RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-01-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Webster tells of his family moving from Ontario initially to Vancouver, then Agassiz in 1902, where his father took over a general store and ran it for twenty years. He describes the varied products supplied by the general store and the main competition, Inkman's store, and that the busiest time of year was during arrival of migrant labour for the hop harvest. Comments on operation ;of the BC Hop Company; Hindus and Chinese grew and processed the hops; Indians did the picking. He describes Agassiz businesses and the character of the town; Agassiz and Bella Vista Hotels; he recalls the one-room school environment and teachers, Mrs. Herd and Mrs. McQueen; as well as another, very unsuccessful teacher. He gives an account of the attempted robbery of Bank of Montreal, formerly ;Bank of British North America, which was thwarted by Webster's father. TRACK 2: Mr. Webster discusses local transportation including the Agassiz-Rosedale ferry and the trains that serviced Agassiz. ; He describes the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel talley-ho that picked up guests from the railway station. He tells of the Inkman family, their musical talents, and contribution to social life; of Mrs. Agassiz and her daughters, including their exclusiveness and farming origins. He talks about Bert Horwell, town blacksmith, and how his shop was a gathering spot, along with Webster's store, where oft;en politics was discussed. He describes the political affiliation of local people, including Reeve McRae, and of visitors Richard McBride and John Oliver. He tells of the importance of churches as social centres. He mentions Agassiz's strong baseball tradition and the good teams it produced. Mr. Webster describes the Agassiz Valley and views of surrounding mountains; including Mount Cheam. He ;gives an account of the local election process and discusses the role of the Odd Fellows Society and its hall as the center of political and social activity.
