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Volume 26, No. 3 Journal of B.C. Historical Federation Summer - 1993 EDITORIAL CONTENTS October is designated Women’s History Features Page Month. The Minister Responsible for the Gibsons — Our Summer Place 2 Status of Women, Mary Collins MR for by Rosamorid Greer Capilano-Howe Sound, implemented this idea in 1992 but publicity did not reach A Tale Told by Prescriptions 5 many of the intended “celebrants” until by Cindy Whitmore late October or early November. The The Union Steamship Company of B.C 9 1993 letter to local historical societies came by Kelsey McLeod out in May. (This contrast in timing is due, in part, to our Nanaimo branch protesting Carnarvon Terms or Separation: B.C. 1875-78 .. 13 the belated arrival in 1992.) Anyway—for by Daniel Marshall October turn history into “HERstory of Water: Life Blood of the Okanagan Valley 17 Women’s Contributions to Our Commu by Winston A. Shilvock nity and Country.” Another item of political interest is Dan Stanley Park 18 Marshall’s article, “Carnarvon Terms or by Rosamond Greer Separation.” This arrived in the mail with in Emily Susan Patterson: Vancouver’s First Nurse 20 days of the October Referendum on the by Helen L. Shore Charlottetown Accord. I almost wept that this could not be shared with historians! Deadman’s Island Dispute of 1899 22 voters right then. by Mark Leier Summer is a time for travel. Many of us Cariboo Honeymon - 1933 25 visit local museums. British Columbia has by Ilma Dunn more museums per capita than any other state or province on the continent. Some The Priest’s Trek From Clayoquot Sound 28 of these museums have fascinating, unex by Walter Guppy pected displays. If you have a comment The Rise and Sad Demise of Salt Spring’s Lodge of Hope 30 on one or more places that you have by John Crofton visited, write a few lines to the editor and we will share the good news with our Cowichan Settlers of 1862 33 readers. by Helen B. Akrigg Naomi Miller REPORT OF B.C.H.F. CONFERENCE 37 NEWS & NOTES 38 COVER CREDIT BOOK SHELF 39 Ahhh, summer! Sandy beaches, buck H.M.S. Virago in the Pacific 39 ets of water, sunshine, and bathing beau Review by Barry Gough ties. This little lass took me back years to Gentleman Air Ace; The Duncan Bell-Irving Story 39 when bathing suits were made of wool, Review by Cedric Hawkshaw and a rubber bathing cap was pulled on even though it did not keep water out of The Not So Gentle Art of Burying the Dead 40 ears. And look carefully atthe beach shoes Review by Kelsey McLeod on the model, Miss 1928 at Gibsons Nootka Sound Explored 40 Landing near her summer cottage. Thanks Review by George Newell to Rosamond Greer for lending us this picture to illustrate her summer story. Forge in Faith 40 Review by Bev Hills

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)

Thinted in Canada Kootenay Kwlk Print Ltd. by 1 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993

2

B.C. Historical Summer News 1993 -

Sixty

years ago Molly’s was a Reach leaves on still veranda; the lying out- the

room on The bordered sides was two

taken. their pictures accumulated the winter; over the autumn

and old Kids calendars.

Reach, door; of focal the series, the point unlocked to have and cobwebs the dust the

with of pictures adorned Soup Campbell

around Molly’s the world stood The before musty greeted smell us that we as

bed. The double walls bare were wooden

from and countries, seventeen tourists months before.

flowered curtains, drawstring with and a

the twenty program years and was in Labour up televised on abandoned ten Day

a small stove,

table, wooden

cupboards

program headed Beachcombers. The TV oursummer and For for cottage, closed

room contained Its one

cast-iron black a

cians

upon descended CBC film to it the Gibson’s There Landing. we disembarked

my Bonn-na-Coille was home. summer

1971

when

stars television and techni or tthe at hours four later five at dock

and months, next the seventeen for years

tranquillity, fame acquired in in world-wide downtown ending and Vancouver some

1925,

made in was of age at eight the

summer came visitors to who the enjoy its at Steamship beginning Union dock

My first Gibson’s to journey Landing

only to lived the the few there who The and was itself, in adventure an voyage

Landing. Gibson’s

Vancouver.

The known Village, once all been week. enjoying

1895 the became settlement known as

are

ple

daily commuting in ferry by to jobs to cool the havens sail families had their

emptions land. the Gibson circling In

city,

more although and more for young to the peo weekend they arrive could when

some twenty families pre on were living

the live hustle far of and from the bustle own meals, their at jobs, toiling waiting

his family, settled he 1892 There and by

from force the retired work and to watered, choose cooking mowed, the their lawns

approximately 800 land metres square.

Many of Gibsons of residents the city, hot alone have the in the gardens keeping

686, District pre-empted and a Lot of plot

cannot lumbia, by mer road. reached be began. cottages Fathers it remained

Gibson George the in drove ground astake

of the located mainland and Co on exodus the British homes from sum to city

the On 1886, 24, day, following May

from the scene, Metropolitan for, of although boarded the one Union Steamships,

night, for anchorage the the at bay. arrived

city But Vancouver. of far is it removed in of city, the and children mothers scores

and Gibson two his sons, safe seeking

Sound, thirty about kilometers Each summer, the as from schools as closed soon

Mr. Peterson relates William how George

at sheltered the mouth cove of wonderful Howe on most the place was earth.

by Story his In Peterson. R. book Lester

of Mount Elphinstone, within I Landing, nestled Gibson’s a and called thought it

can be The found in Landing Gibson’s

of The hardware Gibsons Village foot lies store, at of the the Gibsons Village was

historical A account lovely place of this

who

would ple follow. Molly Reach, 1980. Gibsons, B. C e c courtesy Photo Greer Rosamond of

of pioneer of hundreds the summer peo

built on cottage a she the became land

a mother my and pre-emption, when had

original heart Gibson George the of the at

$200. beach, above Two lay the blocks it

chased Lot District of Lot 686, 16 for

1919 the mother my pur In had year

dense woodland. secluded within

he for first when Forest”, saw was it it,

meaning, Gaelic base phrase of “At the the

named a Bonn-na-Coille, our cottage

My Haven father Daze. or had Summer

Dun-workin’, existence: Helen’s their

names purpose which of the described

Most of summer otgsbore cottages the

to! to wonderful return

before; same each the year was it

by alw’npranksters Hallowe’en local months

pushed since being its on house over side

Greer by Rosamond

Summer Gibsons: Our Place by a wide veranda on which were iron cots for the children, two wicker chairs, and a large linoleum-covered table with wooden benches. From it there was a panoramic view of Keat’s Island. With no electricity and the plumbing consisting of a cold-water tap outside the back door, Bonn-na-Coille had none of the comforts of our city home. Yet it became my favourite place to be, and provided me with happy memories I shall always cherish. There were two main roads inGibson’s Landing which were referred to as the Upper Road and the Lower Road. Most of the traffic on them consisted of small groups ofcows wandering down from the farms high on the hill above the village. It was rare indeed that a vehicle interrupted their slow and tranquil journey, for there Bonn-na-Coille, a summer place “at the base oftheforest”. Photo by Wham Hddes - (my lather) were very few cars or trucks on the penin shingled roof. The little stove, filled with ifthey couldn’t see us. Our roaring rendi sula at the time. It might be Dr. Frederik bark from the beach, gave off a glowing tion of”When the Moon Comes Over the Inglis, who from 1912 until 1946 was the warmth, griddled scones on its top, heated Mountain” never failed to keep us out of only physician between Sechelt and Port the hand irons, baked a chocolate cake harm’s way. Mellon; Harry Winn’s taxi; or a farmer and boiled the kettle for tea, all at the same Our evening strolls took us to Gospel venturing down from the hill with produce time. The room was a haven from the Rock,. a short distance from the village. to sell. outside world - safe, warm, and filled with There we would sit atop the rock and But there was never any doubt that the delicious smells. watch thesunset infierysplendour. Gospel cows had the right-of-way. Their melo But perhaps the best days of all were Rock was so named in the early 1900s dious bells clanged as they wandered freely those when the water was as smooth as when a member of the Plymouth Breth about thevillage, keeping the grass mowed glass, and mother woke us at sunrise to ren painted messages upon its natural around the cottages, supplying fertilizer announce that this was the day we would galleries proclaiming: “The Wages of Sin for the gardens and providing an exciting go fishing. Then we would rent a boat and is Death”, “He Shall Be Born Again”, and challenge to those of us who shed our row to Salmon Rock. The fish were not at “Christ Died For The Ungodly”. shoes to spend the summer running all particular in those days and accepted Although the messages could not barefoot. be our crude offerings enthusiastically. With seen from land, the rock was a landmark We spent the hot, sunny days at the a line wrapped around a piece ofwood and for fishermen who could see the inscrip beach, lifting rocks to watch crawling a silver spoon dangling from the end of it, tions from the water. For many years the things scuttle away, building towering we seldom failed to catch a few grilse, and messages were kept brightly painted, al sand castles and watching them disinte sometimes even a salmon. though who did the re-painting remained grate with the tide, searching for exotic Our lunch procured, we would row to a mystery. shells and swimming from Armour’s float. Sandy Beach on Keat’s Island, build a fire During those happy days it never oc There the best fun of all was submerging and fry up our catch. No gourmet meal curred to me to wonder what the “real” under the wharfand coming up in between ever tasted as good! There we would Gibson’s Landing people thought about the logs where the world took on an eerie spend the remainder ofthe day, swimming the interlopers who descended upon them glow. There was no lifeguard on duty save and sunning, setting off for our return to each summer. Perhaps they enjoyed the the good Lord, who must have kept a close Armour’s float at dusk. unusual activity, knowing it was tempo watch, for miraculously none of us Loath to see the day end, sometimes we rary, and treasured their isolation the more drowned. waited too long, and found ourselves when we were gone. Rainy days were wonderful, too, for rowing across “The Gap” between Keat’s We brought brisk trade to the mer then we huddled within Bonn-na-Coille, Island and Gibson’s Landing in the dark. chants and gave excuse for social gather playing rummy or solving jigsaw puzzles, Then we would sing aswe rowed, trusting ings such as the Saturday night concerts in while the rain beat a tattoo upon the bare that any boats nearby would hear us even the old Methodist Church hail, where any

3 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 .. ______

came parliamentary leader of the newly- tonal recording of people and places as formed CCF.) they used to be. There were movie nights at the school But I do not need pictures to help me hail up the hill, and the annual regatta remember. When my days become too when participants and onlookers came hurried, too cluttered, too scheduled, I from miles around. The daily arrival ofthe dream of Bonn-na-Coille and those boat from Vancouver always drew a crowd wonderful summers ofmy childhood. For on the wharf, eager to see who was coming to me Gibson’s Landing was more than or going, and to catch up on any local just aplace. It was away oflife: asimplistic news. way of life that brought with it a con The farmers from up the hill were tentment no amount ofmoney could ever seldom seen in the village during the buy. Those years saw a terrible depression summer. They were kept far too busy and brought the horrors of war; but my growing fruit for the Howe Sound Can summers at Gibson’s Landing remained ing Association, which for over twenty the same, untouched by the rest of the years processed and sold jam under the world. label Four Square Brand. (Needless to Recently I returned to the place they say, it was the most delicious jam in the now call Gibsons. There I found every world.) thing changed. Tree-lined paths have Another very busy person in Gibson’s become paved roads lined with bumper- Landing was Helen McCall, a pioneer in to-bumper traffic (a meandering cow the field of photography, and one of the wouldn’t stand a chance!); tiny cottages women featured in the book, Eight with funny names have been replaced by Women Photographers of British Co spacious bungalows; the little church is

lumbia 1869 - 1978 by Myrna Cobb and gone. Even Gospel Rock has changed, its Sher Morgan. For twenty years, through proclamations weathered and dimmed. A the 1920s and 1930s, Helen McCall’s spanking new house supplants Bonn-na Summerfrn - 1928 style - Note the woolen (itchy) bathing Suit, rubber swim cap and rubber beach photographs recorded the life and times Coille on Lot 16 of District Lot 686. shoes. along the peninsula, and her scenic sepia My summer place is gone. And I am talent, or even the total lack of it, was postcards were mailed around the world. sad. loudly applauded. (In 1918 the pulpit of Many of her postcards are now in safe ********** this small church was occupied by James keeping in the Elphinstone Pioneer Mu The author is a free-lance writer living in Burnaby. Shaver Woodsworth, who in 1932 be- seum at Gibsons, contributing to the pic

“T*-iE PION EER C OASTW ISE FLEET

:[ •i i :. .

—

- --

SS. CAMOSUN M.S. CASSIAR SS. cHxLcou.

...... ‘, ..

-, I s- UNION’ S7EAMSfflPS LTD

THE B.C. COAST SINCE 1889

Union Steamship Advertisment - Courtesy of Vancouver Matime Museum

4 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 A Tale Told By Prescriptions

by Cindy Whitmore

One of the most intimate regions of a individuals, family units and communities suggested as methods of prevention, as person’s home is the medicine cabinet. lived their daily lives. During this time it well as the long sought after Isolation The contents of the small bottles within was evident that the physician was in Hospital, which would provide relief in reveal details of a person’s private life. creasingly relied upon for many things. the advent of an epidemic. Likewise, the prescriptions requested by Services gradually spread to the outlying This is all part of a public health and sold to people of any community communities: by the end ofthe collection, movement which began in the 1800’s. illustrate a segment ofits history, its mind Qualicum had acquired its own physi The public health movement worked to frame, the times, and the forces that cian, and no longer had to rely on doctors change the natureandimprove the quality of governed the community. from Nanaimo. The international patent family lifr, to establich new systems ofchild The medical ledgers for Nanaimo in medicines advertised in the local paper andfamily w4fare, to transform Canadian the years 1914-1923 provide this kind of and prescription medicine available only education, and to organize childandfamit5t social snapshot. These ledgers are a col by doctor’s recommendation broadened health care.2 In public schools, and in lection of medical prescriptions written the realm of choices available to citizens Nanaimo general practice, isolation by the physicians of Nanaimo and sur and extended beyond traditional methods techniques, education, vaccination, in rounding area for the people in the com of dealing with sickness. spection, and prevention ofexposurewere munity. The ledgers, supplemented with The repercussions ofnation wide events exercised as methods to attain the desired evidence from the local paper, illustrate such as Prohibition had far reaching effects state of a healthier and stronger nation. the reactions of Nanaimo citizens to a from the professional down to the work Fresh air was often recommended as a rapidly changing world. In analysing this ing class miner. Prohibition brought ethnic cure for many ailments. These concepts — collection it was evident that Nanaiino minorities together with the anglo-saxon increased personal and national awareness and surrounding areas were in a transitional majority in the pursuit of a common of cleanliness and health, and suggested phase. The predominantly coal mining desire for alcohol. This was illustrated in alterations to society and its institutions — community suddenly had to face changes the medical ledgers. Religious influence are evidence of the many transitions that in society, such as increased usage of was evident in the local paper although to Nanaimo was going through. Linked to consumer goods, new technologies, and a large extent the voice of temperance was the advent ofthe public health movement acceptance of peoples of differing ethnic a weak one in the community. was increasing urbanization, and increas descent. These changes required personal Between 1914 and 1923, measles, ing consumerism. adjustment. scarlet fever, diphtheria, chicken pox, and By nature ofgeography, Nanaimo was There was a concern displayed by people whooping cough affected the city from a commercial centre with Vancouver and to fit in with the rapid changes. The casual to ‘epidemic’ proportions. The Victoria being the nearest large cities, As motivation for this concern was a decreas Spanish Influenza was an example of an Nanaimo expanded, it offered a large se ing sense of the safe and the traditional, illness of epidemic proportion. Other lection ofconsumer products and services spurred along by current world events and diseases such as mumps affected the to the general public. Tourists, visitors, rapid changes in the role of the individual population as well. Although venereal travelling workers such as ships’ captains as worker, housernate, and consumer. This disease was not explicitly mentioned in and crews, and patients from Nanaimo concern was reflected, for example, in health reports there is evidence that it did and surrounding areas called upon the prescriptions for items such as aspirin and exist. The Medical Health Officer sug services ofNanaimo’s physicians and drug Lysol. Advertisements in the local news gested that much illness was caused by stores. The communities of Errington, paper also played a large role in increasing poor sewer systems, the treatment ofmilk, Parksville, Qualicum, Coombs, consumer demand for many products, the condition of the water, and the ten Ladysmith, and Cassidy were often de sometimes using guilt tactics. There was dency to leave garbage rotting in the open, pendant on these services. According to a ‘keeping up with the Jones’s’ mentality. breeding insects and vermin.1 He sug the signatures on the medical prescriptions, This indicated an acceptance of the new gested that diseases were passed easily in from 1914 to 1923 there were two phy role of increasing dependency into which communal places, such as theatres and sicians in Nanaimo who handled the consumerism and professionalization were schools. He also attributed many diseases majority of patients: Dr. W.F. Drysdale, molding people. in 1922 to increasing urbanization. who served as the Medical Health Officer New ideas of health and cleanliness in General prevention methods, a clean city, of Nanaimo until the mid thirties, and the community helped to change the way and personal awareness and care were Dr. MacPhee.3 Drug stores J.B. Hodgins

5 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 and Van Houten’s offered their services to disinfecting purposes. Glycerine (an in suspected. The first death occurred on the general public. By the early 1920’s) gredient in soap), thymaline (used as a October 18, with a report of 135 cases in expansion and competition demanded an lotion as well as for mouthwash), and the city. The number rose to 175 the next eye/ear/nose/throat specialist W.E.J. various concoctions of sodium bicarbo day. By the twenty-first, there were four Elcins, and an additional drugstoreTerry’s, nate mixed with other compounds and new deaths and an estimated 300 cases. a branch operation from Vancouver. used as a mouthwash or gargle, were all On October 24 the estimate rose to 700 Outlying areas also began to acquire their agents lending to the upkeep of personal cases. In November of 1918 there were own professional medical services.4 hygiene. The impetus for this focus on seventy-six deaths from all causes in The families ofNanaimo and area were health and cleanliness came from the public Nanaimo as compared to the regular predominantly in the working class. The health movement. More products and number ofeighteen.1’ In the seven weeks majority were employed by the Western services were available to the public than of its heaviest influence, the ‘flu’ claimed Fuel Company Limited) a mining com ever before. It seemed to be the norm to fifty-six lives.’2 The epidemic cost the city pany.5 Although many people were of consult a physician for non-emergencies. a total of $10,000, and treatment was anglo-saxon descent, there were also Infant diarrhea, rash, restlessness, and given to at least 218 people from the city thriving ethnic populations including vomiting required medical consultation. itself and the surrounding area under Chinese, Japanese, Southern Europeans, Aspirin was frequently prescribed, prima emergency conditions.’3 Prescriptions and Sikhs. Their place in the community rily for women. The childbirth aid ergot show that remedies were searched for is explored and defined in prescriptions was used often,6 and doctors prescribed through a mixture of superstition, tradi requested and written for these people. other medications as they came on the tion, and a hope in modern medicine. Simultaneously defined is the place ofthe market. Although the purpose of many prescrip professional and the worker ofanglo-saxon Commercialism had its foundation on tions is not identified, requests for cam origin. an ever expanding consumer oriented phor, eucalyptus, and chloroform are spe The people ofNanaimo were evidently market. Pharmacy was in a transitional cific to the time period, and have been concerned with cleanliness and health, stage in Nanaimo. The acceptance of validated as requested forms of cure.’4 especially in the years between 1914 and consumer products was balanced with a The role and perhaps often the only op 1917. Concern for health in general was belief in traditional ways. Prescription tion of the physician seemed to be ‘com a rather new phenomenon of the late medication for specific brand names such fort rather than cure.’ Keeping the patient nineteenth century. This concern was as Lysol, Calamine and Witch Hazel were satisfied in every possible way was the reflected in numerous prescriptions, a evidence that many Nanaimo citizens were fundamental prerequisite to keep doctors Confronted majority of them prescribed,.,,,i specifically comfortable with the concept of buying and pharmacies in work. by for women. Lysol, for example, was ob health. Patent medicine brand name (a) wide array ofcases, thephysician seldom tained by prescription and used by many products that had something to offer eve had recourse to more than symptomatic women as a douche as well as for other ryone were advertised in the local paper, treatment. In this respect, his efficacy may such as Beechams Pills.7 Advertisements have been rivalled by the patient c attempts rejjFIejJ were successful: ‘Erton’s Syrup’, to be at sefmedication.’5 used “when required for neuralgia pain,” During Prohibition, dating in most of and ‘Rexall Nerve Remedy’ found its way Canada from late 1917 to the late 1920’s, into the homes of many Nanaimo pa various forms of alcohol became very tients.8 However, there was a strong feel popular as a requested cure for influenza. Tic, limit Yo,, hove AIwas flonghl.at.d which h.g.bFu it Iii inn for oerr 0th rnLS. hot hionietho •lqn.iaro ing that perhaps the old ways of dealing In fact, on October 30, 1917 it was in the and IiaO boon made fonder hi* p with things were the best. This was illus local paper that “Provincial Agents Will All (o,,,mt,folt,, Imltnilone .T,,o1.m.go.,d” •r,, hat J:sw,lau,.,te thnt trifle ttl. nod omlangor (he health of iiilanls nod Childrcn—Enpcnlcnco ..1aat Ezpcfieat. ‘ trated by the many prescriptions for raw Sell Liquor/Dispensary Agents During What s CASTORI : materials such as glycerine, (rubbing) al Epidemic”. The Commissioner had hope itorI, Is a harmicos onbetilote for Ceetor OIl, P.ya.. gorli, J)ropo sod Soothing Syrop.. lii. pl..eaoLfl_,.. cohol,sodium bicarbonate, and potassium “on the medical profession generally (to) contain,, noltbcr Opium. Mnnmblno nor other M.ronOe - sobstance. tie ngo is Ito g.mrantoa. it de.t.oya Waste. only amount medically and allays l’evorinl,nroe. roe more (liOn thirty yeses IC •. ii iodide, to name a few.9 prescribe the

tin. Imoon In constant usc for the relief of Oon.tIpa - (lotulcocy. Vlnd Colic, nil Teotl.lnj l’roobis. ‘‘ necessary in their judgement for the im hlinrrtm.ea. it Ltogniotoo (l.a Stomach mod Doel. Prescriptions for the Spanish Influenza misslm,,liotes the Food, giolag Imosiehy sod- naferal slesp. Tb. ClmiI,hcn’s J?on.onea---Timo flothc?. I’rlss,l. epidemic provided evidence of the con mediate needs of their patient.”6 Appar GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS fused manner in which cure for illness was ently this was not demonstrated, resulting Btnri the Signature 0r sought. The ‘flu’ struck Canada with in a great many sales correctly processed.’7 lightning speed in 1918, and claimed the British Columbia had followed the ma lives ofthirty to fifty thousand Canadians jority of Canada into Prohibition by the h Use For Over 30 Years in a few short months.’° On October 16, end of 1917, and in spite of the constant The Kind You Have Always Bought 1918, twenty cases of the epidemic had pressures of the government and the tem been officially reported, and others were perance movement, there was still a great

6 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 demand for liquor.’8 Advertisements for scription requests “1 bottle rye whisky” tery, which is caused by dirty water and the U.B.C. Brewery even rivalled the and had no accompanying directions. The poor hygiene.32 As the vast majccrity of various church bulletins for space in the physician’s signature was illegible. No these prescriptions were for ethnic fami local paper.’9 further prescriptions were given until lies, i.e. not anglo-saxon, the prominence This demand was voiced by traffic August 6, 1918, nearly ten months later, of dysentery would show a great differ through Nanaimo’s busy sea port, in the and they ended abruptly in early July of ence in lifestyles between groups in the neighboring communities including most 1919, at the end of Prohibition.25 community. However the fact that aid for notably Comox, Parksville, and Qualicum, One particular ethnic minority family it was being sought through a physician and from Nanaimo and area citizens.2° was of special interest during Prohibition illustrates that assimilation and blending Alcohol was prescribed to all levels in and in the years following. Between Janu of two different ethnic groups was occur society, from the Judge to the miner. ary 11 and April 28 of 1919 twelve pre ring. Illness forced citizens of every race There was almost a general lack of pre scriptions for alcohol were allocated to and creed to seek help from physicians scriptions allocated to ethnic groups such between six and eight different members and pharmacies, for drugs (and alcohol as Orientals, Southern Europeans, and a ofa Sikh family ofEast Wellington. After during Prohibition.) Prior to this, the complete lack for Native Indians. This is Prohibition, from January 151921 for only meeting place of the two would have due in part I suggest to a general xenopho more than a year, the family began receiv been at work in the mines. It was indica bia and preoccupation with keeping ing prescriptions for opium and cocaine tive that ethnic groups would not co-exist Canada as anglo-saxon as possible at this from Dr. MacPhee.26 separately but were beginning to evolve time. The feelings of guilt and inad This is an interesting phenomenon for together. equacy and attempting to prove them several reasons. It is unusual because Venereal disease also broached ques selves respectable by anglo-saxon stand ordinarily the names of ethnic minorities tions of morality. Although the evidence ards perhaps kept many ethnic people were generalized in racial terms on pre of venereal disease in Nanaimo is not from requesting alcohol. Community scriptions, such as the address to “China- overwhelming, it did exist. The town was pressure, control, and negative sentiment man,” “Japanese,” and “Italian,” espe infamous for its prostitutes up and down would add to this feeling.2’ A third reason cially in the early years. By 1923, actual the coast. An active seaport, Nanaimo’s could be that a variety of alcoholic bev ethnic names can be noted on the pre large number of brothels catered to local erages may have been produced in the scriptions. All other prescriptions were as well as to transient and visiting custom back shed therefore there was not a need addressed formally to Baby Smith, Mrs. ers.33 Prescriptions for venereal disease to obtain alcohol by prescription.22 Foley, Miss Young, and Capt. Taylor, were not explicit in their directions, as Doctors usually demanded an extra ‘Master (of the) Tug (sic) Tempest.’27 It other ailment prescriptions usually were.34 payment of two dollars above the cost of is also unusual because there were very few This in itself was suggestive of the stigma the alcohol for the prescription. Between prescriptions for alcohol that were written associated with venereal disease. “Use as October 6, 1917 and early July 1919, a for ethnic minority groups. This particu an injection” or “apply to affected areas” period of twenty-two months, approxi lar Sikh family had alcohol prescriptions mately 130 prescriptions for brandy, rye, and later the drug prescriptions addressed and scotch whisky were dispensed. Most specifically in their name. - WELL SEND THE PIRST prescriptions were for one bottle, but some The question of social stigma did not fewdoeeaof Gin P.iil&tóyóu • free—if you have any. -Kidney requested two or even three bottles. There seem to enter the minds ofthe family, nor or Bladder Trouble. After you were some repeating customers. For ex did questions of morality seem to bother • see how good they are—get ‘N theF at vurdealer’s. ample, in a period ofeight days, a Nanaimo the doctor. Numerous opium and co . t, Judge received three prescriptions for “1 caine prescriptions similar to this one C I bottle Scotch Whisky.”23 At two dollars werecommon: “(name) Opium 1/4 lb. as extra per bottle a grand profit of between directed (Drug Addict) MacPhee.”28 two hundred and sixty and three hundred Thesedrugs had become illegal substances dollars was accumulated by primarily the in varying degrees at the turn ofthe nine two physicians in Nanaimo. At a time teenth century.29 Traditionally, the when the average physician’s salary sat at drinking of alcohol had been frowned around two thousand dollars, Dr. upon in the Sikh religion.30 Although the MacPhee pocketed one hundred and forty- pattern of drug prescription was specific four dollars and Dr. Drysdale about thirty- to the Sikh family, and they were pioneers six dollars.24 in requesting opium and cocaine with Prescriptions for alcohol began thir such frequency, other ethnic families soon teen days after the inception of Prohibi followed suit in increasing numbers.3’ tion, on October 14, 1917. The first pre Opium was also used in treating dysen

7 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Archives. Gin Pills, HeadachePowder,Castoria,andBeeclsam’s Pills Increasing pro were frequently adverttsed as well mother consumer oriented fessionalization of products. the medical and 8. Ledgers 69. You_ ShouidJVorryZh 9. Ledgers passim. it were ‘difficult to find ph a r mace u tic al 10. Eileen Pettigrew, The Silent Enesny: Canada and she Deadly Flu a safe and reliable remedy for the of 1918. (Saskatoon: Western Prairie Books, XV. ailments due to irregular cr c!efeftive action of the stomach,. fields forced the 1983) liver or bowels. Thco aihnents are likely to attack 11. Notsaitsst Free Press Oct. 16, 1918; Nov. 30, 1918 “Heavy anyonc; likelytoo to’lead’toworse different ethnic Death Rates for this Month.” skkness if notreliev&1a 12. City Clesk’s Office Committee Reports, Dec. 3, 1918. populations in 13. Nanaimo Free Press Dec. 3, 1918. Nanaimo to pa 14. Petsigrew, The Silent Enemy. 110-112. The author stases shot “Every household hod its own trussed preventative and Btai$.Pilla tronize the same remedy. Cotton Bags holding a lump of camphor and worn on a cord around the neck were commonplace.. .“ 110. are famous thà world orer for their power to correct these physicians and drug Eucalyptus, mothballs, goose grease, and castor oil used inn troubles certainly anti anfely.. They cleanse the system, pQrify variety ofways was also populats Ledgers 70 If the blood and as stores. Traditional act a general tonic upon body, brain and nerves. 15. S.E.D. Shorts, “Before the Age of Miracles”: The Rise, Fall Indigestion. biliousners, constipation might, mdeed, cause you pro methods of dealing and Rebirth of General Practice in Canada, 1890-1940. longed suffering an’d’ expose you. ‘to danger Beechamrs . J>jfl -if Health, Disease and Medicine Essays in Canadian Histosy, with illness were ml. Charles G. Rciland (McMasser University: The Hannah Institute for the History of Medicine by Were Not -On Hand being replaced al Clarke Irwin Inc., 1984) 129. Prepared omit, 5y Thom.. Beestisam. St. Helen.. L.sse..hu. EgL..d. lowing professional 16. R Douglas Francis esal. edt., Destinies: Canadian History Sold everywhere in Gassnd. sod U, S. Asmeeje.. I,, hues.. 25 cents. Since Confederation (Canada” Hols, Rinehart and Winston of services to become Canada,Lsd., 1988)220. Nanaiss,oFreeProns Oct.30. “Provincial Agents Will Sell 1.iqiaor/Dispensing Agents During Epidemic.” Illustrations are advertismentsfrom the Nanaimo Free Press, April 1915. a norm. As patent 17. James H. Gray, The Roar of the Twenties (Toronto: The and prescription Macmillan Company of Canada Limited, 1971) 138-140. “In she beginning (1917-1919) no restrictions were irnposedon were often the only directions for requests medicines became acceptable as methods she number ofpresaiptions a doctor could issue era druggist to fill. Nor was either profession required to keep records of business done ofpotassium perinanganate, which is used of cure, so they also supported a growing As a result, in all the cities across the west she doctors did a roaring trade, but only with those wIse could afford so pay $2 for the as a general disinfectant and could have consumer oriented market. Part of the prescription and $3 to $5 to the druggist for the whisky.” Various restrictions came into bring after this. Ledgers 177: on January15, been required for an eye or foot infection, support for this market came from ethnic 1921 Miss Lee was prescribed one quart of sherry. In order for a or to an open was transaction to occur, a very formal phystctan’s form for the “British sore.3’ “Syphilis treated minorities, who were gaining profile in an Columbia Prohibition Act” for the “Physicians Prescriptton for Liquor” was filled out. “Name of person for whom liquor is with one of the ‘arsenicalst . . .(and) anglo-saxon dominated world. Attitudes required, Address, Nature of Liquor Prescribed, Quantity, gonorrhea was treated with Argyrol (and) of community were changing. Attitudes Directions for use, Name of Physician,” and “Address of Physician” were all duly noted. silver nitrate.” Although for all the pre ofselfwere also changing. This is evident 18. Francis, Destinies 218. The Nanaimo Free PrsssApril 8, 1915, scriptions surveyed there were under “Prohibition Not Settled:” April 15, 1915, “Waiters Affected by one in prescriptions for hygiene aids. The Prohibition;” April20, 1915, “TemperanceRallyarHaliburtanSt.;” dozen that were somewhat effective in responsibility for one’s own health was May7, 1915, “Anti.LiquorLawMoslifirsl;” June26, 1915, “Prohibition Campaign for B.C.;”July7, 1916, “Manitoba Liquor treating venereal disease, the stigma and taken on by the individual. The transi Law Raises Serious Trouble;” (re: the sale of medicated liquor. “Sinus the Prohibition Act came into force, the consumption of shame must have prompted many people tions to increasing professionalization, these beverages has grown rapidly.”) Aug. 24, 1917, “Liquor Exodus has Commenced;” Aug. 9, 1919, “Liquor Restrictions to hide or ignore their condition and consumerism, a new, healthier goal for the are so Beneficial;” The presence of these articles to the general decline to seek professional help.’7 individual and the family, and ethnic as public leaves no room for speculation that prohibition and ansi-alcohol sentiments were an issue only for few - it was Whereas the medical evidence ofvenereal similation in Nanaimo society illustrate well known 19. Nunuimcs Free Press passim. disease is scanty, it is probable that such the struggle in leaving the safe and tradi 20, Ledgers passim. disease existed to an extent, due to the tional ways to accept a new world and 21, Ledgers 116ff Angus McLaeen, Our Own Master Race Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945 (Ontario: McClelland&Ssewars Limited, nature of industry and geographical set lifestyle. 1968) 44-49; Kathleen Savory, Nanaimo’s Chinese Community. For Dr. CV. Lai. Nanaimo CommunisyArchives. This essoyarsests ting of Nanaimo. Thus religion and the so she dislike of the Chinese in Nanaimo since thdr arrival in she church seem to have played as minor a nineteenth century by the Nanainso community in general. The writer is a siudent’ at Mal4zspina College 22. Interview with Daphne Paterson, 1992. Nannimo role in preventing the spread of venereal and a parttime worker in the Nanaimo Archives Cemmuotsy Archives, disease as they did in the prevention of department. 23. Ledgers 116ff 24. Shorts, ‘Before shoAge of Miracles...’ 13s5; Ledgers 101 if: these alcohol consumption. FOOTNOTES figures are taken from prescriptions specifically signrd by a doctor, and many were not. I. City Clntks Office Committee Reports, 1914-1923. In conclusion, there were the difficul 25. Ledgers 101. Natsasmo Community Archives 26. Ledgers 199 If ties ofundated prescriptions, questionable 2. Neil Sutherland. ‘‘To Crease Strong and Healthy Race’: chronological order, with School Children in the Pubic Health Movement, 1880-1914.” 27, Ledgers passim. The names of patients hove been changed. prescriptions Medicine in Canadian Society. er1. S.E.D. Shorts. 28. Ledgers 209. no physician undersigned or person or Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1981. 29. Encyclopedia Americana Vol. 7,20 (U.S.A.: Grolier Inc., 3. City Cletk’s Office Committee Reports, 1914-1923. 1981) 160, 776-777. place addressed, vague directions (when 30. W. H. 4. Briars Ray Douglas Smith, “Some Aspects of the Social McLeod, The Sikhs History, Religion, and Society University directions existed at all), and the possible Development of Early Nanaimo.” A Bachelor’s Essay submitted (New York: Columbia Press, 1989) 76-77. so the Department of History at she University of Bnnsh 31. Ledgers209 ft loss of documents over the years. How ColumbiaApril 12,1956. 119121 E. ElancheNorceoss,Nassaitsso 32, Paterson 1992. Retrospective The First Century (Nanaimo, British Columbia: 33. Ioterviewwith Mrs. Barbara Boyd, 1992. Nanaimo ever, an analysis of the medical ledgers Nanaimo Historical Society, 1979) 118-121; Ledgers of Medical Centennial Museurss. PrescriptionsofNanaimoandArea, 19 14-1923 (approx.) Nanaimo does provide an insight to the social cli Community Archives: By following the advent of new doctors 34. Ledgers passim and pharmactes as noted tn the prescriptions it is easy to trace the 35. Lodgers pasties; RE. Allen ed., The Concise Osford Dictionary mate of Nanaimo in the years 1914 - path ofprofessionalieasion. of Current English, Eighth Edition (Toronto: Oxford 1923. 5. The British Colussshia Directory 1919, Vancouver Island University Press, 1990) 932. Regsonal Library Headquarters. 388-399. 36. Jay Cassel, The Secrrt Plague: Venereal Disrate in Canada Social reform and social adjustment are 1838-1939 (Torosiso: University ofToronso Press, 1987) 181. 6. Ledgers passim. 37. Ibid., 181-187. the tales told by the medical ledgers. 7. Nnnaittm Fees Press Wed. Jan. 3, 1915 It Natsaimo Community

8 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 The Union Steamship Company ofB.C.: The West Coast Lf1ine

by Kelsey McLeod

Early in the century, ‘boat day’ to resi dents of British Columbia’s coast meant one thing only: on that day a Union Steamship Company ship would call. Tugboats, fishboats, freighters, rowboats and sailboats abounded in their waters. But if someone shouted: “There’s the boat!”, it meant the Capilano, the Cassiar, or Catala, Lady Evelyn or Venture, per haps the Cardena, to name but a few of the company’s ships, had hove in sight. It was a measure of the importance of this lifeline with the outside world. It brought mail and provisions, settlers, loggers, residents back from holidays in the ‘Bright Lights’ of Vancouver, mothers with new babies, people who had been away for medical care. For seventy years the red- Catala, up coast - mid 20 and-black funnelled ships steamed the inlets and tide rips of the vast coastline, was connected with that country’s ship She was followed by the Coquitlam, servicing the small dots on the map that ping line, gave his support to the new loaded with gold-mad men and their pos the Canadian Pacific and the Canadian company. sessions. And by the Cutch, which made National scarcely knew existed. It was a The ‘Union’, as the company became many trips before foundering on Horse world that came into existence largely commonly called, started first serving the shoe Reef, near Juneau, on .August 20, through the services of those ships, and a Vancouver to Nanaimo run, and Burrard 1900. The gold rush ended, but the world that quickly died once they stopped Inlet communities. But the earlypioneers company scarcely noticed, for men’s at sailing. To Vancouver residents the were already moving north and west along tention was turning more and more to steamship company meant excursions and the coast. They went in small steamboats, green gold of the coast’s timber, and the moonlight cruises - entertainment; to the row or sail boats, but the Union had other wealth of its fisheries. Serving the loggers coast dwellers it meant survival. transportation in mind for them. Orders and the fishermen became the main inter Thecompanywas formed in 1889 bya were placed in Scotland for three ships, est of the ships and remained so till the group ofvisionaries. It began with a step which were built in sections there, and end. that developed into a creed - that of shipped out to be assembled in Coal Har It was a prodigious undertaking, and swallowing anothershipping company. It bour. They were given names of local remained a constant challenge, even once took over the Burrard Inlet Towing Indian origin, a naming policy long fol the routes were established. There are Company, and so owned SS Leonora, SS lowed: Comox, Capilano, and Coquitlam. basically thirteen major systems of inlets Senator, the tug Skidegate, and several The year was 1891, and few years that that wind for miles into the heart of the scows, and quicklyplunged into the hurly followed did not see added ships carrying Coast Range. The mountains are high burly of the pioneering boom that was the ‘Union’ flag. and mean and glacier-covered. Mount shaping up on the West Coast. Both the When the cry of”Gold!” sounded from Waddington has an altitude ofover 13,000 name of the company and the colours of the Klondike, it meant the gold to be feet and there are hundreds of peaks ap the funnels were borrowed from the Un made from shipping to the company. In proaching that height. Down these ion Steamship Company ofNew Zealand, 1897 Capilano was the first British ship to mountain-girt inlets often roar what to for an Englishman, John Darling, who sail out of Vancouver for the Klondike, day is quaintly called an “Arctic outflow”.

9 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 shelter, pitching and ploughing through one of the camps on the Gordon Pasha the worst storms one of the wildest Lakes. Sadly, in spite of the thoughtful coastlines in the world hurled at them. ness of the ship’s master, Hannigan died Where there were no navigational aids, in the Powell River Hospital. they invented them:”.., he stopped the It was impossible for the company to vessel in slack water and lowered a boat make money in servicing in this fashion an

with . . . seamen and the mate, who had area so sparsely populated, and this led to

a. . .can of luminous paint. They. the Federal Government giving a subsidy

repainted a . . .mark on a large boulder, even before the turn of the century. The upon which the Cassiar’s course de thought was of course, to “open up the pended.”4 Two and three foot squares of country.” And open it up the Union did. wood were made in the company’s ma The Union never really stopped growing. chine shop, and painted with special white 1911 saw it with a fleet of nine ships. paint, to be set up as beacons in hazardous When it had its Jubilee injuly of 1949 the channels, as further safeguards. number was sixteen with a gross tonnage It was the manner in which the ships of 19,000, as well as speedy ferries oper and their crews adapted to coastal life ating on Howe Sound. The previous year which made the company’s service unique. the ships had carried half a million pas A humdrum, structured service would sengers, logged 586,435 miles, and pro Captain John Mercer ó Sylvia McLeod have been impossible, first because of the vided employment for 600 persons. The terrain itself, and secondly because the company had absorbed the Boscowitz In manyplaces the mountains drop straight crews had to adapt to the nature of the Steamship Company ofVictoria, and the into the sea; in others the waters are what individuals served. The BC. coast, in All Red Line, and gone into the resort are regarded as shallow, and this means those far-off days, seemed to attract rug business when it acquired the Bowen Is that in minutes a cruel and dirty sea can ged individualists who did not fit into land resort, and those at Sechelt and Selma boil up. It is doubtful if there is a com known moulds. People like Hole-in-the- Park. Much of the company’s progress pletely straight stretch of shoreline any Wall Johnston, Nine-day Jimmie, Cut had been done by strictly B.C. interests. where in the “17,000 miles of coastline Throat Mike. . . And, how could a schedule Until 1911 the company was completely within a linear distance of 500 miles”,’ be kept strictly, when, say, there was a load B.C. owned, when the interests of and there are countless islands that divert of planed boards in the hold, which had Welsford and Co. of Liverpool, England, the Pacific in its surge around the north simply to be tossed into the salt chuck and acquired control. In 1937 the company ernmost and southernmost tips of Van let float as its owner rounded up and tied once more reverted to ownership and couver Island. “The most outrageous them for towing? If, in an areawhere there management by B.C. businessmen. bottleneck on the Coast is probably was no dock or float for miles around, a The one thing the company’s service Nakwakto Narrows near Cape Caution rowboat appeared from behind a headland, could never be called was dull. The which drains a system of four inlets —700 flagging down the ship? Naturally, the Venture had, as well as sixty-two first- miles of shoreline all told — through a ship stopped, perhaps to take only aletter, class berths, extra loggers’ berths, which passage barely 1000 feet wide. . . It may perhaps a passenger or parcel. were free for the down-on-their-luck. In be the swiftest tidal rapids in the world, Ifan injured logger was taken aboard at the Cassiar: “Aft ofthe cargo-room. . .was

.“ achieving velocities of 24 knots some camp, and his time was running out, the skookum box — that is, the strong

Places like the Hole-in-the-Wall and the stops would be skipped to get him to room or lock up. To it the first mate. . .is Yacultas,3 Seymour Narrows, are known hospital. In the 1920’s, at Lang Bay, one wont to shoot too-noisy drunks, pushing and respected by experienced mariners. day the Union ship went into Stillwater, them before him at arm’s length, with that

. .“ (There is a legend floating around that the which was but miles from us. Stillwater fine collar-and-trouserseat grip ofhis . reason the Queen Charlotte Islands be was usually a lengthy stop, with a lot of In a Vancouver newspaper, many years came inhabited by white people is that freight to be unloaded. We were thus later: “. . . on these work ships ofthe B.C. Hecate Strait is such a rough passage that amazed to hear the departure whistle coast, you get a ringside seat into a show no one had the nerve to re-cross it.) shortly after docking. Out pulled the that makes a heavyweight bout look like a

As the years went by the crews of the ship, which sailed right past our dock with Sunday school picnic.. . Adrunk watched Union ships came to know each and every a brief toot which said: “We know you’re a shapely young passenger head for her one of these inlets, rapids, tide rips. They there, but you’ll understand. . .“ Every cabin. He knocked on the door. When seemed to develop a built-in magnetic one was concerned, for we knew what it she wouldn’t open up, he put his fist system that drew them safely through into meant. In this case a logger named through the panelling.. . Police officers fog-bound landings; they never sought Hannigan had been severely injured at were called aboard at Alert Bay... You

10 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 had only to split an infinitive, or tread the his tin pants8 smoking, and arrives in the decks with your shoe lace untied, to war bay with a splash and a shout just as the rant a slug in the nose. • “ ship ties up. City slickers may doubt this The Union was progressive as well as tale; those who have lived up the coast will Ic. flexible and adaptable. For instance, they not. You simply did not miss the boat. fitted into the Camosun the first Marconi All through its life the Union had many wireless, and early went into the freight ups and downs. It was plagued by strikes: business. By 1941 they were operating one in 1955 lasted two months and cost the Frank Waterhouse Company, with the company an estimated $700,000. But five coastal freighters. They also gave the real misfortune was simply so-called summer excursions to the Howe Sound progress, which waits for no man, and area, lending an air of festivity to Van cares not who is hurt. As months and couver Harbour as the flag-decked ships years passed, airplane service to small sailed past Prospect Point one behind the communities cut heavilyinto thepassenger other. There were periodic one-day ex service. After World War Two ended cursions from Powell River to Vancouver Black Ball ferries spanned both Howe as well, and to Savary Island. Sound and Jervis Inlet, which meant that The company’s adaptability was more the Union was no longer needed by the than matched by its customers. There two most populous areas of the coast. were many ways of meeting the boat’s Though the northern runs were retained, 1st MateJack McLeod Cardena - 1933. arrivals. It could be by simply rowing out the company turned more and more to to the ship. But it was more often by a freight service in an effort to survive. foot of which your ticket was taken, and community’s leisurely movement toward Yet always it was the humanness of the you were directed to a table. There were the dock or float area. (The ship’s schedule service that has kept memories alive. The linen tablecloths and napkins, gleaming was one that could stretch a span ofmany officers in their navy serge uniforms with silver. The china had the Union Steamship hours, one ofunpredictability.) No matter, the gold braid, the others in the crews, logo. You were not just eating here; you it was a time to gather at the local store and were not simply seamen, they were friends. were dining out! And what food, what a post office, which usually was close to the Captains likeJohn Muir, Howard Lawrey, choice! wharf, and chat with neighbours, get Harry Roach, to name only a few, were Here is a partial list ofa luncheon menu caught up on all the local doings. It was well thought of because of the type of aboard the Cardena. (It must be noted boat day, entertainment day, meet-your- person they were, not because of their that the menu was decorated with a lovely neighbours day — the one day ofthe week usefulness. People got to the point where depiction offorest and sea, with a company when the boat’s arrival proved there was they were so familiar with the way a cap ship in the foreground.) — Sardines on another world out there, a world not tain handled a ship that they could judge, toast.. .iced green olives. Barley broth, or hemmed in by forest and mountain and long before it docked, who was in com consomme. Boiled ling cod with parsley ocean. mand. It could be said it was a type of sauce. Entrees: Boiled ox heart with

— And then, there was the meeting mutual admiration. When GrannyYoung, Italian sauce, Veal Fricassee and Green method ofa hand logger, who deserves to at Lang Bay, handed over flowers to steward Peas, or Banana Fritter with Maple Syrup. go down in history. Picture him, on his William Gardiner for use on his dining For Joints: Roast prime ribs and Horse lonely claim way up the side ofa mountain room tables, she did not have to. He had radish, Roast Leg ofMutton with Currant on a winding inlet. Far below is the small not asked; she did it because she wanted Jelly. Vegetables were not too numerous, bay that holds a float where the ships to, knowing he felt it made the dining only steamed or mashed potatoes were dock, and where he booms the logs he room a pleasanter spot. And let there be offered, and string beans. The desserts fells. — Logs that go hurtling down a no doubt as to the decor and the atmos make one long for the “Good Old Days”. narrow wooden chute, down, down those phere of those dining rooms. Eating in — Steamed Marmalade Pudding with Sweet hundreds offeet into that bay. He is busy them was by way ofan occasion. Even the Sauce, Green Apple Pie, or Pear Pie. at his work, preoccupied, when the sound way meals were announced had panache. Raspberry Jelly with Whipped Cream, of the ship’s whistle bounces back and A steward strode the decks, sounding a Vanilla Ice Cream, and either plain or forth from peak to peak. The boat! There chime that must have been cousin to the fruit cake. To finish off, there was a choice is absolutely no way he can hike down that glockenspiel: “Bong, bing, bing, ting, bing, of four cheeses, fresh fruit, mixed nuts, mountain trail and arrive at the float in bong. First (or second) call to lunch! (or tea, milk, buttermilk or coffee.9 Observ time for the ship’s docking. He solves the dinner.)” To the purser’s office to pur ant readers might ponder the fact that the problem: He flings himself into the log chase your ticket for the meal, then down individuals who laid foundations of our chute, and rides it corks7 first, the seat of the stairway to the dining room, at the province did so on a meat and potatoes,

11 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 mountains and prairie. Ottawa shrugged its collective shoulder, and compromised by subsidizing, for three experimental months, C.P. R. service north ofJohnstone Strait. The Union did its best. In Vancouver papers of March, 1958, there was the announcement: “Effective, mid-April, Union Steamships Ltd. is reinstating *r — combination passenger and cargo service to theJohnstone Straits-Bella Coola route

on an unsubsidized basis. .. .Union Steamships realized that the upcoast communities need dependable and regu -° ..;_ lar water transportation Unfortunately, Ottawa did not recog nize this unarguable fact, and the service Lady Cecel.ia Lang Bay wharf early 3O.e. was short-lived. By early 1959 B.C.’s oldest in-service shipping company had enjoy-your-food diet, without benefit of followed the box on board -. the dead sold its floating assets to Northland tofu or Caesar salads. man’s partner.”1° Navigation Co. The sight ofthe red-and- It is difficult to describe, to analyse, the All the co-operation, all the atmosphere black funnelled ships was gone forever atmosphere aboard the Union Steamship in the world, however, did not save the from west coast inlets and bays. An era ships, particularly in the early years. They Union Steamship Company. By May of had ended, and countless little places served were like small, lighted and warm islands 1957 they had not the largest passenger by the company would also vanish into amidst the vastness and loneliness of the fleet on the coast, but the largest cargo history. land and sea around. There was asenseof fleet — fourteen vessels and three steel- striving against an as yet untamed frontier, covered barges that called at a hundred and the knowledge that the land and the small ports as well as the larger centres. The writer is a vesy active member of the struggle were worth it all. There was an This changeover from passengers to freight Vancouver Historical Society anda docentfor the underlying feeling of excitement about had come about so swiftly, yet so insidi Vancouver Museum. She is also supporter of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. life in general. There was such a friend ously, that it was scarcely heeded in many Thepictures are allfrom herfamily album. liness in the coastal community. Every quarters. Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, ship that was passed was saluted; people Sointula, Minstrel Island, to name a few FOOTNOTES waved and shouted greetings. At each places, were still given the old service. The I. Raincoat, Chronicle,, “Tides”, p. 242. stop, whether dock or float, or ju:st a Cassiar gave fortnightly service to the 2. lbid,p.241. rowboat, passengers lined the rails of the Portland Canal and to the Queen Char 3. I’rotaounced Yooclutaw, Ibid p.243. 4. Whistle up the Inlet, P. 93• ship, calling greetings, looking for friends, lotte Islands. But those in the really 5. Woodimon of the Went, p 20. giving and receiving news. All the freight isolated, smallest places, those who had to 6. Let Rime,, Vancouver Sun Marine Editor, an his column, “I cove the Waterfront”. carried by those ships was not in the form make a long trip to where plane or boat 7. Caulkeol boots, A lorr would refer so his boon at his “corks”. of tangible bundles, crates and packages. landed, were already suffering. 8. Waterproofed canvas pants worn by old-time loers. But sometimes, the heartiness was muted, The breakthrough in the fog of indif 9. Echoevof,heWhis,le, p 81. 10. Woodsmen of shr West, 101. and the atmosphere became sombre in ference came in a newspaper report from p. deed. As one night when the Cassiar was Ottawa inApril of 1957. It stated that the BIBUOGRAPHY docked at a float: “Suddenly someone Federal Government subsidies to the Woodsmen of the Wesro M. Allerdale Grangee behind me called out ‘Gangway!’... There company were to be reviewed. In De Raincoast Chronide, First Five; Harbour Publishing ‘t”histle up the Itilet: GerldA. Rtushton was a tone in that word... I did not need cember came the announcement that the Echoes of the Whistle: Gerald A. Rushton to look behind me. I knew without see subsidy was ended. The coast dwellers Personality Ships of British Columbia; Ruth Greene ing, what was there!. .. I watched five were in an uproar. Headlines in the Prince SOURCES: men advance. . .it was a great big box.. Rupert newspaper heralded: “End of Era Vancouver Public Library, Marine Section .it was the hand-logger killed the day Arrives!” The Native Brotherhood got Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Marine column before... A quiet-looking man, cleaned into the act. Ottawa was besieged, as far My personal memana. up for town in rough black woollen clothes, as it is possible to besiege from beyond

12 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 ______

Carnarvon Terms or Separation. B. C. 1875-78

by Daniel]? Marshall broken.”4 Consequently, a Never before has there been deadlock ensued between the such interesttaken in apolitical provincial and dominion organization in this thy as is \ CARNAR’O f governments over the question now being taken in the or TM8 of relaxing the ten year limit ganization of the Carnarvon for the completion of the Club. Meetingsare heldnearly railway. This impassewas not every night of the week. effectively broken until both Hundreds ofmembers are be parties agreed to an impartial ing enrolled and the greatest oiE1Moetixig mediator: Lord Carnarvon, enthusiasm prevails. If an Colonial Secretary of the Im invasion were expectea there OF ThE perial government, who in couldnot bea more determined sisted that his decision effort made to enroll aforce to (JARNAItYON CLuB “whatever it may be, shall be resist the enemy, than there is Will be he held on SATURDAY next’ accepted without any question to oppose all attempts to sur the 20th instant, at 8 o’clock, for the or demur.”5 render the Carnarvon Terms.’ Business. Vancouver Island, and es transaction of Important pecially Victoria, had the most On 20 July 1871, British Every member is requested to at to lose at this juncture. Columbia’s long held dream tend. Macdonald’s Order in of a convenient transporta By order of (lie President. Council of 1873 naming tion link to eastern North C. W. HORTH, Secretary. Esquimalt the terminus had America seemed assured, been rescinded, and the Island when their demand for a GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. Line, as offered in compensa transcontinental railway be ja19 tion for delay, would not be came enshrined in the Terms built as a government work, if of Union by which they Notice ofa SpecialMeeting ofthe Carnarvon Club. at all.6 Lord Carnarvon’s de joined the Canadian Con cision as it turned out, guar federation. The necessity of a fixed rail the commencement ofconstruction within anteed the building oftheE & N Railway, link was deemed of importance if the the two year limit was carried out only in and as long as the Bute Inlet Route was tyranny of distance was to be genuinely symbolic form just one day before the still seen as a viable option for the trans conquered. Indeed, for some such as Dr. expiry date of 20 July 1873. In keeping continental line, Victoria’s hopes ofbeing John Sebastion Helmcken, the Pacific with his order-in-council, which estab part of the main nationwide railway were Railway was a sine qua non and without it lished Esquimalt as the terminus, SirJohn still very prevalent.7 Yet, even after the there could be no Confederation.2 As a A. Macdonald ordered, 19 July 1873, a Carnarvon decision had been made, the consequence, the federal government survey party to run a location line for a practise of procrastination continued agreed to the colony’s request and gave the portion of the proposed Island Railway. under the Mackenzie Government and additional guarantee that railway con Once this was done, however, the federal became a concomitant to the rallying cry struction would begin in the province government, having kept its promise, if of”Carnarvon Terms or Separation.” The within two years of the date of Confed only minimally, returned to its languid nonfulfilment of the Terms of Union eration, and be completed in ten. state and the absence of railway con acted as a catalyst for political opposition Speculation immediately arose, how struction became apparent once more. and was waged against not only the federal ever, as to the federal government’s faithful British Columbia remained patient, but government, but also the provincial gov adherence to the railway clause of the with the election ofAlexander Mackenzie’s ernment if a strict adherence to the agreement. British Columbia’s enthusi Government in 1873, the province’s fears Carnarvon Terms was not kept. As oppo asm for the literal fulfilment ofthe Terms were exacerbated by a Prime Minister sition grew, so did the need for formal of Union was not shared by successive who had previously pledged that the rail organization: both as a forum for discus be federal governments. The obligation for way terms were “a bargain made to sion and, if required — political action.

13 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 This naturally led to the establishment of This fact was made immediately known tion.’7 the Carnarvon Club, which before the to Lord Dufferin upon arriving in Victoria. The Club’s constitution also provided introduction of the “old” line parties of The grand procession that ushered both for executive positions for six-month terms Canada, played an important and influ him and his wife to Government House, to which the following well-known gen ential role in the politics of the province travelled the streets of Victoria where tlemen were elected: Charles Hayward, and can be seen as one ofthe best examples magnificent celebratory arches had been President; James Fell, Vice President; Dr. of a political pressure group in the im erected to commemorate the visit.’2 One WilliamWymondWalkem, Secretary; and mediate post-Confederation period, ifnot such arch, however, had been raised by the Thomas Chadwick, as treasurer.’8 These in the whole political history of British “Fort Street Shopkeepers” which pro were undoubtedly some of the same men Columbia. claimed: “The Carnarvon Terms or Sepa who raised the Fort Street arch which bore Even before the formation of the ration,” but the Governor General re the identical inscription later used by the Carnarvon Club, Sir Joseph Trutch, fused to lend any official recognition to Club as its motto: “Carnarvon Terms or Lieutenant Governor ofBritish Columbia, the slogan when he bypassed the offend Separation.” Although no record of the noted the “extra-ordinary wave of radi ing arch altogether.’3 In addition, Lord participants exists — in part explained by calism” that had overtaken the province. Dufferin later declined the address pre the Club’s oath of secrecy — the arch, In writing to Sir John A. Macdonald, pared for him by the Philharmonic Hall nonetheless, symbolizes the early origins Trutch described the political mood as meeting which had outlined Victoria’s ofthe society, and can be seen as a turning such: grievances. He instead spoke privately point in the creation of formal political The temper ofour community is greatly with the meeting’s deputation and in opposition under the Carnarvon Club excited and set against Canada and the formed them that the Island Railwaywould banner.’9 Canadians by the nonfu’filment of the be abandoned.’4 In an attempt to quell Political opposition took the form ofa Railway Clause ofthe Terms ofUnion and the secessionist threat, Dufferin further two-pronged attack, as the Mainland, and especially by the tone and manner regarding warned that “the Crown would allow the New Westminster in particular, believed it taken by those who have expresseda desire Island to go; but.. . the Mainland will be that the Island Railway, if built, would for some readjustment ofthe obltations of held to the Dominion by inducements of secure the Bute Inlet route over their Canada w[ithj this respect.8 self interest which the building of the preference for the Fraser River route. Most Talk of secession was becoming so main line will furnish.” In other words, of Vancouver Island, consequently, frequent among provincial politicians and ifthe threat ofseparation continued, Bute worked not only against the federal gov the electorate alike, that it was decided Inlet as a railway routewould be overturned ernment, but also the proponents of the that avice regal visit by the Earl ofDufferin, and “the proposed line of the Pacific Fraser River alternative which was “des Governor General ofCanada, and his wife Railway might possibly be deflected south” tined to keep the sections asunder and Princess Louisa, might help to mend re to New Westminster.’6 This then, was the preclude the possibility ofunited action.”2° lations between the two governments.9 political climate which the Governor Two such proponents of the Fraser River Consequently, in August of 1876, British General’s visit was supposed to alleviate, route, both elected to Provincial Parlia Columbia made special preparations for a but instead intensified as a result of ment in 1875, were Messrs. Brown and royal celebration, while in Victoria, a Dufferin’s consistent refusal to publicly Vernon, of New Westminster District private audience was anticipated with the recognize the legitimate constitutional and Yale respectively. Both were also queen’s representative to detail the city’s complaints of Victoria. members of Premier A.C. Elliot’s ad many grievances with the Dominion. At As a direct result, on 9 September 1876, ministration. These appointments to a large meeting held at Philharmonic Hall the Carnarvon Club was formally estab cabinet caused considerable consternation in Victoria, an address was prepared and lished with an approved constitution en among Victorians, and especially approved for presentation to the Gover trenching the society’s main objective to Carnarvon Club members. Elliot’s inten nor General.’° In part, it stated that: the effect that: tions towards the Carnarvon Settlement Theaction ofthe Dominion Government Whereas doubts have arisen in the were questioned as these gentlemen were in ignoring the Carnarvon settlement, has public mind as to the intentions of the “two avowed and openly pledged enemies produced a wide fteling of dissatisfaction Dominion Government to carry out the of the Island Railway and consequently towards Confrderation . . . . (and f the) Terms of Union in the manner deter the Carnarvon Terms.”2’ For the Victoria Governmentfails to take practical steps to mined by Lord Carnarvon it has been Daily Standara the natural conclusion carry into effect the terms solemnly accepted deemed advisable to organize a society was quite simple: Premier Elliot’s Gov by them, we must respecfully inform your for the purpose ofusingall constitutional ernment was preparing to surrender the Excellency that, in the opinion of a large means to compel Canada to carry out her Carnarvon Terms.22 In consequence, number ofpeople ofthis Province the with railway obligations with this Province; thereof, the Carnarvon Club’s mandate drawal ofthis Provincefrom Conftderation failing which, to secure the withdrawal now swung from the federal theatre to will be the inevitable result.” of British Columbia from Confedera include the realm of provincial politics

14 B.C. Historical News Summer 1993 and the close scrutiny of the Elliot Gov working in concert against the Carnarvon to the editor he claimed that: ernment. The Premier must have been Settlement. I deemed it in the interest ofthe public, aware of the observation he was under as The strategy, in fact, was similar to the andthepeopleparticularly ofVictoria, to let Ebenezer Brown was asked to resign in Carnarvon Club’s which within a month it be known that there is in our midst a conjunction with apublic pronouncement of having been established became de political Star Chamber (wrongly called the he had made in support of reopening the cidedly preoccupied with provincial Carnarvon Club) which, whileproftssingto Carnarvon Terms,23 Perhaps it was felt politics once the Elliot-Mackenzie link- be working in the interest ofthe Province, is, that the forced resignation would keep the up had been made. The Standard ven in reality, who/ely and solely run in the

Carnarvon Club in check and prevent any tured to forecast that “Without a doubt interests of a political fiction — a faction further opposition-secessionist sentiment the Carnarvon Club will sweep all before which is nothing more nor less than the rump from being directed towards the provin it at the approaching provincial election.”27 ofthe late (Wa/kern) Government. cial government. Indeed, the British Clearly, if any party had been introduced Robertson further cautioned to beware Colonist thought the action more than into the political milieu of British Co ofall calls for further mass public meetings “sufficient to silence the clamorous knaves lumbiaat this time, it was unquestionably which he believed to be the work of the who are attempting to mix Local with the Carnarvon Club incognito. former Walkem Government. Other Federal politics in the hope that they may Three mass public meetings held at Elliot supporters also pointed an accusing seize the reins of Government.”24 The Philharmonic Hall, after the Club’s in finger to the secret political organization Colonisthad become increasingly aware of ception, were convened for the express called the Carnarvon Club as those re an attempt to inject party politics into the purpose ofdeciding on “Carnarvon Terms sponsible for the agitation being meted whole debate over the fulfilment of the or Separation” and acted as the main out to the Government. Of the two later Terms ofUnion contract. The newspaper political impetus for further provincial meetings held at Philharmonic Hall, the claimed that the ultimate aim of the at legislative action on the question of se Colonist reported that: tempt to link the Elliot Administration to cession. The first such meeting, 19 Sep They were initiated, regulated and con a conspiracy to “sell out” the Carnarvon tember 1876, recorded not only an at trolledgenerally by decisions arrived at in a Terms, was that of destroying public tendance of “Seven Hundred Citizens in secret society meeting previously helcI and confidence in the Government.25 Joseph Council,” but also a “unanimous vote in which the late Cabinet of the dethroned Trutch described the political manoeuvre favour ofseparation!”28 Likewise, 4 March Walkem Ministry were the head centre, while writing to John A. Macdonald: 1877, separation was again endorsed by a backed by a fiw individuals who are so

But it is a great mistake to introduce — as similar mass public meeting with the ad notorious in this connection as to make is beingdone here of/ate by the tandard’of ditional demand for George Vernon’s res public mention oftheir names unnecessary.

which Mr. Wa/kern now has control — the ignation from cabinet for having publicly Thepublic safety requires its immediate Party politics of Old Canada into this opposed construction of the E & N its utter extirpation.33 province. For as there are here as everywhere Railway.29 In this case a deputation waited To take the Colonist cword at face value else at least two parties in politics the more upon the Premier to determine whether would be putting a little too much faith in one adopts Conservatism the more tendency he planned on retaining Vernon in his the editorial integrity of the newspaper’s with the other naturally in the other direc administration. Elliot refused to meet political coverage. It is indeed, often tion —and ofthis introduction ofCanadian with the deputation which led to a third difficult to discern what might be consid partypolitics here ifit) has any eftect at a/l mass meeting, 12 March 1877, that called ered reliable reporting ofCarnarvon Club it must be to divide up a community. for Premier Elliot’s resignation for not events. In such circumstances where which would otherwise continue united (to) having met with his own electors of Vic there has been a partisan war ofwords, the thatparty u’hich is thoroughly acknowl toria City.3° Carnarvon Club executive only real test ofthe validity oftheir claims, edged as trufriendy to B. C.26 members, such as President Charles is to determine whether the issue ofadher Yet neither the Standard, nor former Hayward and others, were always promi ence to the Carnarvon Terms was still an Premier George Anthony Walkem neces nent at the Philharmonic Hall meetings influential factor contributing to the out sarily attempted to introduce party poli (and subsequent deputations to the Pro come of the 1878 provincial election. tics, as presumably theywere astute enough vincial Government), as were opposition The Standard in endorsing opposition to realize that such a course would be politicians such as Robert Beaven, T. Basil candidates in 1878 remained consistent. unpopular with a non partisan public. Humphreys and James Douglas, Jr.3’ Electors were warned of the Elliot-Mac The approach taken was more subtle, in Perhaps Club members were a little too kenzie conspiracy and to vote for the that the introduction of old party labels prominent, however, as the first warning opposition ticket straight if the Island merely consisted ofa contrived perception shot as to their provincial political in Railway was to be secured: being made that Elliot’s Government was volvement was made in the Colonist by There is no doubtthatifElliotis returned an ally of Mackenzie’s Liberal Govern former Member ofProvincial Parliament, it is intended not to call the Legislature ment, and therefore, Liberals themselves W.A. Robertson. In his trenchant letter together until next February, so that in the

15 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 meantime should the Dominion elections Dan Marshallis nearingeompletion ofaPh. D. 20. “Counting Unhatdsed Broods,”Colonist, 1 September 1876, p.2. result in a majorityfor Mackenzie, the sale in History at the University ofBritish Columbia. 21. “Mr. Brown’s Position,” Standard, 14 September 1876, p.2. Readers may recallthatthisyoungmanfrom Cobble 22. “Two-Paced,” Standard, Il September 1876, 3. oftheIslandRailway can be consummated.34 p. Hill received thefirst BCHF Scholarship in 1988. 23. “The Elliot Con4,iritors areas Work,” Siandard, 1 September On election day, 23 May 1878, Victo 1876, p. 2. and “Hon. Mr. Brown’s Resignanon,” Standard, 14 September 1876, p. 3 where Brown stated “My consnsuents will ria elected all four opposition candidates judge from this, of my entire disapproval of the agitation on the Carnaevon Termt in Victorin which I consider inimical in the to provincial parliament and even deprived FOOTNOTES welfare of the whole mainland and site Province in general.”

Premier A.C. Elliot of his own seat. I, “The Carnarvon Club,” Victoria Daily Standard, 24. “The Resignation of the Presidenr of the Council,” Colonist, 14 Overall, ten opposition members out of 7Augssst 1876, p.3. September 1876, p. 2. 2. Dorothy Blakey Smith, The Reminiscences of DoctorJohn 25. “The Cloven Foot,” Colonist, 5 September 1876, p. 2. twelve were returned for Vancouver Is Sobastion Holmcken (University of British Cohimbia Press, 1975), p. 261. 26. Triatch to Macdonald, 3 March 1876, Confidential, Macdonald land, and the Mainland having yielded Papers, vol.278. pp. 127871 - 127872. Macdonald confirmed 3. Margaret Ormsby, British ColusosbiatA History (Vancouver: that “We consider ouriolves as a Party pledged to carry out the similar results led the Standard to predict Mardsilillan, 1958), p. 256. terms of Union in spirit and substance and the people of B.C. may

depend on our taking that course. . “ Macdonald to Trutch, 29 4. Mackenzie’s Speech that “any opposition that may be offered at Sarnia, 25 November 1873, Ibid. p.261. April 1876. BCARS. Add. Mss. 412. O’Reilly Family, 11:3. 5. Carnarvon to DaRerin, 18 Jane 1874, as quoted in Margaret A. to the new (Walkem) Gov’t on any ofthe Orsrnby, “The Relations Between British Columbia and the 27. “The Carnarvon Club,” Standard, 29 September 1876, p.3. Dominion of Canada, l871-1885,” Ph. D. dissertation, Bryn great questions of the day will be unim Mawr College, 1931, p. 201. 28. “Greas Railway Meeting Last Night,” Colonist, 20 September 1876, p. 3. Among the platform speakers listed were Camarvon portant and inconsiderable.”35 Indeed, one 6. “The British Columbia Government contends that it was not Club members C. Hayward, C. Gesven, J. Fell, and C. Chadwick. within the power of the Dominion to cancel the first Order, as that Others were politicians R Beaven, S. Dada, A. Bunster, T.B. of the greatest questions of the day was: order made them ponies to a specific agreement which was Humpheeys and James Douglas, Jr. “Carnarvon or which comphited and rendered binding and permanent by the fulfilment Terms Separation” by the other parties of the conditions demanded of thesn. British 29. “Mast Meeting!” Standard, 5 March 1877, p.3 and “Elliot’s newly restored Premier Walkem, in Colombia holds, and with apparent reason, that the Esquimalt and Treachery! Mast Meeting of Citizens,” Standard, 27 February Nonaimo Railway became part of,ho great Canadian Pacific line.. 1877, p. 2. See “In the Home of Commons,” London Daily Post, 6 July keeping with the election results, was de 30. “Mass Meeting Last Night! Elliot’s Resignation Demanded!” 1876. Reprinted in British Colonist, 13 August 1876, p. 2. termined to act on promptly. Upon Standard, 13 March 1877, p. 3 and ‘OhA.C.E. resign,” Colonist, 7. For a re-examinanon of the viability 0f Bate Inlet Route No. 6, I3MarchI877,p.3. see Chapter V in Daniel Patrick Marshall, “Mapping the Political winning the third general election in 1878, 31. In “The Triumph of Common Sense,’ Colonist, 6 March 1877, World of British Columbia, 1871-1883,” M.A. Thesia, Univeetity p. 2, beth Beaven and Douglas are noted as members of the Walkem pro-Carnarvon ofVictoria, 1991. and other col Carnarron Club. leagues immediately passed the famous 8. Trutch to Macdonald, 25 May 1874, private, in Macdonald 32. “The Carnarvon Club — Its Object to Oust the Ministry,” Papers, BCARS. Add Mts. 1433/vol. 278, p. 127853. secession petition to Queen Victoria which Colonist, 3 March 1877, p. 3. Also see: “The Caroarvon Club - 9. G.P.V. Akrigg and Helen B. Aktigg, British Columbia Chronide, an ex-M.P.P. Proves himself a Traitor,” Standard, 6 March threatened to pull British Columbia out 1847-1871: Gold & Colonists (Vancouver: Discovery Press, l877, p. 3. 1977), 48 of epilogue. of the Canadian Confederation. p. 33. “The Impending danger,” Colonist, 15 March 1877, p. 2. 10, A private meeting was held at the Victoria Council Chambers with 34. “The Island Railway,” Standard, 22 May 1878. 3. The work of the Carnarvon Club, in Mayor Drummond presiding. Draft resolutioni were prepared for p. she public meeting so endorse. Among those in attendance were 35. “Glorious Victory,” Standard, 23 May 1878, p. 3; “The People mobilizing support to raise and hold the M.P.P.s Beaven, Ash, Dc Cosmos, Jan. Douglat, Jr., plus Simeon Winning all along the Line,” Standard, 24 May 1878, p. 2; and issue on the public agenda, would seem to Dock, James Fell and Thomas Chadwick. See “Preliminary ‘The Election Right Side Up at Last,” Standard, 27 May Meeting,” Standard, Il August 1876, p.3. 1878, p. 2. have brought very good results for oppo II. “The Address to the Governor General,” Colonist, 13 August 36. See Journals of the Logitlativo Assembly of the Pmvince of sition candidates and those determined to 1876, p. 3. British Columbia, (Victoria: Govemment Printer, 1878) VII, 30 August 1878, pp. 109-110. have observance 12. For a description of the vice regal tote see Molynoux St. John, a strict of the Carnarvon The Sea of Mountains: An Account of Lord Dufferin’s Tour 37. “In the House,” Colonist, 27 February 1877, p. 2. Alto see Settlement. So favourable were the results Througjv British Columbia in 1876 (London: 1877). Also see ‘Public Meeting at Philharmonic Hall,” Colonist, 4 March “The Governor General’s Reception,” Colonist, 18 August 1876, 1877, p. 3. to be, in fact, that Premier Walkem who p.3. 13, “The Arch Enemy,” Colonist, 19 August 1876, p. 2., “Fort Street had previously denounced the separation Arch,” Colonist, 25 August 1876, p. 3, and “The Reception of the cry, declared upon later reflection that “it Governor General,” Standard, 18 August 1876, p. 3. For an illustration of the Fort Street Separation Arch see Chuen.Yan would be better to be alone than to have a David Lai, Arches in British Columbia (Victoria: Sono Nit Press, 1993 1982), 54. partner we could not trust.”37 The p. CONFERENCE PHOTO 14. “The Railway Imbroglio: A Deputation waits Upon Earl Carnarvon Club, for George Anthony Dufferin,” Colonist, 22 August 1876, p.3.

Walkem, had become the next best thing IS. “Earl Dulferin’s Address,” Colonist, 23 September 1876, p.2. to a political party: as a pressure group, it 16. St. John, The Sea of Moontains, pp.2l5-2l7. certainly was the most successful the 17. Constitution of the Carnurvon Club, organited 9 September 1876. BCARS. NW1975.51/C288. province has ever seen, having secured 18. “Camarvon Club,” Colonist, 12 September 1876, p. 3. major government losses at the polls, and 19. A case for Carnarvon Club involvement can be made as follows: (I) In “TheArch Enemy,” the Colonist (28 October 1876, p.3) a return of a sympathetic ministry. In its notes that ‘the seceders were chiefly Oddfellows in regalia.” (2) In role as a political party incognito, however, “Cornars’on Club,” Colonist, 12 September 1876, p.3, Hayward, Fell, Walkson and Chadwick are elected as officers. (3) In the Carnarvon Club was perhaps even “Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge 0f B.C. 0f the lOOP.,” 14 Fevruary 1876, BCARS. Reel more effective, being the only group in the 105A, Hayward is listed at W. Grand Marshal (p. 39), and Fell as a member (p.4O). In addition, Walkem (Premier Walkero’s history of British Columbia ever to have brother) is listed m member in Constitution aod Bylaws of Premier power Victoria Lodge No. I, lOOP. (Victoria: Standard Printing succeeded in returning a to House, 1878), p. 70. (4) In “Orderi to Marthali,” Colonist, 15 August 1876, 2, Odd Fellows are one of the largest participants p. Kieth Ralston - Honorary President after his political defeat. This they did for in the Governor General’s procession, and In “Recepoou of the George Anthony Walkem, and all before Governor-General,” Coloniss, 15 Auguit 1876, p. 3, Captain T. BCHF - 1992-93 Chadwick is listed as in charge of No. 3 Company 0f Lady the age of political parties. Dulferin’s Guard of the procession. Also see “Mr. Sproat on the Photo courtesy of John Spittle Fort Street Incident,” Colonist, 20 August 1876, p. 3.

16 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Lfè Blood ofthe Okanagan Valley

by Winston Shilvock

In its original state the Okanagan Val flume to the upper dry benches, now East Okanagan Lands Co. in 1906 when that ley is basically desert country, replete with Kelowna. company purchased most ofwhat is now sagebrush, cactus and rattlesnakes. As more and more people moved into the Glenmore area of Kelowna. About 19,000 years ago a massive gla the Valley and the demand for water in Despite the trend to centralization, cier, more than 2,000 metres high, covered creased, it became necessary to allocate some small water systems known as “wa the whoLe area, bringing with it vast “rights.” Recording water rights began in ter users communities” — the lowest form quantities of rich alluvium. ‘When the the 1 870s and one of the first was issued of life in the large irrigation fraternity — glaciers melted some 10,000 years later, on April 17, 1874, in the name of the continued to operate in other areas such as this fertile mass was left behind to form Roman Catholic Bishop of Vancouver Oyama, served by the Wood Lake Power the abundantlyproductive soil ofthewhole Island to cover the use ofwater for irrigating Co. valley. purposes of Father Pandosy’s Okanagan On the west side of Okanagan Lake But there was one problem. For the Mission. This gave control ofthe water in pioneers such as Gellatly and Lambly land to produce with maximum efficiency Mission Creek. developed their own irrigation systems. it required water. There was lots ofwater Near the turn ofthe century the increase However, it remained for the big pro in Okanagan Lake but in the early days in population accelerated and demand for moter, J.M. Robinson, to create a vast technology hadn’t advanced enough to fairly small blocks of agricultural land water transportation system that resulted pump it up several hundred feet to the gave rise to the large development com in the establishment of Peachland, benches. panies. These were obliged to provide Summerland and Naramata. (See BCH Settlers and orchardists therefore had water on a scale beyond the capabilities of News Spring 1990 page 26). to go back into the hills and route water to the individual and large irrigation systems In the south end ofthe Valley, develop their land from the lakes and streams that came into being. ment of large water systems was late in abounded there. Forced by gravity, the The Kelowna Land and Orchard coming owing to the great tracts of land water sped for many miles along large Company (KLO) was formed in 1904 held by Tom Ellis’ cattle empire which wooden flumes to be channelled into and bought out the Lequime holdings and precluded subdividing. Eventually, near ditches that interspersed the agricultural expanded the comparatively small irriga the end of 1905, the South Okanagan land. tion system. Land Company bought the Ellis prop The first known attempt at irrigation That same year John Rutland, an Aus erty, surveyed the townsite of Penticton was in 1859 when the Parson brothers tralian, brought water in an open ditch and laid out an irrigation system in prepa took up land just north of Kelowna and from Mission Creek to irrigate his land in ration for future development. hand-dug a 500-foot ditch to direct water what is now Rutland. He too found the In Kaleden, British capital under the from today’s Mission Creek to irrigate going rough and sold out to the Central name ofKaleden Estate Co. developed an their land. Among the first settlers in the Valley were miners who had come from California where primitive irrigation methods were used. So it was natural for them to put their knowledge of sluice boxes to good advantage to direct the flow ofwater. It’s from their association with irrigation that the term “miner’s inch” was used as a basis for measuring water. This later became “water inch.” Eli Lequime and his family came to

Okanagan Mission in 1861 and began . ‘‘:;i, ranching. He prospered over the years -‘ , - ---- —C’ -‘. -- ‘- - -. - and by 1890 his cattle business required - - - . a more hay than could be produced in the : bottom lands so he tapped into Canyon Creek and was the first to bring water by Peacliland Irrigation Dirtrietflume.

17 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 irrigation system in 1909. one-cylinder gasoline engine. domestic use and firefighting. Settlers Little attention was given to the area At the north end of the Valley Charles drew their water from wells and the house further south until 1919 when the provin A. Vernon received the first known water that had a hand pump in the kitchen was cial government bought out the South rights on September 25, 1871. It allowed considered very modern. In 1904 Okanagan Land Cattle Company whose him to draw 1,000 inches of irrigation Kelowna’s old Broderick fire truck was holdings included Vaseux Lake. The water from Coldstream Creek just east of able to function by hooking up to shallow purchase was instigated by premier John Vernon. When Lord Aberdeen acquired wells scattered throughout the townsite. Hart to provide land for World War One the land in 1891, a subdivision took place For fires near the lake bucket brigades veterans. and extra water was drawn from Lake would swing into action. Water was taken from Vaseux Lake Aberdeen via the Grey Canal to feed into Great progress has been made in the and sent by gravity in concrete flumes and the burgeoning orchards. field ofirrigation since the primitive ditches laterals south to serve the 23,000 acres of It wasn’t always peace and goodwill ofthe miners and the Parson brothers and the development. The system was opened among the orchardists when it came to the flumes of the 1 860-90s. Today there in 1921 but it took until 1927 to fully water and disputes often arose as to who are modern underground pressurized sys complete the project. The town ofOliver had what rights. Some were settled ami tems and a universal use ofsprinklers. But is named as a tribute to Premier Oliver’s cably and some went to court but on one maybe this comes too late with so many pet project. occasion in 1908 a chap named Layton orchards being ripped out to make way for With the completion of this project was shot and killed near Vernon when, housing subdivisions. waterwas able to be sent south to Osoyoos after receiving permission from the gov to replace the original arrangement of ernment, he attempted to run an irriga Winston Shilvock is afreelance writer living in drawing water from Haynes Creek or tion ditch over a neighbor’s property. Kelowna. He delights in sharing tidbits of B.C. pumping it from Osoyoos Lake with a Water was also a valuable asset for history.

Stanley Park

by Rosamond Greer Stanley Park has been a topic ofcontro introduced me to the delights ofher child there to jeer at those, far below, too faint versy for over one hundred years; ever hood domain. One of my first memories hearted to achieve such a daring feat; of since September 27, 1888, the day David is being taken to see the drinking fountain dancing the Highland Fling in a woollen Oppenheimer, the Mayor of Vancouver, at English Bay dedicated to Joe Fortes, kilt in the sweltering heat ofmid-summer officially opened the park to the public. Vancouver’s first life guard, and being at the Scottish Games at Brockton Point; Butdespite altercation and dissension over told the story of how he had taught my of being taken to admire the bridge- the evicting of squatters, building the Li mother and her younger sister to swim. keeper’s house my father built alongside ons Gate Bridge and approaching cause Stories of bicycle outings, picnics and the southern end of the new Lions Gate way, constructing (then enlarging) the strolls through the park followed as she Bridge; oftossing peanuts to the lethargic, zoo, constructing (then enlarging) the and I shared many good times together in odorous, caged bears, and laughing at the whale pool, the implementation of a the park. As a small child I spent hours antics of the monkeys at the zoo; of the “Forest Management Program”, the pro playing on the grass beside the tennis magical summer’s night in 1936 when posal to levy a licence fee upon the artists courts while my mother played a set or Gerry McGeer’s fountain, commemorat who display their craft in a small section of two with friends, and afterwards, as a very ing Vancouver’s 50th anniversary, first lit the park, and, most recently, the installa special treat, being taken to the pavilion up Lost Lagoon; of attending band con tion ofparking meters, millions ofpeople for tea, or going to Second Beach for a certs at Malkin Bowl, and spending de have accepted David Oppenheimer’s in picnic lunch and a swim in the new salt lightful evenings at Theatre Under the vitation to relax and enjoy this unique water pool. As the years passed, the park Stars. It was within Stanley park, in 1943,

parkiand. continued to be a place to return to — to its that I was transformed from a civilian to a Stanley Park has been a part of my life beaches in the summer and to ice skate on Wren when I joined the Women’s Royal as far back as I can remember. It had been Beaver Lake in the winter. What memories Canadian Naval Service at H.M.C.S. my mother’s “back yard” as she was I have ofthose forbidden climbs up to the Discovery, then accommodated in the growing up on Comox Street, and she top of the original Lumberman’s Arch, old Vancouver Rowing Club building.

18 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Entrance to Stanley Park in 1889. Painting done by William Fiddes.

All of my life I have lived within hearing trade in Canada, as the favorite beer in this office buildings and horrendous traffic distance of the Nine 0’ Clock gun. For uncivilized country was Lager, of which congestion. The thousands who walk years my father set our hail clock accord he had nothing but disdain. around the seawall or visit the aquarium ing to its message, and I still glance at a But luckwas with him, and he obtained and the zoo are unaware that this wondrous clock to be sure it is recording the correct a position as Head Brewer in a brewery place was, for several centuries, the home time when I hear the gun’s report. operating out of a small building situated of B.C. Indians and the burial ground for But Stanley Park was an important part on Coal Harbour (now Lost Lagoon) called their dead; in 1859 the site of a military of my family’s life long before I was born: The Stanley Park Brewery. On the side of fortification guarding against the threat of in the year 1900 my grandfather was the building, which had originally been a an American invasion; from the 1 860s to brewing beer on the shores ofwhat is now house built around 1889, was a sign an the 1880s the location of several logging known as Lost Lagoon. nouncing: companies; the locale of a squatters’ vil In 1893 mygrandfatherhad journeyed F. FAUBERT PROPRIETOR lage (the last squatter remained in his from England to “the wilds ofCanada” in BREWER OF ALE, PORTER home until his death in 1958); or that at search ofhis fortune, leaving behind a wife AND GINGER BEER one time the park even harbored a pig and eight children. He spent several years Here my grandfather happily brewed ranch. working his way across Canada, eventu his heavy English ale, with two ofhis sons Pauline Johnson loved Stanley Park, ally settling in Pitt Meadows where he working as bottle washers after school. It and wrote of her beloved Lost Lagoon: purchased a farm on which there was a log was a thriving business. When visiting 0! lure ofthe Lost Lagoon, house, an apple orchard and a hay field. warships were in port the Royal Navy’s I dream tonzht that mypa&le blurs

For the first few years he transported his Jack Tars came to enjoy an ale — or two; on Thepurple shade where the seaweedstirs, apple crop into Haney in a wheelbarrow, sunny days people who had taken a stroll I hear the call ofthe singingfirs as there was no money with which to buy in the park would call in at the brewery to In the hush ofthe golden moon. a horse and wagon. quench their thirst; and grandfather’s love If you should be strolling around Lost It was 1898 before he was able to send ofhis own brew undoubtedly contributed Lagoon “in the hush ofthegolden moon” for his family; first for two sons to help to the constant flow. some summer’s eve, be sure to look care him on the farm, and a year later he sent But grandfather’s euphoria was short- fully into the shadows of” the singing firs” for my grandmother and the other chil lived. In 1902 the land was expropriated and the shimmering willows. You just dren. But the farm did not provide the by the city, The Stanley Park Brewery might catch a glimpse of the ghost of my fortune my grandfather had dreamed of, closed down (the buildfng was demol grandfather lurking there. . . a foaming and in the summer of 1900 he went into ished in 1906), and grandfather was once glass of ale held high in a salute. Vancouver in search of work. again unemployed. Grandfather was not a farmer (which Today Stanley Park is a haven of flow This writer expresses her love frr Vancouver, had soon become all too apparent); he was ering gardens and greenery, sandy beaches andit surrounding area, in columns which appear a Master Brewer, a fairly prestigious occu and walking trails through dense forest, in various newspapers and magazines. We thank pation in England at that time. But he had only minutes away from a downtown core berforgivingusa renewedappreciation andunder been unable to find employment in his that has become a jungle of towering standing ofbeautifri Stanley Park.

19 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Emily Susan Patterson: Vancouver ‘s First Nurse

by Helen L. Shore clustered around what md us try there was. Captain Edward Stamp moved his saw mill (from a poorer location) to the foot of

Dunlevywhere Stamp’s — later Hastings — Mill was built in 1865, but did not get really going as a lumber mill until 1867 because of lack of machinery.3 A little shack town sprang up for the mill-hands and supervisors. There was a wharf for small boats, a store that sold food, clothes, cooking pots and patent medicines. Gastown got ajail in 1871, a post office in 1872, and aschoolin 1873. Dailysteam boat service to New Westminster began in 1874. Well into the 1870’s Vancouver lady who arrived at Mrs. John Peabody Patterson, nee Emily Susan Bransconbe a belovedandpractical was a straggling line of buildings set in a Hastings Sawmill Burrardlnle4 in ApriL 1873; moved to Moodyville Sawmil.4 1874. She was a ‘Lady ofGrace ofSt.Jobn “in the wilderness; a ‘Dame Hospitaller” to Indians and to whitemen alike before there two block clearing on the edge of the were doctors orbospitals. Immortalisedin poetryas “The Heroine ofMoodyville ‘ Mother ofthefirst white forest. Several hundred loggers with their childborn, 26February 1864, atAlberni, B. C, nowMrs. Alice Crakanthorp, ofVancouve,. haleandhearty families made up the community. Local at over 86in August1950. Diedat Vancouver, 12 Nov. 1909, aged 74years. Hergranddaughter is Miss Musqueam and Squamish Indians were Muriel Crakanthorp. P.S.: The place ofbirth was “Stamp’s MilL “Alberni. Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives. also hired by the mills, and often moved The dedication for a stained glass win Pattersons were welcome newcomers on closer to their work. Mr. Sewell Prescott dow in Christ Church Cathedral, Van several counts; Emily as the only nursewas Moody operated a lumber mill on the couver, “To nurses in Vancouver from soon busy in the community; their four north shore ofBurrard Inlet at Moodyville. 1873 to 1954. .“ provided the incentive children made possible the opening of a He had come from Maine (like Emily for this article. Who was the first nurse in school. The Hastings Mill Company had Patterson); his mill was larger and said to Vancouver? built a school in 1872 and operated it be better run than Hastings Mill. Moody’s Emily Susan Patterson fills this role. privately. In 1873 a public school began, Mill was, in a sense, a model community She came to Hastings Mill on Burrard it had a wood stove, coal oil lamps, and complete with library, school and electric Inlet in April, 1873. She was an Ameri slates for the children to write on. The light — a luxury then unknown in Victoria, can, born in 1835 in Maine, married to teacher, Miss Georgina Sweeney of NewWestminster, or anysettlement north John Peabody Patterson who began work Granville, was the first teacher and was ofSan Francisco.4’56 In 1874 the Patterson at Hastings Sawmill supervising the load paid $40 a month. A minimum of fifteen family moved to Moodyville, and from ing of ships. The family had come from children were needed before a school could there they witnessed the fire of 1886 that Stamps Mill, Port Alberni, and are also be opened. It meant that the Pattersons’ gutted Vancouver. remembered as parents of the first white youngest, four year old Adelaide, would Earlier John and Emily Patterson had child born there, a daughter, Alice, born also be needed to attend school, but she travelled and lived in New York and San February 26, 1864.1 writes later how thrilled and excited she Francisco. An oil painting, a copy of a Granville, a lumber mill community, was at the prospect. The first group tintype made by an artist in China in 1855 had few conveniences and many incon consisted of 8 children from the Alexan suggests travel there, but it is hard to know veniences. Muddy ground covered with der and Miller families, 2 half-Indian chil whether the picture was purchased in stumps and rocks surrounded the build dren, 1 child from a Hawaiian family and China or in San Francisco. They were ings.. The Patterson family settled first in 4 Pattersons.2 described (years later) by their daughter cramped quarters above the Hastings Mill While British Columbia had become a Alice as “gypsies, they travelled and trav store. There were four children, Abigail, province on 20 July 1871, the population elled until they settled down for good on Rebecca, Alice and Adelaide. The in the lower mainland was still small and Burrard Inlet.”7

20 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 There were no hospitals and no doctors being called to in Vancouver in those early days. There come and at were hospitals and doctors in New West tend a man who minster and in Victoria, both difficult and had been in a time-consuming journeys from Vancou fight where the ver. The doctor from New Westminster Kanakas (Ha would come ifa message was sent to him. waiians) lived. The usual means of communication was His lip had been to send an Indian in a canoe along the split in a fight. shore to the end of Hastings street, and Indians were from there a rider on horseback would often given liq take the message to New Westminster uor by sailors Moodyville, BurrordInlet. circa 1890. The home ofMrs.Jobn Peabody Patterson, (Emily Susan),first nurse on Burrardinlet, immortalisedin poem, the “Heroine of travelling by the Douglas Road. Dr. on sailing ships Moodyvilk. Most northerly cottage on bill. Corner ofMtRandall’shouse. 8pigeons. A.W.S. Black of New Westminster had tied up at the Chinese lantern. L to k Fred Patterson é Mrs. Emily Susan Patterson, Willie been killed in an accident with his horse dock. Emily Williams. PhotopresentedSept. 1941, byDavidit Pierce, son ofCapt E. IL Pierse on that road in 1871.8 Thedoctorwould sewed up his lip andMrs. Pierce, nee ‘Reckie”Patterson, dasstghterofMrs. Patterson and nephew of come for emergencies, serious logging while his terri Mrs. Alice Crakantborp, nee Patterson. In 1941, David and his mother reside at 1240 Park Ave., Aksmeda, GiL Photo courtesy City of Vancouver Archives. accidents requiring surgery, or to certify fied wife told death. Otherwise sick and injured were her to watch out for him. “Be careful, her that with dusk falling and the height of transported to the Royal Columbian Mrs. Patterson, he will strike you.” “No, the storm such a trip would be foolhardy Hospital in New Westminster. Women he won’t”, and to the man “You dare and advised delay. A Squamish Indian, expecting confinement might travel to move and I’ll hit you on the head with a possibly one that had brought the word in Victoria to await birth there. Dr. Walkem, club.” Apparently he had terrified others, the first place said he would take her there the first doctor at Hastings Mill, arrived in but Emily Patterson was up to the chal in his dugout canoe. They set out in the 1877. Dr. John Lefevre, who established lenge. Another day an Indian woman storm and dark of night reaching Point theC.P.R. Hospital in Vancouver, arrived came by her house to show her baby to Atkinson at daylight. The mission was in 1886. Emily. The baby’s eyes were almost accomplished. Emily Patterson was not a trained nurse. swollen shut. Emily washed them out While many questions remain to be Nurses’ training began in London, Eng with a little milk and water and some answered in the chronicle of Emily land in 1860 at St. Thomas’ Hospital. In boracic acid. She told the woman to go to Patterson’s life we do have ample evidence Canada, the first nurses’ training school the Hastings Mill store and get some of her devotion and determination in opened in 1874 in St. Catharines, Ontario. Steadmans Teething powder. The woman bringing nursing care to her community. Before that, women in families had a came back with baking soda, but Emily She died on the twelfth of November, number of commonly-used remedies: said it was not right and sent her back to 1909 at the age of74 years and is buried in sulphur and molasses for children in the the store with a note to get the right stufE Mountain View cemetery, Vancouver. spring, mustard plasters for chest colds, Emily Patterson delivered the first child Stories about the Patterson children ap syrup of figs for regularity, poultices of born at Hastings Mill, a child born to peared in local newspapers for many years. goose oil and turpentine or flaxseed for Mrs. Alexander, wife ofthe mill manager, Alice Patterson Crakanthorp, first in many chest ailments. Nevertheless, the pres whom she confined and later nursed.1° things on the British Columbia coast, ence of a local woman who knew what to Women would recall how they remem died in 1971 at 97 years of age. do in times of illness and childbearing and bered her and described her as a “good who did not hesitate to help when called woman” ,saying that she delivered all their FOOTNOTES I. Major J. S. Matthews. Early Vancosoeer, Vancouver B.C. upon was a source ofstrength and comfort children. Many white and Indian chil Vancouver City Archives, Volume 4. in many pioneer communities. These dren were named after her. 2. Chuck Gotbre and Leslie Dyson, Editors, Glancing Back: Reflections and Anecdotes on Vancouver Public Schools. women acted as midwives, knew herbal A poem “The Heroine of Moodyville” Vancouver British Columbia,. Vancouver, School Board, 1988. 3. Thomas W. Patterson, The Pioneer Years, l.angley, B.C. potions and remedies for illnesses and (written in 1936 by Nora M. Duncan) Ssagocoass Pssbltshtssg, 1977. could also be called upon to lay out the sets in epic terms one ofEmily Patterson’s 4. Raymond Hull, Gordon Sossles, and Chrs,ssne Soul,s. Vancouver’s Past, Vancouver, B.C. Gordon Soules Economic dead. Emily Patterson was one of these heroic missions made in 1883.h1 Word aad Marketing research, 1974. women. had been brought that Mrs. Erwin, wife of 5. Matthews, op. ci,. 6. James, Morton. TEa Ensesprssing Mr. Moosty and the Stories abound of her willingness and the Point Atkinson lighthouse keeper, lay Bumptious Captain Stamp. Vancouver, B.C. J.J. Douglas Ltd. 1977.

success as midwife and as giver of first aid dangerously ill. The lighthouse could not 7. Matthews, op. Ott. and treatment to white settlers and Indi be reached by land, it was only accessible 8. Morton, op. cit. Matthews, op. cit. it was 9. ans alike.9 One story told by her daughter, by water. As luck would have a gale tO. Matthews, ibid. and recorded by Major Matthews, Van raging. The skippers ofavailable tugboats II. Noro M. Duncan, The Ilerione of Moostyville: An Epic of Bstrranl Inlet, 1883. Printed Bookies. 1936. Vnncosaver, B.C. couver archivist and historian, tells of her were asked for transportation. They told Vancouver City Aechives.

21 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 The Deadman ‘s Island Dispute of1899: A Monument to Stupidity and Vandalism

by Mark Leier

The choice be to halt the first at tween jobs and the tempts to cut down environment poses /. the island’s trees. a dilemma for Brit Staunch Liberal L.D. ish Columbians. It Taylor, who would is most evident in become mayor some the battles over for years later, supported ests, as loggers, for the logging scheme, est companies, and but the Liberal news environmentalists paper, the Vancouver find it difficult to World, broke with forge a compromise. the party and sup Though this di ported Garden’s ac lemma is as con 1 tions.2 temporary as the Business leaders daily newspaper, it too were divided. is not new. Nearly Some, such as Henry one hundred years Deadman c Island befire the logging. Picture courtesy of City of Vancouver archives P 98 N 125 Bell-Irving, opposed ago, a similar fight divided the city of Vancouver’s early growth. One real estate the logging of Deadman’s Island, while Vancouver over the logging ofDeadman’s broker, A.W. Ross, believed that the pris others, such as Charles Woodward, fa Island. The division was nowhere more tine forest could still help him turn a voured it. This factionalism can be ex evident than in the Vancouver Trades and profit, ifonly indirectly. Reasoning that a plained, in part; by the different kind of Labour Council; then and now, the la large park within the municipal bounda enterprise each man controlled. Bell bour movement found it difficult to rec ries would attract tourists and settlers, and Irving headed the fish canning company oncile the pressing concerns for both steady thus drive up the price of his own nearby ABC Packers, and prospered in a resource employment and preservation of old- lots, Ross lobbied to have the federal gov industry that exported most of its prod growth forest. An examination of this ernment transfer the land to the city. In uct. More jobs in Vancouver would not affair gives some insight into the political 1887, the request was agreed to. Stanley increase his sales and so Bell-Irving was evolution of Vancouver’s labour move Park was officially proclaimed and given not faced with the hard choice between ment and into the difficulty of trade un to the city.1 profit and quality of life. Woodward, on ion solidarity on environmental issues. Deadman’s Island was commonly be the other hand, was a merchant whose Deadman’s Island, today the site ofthe lieved to have been included in the Stanley downtown store sold consumer goods to naval reserve training base HMCS Dis Park grant, but the federal government city residents. Local industry would cre covery, is a small islet in Coal Harbour. It did not agree. In 1899, the issue was put ate new jobs and attract more people to lies a few hundred feet off Stanley Park, to the test when Wilfrid Laurier’s Liberal the city. A sawmill on the foreshore had and received its name from its use as a government leased the island to a Chicago the potential to increase customers and burial ground by coastal Indians. In the businessman, Theodore Ludgate. Ludgate revenue for represented potential custom 1 860s, it was used as a rendering station soon announced his intention to build a ers and revenue for the retailer. forwhalers. Both the peninsula that would saw mill and log the island. But it was in the ranks of the Vancou become Stanley Park and Deadman’s Is His plans created a Riror in the city. ver Trades and Labour Council (VTLC) land were part of a colonial government Different factions sprang up to argue the that division was the keenest. The dispute land reserve, and came under federal j uris respective merits ofpark space and indus over Deadman’s Island was the most frac dictionwhen B.C. joined Canadain 1871. try. Politicians split on the issue. The tious issue to come before the council As federal land, the area was held out of Conservative mayor,James Garden, used since its founding in 1889, and was the the real estate development that fuelled the police and the powers of the Riot Act only controversy in that decade that caused

22 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 unions that made up the VTLC would be under no obligation to discuss the matter and nothing could be done until they had reported back. If Bartley and the others had been successful, the motion to re consider the council’s resolution would have been effectively tabled. But Watson outmanoeuvred the island’s defenders. He simply moved that the VTLC, “after more mature consideration, does heartily ap prove the leasing of Deadman’s Island or any other foreshore around the city, for manufacturing and commercial purposes, as being in the best interests ofthe working classes.” In one ofthe most heated meetings in the history of the council, it voted 12- 9 in favour of Watson’s motion and de clared itself officially in favour of logging the small island. Cowan was notified of the abrupt about-face and returned to Vancouver.5 The matter did not die there. Sup Vancouverfrom roofofHotel Vancouver on Georgia St, Howe to Granvill,e Sts., circa 1910. porters of the original decision to oppose Picture courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives, P. 152, N. 129. logging did not take lightly the devious, if resignations, parliamentary intrigue, re Cowan of the International Typographi legal, machinations of the pro-logging criminations, and outright feuding. At cal Union, informed his fellow council faction. President Cowan, secretaryJ.H. stake were the labour movement’s ability delegates that Ludgate had received the Browne, treasurer Joseph Dixon, and au to act as a united force and the direction of rights to log and run his sawmill on the ditor George Bartley all resigned from the its political activity. island for the nominal fee of $500 per council executive in protest. Bartley was The VTLC had been concerned with year. Outraged, the VTLC resolved then denounced byWatson as a front man recreational and green space since 1891, unanimously to “condemn. . . the action for the politicians who were organizing when it called upon the city to create of the Dominion government in granting against the saw mill. Bartley hotly denied public beaches along the shores ofEnglish (the) lease of Deadman’s Island for com the charge, and counter-attacked by in Bay. In 1898, the labour council urged mercial purposes.” The council then voted sisting that those council delegates who municipal voters to support a referendum to send Cowan as labour’s spokesman on supported logging were dancing to the that would allow the city to purchase lots the delegation ofbusiness and community tune of their Liberal masters. Bartley and make them into parks to provide leaders that was on its way to Ottawa to reminded the council that some of its “breathing spaces” for local residents. In protest the leasing of the island.4 members had recently received govern its campaign, the VTLC warned voters But this apparent united front soon ment sinecures and as a result were against the moneyed interests who opposed cracked. At the next meeting, with Cowan “amenable to government influence.”6 the park plan and instead favoured un on his way to the nation’s capital, J.H. This was a shot aimed directly at regulated speculation and growth. Despite Watson, delegate from the Boilermakers’ Watson. He had been a Liberal supporter the council’s activity, the city did not Union, praised industrialization in general since 1897, and was a close associate ofthe build parks for working people. Instead, and the leasing of Deadman’s Island in Liberal MP and labour leader from local businessmen pressured the local particular. After his speech, two other Nanaimo, Ralph Smith. Watson’s party government to create parks in the wealthier delegates moved that the council recon loyalty had been rewarded with a patron areas of the city. As a result, upper and sider its previous decision to oppose the age job in the federal customs service, and middle class neighbourhoods, such as logging scheme. Struggling to prevent the he was now called upon to help the Liberal Kitsilano and Grandview, had parks council’s opposition from being over party garner support for its decision to relat ively early, whileworking class districts turned, delegates George Bartley, John lease Deadman’s Island to Ludgate. The had virtually no park space until well into Pearey, and Francis Williams tried to get Vancouver Liberal MP George Maxwell the twentieth century.3 this new motion referred back to the affili was also pressed to support the logging Thus the proposal to use Deadman’s ated unions for discussion. This would plan. Maxwell initially had been elected Island for private profit touched a nerve in have delayed the vote on the motion to as an independent candidate friendly to the labour council. Its president, Harry reconsider indefinitely, for the individual labour, but he had quickly allied himself

23 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 with Laurier’s Liberals. He now declared between those who favoured industriali Watson served amiably as presjdent and that the logging ofDeadman’s Island was zation and those who favoured parks. vice-president, respectively, and Bartley in the interest of the working class. The Watson had earlier been a strong advocate was unanimously made the VTLC’s can city’s rich wanted to maintain the forest, of municipal parks, beaches, and recrea didate for the parks board. But this re he argued at a public meeting, for only tional sites, and had worked with Bartley newed solidarity could not save the small those “who wore kid gloves” preferred on these issues. For his part, Bartley island. Though the dispute dragged on scenic views to jobs for workers.7 admitted that he was “something of a outside of the labour council and was But class was not a reliable way to crank on parks,” but insisted that “a man ultimately resolved by the British Privy predict how people would react to the might as well say that he would be opposed Council, the preservationists lost the bat issue of clear-cutting the little island. to three square meals a day, as that he was tle. Some years later, the Province Businessmen, politicians, and trade un opposed to industries.” The fight was newspaper observed that: The last tree has ionists united with each other on both over this particular site and this particular been cut down on the “isle of dreams” sides ofthe dispute. Watson and Maxwell logging scheme. 10 desolate and pathetic it lies across the could make no claim to speak for all ofthe Union affiliation may help explain the entrance to Coal Harbour, shivering in its city’s workers, and their attempt to make schism over Deadman’s Island. Watson, nakedness, a monument to materialism, support for logging a class issue failed. representing the Boilermakers, was sup vandalism, and stupidity, cleverness and One opponent archly inquired just when ported by Thomas Tyson of the Iron illegality.” Maxwell had done the manual labour that Moulders. The Stonecutters delegate, Trade unionist and environmentalists would qualifr him to voice the opinions of William Lawson, also came out in favour have much work to do ifwe hope to avoid workers, while another deplored Maxwell’s of Watson’s motion. It may be that the a similar fate for the remaining old-growth talking to the gallery. When will the building of the sawmill would employ forests of the province. For if unity is laboring classes give over being gulled members of their unions. However, car difficult to achieve, without it labour and this way? The most hopeless sight in penters too would be employed, yetJoseph others are doomed to failure. Perhaps the world is that ofthe working man Dixon, delegate of the Carpenters and Deadman’s Island can serve as a caution led captured at will, by unscrupulous Joiners union, resolutely opposed the log ary as well as a historical tale ofthe need for demagogues who simulate an undying ging of the island. The typographical thoughtful cooperation and compromise. interest in them while they (the union, represented by Bartley, Cowan, workingmen)fond dream that they and Browne, was united in its anti-log Mark Leier received his Ph.D. at Memorial are governing themselves. 8 ging stand, and this may have been be University in Newfoundlandand is now a sessional Nor was the fight in the VTLC be cause printers would not benefit in any instructoratSimonFraser University. He is author tween those unionists who advocated way from the proposal. Indeed, they of WHERE THE FRASER RIVER FLOWS and political action and those who followed would lose a recreational site. co-author ofthe LIGHTAT THE END OF THE the advice of the American labour leader The conflict in the VTLC over TUNNEL Samuel Gompers. The president of the Deadman’s Island indicates the difficulty FOOTNOThS 1. EricNicol,VasscossvorToronto: Doubleday, 197040,108. WC. American Federation ofLabor maintained that faced trade unions when they moved McKee, “she Vancouver Park System, 1886-1919: A Product of that trade unionists should not support away from pure and simple issues ofwages local Businessmen. “bass Histosy Review, 3,1978, 33-49. 2. World, 27 Fobruasy, I Marcia 1899. any particular political party. Instead, he and conditions. The very craft bonds that 3. World, 15 October 1898: RobertA.). McDonald, “Holy Rrsreas’ or Practical Breathing Spot”?: Class Perceptions of Vancouver’s maintained, they should reward their created solidarity on, say, the eight hour Ssaoley Park, 1910-1913.” Cassadian Historical Review, Volume political friends and punish their enemies day, created friction and division when 65, Number 2 (June) 1984, 127-53; McKee, 44-5. 4. George Borsley, “Twemy8veYeaes of B.C. Labor,” B.C. at the poils, regardless of the individual the council tried to tackle larger political Federatiosiist, 27 December 1912; World, 4 March 1899. politician’s party ties. But the VTLC had issues. The trade unions that had affiliated 5. Barsloy, “rwensy.live”; World, 4 March 1899. been created in 1889 precisely to coordi to create the VTLC had different positions 6. Vancouver Province, 1 April 1899. 7. For Watson’s career, see Mark i.eier, “Bureaucracy, Class, and nate labour’s political demands and present on Deadman’s Island depending on how Ideology The Vancouver Trader and Labour Casmdl, 1889- 1909.” Ph.D. shecis, Memorial University of Nevsfosmalland, a united political front. The difficulty lay each would benefit, and according to the 1991, especially chapters 3 and 8. For Maxwell’s remark, see the in trying to reach a consensus on which ties each leader had with important World, 28 Fnbrssasy 1899. the 8. World, 28 February 1899. party to support. Watson plumped for political figures of the day. Even though 9. Vancouver Imlependenr, 19 May 1900. the Liberals provincially and federally; the VTLC was created to give labour a 10. ForWarson’s earlier standin favour ofparks, sreWorld, 3Augsssr, 31 August 1895; V’I’LC Minister, 6 December, 8 Msy 1896, 17 Bartley for the Conservatives at the local united voice, such unity over issues other July, 31 July 1896. For Barrley’s remarks, see Daily level. To confuse the matter even more, News-Advrrsisnr, 6 January 1900. than standard trade unionism was difficult II, Province, 28 November 1911, cited si Mckee, 43. the VTLC was about to launch its own to achieve. political party. In May 1900, the council The division caused by the Deadman’s would nominatejoseph Dixon and Francis Island dispute was soon healed. In Williams as provincial candidates on the September 1899, the council held new Independent Labor ticket.9 elections, and former opponents were now Nor was the split in the council simply serving on the executive. Dixon and

24 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Can boo Honeymoon — 1933

by ilma Dunn

30s with an office in Vancouver and inves tors from England supporting it regularly. The President of the company was a Mr. Unverzagt; his son-in-law, C.N. Deronne managed the mine. It took us three days to reach Quesnel, for we had stopped at a lovely little Auto Court in the Thompson Valley, the name ofwhich I have forgotten, but it has always held a special place in my memory. Each time as we drove past in later years we would reminisce about our first few days together. In 1990 as I drove through that way I could see no trace of it at all. On reaching Quesnel, we went right to the home ofLilly and Sig Susag in the Ten Mile Valley. It was in their home I had : boarded while teaching at the Ten Mile Lake School the year before. Besides This picture show the remains ofthe Swift River dredge taken in 1970prior In rwiza1for scrap mc’tal. It is described in the Report ofthe Minister ofMines, 1925, anddidnotprove very efficient From 1940-49 Frances, who had been one of my grade 4 the same stretch ofriver was mined byj V. Rice and G. Hinkley - using a huge dredge mounted onfive steel pupils, they now had a new baby son, pontooni each 8-by 40fret by 41 inches deep. Raymond, so we stayed and renewed our in 1970 Sovereign Ventures Ltd got tenure anddid very well using a dragline, trommelandwashingplant. friendship, and also visited the family of Photo by Branwen Patenaix Emil and HildaJohnson. There were four One of the happiest memories I have is waiting for him when he left to pursue his Johnson children in my class at the Ten ofthe trip I took on the road that ran from studies in Vancouver. Mile School, Vernon in grade 8, who now the little town ofStanley to Quesnel Forks. In the late twenties before working at lives in Oliver and who over the years has When I came to the end of my year’s the Wingdam Mine, Bill had fired and kept in touch with me, Queenie in grade teaching at Enterprise School I looked operated a Donkey Engine which pro 6, Hazel in grade 4, and little Joan in forward to a summer of joy. I had vided power to operate a Gold Dredge in Grade 2. In 1990 Joan was in charge of promised to marry my special boy friend the Swift River. Nearby he had staked the Billy Barker Days in Quesnel, and she from the Wingdam Mine as soon as I some gold claims. He had been one ofthe enjoyed introducing me to her co-workers reached the goal ofmy permanent teaching many young unemployed prospectors in as her grade 2 teacher of 60 years ago, certificate. the 20s and 30s who had gone to the reminding them that she herself had just He had already met and been accepted Cariboo staking claims on the various had her 39th birthday. by my parents in Burnaby while he was creeks and rivers in the Barkerville area But Bill was anxious to get on with the studying in Vancouver for his Second with the hopes ofstriking it rich. So it was trip to initiate me into camping in the Class Engineer’s Certificate, the goal he to the Swift River we were headed. rough and to search for the illusive gold had set for himselfbefore we should marry. The Swift River and Lightning Creek nuggets. He had purchased for me a So it was in July of 1933 that I was where the Wingdam Mine was located, smaller gold pan than his own, and also married to William Dunn. By August 1 are both tributaries of the Cottonwood secured for me a Free Miners License we were on our way in his 29 Chev. for a River which joined the Fraser just north of when getting his. So we left one morning, month’s honeymoon in the Cariboo, Quesnel. In the gold rush days of the taking with us Emil Johnson as far as the looking forward to the future Fall when 1860s to the 80s large quantities of gold little town of Stanley. He was bound for the Wingdam Mine would reopen after had been taken from the banks and gravel work at the Gold Quartz Mine which, closing due to a big fire. Bill had been bars of all of these, and there had been a along with the town ofWells in 1933, was promised that his engineer’s job would be mine at the Wingdam site since before just in its early beginning stages. 1900. It was a well established mine in the The highway between Quesnel and

25 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Barkerville in 1933 was also in its begin- fling stages in comparison to what it is today, but Bill had taught me to drive the previous year, so I remember I drove over it that day much to the disgust of our passenger, Emil, who hadn’t much faith in women drivers. We by-passed Cottonwood House that day, but we had enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Boyd the year before on our way from a weekend in Barkerville, Along with another couple we had driven to Barkerville just to attend a special dance in the Theatre Royale Dance Hall, and stayed the night in the Barkerville Hotel. Eric Magnuson, whom I visited in Quesnel in 1990, and who will be 89 this year, remembered that weekend also, for he was the other young man. The 29 Chev d BilL Our camp up the Swiji River Jima Dunn panningfbrgold in the SwJ1 River, I was really glad to see in 1990 that near the abandoned bomesteaa August 1933. August1933. Cottonwood House has been restored to then late evening we slept that night in the called a “long torn”. I don’t know where a Heritage Stopping Place, and also that car. the name “long tom” came from, but it large signs on the Highway tell where the Yes, it was a cramped position and by was like a sluice box, and I know that with Wingdam Mine was once located. morning I was uncomfortable, but I’ll it more gravel could be washed with less The firstdaywestopped at Little Valley never forget that Cariboo sunrise. I had arm work than with panning. But during to visit with an old prospector that Bill been in the Cariboo for two years already the time we were there neither way pro and Emil both knew. I remember that his but had never been up at dawn, when the duced many nuggets, and the fish were name was Murphy, but his first name does great orb of the sun makes the earth seem scarce too. We camped until our food not come to mind. I remember that he so small. I can still see it in my mind’s eye supply was pretty well exhausted, and made the best hot-cakes I’d ever tasted, after the 59 years. The only comparison I then we started back for the civilization of but then in those days “I was no cook”. have ever seen in my life is to watch a the Ten Mile Valley, not with a wealth of That night I was given the bunk in the sunset in the Caribbean from the Island of gold, but with a wealth of a marriage well cabin and the men bunked outdoors. I Grenada when the great orb drops from begun, and happy days to look back on. remember that the cedar bough put in the sight and immediately darkness descends. The poor old Chev took a real beating bunk for my comfort, made the most Bill soon had the car out of the mud on that muddy road between the little uncomfortable bed I have ever slept on. I hole using boards and straw from an town of Stanley and Quesnel Forks, and found out soon after that a blanket on top abandoned homestead nearby, and there we had yet another experience with it on of the tarp on the bare ground, made a we set up our tent and our camp. It was our way back to the coast through the much better bed. The men were up at within walking distance ofthe old Dredge Fraser Canyon. dawn and had the coffee boiling before I and the Falls on the river. Anyone who has travelled that road in was awake. I volunteered to cook the I learned very quickly to adjust to the Canyon in the 30s well knows what a bacon and my new husband took a picture outdoor living and the cooking all done treacherous winding road it was. It went of the very first camp cooking I ever did. over the open fire. The next week or more up the one side of a creek for miles then That day we reached the little town of were days full of happy times. We hiked, crossed it when it was just a stream, then Stanley where we said good-bye to Emil and we fished, we picked Saskatoon ber wound back down the other side for miles. and started on ourway up the Swift River ries, and Bill taught me how to handle a Today there is a lovely bridge right across Road. We found indeed that it was a gun, and every day we panned for gold in where the creek joins the Fraser, thus muddy road, full of holes. At one time it the Swift River. Yes, we had rain and we cutting off so many miles of driving, and must have been a good road, for the ma stayed in the tent on those days, but what an improvement that is. chinery for the Gold Dredge had travelled Cariboo summer days are mostly long, The straps holding the battery must over it. and warm and golden. have become damaged in that mud hole We had almost reached our destination There was another young fellow with beside the Swift River, for when we were of Bill’s claims when we landed in one claims nearby who was one step ahead of going downJackass Mountain the battery beautiful mud hole, and since it was by panning for the nuggets. He had what was fell to the ground and was smashed. Bill

26 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 picked up what was left and hurled it into the canyon. Fortunately we were able to coast down Gold Dredging Syndicate, Limited the bill and keep the engine running until we reached and sailed right across the A group of leases on the Swift river, about 5 miles above Cottonwood Alexandra Bridge. In the 30s there was a Post-office, has been secured by the Gold Dredging Syndicate, Limited. one dollar toll to pay to cross that bridge, and the toll collector came running after The capitalization of the company is $50,000, with the head office in us waving his arms. Bill stopped on a Vancouver. M.M. Kerr is secretary-treasurer ofthe company and manager downslope and went back to explain. In in charge of the work. the 30s too, a Free Miners License covered The ground was drilled in 1922 by G.A. Dunlop, and according to Mr. the cost ofthe toll, so the collector did not Kerr the results showed 5,000,000 cubic yards proven with an average get his dollar. We coasted again until the value of 40 cents a yard. Most of this pay-gravel is contained in a surface engine started and we managed then to run of gravel from 10 to 20 feet thick, lying on clay. Most of the drilling get to the town of Yale where we bought a new battery. did not go to bed-rock, as but little values occur in gravel under the clay. Such experiences were part of the haz After the drilling was done Mr. Kerr promoted and organized the ards of driving in the 30s, company. An arrangement was entered into with F.A. Rowe, the inventor Yes, I had some gold flakes from that of the “Rowe Circulating Dredge,” whereby the property would be gold panning trip ofours, and I kept them equipped with a dredge of this design. Late in the fall of 1924 most of the in a jar for all to see many for years. machinery was shipped in to the property and assembling of the dredge During my twenty years that I taught commenced, Owing to severe winter weather, construction was stopped again in Prince Rupert, they were looked before completion of it at by many a young pupil, especially when the dredge, but is expected operations will be we’d be doing a unit on Rocks and Min resumed in the spring of 1925. erals. Then fifty five years after, when my The principle of the dredge is that by suction and force pumps the gravel one and only granddaughter was in her is forced up a 6-inch pipe to the washing-sluice. The 6-inch pipe is inside twenties, I had what were left ofthem put another pipe of larger diameter —8 or 9 inches; water is forced down the in a locket for her to keep, so that now she annular space between the two pipes and emerges from the end in four has my memories in her heart. smalljets; this is expected to cut the gravel, which is then drawn by suction I do not know what happened to the up the inner pipe. The pressure-pump delivers 900 gallons a minute and old Dredge or which company had put it there. It was inaccessible when we were the suction-pump 1,200 gallons a minute. The concentric pipes stand there and already was falling into disre vertically and are expected to sink into the gravel-deposit as the digging pair. I only know that for someone be proceeds. After the pipe has mined out the gravel around it the pipe is sides ourselves, the Swift River had been a withdrawn by a winch and started in a new place. No boulders are mined, Land of Golden Promise that had not but it is claimed that the water-suction will draw into the discharge-pipe come true. all fine gravel, sand, and gold, leaving the boulders behind — an ideal During Bill’s last year as Engineer at system if it works. Fraser Mills, in 1945, he had his first paid holidays so he took our two sons on a The whole plant, including boilers, pumps, etc., is tobe mounted on a log camping trip similar to ours of 1933, raft 60 by 22 feet, which can be moved and moored by cables as necessary. hoping to reach the Swift River. The road The raft has been constructed right in the Swift river, but will be earned by then was absolutely impassable, and ahead in a pond as desired. It is claimed that the dredge will mine 3,000 they didn’t even see the river. yards aday of the gravel-deposit, but by leaving behind the boulders, only In 1990 on my last trip to visit in the a portion of this yardage is actually handled. The ordinary sluice-boxes Cariboo, all that was left ofthe little town and riffled tables will be used for washing the gravel. of Stanley were the usual tourist attrac It is to be hoped that the claims of the inventor tions associated with the restoration of are substantiated when Barkerville, and nothing at all to be seen of the dredge is in operation. the road into the Swift River. So time has obliterated what only memory can retain. B 116 REPORT OF MitsmR OF Mis. 1925 Jima Dunn isa memberoftheBurnabyHistori cal Society who makes her home in White Rock.

27 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993

28

Historical B.C. News Summer 1993 -

which we were glad to

discover;

and

points accompanied Seghers, by Rev. there, were but finding tent occupied the

brushwood, we came to the

Indian

trail,

a with from a return visit to up-coast been tent visited had by tracks bear. a His

couple hours a

through of

the

thick salal

from Rev. cerpts dealing diary, Brabant’s morning, noticed upon we rising, our that

a projecting After point. struggling

about

same difficulty easterly .This wind.

illustrated is

coast

following in the

— ex

the bush, intending to make a

short cut

of

Again his he word, kept but the again

from and to portation points along the

short walk

the a along

we

beach

took

to

the

another promise

of

visit next day.

The difficulties encountered in trans

We left soon as as was it

daylight.

After

Off wind. easterly went he with

again — guage.

under a large piece log.

of

the same made the remark day before, as

consequently

a speaking

civilized lan

fire of last which night,

kept had

alive

to He next day. come his kept but word,

the seeing

white face of a and

man, down the made hill cup a and ofteaonthe

his went house and to family, promising

been

as as six much months without

the o’clock in morning,

when

went I

await weather. better Meanwhile he

frequented

part

this the World. of have I

the remained water in and mud

till

four

were compelled to pitch our tent and

trading different call

vessel tribes, at no bad Here, worse. to from however,

we

launching the ofa We, canoe. therefore,

sions,

the and

at time same

a making we soon as discovered that we had

moved

coast the he surf found would not allow

stores

the goods plying and with

provi wards sorry for extending invitation,

the

request, our to coming but upon sea the

call coast on

the the sup purpose for

of to time time from match. a was after I

seemed man comply anxious poor with to

schooners,

made small that an occasional did, he showing I the way him

by

striking

to Long Ucluliat. thence Bay and The to

very was

a for couple beyond rare, of and join me, after some which persuasion

begged chief as the of take us a to favour

need I communication say that hardly

large tree, the a called I to come Bishop

and pitched tent, and our next morning

hundred two miles. camped to the upper the side stump of

of

salmon roe! therefore, outside We, went

found

this extensive coast on

nearly of the us, hill down under and de

having

except dissected on salmon over or or

are

absolutely there

white

to settlers no

be About midnight water the streaming was

we tion could down and not a put foot

white But man. besides men these four had clouded that up and pitch it

dark. was

not move could stooping except in posi

established

and charge were in one of rain, and of noticed we then that the

sky

abundance so salmon of great that we

Four

posts trading had, been however, but awakened were soon by drops heavy

house besides, the so the low was and

exclusively

inhabited Indians. by We sandy hill. down laid and fell asleep,

and inside stench be imagined; cannot

possession time it, taking of our of was which place, ing did, they way on a half

remember; house are to painful the smoke

isto

knowthem tribe

coast, all. atthe This Indians prepare to us decent a camp for

hours dreary that at chiefs we the spent

habits so are much that know to alike, one Then supper. the ordered Bishop the

geese. alive literally and with ducks The

mode of word, their in living, all one dark made a we prepared and fire our

entrance lake, and the to the flats, muddy

the manners, speak same Their language. nasty, gravelly and shore, shortly

before

chance a see Clayoquot inlet, to the

only as were, it one ing, they nation, all as which walked we also that day over a

complied with us which desire, his gave

different eighteen tribes form Indians, of arrived point and in Wreck Bay, around

distance Ucluliat short harbor. We from

(s,c) de

and Fuco there live Cape Cook, beautiful sandy then we beach; crossed a

Long at comparatively speaking, Bay, a

between entrance the the Juan Strait of of We that all walked afternoon, first over a

across and our afloat put her baggage with

On the Vancouver coast west of Island, we had necessary judged to take along.

be an task would to canoe easy pull a

Brabant’s perspective: us helped things who the in that carrying

was canoe any at camps

outside of it the

from conditions of scription these accompanied Rev. Kyuquot by two Indians

to Long no Cove. Bay or If Schooner

reluctance, we and on went, foot, off

begins account

general a The

with de

station; there would salmon cross he from

pare some provisions, did which with I

O.S.B. VER Moser, Chas. ISLAND byRev. the to Clayoquot up with him his arm to

Bishop

ordered satisfied,

was me to pre

OF THE OF COAST WEST VANCOU us Ucluliat to take to he wished go to us

would permit.

this promise With the

as REMINISCENCES in recounted time; proposed Clayoquotchief the to Having

house Francis’s the weather as as soon

Vancouver coast outer at of

continues: account the that Island

but promised baggage Capt. to take to our

insight interesting Ucluliat them to on to take the into and (Ucluelet) conditions

approved Clayoquots hardly

the

idea, of

1875, chief Shiyous, Clayoquot of an provides in Sound, Clayoquot the Indians,

Ucluliat. over trail the walk to Indian The

Opitsat, establishing at Bishop mission a

the at in Hesquait, upon prevails

About proposed Lordship His noon to

Having guides. Indian Kyuquot charged a Brabant, arrived priest Catholic with us. disturb

of and Vancouver Bishop A.). of Island Rev. from Excerpts the diary two preferred rather walk he had than to off

Walter Guppy by

1875 Circa

TrekFrom Clayoquot ‘s Priest Sound- The PACIFiC

route taken by Rev. Brabant and Rev, Seghers.

following it with great avidity we travelled morning I discovered that a hole was same time the captain went into his store about five miles an hour, when lo! to our burned through one of my boots and that and gave us new pants and shoes, for all great disappointment, we noticed that the my cloak was badly damaged. The Bish our clothes had been reduced to rags in said trail led directly to our old camping ops clothing had also suffered to a certain our attempts to travel through the brush- place, where the fire on which we had extent through fire. We took as breakfast wood. His Lordship, Bishop Seghers, at cooked our breakfast was still smoking. the last piece of meat we had left, and we one time escaped being drowned, having Our courage now sank very low, and also made slapjacks (sic) with our last slipped from a rock in crossing a ravine, then, instead offollowingthesametrail in flour. After this we began to walk with where the sea swept in very freely at high an opposite direction, which on a little renewed courage. However, about nine tide. reflection we ought to have done, we o’clock the Bishop took a fainting fit. He Our experience from Clayoquot to went over the rocks and boulders around lay down on the rocks and asked if I had Ucluliat had such an effect on our genera! the point which we had intended to have any food left. I took down a satchel which condition that it took more than two cut off that morning. According to di I had on my back, and aftercareful exami weeks for usto recover our usual strength. rections given by the Clayoquots we were nation I found in a paper a few grains of After recuperating from their ordeal in at a certain spot to cross to the Ucluliat sugar and a little flour in the corner of an the bush, the two priests continued their inlet. This we intended to do, when we old flour sack; this I gathered in a spoon journey to Victoria accompanied by an took to the bush again. We walked and and presented to His Lordship; he would “Ekoul Indian” they hired as a guide for walked till I found my strength failing. not, however, take any of it except that I the sum of six dollars. Rev. Brabant’s which the Bishop noticing, he proposed had taken my share, saying that he did not that we should take something to eat. know what would become of us in case I diary describes a pleasant trip up Alberni Accordingly we made a fire in the bush, should give out. We next noticed that the Canal, a stop to visit miners at “Gold and then we boiled doughnuts! We ate Indians were gathering mussels on the River” (no doubt China Creek) and a visit them with great appetite; then we noticed rocks and ate them with great relish. This to two white settlers and a tribe ofIndians that our two Kyuquot Indians began to we also did and raw mussels and salal at Alberni. The hike across to the east show bad will and insisted on going back berries were the only food which we took coast is described as “a delightful trip over to the beach, which we accordingly did. till we reached Captain Francis’ place in a newly-made road”; the crossing ofa lake Early in the afternoon the rain, which Ucluliat next morning. (Cameron Lake) by canoe, and on to had fallen in the morning in the shape of The captain could hardly recognize us; Nanaimo where they caught a steamer to mist, became thicker and thicker, seeing our condition and hearing of our a Scotch Victoria. and having come to a small bay, where long compulsory abstaining from food, he driftwood was piled in great quantity, we advised us, and we followed his advice, writer is time resident of Tofino - prepared a place where we could spend not to take any full meal till we had eaten The a long writing was on mining on Vancouver Is preparing our stom Earlier the night. We started a big fire, which very little at a time land. soon spread to the trees around, and in the achs for their usual functions — at the

29 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993

30

Summer News Historical 1993 B.C. -

from of Letter Lodge Grand Columbia. British

address or “Brother” as “Sister” other each

they He that present those to were told

Lodge”. a of conduction

rules proper the all and signals to necessary

on and “grips Nanaimo instructions gave

Lodge Grand the at from Hemlow

$dAd

ó4

officers Mr. a place, election

took of

1

ài4Q

the before opened, meeting the When

p. wagon much muddy than tracks. more

eL 4 r

that roads not appalling over were travel

had they that be to also to remembered

chores. doing farming tough, is It heavy

of and a after land clearing day hard long

dark to order that into night forth venture

2

movement cated temperance in the to

ad z1f &? Tht must dedi meeting the highly been have

The 4, attended falling. snow who people

6(

- pg-,

rain perhaps have with or stormy been

Spring Salt for night would February

it

J

-LL

,j

412i4 S./ 7 ’ITt.J& 4 J

a If was night that weather typical the

L

ji/ ,/‘

-

meeting. installation

/ (

t Ei Z4

ri

1886 and 1, February organization an was

//

t-4z J ac on held was The that meeting Lodge

The I Rise --4Z

ety.

cc /

Soci Historical the of Island Spring Salt

./PJX

;44

the in This is stored archives record now

days. during pioneering early those

of aspect a one of life picture snapshot SECRETARY. GRAND THE OF OFFICE

and record meetings of presents ofminutes

itii oaiianbi. od ad o1 Lodge is It original the from taken

rise its demise. sad and

c—-’ E>

‘r. (.. (.). I. that of The these. tells follows of one story

7

The Lodge Spring was Salt of Hope -

to ing concerns. and interests common

social organizations accord fraternal and

began and a spirit forming community well become with to ginning populated organization This temperance a was

At be just 7. time, same the time that developing theywere at Spring was Salt Spring, Lodge

“In forests. and bush thick Strength”. Unity the was: motto wild The of Hope the Salt form to together came

of out and homes make to trying all white, “PROHIBITION”. letters, bold in word, women and men Gulf twenty Georgia, of

black there, there the people 400 about was seal were great in Order’s the of logo the Island, Spring Salt on School tral

1886 By Ireland. and the across Scotland England, Templars. Good Emblazoned the Cen of classroom small, the lamp-lit

Europe, from of Order particular in world, Western the of Independent 1, part was in 1886 February of In evening the

of and parts the from Nanaimo farming Grand various the under families in Lodge Introduction

Crofton John by

of Hope Lodge

of Salt Demise Sad ‘s Spring and Rise

The __ Brothers McHaffey and Norton were sus pended. At the May 24 meeting a debate was held on the subject: “Which is happier, an old bachelor or an old maid. After the debate, a ballot of the judges was taken. They decided in favour of the old maid. This decision “was called into question by Brother John Harrison and a somewhat heated argument followed in the course of which Brother Ernest Harrison made a somewhat serious charge against theWCT The charge was that the WCT “allowed things to be carried on in an unconstitutional manner”, the WCT ruled he “would have to substantiate or withdraw at the next Lodge meeting”. The embroidered motto ofthe Lodge. Photo courtesy of Tom Hofiby, Salt Spring Island HS. Finally the motion was made “to stop this as appropriate. put forward and ballots for acceptance argument and proceed to further busi-. passed. Brother John Booth was then elected were cast. William Caldwell was elected ness”. The motion “Worthy Chief Templar” (WCT), but Albert Sokin was black-balled. A At the following meeting on May31 a more friendly atmosphere seems to have William Harrison — Treasurer, and Tom committee was created to investigate the prevailed. However members decided to Mouat — Secretary. Also elected as an reasons for the black-ball. Joel Broadwell official was Sister Jane Mouat. then announced he wanted to resign. His punish Brother Ernest Harrison because The Meetings resignation was accepted. Later he was he had been unable to substantiate his The first regular meeting of the Lodge reinstated. charge against the WCT at the previous Their decision was that he be was carried out on February 10 with the Meetings continued regularly through meeting. “Worthy Chieftan in the chair”. After the 1886 to January 26, 1987. Elections of fined and that “that fine be nothing”. meeting was called to order a committee new officers were carried out each quarter Next, “Brother Atkinson having used was organized to draft a code of laws. with Brother Robinson becomingWorthy profane language, apologized to the Unfortunately: “Considerable argument Chief Templar on May 12. At this May Lodge”. He was forgiven. A subject for here ensued which, however, took no meeting William Caldwell and some oth debate at the next meeting was selected: definite effect”. Consequently action to ers resigned and several were suspended or “which are the most useful to mankind, those proceed with the preparation of by-laws fined for non-payment of dues. At later the services of the agriculturist or of was tabled for discussion at the next meet meetings there were more candidates for the artisan?” At the June 7 meeting the ing. membership most ofwhom were accepted, artisan won. place on June 28 The second meeting was held on Feb the rest black-balled. Approval ofby-laws The next debate took ruary 24. After accepting and initiating remained outstanding. The financial on the subject “which is most beneficial to

— Iron won. new candidates to the Lodge the members situation was always a bit shaky because of man gold or iron?” According to the record of minutes, proceeded with the business of preparing many expenses — particularly for lights by-laws. They also agreed that meetings and Lodge regalia. For example at an two meetings were held during July, but beheld on the second and fourth Wednes April meeting the total indebtedness was none during August and September. day evenings of each month beginning at $12.22. Revenue collected at that meet Three meetings were held in October, two December. 7:30. At a later meeting members decided ing was $3.00. in November and none in to meet on Tuesday nights. There were no meetings during Febru At these meetings, opening ceremonies At the third meeting on March 11 ary of 1887, but one took place on March and other rituals were observed, secret proceedings were much the same as before 9. At this meeting Brother Baker was passwords and handshakes exchanged, except that prior to adjournment Sisters accused ofviolating some rule but after he some members resigned, punishments Dagan, Isaacs and Anderson along with “expressed his sorrow for having broken were meted out to wayward members, candidates some others “devoted themselves to the this vow” he was “reobligated”. However, new members initiated, other good of the Order with song”. Brother Robinson resigned, the name for membership rejected, elections were the good of the Order” At theApril 14 meeting, the fifth meet James Anderson was “erased from the held, and “for brothers and ing, two candidates for membership were roll” and Sister Margaret Dagan and meetings closed with various sisters singing songs, reciting poems, tell-

31 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 Brother Stevens, “for made byWilliam Caidwell, the Broadwells, the good ofthe Order”, Tom Mouat and a few others to resurrect sang “Biddy Small” and the Lodge from its ashes. “By unanimous Sister Broadwell sang vote it was decided that the name of the “No Sir!”. Lodge be the Phoenix Lodge.” Other songs sung at Unfortunately the same want of har meetings were: “The mony that prevailed with the old Lodge Courting Man”, “Cur seems to have carried over to the new one. few”, “Where Has An indicator of this state appears in the Rosanna Gone?”, “Not minutes of the May 7, 1889 meeting Yet!”, “No Use Trying when: “The Chairman ofthe room com to Stop Here”, and “No mittee reported that his assistant, Sister Man Shall Ever Break Malcolm, was quite beyond his control”. My Heart”. Meetings continued for several more At one meeting months on an irregular basis. Then in Brother Rosman did a April 1890, with no apparent notice of reading called “Drop Lodge closure being given, they ceased. and Be Hanged!”. The Demise Finally, at the Sep John Crofton is a third generation resident of Salt Spring Island and is the Past President ofits tember 1, 1888 meet Historical Society ing, after a stormy meeting in August when Brothers Stevens and Mansell resigned, members at first dis cussed various routine matters. Then the de mise of the Lodge sud denly came about. Charter ofSalt Springs Lodge ofHope. This is in the archives ofthe Salt It happened on a Spring Island Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Tom Hohby. poignant notewhen the following motion was ing tales, or giving a speech. The minutes made by the Chaplain, Arthur Walter: at no time mention there was discussion “In view of the want of harmony dis . about temperance and prohibition. Per played at several meetings of this Lodge haps such matters were covered in discus displacing the fraternal feeling that should Send Renewals sions about by-laws that may have arisen prevail, I move that the Ledge be dis or but, ifso, they are not recorded. However solved and its charter be surrendered to by-laws, probably because they were a the proper authorities.” Address source of much acrimony and disunity, The motion was carried. The Lodge were never agreed upon and officially ac was then officially closed on September Changes to: cepted. 11, 1888. Meetings normally opened at 7:30 p.m. Epilogue and closed at 10 p.m. depending on the During its 30 months of activity the Nancy Peter - tempers of those present. Lodge held 50 meetings and had a total of Subscription Secretary At the April 14, 1888 meeting Sister 49 members. Of these, ten resigned, 13 Anna Broadwell was elected WCT, and were suspended, and Brothers Bishop and #7 5400 Patterson Ave. Brother Henry Stevens became Treas Anderson were expelled and their names urer. Brother James Horel was nomi erased from the roll. The Lodge motto, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 2M5 nated to the position of “Inner Guard”, “In Unity Strength” was seldom remem but he lost out in the election to Brother bered. . Mansell. Before the meeting adjourned In December 1888, an attempt was

32 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 The Cowichan Settlers of1862

by Helen B. Akrigg

A group ofsettlers arrived at Cowichan and so the matter was settled. tion ofabout2l O0souls. They were extremely Bay, near present day Duncan, on August Once Fort Victoria was built, life set friendly and hospitable to our party, and

18, 1862 on H.M.S. Hecate and the tled down to routine — there was fur gave us much information ofthe interior, schooner Explorer. These colonists ar trading with Indians who came by canoe, which by their report appears to be well rived less than twenty years after the and the comings and goings of the Hud wateredandaboundingin extensive tracts of

founding of Fort Victoria, the first Euro son’s Bay Company’s own ships carrying arabIc land. . . These Indians partially pean settlement on the southern part of on maritime fur trade along the British cultivate the alluvial island near the mouth Vancouver Island. Columbia coast. Very important also was ofthe river, where we saw many large and The Cowichan Indians were known to the water communication with the well-keptfieldsofpotatoesina veryflozerishing residents of Fort Victoria from the very H.B.C.’s establishment at Fort Nisqually state, and a number offine cucumbers, early days of that fort. In 1843 the first on Puget Sound, which was not only a which hadbeen raisedin the open air without white arrivals found that the local Songhees vital link in the communication network any particular care.3 Indians had left their main village and with Fort Vancouver, the H.B.C.’s main Douglas continued up the coast to the

“fortified themselves within stakes. . . at depot for its Columbia Department, but Inlet of Winthuysen (today’s Nanaimo) the head of the harbor (perhaps up the also the source of agricultural produce. which he was particularly interested in Gorge at Portage Inlet) through fear ofthe Breaking the monotony was the arrival in visiting because of the reports of coal in

fierce Cowichins. .. who crept stealthily Esquimalt Harbour (for Victoria’s harbour the area: down the strait in their canoes, entered was much too small) of increasing num These people are called Nanaimo, and villages at night, massacred the men, and bers of ships of the Royal Navy. speak nearly the same language, but have not carried the women and children into In 1852 James Douglas decided to the reputation ofbeingeitherso numerous or slavery”.1 explore by canoe the east coast of Van warlike as the Cwichin tribe. We entered Bancroft has an interesting account of couver Island, to examine the country and into immediate communication, andfound the early relationship between the to communicate with the native tribes them veryfriendly, anddisposedtogive every Cowichans and the white settlers. who lived there. Although his charts were information we desired in regard to all Among those encamped in the vicinity of fairly accurate as far as Cowichan Head matters concerning their ou’n affairs andthe the Jbrt (Fort Victoria), and who watched (on Douglas’ sketch map this was just country which they inhabit. operations with as keen a zest as any, was a north of Cordova Bay), he was amazed to They live chiefly byfishing, andalsogrow band of Cowichans, whose chief was find that, what the charts indicated was large quantities ofpotatoes in fields which Tsoughilam, and who hadcome downfrom the coast of Vancouver Island, was not they have brought into cultivation near their

the north on a plundering expedition. that at all — but really a “multitude” of villages. These are built chiefly on a river The horses and cattle ofthe fort-builders islands stretching northward from named Nanaimo. (the name of this river were magnificent prey for these brigands, Cowichan Head to Gabriola Island, with was really Quamquamqwa = swift swift particularly the work-animals, which were the real coast of Vancouver Island lying water.) finer, fatter, and more easily approached 15 to 20 miles further west. Douglas Douglas was excited by what he saw of than the others. It was not often the good mentioned that he touched at Cowichan the area, which he described as “one vast gods sent them such abundant benefit at river, whose name was derived from the coal-field” and wrote urging the Colonial so small a cost; and to decline them might tribe of Indians which inhabited the Office in London to arrange for a seem ungrateful. So some of the best of neighbouring country: hydrographic survey of the route to the work oxen and (work) horses were They live in several villages, each having Nanaimo which he foresaw as a busy coal killed , and the Cowichins were filled to a distinct chief or headman, who cannot be port. He mentioned that the H.B.C. had their utmost content,2 said to rule the community which ac already sent a small body of miners to These depredations called for immedi knowledges his supremacy, as there is no code examine the coal beds, and to commence ate reaction on the part of the officer in oflaws, nor do the chiefpossess thepower or immediate operations there.4 charge, Roderick Finlayson, who dem means ofmaintaininga regulargovernment; In the next few years Governor Douglas onstrated among other things the damage but their personal influence is nevertheless had two more opportunities to have a a nine-pounder gun could inflict on Indian very great with their followers. The close look at the agricultural potential of lodges. The Cowichan Indians wisely Cowichins are a warlike people, mustering the Cowichan valley. The first was in early decided to reimburse the company in furs, about 500fighting-men, among a popula 1853 when, with an armed force of about

33 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 125 men travelling by the Beaver, the subject in afliture communication.5 and even from the Sandwich Islands. But sailing ship Recovery and several smaller Douglas, who in his many years in the things were not simple when it came to boats, Douglas arrived at the mouth ofthe fur trade had learned to deal kindly but acquiring land. The British Colonist of Cowichan River. He was intent on the very firmly with Indians, by this policy July 11, 1859 printed a list of 19 people capture of a Cowichan brave who, with a soon won the trust ofmost Indians and so (some non-resident such as Royal Navy Nanaimo chief’s son, had murdered a made it feasible for whites to start settling officers E.P. Bedwell and RC. Mayne) Scottish shepherd in Saanich. At a meeting in the Cowichan country. But traditional who in 1858 had paid the first of four with the local Cowichans the following rivalry between tribes still flared up on instalments on a total of9880 acres in the morning, Douglas addressed them in occasion. Walbran tells of an incident Cowichan valley. Alongside this list was Chinook declaring that, just as a white which happened on July 4, 1860 when a an editorial entitled “Land as a Right, Not man must be punished if he killed an canoe of Bella Bella Indians (containing as a Favor”. When a group of would-be Indian, so an Indian must be punished if nine men, three women and two boys, settlers petitioned the Governor to permit he killed awhite. After much “impassioned plus a white man) arrived at Admiralty them to settle in Cowichan, they were oratory”, the Cowichans decided to give Bay (now Ganges Harbour) and were informed that it could not be done at up the wanted man. invited by about fifty Cowichan Indians present. Instead they were offered The second occasion was in 1856 when to come ashore and rest. Soon after the unsurveyed land in the Chemainus Douglas, with an expeditionary force of white man left to visit a nearby settler, the country. over400 men aboard H.M.S. Trincomalee sound of shots was heard and the whites But the government was surveying and the H.B.C. ship Otter, again went to soon found the Cowichans had killed all possible agricultural land for, in 1859 a

the Cowichan country, this time to cap the Bella Bella men, had taken the women booklet entitled Vancouver’s Island — ture an Indian who had attempted to and boys as slaves and escaped in the Bella Survey of the Districts of Nanaimo and murder one Thomas Williams. Douglas canoe. Old habits died hard.6 Cowichan Valley was published.7 It cov wrote to the Colonial Office as follows: Until 1858 Fort Victoria remained a ered the three districts of Mountain, Ce The Cowegin Tribe can bring into the sleepy village with fewer than 300 white dar and Cranberry around Nanaimo fieldabout 1400 Warriors but nearly 1000 residents. Then in the spring word leaked (30,000 acres in total),and the five districts ofthose were engaged upon an expedition to out in San Francisco that gold had been of Shawnigan, Cowichan, Comiaken, Fraser River (fbr salmonfishing) when we discovered in mainland British Columbia Quamicham and Somenos in the entered their Country. About 400 warriors and, by the end of the year, over 30,000 Cowichan Valley (some 57,000 acres). still remained in the Valley, nevertheless no people had arrived. Most ofyou know the About the same time the British attempt was made, except afreble effirt by story ofthe Fraser River gold rush and the Colonist ran a short item headed “Indian some of his personal friends, to rescue the later Cariboo gold rush very well, but the Title”. This read: prisoner or to resist the operation ofthe law. only reason I mention them is to point out ‘Why is not the Indian title to Cowichan The Troops marched some distance into the great pressure on the very limited local extinguished at once?’ This is repeated over the Cowegin Valley, through thick bush and food supply. After all, the site of Fort and over again, andyet no response is heard almost impenetrableforest. Knowing that a Victoria was chosen because it had a safe from the government. It may requirejudi mere physical force demonstration would and sheltered harbour for small vessels, a cious management, but it has to be done. never accomplish the apprehension of the well disposed tribe of Indians, a location The country expects it without delay. We

culprit. Ioffi’redfriendshr andprotection to convenient for intercourse with Fort wantfarmers — and the best way to get them allthe natives except the culprit and such as Nisqually, and enough open land for is to open the lands of Cowichan to actual aided him or werefrund opposing the ends subsistence farming to supply the servants settlers by extinguishing the Indian title,”8 ofJustice. That announcement had the of the Hudson’s Bay Company. What For two years from spring 1859 to desiredeffict ofsecuring the neutrality ofthe arable, lightly treed land there was within spring 1861, there was little news about greaterpart ofthe Tribe who were present; a reasonable distance ofVictoria, such as the proposed Cowichan settlement; then and after we had takenpossession ofthree of on the Saanich Peninsula and out in in March 1861 two items appeared their largest Villages the surrender of the Metchosin and Sooke, had long since touching on subjects of real concern to

. . . culprit followed The expedition re been settled. any intending settler — the Indians and mained at Cowegin two days after the ex So in 1859 it became very obvious that roads. A resident of Harrisburg ecution oftheofflnder, to re-establishfriendly plans MUST be made to open up new (Cowichan Bay) wrote about the “Re relations with the Cowegin Tribe, and we agricultural areas as hundreds of unsuc markable Success ofCatholics at Cowichan succeeded in that object, to my entire satis cessful goidseekers had returned to Victo to Reform the Indians”: faction. ria and were looking for land on which to I reside in the above district, in the midst Igreatly admired the beauty andfrrtility settle. At the same time the colonists, who ofabout two thousand Indians, who ezht ofthe Cowegin Valley, which containsprob could ill afford to pay for imported food, een months ago carriedon a system ofdrunk ably not less than 200,000 acres ofarable saw the constant arrival of herds of cattle enness and murder too horrible to relate. At land I shall however address you on that and sheep from Washington Territory, this date they may be said to be a reclaimed

34 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 peopk Drink is forbidden by them, and a penalty attached to drunkenness by order of their chiefl. Consequently, other crimes are ofrare occurrence. And to what is all this owing? To the honestandperseveringlabors ofa poor Catholicpriest. . The other article said that the proposed road from Saanich Inlet should not stop at Cowichan but continue right through to Nanaimo. It pointed out that, with the 10,000 acres in the Cowichan valley purchased in 1858 still held for specula tive purposes, would-be settlers had to look elsewhere for cheaper land, and the extended road would be a great help. InJuly 1862 thegovernmentsuddenly came to life, and called a meeting on the 29th “for the purpose of organising a party of immigrants to proceed to FLMS. Hecate. Photo courtesy of Cowichan Say Maritime Centre. Cowichan Valley under Government interruptions. in for the lion share ofthe potlatch. The protection, and take up lands on the pre Finally, on Monday,August 18, 1862, Indians, one andali expressed themselves as emption system”. To the more than 300 H.M.S. Hecate, towing the Explorer perfrctly content with the proposed ar people presentAttorney-General Cary said schooner, sailed for Cowichan Bay. I have rangement; and even appeared anxious that that many people wanted to settle on two accounts of this trip — one from the settlers should come among them. Crown land and become citizens of Van British Colonist ofAugust 22; the other Oneparty ofthe settlers was dispatchedto couver Island but there were too many ofCaptain Richards. First, the newspaper Shawnigan District, another to Somenos obstacles in their way. However, now article entitled “The Cowichan Expedi District; and the third to Quamichan, The 6000 acres ofthe land originally bought in tion settlers were all in good health and spirits, 1858 by speculators were available for the N.M ship Hecate, having on board His and appeared greatiy pleased with the ap newcomers, as well as other land in vari Excellency the Governor, returned to pearance ofthe country. The weather was ous places. Each man would be allowed to Esquimaltyesterdaymorningfrom Cowichan fine, andfrom the expressions ofsatisfaction pre-empt 150 acres, with 50 additional District, whither she departed on Monday whichfellfrom the lips ofevery member of acres for his wife and 10 for every child. last with 100 intendingfarmers. The expe the expedition. itis believed that many ofthe Accompanying the party would be a gun dition reached Cowichan at 4o lock, p.m., settlers will make the Valley ofrhe Cowichan boat, a surveyor, and “a competent party on Monday, and the settlers, divided into theirpermanent home. They were given to to deal with the Indians”. All that the three parties, under the guidance of the understand by His Excellency that actual government wanted was an assurance that Surveyor General and his assistant, and the residence on the land would alone entitle a sufficient number of men would go up Attorney General, were landedatthelocalities them to hold it. . . Game of all kinds is in a fortnight and a vessel would be pro in which it is intended they shall inspect and abundant and numerous deer-paths were vided to take them.’° select landsforfarmingpurposes. The Gov observed leading to the river shores. At this time also, Governor Douglas ernor also disembarked and encamped... The Hecate on the way down stopped in notified Rear-Admiral Maitland that a Thefrw natives atpresentin the district (the the Sansum Narrows where His Excellency gunboat would be needed to escort the major portion of the tribes being absent went ashore and inspected the copper mines party of settlers to Cowichan (or possibly fishing), agreed without hesitation to the there located and was furnished by Mr. to the alternate destination, the Comox surrender oftheir lands to the Government, Smith, the manager of the company, with country, but Douglas believed that settlers with the exception oftheir village sites and several beautiful specimens of rich copper would choose Cowichan.) Douglas added potatoe (sic) patches, being informed that ore. that this was “a matter ofmore immediate when the absent members ofthe tribes had Now for Captain Richards’ version: importance than the visit ofthe Gun Boat returned to their homes in the autumn, Monday 18th August. In morning an to Sitka. . .“ Captain Richards, of H.M. compensationfor the lands taken up by the chored offVictoria Harbour at 7a.m. At 10 Survey Ship Hecate, was ordered to escort settlers would be made at the same rate as embarkedthe Governor andhis Civilstaff& the party, an order that did not please thatpreviously established — amounting in towing the Explorerschooner with about 80 him, for his hydrographic work was al the aggregate to the valueofapairofblankets settlers, proceededfor Cowichan, where we ready far behind schedule due to such to each Indian — the chief, ofcourse, coming were anchoredat3:30p. m. Governor eihis

35 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 party landed with the settlers, the object prospecting and they had some very fair being to establish them on some of the specimens ofcopper ore out, some in quartz, Cowichan land asfarmers. Anchorage offa others in a calcose slate, theformer the most “This village on the south side ofthe bay, very close favourable looking. Mr. Wiham, an summer why in, in l4flns. Bank verysteep. On swinging Englishman who has been years working in next morning wegroundedabafè andhad to theMexican mines, thinks the mount on the not share your shftflrther out. east side, Mt. Bruce, and Mt. Sullivan on enjoyment Tuesday 19th Augutt. The Governor Admiralld (SaltSpring) are the spots where encamped on what he calls Mt. Bruce, an the copper will befóund, and he thinks the of local elevation ofsomething like 100fret, on the indications here very good. history?” north side ofthe bay. On it stands a Roman We returned to the ship at 4p.m. and Catholic church, the Priest ofwhich seems to visited the settlers who had landed on the S ****** have caught fl2OTC souls — or rather bodies — side ofthe bay. I walked more than a mile Recruit a new than his Episcopal brethren. It is a question inlana with the Governor. Thesoilappeared of who will bid highest for them; if the veryfair but ratherlight, thegroundpartially member for Catholic Roman is going aheaa it is neces clearorloosely timbered, andnogreatlabour your local sary for the Protestant to launch into more would be required to clear it. The men all rice or mo&zfses — or to beautU5’ the church or acknowledged this but I saw no disposition society and/or school house a little more. Both do a certain except on thepartof2 or3 to set to andclear sella amount ofgood in checking drunkenness, and cultivate. After a talk with the natives but as to instilling anyprinciples ofreligion, and a few trifling presents of tobacco and subscription Ifrarfor long to come this is not to be looked pipes, we embarked to the for. They will go to Church and sing and Thursday 21st. At 4 a.m. we left howlas much as may bedesired but they will Cowichan and with aflivourable tidepassed B.C. kill or defraud their neighbours ifnecessary down the inner channel, anchoring off Historical News. as soon after as convenient. Victoria at 9 a. m. After landing the Gov The surveyors were employed in marking ernor I steamed into Esquimalt where we off allotments of land all today, but the remained till Saturday morning. would-besettlersshew (sic) thegreatestapathy So here ends the story of the arrival of and won even accompany thegentlemen to the settlers of 1862 in Cowichan Bay, and You will feel see the district. A frw of them start away the rather strikingly different accounts — with this view in the mornin,g but as soon as Douglas’ as reported in the newspaper, rewarded! theyfind they have to walk a couple ofmiles, full of”developer” style of optimism, and they drop off one by one and the surveyor Richards’, rather sardonic and cynical. It finds himse’fleft alone. is difficult to know, 131 years later, which On Wednesday2othlwasgoingon shore version is the more accurate. to visit the Governor and look at the district 1993 in the nezhbourhood ofthe River, when he Helen Akrigg is best known as co-author of was seen coming off in a canoe. He ac British Columbia Chronicles. British Columbia CONFERENCE PHOTO quainted me that he had completed his task, Place Names and the more recent HM S. Vira1o and had some interviews with the natives in the Pac1c. who were perfrctly disposed to receive the FOOTNOTES and 1. H.H. Bancroft. The History of British Columbia, white men and allow them to cultivate 1792-1887. (sact Francisco. 1887) p. 95. occupy any lands other then their potatoe 2. Bancroft, p. 107. fields and villages; that the surveyors were 3. James Douglas, “Report of3 Canoe Expedition along going on with their labours ana when the East Coast of Vancouver lsland. Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, vol. 24, 1854, p. 246. completed, every man would he chose be f 4. Douglas, p. 248. put in possession ofan extent of 100 acres 5. James Douglas’ letter to H. Labouchere, I.ondon. 6th Sept. 1856. (PRO.. Mm. 1/5678). subject to the pre-emption law — that is, to occupy and improve. (In some other areas 6. J.T. Waibran, B.C. Coast Nansas, 1592 - 1906. (Vancouver 1971 reprint), p 117. 150 acres was the size allotted) 7. H.M. Stationery ofilce. (1.ondon 1859). In the afternoon I took the Governor in Alice Glanville, Helen Akrigg andJim 8. British Colonist, March 19. 1859, p. 1. Glanville at the 1993 Confrrence my boat to look at the Copper districtjustthis 9. British Colonist, March 26,1861, p. 3. in Kamloops. side ofMaple Bay, on the W. side ofSansum 10. British Colonist, July 30, 1862, p. 3. Narrows. 4 miles dist. wefOundsomepeople

36 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 THE 1993 BCHF CONFERENCE IN KAMLOOPS by Nancy Peter

Many of the coastal delegates opted to drive (Necessary but rarely ex up the Fraser Canyon, enjoying the scenery citing) was executed before arriving in time for the 5:30 Council smoothly by President meeting. The Stockmen’s Hotel provided Myrtle Haslam. Impor comfortable facilities, and the entertain tant decisions included ment by the Happy Choristers, wearing reappraising the status of turn-of-the-century costumes, created a happy “Affiliates”, Societieswhich ambience during the opening reception. are not exclusively his Chairman John Belshaw opened the Friday torical become Affiliates morning program introducing Mel of the Federation for a Rothenburger, local editor and descendant feeof$25 upto5omem- of”The Wild McLeans.” His lively story was bers and $50 for larger followed by a review of “Early Medicine in groups — these member Kam loops” by Dr. Stewart Burns. The morning ships to include one sub concluded with Marilyn lvey giving a detailed scription to the B.C. 11 history of Wallachin. A lady in the audi Historical News. Regu Arnold Ranneris, Secretary and Myrtle Haslam, President. ence had lived there and shared her memo lar Society members pay Allphotos courtesy ofJohn Spittle. ries. Following an excellent buffet lunch $1 each to the federation visitors, in groups of up to 8 people, were for membership. These members get a Goods. Other absentee recipients of Cer given a guided walk through the older area reduced rate for the magazine, $9 per year tificates of Merit included Ken Drushka for of West Kamloops. (Guides specified that while non members pay $12. Working in the Woods, Darryl Muralt for onlyoneblockwouldbeuphill. .. Kamloops Don Sale of Nanaimo was accorded a standing The Victoria and Sidney Railway, 1892- has less flat than you would imagine.) The ovation when he was awarded an Honorary 1919, and Christopher Hanna for Best Arti old homes and public buildings were attractive Life membership by the Federation. Arthur cle in 1992. RoIf Knight was present to and interesting, and the weatherwas lovely. Lower, distinguished historian from Van accept his award for his book, Homer Stevens: “The Story of Kamloops Canneries” by John couver, was declared Honorary President A Life in Fishing. After dinner speaker Stewart told of the wonderful fruit and for the coming year. Melva Dwyer con Robert Matthews spoke of the importance vegetable crops in the district, not fish as ducted the election of officers. Mrs. Doris of bringing our history to life with pictures coastal residentsenvisioned. Unfortunately May of Victoria became Treasurer to re and stories, sharing the rich inheritance of the agricultural component of Kamloops place Francis Sleigh. (Readers Note: Names all groups who have lived in this province. economy has disappeared. A bus whisked and addresses of all Federation officers are The Kamloops Museum Society were thanked delegates to St. Joseph’s Church and the listed inside the back cover of each issue of for the well planned and managed confer Secwepemc Museum. Ourgu ides endeavoured the Historical News.) TheAGM concluded ence under the leadership of Liz Murdoch, to teach us the pronunciation ofSecwepemc with reports from Member Societies. Pat King, and Lila Dyer. A truly happy but most of us resorted to “Shuswap” after a The Awards Banquet was well organized feeling was obvious in the cluster of friends few vain efforts. The outdoor exhibits and very enjoyable. Musical entertainment reluctant to leave. showed some of the early lifestyle of dis of a few old songs, preceded the announce trict aboriginal peoples. Indoors, the canoes ment of winners of the 1992 Writing Com and other exhibits were enthusiastically petition. Pamela Mar announced that the explained by Laura Thomas, then cooks winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal served a superb luncheon in the cafeteria, was James R. Gibson of York University, The Federation Annual General Meeting authorof Otter Skins, Boston Ships, and China

At the Secwepemc Museum - Guide Laura Thomas, Some ofthe Happy Choristers on stage in Kamloops. Naomi & Peter Miller and other visitors.

37 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 NEWS&HOTES HUDSONS HOPE TRIBUTE A BAILEY/BAYLEY ADDENDUM The ground breaking ceremony for an addition Charles Alfred Bayley signed a five year to the Hudson’s Hope Library will take place on contract with the Hudson’s Bay Company in May 18, the day that Alexander Mackenzie 1850 and came to Victoria on the Tory arriving passed this site on his journey of exploration. in 1851. On board ship he ran a Library and The library is situated above the Peace River at conducted classes for the children and some the mouth of the canyon. This is a place where adult passengers. Governor James Douglas did undoubtably Mackenzie and his crew stopped to not find Bayley useful as a labourer so in 1852 view the next part of their journey up the Peace. appointed him as schoolmaster for children of The Municipality has decided to add a reading the Company’s “Labouring class.’ Bayley was room with many windows to take advantage of transferred to Nanaimo in 1853 where he taught This the view and the sounds of the river. Architects the miners children and those of the Compa plans and funds are in place. Completion for a ny’s servants. These children are listed in ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Bayley’s diary hald at BCARS and in Nanaimo Magazine August 22nd, 1993 concurrent with other Retrospective. He was to be paid £1 for each community celebrations on the 200th anniver child - to be paid by the parent, but was often sary of Mackenzies arrival here on his way back unable to collect his salary. Disgruntled with is available in from Pacific tidewater. the lack of supplies and omission of his salary, microform (This item contributed by Leo Rutledge of he returned to Victoria when his term with HBCo Hudsons Hope.) was completed. There he opened a store to sell supplies to gold miners. HERITAGE FARM VISITS While in Nanaimo he boarded with the Andrew Back volumes A group of farmers in the Cowichan Valley Hunter family who had also been on the Tory of this publication have arranged to offer weekends to individuals bound for Fort Rupert. The coal venture there are available in and families interested in experiencing farm life was unsuccessful and Douglas moved the as it was prior to WW1. These farms have been workers to Nanaimo. On Christmas eve 1854 microform in their families almost 100 years. Charles Bayley and fifteen year old Agnes (film or fiche). Anyone wishing further information can Hunter were married by James Douglas on phone Lyle & Fiona Young at Cowichan board ship in Nanaimo harbour at 7 p.m. (This Bay, (604) 746-7884 for details. is the first recorded marriage in Nanaimo.) Theirfirst child wasa boy born in October 1855. FUR TRADE SYMPOSIUM Charles Bayley was elected to the Colonial The department of history at the University of Legislature by a majority of 2 out of the 8 For further Victoria is sponsoring a Conference on ‘Colum electors for the sitting 1863-65. Representation information, bia Department Fur Trade at Dunsmuir Lodge of Nanaimo was ineffective because Bayley October 1-3, 1993. There are 14 sessions with chose to live in Victoria. Due to Charles’ ill contact a total of 36 presentations. This unique health the Bayleys sold their Victoria business conference has a few more openings for and moved to the Dalles, Oregon. Later they attendees at Dunsmuir Lodge. moved to San Francisco to seek further medical For information or applications contact treatment; Charles died 3rd November, 1899. Richard Mackie, Jamie Morton, or Sylvia Van Kirk at the University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3045, Thanks to Peggy Nicholls of Nanaimo. A Victoria, B.C., or phone (604) 721-7382, or fax SHARING OUR HISTORY (604) 721-8772. An international look at our fur Micromedia trade history’ B.C. local histories traditionally mention the first Nation tribe or tribes who roamed the sites Limited of our present cities. Many descendants of CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION Canada’s those people Information Your Editor visited writer/cartoonist Ernest are now well-educated individuals, People Harris shortly after A Kettle Valley Rail Ride’ eager to share their version of pre-colonial appeared in Vol. 26:1. So many letters of history. We appeal to writers of coming publications to consult with band historians 20 Victoria Street, appreciation arrived to add to the admiration for Toronto, Ontario M5C2N8 several cover illustrations that we deemed it when preparing that chapter on aboriginal involvement. (416) 362-5211 logical that Mr. Harris deserved the seldom 1-800-387-2689 awarded Certificate of Appreciation. BCHF Vice- Let us share our Heritage! President Alice Glanville accompanied Naomi to This message from Robert Matthews, guest make this presentation. A lively discussion took speaker at the BCHF banquet on May 1st, is place about some stories in Boundary Districts endorsed and practised by your editor. past. A NAVAL CONNECTION BURNABY HERITAGE AWARD John Wilson, winner of the 1991 BCHF Scholar ship, completed his Bachelor of Burnaby Historical Society was presented with Arts in 1992 and went into service as an officer in HMCS a clock for their archives room as a Heritage Porte Dauphine in Victoria. He finds the duties Award from the City of Burnaby. challenging and rewarding, but plans to further his studies in history at a future date.

38 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 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 H.M.S. Virago in the Pacific, In this era it is not easy to classify the type of on the beach at Fort Simpson. We have here a 1851-1855: To the Queen book that is under review, for the uninitiated recreation of an aspect of British Columbia life Charlottes and Beyond may well ask what indeed was a British warship in the mid-1850s. It is to be regretted that this named after a quarrelsome, shrewish woman work contains very few footnotes and no bib G.P.V. Akrigg and Helen B. Akrigg. (thankyou, Mr. Webster) doing poking around liography — undoubtedly editorial choices Victoria, Sono Nis Press, 1992. the harbours of Tahiti, the Marquesas, Chile, made along the way. This does not challenge 209 p., illus. $21.95 Hawaii, Petropavlovsk and, of particular im the veracity of the authors; it only makes the Of the thousands of ships wearing the White portance to readers of this journal, Vancouver task of future investigators that will follow in Ensign and sailing the distant seas during the Island, British Columbia and the Queen their wake all that more difficult. The work is era of Pax Britannica, Her Majesty’s steam Charlotte Islands? This is a segment of a history richly illustrated and, in several instances, adds visual extensive sloop Virago was but one. The progressions of of a British man-of-war, but it is very much part new images to our canvas of such vessels on their lonely vigils is sadly lost to of a very much larger story that I had the the Pacific world at the mid-nineteenth century. history. So much, even disproportionate at pleasure of examining in my Royal Navy and The authors are to be congratulated on an tention, has been given to ships of discovery the Northwest Coast (1971), Gunboat other successful venture carried to its logical and of the great fleets in line-of-battle. But what Frontier (1984), and in several articles. Years conclusion. Theyhave tracked down important ago Longstaff and made a of the vessels who sought to keep the peace, Lamb preliminary primarymaterialforthis work, especially lnskip’s excursion into promote legitimate commerce, end slavery and this topic, and in the 1960s account. More, they have presented an im Vancouver-born the slave trades, prevent piracy, support the Rear Admiral P.W. Brock, pressive, highly readable Pacific travelogue, economic and colonizing activities of parent R.N. retired, took up the herculean task of one that may induce armchair travellers to states and their offshoots, and make seas safe writing for the Maritime Museum of British venture just a little bit beyond the usual beats. for seaborne commerce by their tedious but Columbia the individual histories of individual Just like British men-of-war of yesteryear, important hydrographic duties? Their achieve ships, the Virago being one of them. The debt readers of this fine book will find themselves ments deserve tobe known, not justin what are that the Akriggs owe to Admiral Brock is fully exploring distant, palm-fringed lagoons and known as “station histories” of say the Pacific, acknowledged in this book, and the splendid pestilence-ridden Latin American ports — be Australian, or North American and West Indies foresight of the Maritime Museum of British sides the green-grey landscape of Vancouver stations; they deserve to be known in the Columbia in funding such research is now Island and British Columbia that is, correctly, accounts and interpretations of individual ships, again repaid in this fine volume. the focus of this imperial odyssey in miniature. their officers and men. As an historical enter Not all British warships were the same in the Barry Gough prise, too, such recounting can reveal much nature of the officers and non-commissioned Bar,y Gough is Professor of Histo,y at WiIfrid about places and peoples visited in the course officers they carried, and I thinkitfair to say that Laurier University, Waterloo, Ont. of a three- or four-year cruise to distant, the Virago was an exception, for many of her unfrequented parts of the world. officers kept records that have survived. Thus if the scholar wishes to explore the interrelation Gentleman Air Ace; The Duncan It is commonplace to say that the outlying Bell-Irving Story ramparts of British influence and obligation ship of the Virago with Eda’nsa (a.k.a. Albert were established by the use and control of the Edward Edenshaw), Haida chief, trader and Elizabeth O’Kiely. Madeira Park, pilot, that scholar has not only all the known sea. Whether the object was trade or coloni Harbour Publishing, 1992. zation, the British imperial ethos was a sea- Admiralty papers in London and Victoria but journals W.H. 216 p., illus. $29.95 borne matter. Joseph Conrad, in the evocative, the of Paymaster Hills and es adventurous brilliant images in the opening pages of Heart pecially Master G.H. lnskip and the welcome, Once in an lifetime is the theme of Darkness, wrote how the Thames led to first-time used illustrations of Master’s Mate which covers much ground in the story of World War Bell-Irving. “the uttermost ends of the earth.” “The tidal W. E, Gordon. James Prevost commanded this I and II aviator Duncan current,” he continued, “runs to and fro in its paddlewheel steamer, and his contribution to The biography, written by his daughter, Eliza unceasing service, crowded with memories of British Columbia was later enlarged by his beth O’Kiely, reveals to the public and particu men and ships it had borne to the rest of home assistance to William Duncan and the Church larly historians a fabulous experience and his or to the battles of the sea.” And then, warming Missionary Society. tory of not only the air wanior, but of the Bell to the imperial theme, he added: “Hunters of Because history is essentially a salvage op Irving family for the past one hundred years. gold and pursuers of fame, they all had gone eration of the past, the authors of this work The recentlypublishedbook, Gentleman Air forth out on that stream, bearing the sword, have done an extraordinarily impressive job in Ace, is a really well-equipped manuscript of and often the torch, messengers of the might bringing to light much of that which was lost in eleven chapters, sprinkled liberally from begin within the land, bearers of a spark from the the progressions of this warship from port to ning to end with a collection of family and sacred fire. What greatness had not floated on port on the imperial mission. At west coast historical photographs, which in no short meas the ebb of that river into the mystery of an Mexican ports the Virago turned “smuggler” ure adds to a very fulfilling reading experience. — the Mexican government saw the export of Indeed this writer recalls from the distant past unknown earth! ... The dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empire.” silver as illegal, being a drain on their resources, the arrival and meeting at a Vancouver west Such emotions have now passed from our but the British government saw such a practice side school in the early thirties, the flyer himself. hearts, minds and bodies. Empire, atleast as of in a different light and authorized the shipment Following a brief history of the air force to the yesteryear, is but a memory or a nostalgic of specie by order-in-council. In the Queen assembled students, we later joined with thou hangover. Even nationhood seems at risk, and Charlotte Islands the men of the Virago en sands of Vancouverites at the official opening new principalities replace old dominions, and countered the aggressive, upwardly mobile of the Vancouver airport in July 1932, where knowledge of country and tradition but a fleet chief Eda’nsa. Governor Douglas makes his Bell-Irving, from the eyes of this young student, ing phase of citizenry and of classroom. appearance, and the ship undertakes repairs was the star performer.

39 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 BOOK SHELF CONTD

Elizabeth O’Kiely deserves three cheers for In many respects, Jones’s Nootka Sound was, in fact, enlightened. Another word is the tremendous effort on her part of giving us Explored is a superior book, a model in the needed here, if the author must put in an ad the background and detail to a very distin local history genre, and worthy of the Federa jective. On the other hand, why not allow the guished record in her recently published book tion ‘s Certificate of Merit, which it received last reader to draw his, or her, own conclusion? Gentleman Air Ace. year. It is well organised and clearly written, This is the type of book which I will consult Cedric Hawkshaw and presented in a handsome format with again and again, but unfortunately the index Cedric Hawkshaw, a member of the Vancouver some useful maps and vivid and appropriate will be of limited value. It is inconsistent, in Historical Society, is a one-time resident of photographs. The shortcomings are of the small complete, and too often inaccurate. The pho Lasqueti Island. and annoying type, which appear all too often tographs, an essential part of the book, are not in local histories, shortcomings which, with a included, with some surprising exceptions. The little care, need not be there. “Laing Expedition”, for example, mentioned in The Not So Gentle Art of Burying The geographic region covered by the book the legend as the source for a photo reproduced the Dead. The real story of how is that of the north and west coast of Vancouver on page 19, is entered; another entry for the cemeteries began in New West Island, from Nootka Sound to Kyuquot Sound, expedition, on page 20, is not Subjects such as minster a region somewhat more extensive than that “fish processing” and “fox farms” are included; suggested.by the title. The non-native commu “forestry” and “mining” are not “Tree Farm Helen C. Pullem. New Westminster, nities which developed within the region were, License #19” is indexed, but the whole busi Bridges to Yesterday Publishing, 1992. in the main, isolated one from another, and ness of tree farm licenses, nicely treated on 68 p., illus. $12.70 prospered and died because of outside eco pages 145—7, is not The S.S. Princess Norah nomic forces. There is a surprising, The preface states the writer’s purpose in and most is listed as “Norah, S.S. Princess”, similarly the interesting, diversity in the industries which, compiling this book. “The first purpose of this S.S. Princess Maquinna. often for but a short time, brought people to The maps, like the photos, are good, yet they, book is to entertain ... my prejudices against particular places in the region: furs in the nine the maps, have not been listed in a table of churches shine through. ... if you’re looking for teenth century; fish canning and a doctoral thesis about the positive influence of other fish contents. With the exception of the endpaper processing, including a pilchard fishery; religion, this isn’t it” mining maps, which presumably one will remember, activities, especially in the The book deals primarily with the beginnings vicinity of Zeballos in the reader must search through the book to find the 1930s and ‘40s; and various sectors of New Westminster’s cemeteries during the of the them. They are too much a part of the whole to forestry industry, including years 1859—71. Information on two special small independent be disregarded in this manner. water-based operations large cemeteries is intriguing. One is that of Wood and company Despite these matters, this is a superior work mills at Tahsis lands School, the other the Penitentiary’s. and Gold River. in which the demanding problems of organi The pulling together into a cohesive Locations of early burial grounds are given, unit of sation and writing and design have been ad such diverse elements is not easily done, yet mirably handled. Member societies thinking of and names of those first buried. Snippets of Jones does so in Nootka Sound Explored. The publishing a local history information regarding the division between would profit from a photographs are a great help and complement close study of Catholics and Protestants are listed, giving in Nootka Sound Explored. the textual narrative admirably. They are well George Newell sight into the colonial society of the time — a chosen and cover the range from general views time when churches, which had in the past George Newell is a member of the Victoria of the landscape (and seascape) to interior been responsible for cemeteries, were begin Historical Society. views of the homes ning to turn the responsibility over to govern of residents. There are ments. good general maps on the endpapers, and several additional maps There are maps showing the location of the in the body of the Forge in Faith; A History of First book. Jones has provided useful grounds, pictures of early headstones, early a bibliography Presbyterian Church of works consulted and a listing of interviews pioneers. Ten pages are devoted to the telling Nelson, First Presbyterian Church, of a “legend”, a rather complex tale which conducted with people connected to the re gion. This latter resource formed the basis nd, 47 illus. begins in Yale in 1860, and ends in New for p., $8.00 particularly impressive chapters on the com Westminster in 1935. Perhaps one ofthis book’s munities of Tahsis and Gold River. Tracing the development of the Presbytery most intriguing aspects is the listing of the ages Given the strengths of book, since 1888 in the Kootenays, where tides of and causes of death of many of the deceased, the the short comings are most annoying. immigration could presumably create “a wild and details such as the fact that convicts who As is the case with many local histories, and godless West”, this little booklet weaves were buried in “Boot Hill” had on their there is a need for severe editing. Why, for example, is the reader sub historical milestones with personal recollec gravemarkers no name, only a number. Death, jected to a sentence such as: “In 1871, the tions. Forge in Faith is perfunctory in tone, dying, burial are subjects difficult to make en colonies of Vancouver Island and features a diverting design which seems to tertaining, but there are indeed enlightening and the mainland joined together as one province and entered randomly follow the salt and pepper school of moments in this slim volume. typography. Kelsey McLeod confederation with Canada”? And the author tends to editorialize. “One unenlightened Beu Hills Kelsey McLeod is a member of the Vancouver canner,” we are told on page 68, “pointed out 8ev Hills is a bookseller in Kimberley. Historical Society. that the Chinese were less trouble and less expense than the whites. They are content with Nootka Sound Explored: A West rough accommodation at the cannery. If you Coast History employ white people, you have to put up substantial buildings with every modem appli Laurie Jones. Campbell River, ance The reader knows very well what the Ptarmigan Press, 1991, author is trying to say here, but a good case 236 p., illus. $34.95 could be made from the canner’s words that he knew very well what he was talking about

40 B.C. Historical News - Summer 1993 1993 Spring 733-6484 758-2828 988-4565 748-8397 743-9443 984-0602 825-4743 988-4565 733-6484 442-3865 537-5398 422-3594 437-6115 753-2067 295-3362 251-2908 581-0286 598-3035 595-0236 - News R9 2N4 1 Historical R9 1 LO V7M 1 V7R B.C. V7R EO B.C. 2B9 VOR 1 E4 B.C. 3S6 1

2M5 FEDERATION B.C. V8S NO 4E5 LL.D., VOS HO V5L 1 B.C. 4M7 1 V6S V5H 1X4 iWO B.C. V3R Hill, CM, VOR V8R B.C. 5P4 B.C. Vancouver, VOH 5N2 B.C. V9S L Vancouver, B.C. loan VOX B.C. Vi Vancouver, a B.C. B.C. Lam, V9R B.C. North Cobble B.C. Victoria, North for B.C. Ganges, C. 2K0 B.C. Bay, North Burnaby, B.C. Vancouver, Surrey, 21, Forks, Columbia Road, Vancouver, apply Victoria, VOB Road, Street, David to Nanaimo, Road, Ave., St., Nelson, Drive, Street

Princeton, HISTORICAL Ave., Avenue, B.C. Comp. Grand 1, Cowichan Crown British Nanaimo, C 152 details 687, 20th Crown Street, 20th 10, of 746, Hutchinson Road E4 22 Wasa, 933, Quamichan Patterson 1 ChesterfieldAvenue, and S Mount Box Box Box 8811 West Shelbourne Honourable 1291 Mount Box publishing. 105, V6S Juniper 1898 Sharp 1241 of P.O. P.O. RR#1 1406 Woodland advice the 3450 West 3450 Box 2943 #7-5400 P.O. #5-1450 1241 262 B.C. for cost RR#3 Stoneberg, Lower Jill Mar, Spittle, May, Whittaker, Desrochers, Sale, the Ranneris, Miller, Peter,

Haslam, COLUMBIA Yandle, J. Yandle, Farr, Rawson, D. Spittle, Glanville, Welwood, Honour, Rowland, Don Arthur Pamela Doris Ron Nancy Naomi Lieutenant-Governor Myrtle Mary Contact His Margaret Anne Wayne Tony Vancouver, JoAnne Jill John toward Alice Anne T. Arnold John Markers

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Competition THE Review President: Historical Historical involved Vice Vice Writing (Lieutenant (not Publishing Subscription President: 1st Recording Editor Publications Past Book B.C. Scholarship Members-at-large B.C. Historical Membershi Honorary Honorary 2nd Secretary: Treasurer: Award) OFFICERS: COMMITTEE Archivist The British Columbia Historical News Publications Mail P. 0. Box 5254, Stn. B Registration No. 4447 Victoria, B.C. V8R 6N4

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BC HISTORICAL FEDERATION WRITING COMPETITION The British Columbia Historical Federation invites submissions ofbooks for the eleventh annual Competition for Writers of B.C. History. Any book presenting any facet of B.C.history, published in 1993, is eligible. This may be a community history, biography, record of a project or an organization, or personal recollections giving a glimpse ofthe past. Names, dates, and places with relevant maps or pictures turn a story into “history”. The judges are looking for quality presentations, especially if fresh material is included, with appropriate illustrations, careful proof reading, an adequate index, table of contents and bibliography from first-time writers as well as established authors. Note: Reprints or revisions of books are not eligible. The Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be awarded to an individual writer whose book contributes significantly to the recorded history of British Columbia. Other awards will be made as recommended by the judges to valuable books prepared by groups or individuals. All entries receive considerable publicity. Winners will receive a Certificate of Merit, a monetary award and an invitation to the B.C.H.F. annual conference to be held in Parksville in May 1994. Submission Requirements: All books must have been published in 1993, and should be submitted as soon as possible after publication. Two copies of each book should be submitted. Please state name, address and telephone number ofsender, the selling price ofall editions ofthe book and the address from which it may be purchased if the reader has to shop by mail. Send to: B.C. Historical Writing Competition P.O. Box 933, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 Deadline: December 31, 1993. LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH POST MARKUP TO JANUARY31,1994, BUT MUST CONTAINTHREE COPIES OF EACH BOOK. * * * ** * *** * There is also an award for the Best Article published each year in the B.C. Historical News magazine. This is directed to amateur historians or students. Articles should be no more than 2,500 words, typed double spaced, accompanied by photographs if available, and substantiated with footnotes where applicable. (Photos will be returned.) Please send articles directly to: The Editor, B.C. Historical News - P.O. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0