Introduction

Explorers & Prospectors
   William Fernie
   Michael Phillipps
   Peter Fernie
   Colonel James Baker

Discovery of Coal &
the Crowsnest Pass

Formation of the Coal Company & Railroad

Coal Company Investors
   George Cox
   Robert Jaffray
   Henry Pellatt

Tom Uphill

Thomas Uphill

Thomas Uphill came to Fernie shortly after 1904 upon completion of his service in the Boer war. It would not take long for the citizens of Fernie to see the large political impact that Thomas Uphill would have on their community in the years to come. While he lived here he sold life insurance through the Great West Life Assurance Co. and became very involved in the community. He held positions such as secretary of the local miners’ union, city council member, mayor and Member of the Legislative Assembly.

In 1912 Thomas Uphill was elected as a new city council member. Then in 1915 he became mayor holding this position until 1920 with the exception of the year 1918. In 1920, Thomas Uphill was elected to the provincial legislature when "Honest" John Oliver was the liberal premier. Thomas was neither a liberal nor a conservative but ran his own one-man Independent Labour Party for the constituency of Fernie and surrounding areas. He won the seat easily. Thomas would become known as one of the most colourful members of the assembly during his forty years service from 1920 to 1960.

As a member of the legislature Thomas Uphill was outspoken and not easily deterred. He represented Fernie, Coal Creek, Corbin and Michel-Natal to the best of his ability. High on premier Oliver’s new agenda was the matter of prohibition, which Thomas greatly opposed. During a meeting at the house he conducted a speech on the need for good beer, claiming the citizens of Fernie had wisely voted against prohibition. They did not feel that they needed parental care.

Thomas also pushed the house for a road to Corbin. The road had already been surveyed but no action had been taken to begin its construction. Although a road was finally laid out in 1927, this was a result of the Corbin community and not the provincial government.

The year of 1948 was one of natural disaster across the province. All the major rivers throughout BC, like the Brassier, went on a rampage. It was no surprise when Michel Creek flooded to the point where it began to flow down the streets of Michel-Natal, flooding the entire town. Thomas repeatedly asked the house for help but such a small creek was low on the provincial government’s list of priorities. It wasn’t until after months of hassling by Thomas that the government finally agreed to dredge Michel Creek to avoid further flooding.

Thomas was well known for his candidness but still he created a precedent in the house when he was found one day at his desk with a ball of wool and knitting needles. When asked what he was doing his response was to the Speaker of the house Mr. Whittaker "Since you, Mr. Speaker, have forbidden members to read newspapers in the house but permit knitting on the floor and in the galleries, I decided to join the BOB." As a member of the Babies of Britain Club he sent baby garments overseas each month. Thomas kept on knitting in the house for many years to follow.

Thomas held his position as MLA even despite his communist sympathies. As compared to other political leaders he was not afraid to be associated with the Labour Progressive Party, also known as the communist party, in the East Kootenay region. Thomas made appearances and speeches at local events, such as May Day celebrations, that were organized by LPP leaders like Ben Swankey. Some of these events even went so far as to post Karl Marx banners above their podiums.

Thomas was re-elected as mayor of Fernie in 1946 but the vote was extremely close and another election was called. Thomas had to give up his seat to Bert Hawkley but made a triumphant return in 1950 when Hawkley resigned.

Thomas was well known throughout Fernie for his kindness and generosity. After the depression of the 1930’s many families could not afford the expenses of post secondary education for their children. Thomas aided some of these less fortunate families in the community by lending their children enough money to go to school. Upon completing their studies they would repay him - interest free

In 1962 on February 22 flags were flying at half-mast as the city of Fernie mourned the passing of Thomas Uphill. The Fernie senior citizens club then announced that their new rest home, already in planning, would be named the Tom Uphill Memorial Home.

Henry Pellatt