(Began writing this Feb. 28th, 1911, at Santa Monica, California)

On Sunday Feb. 4th, 1894 at 10:20 a.m., our father, Rev. E.F. Wilson (late of Shingwauk Home, Algoma) first set foot on the soil of Salt Spring Island, at Vesuvius Bay; a half-breed named Andrew Wilson, with his boy Levi, having rowed him over in a small boat from Kuper Island, where he had been the guest for the night of the Revd. R.J. Roberts (formerly of Kanyeapeh Mission, near Brantford, Ont).

The Wilson family were all at this time at Barnsbury Grange, 4 miles distant from Victoria, and the object of our father’s visit to Salt Spring Island was to see the place with a view to making it his residence, Bishop Perrin having made him an offer of the Parish.

Salt Spring Island lies about 30 miles N. of Victoria, is about 18 miles in length, 7 to 10 miles in width, and at that time had a population of from 500 to 600 people; it is thickly wooded and mountainous, the highest peaks being 1900 and 2300 feet; it abounds in game—deer, pheasants, grouse, wild duck, and the fishing too is excellent. The people for the most part were dairy farmers, with orchards and poultry.

After landing on the rocks at Vesuvius Bay and being well scrutinized by the Bitancourt family—girls and boys—of various ages—father had to trudge 21/2 miles to St. Mark’s Church, where he was to take the service, the former Minister, Rev. B. Haslam, having left the Parish a week ago. It was a soaking wet day and not very pleasant walking. After nearly 2 miles walk, he came in sight of St. Mary’s lake, the largest sheet of water on the Island, about 3 miles long by a mile wide, and here 3 houses became visible, one on the west side of the lake belonging to a family named Mouat, a small one at the south end occupied by a colored family named Harrison, and in the distance nearly hidden by the trees, the newly built residence of Mr. & Mrs. Amos Stevens, near which was St. Mark’s Church. A newly made, upgraded road led from the main road on which father was walking to the Stevens’ house, and this father followed, and just at 10 minutes past 11 arrived at the Stevens’. Mrs. Stevens, in a rather showy bonnet and a somewhat "bossy" air, met him at the door, and invited him in. It being rainy, and no service having been announced, Mrs. St. was afraid it might be difficult to get a congregation together, but she would do her best and send out word as far as possible; and Eva Jenkins was at once dispatched to Mrs. Percy Browne, the organist, whose house was a mile off through the bush. After dinner, father went to announce his presence to Mr. Broadwell, whose house was near; Mr. B. and Mr. Stevens being the Church Wardens; then he went to the Church, as the service was to be at 3 p.m. The Church was built on a rocky eminence just above the Stevens’ Boardinghouse; rather a quaint looking little building about 50 ft. long by 20 ft. wide with accommodation for about 80, painted white or cream color with brown facings, a funny little bell tower and a rather antiquated bell, and square tops to the windows. On entering the Church, the only occupants were two tall young men of negro blood who announced themseles as Messrs. John & Ernest Harrison, owners of the house on St. Mary’s Lake. As the hour for service advanced other members of the congregation came happily in—until there were assembled 22 altogether. At 4:30 p.m. father returned in the boat that he had come in to Kuper Island, reaching Mr. Roberts’ house at 6:20. Next day, Monday, father went on to Nanaimo, Mr. Nixon kindly giving him passage in his steam launch (Mrs. Roberts and their youngest daughter, __, being in the party.) Father put up at the Windsor Hotel, visited Canon Goode’s Church, and also Rev. Mr. Tovey’s and spent the evening with Canon Goode’s Family. Next day, Tuesday the 6th, he returned to Victoria.

This was the beginning of our connection with Salt Spring Island. After talking the matter over with Bishop Perrin father decided definitely to take charge of the Parish, and at once began preparation for making the move. As there was no Rectory on the Island it was clearly out of the question to think of moving the family for the present. They must remain at Barnsbury until the way should open for settling in on Salt Spring; and father, in the meantime, would board at the Stevens; his idea however was to sell his property on the Burnside road as soon as possible to purchase land for a farm in his new parish.

So the following Saturday found father once more land at Vesuivus Bay, having come this time via Nanaimo, and by_ the S.S. "Joan", or "Joe Ann" as some of the Salt Spring Islanders called it. A number of the Islanders were at the wharf, it being "Boat day", and ox waggons and riding ponies with Mexican saddles were much in evidence. There was said to be but one buggy at that time on the Island—belonging to Mr. J.P. Booth, M.P.P., and father drove out to Mr. Stevens’ house in his pig wagon. After the 12 o'clock dinner, little Eva Jenkins, Mrs. Stevens’ adopted niece, went with father as guide, they visited Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Arthur Walter, and Mrs. Broadwell. There was no road at that time to the Browns’—nothing but a wiggling cow track—and the swamp had to be crossed on rails laid in the black mud. The Walters were living at the time in their old log house near the so-called canal. Mr. Walter had an antiquated old horse and a roughly constructed two-wheel cart—and this he kindly lent to father for getting about the Island. Father also had the loan of several saddle ponies, as many parts of the Island were quite impassable for vehicles, the trails being too narrow, and always the liability of finding a fallen tree across the path. It was a cold, frosty night, that first night on Salt Spring Island, and father had a fire in his bedroom.

Sunday, February llth, there was snow and sleet. Service at St. mark’s was at 11 a.m. 32 persons were present. After a hasty lunch, father started in Mr. Arthur Walter’s cart-10 miles to the Burgoyne Bay Schoolhouse for an afternoon service. The travelling was very bad~sloshy and slippery and after passing Foord’s Lake, father, on looking round, found that the tailboard of the cart was gone, and with it his bag containing surplice, bible, and sermon. He had to go back 11/2 miles before finding the missing articles, and this made him an hour late at the school, and there was no service. He had tea at Mr. A. Wilson’s, called on Mr. Cook, the Schoolmaster, and put up for the night at Nightingales’ close to the old log schoolhouse. On his way back to Stevens’ next morning, Monday, he called in at Foord’s to see the old lady, Foord’s wife, who is somewhat crazy and thought to be dying; indeed it was said that Mr. Foord had already bought her coffin and had it in his barn.

During the next few days Father called on a number of the people at the North End of the Island—the Berrows, Sampson, Rosman, Robertson, Booth, Ma Mahaffey etc. He also extended his visits to Beaver Point at the southermost end, calling on Raynes, Furness, Carstairs, Ruckle, Trage, Spikerman, DeBergh, Olsen, Miller, Arnold, McLennan, Sparrow, old Akerman, and young Joe Akerman who was just married. On this trip father stayed one night with Mr. Ruckle, and one night at Akermans. Another trip took him to the centre of the Island where he called on A. Cartwright and Connery then out to Cusheon Lake. On Saturday, Feb. 17th he was called to Fulford Harbor to visit a sick person, the messenger giving up his horse so that he might get there quickly. It was Mrs. Parkins, who was very ill with hemorrhage. Dr. Dixon from Cowichan was in attendance, there being no doctor at that time on the Island. The woman died, and father buried her five days later on a roadside lot belonging to the Horel family. On Sunday, Feb. 18th Father held morning service and Sunday School at the North End schoolhouse. It was a cold day, and 6 inches of snow on the ground; there were 14 children at Sunday School, and 18 people at the service. At the afternoon service at St. Mark’s there was an attendance of 22.

Next day, Monday, Feb. 19, father made a round of Ganges Harbor, visiting Scovell, "folson, Robertshaw, Smidley, the Scotts, and Mrs. Mansell (who at that time owned and occupied F. Scott’s cottage).  The next few days were spent in looking for land with a view to purchasing a farm. Father examined some of Norton’s land and some belonging to P. Purvis, also some of old Bitancourts’ across the canal; and down at Fulford, he went to see 50 acres of Sparrow’s land fronting on the Bay and about a mile from the site chosen for the new church. This latter was subsequently purchased by the Hamilton family. Father’s predecessor, Mr. Haslam, had already taken steps towards providing a church for the south end of the Island—and the lumber for it had already been purchased and was lying on the shore of Fulford Harbor; so one of the first things that father had to attend to was to get this lumber hauled up to the site of the new church. For this purpose he called a "Bee". It was held on Easter Monday, March 26th, there were 5 teams and 16 men at work, and all was finished satisfactorily at 4:30 p.m.

In the meantime father had decided on purchasing 100 acres of aland a short distance from St. Mark’s Church. It had belonged to a colored man named Buckner, at whose death some years before, it had been sold by auction, and was purchased (on spec.) by a Mr. Boscowitz, a fur dealer, living in Victoria. He had bought it for $600, and now offered it for $1000. However, he came down $100, and father got it for $900. At the time of giving it over to Norman, when father left for California, it was valued at $6000. The purchase was made April 2, and on the 13th father left Stevens and settled in to the old log shanty on his new property. The first of the family to join father on Salt Spring Island was Winnie. She arrived March 27th; and Mrs. Percy Brown kindly took charge of her, until a room in the loghouse could be prepared for her use. On April 18th, Norman arrived; and after a couple of nights at Stevens’, he and father settled in together at the shack. They also had with them a young fellow, lately arrived from England, named Frank Moule, who was to work for them, at $10 a month.

Scarcely anything had been done hitherto towards improving the land and it had been lying waste and unfenced ever since old Buckner died. Most of it was still virgin bush, so There would be a great deal to do before it could be brought even partly under cultivation and made profitable. Day after day, whenever time could be spared, father and Norman and young Moule were chopping down the young fir trees or dragging them out by the roots. A Jap was engaged to dig necessary drains, and Mr. Cundell came with his ox team to plough. The ploughing of course could only be done in very small portions, just where there were no big trees or huge stumps. In the course of the spring about an acre and a half was put in with wheat for chicken food, and potatoes; and a small vegetable garden was planted surrounded by a log fence and adjoining the shack an old chicken house was also fixed up, a yard made with poles stuck in the ground, and some chickens purchased.

The house also required attention in order to be made habitable. It was a tumbledown old concern, and most of the people advised to pull it down or burn it. But in those days it was necessary to be economical and to save all we could, so we patched it up and made a new place of it—and to this day (1911) it is still in existence and would scarcely be believed to be Buckner’s old shack. To begin with, when father and Norman took possession of it - April 13, 1894 there was no floor to the two lower rooms, and cattle and sheep had had free ingress and egress; the upper part was reached by a wide sloping ladder; the windows were miserable little 6 pane concerns. In the larger of the two rooms was a hearth made of rough flat stones, a stone fireplace, made of rough stones set in mud, and a mud chimney; the roof was of shakes, through which daylight gleamed; the log sides of the house were but partially "chinked" with moss and mud. However, a transformation scene soon began. New doors, new windows, new floors, new staircase, rooms partitioned off; walls chinked, lined inside with dressed lumber; outside plastered and whitewashed and covered with lattice work for creepers to grow on; a porch made at the front door, and a woodshed erected at the back. Coulter, our farm man in Victoria, kindly came over to give us a hand, and put up a rough stable for our horse and cart, and roofed it with shakes. Then our horse 'Duke' and the cart we had bought from Capt. Ogilvie, were brought to the Island and also our cow "Cherry", but sad to say, we had the misfortune to lose our cow the very day after her arrival for we had tethered her with a rope tied to her horns and in some way or other she broke her neck and was found dead in the morning.

April 19th - old Mrs. Foord died. Mr. Foord had sold the coffin in the barn to Perkins for his wife, so bought another for the present occasion. 3 months later he married another wife; she also died and he bought another coffin for her; three altogether; and after was sued by the undertaker, as neither of the 3 were paid for. The contract had been given to Fred Raynes, local carpenter, to build the new church at Fulford Harbor, and it was then called St. Mary’s. Father had to collect money for it.

May 24th - we kept "May Day" out at cusheon Lake. There was a big crowd-about 200 people young and old—a very hot day. A Maypole had been erected and children in costumes decorated it with long colored ribbons, but it was not very well managed. There had been voting for several weeks previous for May Queen. Mrs. Stevens was pretty excited about it and determined to get Deacy Beddis in; the opposing candidate was Mamie Horel. Deacey (Boadicea) got in with 587 votes againgst Mamie’s 403. This May Day celebration rather brought out the character of the people with whom father had to deal—a very factious spirit prevailing; and all through his 16 year charge of the Parish, he had this unfortunate disposition on the part of the people to contend with. Besides the Sunday services, father had started a week day Bible class, but it was not successful and after a time had to give it up.

Sunday, Tune 3rd - the new Church at Fulford Harbor, St. Mary’s, was consecrated by Bishop Perrin. Thee were 67 people present; 2 candidates were confirmed (Mr. Joe Akerman and Mrs. Miller); and 6 attended Holy Communion. It was a soaking wet day.

Tuesday, June 12th - Llewelyn, Kathleen and Nona arrived on S.S. Joan, at Ganges Harbor, (Winnie having gone back to Barnsbury). Kat and Nona went for the night to Broadwells; and Llewelyn and Norman were with father in the shack. On the 14th, Mr. Brooker, of Nanaimo, took a photo of the shack, father sitting at the back door and the four children standing around. This was before any of the improvements had been made. Rufus was at this time our dog. On the 16th Lu and Nona went back to Victoria and Kathleen remained at the Broadwells. On the 18th father went back to Barnsbury for a few days and took steps to either sell or rent the place. On the 20th was tne Diocesan Synod. On the 22nd Mother accompanied Father back to Salt Spring Island, going by way of Chemainus and stopping one night on the way with the Roberts’ on Kuper Island. Mother’s first introduction to the Island was on Sunday morning June 24th, when at 9 a.mv she and father (accompanied by Robbie Roberts and Allan Porter) landed at Vesuvius Bay. Father walked ahead, and Mr. Joel Broadwell to go with his buggy to meet Mother, the day being very hot. Mother describes heir meeting — "a young man with a very smiling face and a rather inane expression, in a loose grey coat, white stockings and carpet slippers; then on arrival at the Broadwell house (house and Post Office in one) a little fat humorous old lady with more smiles even than the son and shaking when she laughed like a jelly-fish, met her at the door and welcomed her in"; and then came the introduction to Broadwell Senior, a somewhat austere creature of the "Uncle Sam" pattern. He had been a butcher and was now "retired". He cautioned his son Joel not to be too lighthearted in his demeanour as today was the Sabbath. Mother remained a guest at Broadwells until the following Thursday. She was somewhat horrified when one day Mrs. Broadwell, in her presence, advised her son, Joel, "to make himself pleasant to Mrs. Wilson as she had several daughters". Mrs. Broadwell was also tickled at the idea of Mother being anxious to see her "new home" and had one of her "jelly fish" attacks over it. Father took her over on Monday; and she shall probably long remember sitting on the wooden block which served as a doorstep to the "front door" watching Father hoeing his lettuces. The lumber and window frames were at that time at the Ganges Wharf waiting to be hauled up.

The following Thursday, June 28th, Perkins began fitting in the new window frames (more than twice the size of the old ones), and old Fredison began pulling down the mud chimney and building a brick one in its place. That afternoon, Father hired Berrow’s pony and cart and drove Mother over to Burgoyne Bay, stopping at Foords’ on the way for supper; they put up for the night at Joe Akerman’s. Poor Mother found it a rather peculiar experience, everything being so very rough. The following day, Friday, they drove on in their 2 wheel cart to Beaver Point, stopping to see the new church at Fulford Harbor on their way; they had dinner at McLennans, a Scotch, presbyterian family; man, wife and several children; then in the afternoon they followed a breakneck road, a rather, cattle trail through the woods, down to Trages. Trage and Spikerman were both Germans and at that time lived together in a log house near the sea; they were well to do, industrious people and had one of the largest orchards on the Island. Trage’s wife was a squaw and they had several half breed children. At 5:30 that evening the Ruckles’ farm was reached, and there they were to put up for the night. Mr. Henry Ruckle was at that time a little over 50, a fine handsome old fellow, very straight, and very good natured, by birth a Dutchman. His wife was a Norwegian and could speak but little English; they had two sons and two daughters, the youngest a girl of 12. The wife was a great talker, in her broken English—and had always a great deal to say from a religious point of view. This was the only house on the Island where father was ever asked to conduct family prayer. The following day, Saturday, Mother went back to Victoria.

July 3rd 1894 - Keith arrived on the "Joan", and joined Norman and Father at the shack. In the evening the two boys went wth Frank Moule to St. Mary’s Lake for a dip. July 7th Norman went back to Victoria.

 

July 16th - Evelyn and Flossie arrived on St. "Joan". By this time we had got new floors down and partitions put up in the shack and it was becoming more habitable; we had also put some of our furniture over; and the horse "Duke" had arrived. Father at this time was doctor as well as Parson, as there was no medical man on the Island; and he had frequent calls both night and day to visit sick cases. He, of course, attended people free of charge, but occasionally received a present, such as a ham or a bag of oats. On the whole the people were by no means liberal, and were very ready to find fault. Father often felt both tired and depressed. Our finances also were low, and the clerical income very small. Besides our own family to provide for, we had the two Indian girls, Caroline and Lily Anthony, whom we had brought with us from the ___ Home. Happily we got Mrs. William Scott to take Lily off our hands, but we retained Caroline as cook.

Tuly 17th - Father took Evelyn, Flossie and Keith to call on Charlie Tolson (whether that was the beginning of Charlie’s attraction for Evelyn is not known). Charlie lent Father his pony "Bay" to ride out to Beddis, and the rest of the party was to follow him in a boat, but as there was a sharp head wind they failed to do so, and all met again at Charlie’s at 10 p.m., had tea there and got back to the shack just at midnight.

July 26th - Evelyn & Flossie spent the evening at the Browns’, meeting Tolson, Scovell and Smedley. August 9th was our Sunday School picnic at St. Mary’s Lake, 16 adults and 36 children present.

August 10th - Keith and Frank Moule went to Cranberry Marsh after tea to hunt and fish.

August 14th - Moule and Walter Stevens shot a big buck last night back in the bush and we have half of it, so at present are well off for meat.

August 25th - Tidings came that Kathleen was engaged to Harry Alexander of Vancouver. 29th Evelyn and Floss picking plums at Tolsons.

Sept. 1st - Father dismissed Frank Moule and paid him off as the girls found him obnoxious. Correspondence at this time with Mr. Dumble about the Covert legacy, the family having disputed the Will.

Sept. llth - Winifred and Llewelyn arrived back on the Island. Mother also came again to be present at the concert on the 13th. It was in aid of St. Mark’s Church. 120 were present and it realized $52.50. However, there was a good deal of disatisfaction about it afterward, and Mrs. Stevens said it was a complete failure. Sept. 19th was Mother’s birthday, and she spent it with Father digging potatoes; late in the afternoon they drove to Ganges Harbor and had afternoon tea with John, Charlie and Leonard Tolson. On Saturday the 22nd Mother was back in Victoria with Norman.

Mr. Bullock had at this time arrived on the Island and Sept. 24th took 2 photos of our house, showing some of the earliest improvements. Father’s estimate of the cost of putting the drawingroom wing of our Burnside Road house over here and re-erecting together with other necessary addition and improvements to the shack was $857.

October 6th - That our life on Salt Spring Island was not going to be as smooth or pleasant as one could wish was shown today by the action of Mr. Arthur Walter, a somewhat officious little man, who stopped Father on the road and in a somewhat blunt manner advised him not to build, as he had been talking with some of the chief contributors to the support of the mission and he believed they could not be depended on to continue their subscriptions if Father remained. It seemed to Father that it was rather late in the day to be making such a suggestion as this, as he had already purchased the land and the building material was already ordered, and most of his family already on the Island; indeed it seemed rather a mean and abrupt way of proceeding. It was Saturday, and Father was on his way to Fulford Harbor and Beaver Point for the Sunday Services. He called in at Arthur Cartwrights and told him what Arthur Walter had been saying. Mr. Cartwright was indignant; said that he was sure that all the people from one end of the Island to the other would wish Father to remain as their clergyman, and that it was just Arthur Walten and a few other malcontents who wished to make trouble. And so Arthur Cartwright made out a paper for the Bishop petitioning that Father might remain as their clergyman; and wherever we went all along the line it was readily signed by everyone, and much indignation expressed against Arthur Walters’ officious and uncalled for proceeding. 31 persons signed that Saturday afternoon. Sunday evening Father was back at St. Mark’s. Mrs. Stevens and Purdy, and Arther Walter were conspicuously absent from the service and at the close of his sermon, Father told the congregation plainly what had occurred and said that any who wished him to remain as their clergyman should sign the petition which would be forwarded to the Bishop. Some of the congregation at once took the matter up and the petition was soon signed by all the church members, except a few malcontents who were not asked to do so.

Sept. 9th - We started our farm with 7 lambs, the kind gift of Mr. Ruckle of Beaver Point. Other people made us presents of fowls, a pig, a guinea fowl.

Sunday Oct. 14th - was our Harvest Thanksgiving service at St. Mark’s about 50 were present.

Oct. 22nd Monday - Father returned to our house on the Burnside Road, Victoria, to arrange with Mother for the final move to Salt Spring Island. It was Winnie’s 21st birthday and in the afternoon we had a birthday party. About 30 visitors, among them were Dr. Bate, Hale, Mitchell, the Bramsdons, Scarfes, Pemberton, Jenns and etc. Wyn, Kath, Norman and Keith were also with us. On the 24th Father had a very satisfactory interview with Bishop Perrin and his permanent appointment to Salt Spring Island was confirmed.

October 29th Monday - Father made another brief visit to Victoria in connection with the Covert legacy, which had been contested by the family. The only way, at this time, of getting to Victoria (except on regular boat days) was 21/2 miles by buggy to Vesuvius, 4 miles in hired boat across the straits, 4 miles walk through the bush to Hall’s crossing, then train to the city and 4 miles walk out to Burnside. Father had to be up at 5 a.m. Monday for the dawn trip, and at 5 a.m. again Tuesday for the return, and it was dreadfully wet both days.

All this while we were gradually enlarging our shack and making it more habitable, Gray and Llewelyn being engaged in the carpentry work, and Geo. Dukes and Walter Stevens helping on the farm. Mrs. Stevens, Purdy and A. Walter still absent themselves from our church services and it is reported that Mrs. Stevens is getting up a counter-petition.

November 6th - Father began preparing a pamphlet on Salt Spring Island. The people generally seemed to approve, thinking it would help to bring settlers to the Island.

November 12 Gray signed contract to build us a barn for $275. Our Wednesday evening services are improving, attendance as high as 18. Purdy, A. Walter & Mrs. Stevens have begun attending on Sundays. We have now 1 horse, 1 cow, 11 lambs, 3 pigs, 27 chickens, 1 duck.

November 21st - Father once again to our house on the Burnside Road and made final arrangements to pull down the drawing room wing and hall and to convey them, together with all our furniture and belongings, fruit trees, cow, pigs and etc. on a scow to Salt Spring Island. Father’s place was supplied for the following Sunday; so he was able to remain 7 days; and he and the boys were busily engaged packing up all the furniture, books, etc., ready for the move. Mr. Gray contracted to move the building and set it up again in connection with the shack on Salt Spring Island for $225. A scow and a tug were engaged; wagons converged early at the Victoria Wharf.

- Mr. Gray and the 2 boys, Norman and Keith, came up on the tug and all was safely landed at Vesuvius on Tuesday, December 4th. Then wagons had to be hired again and to bring all up to the new "Barnsbury site"; it was a great business, altogether a bad time of the year for a move—as for several days there was both drenching rain and a heavy fall of snow—so that it was impossible to start building and both building material and furniture were considerably damaged; the fruit trees also had to be "heeld" in for the winter, and the weather was too bad for planting. Until the drawing room with bedrooms over could be put up we were very much cramped for room; the only bedrooms being one for Mother and Father on the ground floor opening on the one living room and a bare attic divided off with curtains up under the roof and reached by a sort of wide ladder. However, Dec. 10th, the carpenters, Gray, Langley and Joel, began digging the lumber out of the snow and slush and managed to get the frame work erected. During all the bustle of the move, the dear Mother had been stopping at Major Dupont’s in Victoria; and it was the 18th December when she arrived upon "the Joan" to take possession of her new home.

Monday Dec. 24th - Father held midnight service at St. Mary’s, Fulford. There were about 30 present. Evelyn and Flossie had gone over with him to help decorate the church. Father stayed the night at Joe Akerman’s, the girls at Ed. Lee’s. Next morning they started early so as to be in time for 11 a.m. service at St. Mark’s. It was a fine day and there were about 50 present. The first Christmas dinner in the new home was at 5 p.m. Mrs. W. Scott had kindly sent over a roast turkey, and there was also a chicken pie and plum pudding; the party consisted of Father, Mother, (Kath at the Alexander’s, Vancouver), the 4 girls and 3 boys; also Caroline Anthony, cook.

Dec. 28th - Charlie Tolson asked to have Evelyn for his wife, and was accepted. His private income he said, would be pounds 300 per annum. Our boy, Bertie, was at this time living in Montreal, having a typewriter agency and patent stove heater, and was engaged to Oota Walters. Archie, with Clair and their 1 mo. old baby, Melita, had charge of the Washakada Home, at Elkhorn, Manitoba. Winnie had just broken off her engagement to Louis Jenns, of Victoria. Katherin was engaged to Harry Alexander; (subsequently broken off).

OUR LIFE ON SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C.

Excerpts only, 1895 - 1913

1895

Father’s pamphlet had now arrived. The local gov't had given $100 toward it & Father sold copies all over the Island.

Feb. 28. Father engaged a new farm man - Eric Ericson, a Swede at $20.00 a month and board. He was a very nice man & a good worker, he stayed over a year.

May 9. A specimen of Father’s days. Breakfast at 7 and at 9:15 started with "Duke" & cart for the Valley. In passing Ganges called in at Mansell’s & down to the wharf to meet Harold Scott & Ed Walter. On to Arthur Cartwright’s on the Divide, & got dinner; then drove with Geo. Dukes up to his shack on the Mountain. Made a first call on H. Rogers in Phillip’s log shack on the mountain. Then back to the Main road & a few miles further called on the old Macdonald couple, both nearly 80 years of age & living in a small bark shack, with several little shacks around for various purposes, one being a bake house. Then further along the road on to Mrs. Horel, a widow lady of somewhat bulky proportions. Thence down steep hill to the Valley, in time for tea at Mrs. Furness.' Then along the Valley road to Al. Raines & a few miles further to Fred Raynes. Put Duke up in Roger’s barn, and rowed with Jay Haskins in his boat across the bay to his mother’s log house. Left there at 9:15, and walked by the land trail back to St. Mary’s Church & slept in the vestry on a bench. Next morning, Sunday, up at 7 & walked back by the trail - a mile to Fred Raynes’ for breakfast. Back again at the Church at 9, service at 10:30, 31 present, got home, eleven miles east, to lunch at 2:15. Old John Smith’s funeral at 3 - 100 present. Service in St. Mark’s at 4:15, 56 present. Evening very tired. His stipend between $500 & $600 per ann. This he hoped to supplement by some profit off the farm. At this time we had 3 cows, 1 calf, 8 pigs, 1 horse and a few sheep.

Sept. 11 Archie, Claire, Basil & Father visited old Fredison & were regaled with ladies’ pudding which tasted somewhat of tobacco. Archie hunting & fishing, brought home 3 deer on 13th & 2 deer & 7 trout on the 14th.

Sept. 15 Evelyn married by Father to Charlie Tolson at St. Mark’s church. Chartered the "Mary Hare" from Ganges to Victoria, after driving from Barnsby in a sulky. Moved into Charlie’s frame house on Ganges Harbour (subsequently sold to Mr. A. Ward).

Oct. 26 A new family, the Collins, friends of Mr. Bullock, have just arrived from England & are to live in a cottage on his property. Another family named Few has also arrived and taken H. Horel’s place on the Divide.

Nov. 5 Father getting out a local monthly magazine to be called "Parish & Home". This evening we had a Guy Fawkes & fireworks at the cross roads near the Post Office about 70 young and old were present.

Nov. 6 We had a "Church Bee" at St. Mark’s to collect stone & build up a sort of parapet, with fence at top & gates, to enclose the 1/4 acre on which St. Mark’s is built There were 16 men & 3 teams at work & they made quite an improvement; but the plan was never fully carried out as John Harrison claimed that one corner of the lot adjutted on his land & he forbade the fence & the gate, one more instance of the kind of people we had to deal with. Dec. 8 Japs cutting wood for us at 60 cts. a cord

Dec. 23 Christmas Entertainment at N. School. Recitations & songs & hand around supper. 110 present & all over at 10:30.

Our servants Eric Erickson, farm hand & Caroline Anthony, cook. Norman & Keith are attending local school, Llewelyn helping Erickson on the farm.

Jan. 3 There was an earthquake today at 10:30 p.m.

April 9 There is no doctor at present on the Island, & to get one from Duncan’s costs $25, so Father is constantly called on to attend sick cases. Today he was called to attend Mr. Few’s daughter May at the Divide, (in the house afterward occupied by Miss Pedder). She was dangerously ill with brain fever, her temperature 105 1/2. On the llth he called twice to see the child & stayed till 2 a.m. and each day after till the 14th. Then she took a turn for the better, pulse down to 102 & temp. 101 & sleeping quietly.

Apr. 18 Father had an attack of exhaustion. Remained in bed for breakfast for nearly 5 months. May 8 Mansell’s team ran away down the Divide & Mr. & Mrs. Scott barely escaped being run over.

May 9 Father had another serious medical case, Mrs. Johnson. He was summoned at 8 p.m., got there at 10:30 p.m. and sat up with her till 3:30 a.m. Saw her again each day. On the 12th got out there at 5:15 p.m. and the poor woman died 1/2 an hour later. Mrs. Conery and Mrs. Horel were with her when she died. Her husband was away from the island.

June 19 Mr. Bullock drove a party of us over to Fulford for the day. Mother & our children & 2 Collins boys & Mr. Worlock - 11 in all. Mother had a bad sick headache, stopped in at Nighingales & determined never to go to Fulford again.

Aug 11 Father began planning for what afterward became the "Salt Spring Island Club". A. Walter Broadwell, W. Scott, Bullock & Stevens agreed to join. About this time he also started the Home Sunday School. The new Public Hall was built near the Central Post Office; a new school erected at the Divide & Mr Collins put up a cheese factory or Creamery on land belonging to Mr. Bullock. (Mr. Bullock still boarding at Stevens).

Oct 14 Our first Agricultural Show, for this & adjoining Island, was held in the new Public Hall. It was opened by Father with a short speech. Caroline Anthony has left us & we have a Chinaman named Jok.

Oct 31 Mr Bullock went to England

Nov 8. Father found the Fulford church in disorder, black lamp chimneys, comic songs and some glasses on the seats, bibles & prayer books thrown in the corner. He found that it was Mr Cooke’s doing, that they had been using the church as a concert hall the night before. Only 11 people were at Church. Father spoke strongly about it, and turned all the comic songs & music out on the porch, which made Cooke angry.

Nov 17 Very cold glass 14, 16, etc & snow 6" deep.

Dec 1. Our turn to entertain Salt Spring Island Club. Scott, Robertson, Broadwell, A. Cartwright & Ed Walter there.

1897

Jan 24 Father taking steps to have a shack put up for him at Fulford, in rear of the Church. "Sing" (Chinese cook) took sick and left.

Feb 25. Johnny Collins got shot in the eyes & subsequently obliged to have one of his eyes removed. Lu & Walter Stevens building the tiny vicarage at Fulford. As soon as built, Father began sleeping in it when down for service instead of on a bench in the vestry. (It cost $100).

Mar 28 Father called to a sick case Sunday evening - after a hard day’s work - Annie Robertson

Apr 13 A bad accident happened on our hill at 2 pm. The Scotts’ team ran away - the tongue having dropped and broken. The waggon was overturned, Chaldecott badly injured in the back & carried into our house where he lay in our spare room for 12 days. A. Walter who was at the bottom of the hill driving, had his buggy smashed up by the runaway team and was himself lamed for life.

Apr 15 Mrs Walter came over for Father at 4:30 am. Took off splints & renewed bandages. After a church service he called again to see Mr. Walter, got to bed very tired at 12.30 am.

May 1. This summer we have rented Hudson’s Orchard &: field at North End - for $50. There is a good supply of plums & other fruit besides a good crop of hay.

May 15 Mr. Collin’s, this spring opened a creamery on Mr. Bullock’s land. It did not answer very well & people complained of his keeping a pig yard close beside it. We began sending cream to him

May 25th but quit Oct 6th.

June 15 Our daughter Kathleen engaged to Frank Scott who purchased Mansell’s farm on Salt Spring Island.

June 26. We had special services at St. Mark’s on account of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee & on July 1st we erected a flag pole in front of the public hall & hoisted the Union Jack.

June 29 Pascal Walker arrived from England to be our farm pupil for two years. His mother advanced the two year payment of £50 a yr. so as to enable us to build a new wing to our house.       ^ This had become absolutely necessary as the old log building was found to harbour obnoxious insects so that we could no longer use any part of it as a bedroom. The new building, which adjoined the drawing room (which we had brought from Victoria) was commenced Aug 9th. It cost $525.

Oct 1st Pascal was fond of shooting & fishing. One day he brought home 6 ducks, 8 trout. He also shot a number of pigeons & pheasants. Mr. Bullock’s big house was being built this summer while he was away in England. He arrived back August 28th and it was at this time that (without my leave) he placed a crucifix on the Holy Table in St. Mark’s church. I removed the figure of the Savior but allowed the cross to remain.

Sept 18 Our first Medical Man, Dr Baker, arrived on the Island and took up his Quarters in Percy Brown’s house. On Oct 17th he, his wife and little daughter to aft. tea.

Nov 11. We inaugurated our Ladies’ church guild

 

1898

Llewelyn left for the far North, being attracted by the gold excitement in the Klondyke. He returned after a month, the expedition having been given up.

Feb 19 Harold Scott (a brother of son in-law Frank was drowned in Ganges Harbour with Freddy Smedley. Bodies found by young Frank Fisher near Fisher’s house, and taken to Frank’s house where Harold lived.

Mar 13. Charlie Tolson bought a cargo of dogs to ship to the Klondyke but he lost considerably by it & a number that were not sold died of the mange.

June 14. We had at this time a Patagonian boy Jimmy working on the farm.

June 18. Charlie & Evelyn Tolson moved into new house on the shore of Ganges Harbour. Charlies increasing illness caused them to leave for Denver. Dr Baker rented the house

Oct 27. Mr Mouat, the father of a large family on St. Mary Lake died of consumption. Mr Furness in the Valley died of appendicitis. Tom Scovell died same day in Banff.

Oct 24 Pascal left us & went to work at Leonard Tolson’s.

 

1899

Jan 1. We have a Jap servant "Yammawitch." Our farm now 56 acres, 14 acres having been sold to Lundy and 30 acres given to the 3 boys. Clerical income $600. 21 inches of snow, granddaughter Beryl (Scott) born attended by Dr. Baker, Father & Miss Pedder (replaced by Mrs Dagan the next day).

Mar 22 Keith working at Nanaimo at teaming, $35 a mth. Pascal returned to help Norman.

Apr 8. We are having a succession of Japs, Chinamen as cooks. Edwin & Fred Abbott arrived on Island.

June 22 We had a rumpus with some Chinamen in our house who had the impudence to spend the night upstairs in our house.

Dec 20 Charlie Tolson died, his son born 2 days later.

1900

Apr 2. New boat "the Iroquois" commenced running

May 4 Winnie & Nellie Hart arrived & put up at Norton’s

May 25 Evelyn sold her cottage & 160 acres of land to Geo. Barredaile for $1700.

May 26. To the Valley & had tea with the Hamiltons who have recently taken possession of their new house

July 19. Caterpillar plague raging on the Island.

Aug 3. Robert Browne died.

Sept 13. Bullock brought a lawsuit against Mr. Collins.

Sept 13. Father very busy with Agricultural Show, being secretary.

Oct 19 Miss Bullock engaged to Ernest Crofton

Dec 5. Report that Mr. Collins has got 9 months in gaol being result of Bullock’s action to recover $4329. People nearly all with Mr Collins and against Bullock.

Dec 11 Bullock, his sister & Ernest Crofton left for Victoria afraid to embark at Ganges, so drove over to Fulford.

1901

Jan 1. Keith & Norman each logging up their 91/2 acres. Lu preparing to build a house on his 91/2 acres, also helping Joel Broadwell to build a new store.

Jan 9. Ernest Crofton married in Victoria to Miss Bullock

Jan 18 Collin’s released from prison, great rejoicing here.

Jan 21 Joel selling out his store at the Crossing to P. Purvis

Jan 31 Made sketch of proposed memorial window to Queen Victoria, for west end of St. Marks’.

May 29 Bullock bought Berrow’s place.

Aug 7 Began getting out the Church Monthly in place of "Parish & Home."

Aug 8 No Jap servant, so obliged to do the cooking.

Aug 14 Intense heat, glass 90 in shade 3 pm. 75 at 10 pm.

Sept 4. New Agricultural Hall being built at Ganges Harbour.

1901

28 Drove up the Mountain to see Mrs Broadwell who is dying. Lizzie Belyea 14 yrs old came as cook, eventually she married Mr Munro, the Purser of the SS Iroquois

Oct 4 My first view of "moving pictures" in Victoria

Oct 15 J. P. Booth our M.P. had a paralytic stroke

Dec 4. Tremendous storm. 26 trees in our front & 9 at our back - blown down.

Dec 18 The Berrow family left the island.

1902

Feb 6. Spent the day at Cranberry Marsh, a wild district in the centre of the island, which is gradually being settled up. On the way, I called on Hollis & had dinner with Miss Pedder at the Divide, then on in, plodding through snow & slush, to call on Weight, W. Dukes H. Rogers & Geo. Gardner.

Feb 25 A message came that Mr Booth was dying so drove out with Keith, also Dr Baker on horse back. He was already dead when we got there. Funeral at St. Mark’s. As he was the Speaker of the House, Premier Dunsmuir & a number of the Members of Parliament were present. He was buried near the centre of our little St. Marks’ Cemetery. Later a tombstone was erected

Apr 1. Llewelyn & Keith are doing local teaming. Keith bought our team for $140 & harness $30 & Llewelyn bought another

Apr. Scovell, Baker & Geo. Borradaile went off for a month’s hunt. During Dr Baker’s absence, Father had the run of his medicine & had to attend to the sick. While Dr Baker was away, Mrs H. Rogers of the Cranberry Marsh had a baby & Father attended the case.

May 21 Queen Victoria Memorial Window placed in St. Mark’s

May 28 Messrs Manley, Legh & Connor arrived from England and put up at the Stevens, subsequently Mr Legh bought the Booth farm for $11,000 (North End).

July 10 Frank Scott very ill & Dr Baker very anxious. Dr B operated on Frank’s throat for cellulitis, Father assisting

16. A second operation by Dr Baker & Dr Jones.

18. Frank worse Dr B. with him till 5 a.m. The Legh family settled on the Booth farm. 300 acres & are rather an extraordinary set. They seem to be pulling the place all about & intending to build extensively. Mrs Legh is very masculine in her ideas & goes about with a cross cut saw on her shoulder.

July 30 Frank much better

Aug 2 Had a Bee at the cemetery

Sept 13 All day whitewashing & painting cemetery fence.

19 Llewelyn got a rupture putting on a waggon wheel. He was to go to the Jubilee Hospital when Dr Pierson of the Navy chanced to arrive on the up - boat, so the operation was performed on [in?] our drawing room.

Oct 1. Our Agricultural Show at the New Hall at Ganges

8. Attended Agricultural Show in Victoria. Salt Spring took 1st prize ($200) for District Exhibit.

Nov 10 A. R. Bittancourt preparing to open a saloon but it was voted out. 25 Since Lizzie Belyea left, we have no servant.

1903

Half-breed woman drowned off Russel Island.

May 4. Stopping in my shack at Fulford. During the night my buggy was turned upside down in Roger’s Creek, Edward’s store broken into & the window smashed & the R.C’s boat stolen. For these pranks, Freddy & Alvin Raynes were arrested & Freddy imprisoned for 3 months 8. Keith left for the Yukon

June 8th Intense heat, glass 92 in the shade

10 Ross Mahon drowned while bathing near his place at L. H. (Long Harbour)

July 2 J. Welch of this island advertized for wife & as a result got an old lady from Texas, aged about 70. They were married but only she stayed with him about 3 weeks. I called on them July 18th. 8. Dr. Baker trying to get Flossie’s teeth out under cloroform

Aug 1 Foundation Stone of New Creamery laid at Ganges Harbour 5. Grand Sunday School picnic at Fulford Harbour. 175 present 12 Ootie Baker injured by jumping. Brought on paralyses

Sept 17 Nona married at St. Marks to Fred Crofton.

Oct 3 Parliamentry Election. Bullock defeated by Patterson

14 Out to Cranberry Marsh by new road. Found snow 6 in. deep, stopped by a fallen tree, had to leave Billy and plod. Home School at H. Rogers

1904

Jan Lizzie Belyea is again our cook & a Jap working on the farm.

Feb 3. Father elected secretary of the Agricultural Society. A debt of $200 to be collected & everything in a tangle March 19 to Oct 15th Father spent 288 hrs on this business

Feb 26 Party of 5 left for the Yukon to form a syndicate & take up Lu’s mining claims. Frank & his team & Dr Baker were among the party. They got back Sept 26, all pretty well disgusted.

Mar 24 A new medical man, Dr. Beech, has arrived on the Island, & is living with his family in Mr Bullock’s cottage. Dr Baker in consequence is quarrelling with Mr Bullock.

Sept 21  Agricultural Show at Mahon Hall. Kept busy all day, & next day packing things for Victoria Show.

23 To Victoria with District Exhibit, 45 packages. Tommy Mansell & Arthur Cartwright with me as assistants

26 Yukon party arrived down, Frank, Nightingale, Dr. Baker & Chaldecott. Met them in Victoria. Lu remained up there. All pretty well disgusted.

Oct 4 George shot 4 pheasants on our land.

Dec 3 Mrs Conery died, Divide, at 3 am. Mrs Stevens to Victoria to hospital for operation.

1905

Jan We have no servant, but a respectable old Jap named Toki comes in on Thursday to clean up.

Feb 4. United H. Sampson & his wife (Indian) Lucy in marriage

20. Beginning to think of building a new church near Chalmer’s place on Ganges Harbour

Mar 1. The Mahon tablet put up in Agricultural Hall.

19 The new Methodist Church (adjourning our garden) opened

June 6 Dr. Beech has bought & settled into Bittancourts’ house, Ganges.

July 8 Intense heat. Glass 95 in the shade

17 Married Alfred Ruckle to Miss Margison in our drawing room

Aug 7 Agnes Ruckle of Beaver Point drowned

Sept 27. We have a new bathroom and large rain water tank.

Oct 16 Altered site of proposed new church & got Kelly to slash 1 acre at the junction road to Cranberry Marsh

1906

Jan Norman is only boy at home with Dunlop Halley to help on the farm. We have a good - team & still have Billy for the buggy. Our farm consists of 6 cows, 2 heifers, 1 calf, 2 pigs & about 250 fowls. Mrs Schetky with her four boys has lately come to live on the Island (in Bittancourts’ cottage on the hill)

Feb 5 A man named Kelly, living in a shack on Maxwell Lake, brother of Mrs Demaine, got lost in the bush, supposed to have been robbed and killed - Search was made for several days but he was never found

Mar 9. John Beddis & J. C. Sparrow both died this week.

Apr 2. Sheep stealing going on in Cranberry Marsh. Arthur Gardum, a boy of 14 sent to Victoria for trial. Charles Gardum was also involved, the bodies of 2 lambs having been found in his possession & he was sent to prison for 3 months.

June 11 Leonard Tolson & his bride arrived from England; in the course of the summer he built a very nice bungalow on land that belonged to Jno Tolson & was known as "Little Acre". Eventually they started a day school.

July 2 Two Schetky boys & Laurie Hamilton helped me to get in my hay at my shack at Fulford Harbour with "Bessie" & cart

10 About 40 children & Mrs Davis arrived by steamboat from Nanaimo to take part in a play "The Pirates of Penzance" Mrs Schetky had invited them & the proceeds were to be given to our new church at the Divide. The attendance was not particularly good, the children were put in various homes & we had 4 boys in our spare room.

Sept 7. It was at this time that Col. & Mrs Layard (Ireland) arrived on the Island and took up residence at one of Bittancourt’s cottages at Vesuvius Bay.

Nov 12. Geo. Borradaile sold his ranch at Ganges Harbour to George Halley for $3,500

1907

Jan We have no servant or farm help.

11 Snow six in. deep, everyone has grippe.

15 Bullock reported glass below zero

20 Roads a sheet of ice. Dr Baker sick in bed.

24 George Williams murdered Douglas in his house at Beaver Point. Norman appointed special constable by A. Welch, arrested him & accompanied by Scott, took him to Victoria. Subsequently he was sentenced to 14 years in Penitentiary.

25 Joe Malcolm our blacksmith died

Feb 3 Drove to Valley with "Biddy", roads all ice, only got as far as Wakelins, "Billy" fell several times & at last broke the shaft, so I had to return.

5 The Blackburn’s have lately arrived on the Island

13 Mr Blackburn has bought Conery’s farm for $13,000.

Apr 1 Purvis transferred his new store & Post Office at Ganges Harbour to Gilbert Mouat.

22 Frank Speed just out from England called & asked for work. We sent him & his wife to Nona’s & his wife’s brother, H. Atkins, settled with us, to work the farm with Norman.

29 Conery’s place burnt down (already sold to Blackburn)

May 18 Arthur Cartwright died. Edwin McFadden, a boy of 16, died of consumption. Mrs Sampson died somewhat suddenly. Florence Lee, a girl of 17 has also died.

31 Father suddenly taken ill. Replaced by Rev. J. Simonds. Father not back to work until July. July 30 Glass up to 96 in the shade Sept 12. J. H. Monk of Beaver Point married to Miss Brown

Oct 9. C. Abbott came out from England to help Father. He was licensed as a lay reader by the Bishop.

Nov 2 Harry Noon engaged as farm hand.           ^

12 Dr. Brooks, formerly a doctor in India, arrived on Island.

Dec. 13 Meeting about disposal of Building Fund at Dr. Beech’s having given up idea of building new Church for the present.

1908

Jan 3 Have got out new Table for Church Services now that I have Abbott to assist. We hold them at St. Mark’s, St. Mary’s, the Divide, Ganges, Cranberry Marsh, North End & at Beaver Point.

Mar 17 Gilbert Mouat married to Bella Nightingale.

Apr 25 Frank Lane (Foord’s old place) died suddenly, leaving a widow and 4 children.           -v

May 12 Married Edward Cartwright to Miss Royal.

24 Harold Rogers, a boy of 13 tried to drown himself at Ganges Harbour. Dr. Brooks is living near the Bakers on the Canal. He is a great fisherman.

June 2 Married Hudson Lee & Miss Mollett

June 8 Grade Norton’s funeral at 4:30, Smith’s at 7:30. The bearers came in to our house afterwards for supper, it being a long way back into the Cranberry.

9 Married W. J. Page (from England) aged 23, to Mrs. Cartwright aged 36, the widow of Arthur Cartwright.

June 19 Abe Stark, a half-witted fellow who used to wear a coat covered with Bible texts is just dead & was buried on the 28th.

July 4 Drove out to Cranberry Marsh to take $135 collected mostly by Keith for Mrs. J. Smith, whose husband accidently shot himself.

Aug. 6 Regatta at Ganges Harbour.

Aug. 16 Bush fires raging around us. People all out fighting them.

Sept. 26 Keith with 2 Chinamen & 2 Japs, came to pick our apples. Had a new room added to our Fulford "Vicarage."

Oct 1 Arthur Elliott married to Connie Moseley at St. Mark’s

19 Married Charlie Mollett to Lily Lee at St. Marks.

27 SS Iroquois wrecked near Nanaimo, but was got up again. Nov 22 Evening service for first time in Ganges, in Creamery shed, fixed up as a church, 45 present

Dec 10 Arranged with Chas Gardner to rent his shack at $10 per annum for a church in the Cranberry Marsh. A "Bee" held to fix it up.

11 Mrs Baker & her child Ootie left the Island.

1909

This old home we entered in 1894 when there was nothing but a dilapidated old log house & a hundred acres of wild unfenced & undrained land. Gradually we succeeded, after much toil & with the expenditure of but little money, for that we had not, in getting it into shape, renovating the log house & adding wing after wing to increase the accommodation, covering the outside walls and verandah with roses, honeysuckle, ivy & other creepers, creating a pretty flower garden with several lawns, adding some private roads and gates, planting several acres of orchards, meadows for cattle, extensive chicken yards & fields for crops. Now the property is moderately valued at least $6000 though the original cost of the land was only $900. & several portions of it had been sold since or given to other sons. Norman & his wife at the close of this year became the sole owners.

Nov 24 Started journey to Santa Monica, California. Left Ganges on the "Iroquois" at 11:15 am and had a calm & pleasant trip to Sidney, arriving at 5. pm & thence by rail to Victoria. By 7:15 pm we were safely housed in the Balmoral Hotel. Father & wife & daughter Nona (Crofton) and three children, Dermot Desmond & Diana. We intended to take a cottage for about 3 months

Dec 28 I wrote a letter to Bishop Johnston explaining that we had decided to give up Saltspring Island & live in Santa Monica & that I should be glad of occasional duty should it offer

1910

Mar 10 An auction of our furniture & possessions such as we did not want sent to us, held at Barnsbury Saltspring Island and it realized $500

Feb 13 Letter from Dr Brookes SSL "Church committee mtg yesterday at Ganges; we were anxious to get the accounts squared up & ready for the new man. I hear his name Bastin & he has just left England."

Apr 18 Letter from Norman SSL "A few people say they will not contribute anything toward the new parson’s salary because it will be $1000 a year as well as having the new rectory"

May 8 From Evelyn "Broadwell’s ranch on the mountain is sold & the Legh’s ranch at North End will be bought for $15,000 if the Legh’s agree.

May 30 From Norman - Ethel has bought about 30 acres of Purves’ land it takes in the whole of the field below us, it has a splendid crop of hay on it this year. I think also we are going to have a record fruit crop, the bloom is magnificent

Aug 25 We are fearful short of water, said to be the worst season in 30 yrs. I have had to deepen in "ten acre" and am also going to deepen the well in Middle Meadow: if we strike plenty we will put up a wind mill. Our fruit is splendid this year. I expect to ship 300 boxes.

Sept 5 We are renting our house to Dr. Houghton from Oct 1 until June 30/11 (Scott Ritchie)

Nov 1. Norman (farm a/c to date)

Receipts Poultry & eggs. $523.61 Dairy $925.79

Fruit           $457.20 Pigs $180.70

Garden & field    $49.10

Total $2130.40

Payments Poultry exp. $320.10 Dairy $183.81

Fruit exp.     62.55 Team     44.87           v

Pigs           57.21 Wages & board 273.90

Hay, seed etc. 223.05

Total 16—1 Profit $969.51

Dec 17 From Nona - I am still in the mad rush of work, work & always someone in. On Monday I have the Harvey’s from Pier Island coming & the Col & Mrs. Layard for that night, so Miss Brook & I will have to sleep down stairs on sofas.

Dec 25. From Dr. Brookes - Mr Bullock sent a splendid lot of evergreens & berried holly, only Mrs Bastin, Miss Collins, Mary Walter & myself were at the church to put it up, but we made a great show for the time we had.

1911

Nona & Fred (Crofton) and their 3 still at Ganges but wanting to sell out and come down here (Calif.)

Feb 28 Began writing "Our life on Salt Spring Island, 1894 to the time we left, Nov. 1909.

Mr Price died suddenly New Year’s Day.

From Annie McLennan - 3 new stores gone up at this end (Beaver Point) Lumley, the constable died & Mrs J.P. Booth. Fred Raines & family have gone to Victoria to live & rented their house to Mr & Mrs Hudson Lee.

From Miss Pedder - I think the Divide Service has fallen through, we have not had one for some time & very few came

From Bert - Doris is doing well at Miss Wilson’s school (Duncan). It is not expensive less than $30 a month

Feb 21 From Fred - Our hockey club is flourishing

Mar 6 From Norman - Heaton is leaving to go to his own place which he bought from Dr. Houghton. A young fellow named Fry is coming to me, a nice fellow & a gentleman.

Apr 2 This morning I walked to old man Silverson’s who has been very ill. Frank went with me and we took some chicken soup & a jelly. Our latest excitement on the Island is a large motor, it makes enough noise to frighten 100 horses. The Blackburns have really come into some money at last.

Apr 11 From Nona - There was a high wind blowing down the harbor at 9 a.m. Not till 1:30 did we hear the news that the Iroquois had gone down with all on board - 40 people, and only Capt. Sears saved. . . . The Iroquois went straight to the bottom just a mile out of Sidney. The people on the wharf saw her go over & heard the screams but could do nothing to save them. Some Indians tried but the cold water & huge waves were too much for them. Mr Harris went down from here on the "Ganges" & said the first person he saw was poor old Lu on the wharf - looking very white. He had been helping the doctors with the bodies, trying to bring them round again. 16 bodies had been got out yesterday. Among them poor Munro, the purser. They worked for hours over his body.

May 17 From Kath - I suppose you have heard old Purdy is married.

May 30 From Nona - We hear Capt Sears is trying to get another boat & run it himself again around the Island. I should think he would be hooted. . . His trial begins next Monday. We can't go out on the roads now as motor cars are all over the place - The Blackburns drive up & down just looking as if they wanted to meet some more people & buggies to smash up. Norman has his trial on with Mr B. next week. All his eggs & cream were smashed up & the horse so terrified it nearly killed Di & me at the gate.

May 31 From Norman - I am so busy I hardly know on which end I am standing, there seem to be either Agricultural Creamery, Farmer’s Institute, Church or Navy League meetings nearly every week. I am prosecuting Blackburn now, but as he is a lawyer he has the advantage.

July 6 From Nona - The old Halleys have kissed & made up & have just bought 8 acres of our land where Floss & George used to live, 5 bush & 3 cleared at $150 an acre

July 18 From Evelyn - Tremendous hay crop, 3 times as much as last year. The glass has been 95-98 in the shade. Mr. Abbott is engaged to Miss Champion

Aug 7 From Norman - All my hay in at last, both barns full. I have 9 cows, 3 heifers, 3 horses & 1 colt to winter

Sept 2 From Nona - It seems almost impossible to write with 4 children on my hands & the washing & the ironing. Miss Champion has left me - went off to Victoria, I suppose to get married.

Sept 3 Poor old Stevens is very old & shaky. Poor old Norton is also very ill & believed to be dying

Nov 11 From Wyn - Our governess comes at 9:30 stays for lunch & tea & leaves about 5:30. I give her £40 a year.

Nov 19. From Evelyn - One of our panthers was killed last night but there is still sheep killing going on so its mate or cubs must still be at large. Poor old Silverson died the other night.

From Lu - I have sold our place on Salt Spring to a young Englishman named Morris.

From Evelyn - Charlie has killed 14 quail & 3 pheasants since the season commenced, not bad for a boy of 11.

Dec 18 From Nona - Old man Halley is putting up a very large house, just near the Speeds’, opposite Norton’s house.

1912

Jan 7 Frank has about 40 pots of bulbs coming on & they are so interesting to watch. It is Frank’s one hobby.

Jan 12 From Evelyn - Poor old Mrs Bittancourt who had been missing for several weeks was found drowned in the bay at Vesuvius, the family were not good to her, & it is thought she committed suicide

Feb 28 From Ethel - I find this house is too spread out so we are going to leave the old log building for an apple house. . . . Mr Soule of the valley has made a very nice plan. I am making a little Japanese garden. Norman is busy stumping now with the puller Scott Ritchie bought. It is a wonderful machine. Dr Alan Beech is building & going to have 2 or 3 rooms for patients. Our "Guild

of Sunshine" is for young girls.  Mrs Palmer, Mrs Arthur Walter & Aunt Clara.are the leading spirits. A large meeting is held once a month

Mar 13 Poor Frank Westcott is now totally blind, it is sad to keep meeting him on the road feeling his way with a stick or a small boy leading him.

Mar 19 Mr. Ward has had all his place surveyed off into blocks of 1 & 5 acres & is having three roads made right through it up to Speed’s, named Rainbow, McPhillips & Hereford Rd. They hope in time one of them will connect with the Layard’s Rd. across the Canal.

Mar 27 From Mrs Layard - The new Church is on some land that belonged to Major Wilson. Mr & Mrs Robbie Roberts are living in Dr. Baker’s old house and Dr Brookes has a place on Long Harbour.

Apr 2 The panthers here prevented Beryl from going to school.

Apr 9 From Evelyn. Old Pottinger of N. End was offering his place last year to any one who would take it for $6000, just a week ago he sold it for $27,000.

May 3 From Mrs Stevens & Flossie. Eva Jenkins was married to Walter Stevens in April. Sadie Mosely & Mr Lang also. Mr & Mrs Purdy have a daughter. Frank Westcott has had his eye removed

June 20 Nona & Fred do not seem a bit worried about their expenses, they say that the sale of 1 acre of their land will fully pay all bills, they still have $650 coming in from the piece of bush & rock old Mr Halley bought.

June 2 The Ernest Croftons have bought Mouats’ place by the Canal and are going to build a nice house and live there.

June 18 Lee was not able to do our building so we have employed Arthur Elliott (who married Connie H.).

Dec 15 From Kathleen - The bay now is horrid, such a lot of motor boats & launches. Ducks have nearly all disappeared.

From Evelyn - The motor cars here now are dreadful. We are afraid to take out our pony & cart & the roads are too muddy for walking.

1913

Mar 26 We made the start to BC, From Victoria, boarded the "Joan" for Salt Spring 9 p.m. We got staterooms for all, rather pokey little cabins.

The next morning found Mrs McLennan of Beaver Point in the saloon. The boat did not go into Sidney. Olive Lee & another girl came on board at Fulford. At Beaver Point spoke to McLennan and to Mr Monk, whose brother Charles had lately been badly stabbed & nearly killed. Reached Ganges Harbour at 12:15 noon. A motor which had been put off at Beaver Pt and had been run the whole way by Gavin Mouat met us here and kindly conveyed us to Norman’s house, our destination. We found considerable change had been made. The plan was for us to stay a month & then go in to Ganges. Ethel’s lady help is Miss Lees and they have a Japanese cook. Two young men on the farm, Mr Milne & Mr Long.

Mar 2 Letter from Evelyn. "The hotel in Ganges is really to be built at last. Lumber for it is coming up tomorrow. Kathleen & Beryl saw the panther the other day outside their boundary gate".

Mar 4 From Col. Layard. Dr Brookes is very ill in St. Joseph’s Hospital

Apr 4 At 1 pm the "Joan" came.

Apr 11 Called on the Bastins. Also saw Joe Akerman & family.

Apr 16 Called on Mr Bullock to ask after Dr. Brookes who is very sick & has to take morphia almost daily. Mr Bullock has kindly given him a nice bedroom, & is looking after him. At 1 pm we started with Mr Abbott in Gavin’s automobile. It was a lovely day - quite mild & we started first to cross the Divide to visit the Hamilton family. Calling in for a few minutes at St. Mary’s Church. We had aft. tea, all the children seemed to remember us. I took them nearly all for a ride on the auto when we left. They had never been in one before. We stopped at Mrs Jackson’s gate in passing. On the road home we stopped a few minutes at Mr Mollett’s (whose wife died lately). It was now just 5 o'clock & we had to hurry as we want to take in Miss Pedder on the way. She is getting very aged. I think she has had a bad time of it since coming out to Canada & it strikes us that the members of the family are not quite as kind to her as they might be & she’s given too much to do for an old lady. She has to find meals for her 2 nephews besides doing their washing & I expect their mending. She says she can never get to Church now as their horse gets scared by the motors, of which there are now 8 or 10. We stopped also in at Tom Lees on our way home & they seemed very pleased to meet us, their daughter Edith, now grown up, used to belong to my Bible Class & their boy Eddy 18, is now working in Victoria. I spoke also to Mrs Jim Horel whose dwelling is just across the road opposite the Lees’. It was a lovely drive & we enjoyed it greatly.

Apr 22 Attended wedding at St. Mark’s, Basil Cartwright & Daisy Lang of N. End.

26 Called on Leonard Tolson & Dr Beech Sr.

30 Packing up to move to Evelyn’s place where we may spend the summer months, paying $35 a month. Mrs H. Stevens reported dying.

May 2 Mrs Stevens died

19 Feeling a little worried & uncertain prospects for coming winter, prices so high everywhere. Wrote to 3 Victoria adverts.

29 Norman spoke of selling out here & going in partnership with Bert. The Layards have just got a motor.

June 4 Made our second trip with Abbott in Gavin’s motor. Drove first to the Prices where old Foord used to be. Up to N. End. Went to call on Sadie Lang (Mosely).

6 Went on Norman’s launch to see their new place on land that used to be William Scotts’. (now Spindrift)

June 8 To morning service at new Ganges Church, St. Paul’s. Mrs Ashton’s boys (     school) were
 in attendance & behaved very nicely.

July 4 Henry Ruckle, Beaver Pt. died.
6 Tried to get over to attend Ruckle’s funeral - but no means.
7 Norman began cutting hay, much later than usual. 21  Charlie & Norman getting in Ritchies hay, 80 cocks.
Aug 8 To Victoria in search of lodgings in Victoria
Sept. 9 Miss Wiesendorf (a dutch lady) arrived to take Miss Pellqw’s place as Lady help.
10 Message from F. lodgings already secured, every way suitable. Want me to come at once. Attended Home’s funeral he had committed suicide - coroner’s inquest said accident)
11 In Gavin’s motor at my own expense ($3) to finish off my visits. McFaddens, Robbie Roberts, no time to call on Steven’s & Collins’ as we had intended doing.
Sept 13. We drove to the wharf to take the boat "Joan" which was due to arrive at 2 p.m. While waiting for the boat I called to see old Mrs Mouat & stayed there upwards of 2 hours, the boat being very late. Mr Abbott was also down to see me off & he also came in several times to the Mouats also Mr & Mrs McFadden & Mrs Mouat kindly gave me tea. It was nearly 6 pm when I finally got away, & 10:45 pm when we reached Victoria.

(Wilsons settled in Victoria)