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ADVENTURES IN COOKING 107

We hear of many who paused on the way to or from the Eldorado to
find the prospect pleasing—and the land good. Such was John Fall Allison
who, travelling in a covered wagon, stopped at Princeton. Enthusiastic
settlers, with a dream in their hearts, left Victoria in rowboats to find beauty
at Comox, Saltspring and Gabriola Islands. Cobble Hill and South Saanich
drew settlers. Moving out from Fort Langley settlers spread to Atchelitz,
Vedder, Pitt Meadows, Deroche, Nicomen Island—and to Pemberton, via
Harrison Lake. In 1860 new settlers came to Summerland along the Fur
Brigade Trail. Customs Houses had now been established at the border and
Osoyoos reports seeing 9,285 head of sheep, cattle and commodities passing
through in 1862 with duty collected of £2200. ‘Three thousand head of cattle
belonging to the Harper Bros. travelled overland to begin the well-known
Gang Ranch. We like to hear of Mr. Fortune of the brave band of Over-
landers, coming down the ‘Thompson to remain at Westsyde; of Thos.
Wood, after a perilous trip across the Isthmus of Panama finally coming to
rest at Winfield. And the story of the lovely little church, built of Cali-
fornia redwoods at South Saanich, touches our hearts!

It was at this time, 1862, that proper land recording took place and
many districts report very interesting data. Many grants of land were given
by a grateful government to Royal Engineers and military personnel. Many
of these settled in the fertile lower Fraser Valley—at Sumas, Agassiz—care-
fully building on ridges to avoid the annual floods. ‘The famous Coldstream
Ranch at Vernon, 1400 beautiful acres, was established by Capt. Houghton.
By 1870 our files prove that British Columbia had entered a true pioneer
stage of development with a keen interest in agriculture—principally cattle-
raising.

Word of a new gold strike in the Manson Creek fields took only the
most eager of the miners through Fort St. James and the new H. B. Co. post
at Hazelton—but the gold seemed quickly to peter out and proved a sad
disappointment.

The steamboats the “Beaver” and the “Skeena” traded their cargoes of
excited, eager miners, for staunch and pioneering settlers—looking for land
with the dream of the West in their eyes. Our Institutes are filled with
pride as they recall their early pioneers and their way of establishing a
home in the wilderness. We believe the Tom Allisons, making their way
by pack train to Westbank over the pass which bears their name, serve as a
shining example. Lilacs and acacias were lovingly planted around their
new home. Careful providing gave them cured fish and venison. Ingenuity
suggested hats made from wild grasses. Homes in those days were made of
logs, generally squared timbers hewn with broadaxe by woodsmen who were
artists in their work. Morticed corners and wooden pegs were carefully
constructed. The first roof was often of sod and it took a little while to get
a properly laid floor. But the houses were warm and so was the hospitality!
The main interest was in cattle-raising, altho’ necessity demanded mixed
farming to make their living self-supporting. ‘The lowly oxen provided
“power” for the breaking of land. At Osoyoos, (formerly just Soyoos) Judge
Haynes of the County Court, and Gold Commissioner for the scattered
mines of the southern interior, built a splendid cattle ranch and fine home.