Item AAAB4740 - Irving Bell interview

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Irving Bell interview

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  • sound recording

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AAAB4740

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  • 1980-11-18 & 21 [date recorded] (Creation)

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Interviews recorded as research for Sound Heritage Series no. 34, "Now You Are My Brother: Missionaries in British Columbia".

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CALL NUMBER: T3913:0001 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: his background -- birth and early history of parents; father's antique business; early schooling and living places; adventurous as a boy; taking the steamer to Skeena country. Describes scene from ship. Work as busy boy at Tern City Club (?). More about the journey on the boat. Speaks of Ole Hansen. Talks of industry in Skeena area. Three Hazeltons. TRACK 2: Irving Bell: 1936 flood at Hazelton; first impressions; first job at old H.B.C. store; Mrs. Newaski's boarding house. Describes H.B.C. store. Anderson bought building. Alan Benson and shoes anecdote. Discusses: Native people -- story of Simon Gunanoot; three main stores -- Dick Sargeant; problems of Indian agents; domination of Christian churches; settlers in area; parties; line cabins.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: story of linesman savings; how they spent money; how isolation affected them; reason for being fired from job. Mrs. Cox -- her history, Indians, weather prophet. Job at Kitwanga. Meeting with Natives -- boxing. Missionary at Kitwanga. His background and his wife's background. Missionary's priest taught children to sing. TRACK 2: Speaks of Coxes -- visiting him at Kitwanga, more on Coxes. Went into history -- followed what Natives wanted. Learnt Native language. Missionaries had done nothing in teaching. Kept curriculum. Few Natives spoke English; they were not interested in their children's education. No doctor. School inspector visit. Fixing up of totem poles. Mention of the United school. Kitsegukla. Bud left Kitwanga. Mention of school teachers. George Berns, Love family, school teacher at Love ranch. Mentions settlers in Kispiox. Mentions happenings in Kispiox and the Valley of Morn. Promises to England. George Berns gets a wife. How gold strikes originate with the Natives. Paints bridge. Water business. Changed boarding to room over store Myers and Smith. Old days in Kerrisdale: boarding house. Midwifery in kitchen. Worked on several jobs: range assistant. Learned about fur buying. Begins story of Manson Creek. Talks of dive boats. Use of canoes in floods. Use of river. Problem of ice.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: river; road conditions- frost boils; hotels; Bud Dawson and Omineca Hotel. Loss of beer parlour to fire. Fire protection -- bucket brigade. Feud between Pete Cowigan and Bud Dawson. Mentions inhabitants. Talks about a white man who lived on a Native reserve. Throwing of furniture on to road. Three old-timers in front of hotel. Mentions settlers. Chinese cafes. Describes Chinese. No apparent racism. Hunting incident -- shoots loon. Scotty McCrae -- hotel owner. Other pioneers. Native graves spoiled. Natives did not accept Christianity. Most Natives could not speak English. TRACK 2: Irving Bell: Gitniquluk (?) village people; central heating; all influence by religion -- open to anything that provided enjoyment; Manson Creek journey; Luke Fauler (weather prophet); journey to Babine (Fort Babine); problem with toboggan; difficulties of journey; built fire on logs but dark anyways; old Native trades at Fort (Beas Lake Charlie?). Set out for Takla Lake. Native gives birth on trail. Crossing of Takla Lake. Working with Luke to establish a claim. McConkells' farm. Arrived at Billy Steale cabin. Billy Steale anecdote. Describes cabin. Blankets in bed. Went to claim.

CALL NUMBER: T3913:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Missionaries in B.C. : Irving Wells Bell RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1980-11-18 / 1980-11-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Irving Bell discusses: doing some panning; working 'gentleman's agreement' claim; working for job with McConkells because of lack of food; getting job going for equipment; 'grizzly' encounters; working for McConkells for three weeks. Sent for provisions from Fort St. James. Skookum Davies. Got some gold. Returned via Vanderhoof because a road was now in area. Cabin on Bumblebee Creek "smallest in the world". Bear walks. Giles' growth story. Camped until road was done. Road the rails back to Hazelton. Met railroaders -- the 'system'. Mentions the Depression. Getting married. (End of interview)

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Immediate source of acquisition

Margaret Whitehead, 1979-1981

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Availability of other formats

A digital copy is available. Please contact staff for further information.

  • Outline in documentation file.
  • Reference cassette copy available in container 000443-252.

Restrictions on access

No access restrictions apply.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

  • Copying Restriction: None.
  • Use Restriction: For private and educational use only. Not for broadcast or commercial use without permission of the B.C. Archives.
  • Copyright Status: Copyright British Columbia Archives.

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Accession number(s): T3913

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speaker: Irving Wells Bell, interviewer: Margaret Mary Whitehead

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