Showing 1808 results

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-09-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Anna Kristine Young, wife of J.H. Young, recalls her childhood years in Trail after her family arrived in 1895. Her father, John Peterson, was bought out by Pat Burns, so he went into th;e hotel business with his brother; S.F. Paterson of the Crown Point Hotel. She tells why her family came; the development of the town in the 1890s, including the first water works; the Italian community; life in early Trail; the Arlington Hotel and hotel section; characters; the Crown Point Hotel; a trip to Rossland and the change from narrow to standard gauge. She discusses Rossland's Sourdough; Alley; the early years of the smelter; first schools; riverboats; the effects of smelter smoke; memories of an Easter egg hunt; forest fires; the town site of Deer Park. She recalls the family's immigration and travel to Trail; as well as her father's business in Minnesota. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-07-22 SUMMARY: Mrs. Anne Stevenson talks about her father, Roderick MacKenzie, the first storekeeper of Williams Lake. Mrs. Stevenson discusses her father's background and experiences in the Vancouver area. She describes how her father's business was established in Squamish, then Williams Lake. She describes why he came to Williams Lake, activity in the area circa 1919, the store, and anecdotes about her father and the store.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Miss Annie "Nan" Bostock discusses her father, Hewitt Bostock, a lawyer who came from Cambridge in 1888, and bought a ranch at Monte Creek; his decision to settle in the south Thompson because of the sunsets. She describes original settlers including Jacob Duck; details about the ranch; homesteaders and the influx of immigrants from 1908 to 1912. She tells how her mother and father met; ;their subsequent marriage and the eventual move to Canada from England in 1894. She continues with the story of how her father learned of her birth; her father's constituency while in politics; her earliest memories of growing up on the ranch; schooling; various characters involved with the train; details about roads in those days; livestock; and houses that her father built. [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Annie Engebretson : Bella Coola colony and Anahim Lake PERIOD COVERED: 1894-1934 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-08-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Annie Engebretson (nee Lunos or Lunaas) discusses her father Jacob J. Lunaas' arrival in Bella Coola from Minnesota to the Saugstad colony in 1895. She then discusses their first three years in the colony, leaving for Victoria in 1900, moving to Anahim Lake for health reasons (1903-1916), the four different trails to Anahim Lake from Bella Coola, sellers and Indians and families at Anahim; Lake, and stories about Ben Franklin and Capoose. TRACK 2: Engebretson continues with more on settlers and inhabitants at Anahim Lake (1898-1913), Father Thomas, and the possible origin of the different physical appearance of Bella Coola Indians.

CALL NUMBER: T0859:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-09-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Paul Hayes discusses Indian praying spiritual songs and singing; ritual purification; religious ritual before whaling trips; a family story about the thunderbird and the whale; the Indian mythology about the Creation; the role of white education on Indian traditions; songs of the Flood; and the whale hunt song. TRACK 2: Mrs. Hayes describes her childhood experiences at Alberni; raising her brother; schooling in Alberni; life on the Alberni reservation; winter storms; wolves; residential schools; training as a nurse and midwife; and her nursing experiences.

CALL NUMBER: T0859:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-09-02 & 03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Hayes continues with recollections about her nursing experiences and midwifery; she discusses native social and marriage customs; feasts and potlatches for births; naming and first birthdays; prenuptial rituals; marriage customs; polygamy; and preserving Indian marriage customs. She describes the different dialects among the Nootka people. TRACK 2: Mrs. Hayes discusses Indian son;gs; the inheritance of chieftainship; women chiefs; the form of songs; and examples of various types. She talks about territorial rights; disapproval of theft; Chief Wickaninnish from Clayoquot and other chiefs; love songs; early dances; songs and rituals at Tofino; rhythm in the songs; and rights to songs.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Annie Levelton recalls early life in the Bella Coola Valley (1895) RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-08-18 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Annie Levelton describes her arrival in Bella Coola when she was four years old from Norway. Then she discusses her mother and the challenge of moving to such a remote area and credit is given to Mr. Clayton who was the Hudson's Bay factor (1895) who made sure that no one starved. She discusses her father (Erasmus Levelton) and his coming to Minnesota, Rev. Christian Saugstad, her mother,; and relations with the Bella Coola Stikine. Then she tells a story of how her life was saved by the famous Indian Capoose, and two anecdotes about bears. She discusses working on Bella Coola's road building, fishing, Mrs. Clayton, her mother's nursing, and Hagensborg. TRACK 2: Annie Levelton recalls carrying stoves, other goods, and equipment over the creek. Then she relates Ole Saugstad's muscular exploits.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-06-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Annie McLeod, wife of George McLeod, describes her arrival in Nanaimo in the ship "Maude"; mining on Texada Island; her father James Raper and the Cornell Mine in 1898; and a description; of Marble Bay, Van Anda in 1900. She then offers her impressions of her father; Van Anda, including the church and opera house; the Columbia Coast Mission and Hospital; and copper mining. She describes her arrival at Vananda; union steamships; Van Anda company town life; Gilles Bay; the 1913 "Cheslakee" shipwreck; the origin of the Van Anda name, involving Harry Whitney Treat; the town's decline in 1921 and the re-growth after WWII with new mining prospects; the influence of Treat; and comments on Van Anda in the past and present. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-06-30 SUMMARY: TRACK 1 & 2: Mrs. Annie Wilkie, 97 years old, describes her father, who was an original '49er who eventually moved to North Kamloops. She describes the area, her life and several characters whom she remembers.

CALL NUMBER: T0678:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Miss Annie York describes her grandfather, Joseph York (1868?-1951), who attended Anglican schools at Jackass Mountain; his lifelong work for the CPR; several anecdotes about things that happened to him during his lifetime; his character; Spuzzum Indians; Indians in Lytton; how Spuzzum got its name; Harry James; events in Spuzzum; Indians of Spuzzum; basket weaving; Spuzzum Indian chiefs; the Chinook language; languages used in church; she recites the Lord's Prayer and some hymns in her native tongue, Thompson Indian. TRACK 2: Miss York sings a bit more and discusses the hymns; Reverend Higgs; anecdotes about family; her great grandmother; her grandmother; her mother; her partner, Mr. Palmer; Chief James; Thompson Village. She tells the story of the Lytton Indians and Simon Fraser as told to her by her grandmother, who was ten years old at the time of the meeting, and sings the song that was sung to Simon Fraser when he left the Indians. More on Simon Fraser; more on hymns and prayers; teaching.

CALL NUMBER: T0678:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Miss York continues by discussing how Indians prepare food. Then Arthur Urquhart, who was born in Yale and moved to Spuzzum, describes his earliest recollections about his family; his father; people in the area; Chinese people; what people wore; what Spuzzum was like. TRACK 2: Miss York comes back on and tells stories that Chief James told her, and describes his life; bridges and settlements in the area; customs of the Indians; more on cooking; more stories about social customs; her father; Indian religion and beliefs; the origins of the river and the moon.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Annie York of Spuzzum recounts her grandparents' recollection of Simon Fraser coming down the Fraser River and arriving at Lytton. She speaks about the song sung to Fraser when he left Spuzzum. She recites the words of the song in English, and sings a version in English. She then sings a version in her native language. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-13 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Anthony Casorso talks about life in the Okanagan Mission and Kelowna area, 1880 to 1922. He begins by discussing his background of his father, who came from Italy in 1880. He describes; Father Pandosy; early memories; his brothers Felix and Joseph at the Mission; more about Father Pandosy; Indians around the Mission; Christmas; Pandosy's last journey and death in 1891; Indian huts; ;more about Pandosy's death and apple trees at the Mission. TRACK 2: Mr. Casorso describes Indians en route to hop picking at Coldstream; travel on the east side of the lake; settlement in the area; the Lequimes; the McDougalls; the Brents; Joseph Brent and mail service; more on Pandosy; the Casorso house; wagon wheels; early threshing methods; the first apple orchard in east Kelowna; development; of grape growing varieties; other fruit farming.

Tape summary: T1071:0001 Mr. Anthony Walsh discusses his experiences as a teacher at Inkameep Reserve School near Oliver, 1932 to 1942. He explains how he started teaching; the origin of his interest in Indian culture; his impressions of Inkameep reserve; early work with the Indian children; an Inkameep Christmas card; European interest in the Inkameep artwork; the nature of the children's art; native reactions; to white culture; the children's creative work; the school system; teaching at 6 Mile Creek; approaches to art; conditions on the reserve; why he went to Inkameep and then stayed; a description of Inkameep and the influence of the Old Chief. TRACK 2: Mr. Walsh discusses the North Okanagan reserve; the character and traditions at Inkameep; rock paintings; the school; Indian stories as drama; beginnings of school plays; costumes and masks; performances; evaluation by children of plays; reactions; "Tortoise and Hare" play; the children's reaction to school at various ages; and Chief Baptiste George.

CALL NUMBER: T1071:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Children's drama, dance, and art on Inkameep Reserve, 1932-1942 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1962-07-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Walsh discusses how Indian cowboys sang native songs; a contest to collect Indian songs; the development of dances from movements of animals such as the deer dance and butterfly dance; native art forms; a description of costumes; recitals; impression on white people; a "radio studio" at the school; recording at CBC Vancouver; a recital at the opening of Thunderbird Park in Victoria; ;art exhibitions in BC and abroad. TRACK 2: Mr. Walsh discusses the Inkameep nativity play; the story of the play; white interests; the Okanagan Arts and Crafts Society; leaving Inkameep; the effects; of war and how the school closed; the effects of the Inkameep experiment; the conditions on the reserve at the time of the interview; a growing understanding by white people; present problems and how; cooperation with white people is essential.;

CALL NUMBER: T1071:0003 track 1 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): A visit with Emily Carr, and experience as a teacher on an Indian reserve RECORDED: [location unknown], 1962-07-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Anthony Walsh discusses his visit with Emily Carr in 1939 or 1940, and their discussion of art and native culture; reflections on his Inkameep experience as the "richest part of my life"; the teacher/pupil relationship; growth from early failures; relations with adult Indians; a comparison of Okanagan Indian culture to other Indian cultures; how Okanagan culture has changed.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1955 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: J.B. Knowles interview of Walsh, 1955. [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): An Okanagan visit RECORDED: [location unknown], 1969 [summer] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This interview by Imbert Orchard was conducted in the summer of 1969 and given the title "An Okanagan Visit". It deals with Mr. Anthony Walsh's teaching career at Inkameep Reserve School whe;re he encouraged arts and culture in First Nations students. He discusses coming back to the Okanagan after leaving in 1942; the vineyards on Inkameep reserve; the decline in students since the 1950s;. He states that Chief Baptiste George's death in the 1950s led to slippage in the natives' quality of life; and discusses the impact of Alcoholics Anonymous. Mr. Walsh describes changes in the Okana;gan and the appeal of different places; his own life; his enjoyment of solitude and his creative endeavors. Mr. Walsh criticizes white people; comments on inspections of his work by the federal gover;nment, and notes how he was able to win the confidence of the children. Mr. Walsh recounts his own background, including upbringing in Ireland and Scotland; how he acquired his teaching position; his; abilities as an art teacher, and his desire to give a sense of the past to the children of the Okanagan. [TRACK 2: blank.];

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Antoine Boitano talks about some aspects of the Cariboo, from 1880 to 1910. He discusses his family background, his father Augustine Boitano, the packer Jean Caux ("Cataline"), his father's pack train, ranches of the Chilcotin in 1890s, Jackass Mountain, freight wagons, the Koster family, an incident with a mule, race horses, the annual ball at Clinton, and music. Mr. Boitano plays the fiddle for the interviewer. [TRACK 2: blank.]

SUMMARY: A.P. Murray discusses Barkerville newspaper editor Ma Murray talks about Fort St. John.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1970 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: April Britton talks about the Applied Ontology group and about the 100 Mile Lodge of the Emissaries of Divine Light organization; daily activities; attitudes; children; wages and private property. TRACK 2: More about children; Emissarian beliefs; her own story; more on the 100 Mile Lodge.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-06 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Archie Georgeson recalls his grandfather, Henry Georgeson, who was the light keeper at Georgina Point, Mayne Island. His great uncle was light keeper at East Point light, Saturna Island;. He recalls the history of the Georgeson family in British Columbia; the Shaw family; the maritime background of the family; the family farm near Montague Harbour; the Gray family; fruit growing; schools; the family's move to join uncle at Active Pass light in 1909; a detailed description of the operation of that lighthouse. TRACK 2: Mr. Georgeson continues with his recollections including the grounding of the SS "Princess Adelaide" at Georgina Point in 1918; the grounding of the "Kenkon Maru" on Mayne Island, and the "Sea Lion". He discusses his grandfather and grandmother; more details; about the living accommodation at the lighthouse; farming on Mayne Island; the Robinson and Bennett families; descriptions of Galiano, North and South Pender Islands; "English" society; recollections; about the types of people and living conditions on the islands.

CALL NUMBER: T0388:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Archie Phelps RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Captain Archie Phelps describes how he was born in Barkerville, his grandparents (grandfather Edward R. Phelps -- died 1885) arrived in Victoria in 1849 after the California gold rush, other grandfather Robert Coultson was friend with Governor Seymour, his father William Henry Phelps was the first teacher at Mayne Island and eventually to Barkerville, a description of the school in 1884, the differences between the schools at Mayne Island and Barkerville, details on Barkerville, the family's move to Pender Island including what life was like there, the wharf at Port Washington, people at Pender Island including the school and teachers there, how he became a steward on the ferry at age 15, and then a ship builder in San Francisco, anecdotes about the ferries including one where Indians attacked a ferry and another where an Islander was lost coming back from Skagway, his work on a tugboat, and details on what tugs were like in those days. TRACK 2: Captain Phelps continues by describing working on a tow boat called the "Pilot" in 1911 when there were not many sailing ships, how he became a cook on a CPR ship called the "Princess Ina", Port Simpson, taking Indians to work at canneries, the influence of the Scots on place names, more on Port Simpson and the Indian village there, navigation and fog, an anecdote about a problem in a lighthouse, details about Porlier Pass and foghorns.

CALL NUMBER: T0388:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Archie Phelps RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Phelps discusses several wrecks and ships, how pioneers were the only ones who traveled and Indians had to travel second class, Indian potlatches, how sheep were transported by boat, a massacre which resulted in two Indians being hanged, rough seas at Jervis Inlet, how the "Princess Irene" ferry was built for the Nanaimo run, how he became a CPR Captain in 1925 including several boats he worked on, and deep sea sailing versus coastal. TRACK 2: Blank.

CALL NUMBER: T0981:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Orchard interviews people at the experimental Argenta Friends School on the following topics; the origin of the school in 1959, its Canadian circumstances, the community around Argenta and t;he town's silver rush origins, building the school, about Bob Boyd bringing his enthusiasm for music, comparing students of rural and city background, California origins of many in the community, more; on how the school developed, a woman who moved from California to Argenta to go to the school, the responsibilities of students, the school and the philosophy of developing the spirit, and a course developed specifically at the school. TRACK 2: This track features more discussion on subjects of study at the school including home-made science equipment, the reality of running away from society, ;yet facing up to one another at the school, and the ups and downs that go along with that, living together and the communal aspect of school life, various weekly meetings, and the ministering council.

CALL NUMBER: T0981:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-20 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: More on the ministering council and what it consists of, private problems such as being close with one another, compulsory classes and the need for a work structure, households and dormitories, the Meeting School in the United States which is like Argenta, but not interwoven with the community, boys and girls in the same households, freedoms and limitations, and the influence of the Beatles. TRACK 2: Discussion on informal sports, the seasonal arts, talking about the positive and not the failures, rules versus agreements, final remarks from students, and a talk with Principal Stevenson about the school.;

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This program is a documentary about the Argenta Friends School in Argenta, BC, based on interviews by Imbert Orchard. Opening music fades into discussion of the principles of the school; its; location; impressions of the school and the community. The background of the students; a description of the school; community/school interaction; curriculum and faculties; moral and spiritual education; the governing body and ground rules; student participation; student views; more on rules; beliefs and student views; extra-curricular activities; staff viewpoints; student/staff meetings; novel courses on topics such as world problems and human ecology principles; 20 Minute Meeting; development of the spirit; and suggestions for improvement. TRACK 2: This track consists of sounds taken from ;the classroom; mostly music in the form of sing-alongs.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Myrdal talks about his coming to Canada in 1876 from Iceland; his early memories in Iceland; the family's journey to Scotland; emigration; memories of Manitoba; North Dakota in 1880; the; family's move to BC in 1887. TRACK 2: Mr. Myrdal talks about the family's arrival in British Columbia; his father, Sigurd Myrdal, was a lay minister; the family's life in Victoria; Oliver Johnson; ;the depression of 1893; George Messer; an 1894 trip to Point Roberts; settling in Point Roberts; roads; post office; squatters; early settlers; the government military reserve.

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.

The sub-series consists of oral history interviews recorded in the Arrow Lakes, Big Bend, Lardeau and Slocan regions of B.C., 1962-1965, mainly dealing with the history of those regions.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-10-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Art Ralph discusses his father, George Ralph, who was a British naval captain. Art Ralph came to Canada in 1901. He describes his travels west; service in World War One; his return to B.C. and the Gulf Islands after the war; settling on Saturna Island and marring Joan Georgeson, daughter of the light keeper at East Point Light; description of rum running and smuggling, and Mr. Ralph's marginal role in these activities. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1966-09-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Norah Thompson recounts her father, William Karn, arrival in Ucluelet in 1910; his pre-emption; the homestead; trails; other settlers; failure of the pre-emptions and life in Ucluelet. ;Mrs. Kathleen Baird [Mrs. Thompson's sister] discusses their father's arrival in Ucluelet; family life; disillusionment with the pre-emptions; George Fraser; and shipwrecks. Arthur Baird talks about h;is early life in Port Renfrew; his father's work as government lineman and customs officer, circa 1912; pre-emptions in the area; building of trails; a "bridge" over Jordan River; the patrolmen who searched for shipwrecks along the west coast; settlement; community at Port Renfrew; logging; transportation; canoes; Indians and transportation of cow by canoe. [TRACK 2: blank.]

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-09-20 SUMMARY: Mr. Arthur Mellor emigrated from outside Liverpool to Ontario in 1903 and came out to Kettle River, near Westbridge, in 1904. He spent his first three years as a surveyor until he contracted typhoid, then he worked as a trapper and a surveyor. Mr. Mellor tells about several incidents including a shooting in Midway after two men robbed several hotels, the Dirty Dozen gang, Bridesville, the original prospectors of the area, and the Bell Mine. Then Mrs. Mellor speaks: she was born in Midway in 1897 and describes her childhood, including how her father was killed. Mrs. Mellor describes in detail several people at Camp McKinney. Then both compare life back then with the present.

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Arthur Chadwick discusses his family history in Wisconsin all the way back to the American Civil War. He was born in 1885 and came to Canada by himself in 1907 to Alberta. Not liking Alberta, he worked for the CPR to save money to eventually move to BC in 1910. He discusses work available in Vancouver at that time, and an experience working on a sternwheeler in Hazelton. He describes moving to Babine Portage because of a booming mining community at that time and mentions several characters. He describes his experience as a camp cook in Burns Lake; getting lost out by Babine Portage for twenty-one days with nothing to eat and meeting Indians on Cunningham Lake who eventually took him to their camp and fed him; his friendship with Martin Starret, with whom he shared a property boundary and who ran a store; a description of Martin Starret's life and that of his uncle, who was fur trader C.B. Smith, and his wife and daughter and son; what life was like in Babine Portage; ;life at Babine hatchery and cannery; more on Martin Starret and how Mr. Chadwick began trapping in 1916; and an anecdote about having to register to get grub. TRACK 2: Mr. Chadwick continues with hi;s anecdotes including some places and names, more on trapping at Tatla Lake, raising cattle, and more on Mr. Chadwick's experience as a cook.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Arthur Lee Clore : the Skeena River region, c.1910 PERIOD COVERED: 1910-1914 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This interview begins with a long lead in of harbour sounds, misc. sounds and a bell tolling. Arthur Clore speaks about coming to the Skeena country from Ketchikan, Alaska in 1910. He talks a;bout his impressions of Prince Rupert, offers of work, the Kitselas Hotel Bar, George Kerr, Kitselas' importance, Indian battles, the Kitselas townsite c.1910, steamboats -- Foley, Wells and Stewart a;nd qualities of the local inhabitants. He describes a journey from Kitselas to Telkwa and stories of Copper City. TRACK 2: Arthur Clore continues with recollections of the trail to Telkwa, the wreck ;of the "Mount Royal", Kitselas, a Hazelton bank robbery, the Skeena River, sighting "Haley's Comet", memories of Alaska and the volcanic activity of 1913.