September 29, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
September 29, 1921
As befitting its importance to the Valley’s economy, agriculture was the big news story of the day, Cowichan cattle having had “splendid success” at the Victoria Fall Fair. As well, “Fresh fruits” and “arrangement” won third place in their categories.
Two farmers of particular note were H.W. Bevan and H. Bonsall.
The Victoria Daily Times had paid particular honour to Bonsall for his entries: “At the conclusion of the judging of the cattle entries at the Exhibition it was generally admitted by the majority of the cattle men that, had there been an award for the most remarkable animal in the show, irrespective of breed or sex, it would have been awarded without a doubt to ‘Tsussie Princess’ of the Bonsall herd from Chemainus.
“Even those interested in particular in other animals, or breeds, agreed that this magnificent specimen of the Holstein family was their second choice, and the display of championship badges hanging overhead show that the judges at the three British Columbia fairs were in agreement, this cow having won all grand championships wherever shown this year or last…”
In other Fall Fair news, there was excitement at the Duncan telegraph office in the E&N station. His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor W.C. Nichol accompanied by Gen. J.M. Ross, regional military commander, were in town while motoring north to the Courtenay Fair.
As His Honour was about to enter the telegraph office, the Leader gleefully reported, “a shower of glass fell around him and a brown object shot into the street. Mr. H.G. Colbourne, the local agent, was busy at the counter, when he noticed a young goat, which had escaped from its express crate in the adjoining room. He put his foot out to stop it but Nanny made a lovely bound clear through the front window, ignoring the front door.
“The lieutenant-governor was unhurt, but was rescued from a large crowd by the timely arrival of General Ross… The goat was a young Toggenberg on the way home to Mrs. Bradley Dyne, Somenos, after winning honours at the Victoria exhibition.”
Highly respected Dr. Watson, the Valley’s chief medical officer during the Spanish ‘Flu epidemic, and Mrs. Dykes, were back in town and “looking fit and well” after 10 months in England, upgrading his medical skills. A particularly memorable experience was being there at the time of a foiled assassination attempt on His Majesty King George V.
Another unusual feature of their stay was the unusually dry weather in northern England which had sparked grass fires and caused extensive damage to farms. And the bitterness of a nation-wide coal miners’ strike had brought the country to the brink of civil war at one point, he thought. Not to mention the never-ending troubles in Ireland.
Dr. Dykes had just recovered from three weeks’ illness while in Toronto and was now on his way to his ailing mother’s bedside in California. He and Mrs. Dykes hadn’t yet decided whether they were going to resume residence in Duncan.
Another notable resident, W.R. Robertson, for 20 years in charge of the Cowichan Indian Agency (sic) was retiring. A Valley resident since 1886, he’d just turned 68. He joined the Indian Agency in 1901. He said he’d seen many changes in 20 years, in particular the resettling of the Songhees Tribe on its present-day reserve in Esquimalt, in which he’d played an instrumental role.
He noted that the 1921 Cowichan population of 1700 (today it’s 4900) resided on 19,920 acres,
He’d originally run his office single-handed but had since been joined by his daughter, Miss Kate Robertson, and he’d acquired a car after years of going his rounds with horse and buggy. Another improvement, he thought, was the industrial school erected on Kuper (Penelekut) Island for Native youth in 1916. (We’ll take it as a given that he knew nothing of the mental and physical abuse that later was revealed of this and other residential schools.)
Summed up the Leader: “Twenty years as an Indian agent cannot but be full of incident. Mr. Robertson retires with a splendid record as an honorable man and efficient public servant. He has the respect alike of Indians [sic] and whites, and an enviable reputation for fair dealing.
“His fellow residents join in wishing him many years of life among them in the enjoyment of a well-earned retirement.”
The Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road had been graded by provincial work crews who were now working on repairing the Clemclemalitz bridge at Cowichan Bay.
The Duncan Epworth League had held their annual rally and the Duncan Consolidated School Board had held an informal social meeting of trustees and teachers. At the business meeting that followed secretary James Greig reluctantly submitted his resignation because, he said, the combined duties of City Clerk and Board treasurer were too much for one man.
The board then approved the three resolutions they wished to put before the coming school board trustees’ convention. They then refused to consider an anonymous letter signed only “A Parent.” Trustees were more than willing to consider all submissions but only if they were signed, it was agreed.
On a final, and low note, they “authorized the segregation of Orientals” at the Chemainus school.
Local federal Conservatives had held a convention in the Knights of Pythias Hall, Duncan, and expressed themselves as being fully supportive of the Meighen government. With talk of a coming election they were scrambling for a promising candidate, as were the Valley Liberals who, too, had met for the same reason.
So it was in the Cowichan Valley in the last week of September 1921.
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