By Mike Rainone
For the News
The delightful Crestomere/Sylvan Heights Heritage history book informs us that George and Pauline (Hamann) Betts came to Canada from Elkhorn, Nebraska in 1901. Like so many other hardy pioneers these newlyweds had been blessed with an adventurous spirit, and were also impressed with the lovely brochures from Canada, which invited everyone to choose Ponoka, North West Territories as the place to begin their search for lush new land and opportunities.
Homesteads in this area could be filed for $10 and the land was available for just a few dollars an acre. George, his brother-in-law, and a friend Gust Sachs came to Ponoka and into the West Country in the fall of 1902. He would purchase land adjoining the N.E. one quarter, 26, 43, 1, W5, which he later homesteaded and became the second settler in the district, while his friends chose land nearby. All three men returned to the United States to prepare for the long trip back with their families and belongings, which began in the frigid winter month of February 1903.
On their arrival in Ponoka with a carload of furniture, machinery, mules, and other household necessities George bought a team of oxen, and leaving the mules in town he and Sachs headed out for their new homesteads in 20 below temperatures. Along the way they got stuck in a swamp, slept in the hay with the oxen on a 40 below night, and finally reached the Davidson’s with their worldly belongings still in tow. In March Pauline Betts followed with their new baby girl, but stayed in Ponoka until the men were able to get the home ready. Following are some of the amazing adventures, hardships, and joys that these countless pioneer families encountered and endured as they converged on this area nearly a century ago.
*The fear of hostile Indians was always present in those early days, and Pauline was no exception. She related that one day she had been baking bread and it was cooling on the table when she turned from her work to see an Indian, covered with blood, standing just inside the door. She was petrified by fear, but the native smiled and pointed to the bread, and finally through a lot of friendly signs he made her understand that he had killed a deer in the bush and wanted a loaf of bread. The gift was happily given and with it went the terrible fear of Indians!
*Life in those days was not all work, as they made use of every opportunity to gather with friends and neighbours. Birthdays in the district were never forgotten, and the Sunday nearest the birthday was usually chosen for the party. The fortunate ones with summer birthdays were envied because the folks could get out of doors, where the younger children could smile at each other, play games, get into mischief, and make a lot of noise. The teenagers played ball, held hands, and often continued the romance that perhaps had blossomed at some earlier date?
*As everyone traveled with team and wagon or buggy, some for many miles, it was the food that was the main concern. It was cooked days in advance of the event, and everyone added their contributions to the groaning table as they arrived. Tables full of fine fare were as long as the house, three or four sittings were required to feed everyone, the older folks ate first and the small children last, and the ladies were continuously doing the dishes.
*Dances too were held at the slightest excuse, especially in any new building or barn that was able to hold a lot of people. Going to the dance in those days meant taking the whole family along. Beds were made in the corners for the babies once they fell asleep, then the older children were later laid down along the walls and covered in blankets and coats when they finally got tired.
*Berry picking was also a great time to visit with your neighbours in the early years, as two or three families would all load into a wagon and head for a day in the berry patch. They caught up on the news while filling their pails with nature’s bounteous supply of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, Saskatoon’s, huckleberries, cranberries, and dewberries; which all became welcome additions to their ice boxes and cold cellars, along side the wild game and garden grown produce.
*Life also had its frustrating moments in those days, just like it does today. The men were busy clearing the land with an axe, while the oxen and mules were used to pull out huge stumps, as well as pulling the breaking plows and harvesting machinery. Horses, other than the rugged Indian ponies often fell very ill with swamp fever and died; and everyone suffered the terrible torments from hordes of flies and mosquito’s, especially during the hot summers. To escape their wrath both man and beast would dash into the sloughs, and tempers were often sorely tried.
*The women too had trying times among their daily tasks, the most discouraging being the raising of chickens. They did not lay in the winter, but once it got warm the first eggs would be eagerly sought. It was the children’s job to search for the treasures, but they also had to compete against coyotes, magpies, skunks and pigs. They always tried to keep those hens and chicks in the safety of the henhouse, but quite often they escaped to run helter skelter about the yard and face the perils. Despite all the obstacles there always seemed to be an ample supply of lovely fried chicken on the dinner table, as well as an egg or two for breakfast.
*The control of bedbugs was also a constant problem in those early years, as everyone’s home was always open to strangers for the night, and many of these seemed to carry the pesky bugs right along with them. No house was ever completely free of them, but lots of coal oil, boiling water, and sharp vigilance usually kept them under control.
*George Betts always took a keen interest in the affairs of the community as they progressed, serving on the School Board and as a councillor for a number of years. George and Pauline Betts had five children, with many of the family offspring still living in the area to carry on the proud tradition.
This is only a tiny chapter of the colourful heritage that was achieved by our amazing pioneers in Ponoka and surrounding districts for over 100 years. They realized survival and successes together through an undying combination of hardships and hard work, sharing the joys and the tragedies, but always moving on towards a bright future. For this we must always be thankful as we salute their keen efforts and honour their memories and their contributions to our colourful history.