| Farming in B.C. |
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The second largest area to be farmed on the mainland after Fort Langley was Sumas. By 1866, 60 settlers were farming 4860 acres in the Sumas/Chilliwack area. 6000 pounds of Sumas butter, sealed in cans, sold for $1 a pound wholesale in Barkerville in 1869.
Mount Lehman, a main stop for the sternwheelers on the Fraser, was a shipping point for the area's 10,000 acres in mixed farming and fruit orchards in 1880.
These areas also supplied gold seekers, particularly those who were entering via the Whatcom Trail to avoid payment of entrance fees. The Trail came across the border just east of the present Huntingdon border crossing and skirted the north shore of Sumas Lake to the mouth of the Sumas River on the Fraser and Miller's Landing. Wade's Trail branched off at the north-west of Sumas Lake and went over Sumas Mountain to Wade's Landing on the Fraser.
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AULD LANG SYNE (PART 2)
Words and Music
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So here's a hand my trusty friend and gi'se a hand o' thine
And we'll tak a richt good willy-wot for auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot for auld lang syne
For auld lang syne my dear, for auld lang syne
We'll drink a glass o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne
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Immigration was encouraged with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, linking B.C. with the rest of Canada, in 1885. The CPR spur line connecting the main line at Mission with the United States at Sumas, Washington (1891) intersected the first roadway through the Fraser Valley, the Old Yale Wagon Road at what was to later become Abbotsford.
The many lumber mills throughout the valley drew workers from Europe, China, Japan, and India. The largest of these was operated by the Abbotsford Lumber Company on Mill Lake in Abbotsford. They were once the third largest forestry employer in the province. The Canadian National and other later railways also aided settlement and shipping of agricultural products. The British Columbia Electric Railway line completed from New Westminster to Chilliwack in 1910 became known as the milk train. Farmers could then ship fresh dairy products to market quickly. Previously, they could only ship butter or possibly cream, by river-boats. |
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Synonymous with New Years Eve, Auld Lang Syne was composed by celebrated Scottish poet Robbie Burns (January 25, 1759 - July 21, 1796). "Auld Lang Syne" (or "Days Long Past") expresses the profound longing many of our colonial pioneers felt being separated from family and friends "now oceans broad between us roar".
In the Hudson's Bay Company fir reserve of New Caledonia (later British Columbia) Auld Lang Syne was sung at the close of every important social occasion. |
    
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[Steamboatin'
Jamiesons] [Ned
McGowan's War] [Ghosts
of Read Island] [John
Antle]
[Richard Moody] [Spanish
Banks] [Auld
Lange Syne] [Voyageur!]
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