CALL NUMBER: T0345:0001 RECORDED: New Denver (B.C.), 1965-05-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Alexander Harris describes prospecting and mining in the Arrow and Kootenay Lakes area in the 1890s. His father, Joseph Harris, came to Slocan in 1896, established a ranch or farm that supplied vegetables and fruit to the mining camps. Alexander Harris' account includes stories about mining camp life, Orientals, travel on Arrow Lakes, and individual miners: Carpenter, Seighton, Monty; Davis, Martin Fry and Johnny Harris.
TRACK 2: He tells about the naming of mining towns in the area: New Denver, Three Forks, etc. The high school for the area was located on his father's ranch. He describes local culture, social activities, sports, as well as mining techniques, locating ore and equipment.
CALL NUMBER: T0345:0002 RECORDED: New Denver (B.C.), 1965-05-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Rock drilling techniques and competitions are discussed. Mr. Harris continues his description of mining methods, ore extraction, transportation to the mills, such as aerial trams, use of horses, processing of ore at the mills, shipping and tailings. A Welsh choir on tour in Canada went bankrupt in the Slocan area and the men worked in the mines at Silverton and New Denver area to earn some money.
TRACK 2: This tape continues with discussions of the New Denver town site, buildings, water transportation, early roads, the Japanese evacuation, Slocan Lake, also known as Lucerne, the Valhalla Range, and New Denver's growth. Wildlife was depleted during the early years of these communities. Mr. Harris speaks about an early trip to the Kokanee Glacier, 1919; Theo Rankin, a local teacher; and his father and mother.