SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Gerard Hamilton Gorges : reminiscences of the Bulkley Valley, 1913 PERIOD COVERED: 1912-1914 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1962-04-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gerard Hamilton Gorges begins this interview speaking about the North Coast Land Company, his journey to Telkwa from England (1912) via the Arrow Lakes, the potential town site of Hubert, the; North Coast Land Company land speculation, Telkwa, Tyhee Lake and Round Lake, land swindlers, early settlers: Jack Seely, the Carr boys and Charlie Barrett, pack trains, "Foley, Welsh and Stewart", freighting, Studebaker wagons, Coal Creek and Alvo von Alvenslaben, Mooseskin Johnny, the Bulkley Valley, Joe Bourgon, Indians, Blackjack MacDonald, "Popcorn Kate", incidents, a "gold rush" at White Sail Lake, more about Blackjack MacDonald and Jack McNeil. TRACK 2: Gerard Georges continues speaking about Jack McNeil and his "businesses" at Aldermere, prostitution, Telkwa, horse races, the Hubert ;town site vs. Smithers as a divisional railway point, Rene D'Egville, and an anecdote about the fur trade.

SUMMARY: "In "Bulkley Valley", #17 in the series, Mr. Gerry Gorges talks about real estate speculation in the Bulkley Valley before the coming of the Grand Trunk Pacific, and about the birth of the town of Smithers.