Introduction

Life was a struggle back then. Every farm was so labor intensive, and there were lots of people trying to make a living in the country. Everyone knew everybody else and their business. It is quite mind boggling to think of all the horses and mules that were in Western Canada and all the work they did on the farms, only to be gone now since their job was done and replaced by machinery. They lived to work, then they died. The life known by the cowboy and indigenous was getting absorbed by modern, organized, automated civilization.

Some people never made it on their homestead and had to move away, while others managed to survive. People knew how to care for one another in time of need and could relate and empathize for any hardships endured. Times were changing so fast with advancement in utilities, transportation, and automation that if you did not adopt what was available, you were left behind. Often choices needed to be made between what made good business sense and what was best for family. Some chose to defend their country while others decided there has to be a better way and continued to build upon their financial empire.

Following are notes from discussions held with my Aunts, Pansy and Elizabeth, when they were of ages 100 and 94 respectively, supplemented by input from other family members for what had been learned previously. The period of time covered is generally from 1915 until 1950, the year I was born.  Some facts may not be completely correct, but some checks were made with history books and the internet to prove correctness. When information was weak, certain theory set in to explain what happened and family may not have always agreed with my conclusions reached. Even with an element of doubt as to accuracy, their stories represent a source of interest and perhaps entertainment, and a reminder that life experiences can drive human compassion.