*British Columbia Chronicles special bonus section for Members Only.*
We’re comparing the ‘On-To-Ottawa Trek’ by thousands of unemployed men in 1935 to the recent three-week-long occupation of Ottawa and the blockading of crucial border crossings by truckers and supporters virulently opposed to continuing pandemic legislation*.
Read MoreIn trying to compare the ‘On-To-Ottawa Trek’ by thousands of unemployed men in 1935 to the continuing occupation of Ottawa and the blockading of crucial border crossings by anti-vaxxing truckers and their supporters, this week’s Chronicle is based upon the “recollections” of onetime Lake Cowichan resident and Spanish Civil War veteran Ronald Liversedge.
Read MoreOne could argue that the truckers’ protest in Ottawa is another case of deja vu. The precedent, for those of us who know even a smattering of Canadian history, is the 1935 On-to-Ottawa Trek of the unemployed in 1935.
Read MoreYears ago, when I was still writing the Chronicles in the Cowichan Valley Citizen, I received a complaint from a young woman who accused me of writing only about male pioneers.
Read MoreGenealogists have a field day with Vital Statistics; they’re a treasure chest for family researchers and historians alike. But, of course, they really don’t tell you much beyond the barest of bones.
Read MoreI’ve often wondered why some people seem hyper-sensitive to their family histories; sometimes to the point of burning old papers, photos and other memorabilia that should have been passed on to future generations.
Read MoreYou may recognize the names of renowned Victoria architects Samuel Maclure and Francis Rattenbury who’s as well remembered for his having been murdered by his wife’s lover as he is for having designed the B.C. Parliament Buildings. But how about Thomas Hooper?
Read More“Sale of the Burrard’s Inlet mill—the sawmill owned by J.O. Smith was sold on Thursday by his creditor’s assignees. It was purchased by Mr. Moody for the sum of $6900.”
Read MoreIn my recent caption for the coming Christmas Chronicle, I sort of joked that, thanks to email, hardly anyone mails Christmas cards any more, with or without an envelope.
Read MoreBecause the Leader published weekly, Christmas 1921 was four days old when readers received their newspaper; hence there was a single and short reference to the holiday just passed.
Read MoreChristmas Day, 1858. For pioneer British Columbia journalist D.W. Higgins this was his most memorable Yuletide of all—the time Christmas dinner almost cost him his life.
Read MoreSince we did Christmas In the Stores, the main feature on this week’s front page, last week, this is going to be an abbreviated ‘100 Years Ago’.
Read MoreToday I’m taking you back in time to December 15th, 1921 when (if we don’t factor in inflation) prices are cheap.
Read MoreProof as to how much things have changed in a century is this issue of the Leader’s main headline, POULTRYMEN’S BUSINESS.
Read MoreLost treasure is where you find it—quite possibly under your very nose! I offer this as encouragement to armchair enthusiasts who confine their treasure hunting to television, movies and daydreams. Ironically, few realize that, while there definitely is gold in some of 'them thar hills,' it can also exist, in various forms, much closer to home.
Read MoreThere are two big news stories in this issue of the Leader.
Read MoreI've wanted to write this story for years. But I was missing a key element so I set it aside then misfiled it. It's been so long now that I forgot how I happened to learn of it in the first place.
Read MoreTwo full columns of this issue of the Leader are devoted to a public debate between the Hon. S.F. Tolmie, the Dominion minister of agriculture, and federal electoral opponent (and home candidate), city alderman C.H. Dickie.
Read MoreIt wasn't long after I began researching B.C. and west coast shipwrecks that I first read of the sinking of the S.S. Islander. The Victoria-based coastal passenger liner had struck an iceberg in Alaska's Lynn Canal during the Klondike gold rush.
Read MoreHow quiet it was in the Cowichan Valley, a century ago!
Read More
