Much exploratory
work had been done too.
1. Coal found at Chase River.
2. Under the rocks, by sinking, back of the house occupied
by Mrs. John Sabiston.
3. Under the table rock at the approach of Johnston's
Wharf.
4. Shaft No. 8, below Front St., nearly opposite the
government courthouse, sunk to the coal, and made ready for the sinding engine.
5. A shaft sunk to the upper seam on the Gulf side
of Newcastle Island. (Some remarkably firm, flawless, and even slabs of
Sandstone were obtained over the coal here, which were sent to Victoria
for Hearthstones.)
6. A shaft was started in the "Green" -- the old 24th
of May picnic ground.
7. A core-hole, back of where Mr. A. S. Hamilton lives
-- the rods broke and were lost.
8. Bores on Newcastle and Protection Islands.
9. A drift into the bank, just above high water mark,
near where the Union Brewery sunk a well, below Mr. W. Akenhead's stables.
(A copious stupply of pure water was struck here, which ran continuously,
and served for years to supply nearly the whole inhabitants. A small
foot bridge was built over the Ravine to facilitate a passage to the "Spring".)
10. An attempt was made to open a Level where the drainage
from the old Douglas workings runs, near Mr. T. Hardy's, but the miners were
not apparently, at that time equal to the job. At any rate they did
not make headway, owing to the quicksand, it was said, and gave up. Twenty
years later, Sam Harris, Jim Harris and Tom Cornish, entered into a contract
to push a Level through, and succeeded in thirling the old Douglas slope
a few feet above the No. 1. Level.
A walk around
a a few calls at the Indian Camps gave a little insight into the Native character
and mode of life. The men were poorly clad, dirty and languid. With
few exceptions their covering was a shirt and a Blanket wrapped around the
body -- feet and head bare. Women nursing infants whose heads were
being flattened or elongated, by compression between two strips of board
bound together with cords -- cords made, by the way, from cedar bark. Most
of the men were excessively slothful, and abhorred work of fatigue of any
kind. At times they were inclined to be rebellious, considering King
George men as invaders of the prescriptive territorial rights. They
subsisted mainly on what they could procure by hunting and fishing, and
on berries which grew plentifully, and which were preserved by drying --
a process the Indians seemed to well understand. Game was abundant,
and obtainable with much search.
Coal was conveyed in canoes for shipment
-- whether to a Man 'o War, a San Francisco freighter, or a coaster --thrown
into a lighter made fast alongside a vessel, thence toisted or shovelled
on board. In this work of conveyance, the Indian women, as well as the
men were engaged -- the former, as a rule, earning the most wages, or goods.
Payment was made at the Hudson's Bay Company's store, in Blankets, Beads,
Shirts and other articles. The condition of the Indians today, is materially
changed -- is greatly improved. Many of them are industrious, and steadily
occupied. Some have a knowledge of Agriculture, and are inclined to
lead a pastoral life, while others worked about the mines. Thanks to
the Missionary teachers who have faithfully labored among them, the younger
generation are copying many good examples of their more highly civilized
brethren.
The one Road from town -- excepting trails to the Mines and Sawmill --
led to the "big Swamp". Turning along what is now called Comox Road,
passing by the old Cemetery, on beyond where Mr. John Teague lived, came
to an abrupt termination at the edge of the Swamp -- did not branch either
right or left. The road was cut out as a way of getting to the Stables.
Hay made from wild grass which grew in heavy crops. The Hay was
hauled on a Sledge by Oxen -- no wagon builders about; neither Andrew &
Donaldson nor McCurrach & Wilkinson had then commenced business. The
Oxen hauled timber for buldings and for general mining purposes, and, with
an Indian driver did much good work. There was a thick undergrowth in
the woods in those days. Bush fires of any extent were of rare occurence.
On the road side, about where Machleary Street intersects the Comox
Road, in the clearest spot thereabout, the late Edward Walker had a small
garden, which, being shaded all around by good-sized trees, was of little
use to him.
While strolling in this direction on a pleasant, still, afternoon, the
rushing of the waters of the Millstream, only would vary a feeling of silent
solitude. The lonely magnificence of the scenery in the Millstream
valley, its mossy glades, rivulets and Water Falls, who could fail to admire
them? And then, when the banks were robed with maples in full leaf,
and Dog Wood in all its floral beauty, what lovely spots were found for the
good old-fashioned Pic-nic, which the early residents well knew how to arrange
and enjoy.
A canoe trip -- repeated trips -- to Nanaimo River, across the Harbour
outside Douglas and Newcastle Islands, to Departure Bay, scrutinizing en
route the rifts, caves and caverns in the cliffs, the strange romantic grandeur
and remarkable appearance of the water-worn rocks -- which looked like works
of art produced by the chisel -- disclosed wonderful surprises that are still
vividly remembered. Sitting down at the site of an old Indian Village
near where Mrs. Christie now resides, gazing across the Straits of Georgia,
and around the Bay, resting in a mute incommunicable luxury of though, one
could drink in a Panorama of the fairest, the most enchanting pictures of
Nature's painting -- pictures in which this whole Nanaimo region abounds.
There were several totam poles, rather elaborately carved, standing
at this deserted village, which had belonged to a branch of the S'nenymos
tribe that had quitted the place many years before.
On Jesse Island, under a bluff on the Northern side there was an ancient
Indian Necropolis. Dozens of boxes were piled, one above another, moldering
with age, containing the remains of Natives, there deposited.