NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

Genealogy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Pioneers,John N. Lake, John Lake, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web, Genealogy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web

week. I left on Xmas morn. Between Saskatoon and Regina there was one passenger beside myself, a Miss Buchanan, school teacher from - the Battleford district going home to Brandon. Craik was then the official stopping place for meals. Train time was not very particular and travel was slow. If the train left Saskatoon on time and arrived in Regina on time it was all right. If an hour or two were spent on the road time was easily made up again. We arrived at Craik at dusk, the restaurant keeper who gave meals in the station house, invited all hands to a Christmas din- ner, passengers and train crew, conductor brought round the invitation and passengers (two) and train crew filed in to dinner. A fine meal was set up and a pleasant time was passed at the table for over an hour. With good wishes among all the train resumed its journey, arriving in Regina in good time. By 1900 my brother's family were growing up and it was necessary to have them at school all the year so it was decided to sell the ranch stock and move back to Saskatoon. I purchased a small lumber business started by Mr. James Leslie, also the property, four lots at the corner of 20th Street and Second Avenue for twenty dollars a lot. Later I purchased a further two lots at a slightly increased price from the town- site holders. The Cahill Block now stands on this property. In the early days of the lumber business trouble was plentiful; orders were few and far between; no inducement to lay in a large stock of material, that would de- teriorate in appearance and selling value so quickly, but as settlers came business quickly increased. The coal business was under still greater diffi- culties. Only a car or two was used in the season. When one car was sold orders would be sent for another. In stormy weather when it arrived it might be full or it might be empty, or anywhere from one to twenty-five tons short of its load. Engines, section houses and pumps at water tanks had all made their requisitions. The Company always paid for the shortage but it took months to get the money and then only cost price was paid. Another car of coal had to be ordered and it was a weary wait until it came. Gait (1) coal had to be ordered from Lethbridge as it was the only coal then min- ed in the country. From 1900 events moved rapidly and had no further relations to the life of a pioneer. I must however mention one event in connection with the railway to Regina. I think it was in 1903 1 was returning from a business trip to Winnipeg; it might have been even a year or two later than this date. However, at Aylesbury the train became snowbound. I got out of the car, got my grip and told some of the other passengers I was off on the tramp for Craik, nine miles. No offers of company were received. I started alone. I arrived at Craik which had arisen to the dignity of a small hotel, secured a bed and a good meal. Towards evening an odd straggler from the train drifted in worn out. Next day the section crew were sent with teams and food to the passengers. On their return to Craik they picked up all sorts of passengers who were played out and, had fallen by the way. Two days were spent at Craik. Then the train arrived. I had to give up my bed to some of the ladies. The Railway Company paid for all meals for passengers at the hotel. The men passed the night on their feet in the small waiting room of the station. The cars were occupied by the ladies of whom there were a number and a lot of children of all ages. Few of the men could stand the air of the cars all night, where there were so many little ones to whom on account of their conditions their mothers had been able to give little attention for days. Two days were spent with the train at Craik waiting for the line ahead to be cleared. On the morning that the train pulled out of Craik we could get no breakfast. Everything eatable in the town had been purchased by the hotel and fed to the passengers. Nothing was left for further meals. Another incident in pioneer life was crossing the river. We had a scow but no cable. The scow was kept just below where the brewery is at Idyl- wyld. When a person wanted to cross stock or such, we would go round and gather up all able bodied men; ropes would be tied to the scow and it would be slowly towed up the river for a long distance. Few teams would (1) So called from the name of the mine-owner. Page 39

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