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The sub-series consists of oral history interviews recorded in the Okanagan and Similkameen regions, mainly dealing with the history of those regions in the years 1880-1914.

CALL NUMBER: T0322:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Robert E. Gamman recalls life in the Okanagan; 1908 to 1914. He describes how he came to the Okanagan in 1908 via the U.S.; odd jobs in Vernon; trapping; J.M. Robinson and Naramata; land dealings; irrigation; life as a greenhorn in a cabin; the man who lent him the cabin; "real men"; a story of a man who froze to death on a trail; Nahun Landing; trapping in the Monashee area; the story of how he came to Naramata; work there and surveying. TRACK 2: Mr. Gamman describes early days in Naramata; survey work in the South Okanagan; an encounter with wild cattle; Mrs. Kruger and her boys; hospitality then as compared to today; Okanagan Falls; packing into Camp McKinney; the story of Arnott, who had owned the site of Kaleden, and his partner Bill Hines; their ranch; other characters; a visit from a game warden regarding deer; and the town of Fairview.

CALL NUMBER: T0322:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Gamman describes surveying and the construction of the Kettle Valley Railway; accidents; survey work; work in Northern BC; surveying the watershed of Deadman River; an anecdote about the; beginning of World War I; Kelowna and remittance men, including one who pretended to own a ranch; a description of Kelowna; Vernon; bad debts back then; other people such as Tommy Wilmot and Paddy Acland; early days in Penticton; Naramata; more on J.M. Robinson who was "a real pioneer"; early growth in Naramata and irrigation. TRACK 2: Mr. Gamman tells stories of people in Naramata; development ;in Naramata over World War I; land between there and Penticton; his own early life there; the Green family of Green Mountain; a story about getting locked up overnight in Kelowna; various odd jobs such as prospecting and pruning trees.

CALL NUMBER: T0458:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], [1965?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Leonard Hayman recalls life in the Okanagan, 1901 to 1945. He discusses how he came out to the Okanagan Valley in 1901; worked on a ranch near Vernon; worked on CPR steamboats; incident;s on the farm; crews on boats; Indians on the reservation south of Kelowna [Westbank?]; working his way up to captain on steamboats; early days in Kelowna; cows in the streets; drinking in Kelowna; Reverend Thomas Green; an anecdote about Tom Ellis and the church organ in Penticton; and a Pauline Johnson concert. TRACK 2: Mr. Hayman discusses steamboats coming into Penticton; people in Penticton; how Mr. Hayman came to run the ferry across Okanagan Lake; a story of a boat which was wrecked in a storm at night; a man lost on a canoe in the lake; the Okanagan Brigade Trail; running ferries under the government; roads on the west side of the lake; stories about "Wild Goose Bill"; Indians and ferry operations.

CALL NUMBER: T0458:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [1965?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This track begins with an anecdote about Mr. Hayman stealing his own pig; stories about the police; Sam Lee of the Chinese Laundry at Okanagan Landing; a funny story about a minister at Field; pioneer supplies such as flour sacks; stories about Indians; a story about an Indian in court who wanted a receipt for his fine; and a story of a Chinese man who was shot by mistake. TRACK 2: Mr. Hayman offers more stories about a bear shot from a sternwheeler; swimming the lake to see loon eggs; a story of Joe Casorso and an Indian and a cougar skin; Reverend Solly and the burning down of the Naramata church; a new organ in the Penticton church; a story about Tom Ellis and the church organ; Price Ellison; lake ferry problems; how Mr. Hayman took the ferry over; church services; a story a;bout a funeral and poison ivy.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Ada Bartholomew recalls early days in the Kelowna area. She describes how her family came to the Okanagan via Port Arthur and New Westminster; early families of Kelowna; her first impressions of the area; school days; how things were better then; dances; other people who lived nearby; Christmas; how Kelowna grew; fairs and Penticton. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Paddy Acland remembers a few anecdotes about hunting and hiking in the BC interior. He explains how he came out to British Columbia from England after serving with the British Army duri;ng the Boer War. He describes expectations of life in BC and offers comments on the background of his father, John Acland. He arrived in BC in 1908; he describes the appearance of Summerland. He discusses his first jobs in the Okanagan; building his first log cabin; an anecdote about digging a basement for "Old Johnson"; buying and pre empting land in the Okanagan. TRACK 2: Paddy Acland describes the development of his own property near Eneas Lake between Peachland and Summerland. He discusses his first impressions of the Okanagan Valley, coming into it via train and boat. He describes ;the sternwheeler "Aberdeen"; labouring for a tobacco farmer in Kelowna; working for a dairy farmer, the meanest man Mr. Acland had ever met; comments on another employer, named "Fluffy" Williston. Mr. Acland offers further comments on British immigrants who came to the Okanagan during this era.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland mentions his first jobs in the Okanagan, including lumber sorting and surveying. Mr. Acland returned to England for two months, and then returned to the Okanagan. He offers an; anecdote about a man being thrown into Lake Okanagan with all of his belongings, for making a pass at a local girl, and the "rough" justice of the era. More anecdotes about promiscuity between wives; of landed settlers and hired working men. Mr. Acland discusses his marriage to a girl from Summerland, and a digression on the different types of English immigrants, including the class that settled; in Vernon during the early decades of the century, which he found snobbish and pretentious. He describes the mixture of settlers in Kelowna during this era. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland offers comments about the Edgelow family of Kelowna, particularly Mrs. Edgelow, who delighted in shocking Kelowna residents prior to World War I. He comments on the background of the Acland family and offers anecdotes ;about his mother-in-law, Mrs. Hutton of Kelowna, an ardent Catholic convert who often entertained in her large home. He tells a story about an English orchardist who planted his trees upside down, an;d describes dances and social activities in the Okanagan Valley during this era. He describes the growth and development of Summerland during its early years and reflects upon the different currents ;of immigrants and settlers which have made up the fabric of Canadian society.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses some early Okanagan Valley residents. He admits that he joined the Baptist church choir to meet young and single women. He discusses relations with the Indians in the reserve near Summerland; the story of Sam McGee; comments on how the capital of early settlers was used and misused; a recollection of J.M. Robinson; comments on the Manitoba farmers induced to come; to the Okanagan Valley by Robinson; comments on how young men made a living in the Okanagan during this era; a story about the fortunes of three young working men; and comments on the Dominion Experimental Farm at Summerland. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland recalls several characters at Cobble Hill, Duncan, and offers a comparison between Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley during the early years of t;he century. He discusses personalities and experiences at Thetis Island; then he tells a story about two young men who shot a policeman in the Okanagan Valley, and were hunted by posses throughout the valley. More comments on English settlers; the story of the Belleview Hotel; anecdotes about the antics at the Belleview Hotel, and a physical description of the hotel.;

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0004 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland retraces early working experiences and life in the Okanagan Valley. He describes Okanagan Falls around the time of the First World War; the town of Kaleden; a story about Tom E;llis; stories about rattlesnakes; a story about competing in the long jump against an Indian at Penticton; comments about Penticton and Naramata; a description of Peachland; comments about settlements; on the west side of Okanagan Lake; J.C. Dun-Waters and the building of Fintry; dairy farming; comments about the simple funerals of several wealthy Okanagan residents; and an anecdote about the funeral of Matt Wilson. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland recalls his service with a military regiment in the Okanagan Valley; organizational and disciplinary problems with the Okanagan military regiment; military stories and training with different military regiments in BC and eastern Canada.;

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0005 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses military training and service overseas with a Canadian battalion during the First World War. He offers further recollections of aspects of military training in British Columbia. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland tells a story of bear hunting behind his homestead with a local Indian. He describes his service as a government weed inspector along Lake Okanagan, and tells a story; about entry into the military. He comments about training in the Okanagan and he traces his military career.

CALL NUMBER: T1085:0006 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Paddy Acland discusses further aspects of his military experience overseas during World War I. TRACK 2: Mr. Acland offers recollections about flying aircraft and training pilots during World War I; returning to the Okanagan Valley after the war; a story about losing his land after the war, and serving as a manager at the Eldorado ranch. Finally, he discusses hard times.

CALL NUMBER: T1089:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Myra DeBeck and Mrs. Ellen Sovereign are the daughters of Price Ellison (1853-1932). Mrs. DeBeck begins the interview by discussing her father's background; how he came to the Okanagan; the story of her mother's wedding ring; how her mother, Sophie Johnson, came to the Okanagan and married Ellison; Ellison's youth in England; his apprenticeship as a Whitesmith; neighbours in Vernon; the Ellison Ranch; a description of the house; her mother's involvement in the women's council; Lord and Lady Aberdeen. TRACK 2: Mrs. Ellen Sovereign discusses her father as an Okanagan pioneer and as a politician with great vision for the valley. She describes social life in Vernon; various visits to Victoria around 1900; impressions of Victoria; Premier Richard McBride; the Aberdeens; the Barnards of BX Ranch; a trip to Simpson Ranch.

CALL NUMBER: T1089:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Myra DeBeck recalls life in Vernon and the area from 1890 to 1910. She describes Vernon as it was around 1900; the strawberry festival and social events; the story of how her mother came to; the valley; a trip to the World's Fair in 1893; Okanagan Mission; a visit to the Simpson Ranch; roads in the Valley; Coldstream Ranch; W.C. Ricardo; Lady Aberdeen and the Womens' Council, and the Cottage Hospital. TRACK 2: Mrs. DeBeck continues describing Lady Aberdeen's visit; the visit of Earl and Lady Grey; the Aberdeen family and their children; Lady Aberdeen's Irish village at the Chicago ;World's Fair; Coldstream; hop growing and Indian pickers; other ranchers and ranches in the area; the O'Keefe family; the Greenhows; BX Ranch; the Barnard family; the MacDonald family; young Englishmen; the Womens' Institute; Penticton; the Ellis family.

CALL NUMBER: T1089:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Myra DeBeck recalls a 1910 trip with her father, Provincial cabinet minister Price Ellison, into what became Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. She also describes the creation of Ellison Park on Okanagan Lake; Premier Richard McBride; electioneering with her father; and stories about an old hand on Ellison Ranch. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-26 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Miss Kathleen Ellis recalls her father; pioneer Okanagan rancher Tom Ellis. She discusses how her father came to the valley in 1865; pre-empted land at the present site of Penticton; returned to Ireland to marry; a description of Mrs. Ellis, nee Wade; Judge J.C. Haynes; Ellis' early travels; relations with native people; cattle brought from Oregon; early families; business dealings; Ell;is' treatment of newcomers; visitors; a description of the house; and how Ellis built the first church. TRACK 2: Miss Ellis describes early settlement at Penticton; Father Pandosy and his death; daily life; governesses; pastimes; chores; Ellis' cattle herd of 4,000 head; how Eileen Ellis met Pat Burns; visits with the Burns family in Calgary; cattle driven to Hope or Rossland; hard feelings when; Ellis bought Haynes Ranch in Osoyoos after J.C. Hayne's death; rivalries; and the Kruger family.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Herbert G. Clark talks about Penticton and the Keremeos/Ashnola Creek area after 1914. He discusses his family background; school days at Allen Grove near Penticton; people in the Penticton area; a story about an old Indian man named Toppy Louie; chores on the ranch; pioneers; old timers in Keremeos; a discussion of the area; a description of an imaginary trip from Keremeos through the Ashnola Creek area, including the roads, landscape and vegetation. He concludes by describing wildlife in the area. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-28 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Winifred Innis talks about life in the Okanagan, 1896 to 1910. She describes her family background, including travels and her father's work, as well as coming to Vernon in 1896. She offers her impressions of Vernon while discussing the orchards and irrigation; Lord and Lady Aberdeen; her father's work in Vernon and building a road to Nickel Plate Mine; Penticton and its people in 1;900; the development of Penticton; life on Green Mountain; the people of Vernon and Lumby; her husband's background; Keremeos and its people from 1906 on; her impressions of Hedley; mining there; Duncan Wood; Jimmy Reardon; dances; land promotion at Olalla and other people in the area. [TRACK 2: blank.]

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Charlie Shaw talks about his experiences in the Okanagan and other recollections from 1886 to 1911. Mr. Shaw outlines several experiences: his father was the first Reeve of Burnaby; Sha;w was sent east as a boy; returned to Armstrong and became a printer; worked in Penticton; knew Robert Service in Dawson City; his father's background; childhood memories of the Vancouver area; his mother's family; details of his father's business; his move to Kamloops; returning to help his uncle print a paper in Armstrong; Armstrong and the area around 1900; stories about Cornelius O'Keefe; George Anderson; S.C. Smith and his lumber business; development in the Penticton area and Penticton social life. TRACK 2: Mr. Shaw continues with more on the development of Penticton including the business and settlers; starting the newspaper there; a lengthy discussion of printing and printing techniques; work on the newspaper; anti-Chinese agitation in Penticton and elsewhere; the "Komagata Maru"; incident in Vancouver in [1914]; more about Penticton and its growth to 1906; alcohol; Price Ellison; social life in the Vernon area; social behavior and manners.

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Shaw discusses the anti-Chinese feeling in Armstrong; a story of an anti-Chinese prank; the moral character of Armstrong; Lord and Lady Aberdeen in Vernon and their effect on Vernon soci;ety; Kelowna in those days; J.M. Robinson and Naramata; a description of Robinson; real estate promoters "Breezy" Lee and "Windy" Young; an anecdote about Colonel Sam Hughes inspecting militia at Vern;on; and a remittance man and his wager. TRACK 2: Mr. Shaw recalls Dawson City in 1906 and 1907, including how he came to Dawson; a story about a newspaper serial; details of travel to and from Dawso;n City; gold dust as currency; the value of money; goods in Dawson City; sled dog teams; Adam Cruickshank; Smith and his gambling house; law and order; moral attitudes in Dawson; prostitutes; drinking; and Christmas.NOTE: The sound quality on this track is not up to par with the other tracks.

CALL NUMBER: T1118:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Shaw continues by describing Dawson City from 1906 to 1910, including entertainment; Robert W. Service and his verse; and the people of Dawson. He discusses Grand Forks as a mining community in 1907; more on the people of Dawson; a wager on the Johnson/Burns fight in 1907; the Liberty gold mine near Grand Forks; various people in the Grand Forks area at the time; an Englishmen in the Okanagan and his wager; and remittance men. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-11-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Reg Atkinson talks about life in Penticton and area, 1905 to 1914. He discusses his family background; his first days at Penticton; his father's work with the post office; why he came to; Penticton; his impressions; a description of Penticton as it was in 1907; the South Okanagan Land Company and the development of the town and land after 1905; orcharding in the area before 1905; more; land around Penticton; cattle; pastimes; life; schooldays in Penticton; a discussion of rattlesnakes; a story about nursery salesmen; the Shatford Brothers; and a story of a post office robbery. [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUMMARY: In "Okanagan People", number 4 in the series, we hear about the Indians, cattlemen and fruit growers of the Okanagan Valley; the lively society of the British people; the hard work of converting the dry hills into orchards. Voices heard include: Myra DeBeck, Dorothea Walker, Primrose Upton, Charlie Shaw, Bob Gammon, Len Hayman, and H.V. (Paddy) Acland.