Item AAAB3437 - W.T. Abercrombie and Vernon Wiedrick interview

CALL NUMBER: T3129:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : recollections of Strathcona teachers PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discussion of Methodist Church on corner of Dunlevy. W.T. Abercrombie: born 1897 in New Westminster; moved to Vancouver (Harris Street) in first year; then 321 Pender (1898-1916); attended Strathcona School. Vernon A. Wiedrick born 1903 in Hamilton; moved to Edmonton, 1910-11; then Vancouver; returned to Edmonton; then back to Vancouver 1919; attended Strathcona School. Both grew up to be teachers at Strathcona School. Wiedrick and Abercrombie discuss: street games, soccer and basketball on Powell Street grounds and Recreation Park (Helmcken and Smithe); cars a rarity in childhood; goods delivered by horse-drawn buggy; False Creek mud flats at low tide; families on Grove Crescent; rivalry between Strathcona and Seymour school gangs; school fight described; teachers recalled; Sergeant-Major Bundy gives exercise and drills. TRACK 2: Wiedrick and Abercrombie: fog, drainage to False Creek; Depression demonstrations, strikers chasing scabs through school; Japanese population in the Strathcona loyal to school; story of Italian-origin boy getting into trouble, helped by teachers and principal, Branca took case; another boy from alcoholic family; no juvenile delinquency; skid row not as extensive, no drug-trafficking or muggings; jail on Powell Street; chain-gang and Mr. Borland coming home drunk; street paving by wooden blocks; Burrard Inlet high tides up to Cordova Street in 900 block; wildlife and Main Street butcher store that sold game meat; 1907 race riot (Abercrombie viewed damage on Powell Street following day); differences in teaching philosophy by the time they both became teachers at Strathcona. CALL NUMBER: T3129:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Strathcona neighbourhood : recollections of Strathcona teachers PERIOD COVERED: 1900-1920 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Wiedrick and Abercrombie discuss: lacrosse at Strathcona; expectations of Japanese parents re education; immigrant children well-behaved; hardworking Jewish parents; many children became professionals; education high priority in Strathcona, consequently teachers lucky to be teaching there; ethnic slur names; runaway horses on Chinese New Year's scared by firecrackers; Miss Johnson; Chinese vegetable vendors giving gifts at Christmas; children stealing from vendors; outstanding families in Chinatown- Yips, Cumyow, Quon Wong; German band on streets; Negro skits performed at English Bay; Pantages Theatre and Crystal Theatre; Bing Wong and Wah Wong; Reverend Sanford of Methodist Church and son; 1918 flu epidemic; Chinese students segregated at Central School owing to age difference. TRACK 2: Discuss: hygiene problems at Strathcona -- lice and other insects; bath installed; poor plumbing facilities in neighbourhood; nurse McLelland and her character, care for children; Miss Williams. (End of interview)