Family Beginnings Part IV This is another great segment of the interview with my Uncle Harold Kelly. He talks about the horses that were used in the woods. Of particular interest to me were the snowshoes that were used on these horses. They had to be used on the older and more mature animals. These animals would adapt quite easily whereas the younger horses rebelled and were not so likely to accept them on their feet. The horse shoes measured about 14 inches in diameter and were made from chains and a round loop. They were made in the blacksmith shop by the company blacksmith who was Max Butt. The company employees provided services to the greater community For example, people working in the blacksmith shop or machine shop would have the added responsibility of thawing frozen residential water lines. The approach taken was either to use steam or a blow torch. Some precautionary measures were taken to prevent freeze ups and this would include the installation of sawdust boxes in the homes of company employees. Another task entrusted to the company employees was the residential testing of stovepipes. The company had a big stake in all dwellings in the community and felt these precautions were necessary. The company also employed a watchman whose hours of operation were monitored by a time clock. He would have to check in at various locations which on watch and patrol the company assets including dwellings in the community. This would include being on the lookout for fires. In the early years there was no provision for a firehall. The company did have some firefighting apparatus including pumps and fire hoses. They could also rely on the services of CN section men for fire patrol and they were always willing to assist. The community in its early years was struck with a fatality and a tragic loss of life. Community resident Bill Woolridge’s home, who lived on a property near Dan and Cindy Dan Mustardrd’s today, did burn to the ground. A young child approximately six years of age was a casualty of this fire. It is believed that this fire was caused by overheated fat. Some of the community recreational assets are outlined during the interview. This included a tennis court and a skating rink. It isn’t mentioned in the interview but I am told that Ben Basha used the town hall to show movies. That facility also had a bowling alley for patrons to enjoy. Many socials were held in the community and i found the information on the basket parties to be most interesting. They were held several times a year. The girls would take baskets of goodies to the parties. The gentlemen would bid on these baskets and the highest tender would have the awesome privilege of escorting that girl home the evening. It is a good thing that this wasn’t around in my day or I would surely have been flat busted broke. The water system in Howley is further described in this interview. They were company owned and made from the same material as the pin stocks in Deer Lake. This system was gravity fed like it is today. In those days they were constructed of wood and they did burn. When this happened the company delivered the water to its residents using horse and wooden barrels. Citizens of the community were required to have their own barrels for storage purposes. This tape is giving us a glimpse of life in Howley so many years ago. If you have additional information on this segment of the audio tape, please post it below. Click on the link below to hear Harold Kelly describe this history in his own words. tindeck/listen/nrlt
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 07:01:44 +0000
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