ADVENTURES IN COOKING 229

yokes to carry water by pails up the steep banks of the Peace River. Now-
adays, larger dugouts are common and many homes have water piped in,
and modern facilities. Heating was done with wood, which was there in
abundance, but today, with the discovery and development of natural gas
in the District, natural gas or propane are more commonly used. ‘The B.C.
Power Commission has extended electricity to many areas to replace the
kerosene and gas lamps formerly used.

With no doctor closer than Edson, and no hospital closer than Edmon-
ton, 100 miles further on, pioneer women with nursing experience were
invaluable. Such a one was Mrs. Annie Young, well known to W.I.
members, the first District Nurse.

The first Women’s Organization was formed at “Killkeran District” in
1921, and was known as the Women’s Farm Group. This later became the
first W. I. in the Peace River District, now known as West Saskatoon W. I.,
incorporated in 1928. Other W. I.’s in the District are spread over a wide
area, many along the Peace River and its tributaries.

Early schools and churches were started in 1913; the first Anglican
Church was built at West Saskatoon in 1920; the first United Church at
Rolla in 1923; the first Catholic Church at Pouce Coupe. ‘The organ brought
over the Edson Trail in 1914 is still used in the Church at Rolla.

In 1919, the first grain was shipped out of the area. ‘Today, Dawson
Creek’s eight elevators ship annually some three million bushels of grain,
making the area the largest initial grain shipping point in the British
Empire.

The first cattle had come with the early settlers, and sheep arrived in
1920. Farmers felt the depression of the “Thirties” and report selling butcher
pigs for $5.00 each, wheat for 25c a bushel and oats for 10c. ‘Today, thous-
ands of cattle and hogs are raised, with some sheep, and a small flock of
poultry on every farm. Every variety of vegetable is grown and hardy small
fruits. Annual Agricultural Fairs, Seed Fairs and Feeder Cattle Sales are
held. Culture has not been neglected and the area boasts annual Festivals.

A mere 50 years has wrought an amazing change to the Peace River
District, with the Alaska Highway going north to Fairbanks, Alaska from
Dawson Creek, the Hart Highway from Prince George to Dawson Creek,
the P.G.E. Railway as close as Prince George, the Northern Alberta Railway
from Edmonton, and regular C.P. Airlines service between the District and
Vancouver, AND oil wells.

Present day settlers are reaping the benefits that were so hardly won
for them by courageous pioneers with vision.