British Columbia Historical News British Columbia Historical Federation Journal of the P0 Box 5254, STATION B., VIcToRIA BC V8R 6N4 British Columbia Historical Federation A CHARITABLESOCIETY UNDER THE INCOME TAX ACT Published Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Honorary Patron: His Honour, the Honorable Garde B. Gardom, Q.C. EDITOR: Honorary President: Alice Glanville, Box 746, Grand Forks, BC VOM 1HO Fred Braches Box 130 PG OFFICERS Whonnock BC, V2W 1V9 President: Wayne Desrochers Phone (604) 462-8942 13346 57th Avenue, Surrey BC V3X 2W8 [email protected] Phone (604) 599-4206 Fax. (604)507-4202 wdesrochersmbs.imag.ner BOOK REVIEW EDrroR: First Vice President: RoyJ.V. Pailant AnneYandle 1541 Merlynn Crescent, NorthVancouver BC V7J 2X9 3450 West 20th Avenue Phone (604) 986-8969 [email protected] Vancouver BC, V6S 1E4 Second Vice President: Jacqueline Gresko Phone (604) 733-6484 5931 Sandpiper Court, Richmond BC V7E 3P8 [email protected] Phone (604) 274-4383 [email protected] Secretary: Ranneris SUBSCRIPTION SECRETARY: Arnold Joel Vinge 1898 Quamichan Street,Victoria BC V8S 2B9 561 Woodland Drive Phone (250) 598-3035 [email protected] Cranbrook BC V1C 6V2 Recording Secretary: Elizabeth (Betty) Brown Phone/Fax (250) 489-2490 473 Transit Road,Victoria BC V8S 4Z4 [email protected] Phone (250) 598-1171 Treasurer: Ron Greene PUBLISHING Co?usrrmE: P0 Box 135 i,Victoria BC V8W 2W7 Tony Farr Phone (250) 598-1835 Fast (250) 598-5539 [email protected] 125 Castle Cross Road, Past President: Ron Weiwood Salt Spring Island BC V8K 2G1 R.R. # 1, S-22 C-i, Nelson BC V1L 5P4 Phone (250) 537-1123 Phone (250) 825-4743 [email protected] Editor: Fred Braches Co EDITING: Helmi Braches V2W 1V9 PRoof READING:Tony Farr P0 Box 130,Whonnock BC LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION: Fred Braches Phone (604) 462-8942 [email protected] Member at Large: Melva Dwyer Subscriptions 2976 McBride Ave., Surrey BC V4A 3G6 Individual ss.oo per year Phone (604) 535-3041 Institutional sao.oo per year Member at Large: Ron Hyde For addresses outside Canada add s6.oo #20 12880 Railway Ave., Richmond BC V7E 6G2 Fax (604) 277-2675 Please send correspondence regarding Phone: (604) 277-2627 [email protected] subscriptions to the subscription secretary in Cranbrook. Some back issues of the journal COMMITTEES are available—ask the editor in Whonnock. Archivist:Margaret Stoneberg Box 687, Princeton BC VOX iWO, Phone (250) 295-3362 Single copies of recent issues are for sale at Secretary:Terry Simpson Books and Company, Prince George BC Membership BC 6G8 Coast Books, Gibsons BC 193 Bird Sanctuary,Nanaimo V9R Galiano Museum Phone (250) 754-5697 [email protected] Gray Creek Store, Gray Creek BC Historical Trails and Markers:John Spittle Royal Museum Shop,Victoria BC 1241 Mount Crown Road, NorthVancouver BC V7R 1R9 Phone (604) 988-4565 [email protected] This PUBUCATION Is INDEXED IN ThE CBCA,PUBLISHED BY MICROMEDIA. W Kaye Lamb EssayScholarships Committee: Frances Gundry ISSN 1195-8294 255 Niagara Street,Victoria BC V8V 1G4 PRODUCTION MAIL REGIsTRATIoN NUMBER 1545716 Phone (250) 385-6353 frances.gundrygems3.gov.bc.ca Pu5LICATIONS MAIL REGIsTRATION No. 09835 Publications Assistance:Nancy Stuart-Stubbs 2651York Avenue,Vancouver BC V6K 1E6 Phone (604) 738-5132 [email protected] The British Columbia Heritage Trust has pro Writing Competition—Lieutenant-Governor’s Award: vided financialassistanceto this project to support Shirley Cuthbertson conservation of our heritage resources,gain further #306 - 225 Bellevifle Street,Victoria BC V8V 4T9 knowledgeand increasepublic understandingof the (250) 382-0288 complete history of British Columbia. Phone Publishing Committee British ColumbiaHistoricalNews: BRITISH cOLOMBIa see column on the left 5leI7tUBe BCHF Web site:Eileen Malt 779 East 3lstAve.,Vancouver BC V5V 2W9 Phone (604) 875-8023 emakinterchange.ubc

Our Web site, HrrP://BCHF.BC.CA, is hosted by Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC BRITISH COLUMBIA Volume 34, No. 3 Summer 2001 $5.00 HIsTolu cii NEWS ISSN 1195-8294 Journal of the British Columbia Historical Federation

2 Up with the Petticoats! Down with the Trousers! From Suffragist to Political Candidate: Mary Graves of Victoria, BC by Sheila Nickols 8 The Oolichan Fishery of Northern British Columbia by Ron Sutherland 14 Frank Dwight Rice: AVeteran of Many Wars by Robert WA lien 18 Pioneer James McLane and the Prince George

Auto Court THE COAT-OF-ARMS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA by Eldon E. Lee in use until the year 1896 was merely a crest or a badge. It had no specificreferences to 20 A Tribute to Van Home the province. It wasan emblem of the Royal by LeonardWMyers Family ofEngland.After the replacement by 24 Token History: A.C. Cummins, Ferguson, BC a new Arms, the Native Sons of British Co lumbia used an image ofthe old crestastheir by Ronald Greene insignia, as did the Royal Jubilee Hospital. 23 Archives and Archivists So did others. The British Columbia Historical Federa Adventures of a First-time User of the BC Archives tion has no crest of its own and many of us by Mary Haig-Brown would welcome an emblem identifying the 34 Reports: Finn Slough: A Little History Federation, if only we could find the right one.At a recent Council meeting a proposal by David Dorrington washeard to adopt the old provincial badge as our own—not without Royal consent of 26 WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION FOR WRITERS course.A few of those present at the meet 28 BOOK REVIEWS ing felt that the badge would put too much 36 NEWS AND NOTES emphasis on the monarchy and that it did 37 BC History Web Site Prize byPatriciaA. Rogers not reflectthe multi-facetted and multi-cul 38 WEB-SITE Fort.AYs by GwenSzychter tural past of our province. However, the majority of those presentlooked at the badge 39 RICHMOND 2000 byAlistairRossand byAliceGlanville solely asa symbol of the pioneer daysof the FEDERATION 42 NEWS province and did not sharethose concerns. AGM MINUTES We wonder how you feel about identify PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ing the Federation with the old provincial badge. You may alsohave other suggestions for a suitable Any country worthy of a future should be interested in its past. emblem. Please write, phone, or e-mail! W. Kaye Lamb, ‘937 Looking forward to hearing from you. the editor

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 1 Up Down

From by volved Ridge: Sheila since tlementin

Sheila

editing

Nickols

a

in

History

local

1972.

Suffragist

Nickols

with

Maple

is

history

of

in

Set

With

W

put political politicians

for sonal and much serve field. took the

venturous, a through good built it port, ence Mary For

in she

civic began on her process. three left knowing mother newspaper personality erences, her ily,

the

conviction

Victoria doesn’t

to People

in

My

the

friends,

her serving right

to put example women

life. me

place

both

In

sacrifice as up in election. am

health,

greater

attempts

Graves,

first making

run

Political

grandmother

the

name

with

her British

My

office?

the

married,

the

by

speaking and

to

hurt

moral

her,

need in

I

pioneering

to

the

women pioneers effectively HERE strength her

and

in which

name clippings,

vote. mother, have real

world. Petticoats!

especially,

rigours

and

that

a

energy,

1919

the

run

some

into

entailed

who She

strong

the

but to

women Even

Columbia,

personal

contemporaries. at

and

accomplishments

high

that

they

difficulties spoken does

for so

be

forward

of when

had tried

office

the

They

1924

to must

was and

guesses

financial.

Doris

in of

I

speaking

red—haired today, of

public my

sense

once Trousers!

can

put

photographs, never

ideals died

in there

spirit

a

Candidate: public a

this

a

other

fully

motivation

again

lasting among

women woman

political maternal

sphere provincial to,

must campaigning

were

make

make themselves

for

Belle

this

elected. previously

according of

in office

there must about of

are

had

part

to

courageous

Native

in

Mary

realm

nomination

ability,

pioneering political

have

effect

unsuccessful,

1929

all a do the

and

Graves

put

1920,

of

She

had

the

find

positive

of campaign,

be

is

in

grandmother,

in

essential. Imagine

to

the

influence

with

Graves’

first

election. and a self—respect, archival intelligence,

the Irish!

family

privilege 1919,

newly on

often themselves

and forward the before to go

great masculine

the then

for

reality life

Carstens,

her

women

political

beyond run

women

women

stories,

world.

differ an

office

in inner

effort

when

Mary

spoke

were

went

won how vivid per

sup

And fam

and

ad for

ref

but the

my

All

to

to

of

of

July with was

cal Graves, Serpents, grants whom of Gertrude served Flynn 1995 September ently she 1868, twin Louise of in

dead by time. springy,

which “Hot! she aside her Mary, ously.

and cated speeches. cation, ent embroidery, ing,

Graves

My

By

Two

the

Mary a

the

holding

career

not went had

father’s

causing

livery

as

pride composition

1852 sister. that

boys the

Mary from

the

hip, to from

family

Unable aged

Flynn

as

My

lived

grandmother

family

had (1865). judging but

family

she

until made

but

four

Daniel

a Flynn

two

through

time

requiring I

Flynn at

She

volunteer

John

to

hands

her All Dublin.

their

began

about 1854 stable not

of

long

had

performed

her to

carriages

a her

cooking, had

family

Lyn

older

26 BC

sisters

Women’s

me

stories

was

to

her

of also

Mary ofVictoria,

In

head, adulthood.

must

about

from beautiful

older and

to hands August in

H.

lasting to HISTORICAL a

are tell

this

two,

aware October

in my

the

Gough,

total accomplished

DanielJ.

born,

limp. learned

her siblings:

New

Bible.

1

and

died and

fireman.The

the

Helen

burning!”

have

New was

the come

rest her formal information

September

brothers her

and fell was and

over

to

all

of

of

effects History

injury William

1855),

York

doctor

born

in Lizzie,

auburn

well-written of

later

wear

out

had political

author First

eight

Mary York,

advanced

injured of of

down

born Flynn

her Mary

the

Daniel

the

her

research.

1872

the

these NEWS

a

handwriting, on

City one used

was

was

then

came

The head

skills same

life

good

children,

where

named Graves’s

Conference

where

mother

hair, 1855.) was

to door F.

Irish Mary

of

Flynn,

11

was

aspiration.

the her BC

built J.

untreated,

with

an

accomplish-

(1859), us

to

-VOL.34 on As other

Carrie,

piano

and

July

Jr.

Lizzie,

the epidemic.

of

basic

thick

from last

Catholic

accident. recorded

of tease

leg

she

Wise

he

11

up for Appar

sewing, (1857),

a

Helen

politi

saying. immi

public owner

five

one

Mary

1868,

dislo

event

child

play

July

boot

edu seri

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also No.3

and

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As

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It

so of ments at an expert level as an adult. was also curious about what had happened to all Left:Mary Graves Tragedy and loss came early into Mary’s life. the buildings because they were so short, only Ca. 1924 In 1876 her father Daniel died.Then on 14 Sep. one or two stories high, compared to those she tember 1883 the youngest child of the family knew in New York and San Francisco. Lizzie died, quickly followed by her mother, In the 1890s,Victoria was a busy, cosmopoli Helen, on 25 October 1883. Mary Flynn was tan place, with a large Chinese population next fifteen years old at this time of great personal to Pandora Street where the Courtneys lived.Sev loss. eral nearby premises are listed as Chinese im It is not clear when Mary moved to San Fran porters of opium, a legal business in those days. cisco, but she no doubt At this time Victoria had joined her brother John one hundred saloons to there.John must have estab serve the local and transient lished himself in California population, and twice as by 1885, when he married many men as women lived Margaret Eleanor there. Harrington in San Francisco. Harrison Courtney was a The next recorded event in handsome, active man, Mary’slife was her marriage deeply devoted to his wife. to Harrison Courtney in We have two letters that he 1890 in Eureka, California. wrote to Mary when she Mary was then twenty-two had gone away by ship to yearsold, while her husband, visit her brother in San Harrison, was forty-three. Francisco in April of 1894. Mary’sobituary statesthat After scolding her gently she had lived in Victoria about not writing sooner, he since 1888,but I can find no tells about Jim and Miss T., verification of this in city di perhaps residents of their rectories. The family story boarding house, then adds was that Mary and Harrison details about their garden Courtney stopped inVicto with pansies in bloom, a na on their way to emigrate to Australia, but this fishing trip to Shawnigan Lake where he caught must be a simplification of the facts. In 1889, a forty trout, and plans to go out prospecting when year before their marriage, the Victoria Direc the snow has melted in the mountains. He ends, tory lists Courtney & Dalby as owners of a livery “I will close by bid[d]ing you good by[e] with stable at 20 and 22 Pandora Street, which isjust love as ever.” east of Wharf Street. H. Courtney is recorded as a Then, in November of 1896, Harrison resident of the Clarence Hotel. Courtney took illwith a fatalpneumonia.A hand Then in 1890, H. Courtney is listed as living written will, dated 11 November 1896,bequeaths at the livery stable at 20 Pandora Street,”between “to my darling wife Mary Helen Gertrude a Chinese dwelling and City Hall.” Perhaps Courtney all my real and personal property.” He Harrison Courtney had by now bought out his died on 26 November at the age of forty-nine partner, Dalby. The 1893 Directory calls it the after only six years of marriage to Mary. Family Eureka Livery Stable, possibly named for lore has it that their baby son died at this time are this. Harrison’s place of birth or residence in Califor— also,but no records yet found to support Iwouldliketoacknowledge nia.A BC Archives photograph shows what looks Perhaps there was a miscarriage. thehelpmylatesister, very much like a brick livery stable with large This double tragedy had a harrowing effect PatriciaJeanCarstensKoster, doors and second-storey windows next to the on Mary. She later told my mother that she had inresearchingthefirstdraftof 1877—builtcity hall, before it was enlarged. (F lost her faith in God at this crucial time in her thisresearchproject.Her 01296) life, and stopped attending the Catholic church memoriesoftalkswithour motheraddedtothearchival My Mother told the story that when Harrison in Victoria. An unwanted effect of this change researchtogiveamorefully first brought Mary to Victoria, she fell in love left her even more alone in the world, because roundedideaofthelifeand small city, with its wild women who had been her friends through church with the beauty of the careerofMaryGraves. roses still growing beside many of its streets. She now shunned her. —SheilaNickols

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 3 Left alone at the age of twenty-eight to sup I haveentrusted to her has been performed in port herself, Mary, an accomplished seamstress, the most satisfactorymanner.Yourfaithfully, sewed for people. She also gave piano lessons, (signed)CharlesTupper. using the upright grand piano that her husband Michael King’s wife Mary was a remarkable had given her as a wedding present. She was an woman who was a good friend to Mary for many expert pianist, leaving to her daughter a large years, and to her descendants. She was also a collection of piano music, much of it by Cho moving spirit in the Victoria Theosophical Soci pin. Her piano has been presented to the Victo ety,which Mary Courtney now began to attend. ria Academy of Music, where today students use It was here that she met her second husband, it. Hessay Wilkinson Graves. He had emigrated to Friends Mary and Michael King, who had Victoria from York, England in 1887, when he lived in Victoria since 1892, now became very began work at the Canada Customs House on important to Mary for personal support and prac Wharf Street inVictoria. By all accounts he was a tical help. Mike King, a larger-than-life timber gentle, scholarly man, well educated and widely cruiser, prospector, entrepreneur, and teller of tall read, who collected a large library of spiritual, tales about a Wild Man of the Woods, came to religious, and speculative books. By 1904, he was her rescue financially. He proposed that she set the president of the Theosophical Society ofVic herself up as a public stenographer. toria, the “New Age” movement of the time. Whether Mary already knew how to type or According to Vivian Bales, daughter of she taught herself is not known, but with the Margaret Bales, Mary Courtney was “keeping help and encouragement of Mike King she rented company” with Hessay Graves for some time. He ground floor premises with a window overlook would leave work at the Customs House and ing the street in the Driard Hotel on the corner escort her home from her office in the Driard of Broad and View Streets. This was opposite Hotel. She was the one who accelerated the Spencer’s Arcade, later the site of Spencer’s De courtship by proposing marriage, or so she later partment Store, and now the Eaton Centre. told her friend Margaret. In any case, they were Michael King apparently encouraged his busi married on 12 February 1899 by Methodist min ness acquaintances to make use of her new serv ister, the Rev. W. Barraclough. Witnesses were ices.Victoria businessmen began to bring their friends William Stewart and Renate Chandler. confidential correspondence to Mary to type, Early in their marriage, the government trans especially when they were dealing with sensitive ferred Hessay Graves to Ottawa. Here their only information they did not want revealed to their child, Doris Belle Graves,was born on 28 March regular office staff. 1902.At the insistence of Mary, who disliked the One concrete reminder of this era in Mary’s Ottawa climate and longed to return to Victoria, life is a letter of recommendation, no doubt typed they moved back while Doris was still an infant. by Mary herself, and signed by Charles Tupper. The family story goes that Mary solved the dia The family has always assumed that this was the per problem on the trip by making up a set of Sir Charles Tupper who was one of the fathers inexpensive flannelette diapers and discarding of confederation in 1867, but it was more prob them off the back of the CPR train as theyjour ably his son, Sir Charles HibbertTupper, (1855- neyed across the country: disposablesbefore their 1927). The son had business and government time. dealings in British Columbia; in fact he was Daughter Doris, my mother, told us, her two knighted in 1892 for his work for Great Britain children, many stories about her parents and their in the Bering Sea arbitration. In 1904 he retired life in a home on Stanley Avenue inVictoria, still from Nova Scotia politics to practice law inVan looking much as it did then. Mary kept house couver.The letter reads: with great efficiency, baking delicious cakes and Victoria,B.C. Nov.5, 1897.ToWhom it may preparing meals. Her practice was to have Doris concern:—I havemuch pleasurein givinga cor watch out for her father, who walked home from dial recommendation to Mrs.MG. Courtney as work, turning the corner onto Stanley Avenue. an accomplishedtypewriterfrom dictation.She Then Mary would drain the cooked vegetables is also a stenographer,but I find she can write so supper could be hot on the table when he from dictation asaccuratelyand asrapidlyas entered the back door. She looked after all the most personswrite shorthand.All the work that money matters for the family, a far from corn-

4 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL.34 No.3 very A Mary BC ing work, mon about and been their who Doris tie tained ion, for aged she thoughts, Chopin Lyn odist uge hol time crime, of devoted During A these in HISTORICAL votes her sales, told committee home Gough’s

which few frustrating Mary belonged practice when “very clothing, or this would then the was groups and daughter women me Presbyterian in for years also only the diary stages parent, for in Graves many go busy.” lobbied Mary the that women book spend worked at of early elementary women, before to including to the work to afternoon. the were women about NEWS it Doris, of the other the she Graves As to was a years repeated the her time, for biographer had become Women’s WiseAs piano my also for at churches. took a - Mary’s Mary conu-nunity keeping morning the the SUMMER life of curfew friends been women’s joined her mother’s and members school. Doris’ great She to time prohibition and Serpents, husband’s King entry active she going play own Temperance to at regularly to a it. pleasure education. when 2001 life, The on sewed periodic afternoon suffrage, control death According who read her of that in life issues. on her her the the public campaign favourite daughter suits. for or very encour of she most in women mother in house Meth enter youth inner some Most a diary alco 1982 rais Un It had tea. ref lit— life of to is Library publicly paign in for and of grounds the the with when preached ences, love up sented ration Mary mean she of of her the contained of of From According the Mrs. 19 the welfare the her pertinent Women’s snap Local own hoped in effective the October that may Local there to by we votes-for-women city. a Women’s the

Jenkins’ Commissioners. various on of bouquet in style give her petticoats! the Council the know roses have work, life language Victoria, the She the was Council quotations Independent literary recipient to sermon and votes speaker, to 1921 been topic. and snapdragons was contemporary no retirement Doris, that fight Canadian in to panache. of minister snapdragons, she Margaret of also helped to Down and the ofWomen, Apparently Women, husband, Mary at the might”long flowers. Mary’s women, who She is speech for establishment the part the quoted dragon Political from In in Club. Graves with took her available. would Unitarian educational also Jenkins of her and the who signature newspaper was Mary on to roses often she the the a of the as The speech the occasionally Victoria be keen the belonged the Association, deliver be would having ignorance.” was presidency long stated filled signifying trousers!” on Board line:”Up speaking occasion taken bouquet of Church interest a ending prepa behalf affairs refer Times witty cam play with look with pre that of to to Left: her Graves, daughter Mary 1902. Graves Doris Belle with

5 By 1919, daughter Doris had begun her successful career as a teacher in shown by the fact that only thirty-six people, a one-room school in Sooke district. She had skipped several grades in several of them women, attended the nomina school, and had completed her education atVictoria High School and the tion meeting for the Canadian Labour Party.Mary one year Normal School requirement for teachers by the age of seventeen, Graves at first refused to stand for election, but so she needed special permission from the beetle-browed Minister of Edu was persuaded to run for the nomination, and cation,Alexander Robinson, to begin teaching before the legal age of eight led the poll with thirty-two of the thirty-six peo een. He fixed her with a stern look and asked, “Can’t your father support ple present voting for her. So she ran in the elec you?” but did grant her the necessary permission to teach. tion, along with two men, James That same year 1919 Mary Gravesjoined two other women to run for Hawthornthwaite and William Pierce. All three City Council in Victoria. The decades long struggle for votes for women went down to predictable defeat,but Mary gained had finally been won. Now women in several BC communities, filled with more votes than either of the two male Labour the highest ideals of service and dazzled by the possibility of transforming candidates. the political scene by their very presence, planned to run for office. In the In this more leisurely age,without the benefit December 1918 VictoriaDaily Times, on the “Women’s Domain” pages of of television coverage, newspapers tended to re the paper, was a report of the Women’s Independent Political Association port speeches at length. An article in the Victoria committee formed to find two women “of suitable character” to run in the Colonist of 10 June 1924 covered one of Mary upcomingJanuary 1919 civic election. Miss Crease is quoted as saying it Graves’s campaign speeches at a Chamber of was women’s duty to learn everything possible about government and their Commerce election forum. It quotes her as say— responsibility in voting. They must be accurate, knowledgeable, and ready mg: to put country before self.They would need the character and ability first Victoria,one of the most beautifulcitiesin the shown at home, and should “keep up their heads and establish themselves Northwest,with a climateunexcelledin the as a purifring element in the community.” world,good pavedstreets,cleanbill of health,but Christina Wiffiscroft and Kate Palmer ran along with Mary Gravesagainst becoming a desertedvillage,sonsand daughters leavingfor California.father or mother trying to thirteen men for ten council positions, but none of the women were elected. hold the fort alone here,hoping againsthope, Mary was the only woman to run the following year, 1920, where she yearafteryear,that things willpick up so the votes to 1685, still not enough to gain a seat.This increased her number of childrencan come back to the old home to live, year one of her nominators was Susan Crease. or that mother might be ableto sellthe house These political defeats certainly did not slow down Mary’s participation for somethingnear its valueand go to the chil in public life.In June of 1919, between the two civic elections, she was one dren. Somethingis wrong.Why are we losing to of severalprominent speakers at a mass meeting in theVictoria High School another country our chiefestasset,our young auditorium deploring the high cost of living. Some of the recommenda people,trained and equipped for the battle of tions of the speakers were public ownership of packing plants, price con life,the completedproduct of a high civilization enrich another nation,lost to Canada, trols on food, the reduction of taxes on food and clothing, and a review of gone to lost to citizenship,lost to enterprise?Have we freight rates. juggled with the unmeasuredresourcesthat Na The VictoriaTimes,less staunchly conservative than the Colonist newspa ture haslaid at our feet?Has the birthright of the Mary Graves as saying: per, quotes people been betrayed?Are our politicswithout accumulatesvast In the new daythat I hope is now dawmng,the person who vision?Isnationalconsciencedead?In high millionairehasgiventhe wealthwillbe looked down upon and despised.No placesis there alsohigh aim? world the equivalentof what he has received.Not what I can get out of my At the same election forum, the VictoriaTimes country,but what can 1give to my fellowman shouldbe our ideal....What reported that Mrs. H.W. Graveswaswell received, we need isa new senseof responsibilityand a new consciencein the interest public spirited of publicservice. describing her as a “well-known citizen” who had pioneered at municipal elec Aside from reports given by Mary Graves as vice-president of the Local tions and been narrowly defeated, and had served Council of Women regarding the Parks and Playgrounds committee, the the Local Council ofWomen with “much com next important public event in her life was the 1924 provincial election. In mon sense and business acumen.” It mentioned 1922, husband Hessay had retired from his position as Port Accountant at her advocacy of supervised playgrounds for chil the Victoria Customs House.The building where he spent his working life dren, including an excellent original scheme for still stands,a well—restoredand attractive feature of the waterfront on Wharf an Oak Bay park-playground drawn to scale,her Street. own handiwork. She was also described asa”close Mary Graves was Chairman of the Canadian Labour Party in May of student of economics” in her position as secre 1924 when they met and decided, against the advice of the Labour Coun tary to the Victoria Library Board. cil, to make a bid for office in the upcoming provincial election. Arch- The Timesarticle went on to quote her exten— conservative Victoria was far from a hotbed of Labour sentiment, as is

6 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL.34 No.3 sively.Mary Graves’s opening remarks were char acteristic:

I have been told I have gotten into very bad company” (presumablythe Labour Party or per haps politicians in general).”If that is so,some of the politicians are in worse company.”The Times also paraphrased some of her remarks. She alluded to the duties of the city women to their fellow women in the back settlements to make motherhood easier.She spoke of the ne cessityof a medical board in every city to assist the sick.Women particularly were aggrieved at the extravagant expenditure of the Government, resulting in financial depression.She turned to discussthe serious situation of unemployment. She said the fear of losing their jobs had made the people cowards.(Hear, hear). She attacked the export of logs from the Province, and the Spofford of Victoria votes for women fame at Above:Mary,Dorris,and failure to develop the hinterland of the West the Palo Alto University campus. HessayGraves. Coast. British Columbia was spending Mary Gravesdied untimely of pancreatic can $24,000,000 a year for liquor, too much for a cer at the age of sixty-one, on 23 February 1929. province of halfa million people. (VictoriaTimes, Her obituary reads in part: 10june 1924) “One of this city’s most public—spiritedwomen Mrs. M.G. Graves, Mary Graves saved her best shots for the conclu has been a resident ofVictoria since 1888.The sion of her speech. The 1924 election also in possessor of many friends, who will miss her cluded a referendum on the sale of beer by the cheerful personality and ready helpfulness, Mrs. glass,with a full-page advertisement in the same GraveswasVictoria’sfirstpublic stenographer, and edition of the Times extolling votes for beer— Sir CharlesTupper’sconfidential secretary”It goes “Secure good,wholesome beer at 10 cents a glass.” on to outline her involvement with the Local To counter the argument that beer sales would Council ofWomen, her interest in welfare work be good for business,Mary stated,”No individual and her work establishingmany ofVictoria’splay ever drank himself into wealth, no country can grounds. It also mentions her candidacy for civic drink itself into prosperity” election, and her nine years on the Board of Li Defeat in the 1924 provincial election ended brary Commissioners. Mary Graves restsin Ross Mary Graves’spolitical aspirations, but not her Bay Cemetery, her headstone lying between those involvement in public issues and community of her first and second husbands. work. In 1926, Hessay Graves died at the age of The life and public career of Mary Graves has sixty-eight, after only four years of retirement. a surprisingly modern ring to it, perhaps only Mary sold the Stanley Street house, and moved possible on the west coast of a young country into an apartment on Cook Street with her where individual merit and new ideasare allowed daughter Doris, who was by now teaching in the to flourish. She never won public office,but she Victoria school system. Possibly at this time she did participate fullyinVictoria’sciviclife through had the capital resources to buy,sell,and rent out her committee work, community involvement, a series of houses inVictoria, the last one of which and her own business dealings.Through all this, I have knowledge on Pandora Street near the she maintained her private life as a devoted wife, Christian Science church. mother, and friend. The Gravesfamily photograph album contains Today we are closer to the ideal that women several images of Mary riding in the side car of of Mary Graves’sera espoused,that women should Doris’ motorcycle, and later in their automobile. be equal partners with men in the public affairs For the rest of the 1920s,they made yearly sum and political process of the community, province, mer camping trips on Vancouver Island, to the and nation.Women like her showed it was possi interior ofBC, and the western United States, by ble for us to use our native ability, energy and car and tent, with Mary and Doris travellingwith social conscience to be effective beyond the con photo shows Mary with friends. One Mrs. fines of home and family.’”

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 7 The shipping By Ron Over wrote. retired

paper is University.This history he of 8 Scottish He based has is Ron Sutherland,a the also ALLLNc EULACMON he 28

Northern heritage. on Sutherland executive. last recently Simon interested a few courses term

Oolichan article TLPE Fraser years NET in in RU.LS WOOVE)1 NEJRIY 2. 1OVT3 U5EP spawning which fornia. most, it River most culturally, fies today attest, tween their Nisga’a of the names

T PGSTS greatly The Since the SWFTL1’. -- “food marine significant W.IE1ZE QE cultures, if life the Native area. TO but may HP It about oolichan INcS people, not southern anadromous HE I influenced and spawns 3orroM. of rivers depot,” will oolichan £LIWEP also be all, oolichan’

British environment the bands, economically half 0)4 appropriate. focus and a drain in with have Native fishery comment only

which Fishery Bering British are NET affected as fishery the on glaciers. 2 distinct fish non—Native the in in communities is Native on indicates the bistorical”grease British Sea Columbia, a that of a The For on the few is Nass trade small, spring the Y VLOwI E’Q.IFT)N to an the hundreds communities Nass occurs term dozen EOtAC4$ vRJITS northern AcjIE CANOE important Columbia. the area River origin

Columbia traders. not freshets River smelt—like, historically, in Nass richness 11Df from of only rivers, the WrrI FISI41Nc of and of POWN which 15flE trails” signi years, is Cali Even Nass their PE$ part and and 4tNLT be the the the All F,ST of of Jim’fl4EflPE. AgE Ot and from Tongass, the was Nisga’a though the served obtained gators,Vancouver ing people importance the of “people tical activities. power. the Oolichan the the oolichan Nass Native Nisga’a has printed applications, these A.it as who British grease language, OEP the no of a the nourishment and It Tlingit people. 3 the affinity culture of would words held information people SINILA. Our there FIS4 RALSEt) ‘t4.I BE.UA \M-N grease fishery Nisga’a BC they the Admiralty Nass.” Id-I a and HISTORICAL )4ET.. which village oolichan virtual and it are obtained be with This of COOLA had have FULL,4ET is IS became Meares, became NETS LLE1 \J1T14 difficult Tlingit For and the only was ALSO Ei’LD demonstrates Tlingit. is in many on monopoly, used charts—once a Pacific over condiment, fishery southern SEi7 AiW the used dialect wealth, part. MTO I400KEP both tEEI7 IS a the NEWS and to different known these surrounding a R)CS UNT).DA)4D The mIvS14A4 Nisga’a exaggerate Y in hundred names C?MdE anchored Northwest. to not ofTsimshian prestige, TO and -VoL.34 ceremonial Alaska, the ThE early names, the STICK, had from fact, Li AP.E by a Nisga’a used. uses means FT power name prac navi - years trad near No.3 area and and - and the the al in It In the following, I will first describe the har ned out by placing hot vesting, processing, and use of the oolichan, and stones into large wa will then explore some of the effects the oolichan terproof wooden fishery had on the Nisga’a people. boxes of oolichans and COOKING AND CULTURE water until a simmer was reached. As in everything else, the Native people made The lit use of their natural environment to fish for erature also tells of ca noes, half oolichan. Canoeing through a school of oolichan, buried in the the fishermen used the oolichan or herring rake, sand, being used for this purpose, as a long slender stick with sharp bone points set in and the oil rose to the one edge, in a paddling motion. The fish would surface become impaled and then be shaken into the it was pushed to the forward end of the canoe. A skilled fisherman could fill a canoe very ca 4 noe. In both cases the quickly by this rake method. Oolichan were also oil wasthen ladled into caught by the Nisga’a with a bana’a—alarge dip net made from dried nettle stems and human large square storage 5hair. The nets used for catching large quantities boxes, also made of of oolichan were manufactured out of nettle fi 11wood. bre, the twine made by women and the nets con Oolichan greasewas structed by 6men. an integral part of the The catch was taken to shore and some of it preserving of foods. was fried immediately so people could feast on Berries were dried over fires the first fresh fish of the season; some fish were or blanched, then coated with oolichan grease salted and smoked, others air-dried and ultimately and packed literature provides a firmly stored for future use, especially throughout the into wooden food-storage boxes fitted with number of spellings for this tight lids.’ Today, fish, sometimes referred to winter months.To paraphrase eminent social an 2 however, metal cans are most only as candlefish; another commonly used instead of the watertight boxes thropologist Claude Levi-Strauss, cooking is uni tinie as tlialeichthyspaqflcus, of the past. Herring spawn and seaweed versally a means by which Nature is transformed were and in some of the recent boiled and mixed with oolichan grease; even literature as eulachon. I into Culture. There could not be a more appro the will use the Nisga’a spell priate7 example of this notion than the rendering berries, crabapples, and cranberries, after cook ing of oolichan. ing, were mixed freely with the grease and stored of these fish to create oolichan grease, which 2 PacifIcRegion Eulachon Re for winter use.’ became an integral part of the culture of the In 3 These and other techniques of port (Nanaimo: Pacific Bio preserving a wide variety foods logical Station). Undated. dians of the North Pacific coast, and to a lesser of allowed the Native bands the leisure necessary to create rich William Henry Collison, degree of the Indian bands of the Interior. 3in the Wakeof the War Ca and complex art forms and perform ceremonies The oolichans were usually dumped into large noe,Charles Lillard, ed. storage bins or pits to allow them to “ripen” for such as their winter dances. (Victoria: Sono Nis Press, In some 1981), 38. up to three weeks, depending on the weather of these ceremonial dances, even the large rendering boxes found their use: they were Philip Drucker, Indians of conditions, which helped to release the oil when the Northwest Coast (Gar built into the staging, and in rendered. The ripening of the fish to various the “drowning den City:The Natural His dance,” for example, the boxes allowed the danc stages8 of decomposition, “until the disgusting tory Press, 1955), 73; ers to disappear and later to miraculously Ralph W Andrews, Indian smell has penetrated for miles, proving that pu reap pear. A similar effect was created in the Primitive(New York: Bo trefaction is well advanced,” is commented on “burning dance.” nanza Books, 1960), 41. by the various historians9 and anthropologists writ— 14 Thomas Boston, ed., Prom ing on the subject. Recently one of the Nisga’a Oolichan grease was an integral part of many Time BeforeMemory (New Aiyansh: School District workers on the Nass fishery, asked about the aspects of the ceremonies.Whenever a great feast or potlatch was held, large quantities of food were No.92 (Nisga’a), 1996), stench, replied,”You get used to it—just like the 85. required, and an indispensable white man’spolluted cities.” Sometimes the oil item to act as a T.F.Mcllwraith, The Bela 0 condiment for the food was oolichan grease. The Coola Indians,Vol.2 is extracted from fresh fish, but the Bella Coola grease,highly prized by all of the northern bands, 6(Toronto: Univeristy of for example consider this grease tasteless,and pre was used whenever eating salmon, halibut, clams, Toronto Press, 1948) 535. sumably so do the Nisga’a as to this day they Edmund Leach, Ldvi and fish continue to render the ripened fish. spawn, in fact, much of their dried and smoked fish could hardly be swallowed Before contact, the rendering process was car— without the help of the grease.’ Oolichan grease, among 5 Notes continue on page 10

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2ooi 9 10 °‘ 29Boston, 25 28Mcllwraith, 22 21 20 23 26Boston, 19 135. 14 IS 16 sity America ° 13 ‘° 8Tom Gunther H ‘2Bosten, the Indians: the 34. Straits, ‘° Collins ver 1956), Strauss 1998/January Above: Hilary similar book oolichan. 7Boston, Mcllwraith, Koppel, Boston, Boston, Boston, Aurel Collison, Drucker, Koppel, Mcllwraith, Macllwraith, Koppel, Koppel, Mcllwraith, Collison, Koppel, Mcllwraith, Koppel, Vol Northwest Saviour ofWashington Indian Koppel, 0 Egu4G transi. 78:6 122. (London:Wm. Stewart rake The & Results Krause, and (Seattle: Drawing 21. 86. 91. 22. 199, 21. Co. 127. 117. 21. 128, 22. 107. 24. Si,4FT 42. 157. 39. Fish,” (December the Nisga’a toflshfor Fishing. by Coast 537. 505; 506. Ltd., 84. “Catching 1999), 155 237. of 146. from 63. Bering The Erna a Univer The Krause, Press, if. Trip by of 1970), Tlingit ROUNc’E2 used 22. her Ben to RAKfl a and people ghost fishery the molog in There in the ing parted, and planation caught tant myth number to Nisga’a feast. tured of the groom’s way. have grease small of and oolichan types grease ever portant dressing a grease. ate Kamligihahlhaahl—the other emonies Coola ON the The the fresh To their the small anything. oolichan story spirits the miracle berries then mountain offered been 18 For that invariably this cedar in past people evening eSUTT luxuries, was 16 to have people. oolichan Bella spirit that and as referred oolichan oolichan traditional hair. 17 At of rituals, which family I.4tsW the and for of put grease members of day, tells example, well, to the supplying, oolichans portion one special was worker day many boxes how been why story. as Np. run.The provide Only Coola a other or folklore ochre for supply and A of gifts of was links would to special hosting going coming to involve arrives to along supreme C1RW5 shaman, runs. 2° their or the the access other the ceremonies of or boil return There valuable extract stories important Wiigat, them of always grease and to into songs at of gulls the gulls preparing, their oolichans chests of items Nisga’a and back the legendary dip the the dried ceremony a the at the oolichan to creator—before religious birds’ to the creation the is before food Nisga’a as the fly moving being special extended the in often his songs part of creator, an parting in LE4CTh or oolichans a the feast often filled to Bella the fish, out next the Nisga’a the time mourning a rituals end; oral hands sacred grease—their down the to of contest and Nass conducting make as placing great Saviour and hero, present towards Nisga’a functions seaweed, grease offered. with aspects Coola the morning of initiation away wedding would tradition of therefore and of Nisga’a cooking family thanks in of things A.BOUT daylight in dances year oolichans, traditional newly their they Trickster, feasts reference with oolichan oolichan oolichan the this to in River. 19 anyone burned gifts call a the to Fish. 21 Those when smear roots, a some large Bella of were who dur have hair, cos tells part cer fea dis im de the ex the the the 4 the tell sea on to all to of ni slate necessary plied made pemmican. 28 much to grilled grease insects, grease graphs hands, faces. ing. 25 A Coola their mixing should other lowship oolichan skin oolichan cultural, activity is) vest, ing his lengthy ebration. happiness oolichan fishery dressing the its developed. released oolichan The Thus But USEFUL The dictated release were first people some from and as to To skin, 26 it The as and values, as and as Nisga’a over even often be each mirrors; the followed the such taste prayers rituals and light far a netful so each the and a The this run grease and a became with to the oolichans prayer noted. the any FISH laxative Prayers Nisga’a colds. 27 that grease by surface source important an I year feasting. today, Sometimes which Plains BC show better. 29 reflect oolichan as is day, Tlingit into fisherman hot have fact ceremonial including people tidal oil open much generally of to it in to a black HISTORICAL by The commences to with summer so was the be thin to the left that fish. 24 of of the the as restore On action traditionally honour Indians concentrated leisure the explains in the the fire, complex carried the conducted well feasting used lightweight Bella Nisga’a deemed world. 22 grease; flies to in native opening a the soot coat overland the fish offers salmon image stone The hand-held referred not the the the created as slabs the time sun, values fishery dried Coola and and and for of dried of for why with to NEWS people however, general and mundane, dried harvesting a still that health created necessary oolichan wind, of of allowing a or fur similar the cook of mosquitoes, rubbing by burns, protected trips, oolichans bountiful on to polished a times nourishment, given oolichans used oolichan the the was early use the a a spirit traders -VOL. I net fish, as salmon with specialist. 23 priesthood economic, and of welfare them, the chief the viewer. 3° a prayer oolichan there oolichan (and chapped warmed and of the time photo 34 it oil for for to which of which of biting sheen black black Bella great were onto their used No.3 spir har tak cel and ap fel but still ail the ad the the are by or to of of I strong They and mon terproof BC Ulkatcho and oolichan would Ulkatcho, rubbing or traded THE for to pulled oil, mostly Native grease. Not bear the HISTORICAL making but rotten the GREASE to also by use and back Nisga’a people lost Over only fat. of still a grease leather, Ulkatcho dogs who oolichans; made it, people number oolichan long buckskin.33 their to In consider in the TRAILS came snow—covered carrying obtained for the as the part, lasting.3’ NEWS a the an appetite coastal acknowledge glue the Bella of grease tanning from alternative this to Nisga’a to oolichan native - right tan the beating SUMMER oolichan glue name Coola. the When into bands for buckskin, furs of to interior apparently would bands, mountain the the animal to fish they but oil The together needing 2001 that grease used mountain skin strong the for would present-day two.32 the rub with which they was skins, oolichan finest oolichan by was Nisga’a it fungus to passes, tasting sleighs trade, com trade with have very The they goat wa the oil Kwakiutl of Alaska extracted on return land ing Nation shells,35 canoes came into first The odist grease honour earlier these of The canoes course the in white Nisga’a the from were missionary was with every for en and whole Nass. to and ofAifred offered Nass had oil.34 to route to the the person carried the the from the catch The sea village direction, the walked Valley.37 province coveted Nisga’a, “grease The coast to obsidian Ulkatcho the Eli otter who south coastal to the from the Haida Green of south have had a Pacific oolichan Sir trails,” grease.3 different is Greenville but the was skins the had Indians from said special walked Alexander people traded arrived (1850-1912), Tlingit the coast covered slaves on Ocean and to Anahim trails or grease which from significance, to have the of their was barter in to copper, and the by the in leading Mackenzie large grease the named trail far been trails the oolichan superior interior. a dentalia Peak Carrier for Meth north up fleets Bella years trail go the the the in in in in as Above: of the hanging Bay: Ulli Oolichan Bonanza 32Boston, ‘ dian (Quesnel: Bella ° Grease 1993), Lilkatcho Sage Collison, Birchwater, Ralph Collison, Many Nass Steltzer Primitive, Eunice Coola TrailAnahim Birchwater, 10. At strings W Stories Books, River. Faces. to Spartan 110,114. — the Andrews, 38 239n. from dry. Moore Quesnel (NewYork: 11. f. mouth of of Fishery Photo 1960), the Coast Printers, Lake In of by 86.

11 — Birchwater, 9. Coola region in 1793. The centuries-old major traders, and possibly established a floor price for Robin Fisher, Contact trade route Mackenzie followed, extending 320 trading the various interior furs, etc. and Conflict:Indian-Euro pean Relationsin BritishCo km from Quesnel to Bella Coola, has become a The HBC had become aware of a drain of lumbia1774-1890, 2’ ed. designated and protected historical trail corridor furs to the coast and established Fort Simpson (Vancouver, UBC Press, to commemorate hisjourney asan event in Cana near the mouth of the Nass River in 1831,where, 1992), 12. da’s history. as mentioned earlier, the Nisga’a were conduct ° Fisher, xxviii. Maureen Cassidy, The There were five grease trails coming out of ing large volumes of trade in oolichan grease. GatheringPlace:a Historyof the Bella Coola valley, and two coming out of However, a few years later, in 1834, the HBC theWetSuwet’enVillageof Kimsquit. Many of the trails crossing the Coast fort was moved to what became known as Port Tse-kya(Hagwilget: Mountains were steep, and the grease had to be Simpson, some 30 kilometres in a northerly Hagwilget Band Council, di 1987), 19. backpacked in cedar boxes. On the rocky terrain rection from where Prince Rupert now stands. 42 Fisher, 30. the grease would often leak or spill, staining the It seems that the HBC did not fully understand Fisher, 30. rocks along the 38way. the Native bands’attitude towards territory when G.VP.Akrigg and Helen However, the grease trails were not only used it came to trade, otherwise they would not have B.Akrigg, BritishColumbia Chronicle1778-1846: Ad for transporting oolichan grease and by the oc moved the fort from Nisga’a territory to what venturersbySea and Land, casionalexplorer or adventurous missionary Many had been a temporary camping place of the 2” ed. (Vancouver: Dis Native and non-Native people, the latter usually Tsimshian. The Nisga’a became extremely an covery Press, 1975), 289. accompanied by Indian guides, used them as the noyed and threatening, and the HI3C traders made Fisher, 31. 46 existing routes of travel at the time. “a rather undignified retreat.” Cassidy, 19. only 42 Koppel, 23. The temporary Tsimshian camping place at 48 TRADE ON THE COAST Koppel, 20 f. Port Simpson quickly became a winter village, ‘ Earlier I referred briefly to inter-tribal trade and Koppel, 25. and the Tsimshian endeavoured to control the ° Koppel, 23. I will now try to shed light on the grand scale of s as Collison, 244. the trading units and the coordination the Na trade by establishing themselves the middle men between other Indians and the HBC tives used. The literature indicates that the Indi trad ers. The traders at the fort found 1834 to be a ans of the Northwest Coast did not feel they were year as the Tsimshian withheld furs being exploited by the non-Native traders, and poor their convinced others the Probably were generally annoyed whenever they lost trade and to do 43same. did any convincing to opportunities. Robin Fisher contends that the the Nisga’a not need with 39 hold their furs as they were likely still annoyed Indians and the European fur-traders shared a mu about the moving of the fort. Captain McNeil tually beneficial economic system. While that aboard the HBC Llama arrived at the mouth of may be true, it appears that the°4 native bands were the Nass in mid-May 1835 to find an American often the ones who were dictating the terms, or vessel already trading for furs—the Nisga’a con at least were trying to do so.This is reflected in tinued to teach the HBC a lesson. the events of the early 1830s. 44 The feisty Haida could not be prevented from At that time, the Gitksan, Carrier, Sekani, Bea trading at the fort, but the Tsimshian undertook ver,and Chilcotin tribes alltraded with the coastal trading trips to the upper Skeena to trade with Tsimshian and Bella Coola tribes, who in turn the Gitksan for furs and returned to the fort to traded with the English, Russian, and American realize a handsome profit. They would not allow sailing ships. In the upper Skeena, before the the Gitksan to come to the fort and trade di founding of a Native village at Tse-kya about rectly. The Wet’suwet’en records on the other 1821, theWet’suwet’en had participated in a yearly 45 hand indicate that they thought they were better trading fair downriver across from the present off trading with the Tsimshian than trying to deal town of Hazelton, and these fairs continued un directly, which suggests that the Tsimshian were til the late nineteenth century. Haida, Tlingit, 46 as as good traders. Nisga’a, Tsetaut, Kitamaat, Babine, and good salesmen well Wet’suwet’en traders met every summer to deal THE OOLICHAN FISHERY TODAY in copper, oolichan grease,kelp,and herring eggs, Late in the nineteenth century, non-Native and from 1812, guns, cloth, blankets, axes, and entrepreneurs built factories to exploit the iron pots were traded up the Skeena as 41well. It oolichan fishery; however, the business failed as seems logical to assume the coastal tribes would the oolichan was not suited to canning, and the have used the opportunity to discuss their re grease never became a source of food outside the spective trading policies for trading with the Hud Native 47communities. Today,while in decline in son’sBay Company (HBC) or other non-Native the southern rivers, the oolichan fishery is still

12 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VoL.34 No.3 vourite spring abundant fresh, dred took each rendered oolichan rendered valley fishery ten ago week.49 with run lation this the The ing Bay Before only is trict Nisga’a above would then—to five the travel, BC lost public gather to fishery the aries for emony81 to they on the declared. tion a The Fishery The Considering Christianity ensure HISTORICAL his the fact event oolichan seasonal part camp children each each continues tons thousand on of coordinates Nass at approximately played tons family the then by for would nearly the not baptism most on Nisga’a power the alive, status apparently of importance condiment. Pacific that from the of grease—still and six boat. This the harvest February oolichan on family for in Valley mouth of the for be Bay, smoked, 1998, time their that as a weeks—and important to and village Nisga’a their fish, fishery, the and move majority48 the missed. have can senior boats the their river the middlemen symbolism Indians have to Northwest and 22 It feast For that estimated the heritage NEWS the entire the spring took School power, Nass. the of enough be was entire way experience is a season kilometres to A to dried, fishery declaration of simplified each two him, kept accessible supply the own the oolichan. chief were first oolichan Mission on used people a their century Nisga’a prepare the Fishery Fishery five - of In and would popu defin break SUMMER Nass, hun Nisga’a and fresh their Nass spring.50 for the Dis only life. and that and run most chose at use the would for fa at and by so to of sacred the a considering site attending the Bay of appropriate occupied this hub people, of 2001 centre not his decision is the place of reflected conversion have the oolichan the of through the a for a place to posi trade been cer role vast his be in permission incidence to ish network at tribal are comprehensive they Douglas) cannot centuries Faces We successfully the thank Columbia questions were (Douglas trade history be to Ulli of to of illustrate that the answered use give inter—tribal Steltzer being - & that chailenge and first images of they McIntyre) land them this the -- come Canada in in and from were here.’” claims article. BC a oolichan a Hilary :- unique activities, the leadership and their to the to on governments mind Indian agreement? actually books Stewart first land advantage? fishery, is when Coast Fishing Indian role it for claims? negotiate then their but of of Did looking of

(JJ. nation These Many inter— a Brit kind That they co the a Above: bins, to of ten Ulli be Many days Steltzer the cooked. Fishery oclichan of Faces. storage from Photo Bay:After is Coast in by ready the

13 Frank Dwight Rice: A Veteran of Many Wars ByRobert W.Allen,B.C.L.S.,C.L.S.

Robert Allen is a Frank Dwight Rice, British Columbia Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer (BC), was de professional land scribed by his daughter, Rose Hassen, as a courageous and self-sacrificing surveyor and engineer. surveyor in private After further study I feel Mrs. Hassen has been very modest in describing her late father; not many practise in Sechelt. He people would have been able to survive the hardships he endured. is a past president of both the BCLand Surveyors Association and the Association of descendant of United Empire Loyalists hambraTheatre for that town’s“Mansion House.” Canada Lands Survey and sixth generation (on his father’sside) Some residents of the nearby town of Phoenix ors. Robert Allen is to be born on this continent,Frank put on the concert and one of the starswas Mag currently chairman of A Dwight Rice was born in Waterford near istrate “Willie”Williams. He was six foot ten and the Historic&and To weighed 135 pounds.When he appeared on the Biographical Commit ronto, Ontario, on 25 April 1881, the oldest of stage dressed as “Little Bo Peep,”with four feet tee of the BCLand seven children. At the urging of an aunt and his Surveyors Association. uncle, Robert Wood, who lived in Greenwood, of skinny legs, slippers and short socks, a little BC, 17-year-old Frank decided to “go west” for dress,and a yellow wig of long curls surrounding a visit. He would never live in the east perma his dark beard, he had the audience in stitches Mrs. Mat S. (Rose) nently again. On 23 September 1898, with with his antics. Hassen née Rice of five In another story from 1899,Rice mentioned Armstrong, BC. Fortu enough food for days,he boarded the train nately Rice wrote about in Toronto heading for Sicamous where he ar that his Greenwood hockey team travelledby train his early days of surveying rived on September 27th and spent the night in to play in Rossland, and after the game they all and travel, albeit not until a hotel. Early the next morning he took another went to the International Hotel to watch a little later in life.These writings of the gambling. “Father Pat,” whose real name are still in the possession of train through Enderby, Armstrong, and Vernon the family and formed the to Okanagan Landing, where he boarded the SS was apparently Reverend Henry Irvine, showed basis of this article. Sicamousbound for Penticton.After spending the up about midnight passing around his hat taking 2 C.A. Shaw comes from a night in Penticton in the Incola Hotel, he left up a collection for a widow whose husband had long line of Scottish ances recently been killed in a mining accident. He try from the region of the next morning by a six-horse “deadwood” Inverness. He was born on stage coach equipped with leather springs,bound collected enough to buy her some coal,blankets, 15 November 1853 in for Greenwood via Okanagan Falls, Fairview, food, and make a deposit in her name in the bank. Toronto and started help McCurdy’sRanch, Camp McKinney (where they While working for C.A. Shaw, Rice started on railway surveys at ing out asan axeman. By his own admissionhe didn’t the age of 15. He became spent the next night), and then Rock Creek, ar an Ontario Land Surveyor riving at Greenwood on 30 September 1898.The do very well for a few months, but he finally got in 1877, a Dominion Land booming community of Greenwood, where he to be pretty good with an axe. Afterwards, he Surveyor in 1880, a ended his journey, was named after Mr. Green, became a chainman and then an instrument 3man. Manitoba Land Surveyor By 1903, C.A. Shaw,who had taken a fancy to in 1893, and a Provincial the then mayor, and Frank Rice’s uncle, Robert Land Surveyor (British Wood. Rice, suggested that he try becoming a land sur Columbia) in 1896. He Starting on 1 October, his firstjob was to run veyor.That year Frank Rice wrote the prelimi was surveying various rail the Greenwood post office for his uncle and that nary exams,passed,and then entered into a three- lines for the Canadian Pa year article period. During his article period, cific Railway until 1882 job lasted until 1900. Then there was a federal when he took on a two- election, a change in government, and the end of Rice’s work took him to, among other places, year contract with the fed hisjob. As a teenager, he had enlisted as a volun Princeton, Trail, Great SlaveLake,Khutze Inlet, to subdi eral government teer for the Boer War, but he was under-age and and Laredo Channel, Hazelton, and Stewart.Near vide some of the prairie the end of his articles, he broke an ankle climb townships into sections. his chest span wasn’t adequate. He soon found a He was in private practice job with a local Provincial (British Columbia) ing over a fence near Rock Creek. With his an from 1884 to 1892.When Land Surveyor, Charles Aeneas Shaw,and spent kle in a cast,he was unable to traveltoVictoria to he moved to British Co his life as a land surveyor in his beloved adopted write the final B.C.L.S. exams. However, he did lumbia he opened an of make the trip in April 1908, and he passed the fice as a Provincial Land province of British Columbia. Life was not all work2 in Greenwood, as Rice final examinations to become British Columbia Notes Continue on opposite page related a story regarding a fundraiser in the Al- Land Surveyor number 23.

14 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL. 34 3No. rushed about trying to find Left:FrankRicewith a alternative transporta lightmountaintransit, tion—there was no road in probablyon a mineral 1908—and managed to claimsurvey. rent a rowboat. He rowed all the way from Squamish to Vancouver and barely made it to the railway sta tion to catch the last train Surveyor in Greenwood in to take him to Ontario. 1896. C.A. Shaw also had Those knowing the dis offices in Keremeos and tance from Squamish to Vancouver prior to his Vancouver and the type of passing on 9 May 1942. Most new assistants on a weather it must have been survey party would start in December will under Out as an axe man; cutting stand that his trip to Van survey lines, making wooden stakes and couver was quite a feat.His posts, etc. hands were so cramped After some time they from all those hours of would become a chainman rowing that he was unable entrusted to read the dis to straighten them out and tances measured with a steel tape, called a chain af needed help to reach into ter the earlier versions of his pocket for his fare. the tapes.There would However, he did make it normally be two chain- men, one at the front in time and was duly mar of the chain, the other at the ried in Picton on 24 De rear. Between them they cember 1908. would make accurate dis The newlyweds bought tance measurements from one point to the next. The a lovely home in the instrument man would Kitsilano neighbourhood usually be the head of the ofVancouver where their survey party and would be first daughter, Evelyn, was responsible for moving and setting up the transit born in 1909. That year (or “instrument”) and mea and the following year saw suring and recording the Not long after that he left Greenwood to go Rice working in the mountains east of Hope, in angles that were then used north. Even today his survey posts can be found the Flathead River area in south—easternBC, and to calculate the bearings from one point to the all corners BC. In 1908 he had an points in between, To the couple’s sorrow their on four of next. office in Stewart aswell asinVancouver and while first son was stillborn in 1911.A short time later Rice’s listing in the office again working near Hazelton, he met and fell in they moved to Queen Charlotte Islands where of the Corporation of love with Clara Evelyn Hollingsworth who was Rice continued surveying for a few years. The Land Surveyors of the Province of British Co She was family lived in a the nursing in Dr. Wrinch Hospital. from young tent near mouth of lumbia indicates that he Picton, Ontario. At her parents’ request they the Tiell River, halfway between Massett and was on the practicing list planned to be married in Picton on 24 Decem Queen Charlotte City.The Haida people became from 1908 to 1914, in the ber 1908. At that time, Rice was working near friends of the family and Chief Charles Edenshaw “war” from 1915 to 1918, on the practicing list again a Squamish and had to catch a ferry to take him to became particularly close friend of Rice’s. in 1919, on the non-prac Vancouver to catch the train to Ontario.The ferry Mrs. Rice’s sister,Rose Hollingsworth, a very ticing list in 1920, back on followed a fixed schedule docking first at Britan beautiful young woman in her early twenties, the practicing list from nia Beach, then Woodflbre, and lastlyin Squamish came out from Ontario to help out with Evelyn 1921 to 1941, on the non- practicing list in 1942, in before returning directly to Vancouver. For some who was by now 3’/2 years old. Mrs. Rice was “His Majesty’s Forces” in unknown reason, the Captain had reversed the expecting her third child and the baby was to be 1943 and part of 1944. He route and when Rice rushed down to the dock born in Prince Rupert.The ship only sailed twice was then back on the practicing list from 1944 in Squamish he saw the ferry as it pulled out of monthly and Mrs. Rice, not wanting to spend a until 1950, his last year of Woodflbre and disappeared south. He frantically lot of time away from her family,waited one sail- active surveying.

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER zooi 15 Rice passed away ing too long. Frank Rice was called in off the dropped dead in front of them. She wasn’t in on 22 February 1967 in survey party and with the help of a Haida woman jured and it was never determined whether it Kelowna, he left his wife, Jessie, and his twodaugh delivered the first white boy born on the Queen was the concussion of the blast or the fright she ters Mrs. WE. (Evelyn) Charlotte Islands:Samuel Dwight Rice. All went must have felt, having one child on the street and Thorpe of Puyallup,Wash well in spite of a difficult birth. two inside, that might have caused her to have a ington, Mrs. M.S. and A week later tragedy struck. While paddling heart attack. She was only in her early thirties. (Rose) Hassen of Armstrong, BC. Also sur in the ocean and watching young Evelyn on the Evelyn, the oldest, ran back and got her sister viving were his brothers beach Rose Hollingsworth disappeared. Again and brother out of the house.A terrible blizzard Hugh A. Rice of Stockton, Rice was called back from his work this time to followed the explosion. The children wandered California, and Fred C.W. help search for Rose. He swam for what must around for quite some time getting thoroughly Rice ofwinnipeg, Manitoba, and twosisters, have seemed hours and he was the one to find chilled until friends took them in and moved MissJessieA. Rice, Bran— her body. them to the country where Rice eventuallyfound don, Manitoba, and Mrs. In 1914,when war was declared, Rice tried to them. Rose blames her brother’s short lifespan Helen Davidson of enlist. It wasn’tpossible until later since Rice was on the blizzard. He soon developed chronic Toronto, Ontario. 6 made Rice a triple— married with two children. His three brothers Bright’s Disease and suffered an attack of polio war veteran: Boer War vol and his two male first cousins were already mo that left one leg shorter than the other. Frank unteer, Royal Canadian bilized. Rice’s brother Hugh was badly wounded Rice asked his parents to look after the children Engineers in the First but he survived and later became a mathematics until he could make other arrangements.He trav World War, and then the RCAF in the Second professor at a university in Chicago. Another elled to Toronto to renew his acquaintance with World War. brother, Fred, was gassed. On his return to Win Jessie M. McClelland, a nurse who had been aid nipeg where the family lived, he was appointed ing his aunt.They were married on 30April 1918 head of the Soldiers’ Settlement Board of Mani and returned to Nova Scotia until Rice was dis toba. Frank Rice’s youngest brother, a pre-med charged.The marriage would lasttillRice’s death student was killed in France 1916. almost 49 years 5later. Rice was finally accepted into the Royal Ca When Rice was posted to Nova Scotia, he put nadian Engineers and posted to Nova Scotia with theirVancouver home in the hands of an unscru the rank of captain. A German attack was ex pulous real estate agent for rental. The man did pected on the Atlantic coastline and Frank Rice rent out the home but pocketed the money and was second in command of a party constructing they eventuallylost their home to a tax sale.When the gun emplacements on the eastern seaboard. the family was finally able to go back to British Before the Armistice he was promoted to major. Columbia after the Armistice,there wasno home Mrs. Rice was staying with Rice’s parents in awaiting them. After Rice returned to civilian Winnipeg where, in 1916, Frank’s fourth child, life, he applied for employment with the gov Rose, was born. After Rose’s birth, the family ernment and was sent to the Kootenays to sur moved to Nova Scotia to be nearer to Rice. On vey farmland for the veterans. Full of hope and a 17 December 1917, while Rice was in barracks sense of security, he moved his family to Camp in Sidney,the devastating Halifax Explosion oc Lister to begin work. curred. He received an army communiqué or After examination he discovered that the so- dering him to return to Halifax to assistin its called “farmland” was nothing but bedrock. He reconstruction.There was a postscript at the end contacted Ottawa and told them that he had yet of the order stating that his wife had been killed to hear of a crop that could grow on bedrock and his three children were missing. and that he preferred not to be connected with a The Rice’s home was located in Dartmouth scheme that treated veterans in that way.The overlooking the harbour, and it wasin one of the government issued an ultimatum: you’d best get worst damaged areas.The damage was mostly on on with that survey or we’ll find someone else the harbour side.All the windows were shattered who will and you’ll never get another govern and the family suffered from facial cuts from fly ment assignment as long aswe’re in power. ing glass.The roof had dropped into the living The government did just that. Out of work room and the piano had dropped into the base and responsible for his family,Rice now really ment. Mrs. Rice was on the back porch seeing had to scratch for a living. He finally heard of Evelyn off to school when the explosion oc work up north, so the familywent to Anyox,BC, curred. Dwight and Rose were in the kitchen. in 1920 and they spent the next twelve years be Mrs. Rice rushed back to see how they were and tween Anyox, Alice Arm, Stewart, and Terrace.

16 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL.34 No.3 Rice started to work for Grandby Consolidated snowshoed out the 18 miles to give Rice the message. Mining, Smelter, and Power Co. Ltd. in Anyox Between 1939 and 1940, Frank Rice was the engineer and BC Land and designed the power dam that earned him his Surveyor in charge of the erection of the wartime huts on the Seaforth degree in Civil Engineering. His design was Armouries parade ground. When the RCAF required huts, Rice was con adopted by the company for all its other opera tacted and it was suggested that he accept a commission in the RCAF tions from that point on. (Flying Officer and later a Flight Lieutenant) to supervise construction. In the 1930s there was little or no money. Due After the usual procedures, he was eventually sent to Coal Harbour at the to Dwight’s continuous battle with Bright’s Dis north end ofVancouver Island and later to Bella Bella. It was decided it was ease, he missed a lot of school and Rose and more economical to have an RCAF squadron building their huts rather Dwight were in the same grade by the time they than civilians. entered junior high school in Prince Rupert. My6 first encounter with Rice’s work as a surveyor was in 1972 while I Evelyn had to wait till she was 18 to be accepted was working for Robert Durling, BC Land Surveyor, in Powell River. into nurses’ training to become a Registered Rice’s style of survey plans intrigued me and later in 1972 when I moved Nurse and she went off to Victoria in 1927 to to Sechelt to open an office, I came across his work of his last year of active train at St.Joseph’s Hospital. In 1932 Dwight was surveying again. In going through our office files, the first record I have of again admitted to hospital. When the doctor in Rice working on the Sunshine Coast was on 23 March 1945 when he did Prince Rupert had done all he could he sug the survey for Plan 7243 (Vancouver Land Registry Office). On that plan gested taking Dwight to Vancouver to find help in his oath, he stated he lived in WestVancouver. His survey for Plan 7429 for him there. Rice had neither work nor money, was done on 1 June 1946 and by now he was living in Sechelt. By early and even begged to shovel coal on the docks in 1947, he had moved to Selma Park, now a local neighbourhood in Sechelt. Prince Rupert, but was turned down because Given the number of plans on record, Rice kept quite busy from 1946 to “Frank, you’re a professional man and this is be 1948 doing various subdivisions, crown land surveys, etc. The last plan I neath you.” He could have cried; he was really could find of his work in the Sechelt area was done on 28 May 1949 but by desperate. A very dear friend, Captain Dixon of this time, Rice had moved to Westview, now a local neighbourhood of the Union Steamship, Cardena, and later Catala, Powell River. Rice’s listing in the office of the Corporation of Land Sur heard of Rice’s plight and offered to take Mrs. veyors of the Province of British Columbia indicates that he was on the Rice and Dwight to Vancouver as his guests. practicing list from 1944 until 1950, his last year of active surveying. Thanks to friends and the Masonic Lodge, of Frank Rice was one of the original members of the Association of Pro which Rice was a long-time member, they were fessional Engineers of British Columbia and in 1952 at age 70 he was able to find a small apartment in the West End made a life member of that Association. Rice’s thesis for registration in the for Mrs. Rice and Dwight.Just before Christmas Association was about the design and construction of the dam and power 1932, a wire arrived in Prince Rupert for Rice house at Anyox, at the head of Portland Canal.Visiting the Cominco plant to come immediately if he wanted to see his son atTrail in October 1965 during a regional meeting of the BC Professional alive again. But how was he to get there? Once Engineers, it came out that Rice had done the design and more at Anyox. again Captain Dixon came to the rescue, but 16- He was also the oldest person at the meeting and the first person in attend year-old Rose would have to await a future sail ance who had worked for Cominco. It was a highlight in Rice’s career ing because of regulations. when the host,J.V. Rogers, Chief Engineer for Cominco, recognized these Rose would look after packing up their fur facts in an after-dinner speech and also mentioned the project at Anyox. nished three-bedroom apartment in Prince Rice was presented with a life membership in the Association of Profes Rupert after Rice left for Vancouver. Rose did sional Engineers—a very proud moment for him and for all his family and not know that they owed fifty dollars rent and friends. the landlord, hearing that Rice was leaving, had Frank Rice died on 22 February 1967 in Kelowna. His daughter, Rose, the sheriff lock their door and seize everything. said of him: “He was very special—never lost his humour or good nature Rose did everything she could but as she was and always bounced back from every blow life handed him. Men on his only 16 she was informed that legally she could survey crews alwayssaid they’d never heard Frank Rice loose his temper or do nothing. Rice lost everything for a debt of utter a word of profanity Nor did his family. . . .Dad never felt he had a $50.00, which he intended to repay. Christmas tougher time than others... He always came up smiling. I am proud to be was not joyous that year with Dwight dying, but his daughter.”” everyone made the best of it. In the New Year, Rice found work in the Cariboo surveying min SouRcEs: Frank Rice’s personal papers and photographs in possession of eral claims. He was 18 miles out of Barkerville Mrs. Mat (Rose) Hassen, Correspondence with Mrs. Mat (Rose) Hassen; when Mr. Kelly’s newscast on the radio an Office of the Surveyor General of British Columbia; Office files of Robert nounced that Dwight had died.A friend of Rice’s Allen and Company, Professional Land Surveyors, Sechelt, BC.

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 17 18 Heart than Days: which House. published written ago. a north

Hazelton a in parallel, Pioneer regions practised Were Dr.

by and Cariboo number Prince Eldon Eldon three Dr.Lee Giants Stories of of the and of the before the George and Lee, medicine ranch, of latest central by decades E. Can in published has fifty-first from books

Heritage the Lee raised the Those boo, settling is more the vast BC They of in

on

James Prince Jackson, James his on prairie fathers, brary room there and professor Burbank, was took couver homestead when Latin mother, later Washington’s industrialist ing tedious suasion. the grandfather, peace the grandfather American tor. highlands gins. fered and tion George He From cook 1912, George 1746 Once In His its apartment work immediately one Allan Cleveland’s the card with as of spite the unlimited the eastern on Seminary arrived that and of determined at for as forebear Luther and Vice James Secretary and who and the An while enthusiast, here, Sarah possible, age Central ethic; Jr.’s room at BX Congress, achieved stage of surrounding political time he of the in West on he his served cemetery. uncle Allan Scotland President identified the in picture terminus.This twenty Army on Steamship in came he North was a an left Jane, a family McLane, mortal his coach in second hunting great-uncle,Adlai fell Allan for matter Somerset, Fort the Point. established example Street impulse of

he McLane Jr. the Glenburn, and was never entire wealth to as in

bridge George young of Washington, the of upper became bought Dakota. hangs he was to ambassador George love soil get to May remains of McLane featured military Benedict respectable the Colonel rivers term. which close Treasury the and to tried life completely the Soda entrepreneur, got and to a as set with floor ladies player, Revolution. South to his state prospered Indiana, Colonel a a fishing was establish far United head to This by His North off train pooi and prominence in became this sod lie life. Creek the soul the Arnold prominently John came of away energetic spent at of April under of DC. in Stevenson to father, Fort lakes and soon day A busting the ticket mistress Scottish hail Ashcroft. vibrant Maryland water possibilities. the gentle France also Dakota. States great-great bonded in a while Stretch, and from old apparent, and from in in A pool George. gourmet and of Andrew as became that old He George to Luther Prince Prince rest the great- tower a Prin

1912. Auto fore town from from Van as on dur per trai card of sec ori hail was and Sr., He the the his of li an In to in in in a a a James, became stood with ming were vided was nishing. unpainted Yellowhead Land fic table, sided included Trunk essential advance. toilet and cabin part acres. gling. the the east of high-back tion in given spoiled by to Sarah sisting velop company. Shirley a cess half The When the It the In there Miller his attention Fraser end enclosed a of Theatre of was a sold 1917, The chairs, pooi. The on roof was facilities. Jane frozen had newly an heating. restaurant. wood-burning Charles and famous on Pacific the sparse level Herber, Prince by

A Court The the had a of groceries. wooden in James unlimited making through Addition Shirley, comfortable purchased area River. “Quick a in old and her communal touring brother cabins arrived On the 1924 Bridge wood and to opened Prince land passer-by BC 1919, ofJames owner’s building, Railway in lawn Indian brew A grandmother George.The is Millar whitewashed Rent be warm arrived Fraser McLane HISTORICAL double gravel Each still sink that the piilars.A later above a Lunch” were a Charles floor a sedan. from Candy, and now market high tab window favourite George highway just known coffee was reserve home summer with acquired cook the McLane. Railway timbered outdoor school property was to he Shirley banks to an bed constructed covered the California occupies downstream school keep purchased five increasing backwash branched on and nuts, warmed entertain for up-turned running each east stove served and completed Auto as that river exterior. to day NEWS to 15-year—old George dollars to days, accommodation. widowed her Bridge. Herber the If privy home part after passers-by. terminus Quesnel and morning. two in with became form she there that this was grandmother Court. as Millar and -VOL.34 young to the cold legal of auto—traffic of her soft the out was uncles served with a a and Street, Six also linoleum riverboat area from live This carpeted was the store Lee, a night the the cheered family’s mother friends caught plot swim driven to drinks Grand water, wran Addi of niece, Many rustic these four- Each peo river with pro No.3 traf over fur 200 was and was the de the for for in in it pie flocked to the Auto Court (also known as “The Tourist Camp”) to swim in the warm wa ter. The more adventurous climbed on inflated tire tubes to floatwith the current to Fort George. I remember Billy Bexson, a council-man and Prince George businessman,standing on the div ing board to swim to Johnson’s Island which at that time extended right up to the bridge; tall and fit and quite bald, he was later to cause a scandal by eloping with the wife of Dr. Treefry, an early doctor of Prince George. Life entered a pleasant phase for James, he had good friends in the McKenzie family, the busi nessman Ivor Guest, the Williams family, the teacher Ehza Milligan,and other avidbridge play ers.There was a ritual in their winter parties that were termed “Telegraph Bridge Events.” Each One story deserves retelling. In later years, Above:1940.James gathering took place at a different place and fea James and friend John McKenzie (father of our McLane,centre,andJohn tured gourmet cooking, wines, spirits,and bridge Dr. Jack McKenzie) were returning from a suc McKenzieon theopposite playing into the early hours of morning. cessfiilhunting trip up the Stewart River when sideofthefire.The name Each fall,he took a ten-day hunting trip with the boat waswrecked on a large rock in the mid ofthepersonon the right friends John McKenzie and Ivor Guest. By boat dle of the Nechako River.The boat, guns,moose, ofJainesis notknown. they made their way up the Nechako and Stewart geese, and camping equipment floated on down rivers and invariably returned with moose and the river leaving the two Nimrods perched to geese sufficient to provide exotic game dishesfor gether on a six-foot rock in the middle of the the long winter months ahead. river where they remained for 17 hours. Finally With life going on in such an agreeable fash a worker on the railway track heard their cries ion, why then did James McLane fall into scan for help and they were rescued,The spectacle of dal,deep, dark, and foul? In a moment of folly he two sturdy Scots clasping each other in a tight simply absconded with another man’swife. One embrace for seventeen hours might seem ludi winter’s night, at the home of the McKenzies, he crous, but it was very prudent on their part for if took the hand of Kerry L. and announced to the they had fallen in the ice-cold river they would shocked listeners that they were a pair, and pro not have survived. ceeded to settle her into his home at the Auto James continued to operate the Auto Court Court. This was a matter not lightly regarded in through the war years when the cabins provided those days of persisting Victorian beliefs. Good accommodation for the families of soldiers. In friends remain loyal,but time exacted a terrible 1949 Eugene Wiens purchased it and it remained price.His familyto which he wasstrongly bonded in operation under various owners until 1971. was horrified. It is reported that he asked his sis The timber-structured home was moved back ter if the family could ever forgive him, and the two blocks where it is still in use. Following the sister,who loved him, looked at him directly and sale of the Auto Court, James founded the Park said,”No, the family will never forgive you!”This Hotel and dabbled in real estate. He owned judgement was harsher than proven by events twenty-eight lots south of George Street. because James was eventually forgiven even The ties to his many bridge-playing cronies though the transgression remained on his con warmed hislastyearsand once again he was back science. in favour with his many friends and acquaint James, while forgiven, had to terminate his ances.He passedawayin 1950,aged 71 yearsfrom relationship with Kerry, although it produced a a complication following surgery—a complica child who became a respected and successfulpro tion almost surelyprecipitated by yearsof his rich fessionalman in Prince George.James made pro cooking. He was my grand-uncle, and his estate, vision for the son and for his secondary educa through my mother, helped pay my way through tion, and the McLane genescontinue on in Prince medical school. Perhaps this is part of his legacy George under other names. to Prince George.’”

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 19 A Vancouver W. when Alberta-born by scholarship Arts. during Vancouver Banif Meyers in Navy before those engineering Meyers He by ment lance 20 Rogers Kovach. From Track-laying a Meyers the has Leonard diner. One for a School of writer he years

Tribute Pass CPR painting serving the been worked was the five won summer— After came in in war— for gang as for and employed for City depart years of a Leonard 1937, 1885. W. 3rd a 33 free by in the the Fine all in near to more. of cook Meyers years. the Rudy the war Macdonald The a grew CorneliusVan ing ning Illinois, brought blood. ending effect road annexed union imperative.When that the of railroad, railway constructing a came dom, to 1871,a”railway major transcontinental Prime Building union raise boxcars north

to isolated American fever in to up into on with reverberation a to undertaking.Who finance every to capital, into in by Minister thriving him. paving the being. at half meld

Van and government a a the the British an it? veritable the transcontinental West. Home, direction. Little clause” of master clanking this West The United mostly early the One the Canadian John railroad BC North railroad, immense Columbia distant wonder of Canadian way the age. as entered of was railroad railroad A. passing from States. The in

Home steam a its man America. Macdonald town for Railroads would written means regions Ottawa was major fabric project, he young the a sought Confederation would railway To engines yard. trains Pacific builder with transcontinental raised developed be United of into achieve functions before together, to He Van in The were controlling and trains and out have advocated would construct syndicate the charge in had William realized Home shunt never- to by Joliet, it King in terms this to their run rail find was was was the his be be in of a James join had Railroad was post the way Winnipeg cisely Home mental he tendent the through. & most ing building moth for Van Home sea. Secretan, It There paid The Van St. As was We up he had thought and the his only cially wouldn’t to I man, sit time everything with a time. the of company its Home of was the job greater Paul important the know a J. in did to superintendent extraordinary the Home place... did and and Everything. no president, superintendent off eyes monumental surveyor and teach to of awful Hill, Winnipeg his Engineers was one of Mr.Van or Canadian at had not kind to use not on line. contract talk in of the the in the him office men, age in have do on. physical of one Dominion hesitate a the realized BC for and a required. responsibilities, the 2 this like was his on Canadian of Section the Southern few Canadian January One and was 27. William a date Englishmen bunch HISTORICAL man on and Home to general Van general in any end memoirs: His single to his and few as versatility. weeks in Pacific, At to he spite supervise to the of say General smoke conceivable Home own of in power ways in project that like told Man not October who “You would of 31 let in the d_..._.d the 1882. particular Pacific about the of of can company’s manager, Pacific the Cornelius manager Minnesota a us he him me Van he man. only were to got being general and a syndicate Canada Chicago, he or when need know Boss He chronology came Chicago do cigar to held run do once the Next NEWS and appealed to always Canadians the Home Engineer Railway, not 1880, for He seemed took it,” subject; Railway. carry it a know of a building a he a what then way. very the the ‘if the to and transit his hard-driving man William our foot Everybody had Van to he from staff, -VOL.34 Milwaukee first line. I had Canada members, it and charge syndicate own At new could the was omnibus him to busy this superin ways wrote he to would long a was of but about Home espe came to lots we J.H.E. first of admire mam At Alton sea know sign great of and pre way. rail Van line man Van No.3 also and the the of 38 he it. to in to at while he talked and at the same time make a splendid etching on the blotting pad in front of him. All the time apparently thinking of some thing else,and probably gazing at a map on the wall.He was a great big man with a gigantic in tellect, a generous soul with an enormous capac ity both for food and work.” (John Murray Gib bon, Steel of Empire (Toronto: Bobbs Merrill, 1935) Van Home’s curiosity was boundless, with a con suming interest in such varied subjects as paint ing, ceramics, fossils, gardening, etc. His energy and physical strength were alike prodigious, and his capacity for work surprised his colleagues. On the lighter side, he enjoyed convivial company and a game of poker, and a mischievous streak frequently led to a practical joke. Under the able leadership ofVan Home, work progressed on the transcontinental railway, de spite hard economic times and political and fi nancial setbacks.And the critics — when the fu ture of the railway was in doubt—were never far away. Others were distant critics as far away as London,England. Onejournalist, with a particular bias and a preconceived prejudice against Canada, Canadian politics, and the Canadian Pacific Rail way in general, wrote in a Trutharticle on 1 Sep tember 1881: The Canadian Pacific Railway,if it is ever fin ished, runs through a country frost bound for seven or eight months in the year,and will con nect with the western part of the Dom.inion a province which embraces about asforbidding a country as any on the face of the earth... .British Columbia, they say,has forced on the execution of this part of the contract under which they be he wrote to Rogers, “that an ample supply of Above:WilliamCornelius come incorporated with the Dominion, and be good food be provided and that the quality be Van1-lorne,builder,general lieve that prosperity will come to them when the beyond the possibility of doubt.” manager,president,and line is made.This is a delusion on their part. The same standard was to prevail on the CPR chairmanof the Canadian PacificRailway. British Columbia is a barren, cold mountain diners. Van Home cautioned against too large a country that is not worth keeping. It would variety for obvious reasons. The cramped diner never have been inhabited at all,unless by trap kitchens could only accommodate so much food pers of the Hudson’sBay Company, had the and a limited menu. But the meals that were ‘gold fever’not taken a party of mining adven served were to be the turers there, and ever since the fever has died of highest standard—cour down it has gone from bad to worse. tesy and consideration had to be the watchword of conductors, porters, and stewards. Van Home exhibited empathy for the well-be Van Home was a doer: a man of infinite drive ing of his vast army of construction workers. He who would not brook delay. Meeting a schedule was particularly concerned when one of his sur was imperative in his book. “If you want any vey crews, Major A.B. Rogers and his staff, were thing done,” he once observed, “name the day looking for a route through the near-impregna when it must be finished. If I order a thing done ble Selkirk Range—which later became Rogers in a specified time and the man to whom I give Pass.They were on meagre rations that consisted that order says it is impossible to carry it out— mainly of beans. “It is exceedingly important,” then he must go.”

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - 2001 21 Secretan, a surveyor on Van Home’s staff,had couver it shallbe if I have the ultimate decision.” a personal experience in a verbal exchange with Vancouverwasincorporated in 1886and the early the man he called the “great magician.” Van city fathers,heedingVanHome’s preference,chose Home was determined to build five hundred Vancouver as the name for their new city. miles that summer. Finally the monumental task was completed. In discussingthe projectedlocation,I pointed The historic signposts of construction converged out that sucha line wouldoften run through an on Craigellachie in the heart of the Gold Range. infertilecountry.ButVanHome wasadamant Donald A. Smith, Lord Strathcona, at a ceremony and saidhe did not carewhat it ran through...I on 7 November 1885, drove the final spike sig doubted if he couldpossiblyconstructfivehun nalling completion of the line almost five years dredmilesin a shortsummer,but he scowledat ahead of schedule.Also on hand were other offi I presence’he me fiercely,and before left‘the in cials and directors of the company who came me that ‘nothingwasimpossibleand if I formed west for the historic occasion taking place in could showhim the road it wasallhe wanted British Columbia.They travelledon a train com and if I couldn’t,he wouldhavemy scalp!’(Gib prising Engine 148 hauling cars “Tepedia” and bon, 1935) “Saskatchewan.” Present also for the ceremony As a matter of fact,VanHome did lay about four wasVanHome, the man responsiblefor the physi hundred and eighty miles of track that summer. cal reality of the project.A man long on railroad proceeded steadily on Canada’s first Work building but short on words—on this auspicious transcontinental railway,with undiminished in occasion at least. Around the rugged barrier reefs of the dustr “All I can say is that the work has been well Great Lakes, spilling onto the western plains done in every way:’Van Home said on a trip to where new towns sprang up in the wake of the London in 1894,where he receive a knighthood as thousands of settlers arrived to take up line (Sir William), “I am now sitting on the fence, homesteads and push the frontiers (at times cheap enjoying the sight of watching other men work. resisted by hostile Indian bands) ever westward But the CPR is in most excellent hands, and no gangs proceeded laying ties as the construction one need worry about that. No railway in the and rails on the flatlands at a remarkable pace to world has at its head a more capable and devoted eventually,the backbone of the nation, the scale; man than SirThomas Shaughnessy.” spectacular, mishap-marred Kicking Horse Pass, Van Home renounced his American citizen through the rugged, turbulent Fraser Canyon ter ship and became a Canadian citizen after build ultimately, at the tidal waters of the minating, ing Canada’sfirst transcontinental railway.He as at Port Moody. Pacific Ocean sumed the CPR’s presidency from 1888 to 1899 original compact called for a railroad to The and was chairman from 1899 to 1910 of one of and the former colony joining British Columbia the great railwaysof the world. Canadian Confederation as a province, with the The VanHome family—VanHome was mar terminus at Port Moody. But transcontinental ried to Lucy Adaline, and they had three chil Van Home came west in 1884 on an in when dren—divided their time among a large summer spection tour and surveyedthe terrain of the pro home in New Brunswick,afarm at Selkirk,Mani posed terminus and the inadequate restricted toba, a luxurious winter retreat in Cuba, and their harbour, he concluded that Port Moody and its regular home, a 52-room mansion on Montreal’s suitable for a future large uneven terrain was not Sherbrooke Street where he kept much of his terminus for his transcontinen city and a fitting valuable and impressive collection of European Pacific Railway, and extended the tal Canadian paintings,Japanese pottery, and fossils.His Mon on Burrard Inlet at a place line to Coal Harbour treal home was demolished in September 1973, later Granville. unofficially called Gastown, to the consternation and dismay of many Mon between Van Home At a subsequent meeting treal citizens who loved the oldVictorian struc surveyor and CPR land and a Dominion land ture and revered its owner. Van exclaimed: agent L.A. Hamilton, Home SirWilliam CorneliusVan Home died in Mon This is destined to be a “Hamilton! Hamilton! treal in 1915, age 72. His body was taken in his greatest in Canada. And great city Perhaps the private mahogany-panelled railwaycar to his old that it has a name commen we must see to it hometown,Joliet, Illinois for buriaL’’ surate with its destiny and importance. AndVan-

22 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VoL.34 No.3 Archives Adventures

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23 Token History: A. C. Cummins, Ferguson, BC by Ronald Greene

The settlement of Ferguson was named after believed that his father had a fruit plantation and David Ferguson who founded it in 1895.A note was associatedwith a railwayin the country; some in the ReveistokeMail in mid-1896 described the how involved in management, and possibly even town as follows with the typical boosterism of an investor. Unfortunately Alec’smother, Mary the 1day: Ann5 Christie Cummins, died of fever at age 30. The new town of Fergusonis situatedat the Alec’ssister, Mabel, was sent back to England to forks of the Lardeau2River and about 15 miles live with the mother’s sister,who was married to fromThomson’sLanding.It is a most suitable an Italian named Cato, while the boys, Alec and and probable sitefor a town,being on a large Fred, stayed with their father. Tragedy struck a stretch of almostperfectlylevelground. It has second time several years later when the father quite convenient,unlimitedwater power for died, Alec and his brother Fred returned to Eng smeltingand other workswhich willprobably, land where they received a good middle class with the developmentof the mines,be built education, supported by their uncle. Fred went there in the near future.It is surroundedby the very best mines in this sectionand allwithin rea on to become a banker, eventually becoming a sonabledistance,viz:GreatNorthern Group,one bank manager in Winnipeg. Alec was found ajob mile,Poole Group, fl/a miles...SilverCup, 6 in the merchant marine, but he didn’t care much miles. for the work, When he arrived in Vancouver, c. The time was during the silver mining boom of 1894 he jumped ship — by this time his sister and the mid 1890s. Ferguson was located in the brother were living in Vancouver. He worked 6 a inland. In Lardeau country of the Kootenays, some 5 miles for the CPR for time, then headed (8 kilometres) up Lardeau Creek from Trout Lake selecting Ferguson he got almost as far from the City, at which point the creek empties into Trout ocean asit is possible to get in British Columbia. In July 1901 Alec Cummins married Berthia RevelstokeMail, 1 August Lake. As the newspaper indicated it was sur Burrell ofTrout Lake City. Bertha—she didn’t 1896. rounded by a number of silver mines in the J. 7 known as the mountains for which it was the supply point. like the spelling Berthia—and her widowed Lardeau Creek.The were living at the Abrahamsons’ Queen’s a 1 mother Lardeau River is a differ Ferguson received post office on December Hotel there. The mother was listed as a house ent stream. 1898 and was first listed in a British Columbia Henderson’sBritish Colum Directory in 1898. The population of Ferguson keeper and the daughter as a waitress. Presum bia Gazetteerand Directory peaked at about 200 in 1903. In the early 1920s ably they were living and working at the hotel. and Mining Companies there were still 100 people in Ferguson. Bertha’s older sister, Mattie, married Noah 1898. Abrahamson, the resident manager of the Queen’s Dominion of Canada Henderson’s BC Directory for 1901 gave the Census of 1901, film population at 150 and the Dominion Census Hotel in May 1901.The owners, the Abrahamson T6430, Section G9. 4 Bros., also owned the Central Hotel in that year listed 130 names, surprisingly missing Interview with the issued Bertha’s us a little puzzle Reveistoke, where they tokens. granddaughter ofA.C. A.C. Cummins. This caused 8 father had been a carpenter and he was killed by Cummins, Mrs Joan Davis, ment, but we discovered that Cummins was the 23 March 2001. enumerator for Trout Lake City and surmise that a falling tree when she was nine years of age. 6 Mabel had married sewing to help since he would have been out of Ferguson on Following that she had to work Arthur Percy May in 1894 support the family and so received a very limited and Fred was working for census day the enumerator for Ferguson didn’t education. After Bertha and Alec were married the Bank of Montreal in include him, and he didn’t add his own name to lived in Ferguson the local schoolteacher 1895. Trout Lake City because he was a resident of and Certificate Marriage Ferguson. boarded with them and taught Bertha how to 1901-09-176504. read and write. She became a prolific reader and But that is another story Alexander Christie Cumniins was born in Liv she too was widowed at an early age she which will be told in due erpool, England in 1870.The family,including a when course. sister and younger brother, moved to Costa Rica resisted the urging of neighbours and friends to ReveistokeReview,13 De where Alec spent most of his childhood, It is send her children out to work, insisting they ob cember 1922.

24 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL.34 No.3 tam general miles his was he guson Bertha AC.) his after directories was ber fruit The mation which operation Cummins,

not ons left evenings Westminster Ferguson W Hospital cember

several

cents which about Round: BC token The Right Right Burrell

Alec

Alec

also

Cowan

death. death

1909

Ferguson

a

HISTORICAL not read.

in

a

Cummins

credit business,

1898.

it

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Cummins further might

courtesy Dawson,

member

for

bottom: top:

is laid

was and

1910.

had

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they

Cummings

large

1922

unlikely

and

in

in to

Interestingly

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and

a

was

mm, were

Alec their

Cummins

general

claim indicate located directories

for

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while

not

provide Reveistoke

the 1922. at

Elizabeth

where

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shortly

Y and up enough

at

B.C. was

The not

son,

Ferguson Cummings,

long

Leslie

1906

among T,

of to

as children:

age

miners,

NEWS to

also

the

have that became

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in has

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at

taken

Database

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being

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she

indicates

549

C.

Ten afterwards,

was 1898 and

a Lardeau used

to Cummins

been

to

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(Betty)

the

Ferguson enough

several

reverse

As - Hill.

large.

died

These

where

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mention

SUMMER

at his

Two many

to rate

Mile,

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Fred

the

1908 pallbearers.

a it

issued

and least to

F0860b.

wife

merchant

is 1912 the

a

at

in

that

were postmaster

that they

a

confectionery Lardeau read In born denominated Abrahamsons

years little

issued

Creek.

Ferguson. born

which

the

typhoid from

of

Bertha he directory

from

much 1968.”

moving

show

Queen

is Ferguson,

Hockey

Alec. 2001

issued

mention

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whom

did.

common

books

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credit

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25 GOVERNMENT HOUSE 1401ROCICLANDAVENUE VTCTORIA,!RrnsH COLUMBIA V8S 1W

May 13, 2001

Personal M.c.Shirley Cuthbertson Chairman Historical WritthS Competition British ColumbiaiistOrial Federation #306 - 225 BelleyuleStreet Victoria,British Columbia V8V479

DearMs Cuthbertson: Many thanks for your mpst kind fetter of April 18,2001, apprising me of the winners of the2000 British ColumbiaHistorical Federation’s Writing Competition.

Much appreciated.

ft was a great pleasure for me to make some of the presentation on May 5h, and Ihave written a note a/congratulations to each winner.

Asa histozyaficionado a/long standliz&it’stremandausfygratifying for me to see that Instorical chronicles of our marvellouspivvmce not only continue to bc written and published and with so much depth, quahty und-vththiy

Evezycontinuing best wish.

Garde B. Gardom, Lieutenan&Governor

26 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VOL.34 No.3 Winners of the Competition for Writers

,— 434 )k 2000

The British Columbia Historical Federation is pleased to announce the winners in the Federation’s year 2000 Historical Writing Competition. Richard Somerset Mackie received the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for his book Island Timber:A SocialHistory of the Comox Logging Company, VancouverIsland, published by Sono Nis Press.The

judges agreed that it is “. . .an excellent book, showing how accurate, Above: At theBCHF AwardsBanquetin Richmondon balanced history can present a credible picture of an industry in its 5 May,theLieutenant-Governormademostoftheaward historical context, including, quietly, environmental costs.” presentations.His HonourGardeB. Gardom.Q.C. is seenherepresentingRichardSomersetIVlackiewiththe The Encyclopediaof British Columbia, edited by Daniel Francis, CertjficateofMeritfor his bookIslandTimber:A Social published by Harbour Publishing, was awarded second place. In History of the Comox Logging Company,Vancou checking the histories of their regions, the judges were satisfied ver Island,publishedby SonoNis Press.RichardMackie with what they read; one judge called it “polished, enjoyable holdsin hisright hand theLieutenant-Governor’sMedal reading.” for HistoricalJ’Vriting. The TransformingImage: Painted Arts of Northwest Coast First Nations, by Bill McLennan and Karen Duffek, published by UBC Press, was

third. One reader called it”. . .a beautiful book, using images retrieved from faded paintings to impart a better understanding of the techniques, aesthetics and persons who created the works.”

Also mentioned with distinction were: Gold and Grand Dreams: Cariboo East In the Early Yearsby Marie Effiott, (Horsdal & Schubart): a book that the judges agreed gives good historical value for a broad audience and that a strength of the book is the emphasis on context. They were also pleased with originality in sources and approach. Milk Stories:A History of the Dairy Industry in British Columbia 1827—2000,by Dr. K.Jane Watt, (published by the Dairy Industry Historical Society of British Columbia) is in the judges’ opinion and well-conceived “company” history—the subject and the material is original, the writing lively,with excellent photos and reproductions of documents.

Above:His Honour,theHonorableGardeB. Gardom The awards were presented by Lieutenant-Governor Garde Q.C. congratulatesEdward(Ted)Affleck.the winnerof Gardom, Q.C. to the authors present at the Federation’s Award theprizefor bestarticlein BC HistoricalNewsfor the Banquet in Richmond. year2000. Affleckhas beenchosenfor hisarticle “Steamboatingon the PeaceRiver,”publishedin Volume As well the Lieutenant-Governor presented two of the publishers’ 33 No. 1.Thejury commentedthat “therewerea couple certificates in person to the President of the Dairy Industry His ofotherarticlesthat deservedconsideration,butTed’s torical Group, Walter Goertzen, and to Jean Wilson of UBC Press. extensiveresearchand excellentwritinggavehis articlethe edge.”

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 27 Book

Anne Books

28

Jeanette

J.M.

Jeff Murray

Marjorie Daphne Virginia

Mrs. Laura

Michelle

Home reviewed reviewed

and River reviewed Trail Morag reviewed Rehabilitator’s

The reviewed Notes Sumas Cries Western

One

reviewed Heritage, Method, reviewed

reviewed Wing Openings:A

The

reviewed

Recollections

Lederman

Yandle,

Bumsted

for

Amor

the

Fur

Cameron

on

Last Foot

from of

City:A

Taylor

Greig

of

of

review

Jones Sleigh,

Prairie

Maclachlan. Discovery

Ice:A

Barr

McDevitt

the

Canada, Trade

the

the and

by

by

by Enemy:A

by

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Book

the

Wild:

Champions,

Raven:A

Meditation Barbara

Brian Ian

Sumas the Pratt

Cosmos Susan Harper Susan Journal,

Richard

History of Richard Susan

Century

and Wars:

Susan

and

ed.

Netshed,

a

Reviews

Border:

Review

Kennedy. A

Islands,

Homesteader’s

Area,

book

Wildlife The Gobbett.

Stacey.

Stacey

Lake,

Novel,

Stacey

Stacey

of

Schrodt.

Novel

of J.

J.

reviewed The

Campbell on

Founding

Lane.

Hockey

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History,

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been

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a have been allowed to participate. Finally,the Beginning with an Indian legend and a arrival.” She also states that Natives to the demise of Canada as a hockey power in the history of the First Peoples,Taylor tells that north were “. . . well supplied with guns and 1960s is matched by the rise of teams from few tribes actually inhabited the site of the all the necessary‘appurtenances.” European Communist countries, notably the present—daycity; they preferred the lesstem The idea of a fixed link toVancouver Is U.S.S.R.The use ofsport to advancenational pestuous waters to the north and south.The land has also recently re-surfaced. Interest policies waspart of the “Cold War” conflict First Peoples so much a part of the commu ing to speculate what Campbell River’s his between East andWest,starting in the 1950s, nity,Taylordoes not then forget,but includes tory might have been like had the first fixed and international hockey competition was a them in every chapter thereafter as she dis link proposed by AlfredWaddington in the showcasefor this conflict;Greig barely men cusses economic developments and the 1860scome to fruition, one brought forward tions this in his account. However, it was people who experienced them. again by Campbell River visionary Mike clearly not the intention of the author to She moves on through changes,from the King in the 1890s,and later by Pat McGeer engage in interpretive historical writing. He coming of the first white settlers, through in the 1970s. wascommissionedto write about the Smoke farming to logging, the ones from commer River City provides a wonderfully brisk, Eaters, and this he did. Trailon Iceis for the cial to sport fishing,to mining, to pulp and extremelywell-illustrated,authoritative,com hockey fan.’’ paper manufacturing, and to eco-tourism, all prehensive history of Campbell River and ReviewerBarbaraSchrodtisa sporthistorianand overlainby the cyclicalbooms and busts,and the Discovery Islands,a credit to both the associateprofessoremerita,the UniversityofBrit the environmentalindustrialbattlesthat chal author and to Harbour Publishing,the leader ish Columbia lenged this community. She draws frillchar in BC coastalhistory publications.’” acter sketchesof Campbell River’smain fig ReviewerIan Kennedy,a retiredteacher,livesin ures:Fred Nunn, firstsettler;CharlesThulin, Comox. River City: A History of Campbell the commercial giant who built early hotels River and the Discovery Islands and stores;the Painters,buildersof the world- Jeanette Taylor.Madeira Park:Harbour Pub renowned sport fishing lodge; Roderick The Fur Trade Wars:The Founding of author and environmentalist; lishing,1999.239 pp.Illus.$36.95 hardcover. Haig-Brown, Western Canada Frank Essu, enlightened Indian chief and J.M. Bumsted.Winnipeg: Great Plains Pub REVIEWED BY IAN KENNEDY. JohnYoung, controversial school principal. lications, 1999. 272 pp., Illus.$19.95 paper amongst these sketches, Jeanette Taylor’s River City: a History of But, interspersed back. CampbellRiverandtheDiscoveryIslandsright Taylor presents humorous yarns about the REVIEWED BY BRIAN GOBBETT. well serve asa template for any local history. often unruly,yet fun-filled, west-coast char The fur trade wars in the opening years of An historian who worked in the Oral His acters who inhabited the area.These asides nineteenth century have produced an tory division of the BC Archives and who lift and lighten the book.Who could not be the enormous amount of secondary literature, has served ascurator of the Campbell River interested in reading about “By God” both among contemporaries and within the Museum for 20 years,Taylor has written a Stafford;“Cougar” Smith—who killed over historicalmemory. From 1816 to 1820 more fine, lively,free-flowing account of the po 1,000 of the beasts;“Bullshit” Bill;” Sore- than 30 accounts were published in Canada, litical, social, and economic elements of this Neck Annie”; or about Cosmic Logging,the Great Britain and the United States,as well diversenorthernVancouver IslandConimu hippie, “state of mind” outfit that tried un as countless newspaper articlesand reams of nity on the Johnstone Strait. successfullyto make a go of it in the 1970s? legal materials.Thereafter,amateur and pro The brightly coloured front cover encap On page 156 a copy of a 1951 letter to a fessional historians alike have made the sulates the content. A large picture of fish- doctor from an up-coast logger about the struggle between the Hudson’s Bay Com boats—long the lifeblood of this “Salmon logger’sinjured dog is an absolute delight, an pany (HBC) and the North West Company Capital of the World”—tied up in front of uproarious gem. (NWC) a constant theme. Jack Bumsted, a modern condominiums is a background for One minor criticism of the volume is the professor of History at the University of smaller pictures of Indian totems and the lack of a detailed map.A fine map relating to Manitoba, adds to that number in a well- longhouse at the Discovery Harbour Mall, a the early explorers appears near the begin written synthesis that places the events of statue of a logger climbing a spartree,a light ning of the book, but the whereabouts of Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Coast in house, and one of the blowing up of Ripple such places as Ripple Rock, Duncan Bay, their proper national and international con Rock. The back cover depicting a tranquil Duluth, Rock Bay,Oyster Bay,WillowPoint, text. coastal sunset shows the picturesque gran and Stories Beach, as well as a multitude of The earlyyearsof the nineteenth century deur of the area and suggestsits eco-tourism other places—though the text refers to were an era of unbridled competition in the potential.The story in a nutshell. them—remain a mystery.Agood map would race for flits acrossa vastportion of western Once past the cover,black and white im have been a considerable help to the reader. North America.The HBC’s ancient charter ages,set near to the text referring to them, Some interesting ponderables in light of was challenged by the upstart NWC, an op continue to enliven the storyline. In fact, so recent events:Taylorleavesthe door open to eration that was in almost every way anti complete are the captions that by reading the possibility of earlier explorations, well theticalto the older company.Bumsted’snar them one can glean a fairly comprehensive before SamBawlf’srecent publication about rative focuses upon the sometimes violent overview of Campbell River’shistory with Drake’s voyages.She writes that the Natives competition between the HBC and the out even reading the text. But, don’t skip any in and around Campbell River “...showed NWC from the founding of Lord Selkirk’s of that fast-paced and well-organized text. littleor no surpriseat. . . [CaptainVancouver’s]

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 29 settlement in 1811 to the eventual merger a great pride. As well as the family histories, Cries of the Wild: A Wildlife decade later.While Selkirk and the HBC had which are grouped in 20-year periods from Rehabilitator’sJournal conceived of a commercial war, they were 1880 to 1940, there is an interesting general Jeff Lederman. Surrey: Heritage House Pub unprepared for the open and sometimes vio history of the area, a wealth of photographs, lishing Company, 1997. 144 pp. Illus.$19.95 lent conflict that followed. Of course, the many in colour, and excellent maps.There is paperback. most notable incident occurred at Seven also a section entitled SpecialAreas of Inter REVIEWED BY SUSAN STACEY Oaks when a group of Métis led by Cuthbert est, which includes miscellaneous informa Grant killed the HEC local governor Rob JeffLederman wrote this book to raiseaware tion that could not be included elsewhere, ert Semple and 20 other men. ByJune 1816 ness (and funds) for the non-profit Island items too detailed for the general history,and the NWC seemed in control: they had beaten Wildlife Natural Care Centre on Salt Spring family history gathered too late for inclu back theAmerican traders in the Pacificslope Island.The former artist, now a naturopathic sion in the main text. and held the upper hand in both Red River caregiver in the field of wildlife rehabilita The rather awkward title reflects a certain and the Athabasca region. This position of tion, has produced a work that is short on difficulty in defining the area. Sumas Lake, authority was not lasting, however, and politics and harsh environmental rhetoric and which lay in the middle of the Lower Fraser Selkirk was able to re—assertcontrol of Red full of engaging stories about wildlife reha Valley,affected a large geographical area,part River. By 1819 both sides realized that the bilitation projects. of which was bisected by the 49 parallel. costs of the fur trade wars had become pro Cries of the Wildis a polished public rela For many years settlerson Sumas Prairie used hibitive and with the convenient death of tions effort,well-written, carefullyedited, and Sumas City inWashington astheir main cen Selkirk in 1820, a merger was realized the thoughtfully designed. It presents 17 stories tre. This connection with the United States following year. about specificwild animalsthat came to some was also true in Columbia Valley,but geo In contrast to many works of popular his sort of grief in their encounters with hu graphically neither Columbia Valley nor tory,The FurTrade Wars is immersed in pri mans, and explains the methods and philoso Majuba Hill are part of the prairie. Happily mary and archival material. However, given phy behind their treatment and release back the editors have included a section which Bumsted’s familiarity with the archives (he into their native environments. Interspersed describes the districts they have chosen to edited portions of the Selkirk papers), it is among the stories are four environmental cover. unfortunate that The Fur Trade Wars lacks essaysby Stefania Gaspari, whose credentials An editorial note outlines some of the reference notes asa guide to further research. are unfortunately never presented. She does, difficulties in undertaking such a project— style on In a more serious omission,Bumsted has little however, write with an authoritative memories are often selective and there can discussion on how the mixed-blood partici subjects such as lead poisoning, threats to be inconsistencies in public records. Mistakes pants viewed the fur trade wars and, in par marine mammals, coyote extermination, and can also slip in elsewhere as for instance the ticular, the battle at Seven Oaks. Bumsted diversity. Cowichan (p 8) who came to fish in the does make clear that Cuthbert Grant saw This book is an easy,informative, and en Fraser in large numbers are confused with lovesanimals. himself as a NVC clerk and not as an au tertaining read for anyone who the Lekwiltok who were the invaders that tonomous leader of the Métis people. Nev It is entirely suitable for young readers, and terrorized the Stó:lô. But this is a mere ertheless, Seven Oaks has become a central would make a wonderful school library re quibble. This history is a potpourri of fasci symbol for generations of Métis, and some source, not only for its information about nating information presented in a handsome discussionof itssignificanceis highly relevant, human interaction with BC wildlife,but also volume which makes an important contri particularly given Bumsted’s assertion that as a model of very good storytelling.’’ bution to a part of British Columbia which is co-authorof change a this decade left a powerful legacy in the for ReviewerSusan Stacey has undergone enormous in rela mation of western Canada. Salmonopolis, (1994). tively short period of time.’’ edited The Fort As historian Lyle Dick argues in theJour ReviewerMorag Maclachian naloftheCanadianHistoricalAssociation(1991), One Foot on the Border:The History of LangleyJournals, 1827-30. the historical memory of the fur trade wars Sumas Prairie and Area and Seven Oaks in particular has relied upon Daphne Sleigh ed. Sumas Prairie & Area Notes from the Netshed myth as much as fact. In the nineteenth cen Historical Society, 1999. $50 hardcover. Mrs. Amor de Cosmos. Madeira Park: tury,Alexander Ross and George Bryce saw REVIEWED BY MORAG MACLACHLAN. Harbour Publishing, 1997. 255 pp. Illus. the Métis as“savages”and insisted that Seven Members of the Sumas Prairie & Area His $17.85 paperback. Oaks constituted a“massacre.”AsDick notes, torical Society published this book, which REVIEWED BY SUSAN STACEY this interpretation has persisted, and many helps to preserve their past.They spent a great The dedication of Notesfrom the Netshedsa Canada’s most “popular” historians have of deal of time gathering information, collect lutes British Columbia’s commercial fishery continued this racial myth. In contrast, ing photographs and family histories, and with the observation: “It may not alwaysbe Bumsted’s work is mature and nuanced, and result of these soliciting financial support.The a living, but it is a life.”It perfectly captures myth in favour of hard work in the eschews efforts would undoubtedly have been a fam the spirit of the book, which chronicles the archives.The Fur Trade Wars is a useful syn ily album writ large,but, wisely,they engaged day-to-day, season-to-season lifestyle of the that sets a high standard for writers of thesis Daphne Sleigh to edit their material and pro B.C. commercial fishing community. The popular history.’’ vide some context for the biographical in collection of two-to-three page articles,origi ReviewerBrian Gobbettis agraduate student at formation. The result is a significant local nally published in “A Letter From Home” ofAlberta the University history in which all those involved can take columns in the Canadian FishingReport and

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of of a ment of characterization as stereotypes are Redman published in 1936,where the nega brought into question. Clare, who is in town tive portrayal of native peoples is neatly Newsworthy to give a speech on “The Advent ofWomen flipped into an equally problematic idealiza Books listed here may be reviewed at a into Civilization”inevitablyfallsin love with tion and romanticization (seeFrancis,chap later date. Forfurther information on any one of the Boisseneau brothers, and solves ter seven,“Indians of Childhood”). title, please consult BookReviewEditor the murder-mystery. But there is a serious The structure of the novel is of some in Anne Yandle. side to her presence: the battle for women’s terest,shifting as it does between characters’ Sir FrancisDrake’sSecretVoyageto the suffragein British Columbia. When one of perspectives,aswell asgiving spacefor those NorthwestCoast ofAmerica,AD 1579. the Boisseneaudaughters arguesthat suage distant voices, such as the letters sent from Samuel Bawlf.Salt Spring Island:BC, Sir is of no relevance to women because they the front. The connecting device that holds Francis Drake Publications, 2001. 149 are“...too weak to participate in the excite the perspectives together is analogous to the pp. Illus. maps. $60 hardcover. Available ment of elections and...don’t have the intel “tunneling method” ofVirginia Woolf’s Mrs. from Sir Francis Drake Publications ligence to understand politics” (p 21), Clare Dalloway:that is to say,the inner worlds of Ltd., P0 Box 236, Salt Spring Island, answers with reference to the “women on characters are explored, until the shared ex BCV8K 2V9. the Prairies” who already have the vote. periences of the spirit world are discovered. BuffaloPeople;Portraitsof a Vanishing Manitoba had first shifted in favour of Whether coming from “Indian Jacques” in People.Mildred ValleyThornton. Surrey, women’ssuthagein 1915,followedbyAlberta digenous beliefs,JulietBoisseneau’sreligious Hancock House, 2000. $16.95 paper and Saskatchewan; British Columbia fol yearnings, the depression caused by the loss back lowed in 1917,with a two-stage implemen ofJuliet’s child, or the death of Clare’shus The Lord’sDistant Vineyard:a History of tation: first,war nurses and relativesof mili band, the root causes are eventually of less the Oblatesand the Catholiccommunityin tary men and then all women in 1918 (see consequence than the results:a shared sense British Columbia.Vincent Jean Barman, pp 218—219).Clare Tate notes of vision that transcends the restricted out J. McNally.Edmonton: University of in the novel how prohibition and suffiage look of the patriarchal business—oriented Alberta Press andWestern Canadian are linked, as well as the fact that women’s community. While McDevitt never quite Publishers, 2000. US $34.95 suffrage creates opportunities for political reaches the aesthetic coherence that Woolf hard cover. existence in ways denied women in BC up did with the “tunneling method,” she does to this point. bring order to a novel that could otherwise Mr Menzies’ Garden Legacy:Plant Collect Eventsin the novel get more complicated be criticized for overstepping its generic ingon the NorthwestCoast.Clive L. with the ongoing critique of gender stereo boundaries. What McDevitt adds here is a Justice.Vancouver Cavendish Books, types, which includes the exploration of a delight in exposing the hypocrisies of a fast- 2000. $22.95 paperback. spiritual dimension to existence, connecting changing world, lacking the irony ofWoolf’s The One-Room Schoolin Canada.Jean the redemptive desires ofJuliet Boisseneau, shell-shocked post-first-world-war society, Cochrane. Calgary,Fifth House, 2001. the mourning and melancholia of ClareTate but adding a vitality and understanding of $16.95 paperback whose husband has died, and the various wider elements of the new vigorous com PioneerPhotographersofthe Far West;a hauntings throughout the community. The munities of British Columbia.’” BiographicalDictionary,1840-1865. Peter off-stageghostlypresence of people who are REFERENCES: E. Palguist and Thomas R. Kailbourn. distant (likethe men serving at the front) or Stanford University Press,2001. US Barman,Jean. 1991. TheWestBeyondThe deceased,begins to affectthe rigid values of $125 hardcover. the patriarchal world that is fast-crumbling West:AHistory ofBritish Columbia. Sit Down and Drink YourBeer:Regulating given the political changes and the critique Toronto:University ofToronto Press. Vancouver’sbeerparlours,1925-1954. of sexualpoliticsthat Clare’spresence brings, Francis,Daniel. 1992. TheImaginaryIndian: Robert A. Campbell. Toronto: University alongsidethe obvious sex-crime of the mur The Imageof the Indian in Canadian ofToronto Press, 2001. $19.95 paperback der of one of the prostitutes. As such, the Culture.Vancouver:Arsenal Pulp Press. novel can alsobe calleda study in hypocrisy, A Sto:lo Coast SalishHistoricalAtlas. Keith Thor Carison Ed. asthe more sheltered townsfolk begin to re & 2001. alize who actuallyusesthe brothel. Vancouver:Douglas McIntyre, The weakestdrawn character in the novel $65 hardcover. is“Indian Jacques:”asconstructed in a piece This BlessedWilderness;Archibald of generic fiction, he could be excused for McDonald’slettersfrom the Columbia, simply taking on stock-attributes; but the 1822-44.Vancouver: UBC Press,2001. novel goes beyond stereotypes in general, in $75 hardcover. fact becomes a critique of gender stereotyp TungstenJohn.John Harris andVivien ing, and thus feels particularly weak when Lougheed.Vancouver: New Star Books, regurgitating the “image of the Indian” as a 2000. $19 paperback. in touch with the highly spiritual being Vancouver& Beyond:Picturesand Stories side of nature, and so on. In fact, “feminine” from the PostcardEra 1900-1914. Surrey: almost be drawn from “Indianjacques” could Heritage House, 2000. $24.95 paperback Seton’s infamous publication Gospel of the

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 33 Finn Reports

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Most but to not plank the of consulting men. to Slough from half circumstances It part This settlers nity really good was The As read these protect create compensated It the of all their a a of South #5 think roosts brothers, ofSointula built you of there move was these floodgate was Word Slough their to of As built nets a at Finland the One fishing as roads What the a the hot land the a road rich dykes result were (now place the the intended sauna dry idea, close move bluestone put Jack a felt a at Mr area tried at Arm was as their real high logical way the linen on flood notices sauna to were of south . the salmon got Finns was and Not laid the the well. revived roads arriving there and Kidd Finn you block the to did the Jacobson top to only was even to landowners. wanted built conimun.ity and at to same to tides. to and fields on around for moor the #5 nets. on nets often their tides. and on everyone work end use Finns changes; choice could would get least not first stop Number of a Slough) in the had on a that Malcolm there runs tanks at loss a off pilings kind the road road foot the time afterwards. the Some the if They and away ofWoodwards it grandfather what to and land really Finniand a their The and the Mr south done both you in of as Ladner did were and one going get better said set not surface to trail Royal chicken of was that end that net as a a the so even Kidd of thought chickens In most from as is as to of needed felt first religion.After start 4 transport clean up boats exist drain the cousins, keep ends have a Island; Thomas now farmer, for up Finmsh a forced dyke possible Road went 1900 enough sheds the protect of up proper new they dyke safe the tired Ferry. Columbian Ottawa first road houses to using the and important of the the the then by houses big ofWood been and the for the came Finniand harbour. he commu in down net this it country. the used Slough. to did poverty had system Finnish before to taking had slough Fraser uncles, job farm route. fisher was Finns pump was south John them in Tiffin K.idd had to river room those store were rack able find was the bog did not out the set to to to of to to all a a a land. men and marriage with large or and take net they was Slough in as did it They ing the after Steveston were amounts boats men was Jarvelainen nies distinctive up a Finnland nunster lands Steveston times drum fishing ing coast. revolutionized and outside abandoned depression do. He gines and could another.These the By by week All By In sheds ground, and repression harvest not most They a nothing a were George, could here were said the spent were a bringing hand. parcels had 1910 fishing if remote and fishermen’s The the whole have BC and in 1931 day toVancouver. could exist down the to world take same there and or land of and road bought them. at bachelors to or late building adapting HISTORICAL put-put could the buy built buy Huovinen One there time of was invented set lived a weather fish ever Finn to row was so car but arrived and a day to picmc be all place in take of pulling savings would the Easthope in was 1910s their the was Ladner them Malcolm they so the the old it Kaarlo straighten newer this the done dump living was done canneries, on and Scandinavians but Steveston their not boats to Slough version river. rich out week’s sound always gas going several those nets, Finn in their they fishing at Russian Fraser was Downtown go the built area on and a in dress here for as brothers,John, always by on more solid Finn boats of or those people motors that and totally those The at one had the one first and and muscle good. NEWS talked often that boats. yellow was two, early even supplies a net motors mostly of through float up Islander, False they way River out was dozens Slough the group put boats industry original way quickly Vivian out the several powered empire community pull of days. keep could in traded days lines. had dollars to to slept 1920s broke Finn your houses to canneries well of old the of its -VoL. Wild work could Richmond to cedar. Creek. New from them related drive fishermen that and keep not how Steveston offisher either best It the one after of up the be Even Ford river in compa engines. in in known and Slough settlers fingers Laurie Kaarlo, would fisher a on 34 West. them. alone. some gillnet come in West had heard their worst Finn back Fin make Now very with long their fish or piece once them sort hav No.3 The this by en the the on is so in to if a going. However life as a fisherman was never easy.George died at the age of 39,John died at age 50, only Kaarlo made it to old age. At the plenary session of the Federation’s conference, In the 1930s Finn Slough became one of the strongestlocals of the Dave Dorrington read the following letter. Pioneer fishermen’sunion, the PCFU that later became the UFAWU. Some John Green wrote it to his wife in England in the times there were over 40 boats moored at the slough and this was the early 1870s. The slough where he homesteaded was beginning of the busiest decade for this fishing village. It was also originally named after him—Green Slough. After the home to more “outsiders” who didn’t speak Finn, but who worked Finns bought land it became known as Finn Slough. alongsidethe second and third generation ofthe original settlers.Some It is now called Woodwards Slough. John Green sold of the young boys would learn fishing on their parents’boats first and his farm to the Featherstones who are still farming this by 15 would have their own boats and be fishing alone.The slough area. The letter is reproduced here with kind permis was not so isolated anymore though you still could not drive a car sion of Bill Green, John’s grandson. down the dyke; you could park your old ModelT at the foot of No.4 Road. March ll’ My Dear Wife, So much has changed since then. The 1913 slide in the Fraser can I suppose Davies and Co are not very well pleased at what I yon was a marker for the impact that men were having on this eco said about the land I told them that cattle will not free them system.Logging took over from fishing as the main industry here and of taxes,{a]ndthey cannot lease their land until it is improved in doing so hastened the decline of salmon stocks.Organizations like except for grazing purposes and they would stillhave taxes to the North FraserHarbour Commission encouraged the mill industry pay—people have to improve their land to the amount of $5 in the FraserRiver and they received a tariff from every log that went per acre—an actual settler gets 160 acresfree of taxes. through their jurisdiction. By the late 40s the mills were often going I had to get in a stock of groceries before you sent your non stop and the tugs would be hard pressed to find a place to tie up box but what is in the box will come in for next winter. their log booms. If you have got a dollar to spare when your debts are paid keep Even that industry is on its last legs now.What we are left with is a it in your purse it is so nice to look at sometimes especially memory of how things were and Finn Slough is an important three when it has got a mate. I don’t think there is any need of me dimensional, living part of that memory.The village developed with repeating to you the agreement betwixt Webster and myself out the organization of property boundaries, city ordinances,provin as you have heard it so oft. There is to be two more settlers cial regulations, or any govermng body.Even so it has been an exam— adjoining Sharp. pie of how a community can be carefully built and self regulated to Old Harris and Bill Smith over at Mud Bay side have had work in harmony with the environment and having aslittle impact on a quarrel. I suppose Smith went over to Harris’sto have a lit it as possible.The village is not only a historical artifact it is also an tle conversation as neighbours do and in their talk came up example of a possible way forward to find more creative solutions to Jordan’saffairabout shooting that man at Smith’slast year. the present destruction of the Fraser basin by non stop urbanization. Harris told Smith that he, Smith, was as much to blame as Jordan, which was the cause of angry words betwixt the two. The Finn Slough Heritage &Wetland Society,9480 Dyke Rd., So Harris told Smith he could either leave the house then or Richmond, BC, V7A 2L5, tries to preserve the heritage and eco stop and get his supper and be killed so Smith concluded to logical valuesof the area.Visittheir Web site:WW.ANGELF1RE.COM/ stop and have supper. Harris told his daughters to get supper BCLFINNSLOUGH/E-mails to tidetablesc—hotmail.com ready and a good one as it would be the last Smith would For more about Finn Slough, its past, present, and future, see the need—so in due time supper was ready. Meantime Harris summer 2001 edition of BeautjfulBritishColumbia. had been looking up his large carving knife and getting it in order for the execution of Smith after supper so all sitsdown to the last meal of Smith and he, Smith, lost no time in eating and watching old Harris with one eye the other on the grub. Smith wasthrough first,and springing like a cat at old Harris knocked him into the fire.H[arrisj caught S[mith] by the leg and called out for the girls to come to his help and bring the carving knife but S[mith}got clear of H[arris] and made for the door and out then. H[arris] called to Biddy to bring the rifle but S[niithj was too smart and got out of sight before H[arris] could bring his gun to bear upon him getting clear with his supper and life.What do you think to that for the mud flats?Victorians could not get up such a mirthful trag edy if they wish to I hear it is going to finish in law. The reason I have sent you such a long letter this mormng is wet and squally and as high a tide as any this season and you must not be surprised if you do not get another this month. Above: Todaythe vibrantcommunityofFinn Sloughis honiefor35 people I am so busyjust now I have not time to go to the post. livingin theoriginalhomesofFinnishfishermen. XX for yourself X for Poll Green

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 35 36 THE Please bia News BC The Manager The annual WI-IN the the ticipants BC. the The WAYS write versity program couraging versity conference ited. her This INSPIRED by Macdonald will Month, interesting on on cal 2016. In and The SHALE conjunction Saturday Nick linked & early conference restored interests, purpose is Archives nearby be next For For event for second photo PLACE Museum send to [email protected] a OF College conference College: No.2 hosting the community-based mixed—race updated more information Doe, at ofBC Carrie Women’s and TELLING heritage BY activity celebrates journal information Royal at will islands, the St. and shows OF avocation, issue of Association EMILY the is information Canadian Web Ann’s with Society, on a ARCHIVES Heritage enhancing opening be Sunday, [email protected] out. Nelson two-day RBCM, British information. in of 20 held and of History John the held site their settlement the women’s and It chapel. Shale, October about the to archives edited and Gabriola is in WWW.CC.MALA.BC.CA/ “Spirit 27 Columbia be at at addressing Women’s Adams, plenary of special filled Gabriola April Phone event IN interest and contactJanet organization art. Malaspina Malaspina Network published British the the and HERITAGE history 2001. The Space with during ofEnuly”— 28 on elegant WHN/BC in Emily in ferry (250) session Regional produced Victoria. October. Museum

Notes Gabriola October Colum— Histori and WHN/ the History articles Check is in ofBC across Eena, Urn Uni their 387- Carr lim par News and en M. for in and islanders A Museum local needs MICHAEL BCVOR gossip of Coast Web mail from growing TRAMS should toric site—a throughout Michael in for those SCAPES disappeared colour most from couver The 532-9831 Web tours? enue, Shale The DUNBAR est seum To ware in sembling completion Schofield, by to community about the She Notes new Richmond. illustrate December Gabriola’s Dunbar learn buses—a the Depression, also Dunbar to ongoing site: that site weather liociety knowledge people their subscriptions, to Langley spot—you places. Salish To about Dunbar book building paint caused organizers to [email protected] is Kiuckner make more rapidly would 1XO, at but WWw.MICHAELKLUCKNER.COM. they family the ANYONE? the Society, in KLUCKNER’S TO or coordinator, “Historic WWW.TRAMS.BC.CA between the in the or of placenames, joimng on please A who 1964 write History the editor the the 2002 aboutTRAMS trees. THE and rescue transit contact were BC or general, one How are its southern like large book, anyway. schools, British or weather, photos, e-mail and shenanigans think making. number has research supplied vandals. abandoned of RESCUE of P0 V2Z orchard GM by riding to Gabriola give Nick in to to in Bus the came strike 1900 the painted number with Project memory Ronsdale him Whonnock by slated know is get Columbia Box the [email protected] Interested? Michael and drawings, HISTORIC him 1R4 BCHF and churches, residents greatest looking part and Fleet.” on resists phase. two If people of the at and the or In tours in for you 213, a check heritage in Historical a how a 21733 so is and subscribers or favourite of of recent Greater buses of oftheir ]3ansit 1969 brief call many the of nearing Press. publication Apparently on BC conference publishing send We before know were challenges his for Kluckner sites who in who in and Gabriola the Write many out and at LAND present. affected history danger 8” for GM— but water are fellow stories places Peggy buses. (604) an years new wars, maps Van Mu have una have lived their Av his 15 of and the the the his as he e to of is August,15 a James leader later E-mail B.C. MacKenzie. Dunbar, history teacher, the from her Museum. Revelstoke, Ruby RUBY record streets tion Society age tee, arrived way ver Peggy At Revelstoke Advanced Dunae, History age Scouts, eldest lic most Desrochers Rail railway This 1982 bia Nanaimo schools events the The Sapperton “Next Fort Colonial 150TH the education. BC,V6N Railway public sight. prior residents. (1852-2002). Talesfroni preservation. of Ministry Victoria, engineer, lady November, became numerous Museums of to BC Douglas. of AGM to Schofield, M. M. year east B.C. from to of who [email protected] ANNIVERSARY in and community were her of married, but the that 1999 mark School, Thanks Ruby HISTORICAL her has to Parks Nobbs Education school here NOBBS B.C., many Historical ranging on read of marks Heritage 94 Society. fanuly She the is in Scotland. her 1Z7. established the left community a Patrick ofAdvanced was she working the the Many Over and Collingwood Vancouver Richmond. years. 15 workers was businesswoman. on Canada Association, City located a 5761 was Revelstoke energetic and to an system was was message served volunteer 150th In February Phone: the established Ruby 1907-2001 ofJock the fromJunior his eastern a She countless the that appeared extensive determined ofVancouver Director March Society do Dunae the to She Olympic OF widowed born 150th mainland. wife with a Advisory next her NEWS was anniversary at plan was in short not as Archives PUBLIC even (604) became co-founded Rutherford, Education pursuit from Division President Craigflower _I\Taonhi and British book manager Island, honored Jessie, in few the writes: boundary anniversary in 1852 to her the hours consider activities activities by legacy of in distance after -VOL. Golfers, Revelstoke, St. 15 263-5590. 1958. Mimstry Dr. be years, twice, She the to Reveistoke Governor Commit SCHOOLS home 1998 Heritage ,Vancou— a May of has Associa in the Colum recently school she part ofpub write Patrick of and 34 Wayne Herit Miller by of is in herit was 2000. From other it from No.3 help rail Boy tak first and and any and lost and the the the the for on in of of of is at a a ing the lead in organizing anniversaryevents, but will bejoined by the Ministry of Educa BC History tion and by the Ministry of Small Business, Web Site Prize Tourism and Culture, in developing activi The Web site prize, jointly sponsored by David Mattison BC ties and events to celebrate the and the Historical Federation, was this year awarded to the site of”The Keepers of the Flame.” We thank Patricia Rogers for sending us the sesquicentennialof our public school system. following background information. The anniversarytheme is“Achievement and Exploration.”We want to look back and ac ON BEHALF of the “Keepers of the Flame” knowledge the achievements of those who I would like to thank the BC Historical have built our education system—notably Federation and David Mattison for rec pupils, teachers, parents, and school admin ognizing our Web site with the BC His istrators.And we want to look forward to a tory Web Page Award for 2000. We are future that will be defined by knowledge, quite honoured by this recognition, not technology,and innovation. But we want to only for ourselves, but for the 54th keep heritage as a main focus. Kootenay Battalion. I’dlike to take this occasionto announce the In May 1915 the Kootenays 150th anniversaryto everyone attending the answered the British Columbia Historical Federation con call to arms and the 54th Kootenay ference, and to invite members of affiliated Battalion was mustered in Nelson, BC. societies to consider activities, events, or Young men, some not more than boys, left projects to mark this special anniversary in their homes and loved ones, for the their communities. trenches of war-ravaged Europe. Excite Our plans are still rather tentative, but we ment was pervasive among these young intend to sponsor a variety of heritage—re men as they left for Vernon Camp and lated activitiesacrossthe province.And we’re eventually set sailfor England.Training was hoping that localhistoricalsocieties‘-includ not arduous, They had no idea what they ing museums and archiveswill take a lead would encounter in the trenches of Bel ing part in planning and organizing these gium and France: knee deep in water, the tionary store. “Koot” sat down and would activities. ever constant mud and lice, the use of not budge until he got his treat! “Koot” is We want to encourage school districts and barbed wire and poisonous gas, no clean shown here in a composite picture (cre schools to liaise with local historical socie or dry place to sleep or rest.Yet,they were ated by the 54th in 1919) with Lt. Col. ties in developing heritage fairs,social stud the first to witness the “Red Baron” (Baron A.B.Carey and the Battalion Colours. ies projects, and community time capsules. Manfred von Richthofen) and his multi This website is a celebration of the 54th. We’realsobuilding aWeb site,with archival coloured planes (The Flying Circus) soar Although she was one of many Battalions curriculum guides and historical textbooks, overhead. Of the eventual 4,000 strong, we hope we have helped her obtain her and with ideas for recreating school lessons 685 did not come home. place in history. For far too long the sol from the 1 890s and the 1950s,and I’m hop This website is the passion of a small diers of the First World War have been ig ing that we can link this new Web site with group ofvolunteers known as“The nored in our history books. Canada was the BC Historical FederationWeb site. Keep ers of the Flame.” By digging through recognized in the trenches of Europe; it is I ask the British Columbia Historical Fed ar eration for their support, and invite local so chives and seeking information from the time we recognize her soldiers at home. cieties to become involved with the anni descendants of the 54th we have combined On a further note, we have received a versaryplansand events.In the months ahead, a wealth of information and pictures into grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cul I will also be publicizing the anniversary in the story of the 54th. tural Alliance—acommunity initiative sup the British Columbia Historical News and Come follow Lt. Col. Kemball from ported by funding from the Columbia in local newspapers. Vernon Camp to the disastrous raid on 1 Basin Trust to place the website informa Meantime, I would welcome your ideas and March 1917 that cost him his life.Join with tion onto a CD-ROM.The CD-ROM is being suggestions on how we might mark this the 54th as they show their mettle and manufactured byArtext of Ottawa and will 150th anniversary.This is a great opportu help Canada become a nation on Vimy be available through our Web site and the nity for us to celebrate and connect our her Ridge. Read the account of the 54th Bat Nelson Museum in late May. itage, our schools,and our communities. talion Association Reunion and see how If you have the opportunity please visit Sincerely, Patrick Dunae, (Tel: (250) 380- friendships forged in battle lasted a life us on-line at HTTP://MEMBERS.TRIPOD.COM/ 1633; email: [email protected]) time. APOLLON_2and let us know your corn CITY OF RICHMOND ARCHIVES Did you know that the mascot,” Koot,” ments.An e-mail link is there for this pur Lynne Wailer is the new city archivist of was an abandoned bear cub adopted by pose.Thank you for recognizing and sup Richmond. The previous archivist, Ken the 54th Battalion? Did you know he had porting our project. Young,has moved to city hall asmanager of a sweet tooth? When the boys took him PatriciaA. Rogers records and information. for a walk they passed by a small confec Keepersof the Flame

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Notes on the BCHF Conference 2001 at Richmond hosted by the Richmond Museum Society

Thursday 4. May - Saturday 5 May 2001. by Alistair Ross,Galiano Museum Society HE British Columbia Historical Society conference is something my wife,Dorothy, and I look forward to each spring. Although I have been a member of the Gulf T Islands Branch Historical Society for many more years, the first conference we attended was in 1997 when we journeyed to Nelson—an area my wife knew from her teaching days atWinlaw.The conference was all we could hope for,interesting, educational and good fun. Our other gatherings—three in all—were equally good, each of them giving us pleasure and much to remember as well. Friendships made at these conferences encouraged us to register for Richmond.”Why would you want to attend a conference so close to home,” we were asked,“especially since Dorothy was a teacher there for so many years?” Read on, the answer will be quite obvious, we think. When we arrived at the Richmond Cultural Centre, behind the registration desk was local historical federation member Bob Mukai, a former Richmond elementary school principal and a respected acquaintance of my wife. Hovering nearby was another friend, the little lady with the camera, Lorna Robb, another of Dorothy’s former teacher friends. This was certainly a good beginning. Thursday evening’sopening and social hour gave those present also a chance to see the Richmond museum displays and the nearby art and craft shop. John Spittle’s excellent photo history of past conferences interested many. We also enjoyed a fine presentation of the Richmond Singers. At the Friday morning session other friendships were renewed around the coffee urn. The sessions that morning dealt with Richmond’s past and how important it is that it be saved.The families of the first two speakers, Don Gordon and Bud Sakamoto, have known life on the fiats of Lulu Island for several generations. The third speaker, David Dorrington is a more recent arrival in Richmond. Islander Graham Turnbull was moderator for the morning’s program. On emigrating from Scotland Don Gordon’s grandfather obtained land at Terra Nova in Lulu Island’snorth-west). He was to farm on Sea Island as well—on land now occu pied byVancouver’s international airport. Gordon’s grandfather married a daughter of the Murphy family who had settled on nearby Twigg Island.Ten children were born to the couple. Like many other Japanese immigrants, architect Bud Sakamoto’s grandfather came to British Columbia to make his fortune, planning to return to his homeland. His first job was in a Chemainus lumber mill, but he was soon to move to Lulu Island. He left a wife and ten children when he lost his life at sea during the FirstWorld War.Bud’s dad wasborn in 1911.With only a grade five education he left school and was holding down a steady job by the time he was 14. Neither working as a boat builder or as a fisherman made life easy for the Sakamoto family since pay was low and hours were long. Discrimination had to be faced as well. Despite the odds this first generation ofJapanese settlers prospered, and is remembered for its part in the establishment ofJapanese cooperatives, the community hospital, and schools. The third speaker, David Dorrington of the Finn Slough Heritage Society,emphasized our need to hold on to what we have of the past. He is alarmed at the speed with which buildings, both private and public, are considered outdated and are torn down. “Memory cannot be depended upon to secure the past,”he said,“slower change allows for continu Top: Emily and StephanieDescrochers.At the reg ity.” Dorrington feels strongly that we need to remember our early settlers and honour istrationdesk:Mike Mukay and Meg Stanley. their contributions towards the development of our comsnunities.As an example he praised Centre: MarcoPolo at the bookfair.jill Rowland the saving and restoration of the prefabricated McKinney house, a Sears catalogue struc andAnne Yandle. ture, shipped in sections to Richmond early in the twentieth century.We were to see the Bottom: Thepanelists:GrahamTurnbull,David McKinney house when we visited London Farm. Dorrington,Don Gordon,and Bud Sakamoto.

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER zooI 39 Richmond teacher, politician, and historian Harold Steevesspoke to us after the coffee break. He told his story with old postcards, a couple of them projected by means of a turn-of-the-century projec tor originally designed to operate with rock gas. Manoah Steves, Harold’sgrandfather after whom the little fishing villageat the mouth of the Fraser was named, built there in 1877.This was in the time of the tall ships, when the river was the only transportation link to the interior of BC. Salmon were plentiful, canning a new venture, and the demand for canned salmon was growing fast. Steveston grew quickly too. Manoah Steves’sfirst house was on stilts,built to protect it against the waters, which frequently flowed over the river’sbanks at flood tide. The early settlers attempted dyking, but muskrats bur rowing through them were a constant and unexpected problem.The area’sfirst post office was across the river in Ladner. Picking up the mail was sometimes a two-day event, the swift river preventing both a safeand a speedy return. Steeves’sslidesdepicted farm scenes,homes, places of work, and social gatherings from every part of the island. “The best fish and chips I’ve had in years” commented my wife after our Friday luncheon at “Dave’sFish and Chips” on the wharf at Steveston. Afterwards Edith Turner, a very knowledgeable and en thusiastic member of the Steveston Historical Society,gave us a tour of the town (in the rain as it happened). She commented on the “old,” as well as the recent “made to look old” as we made our way along Moncton Street. At the recently restored Steveston cannery we saw where, for many years, oriental workers stood in the assem bly lines—gum-booted in the draughty building, their hands con tinually in cold water while cleaning, scaling, and cutting to size the fresh salmon to fill the cans. Newly restored as well was the reduction plant, where massive machines—many adapted for use from other industries—chopped and minced the fish waste so that it could be reduced with heat to oils and fertilizers. The cosmetic industry is said to have used a by product of this process. As a teacher at nearby Lord Byng Elemen tary,my wife well remembers the days the reduction plant was oper ating. She remembers as well the smell of rotting cabbages wintering over in the fields on Steveston Highway. Such smellswere unpleasant but were considered an indication of a community at work. One learned to accept them. A tour ofVancouver’sairport was another option for delegates on Friday afternoon. Those making this choice were not sorry they did so.They were very impressed with the vastness of the facility and of the organization necessary to have all run smoothly. They were also pleased to stay out of the rain on this tour. Saturday’sAGM, chaired by President Wayne Desrochers, was memorable for its orderlinessand the speed with which so much was accomplished. My note taking was enriched with many new ideas from the “area reports,” ideas that can be adapted for use by our fledgling Museum Society on Galiano Island.The delegates were well pleased with the state of their Federation and with its officers’ reports. It should be noted that all the directors were re-elected to office.Magazine editor Fred Braches seemed particularly pleased with HistoricalSociety.Front:Ann Dodd, Top: Membersof the Vancouver Eileen Mak’soffer to share the responsibility for the further develop Walker.Back:AnneYandle, HelenAkrigç,Robin Brammaland Elizabeth ment of the Federation’s new Web site with him. Eileen headed the and BruceWard. Joan Savory,LeonardMcCann,Jill Rowland, Richmond Museum Society’sconference committee. at AGIVI. Centre: Eileen IVIak,conferencecoordinatorreports the Friday afternoon’s rain changed to sun and warmth on Saturday. the winnerof the WKaye Lamb Essay Schol Bottom: Anne Yandleand Our visit this day was to the Britanma Heritage Shipyard. Here, The scholarshipsnowproudlycarry arshipfor the year2000,Julie Stevens. beyond the dyke, stood family homes, the ship building facilities, her of British Columbiahistorical the name of a pioneerandfoundin,ifat and the net-drying sheds and racks.The Murakami house, gradually studies.

40 BC HISTORICAL NEWS -VoL.34 No.3 subsiding into the mud over the years, was recently shored up, re The Federation’ssymbolic yardstick,handed over from host to host stored and refurbished, serving now asa visitor centre.A member of at each awardsbanquet, is much too short to measure the efforts of that family was at work weeding the old garden plot when our tour the Richmond Museum and for the successof the British Columbia bus dropped us off.Newly replaced cedar walkwaysfronted the house Historical Society 2001 conference.r’ and followed the shoreline.A recently rebuilt wall of vertical pilings protected all. Here too, we saw a Native longhouse built well over one hundred years ago. Square-headed nails were used in the con struction of this clapboard structure; it is in remarkably good condi tion, considering it has never seen a lick of paint. Another interesting old building we viewed had been constructed around a framework of studs. Nailed to these was a solid wall of horizontal shiplap. After the exterior was finished with vertical planking, the interior studs were removed. It seems a bit bizarre,but even without the studs the smallbuilding has stood for many years. Much has been done to restore the newly re-roofed shipyard.A large wooden fishing vesselwas ready for repairs,and much in need of it. Over the coming months volunteers will do the work.Tools for this operation were set out at workstations nearby.Commemorative plaquescredited the area’sboat builders and those who operated the repair shops nearby.My wife knew many of these people from her teaching daysand found their names on the plaques.Then, Steveston Above:AlistairRoss,reporterofthe Richmondconference,“notetaking” was a tight-knit community where all worked and played together. at theACM. Smilingto his rightisAlice Glanville,still unawareof the Our tour bus then took us to London Farm, a lovely 1890sfarm adventuresawaitingher that afternoonon the “Usesofthe Land” tour. house, where Ron Hyde and his stafftreated us to a guided tour and an afternoon tea. Family pictures of the London family told of the livesof thesepioneers.Turn-of-the-century furniture filledthe house. On the grounds a fund—raisingplant salewas in progress.It attracted “Uses of the Land” tour historically-minded “green thumbers” and others. by AliceGlanville,honorary president ofthe Federation reports: The weekend ended with a banquet. British Columbia’sLieuten ant-Governor, the Honorable Garde B. Gardom, was piped in with Our Saturday-afternoon tour took us to Finn Slough which much decorum. An experienced speaker,the Lieutenant-Governor we found tucked away on Dyke Road, not far from the had much to say—allof it appropriate for his audience of historians. urban area of Richmond. David Dorrington led us on a His humorous anecdotes met with much laughter, and added much tour of this vibrant community of 35 people living in the to the festive atmosphere of the evening.Another highlight of the original homes of Finnish fishermen. These homes, once eveningwasMichael Kluckner’spersuasive,informativeand thought supported by cedar logs, are now sitting on stiltsabove the ful talk on heritage and history issues.He spoke to a captivatedaudi high watermark of the slough.We watched one resident sal ence. vaging the driftwood that had floated from the FraserRiver As the winners of the various awards presented by the Lieuten into the slough. ant-Governor will be listed elsewhere in this issue, I will mention David very graciously invited us into his modest home only the one handed out by AnneYandle.The renaming of the Fed and we entered by a long boardwalk over the slough. He eration’sessayscholarshipsto honour the late archivist and librarian told us that this tight little community has formed the Finn Dr.W.KayeLamb had won instant approvalfrom the delegatesat the Slough Heritage and Wetland Society to work for preserv Annual General Meeting earlier in the day.The winner of the schol ing the heritage and ecological values of the area. arship this year announced at the banquet wasJulie Stevens. Her After reluctantly leaving Finn Slough, we travelledacross winning essaywaspublished in the spring edition of the BC Histori Lulu Island to the SavageDairy Farm where the hosts wel calNews. comed us with afternoon tea. The Savagename has been Why,you may ask,do I mention only this one winner? It issome associatedwith dairy farming in Richmond for many years. what of a personal matter.Julie’sgrandfather,about whom she wrote, At 83,Arthur Savagestill has a management role and, with taught at Crystal Springs in the Peace River country in 1926.Later, his staff,he explained the operation of this modern, state South Burnaby High School was his place of work for many years of-the-art operation.We sawthe milking of some of the 180 and I was one of those who had the good fortune to be enrolled in Holsteins as they were guided to their stallsin the milking one of his classes.Julie, her parents and this former student really parlour. On this farm the once many acres of blueberries enjoyed reminiscing about this fine man. Edgar Latimer would have have now been turned into cranberry fields.Silage,one of approved of our words and thoughts, and he would have been very the main sources of home-grown feed, is alsoproduced on proud of his granddaughter’s success. their land. This tour more than lived up to its title “Uses of Our weekend in Richmond was over too quickly.We did enjoy the Land.” the program arranged for us and we would like to congratulate the Richmond Museum Society and its organizers for ajob well done.

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“Any country worthy of its future should be interested in its past.” Our past President Ron Weiwood used that sentence in closing his President’sAnnual report of the year 2000. How true that statement for us, members of the British Co lumbia Historical Federation, a collection, a fine collection, perhaps a rare collection of historians.We could say“Any soci ety worthy of its future, should be interested in its past.” It has been an honour to be for this past year BCHF President. So,let us review our most recent past.Yes, the year has gone by very fast.After leaving the western inlet shores of Port Alberni, the Federation has met in Surrey in September of 2000 and in Victoria in February of 2001. Above: Delegatesand othermembersat theAGM in Richmond. I would like to recognize the dedicated work of the officers and other members of the council. First of all our gratitude Member Society Reports goes to his Honour Garde Gardom, our Honorary Patron. My thanks go also to Alice Glanville, Roy Pallant, Melva Dwyer, The following delegates read reports at the AGM in Richmond. Arnold Ranneris, Betty Brown, Ronald Greene, Jacqueline Gresko, Ron Hyde, and finally Ron Welwood. Past President Alberni District Historical Society (Judy Carison) Ron Weiwood’s guidance, and his knowledge and experience Arrow Lakes Historical Society (N. Parent) Boundary Historical Society (Jim Glanville) in the workings of the Federation have been a blessing for me. Thank you Ron. Burnaby Historical Society Chemainus ValleyHistorical (John Forster) As I continue, I would like to thank the other committee Society officers. Shirley Cuthbertson, Frances Gundry, Terry Simpson, Cowichan Historical Society (Priscilla Davis) John Spittle, Margaret Stoneberg, and Nancy Stuart-Stubbs. District 69 (Parksville) Historical Society (T.Batchelor) East Thank you. It is the fine work of these officers and committee Kootenay Historical Association (Naomi Miller) members that allows us all to offer the services of the BCHF in Finn Slough Heritage & Wetland Society (David Dorrington) promoting the history of this province of British Columbia. Galiano Museum Society (Alistair Ross) This now leads me to the work of Fred Braches and the Gulf Islands Branch (Florence Dodwell) editorial team that creates yearly the four issues of the BC His Jewish Historical Society (Dorothy Grad) Koksilah toricalNews.Yes,we have a great publication thanks to editor School Historical Society (Myrtle Haslam) Fred Braches with support from Hehni Braches,Tony Farr,Anne Lantzville Historical Society (Linda Robinson) Yandle, and of course Joel Vinge. With the success of the BC London Heritage Farm Society (Ron Hyde) Maple Ridge Historical Society (read Fred Braches) HistoricalNewscomes this year the successfulrevivalof the BCHF by Historical Society (Shirley Bateman) Web site. Nanaimo Nelson Museum (FrancesWelwood) I would like to thank Terry Simpson as Membership Secre tary in signing up 47 member societies. How about another 47 North Shore Historical Society (Roy Pallant) Princeton & District Museum and Archives (Margaret Stoneberg) more societies for next year? I would also like to thank Ronald Greene in the formation of BCHF Endowment Fund. Thank Richmond Museum Society (Eileen Mak) you Ronald. Silvery Slocan Historical Society (W Cummings) Here we are in Richmond, on Lulu Island, and we would Salt Spring Island Historical Society (Tony Farr) like to thank our hosts of the Richmond Museum Society.We Surrey Historical Society (A. Davidson) thank Eileen Mak, Meg Stanley,Peter Wagenblast, Bob Mukai, Vancouver Historical Society (Joanne Savory) Pat and Derril Gudlaugson, John May, Dolly Lewko, Kate Victoria Historical Society (Pendril Brown) Bourdon, Lynne Wailer, Fred Penland, and Graham Turnbull, and many other volunteers who helped to make this BCHF FOR MANY YEARS NOW the reports presented by the member societies Conference andAGM such a success.For ajob well done:”thank were read at the AGM and then filed away.An item or two finds its you Richmond.” It is now time to pass on the yardstick with way into BC HistoricalNews,but the journal is not the place to pub pride to Revelstoke. lish the full reports. Still, the reports are of historical interest and We are pleased about the work of the BCHF and we must there are many interesting ideas, and successful actions, that are of be thankful for our heritage and continue to live our heritage. value for other member societies. Council thinks that it is worth in a I proudly quote W. Kaye Lamb. “Any country worthy of its while to gather the reports presented in Richmond the form of future, should be interested in its past.” small publication.A free copy of this booklet will be sent to each of the Federation’s member societies. WAYNE DESROCHERS, PRESIDENT At next year’sAGM delegates will decide if they think we should do this again.

BC HISTORICAL NEWS - SUMMER 2001 43 British

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AFFILIATED GRouPs Maple Ridge Historical Society The British Columbia 22520 116th Ave., Maple Ridge, BCV2X OS4 Historical Federation is Archives Association of British Columbia Nanaimo & District Museum Society an umbrella organization British Columbia Genealogical Society 100 Cameron Road, Nanaimo BC V9R 2X1 embracing regional Nanaimo Historical Society societies. MEMBER SocIETIEs P0 Box 933, Nanaimo BC V9R 5N2 Nelson Museum Alberni District Historical Society Localhistorical societies 402 Anderson Street, Nelson BC V1L 3Y3 P0 Box 284, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 7M7 are entitled to become Nicola Valley Museum Archives Association Anderson Lake Historical Society Member Societies of the P0 Box 1262, Merritt BC V1K 1B8 P0 Box 40, D’Arcy BC VON 1LO BCHistoricalFederation. North Shore Historical Society Arrow Lakes Historical Society Allmembers of these c/o 1541 Merlynn Crescent, P0 Box 819, Nakusp BC VOG 1RO local historical societies NorthVancouver BC V7J 2X9 Atlin Historical Society shall by that very fact be North Shuswap Historical Society POBoxlll,Atlin BC VOWIAO members of the Federa Box 317, Celista BC VOE 1LO Boundary Historical Society tion. Okanagan Historical Society P0 Box 1687, Grand Forks BC VOH 1HO Box 313,Vernon BC V1T 6M3 Bowen Island Historians P0 Princeton & District Museum & Archives AffiliatedGroups are P0 Box 97. Bowen Island, BC VON 1GO Box 281, Princeton BC VOX iWO organizations with Buckley Valley Historical & Museum Society Qualicum Beach Historical Society specialized interests or Box 2615, Smithers BC VOJ 2NO 587 Beach Road, of a historical Burnaby Historical Society objects Qualicum Beach BC V9K 1K7 nature. 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby BC V5G 3T6 Revelstoke & District Historical Association Chemainus Valley Historical Society Box 1908, Revelstoke BC VOE 2SO P0 Box 172, Cheniainus BC VOR 1KO Richmond Museum Society Membership fees for Cowichan Historical Society Minoru Park Plaza, 7700 Minoru Gate, both classes of member P0 Box 1014, Duncan BC V9L 3Y2 Richmond BC V6Y 7M7 ship are one dollar per District 69 Historical Society Salt Spring Island Historical Society member of a Member P0 Box 1452, Parksville BC V9P 2H4 129 McPhillips Avenue, Society or Affiliated East Kootenay Historical Association Salt Spring Island BC V8K 2T6 Group with a minimum P0 Box 74, Cranbrook BC V1C 4H6 Silvery Slocan Historical Society membership fee of $25 Finn Slough Heritage & Wetland Society Box 301, New Denver BCVOG iSO and a maximum of $75. 9480 Dyke Road, Richmond BC V7A 2L5 Surrey Historical Society Galiano Museum Society Box 34003 17790 #10 Hwy. Surrey BC V3S 8C4 20625 Porlier Pass Drive Terrace Regional Historical Society Galiano Island BC VON 1PO P0 Box 246,Terrace BC V8G 4A6 Gulf Islands Branch BCHF Texada Island Heritage Society do A. Loveridge S22, Cli, RR # 1 Box 122,VanAnda BC VON 3K0 Galiano Island BC VON 1PO Trail Historical Society Hedley Heritage Society P0 Box 4O5,Trail BC V1R 4L7 P0 Box 218, Hedley BC VOX 1KO Union Bay Historical Society Jewish Historical Society of BC Box 448, Union Bay,BC VOR 3BO 206-950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver Historical Society Vancouver BC V5Z 2N7 Box 3O71,Vancouver BC V6B 3X6 Kamloops Museum Association P0 Victoria Historical Society 207 Seymour Street, Kamloops BC V2C 2E7 P0 Box 43035, Victoria North Koksilah School Historical Society Victoria BC V8X 3G2 52i3Trans Canada Highway, Yellowhead Museum Koksilah, BC VOR 2C0 Box 1778, RR# i,ClearwaterBC VOE 1NO Questions about Kootenay Lake Historical Society membership should be P0 Box 1262, Kaslo BC VOG 1MO directed to: Langley Centennial Museum TerrySimpson, P0 Box 800, Fort Langley BC ViM 2S2 Membership Secretary, Lantzville Historical Society BCHistorical Federation, do Box 274, Lantzville BC VOR 2HO Application for membership received from: 193 BirdSanctuary, London Heritage Farm Society Lions Bay Historical Society NanaimoBC V9R6G8 6511 Dyke Road, Richmond BC V7E 3R3 Box 571, Lions Bay BC VON 2EO Phone: (250) 754-5697 [email protected] Please keep the editor of BC HistoricalNews informed about corrections to be made to this list. ReturnAddress: CANnIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL PRODUCT SALESAGREEMENT No. 1245716 British Columbia Historical News PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION No. 09835 Joel Vinge, Subscription Secretary 6i Woodland Drive Cranbrook, BC ViC 6Vz

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CONTACT us: THE BRITISH COLUMJ3IA HISTORICAL FEDERATION Historical News welcomes your BC INVITES SUBMISSIONS OF BOOKS FOR THE 19TH ANNUAL letters and manuscripts on subjects COMPETITJON FOR WRITERS OF BC HISTORY. dealing with the history of British Columbia and British Columbians. Any book presenting any facet of BC history, published in 2001, is may be a Please send stories or essays on any eligible. This community history biogra a an organization, aspect of the rich past of our prov 2001 phy, record of project or or personal recol giving a the past. dates and places, ince to the Editor, BC Historical lections glimpse of Names, with relevant maps or pictures, turn a story into “history.” News, Fred Braches, P0 Box 130, Whonnock BC, V2W 1V9. Note that reprints or revisions of books are not eligible. Phone: (604) 462-8942 The judges are looking for quality presentations, especially if fresh material is E-mail: [email protected] included, with appropriate illustrations, careful proofreading, an adequate Send books for review and book index, table of contents and bibliography, from first-time writers as well as reviews directly to the Book Re established authors. BC HistoricalNews, view Editor, The Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing will be awarded to an Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th individual writer whose book contributes significantly to the recorded his Avenue, Vancouver BC V6S 1E4, tory of British Columbia. Other awards will be made as recommended by Phone: (604) 733-6484 the judges to valuable books prepared by groups or individuals. E-mail: [email protected] Winners will receive a Certificate of Merit, a monetary award and an invita News items for publication in BC tion to the BCHF annual conference to be held in Reveistoke May 2002. HistoricalNews should be send to in Whonnock. the editor SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Allbooks must havebeen published in 2001 and should be submitted as soon as possible after publication. Two copies of each book PLEASE SEND CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT should be submitted. Books entered become property of the BC Historical Federa SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE SUBSCRIPTION tion. Pleasestate name, addressand telephone number of sender,the sellingprice of SECRETARY,JOELVINGE alleditions of the book, and,if the reader has to shop by mail,the addressfrom which 561 WOODLAND DRIVE it may be purchased, including applicable shipping and handling costs. CRANBROOK BC ViC 6V2 PHONE/FAX: (250) 489-2490 SEND TO: BC Historical FederationWriting Competition E-IuL: [email protected] do Shirley Cuthbertson BellevilleStreet Victoria BC V8V 4T9 Subscriptions #306-225 Individual sis.oo per year Institutional $20.00 per year DEADLINE: 31 December 2001 For addresses outside Canada add $6.oo