Wednesday July 14,1999 |

Well fn set farmer dies on the job

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

by the team being | the breaking of the
pole of the wagon.”

Dawson received a number of
scrapes and bruises, because of which
he brought charges against the driver
of the wagon a few weeks later.

After, there were frequent accidents
occurring on the Saanich Peninsula
over the years, some in the course of
farming activities, and a variety of
other causes, like being kicked by a
horse, gored by a bull, or injured while
operating machinery, it was decided to
form a local union of the Ancient Or-
der of United Workman [AOUW].

. The Order has long be defunct, but
was purely beneficiary in its character,
and provided payment of $2,000 at the
death of a brother in good standing, to
his wife; children, sister, mother or
whoever he may designate during his

life time. Fortunately John Dawson ©

was one of large number of rss on
the Peninsula to join.

It was a common practice ‘for the
farmers to exchange work, or hire one
-another to plough or harvest their
crops as more efficient machinery ar-

rived on the Peninsula. One of these:

- occasions brought about the untimely
death of Dawson. On August 11, 1884,
David R. Ker, of Brackman & Ker
Mills, wrote in the British Colonist. “A

_ very serious accident occurred to Mr.
John Dawson of South Saanich yester- _
~ He left home in the morning for -
“ig Brethours Brothers’ farm with his new...
ea ‘selfbinding harvester and everything mo

“ day.-.

This Thursday _

went well till he reached the latter’s
place, when he got off to see if the gate

was wide enough to get through.

While examining the gate one of the
horses got the bridle off and both
horses started off. Mr. Dawson man-
aged to reach their heads, but only in
time to get knocked down and run
over with the large wheel of the ma-

chine, which passed over his arm and

down one side, breaking the arm and
smashing several ribs.”

He was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospi-
tal in Victoria the next day, but John
Dawson died on August 13, at the age
of 37. [Note: Most records state that
his age was 33, although marriage and
census records indicate 37.] His fu-
neral took place on Aug. 15, at the
newly dedicated cemetery at Shady
Creek, at which it is recorded that
nearly all the residents of North and
South Saanich were in attendance.

Victor Virgin records the words ofa
“beautifully written and framed obitu--
ary from AOUW lodge to the bereaved
widow: “We cannot, except with great
diffidence, attempt to express to you _

and your bereft family the sympathy

which we as a lodge of the AOUW ex-

“perience on account of the recent be-
-reavement you have undergone.

-“You.and your children have not

= only been deprived of the comfort and

‘society of a devoted husband and fa-

ther but we as an order have lost. ae

“true and faithful brother.

“Tt would be unbecoming .. on our

of the many virtues and. excellencies _

join us for FREE |

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store and check out the

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BRENTWOOD |
7177 W. Saanich Road
652- 4622 .

which we have always found to be
characteristic of your late departed
husband and our brother. Suffice it to
say that truly your and our loss is his
gain.

“Knowing as we all do from years of
intercommunication the upright and
consistent walk and conversation of
our late brother we cannot refrain
from conveying to you our own ex-
pression of sympathy and we trust that
the providence who watches over us
will guide and protect you in all the vi-
cissitudes of life.” It was signed J. T.
McILMOYL,|sic], Master Workman.

Mary Dawson was married again
six years later to Robert Anderson, a
well-known Cariboo miner, on Dec. 24,
1890. The two had a daughter,
Christina, born on Oct. 6, 1898. But
sadness would again strike, as Robert

STELLY'

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would like to thank all parents who ~
assisted in making grad night 1999
a safe and enjoyable evening.

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the “progressive type” moving for-

» farmers were purchasing iron horses. —

part to attempt to express our opinion ©

died a few years later on Nov. 30, 1905, . ar REMOVAL 7 oor acters
while up in the Cariboo district. ° REVERSE OSMOSIS > TWIN TANK SYSTENAS

Mary lived along and healthy life, re-
maining on the land for nearly 70 years.
She died at the age of 89, on April 11,
1948. As the years went by, the family.
broke up and sold the farm, retaining
only four acres where George and
Christina abided for many years.

Although their late father had been

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ward as technology dictated, his fam-
ily was an “old fashion family,” using |
‘farm equipment and utensils of the
‘turn-of-the-century, wherein, the other

#65 sae Square 560 Johnson St.
_ SERVICING: VICTORIA, SAANICH PENINSULA,

© WESTERN COMMUNITIES, -
~ VANCOUVER ISLAND, GULF ISLANDS

Apparently, they preferred to wse.ac-
tual: horses to: plough: and. har vest :
ow at remained of their. lands... :

Gall fe 1 Submissions:
Health Service Planning in the Capital Region

The. Capital Health Region is looking at the way health services are
delivered across this region: to support the short and long t term needs - the
people we serve. Seer

"Over the next 15 years, the popiilation of the Capital Réion is expected to”
increase by 60,000 and will continue to be ‘older’ than: the BC average
while the population in the other areas of Vancouver Island, for which, the
CHR provides specialized : services, is ‘expected to increase by over 100, 000
by the year 2015. .

What is w working well now?
“What could be improved?
What changes are needed to address curr ent or future needs?

Yo support the planning proce: ess, the CHR is ac scepling written
submissions from individuals or organizations interested in contributing
their views and recommendations. Submissions will be received until -
August 9, 1999. If you are interested in preparing a brief, written
submission, contact us ‘for an information and guidelines pack: ige.

Write tors coe.
“apital Health Region
-” Regional Services Phin Office
2101 Richmond Avenue | |
~ Victoria, B.C. VER AR7
ey or . :
Phone: 370-8699.
Available ats www.caphealthorg
c mails ponte annelt ore

ne A Capital - vos
ae ON Health Region

— oon ecco