08-052: Milestones in the History of Peace River Town

By H.H. GeorgeRev. John Gough Brick, who came to take charge of the Anglican Mission at Dunvegan in the year 1882, moved down to what is now the Shaftesbury Settlement in 1887 and established an Anglican Mission there. He later brought in farming machinery and purebred stock and started a mission farm. In the winter… Read More

08-053: The Dairy Industry and Rural Electrification

By Dorthea CalverleyThe dairy industry of the Sudeten Colony around Tupper and Tomslake prodded the agricultural area around Dawson Creek to achieve rural electrification. Old-Timers and patriotic Veteran Soldier Settlers who had come before the railroad were horrified when new corners — and worse still in their eye, “foreigners” — got the power lines before… Read More

08-054: Beef Cattle Production, 1970

SUMMARY STATEMENT Beef cattle numbers are increasing slowly due to a shortage of cash and credit and the high cost of breeding stock. A feeder association was established in the South Peace. Feed analysis requires more promotion. The beef performance testing program should be expanded. A beef feeding demonstration was set up at the Mile… Read More

08-055: Livestock Records, 1975

I. SUMMARY STATEMENT Generally a good year for livestock production in the South Peace. Favourable winter and spring conditions and excellent haymaking weather prevailed. Some producers may be short on forage supplies due to inadequate moisture. Sheep and hog markets good but beef market still poor. BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SUMMARY STATEMENT A mild winter and… Read More

08-056: The Famous Thirty-Six-Horse Team

From the script for a tape written and narrated by Ted BartschCross-posted: 18-005: The Famous Thirty-six Horse Team (Old Timers) I am Ted Bartsch and many of you listening today I know personally and very well. I have been asked by several friends to write down the history of the thirty-six-horse team that was driven in the… Read More

08-057: Early Horse History in the Peace River Country

By Dorthea CalverleyJoe Henderson knows more about the early livestock industry in the B.C. Peace River area than any old-timer still living. For many years, although not a graduate veterinarian, he served the farmers in that capacity all over the country. Joe and his brother (known as “Gus”) were, you might say, brought up with… Read More

08-058: The Appaloosa

By D. H. CalverleyThe Appaloosa markings on some Peace River Indian ponies are a living legacy of “Twelve Foot Davis”. Charlie Yahey, the last living prophet of the local Beaver Indians, told Professor Ridington of U.B.C. how it happened. In the old times, he said, the great fur-trade companies bartered only poor ponies and old… Read More

08-059: Wilde and Lawless Rodeos and Other Major Stampedes

WILDE AND LAWLESS HOLD FIRST MAJOR RODEO IN 1945The first major rodeo in the B.C. Peace River Country was the Wilde & Lawless Stampede which began at Taylor Flats in July 1945. Tommy Wilde of North Pine and Jack Lawless got together in 1945 and staged the first of several very successful stampedes on Wilde’s… Read More

08-060: Miscellaneous Problems of Livestock Raisers in the Peace

By Dorthea CalverleyThere are few poisonous plants in the Peace River area. The locoweed of the prairies is harmless here, for the selenium salts were leached out of the soil years ago. Where there is no selenium the locoweed cannot take it up to store in its tissues. Wild larkspur is abundant in certain small… Read More

08-061: Water Supply for Livestock

By Dorthea CalverleyThe would-be livestock producer looks first for a good water supply. In the B.C. Peace particularly, that is a major problem for there are few lakes and most creeks and rivers are deeply cut into the glacial-deposit soil. Along the rivers are flats or benches which have traditionally been favored for ranchers, but… Read More