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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
