Some Reminiscences of old Victoria

I now propose to review the names of the 1860 pioneer merchants, as illustrated on the covers and through the directory, bringing their names before the pioneers of those days again. This directory is nothing more than a history of the city at that time, and to me is most interesting reading. It is not to be supposed that newcomers of twenty years’ residence will give it more than passing notice, but they will excuse us old hands for being interested.

On the front cover is a picture of the Royal Hotel on Wharf Street, corner of Johnson, Jas Wilcox, proprietor, who also owned property on Fort Street opposite Philharmonic Hall, Wilcox Alley running through the property. The Royal Hotel with the Victoria were the first brick hotels built here in 1858. It was on a vacant lot alongside the Royal Hotel that the Rev. Alexander C. Garrett, about 1861 or 1862, used to preach on Sunday afternoons to large crowds, mostly sailors and miners, although all sorts and conditions of sinners were there. He was a most eloquent Irishman, was a missionary to the Indians, and lived on the Songhees reserve. The choir of Christ Church attended to lead the music, and as I was a choir boy, I was there, as also, I think, Dr. Davie. The minister stood on a packing-box, and the whole scene is vivid in my memory. The motley crowd, as may be supposed, the music in the open air, and the eloquent speaker, all combined to make the scene one to be remembered. Mr. Garrett left here for the States, afterwards being made bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of America.

On the inside of the cover is a picture of Stationers’ Hall, Hibben & Carswell, on the corner of Yates and Langley Streets. During fifty-four years the business has gone on prospering. Although the three principals of that day are gone to their rest, the business is still carried on as Hibben & Co., under the able management of William S. Bone, one of its partners. I might state that Mr. Bone entered the business as a boy at the age of eighteen years, and subsequently a partnership was formed, consisting of T. N. Hibben, C. W. Kammerer and William H. Bone. R. T. Williams, in charge of the Provincial Government Bindery, was also on the staff of this pioneer firm in the early sixties.

On the next page are two views, one of William Zelnor’s drug store, on Government Street, between Yates and Johnson, east side. He afterwards moved to the corner of Yates and Government, where the B. C. Market now does business. The second is the store of Webster and Co., Yates Street, the building now occupied by Bissinger and Co., hide dealers. Mr. Jesse Cowper, who was a resident of Menzies Street, James Bay, was a partner in the firm, and a cousin of the Websters, and after many years’ connection with the concern retired to enjoy the results of his success in this business. He has since died.

Janion & Green, commission merchants, foot of Johnson Street, near the bridge, come next. The firm was afterwards Janion, Green & Rhodes; the latter was the respected father of Mr. Rhodes, of the firm of Brackman & Ker Milling Co., and was Hawaiian consul, having previously been in business in Honolulu. The business house of A. Hoffman, dry goods, north-west corner of Yates and Government, is a frame building. Next are two well-known firms, viz., A. Gilmore, merchant tailor, Yates Street, fourth door from Waddington Alley, and K. Gambitz, Yates Street, next to Bank of British North America. He was an American Hebrew, and sold out to Thomas and William Wilson, who for many years conducted the business on Government Street as the "City House."

James Bell, general hardware, Johnson Street; Robertson, Stewart & Co., commission merchants, Yates Street; and Bayley’s Hotel, which was on the site of the Pritchard House, now turned into a bank; Sporburg & Co., importers of provisions and dry goods, Wharf Street, foot of Yates; Thos. Patrick & Co., corner Johnson and Government Streets, wholesale liquors; Pierce & Seymour, corner Yates and Douglas Streets, furniture dealers. Mr. Seymour was one of the charter members of the Pioneer Society, which society he took a great interest in. He was a firm believer in the cold water cure, and took cold water baths for all ailments. One morning, his furniture store (which then occupied the site of the Colonist Building) not opening up at the usual hour, the door was broken open, and Mr. Seymour was found dead in his cold bath. He was a good-hearted man, and a good friend to many. Lester & Gibbs, the colored grocers, Yates Street, between Wharf and Government Streets; Adolph Sutro & Co., wholesale cigars and tobacco, corner Wharf and Yates Streets; A. Blackman, stoves and tinware, Yates Street, near Wharf; N. Munroe & Co., Yates Street, opposite Stationers’ Hall, dry goods and clothing; Pioneer Mineral Water Works, Humboldt Street, south side; Phillips & Co.; E. Mallandaine, architect, Broad Street, near Yates; Macdonald & Co., bankers, Yates Street. Of this bank I have a lively recollection, as its career came to an end suddenly by the discovery being made one morning that the bank had been robbed, and exit made through the roof. I have $36 of their notes to remember it by. W. F. Herre, News Depot, Yates Street, between Wharf and Government Streets; W. H. Oliver, Johnson Street, opposite Wharf Street, wholesale dealer in liquors (situated over the ravine); C. J. Pidwell & Co., furniture dealers, Yates Street; Wells, Fargo & Co., Express and Exchange Co.; C. C. Pendergast, accountant, Yates Street, between Wharf and Government Streets; G. Huston, gunsmith, Yates Street, below Wells, Fargo & Co.; Langley Bros., wholesale and retail druggists, Yates Street; J. D. Carroll, wines and liquors, wholesale, Yates Street; Reid & Macdonald, commission merchants, Wharf Street; Wm. Burlington Smith, groceries, Government Street, near Yates; Selim, Franklin & Co., auctioneers and land agents, Yates Street. I think all these names will be familiar to some of the early pioneers, as they are to me.

Public Departments of Vancouver Island for 1860.

Governor – James Douglas, C.B.

Legislative Council – His Excellency the Governor, Hon. John Work, Hon. Roderick Finlayson, Hon. David Cameron, judge; Hon. Donald Fraser, clerk; Rev. Edward Cridge.

House of Assembly – Members for Esquimalt – J. S. Helmcken, M.D., Speaker; Capt. Cooper, harbor master, and Capt. J. Gordon. Members for Victoria District – W. F. Tolmie, M.D.; A. D. Waddington, H. P. P. Crease, barrister; G. H. Carey, Attorney-General, B.C., and Selim Franklin. Saanich – C. Coles. Nanaimo – A. R. Green. Lake District – Major Foster. Salt Spring – J. J. Southgate. Metchosin – J. McDonald.

Ecclesiastical – Right Rev. George Hills, Bishop of British Columbia; Rev. Edward Cridge, Victoria; Rev. R. Dundas, Esquimalt; Rev. R. Dawson, Craigflower.

Judicial – Hon. David Cameron, Judge Supreme Court; Attorney-General, Geo. H. Carey; Sheriff, G. W. Heaton.

Colonial Secretary’s Office – W. A. G. Young, R. N., colonial secretary; clerks, Philip Nind, Joseph Porter.

Treasury – Capt. W. D. Gossett, R.E., treasurer.

Lands and Works – J. D. Pemberton, colonial surveyor; surveyors and draughtsmen, B. W. Pearse, H. O. Tedieman.

Police – A. F. Pemberton, J. P., commissioner police; superintendent, Jno. Bayley, four sergeants and twelve constables.

Postmaster, Victoria, J. D. Ewes; clerk, J. Morrison.

Harbor Master – J. Nagle, J.P.

Postage – To Australia, via England, 48c.; to France, 50c. To Great Britain, 34c.; Germany, 40c.

It will be seen that the postage was high and letters a great luxury, and I have only mentioned the four principal countries we have an interest in; also I would call attention to the number of police constables required in those early days, there being a total of seventeen.

I have thought it might be interesting to the few remaining pioneers of 1862 to revive an interest in events of fifty years ago. I often wonder whether our old pioneers think of the days that are gone like I do, recall events and persons, take notice of the removal of old landmarks, such as the James Bay bridge and Sceeley’s "Australian House," at the north end of it, not forgetting the old pioneers who have passed away recently, among whom were Simeon Duck, Jacob Sehl, Thomas Storey, Wm. P. Sayward, Capt. Lewis, Isadore Braverman, Edward Mallandaine and Jeremiah Griffiths. There is a certain amount of pleasure in these reminiscences, melancholy though it may be to those concerned. I shall now quote from the editor’s preface of the directory of 1863 on the progress of the city:

"At no time since the excitement attending its first settlement in 1858 has Victoria made greater strides, or her prosperity so materially increased, as during the past year. Since the commencement of last year her population has at least doubled, and the increase of buildings and improvements has been almost in proportion. During the winter season the town is thronged with strangers from British Columbia and elsewhere, who migrate in the spring. Apart from that the number of the inhabitants may be set down at 6,000. Victoria contains about 1,500 buildings, some of them very creditable to the size of the city, among them the Government offices and the jail. There are several commodious brick hotels, the principal being the St. Nicholas, the St. George and the Royal. The city is adorned with five churches, two belonging to the Church of England, one Roman Catholic, one Wesleyan and one Congregational. A Jewish synagogue and a Presbyterian church (Pandora Street) are in course of construction. There are also a theatre (Theatre Royal, Government Street) and a hospital, the latter being supported by voluntary contributions.

"The sittings of the Legislature and law courts of Vancouver Island are held in the city. There are two joint stock banks (British North America and British Columbia), and three private banking houses. Until lately Victoria was without a corporation; during the past year (1862) an act to incorporate the town was passed by the Legislature. The authorities consisted of a mayor and six councillors. Effective and speedy measures will now be adopted to complete the grading of the streets and laying down sidewalks. The water frontage of the town has since the removal of the old bridge (from foot of Johnson Street to Indian reserve) been greatly extended, and several wharves are now available for shipping above the point where that obstacle to navigation existed. A company has been formed to build a railway connecting Victoria with the capacious harbor of Esquimalt. Among other institutions the town may now boast of its gas works. A company has also been organized to supply the town with water from Elk Lake, eight miles distant. The value of real estate in the city has increased in many places over 75 per cent. during the last nine months. The city is a ‘free port,’ and therefore not troubled with custom duties. Vessels drawing fifteen feet of water may cross the bar of the harbor at high water, and a sum of £10,000 has been voted by the Legislature to the improvement of the harbor. Steam communication is carried on three times a month between Victoria and San Francisco, every alternate trip being made via Portland. A surprising impetus has been given to agriculture by the number of newly-arrived immigrants, who have settled in the most fertile districts around Victoria.

"With land at four shillings an acre, and time allowed for payments, together with the improved state of communication between Victoria and the back settlements, we may hope that the inhabitants of the town will not in future be so dependent on neighboring countries for their supplies of produce."

Official List for Vancouver Island.

• James Douglas, C.B., Governor.

• W. A. G. Young, Colonial Secretary.

• Joseph Porter, Chief Clerk.

• George H. Carey, Attorney-General.

• A. Hensley, Clerk.

• Alex. Watson, Treasurer.

• Jos. Despard Pemberton, Surveyor-General.

• W. B. Pearse, Assistant.

• Robert Ker, Auditor (father of D. R. Ker).

• Thos. E. Holmes, Clerk.

• Edward G. Alston, Registrar-General of Deeds.

• Charles G. Wylly, Assessor (still with us).

• Henry Wootton, Postmaster (father of Stephen and E. E. Wootton).

• J. M. Sparrow, Clerk (still with us).

The Legislature.

• Hon. Rodk. Finlayson, Hon. Donald Fraser, Hon. David Cameron, Hon. Alfred J. Langley, Edw. G. Alston and Hon. Alex Watson, nominative.

• J. S. Helmcken, G. H. Carey and Selim Franklin, Victoria City.

• Wm. Cocker, Esquimalt.

• W. F. Tolmie, M.D., J. W. Trutch, and Jas. Trimble, M.D., Victoria District.

• Geo. F. Foster and W. J. Macdonald, Lake District.

• J. J. Southgate, Salt Spring Island.

• D. B. Ring, Nanaimo.

• John Coles, Saanich.

• Robert Burnaby, Esquimalt.

Victoria Fire Department.

• John Dickson, Chief Engineer.

• John Malovanski, Assistant Engineer.

• Chas. Gowen, President Board Delegates.

• Jas. S. Drummond, Secretary Board Delegates.

ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES.

• Union Hook and Ladder, November 22nd, 1859, D. A. Edgar, Foreman.

• Deluge Engine, No. 1, March 5th, 1860. Jas. S. Drummond, Foreman.

• Tiger Engine No. 2, March 23rd, 1860. Samuel L. Kelly, Foreman.

Note. – Of these pioneer firemen of Victoria of this date, Sam Kelly is (1910) the only surviving member of the executive.

H. M. S. Ships of the Pacific Station.

Rear-Admiral, Sir Thomas Maitland.

Bacchante, 51 guns; Chameleon, 17 guns; Charybdis, 17 guns; Clio, 22 guns; Devastation, 6 guns; Forward, 3 guns; Grappler, 3 guns; Hecate, 6 guns; Mutine, 16 guns; Naiad, 6 guns; Nereus, 6 guns; Tartar, 20 guns; Termagant, 25 guns; Topaz, 51 guns; Tribune, 23 guns; Sutlej, 51 guns.

Note. – One-third of these were on southern station. – Ex.

Consuls at Victoria.

• France, P. Mene, Esq.

• United States, Allen Frances, Esq.

• Sandwich Islands, Henry Rhodes, Esq. (father of Chas. Rhodes).

Municipal.

• Thomas Harris, first mayor of Victoria.

• John Copeland, James M. Reid, Richard Lewis, William M. Searby, Michael Stronach and Nathaniel M. Hicks, first councillors of Victoria.

• Algernon Austen, Town Clerk. J. C. Colquhoun, City Inspector.

Educational.

• Henry Claypole, Master at Craigflower.

• William H. Burr (my old master), Master at Victoria.

• Cornelius Bryant, Master at Nanaimo. Salary £150 and fees.

Police Department.

• A. F. Pemberton, Commissioner.

• Horace Smith, Superintendent.

• Preston Bennett, Storekeeper and Clerk.

• George Blake, Sergeant Police, with eleven constables, including Francis Page.

• Steph. Redgrave, Cook and Steward.

• George Newcombe, Jailer.

• D. B. Reid, Assistant Jailer.

• Edward Truran, Superintendent of Convicts.

It was customary for the "chain gang" to emerge every morning from a side gate of the jail yard on Bastion Street and march to Government Street to the music of their chains, with two guards in the rear with loaded shotguns. The gang often contained seamen from the ships at Esquimalt who were serving sentences, usually for desertion. This in course of time caused such indignation that the practice of putting men-of-warsmen in the chain gang was discontinued. The gang worked on the streets, on the Government ground and at other Government work. The uniform consisted of moleskin trousers with V.P., a checked cotton shirt and a blue cloth cap. It was thought a wrong to put a Jack Tar with malefactors of all grades, such as Indian murderers, thieves and whiskey sellers to Indians. It was the custom when a fire of any dimensions took place to telephone or send word to Esquimalt, and squads of Jacks were soon on the way to town, running all the way. After working maybe all night in saving property they would walk back to their ship, tired out and wet through, and all for nothing in the way of recompense. All the time they were at work they sang and joked as they do now. Is it any wonder that we have a soft place in our hearts for Jack? I know I shall not forget them and the days that have gone by, and I think we all shall regret the late change that takes him away, and his merry laugh and joke are things of the past.

To return to the directory. Of those remaining whose names are recorded, there are, alas! only sixty-two to-day with us. I have been carefully over the list from A to Z and sixty-two is the number. Of course there may be others that I did not know, and doubtless there are some; there are omissions also, I am sure, and several I have added to make up the sixty-two. There is one thing sure, that as a rule only the head of a family was recorded, male or female, as there are many residents to-day who were young men or youths, or young women or girls, when this directory was compiled. I shall give here the names of these sixty-two who are still privileged to be residents of this beautiful city that we old residents are so proud of, as well as those of two living abroad and one in Kamloops.

The list alphabetically is:

• Adams, Daniel F., contractor.

• Anderson, E. H., variety store.

• Alport, Charles (in South Africa).

• Anderson, J. R., agricultural department.

• Barnett, Josiah, in United States.

• Barnswell, James, carpenter.

• Bauman, Frederick, confectioner.

• Beaven, Hon. Robert.

• Botterell, Mat., butcher.

• Blaguiere, Edward.

• Bullen, Jonathan, bricklayer.

• Boscowitz, Joseph, fur dealer.

• Borde, August, Chatham Street.

• Burnes, Thomas, saloonkeeper.

• Carey, Joseph W.

• Cridge, Edward, rector Christ Church.

• Crowther, John C., painter.

• Davie, Doctor John C.

• Dougall, John, iron moulder.

• Drake, M. W. T., solicitor.

• Elliott, W. A., engineer Labouchere.

• Fawcett, R. W., house decorator.

• Gerow, G. C., carriagemaker.

• Helmcken, Honorable John S., M.P.P.

• Geiger, Thomali, barber.

• Gilmore, Alexander, clothier.

• Glide, Harry, with Plaskett & Co.

• Harvey, Rout., commission merchant.

• Higgins, David W., publisher Chronicle.

• Kelly, Samuel, tinsmith.

• Kent, Charles, hardware, K. & F.

• King, J. H., Mousquetaire saloon.

• Kinsman, John, contractor.

• Levy, H. E., special officer.

• Levy, Joseph, fruit store.

• Lissett, James, painter.

• Macdonald, W. J., Reid & Macdonald.

• Maynard, Richard, bootmaker.

• Marvin, Edward B., sailmaker.

• McMillan, J. E., publisher Chronicle.

• Monro, Alexander, accountant Hudson’s Bay Company.

• Nuttall, Thomas C., book-keeper.

• Pearson, Edward, tinsmith.

• Porter, Arthur, brickmaker.

• Powell, Doctor I. W.

• Richardson, George, proprietor of first brick hotel.

• Roper, S., Kamloops.

• Styles, S. T., plasterer.

• Shotbolt, Thomas, druggist.

• Stockham, F., baker.

• Sparrow, J. M., post office.

• Stewart, John, plumber.

• Sylvester, Frank.

• Turner, John H. (Todd & Turner), Victoria Produce Market.

• Vowell, Arthur, Indian superintendent.

• White, Edward (late Brown & White).

• Wilson, Alexander, messenger, Bank British North America.

• Wilson, William, draper.

• Wilson, Thomas Sidney, cabinetmaker.

• Wriglesworth, Joseph, London Hotel.

• Wylly, C. G., accountant.

• Welch, George, Esquimalt Waterworks.

Many of these since died.

List of those deceased, but whose descendants are residents here now, or living elsewhere:

• Barron, David F., cabinetmaker, widow, son and two daughters.

• Belasco, Abraham, tobacconist, two sons.

• Broderick, R., coal dealer, widow and two sons.

• Cameron, Thomas, blacksmith, two daughters and sons.

• Chadwick, Thomas, hotelkeeper, two sons and daughter.

• Courtney, H. E., solicitor, sons.

• Cotsford, Thomas, sons.

• Davies, J. P., auctioneer, several sons.

• Doan, J. H., captain, daughter.

• Duck, Simeon, carriagemaker, sons.

• Ella, Captain H. B., Hudson’s Bay Company, all family, two sons and two daughters living in Victoria.

• Flett, John, Hudson’s Bay Company, several sons.

• Gowen, Charles, brewer, widow, several sons and daughters.

• Hall, Richard, agent, two sons – Richard and John.

• Hall, Philip, several sons.

• Harris, Thomas, mayor, two daughters.

• Heal, John, boarding-house, two sons.

• Heathorn, William, bootmaker, three sons and three daughters.

• Heisterman, H., Exchange reading room, sons and daughters.

• Heywood, Joseph, butcher, wife and daughter.

• Hibben, Thomas Napier, widow, two sons and two daughters.

• Huston, Guy, gunsmith, two daughters.

• Irving, William, captain steamer Reliance, son and daughters.

• Jackson, Doctor William, three sons and daughters.

• Jungerman, J. L., watchmaker, daughter (Mrs. Erb).

• Jewell, Henry, sons.

• Leigh, William, second Town Clerk of Victoria, who held the position from about 1863, to the time of his death. He was in charge of Uplands Farm (1859) for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and under the supervision of Mr. J. D. Pemberton, built Victoria District Church, and as an amateur musician helped at charitable entertainments. Son in San Francisco, granddaughter in Victoria (Mrs. Simpson).

• Leneven, David, merchant, son and daughters.

• Lewis, Lewis, clothier, son and daughter.

• Lindsay, Daniel, son and daughter.

• Loat, Christopher, sons and daughter.

• Lowen, Joseph, brewer, widow, sons and daughters.

• Lowenberg, L., estate agent, a nephew.

• McDonell, R. J., captain, a widow.

• Mason, George, brickmaker, a widow.

• McKeon, William, hotel, wife, son and daughter.

• McLean, Alexander, son.

• McQuade, Peter, ship chandler, son and two daughters.

• Meldram, John H., two sons.

• Moore, M. (Curtis & Moore), widow and two sons.

• Mouat, William, captain Enterprise, sons and daughters.

• Nesbitt, Samuel, biscuit-baker, two sons.

• Nicholles, Doctor John, one son.

• Pitts, John H., son and daughters.

• Rhodes, Henry, merchant, sons and daughters.

• Sayward, William, sons.

• Sehl, Jacob, sons and daughters.

• Short, Henry, sons and daughters.

• Smith, John, carpenter, Mears Street, sons and daughters.

• Smith, M. R., baker, sons and daughters.

• Stahlschmidt, Thomas L., son.

• Stemmler, Louis, upholsterer, son (spice mills).

• Thain, Captain John, son and daughter.

• Todd, J. H., sons and daughters.

• Tolmie, Doctor W. F., sons and daughters.

• Waitt, M. W., stationer, widow and two daughters.

• Williams, John W., livery stable, widow and daughters.

• Woods, Richard, Government clerk, sons and daughters.

• Wootton, Henry, postmaster, sons and daughters.

• Workman, Aaron, daughters.

• Yates, James Stewart, two sons.

Many deaths since this list was made.

I must again repeat that this list of sixty-two may be augmented by others who were heads of families even at that time. I might take our own family for an example, although it does not prove the rule. It consisted of my father, mother and three brothers, and is represented in the directory by my father, Thomas L. Fawcett, and my eldest brother, Rowland W. Then, again, there is the Elford family, of father, mother, three sons and two daughters. This family is not recorded, and to-day there are two sons, John and Theophilus, and two married sisters.

Among the names in the list of those living now, but not recorded, is a son of Abraham Belasco, tobacconist of Yates Street in 1862, by name David. Those interested in theatricals (and who is not?) will recognize the name as the prominent theatrical manager of New York. I little thought when going to school with him at the Collegiate School, under Rev. C. T. Woods, that he would be so well known a character as he is to-day. In closing this reminiscence I would ask to be pardoned for any errors or omissions, for my memory will bear refreshing. I also must thank my old friend Dick Hall, and others, for names of early pioneers who have been left out of the directory.