We were married in 3916. After a few years farming,
Emil discovered that he‘could not get rid of the stones on
the land. He picked stones each year, there still were
more the next year. He was very discouraged, and decid-
ed then to sell out. Soon after, a. young man from River-
ton came along, looking for property in which to invest
his money before joining up in the First World War. He
bought our place, and paid us cash for the farm and
machinery. This gave us a good start in our new business.
Besides farming, Emil was interested in cattle dealing,
and butchering, supplying not only ourselves, but the
neighbors as well with fresh meat.

Mr. H. Hoffman, a store keeper, and Mr. Bill Whit~
taker, the Owner of the livery stable at that time, heard
about Emil butchering cattle and selling meat on the
farm. They came out many times encouraging Emil to
open a butcher shop in town, which Emil did after leaving
the farm. Emil was a very hard working man, and with a
lot of help from some good friends -—— experienced
butchers, he established a good business. He also did a lot
of buying and shipping cattle.

In 1925 Mr. Fyfe. owner of a little confectionery store
in town, borrowed money from Emil to carry on his
business, but he went broke and had to sell out. He told
my husband that he could not repay the money he
borrowed, and if Emil did not want to lose his money he
should buy the store from him. Emil thought this over,
and decided he would buy it. He paid Mr. Fyfe the
balance of money he wanted.

We now owned a little store which we rented out for
some years. Later on. Emil rebuilt the store and opened it
as a general merchandise store which he ran himself.
With the help of his brother Bill. they carried on with this
store and the butcher shop until l939.

We were blessed with three healthy children. Her-
man, who lives in Burlington, Ontario with his wife
Moreen, and two daughters, Kelly and Sandy. He is
supervisor with the Sovereign General‘lnsurance Co.
Alice is married to Lloyd Collett, they also live in
Burlington. Lloyd is in administration in the Burlington
Hospital, and has two children, a son Barry and a
daughter, Patt. Barry lives in Burlington, Patt is married
to Mike Bringi, they live in Boston, Mass, and have
three children. Olga married Frank Anderson. They still
live in Ashern, and have three sons, Ron. Reid, and Ran-
dy, they are all married and live in Ashore. One
daughter, Lynne, is married to Jake Rempel, they live in
Winnipeg. Jake is manager of Gibson Labels Ltd.

In our pioneer days we did not have radio television
or phones. No roads, only trails. The children‘s biggest
excitement was meeting the daily train. Everybody was
happy. There were many good dances and card parties.
People did a lot of visiting in those days. they would just
come any time and we were always glad to see them.

In 1939, Emil was not feeling at all well, he had
planned on going to the city for a medical check-up just
as soon as the roads dried up and were fit, however, he
took a heart attack and passed away very suddenly. It
was very hard for us to carry on without him. I have
Frank Anderson, my son-in~law to thank, and with the
help of good clerks we managed to carry on the store
business, which is now in the hands of Frank and his

three sons. The store business has grown and is more

than double the size.

 

 

I gave up my home in 1965, as I found it too lonely
living alone. I have a suite in the Pioneer Manor in
Ashern and am very happy living there.

“Memoirs”
by Babs Lumb (nee King)

I have jetted down it few events that come to mind, as
I recall the early days in Ashern. I also enclose a few snap
shots which I hope will tell a story.

I recall Mr. A. W. Kirvan, who was our member of
Parliament (Provincial) came to Ashern for the July lst
celebrations. Baseball was THE big event. Mr. Bert
Hyde, who was one of our first settlers. had the post of-
fice and a general store - the building still stands today.
Mr. Hyde always played Santa Claus at the annual
school Christmas concerts. There was a masquerade
dance held in the hall, Miss Eagleton made me a clown
outfit in black and white. At this dance i took a fancy to
a lady dressed as an English flower girl ~— 1 can recall ad»
miring the flowers which were made of colored paper, on

 
  

Left to righi: Babs King. Helen Johnson. May O’Connell.

 

i Yo;

B!!! Sutherland. Fred King. Partridge Crop Lake. 1921.

Mr. and Mrs. Phi! Lyon and fir’ends.