User:Charles Macfarlane/sandbox

Extracts from the diary of Mr Charles Macfarlane, of West Hartlepool, England visiting his Uncle Andrew in 1903. (Hope this is of interest to the heritage people of Arcola).

"Wednesday March 4th. 1903

Left 7 a.m. for Arcola which I reached at 11:30 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. as billed. 256 miles. This journey was through level prairie stretching north and south as far as I can see with a slight rise westward on the whole. Brandon-dinner. Met Sinclair of Glasgow mate, going to join brother at Weyburn Brandon to Arcola train fearfully slow - worst travelling experienced. Highland Railway not in it. Refreshment at Renton - a scamper across village to restaurant. Metropolitan, now hotel in two-year-old village.

Thursday March 5th.1903 Arcola, newest kind of western town - two years ago railway reached here - now Main Street, and a Front Street. Two hotels, and a boardinghouse 12 stores, druggist, a vet,doctor, blacksmith, livery stables, watchmaker, photographer, two tailors, implement stores-two timber yards, skating and curling rinks. Bank, Methodist Church school with three teachers, occupied by Methodist morning, Presbyterians in afternoon and Anglicans evenings - mentioned Presbyterians hauling stones from Mills for their new church - A vote taken whether £2000 stone school built at once or content with a wood one. In July 1900 no building in place. 600 inhabitants-five grain elevators. Met A. Alstoy on Willock trail at 12a.m. Met MacLeod of Mt. Star at dinner. Afternoon by Sleigh to Andrew’s place - Met some neighbours going for wood.

Friday, 6 March

Visited new P.Church. “Weirhill”, Saw Mrs Weir and Percy Haldin. Mild weather. In afternoon “ground blizzard” –wind blowing snow off and along the ground. Discussed land, C.P.R etc.

Saturday 7th. March 1903

Got out sleigh and drove round Craigie Park boundaries (Uncle Andrews land?). Saw red fox. From Weir Hill West a wonderful plain - sunset in distance- horizon 20 miles off, saw moose ruts in north - drove home - centre of plain, 20 miles each way in view. At 10pm starlit sky - half moon-Orion and plough-white clouds sail between us and moon -brilliant halo results - like clouds centre, then orange then outside green – brilliant.

Sunday, March 8

"Sunday morning" Not a sound-still like country Sunday in Scotland? Why felt more than other days here - Andrew confirms that it is. Drove over to David Wark’s to dinner, 6 miles. Cold raw wind. Found Weirs there – Mr & Mrs Wark and four little girls, eldest younger than Jan. Bad colds. Homely, western “downraight” people but straightforward and intelligent. The difference a woman making dinner and tea ! House wood framed, sod walls and roof, poplar uprights. Stables and cows stables sod with popular uprights – cows on share system - milk to farmer - three year term - half produce in calves to each and cows returned.

Monday, March 9 Ground blizzard all forenoon -  departed finally at noon  -  very cold  -  six pairs of stockings on and old moccasins outside  -  then I had to get out and walk: sometimes to get warmed up. There follows four pages of notes on cost of equipping a farm and best methods. (John Collinson comment four pages of notes not in transcript. Diary to be researched.)

At Arcola after sleigh ride - pretty cold with ground blizzard first part and probably 20 to 25° below zero. Arcola about 10° below. Visited curling and skating rink of this young town. Saw A. B. Cook who built the first house in July 1900. Prestby Minister at $1000, two places, Arcola and another make one congregation. At pleasant afternoon service in Methodist (church). Methodist in the evening or vice versa. Anglican in Hall. Used to be in the morning in same building but in winter it takes into afternoon to heat up. Arrange with A. B Cook to buy section 17 Range 5 Township 7 at eight dollars less 50 cents per acre. Paid $50 on account. If Cook cannot get vendors to take eight - then eight maximum. Land reported by Wark to be real good. Arranged with Andrew to break up and put Flax in if he could contract. Union Bank of Canada. Paris Bank London agents -  to Andrew  -  pays Cook equity  -  balance to CPR with documents for Patent Wrote Aunt Mattie, whose letter had been overlooked in hotel, Nancy and Joss Waites. Posted N. Peel and Grandmas letters previously written.