Showing 1964 results

"Memories of the Bulkley Valley during the Construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway." The author's father, W.A. Williscroft, was Public Works superintendent at Bella Coola.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 1 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox (nee Hankin) begins this tape with a story about her uncle Charlie Hankin (partner of Billy Barker) and his promise to Josephine, the dance hall hostess at Barkerville, about her burial. A story is told about Isaac, a Babine Indian, who was awarded medals from the Humane Society and the Catholic Church. She talks about the background to the "Skeena River Rebellion" of the 18;80's. TRACK 2: This tape continues with the "Skeena River Rebellion", a childhood story about measles, Constance Cox's childhood at Hazelton, her family, the Manson Creek gold rush -- 1870, Indian women packers into Manson Creek, Cataline, Erza Evans and mining on Manson Creek.;

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 2 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates the following legends: the legend of the Sunbeam which is depicted on a Chilkat Blanket from Kitwanga and the adoption of the fireweed as the clan symbol at Kispiox; the; Frog legend depicted on a totem pole at Kitwancool and a Haida legend depicted on a totem pole about cruelty to animals. Indian foods and cooking methods are discussed. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues with her discussion about Indian foods, collecting sap from evergreens, berries, wild vegetables, medicinal preparations, an incident while nursing for Dr. Wrinch at Hazelton concerning a women with cancer and another nursing story.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 3 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates a story about an Indian woman called "Emma". She continues with a story about Captain Fitzgerald (Gold Commissioner) who was taken prisoner at Kitseguecla (Skeena Crossing) and the subsequent trial (1871). She speaks about the first Reserve Commissioner Peter O'Reilly, the reaction to reserves in Kispiox, A.W. Vowell, the next Reserve Commissioner, and the Kitwancool Indians. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues speaking about A.W. Vowell and the Reserve Commission at Kitwancool, the Kitwancool Indians, "Kitwancool Jim" and the Kitwancool totem pole histories. She speaks about the Collins and Yukon Telegraph lines, building the lines, the operators and linesmen and the visit of a "globe-trotting" woman -- Thea Francis (1920?).

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 4 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox relates her childhood memories of a canoe trip up the Skeena River (ca.1900). She speaks about Bishop Ridley, the Diocese of Caledonia, Metlakatla, Haida canoes, incidents along; the canoe journey, towing canoes upriver, dangers along the Skeena, villages, the "Mount Royal" paddlewheeler and Haida children learning canoe skills. TRACK 2: This tape begins with a description of a totem pole raising ceremony at Kitwancool, tragedies of the "Trail of '98", Rev. Harold Alfred Sheldon (c.1884), the Inverness Cannery and her father's business interests, Father Morice and his work with the Carrier Indians and the visit of the Catholic Bishop (Bishop Dontonwell?).

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 5 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape provides a continuation of Constance Cox's recollection of the visit of the Catholic Bishop to the Carrier Indians at Babine, more details about Father Morice's work -- his book and; map, his relationship with the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort St. James, a description of the destruction of his printing press, Father Morice's penance and later years, incidents at Fort St. James and; the HBC factor at Fort Fraser, Mr. Sinclair. TRACK 2: Constance Cox continues with more recollections about Mr. Sinclair and his grave at Fort Fraser. She speaks about the destruction of Indian culture, the language of the Tsimshian, Gitksan and Carrier Indians, the white settlers who learned the native languages, her role as an interpreter, the Gitksan language, the "White Cross Society", native art, totem carving past and present, erection of a new totem pole and the legend of the Kispiox -- House of the Beaver.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 6 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The legend of the Kispiox -- House of the Beaver is continued on this tape. Constance Cox provides additional information about the Gitksan language, her background in native languages, the Methodist missionary at Hazelton -- Mr. Matheson (1871), the Anglican missionaries (1880), the "Queek", the Gitksan as carvers and designers and the dispute over ownership of the Bulkley Canyon c.1900.; TRACK 2: This tape continues with a description of the dispute over the Bulkley Canyon, a Gitksan artist -- Gisemax (sp), other Hazelton incidents, and a story about the group of American miners and adventurers under Mr. Gryder that arrived in Hazelton under the false assumption that gold had been discovered.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 7 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Constance Cox remembers her father, Thomas Hankin, his background, his coming to British Columbia (1857) as a Hudson's Bay Company factor and establishing the Hudson's Bay Post at the Skeena-Bulkley junction, his first encounters with the Indians, the song of the "iron kettles", his staking of the town site of Hazelton (1858), the 1870 Manson Creek Goldrush, story of a greenhorn and the naming of Frying Pan Mountain, William Manson and miners drowned in Kitselas Canyon. She continues with Thomas Hankin's business interests, his role in the Masonic order, Constance Cox's education, her step-father -- R.E. Loring, The Inverness Cannery, Thomas Hankin's death, his brothers -- Phillip and Charlie Hankin and the Hudson's Bay Company fur trade. TRACK 2: Constance Cox recounts childhood memories, Simon Gunanoot as a child, the Trail of '98 -- May to October 1898, Cox as nurse and doctor to Indians and 98'ers, stories and incidents, the story of the murder of Sir Arthur Curtis, Tom Hankin Jr. losing cattle on Poison Mountain and patients at the dispensary.

CALL NUMBER: T0313:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Constance Cox : recollections : part 8 RECORDED: Hazelton (B.C.), 1959 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: The trail of '98 patients at the Hazelton dispensary and the rescue and nursing of Frank Farling is recalled by Constance Cox. She relates a personal anecdote about a "love letter" and Moosekin Johnny's Restaurant. [TRACK 2: blank.]

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.

CALL NUMBER: T1228:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Elmirdo Bellicini recalls coming to Houston, 1908 ; George Ogston remembers Hazelton and Vanderhoof PERIOD COVERED: 1903-1914 RECORDED: Vanderhoof (B.C.), [196-?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Elmirdo Bellicini begins this interview speaking about his early life in Italy, his coming to Houston (via the U.S.) in 1908, incidents and work during his boat trip and his land trek to Hazelton, coming to Houston (1908), John Houston and the establishment of Houston, early Houston residents and a comparison of Canada and Italy. George Ogston of Vanderhoof, the second interviewee, speaks; about coming to Hazelton from Scotland as a Hudson's Bay Company apprentice (1903), the Hazelton fur trade, currency, Indian villages and tribes, types of furs and a description of the trading post. He continued his work at the Hudson's Bay posts at Babine, Fort St. James and Fort Fraser and later moved to Vanderhoof (1914). TRACK 2: George Ogston, owner of a real estate business, provides his ;views on the future of Vanderhoof and agriculture in the area. He recalls his five year apprentice contract and pay scale with the Hudson's Bay Company. More details about the scheme for a home for retired writers and editors started by Herbert Vanderhoof and supported by the National Editorial Association of America are provided.;

CALL NUMBER: T1228:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Elmirdo Bellicini recalls coming to Houston in 1908 PERIOD COVERED: 1908-1908 RECORDED: Vanderhoof (B.C.), [196-?] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Elmirdo Bellicini speaks about coming into the Bulkley Valley on the Grand Trunk Pacific riverboat, hiring on as a deckhand on a steamer to Hazelton, a land trek to Hazelton and finally settling in Houston (1908). (This track seems to be another version of Mr. Bellicini's recollections previously heard on T1228:0001 (track 1). ( Note: a segment from CFPR Prince Rupert's "Good Morning Radio" remains at the end of this tape; presumably the interview was recorded over the first part of the program.)

CALL NUMBER: T0311:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Vicky Simms : Growing up in the Skeena country, 1890-1914 : part 1 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Vicky Simms (nee Morison) born at Metlakatla (c.1890) recalls early memories, schools and the hospital. She speaks about her mother (niece of Robert Cunningham), her father (a lay preacher), ;the Collison family, her father's move to Hazelton to manage Cunningham's store and to assist Rev. Field (1897), a canoe trip up the Skeena (1906), Indian canoe skills and songs, a mutiny at Kitseguecla, impressions of Hazelton, the Hazelton church organ, the spring exodus of the miners, Indian packers, social life and winter activities, the Hazelton town site, the Indian rancherie, Hazelton compa;red to Metlakatla, the Gun-an-noot affair and Bulkley Valley settlers. TRACK 2: Vicky Simms recalls Port Essington (1911) including: incidents, entertainment, Cunningham's Hall, the Skeena riverboats;, the Indian crew. Captain Bonser, the wreck of the "Monte Cristo" and the "Mount Royal". She speaks about Hazelton including: Cataline, packers, miners, Joe Lyons, Ezra Evans, the currency, Jack Graham (Cayuse Jack), Barney Mulvaney, Sperry Cline, Rev. Stephenson, Rene D'Egville, the effects of the war, life in Hazelton and the flood.

CALL NUMBER: T0311:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Vicky Simms : Growing up in the Skeena country, 1890-1914 : part 2 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape begins with a comparison of Metlakatla and Hazelton by Vicky Simms, and continues with recollections of Hazelton, first impressions, local residents, the family house, the murder of; Mr. Yeomans (the storekeeper), her father's position as manager of Cunningham's store, the Indians, the overwintering miners, Joe Lyons, the Chinese residents, childhood, the Klondike Goldrush of 189;8, prostitutes at Two Mile, Dr. Wrinch, the railway surveyors and engineers, the railway workers and camps, the miners, Ezra Evans, the Condit brothers, winter and summer sports, local vegetation, the; Indian reserve (rancherie), Indian dogs, housing and stories, the death of her brother Charlie and the Hazelton cemetery. TRACK 2: Vicky Simms continues with Hazelton recollections, the cemetery, Indian grave houses, the Gunanoot affair, local incidents, Rene D'Egville, Barney Mulvaney, currency, trade tokens, gold miners -- "pokes", Chinese miners, settler hardships, mail, anecdotes, fires, weather and clothing. She recalls Metlakatla missionaries, the Ridleys, the Ridley home and Dr. Ardagh (sp?).

CALL NUMBER: T0311:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Vicky Simms and John Morison : travel on the Skeena River by canoe and paddlewheeler PERIOD COVERED: 1894-1917? SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Vicky Simms recounts the trip of 1894 from Kincolith to Hazelton by boat and canoe with her mother and brother, travel and impressions of the Skeena River, early Hazelton, Rev. John Field and; the Hazelton church. She talks about the Indian crews on the canoes, Indian paddling and singing, the trip by canoe from Port Essington to Hazelton (1905), incidents along the journey and the crews r;efusal to continue past Kitseguecla. John Morison (Vicky Simms' brother) continues this interview and recalls the canoes, journey and conditions along the Skeena during the trip of 1905 with his mothe;r and sister, Kitselas Canyon, the Indian crew, downriver travel, Indian singing, a description of the Haida canoe, Indian navigation techniques and Port Essington. John Morison reminisces about his t;ravel along the Skeena River (he worked on the paddlewheeler "The Islander") including references to: "hole in the wall", legends and stories of points along the river, the lower Skeena River, vegetat;ion along the riverbanks, the river above Terrace and Cedarvale. [TRACK 2: blank?];

CALL NUMBER: T0311:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): John Morison : travel on the Skeena River by paddlewheeler, ca. 1905-1917? SUMMARY: TRACK 1: John Morison continues speaking of his impressions of the trip along the Skeena including: "Devil's Elbow", Kitselas Canyon, scenery along the river and Hazelton. He relates a story about Hazelton -- a frontier town and the "Stonehouse". He describes in detail crew life aboard a riverboat including: sounds on the boat, the operation, decks and accommodation, sounds of the paddles, Captain; Bonser, uniforms, more about the operation, an incident at Ringbolt Island, Indian deckhands, Indians singing and accompaniment on the riverboats and problems with mosquitoes. TRACK 2: John Morison ;continues speaking about riverboats including information about: the crew -- wages, ages and duties, anecdotes, Bill Alexander -- the engineer, Joe Herrling, wood for the riverboats, bootlegging and t;he Indian pilot -- Walter Wright. He recalls the passengers, the special trips to Kispiox-Hazelton and the return trip Hazelton-Kispiox, more about passengers, the "drummers" (commercial travellers), ;women, amusements, impressions when approaching Hazelton, boat whistles, the first boat in the spring to Hazelton, store supplies, the Hazelton landing, boat whistles, the rivalry between Capt. Bonser; and Capt. Johnson, flags, an anecdote about Captain Bonser's dog, a practical joke, recreation -- horseshoes, fishing and soccer, more about the commercial travellers, the construction men -- "bohunks" and Blackjack MacDonald.

Travelogue. Scenery and attractions of the area accessible by the highway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Footage includes: Prince George Airport with passengers boarding airliner; lakeside scenes; lumber mill; harvesting grain near Vanderhoof; Hudson's Bay post at Fort St. James; lake barges and a Beech 18 floatplane (registration CF-BQH) on Stuart Lake; trout fishing on Stuart Lake and Fraser Lake; Burns Lake; Babine Lake; Francois Lake; Ootsa Lake; Binta Lake; Telkwa, and nearby coal mine; Smithers; Moricetown Falls salmon run, with Indians gaffing salmon; Bulkley Canyon; Hazelton; Hagwilget Canyon; totem poles at Kispiox, Kitseguecla, and Kitwanga (plus village and burial grounds at the latter); Terrace, and its pole mill; Lakelse Lake; highway scenes; bald eagles; commercial fishing on the Skeena; Prince Rupert (cruise ship docking, unloading fish, fishing festival, homes and gardens, downtown, airport with amphibious airliner taxiing and taking off).