Nanaimo,
British Columbia, Saturday, February 23, 1907
Evening Edition
Something of the Old Time Nanaimoites
Mr. Mark Bate in His Article
To-Day Tells Some Hitherto Unpublished Stories of the First Residents of
Nanaimo
Something may now be said of
those who lived here then -- of where they lived, etc.
The four houses first built in Nanaimo are the two which today stand facing
Front Street, going Northerly from Bastion Street -- the one recently demolished
by the Windsor Hotel Proprietor, and the one which stood on the Front St.
corner of the Green Block.
The first house, nearest the Bastion, was occupied by Mr. John Meakin,
one of the English miners who came out in the "Princess Royal", arriving
in November, 1854. His family consisted of Mrs. Meakin and three children
-- two sons and a daughter -- all today living in Nanaimo much respected,
and among our best citizens. Mr. Meakin was one of the unfortunate
victims of the explosion at No. 1 shaft of the 3rd of May,
1887. He was a man pretty well informed; one who had read and observed
much. He always took pride in keeping things neat and trim about his
house, and was a handy man in many ways. He was amongst the first to
strike out and make a home for himself, when The Vancouver Coal Mining &
Land Co Limited, in 1863 completed the survey of the Town and placed Lots
on the market. He selected a site on the Esplanade, (a plot that now
forms part of the beautiful garden and grounds laid out by Mr. Robins) which
he disposed of over 30 years ago, and built at the southwest corner of Prideaux
and Albert Street, where Mrs. Meakin, now in the sun-set of life, resides.
Mr. Meakin was elected a member of the Municipal Council in 1879.
He was a progressive citizen, always -- never lacking in public spirit.
In the next house lived the late Honorable Robert Dunsmuir, Mrs. Dunsmuir,
two sons and three daughters. In 1858 Mr. Dunsmuir removed to a more
commodious house, standing at what is now the corner of Albert and Wallace
streets. This house he had taken down, and then erected in its place
"Ardoon", the present residence of M. Bate, where until 1884, Mr. Dunsmuir
lived, and then removed to Victoria.
(Unreadable)...a short sketch, to the multifarious affairs in Mr. Dunsmuir
was engaged. To relate fully what is known of his experiences and his
triumphs, many pages would be required, but his name is so closely associated
and interwoven with the growth of this entire District, that a few words
must be said. In the very earliest history of Nanaimo, he began to show
his active, resolute nature. At the out-set of Mining development he
entered into a contract with the Hudson's Bay Company to deliver coal from
the Mine known as Dunsmuir's Level. He employed a number of men at
the work and after completing that compact, he superintended the sinking of
the Douglas Pit, and the opening out of stalls there. He traced the
basset edge of the Coal measures over many parts of the Country hereabout
-- no easy matter at the time, he was so occupied -- and discovered the Harewood
Coal Seam -- was offered and accepted the office of Manager of the Harewood
Coal Company. In an exploration which he directed in the sixties,
on land taken up afterward by the late James Beck, he came within a few
feet of striking the coal which has since been proved at the Alexandria
Mine, and which coal he bought in 1882 from the owners thereof. His
most fortunate discovery, however, was the famous Wellington seam, which
brought him much prosperity and renown. His remarkably successful operations
at the Wellington Colleries, his bold enterprise in building the Island Railway,
and his adroit management of that and other large undertakings's have won
for him a lasting fame. With a mind commercially comprehensive, quick
to perceive and act, he evinced great courage and pertinacity in all his
ventures. His good fortune was exceptional. Like Midas, he could
not touch anything that did not, in his hands, turn into gold. Energy,
hope and will, were his, and by them he conquered. The wealth he gathered
materially enriched the Country. Hundreds partook of his affluence,
through the free distribution he made, in various ways of his ample means.
He erected the splendid, stately manion "Craighdarroch" Victoria --
the home of Mr. Dunsmuir.
He was twice elected to the Provincial Parliament for Nanaimo District,
and was made President of the Executive Council. When a young man,
in connection with several other gentlemen, he assisted (in 1866) in the
organization of the Nanaimo Publishing Company, by whom the first Nanaimo
Newspaper, the "Gazette" was published. He promoted the same year the
formation of the first Nanaimo Water Works Co., and took a prominent part
in the inauguration and maintenance of a Literary Institute and Reading Room,
for which purpose the building now occupied as the City Hall, was erected.
He was a gentleman of most generous disposition -- a staunch friend,
outspoken, one who would at all times fearlessly express whatever opinion
he might entertain.
His death, in 1889, was a heavy loss to the province, and was very generally
regretted.
House No. 3, call it, taken down a few months ago to make way as
before intimated, for the Hotel Windsor improvements, was the home of Alfred
Robson Benson, a warmhearted, but somewhat eccentric Medico. He was
in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company, (as was every one else here)
and wholly paid by them. Medical advice and Medicines were given to
all in the Town free of charge. It was nothing uncommon to meet the
Doctor with his coat buttoned over by the first button through the second
button-hole, or even a more ludicrous hitch than that, or with one leg of
his pants insides, and the other outside his boots. He never had bottles
in the Surgery. When patients required medicine his first enquiry generally
was: "Got a bottle, eh?" or "Go and get a bottle." He kept a sharp
little Irish Terrier which he called Bizzie. Job Langston on one occasion,
was about to enter the Surgery when Bizzie, who was coiled up on the door-mat,
bit him on the leg, and receiving a vicous kick for her nastiness, went yelping
away. The Doctor came to the door and was told the trouble. Job
also explained his business, which was to have a tooth extracted. While
the operation was being performed, Job yelled a little -- the lance was being
rather freely applied. Job continued to cry out "Oh, Oh!" The
Doctor, apparently taking sweet revenge, said "Kick my Buzzie, eh, eh, kick
my Bizzie!"
There was a narrow, crooked road to the Mess-room at which the Doctor
took his meals. He would exercising himself at times chopping a piece
off one stump and then another, with the object of widening and straightening
the pathway, but getting tired of the job, remarked, "that he could see his
way in the day-light, and it would be easier to work to carry a lantern in
the dark" -- which he always did. When, during the American War, the
late President Grant was achieving fame as a General, the Doctor was about
to return to England. One evening in the presence of several Naval
officers and others, he exhibited a Promistory Note he held for $300.00 which
had been given to him, in connection with some horse deal, by "U.S. Grant",
when he, Grant was ..(unreadable)...ing should endeavor to collect
the amount of that Note, when on his way. Perhaps he did collect --
maybe he didn't. The Doctor was a passenger for Vancouver Island by
the Princess Royal, Captain Trivett, sailing from London in August, 1856.
There had been some trouble with the Chinook Indians, and eight 9 -
pounder guns, four on each side, with small arms and accoutrements, were placed
on board for use in case of necessity when the vessel arrived in the Straits
of Fuca. On the voyage out, in fine weather, John Coles, a passenger
who had been a Naval officer drilled the Crew. It was arranged one
evening there should be a "call to quarters" during the night. The Doctor
boasted how quickly he could dress, and be on deck. He would be out
as soon as any one. Turning in he placed his clothing handy for slipping
on. The Drum beat, but the Doctor was not the first to answer the call.
One and then another appeared. The Doctor did not show up --
he was delayed. Coles, who was full of practical jokes, had stolen
into the Doctor's berth, while he was asleep, placed the coat on the hook
where the pants were hung, the pants in place of the coat, with the leg bottoms
tied. That was the cause of the Doctor's detention. The Doctor
didn't enjoy the fun a bit -- said it was a foolish, boyish trick, etc.,
etc.
Dr. Benson was wll known for his open hospitality and cordial good nature.
He married in 1861. His wife died in Nanaimo in 1863 and a stained
glass window was placed in St. Paul's Church in memorial of her. He
died a few years ago at Whitby, Yorkshire, England, at a ripe of age -- nearly
90.
House No. 4, was occupied by Daniel Dunn and his wife, who both came out
in the Princess Royal, reaching Nanaimo, November, 1854. Mr. Dunn was
a good miner, but for some years previous to his death, which occurred at
the Nanaimo Hospital on the 4th of May, 1888, he had been variously employed
as a laborer. His wife, after an absence of many years, returned to
Nanaimo, and is till residing here.