Item T0304:0001 - 0002 - Walter and Mary Johnstone interview

CALL NUMBER: T0304:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1903-[no date] RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Walter Johnstone came from England to Ontario in 1903 to do survey work for the railroads. He rambled across the United States doing a variety of jobs until landing in Rossland around 1910. He recounts incidents at Rossland and some of the other settlements on the way to the Arrow Lakes: Shield, Renata, Deer Park, Killarney Bay and Edgewood. He married and settled in Edgewood around 1911. In those years Edgewood was considered "the gateway to Fire Valley", and descriptions of the town, mining activity, and farming, are included. Mr. Johnstone recalls many local characters of the area: Olds, Morrison, Bill Williams, the Scaia Brothers, Corteana, Jimmy Kelly, Arthur Burton, Clark Watt, Bill Plant, and Mrs. Moore.

TRACK 2: This interview continues with stories of the retired doctors who lived in this fruit farming community: Dr. Greenwood, Dr. Yeld, Dr. Kelso, Dr. Church and Dr. Hardington. J.W. Ford had a business building new houses for the settlers, who were having a hard time trying to make a living off the land. Mr. Johnstone recalls his experiences trapping and traveling the lakes. He recalls stories of the paddle wheelers, tugs, Bill Fraser who was a CPR captain, and settlements along the lakes. Tales of the original log ferry at Needles, run by Mr. Kraft are recalled, as well as stories of Mike Grady and St. Leon.

CALL NUMBER: T0304:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1964-11-01 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mrs. Mary Johnstone recalls her family coming from England in 1912 to Edgewood. She relates her first impressions of the town, their home, her family's attempts to adapt to life in Canada, cooking, social activities, dances, music, schooling, sports, tennis, and the church. She recalls how the war altered the life in Edgewood. She was married and settled in a remote house, and recalls the living conditions, her family life, garden, wildlife and the necessity of a family dog.

TRACK 2: Walter Johnstone continues with stories of the old timers, including Volcanic Brown, Frank Johnson (the Wolverine), recollections of drilling competitions, and social events such as fancy dress dances. Mary Johnstone also relates stories of the fancy dress dances. The tape ends with Mr.Johnstone relating the history of the naming of Edgewood, the Ford Brothers, Killarney, Williams, Applegove, the Jowett family, Halcyon and St. Leon.