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Father wrote home just about every day regaling my Mother with stories of life on the rails. He told of all the smashed fingers and shins; the drunken brawls on a Saturday night, and of the Chinese and their use of opium.
My Father had a soft spot for the Chinese. They took all the dangerous jobs in hopes of earning extra money. With the Head Tax it cost so much more money to bring their families to Gold Mountain. So many of them were blown to bits trying to set the dynamite charges. There was never much left to bury.
As the rails were laid in the Kootenays my Father's wanderlust kicked in. One day in 1890 he walked the rails and trails into a shantytown on the shores of a beautiful lake. As he sat on a hillside overlooking the shanties and tents he could see Kootenai Indians paddling heavily laden canoes ashore and the smoke curling skyward from cook stoves and bonfires. His curiosity got the better of him so he picked himself up and headed down the hillside.
Before he knew it, he had sauntered through the town site, spoken to a dozen or more people, and planned his future. He found a log at the water's edge and set about writing home. He was so excited his thoughts flew from his pen to paper. He could hardly contain his enthusiasm. Mother said later that this letter home so ignited her spirit that she, too, garnered a bit of wanderlust!
Once Father's contract expired he tightened his laces, set his hat, picked up his pack and walked into his new home. In early 1891 he was the newest resident of what was to become Nelson.
Mother was so enchanted by his letters home that they helped her through the mourning period following the loss of their first child. She packed her bags and all their belongings, bought a ticket West and started on the journey of a lifetime.
Now we must remember that Canada was only 24 years old and the most civilized part of the country was the part she was leaving! There were towns with houses surrounded by white picket fences; cities with modern transportation, telephones and telegraphs and libraries and universities. Canada East was booming.
Bearing this in mind can you imagine what went through my Mother's mind when she set foot in Shanty Town West? She often reminded my Father of her first sight of what was to become her new home and how much she loved him.
Father set up his Apothecary and took on the duties of the Provincial Coroner. He tramped about the area holding inquests in mining camps, under tarps and in makeshift halls and churches.
He hung out his shingle and welcomed all to his practice. He was ready to set the world on fire, or at least his little corner of it. Did you know my Father walked to Nakusp to see a patient who could not get to him?
Mother busied herself creating a home for them and their expected child. She felt herself starting to love this wild west town. There were areas she avoided, as her Presbyterian, Eastern sensibilities had not quite evaporated. The Ladies of the Evening made her uncomfortable at first, but gradually this lessened. The Chinese and their open use of opium made her a
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