CALL NUMBER: T0344:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Eugene Leveque's family came from Winnipeg to Alberta and, in 1904, to Revelstoke. He recalls early Revelstoke including its red light district, local miners, hotels, the lumber industry, the railroad, and picnicking with his family. By 1908 they had moved to Comaplix, a sawmill town established in 1892; he describes growing up in this "company town". He describes nearby settlements with different nationalities: Japanese, Italians, Swedes, Norwegians, American, Doukhobors and Welshmen; hotels; Russ Evans; and railroads. He recalls women in the town, "Old Fan", Molly Brown, sports teams, the school building and the teachers, church services, Billy Gerard, the Blaney family, Dog Salmon, winter stories and wildlife.
TRACK 2: He continues with his childhood memories of Comaplix. His family moved to Nakusp in 1911. Mr. Leveque played a cornet in the local band and participated in many community events including the opening of the railroad from Kaslo to Nakusp on July 1, 1915; Sam Henry's large funeral ceremony; and Christmas events. He has many recollections of the local dramatic society, its many varied productions, the Bolger family, and Tom Abriel and his opera hall. Other early townspeople included: F.W. Jordan, Lyle McDougall and Mrs. Moffat.
CALL NUMBER: T0344:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1965-05-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: This tape continues with recollections of: Mrs. Moffat, the "Hot Springs", Doctor Laval, remittance men, Mr. Hudson, Harry Hughes, Captain Forsland, S.S. "Bonnington", World War One, Mr. Grady, Halcyon Hot Springs, Burton, Mineral City, Nels de Mars and "Daddy Redfern". Mr. Leveque relates the history of newspaper publishing in the area, including: Bobby Barrett who started the "Arrow; Lakes Advocate", later owned by Tom Abriel; Jim Greer ran the "Leasor"; Colonel Lowery, "who was quite a writer" ran the "Kaslo Claim", later the "New Denver Ledge", "Kaslo Reclaimed", the "Kootenaian Float" and the "Greenwood Ledge". He also talks about the MacDougall trial and the newspaper coverage by Colonel Lowery. [TRACK 2: blank.]