) and his hunt for opium pills was #7 — 5400 Patterson Avenue train to stop just outside fog-shrouded constant. But what perhaps infuriated Burnaby, B.C. Mission Junction (now Mission City), lawmen more than his thieving was his V5H 2M5

39 B.C. Historical News - Spring 1994

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the his in arrival home since ever his make to ver contributions with but itself, history Hourglass BOOKSHELF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION

HONORARY PATRON His Honour, the Honourable David C. Lam, CM, LL.D., Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

HONORARY PRESIDENT Arthur Lower

OFFICERS

President Myrtle Haslam, P.O. Box 10, Cowichan Bay, B.C. VOR1NO 748-8397

First Vice President Alice Glanville, P.O. Box 746, Grand Forks, B.C. VOH1HO 442-3865

Second Vice President Ron Welwood, RR #1, S22, Ci, Nelson, B.C. Vi L 5P4 825-4743

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

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

Treasurer Doris J. May, 2943 Shelbourne Street, Victoria, B.C. V8R 4M7 595-0236

Members at Large Mary Rawson, 1406 Woodland Drive, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 3S6 251-2908 Wayne Desrochers, 8811 — 152nd Street, Surrey, B.C. V3R 4E5 581-0286

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

COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Archivist Margaret Stoneberg, Box 687, Princeton, B.C. vox iWO 295-3362

B.C. Historical News Publishing Committee Tony Farr, RR #3, Sharp Road, Comp. 21, Ganges, B.C. VOS 1E0 537-5398

Book Review Editor Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1E4 733-6484

Editor Naomi Miller,Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0 422-3594

Subscription Secretary Nancy Peter, #7— 5400 Patterson Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 2M5 437-6115

Historical Trails & Markers John Spittle, 1241 Mount Crown Road, North Vancouver, B.C. V7R 1R9 988-4565

Publications Assistance Jill Rowland (not involved with #5 — 1450 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2N4 984-0602 B.C. Historical News) Contact Jill for advice and details to apply for a loan toward the cost of publishing.

Scholarship Committee Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6S 1E4 733-6484

Writing Competition (Lieutenant Governor’s Award) Pamela Mar, P.O. Box 933, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 758-2828 Mail

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