William George Davies

George Davies --- by Caroline Davies

This was page 405 of an unidentified book.  I only have a copy of this page.  But since my grandma wrote it, I have to include it, even without the source.

Russian thistle

The George Davies family came to Carmangay district in April, 1928.  We had two daughters, Shirley Maxine, two years old, and Glenna Elaine, three months. We bought the Stanley Robinson farm of three quarters, seven and one-half miles west and south of Carmangay. It was a real struggle the first few years -- so much wind and the soil was so light, so had lots of soil drifting and I guess that's why they called it the dirty 30's.

1930's tractor

We farmed with horses for a number of years, later we were able to buy another quarter section joining our south quarter from Jack Gillespie. We were able to sell our horses (although many tears were shed) for a second-hand tractor and later a Johnson blade and that was the answer to soil drifting.




Grasshoppers were terrible for a number of years and took so much of our time spreading bait. Russian thistles were also a menace and we used to burn them in the spring.

grasshopper

We had to haul out drinking water in a stone-boat in barrels, baling it by hand for our own use and the livestock, later getting a pump.

gopher

Gophers were plentiful too -- the municipality offered one cent a tail so we bought traps and I trapped for days.  Earl Blaine was teaching school at Prairieville and boarded at our place -- he used to shoot the gophers and let me have their tails.  I made $7.50  -- so that was quiet something!

We took in the Christmas concerts at all schools for miles around and also went over to the Starline every two weeks to dance to Mackie Russell's orchestra.  We didn't have a babysitter those days so we took the girls tucked in the bottom of the buggy.

Glenna went to Burwash School when she was five years old to help keep the school open as they needed six pupils.  Miss Hazel McAllister was the teacher.  Pupils at that time were Pearl Russel, Eileen and Phyllis  Simmons, Helen Anderson, Shirley and Glenna. After the school closed the girls went to Ryckman.  Josie Hubka was teacher. They went to Rykeman for a number of years and then were vanned to Carmangay.

During the country school days dances were held in one school or the other every week, and those were the best times ever.  Everyone was welcome. Ladies brought lunch and everyone enjoyed themselves.  We had the best stampedes at Carmangay for years and people came from many miles away. Agricultural Fairs were an annual event, also Bobbie Burns concerts.

coal bucket

On January 31, 1939 our only son, Murray George came to our house and our family was complete.  We hauled coal from east of Carmangay and Champion as we had only coal stoves and furnaces.  What a treat when we could finally afford a wind-charger, 32 volt electric plant.  We got plenty of wind and could really enjoy some of the comforts of living.  Had my first power washer when I was 46 years old. Later we got Calgary Power. First telephone June 4, 1945.