Nance and Martha Cooper at Iakeshone in front of their home. BITS AND PIECES OF RYANTON, HARCUS DISTRICT This district was densely populated at one time with a family on every ll 4 section of land. The high taxes, due to the drainage system and the unproductive farm land forced many people to leave the area. August 20, 1914 In passing through the Ryanton district we were surprised to see, instead of the mass of brush of four years ago, fine residences, fields of grain, splendid bunches of cattle, a very large flock of sheep, some goats and flocks of poultry of all kinds. August 20, 1914 Mr. Orton has just completed cutting one of the finest fields of barley in the district. Mr. Poole has also cut part of a splendid field of wheat. November 19, 1914 Wm. Wheeler is busy building what will be the finest barn in the district. The following is from January 28, 1915 Langruth Herald RYANTON There was a surprised lot of people at Mr. Munroe’s house a few nights ago. The family were enjoying themselves as a well regulated family should by taking things easy and so forth when the peace of the family was violently disturbed and their domestic rights as British subjects challenged by the arrival of three sleighs of people, bent on forcing a surprise party that night on somebody. It certainly was a surprise to our friends on 30-20-10. After the effects of the first shock experienced by the family had spent itself, Mrs. Munroe and Miss 204 Confirmation Class for Leifur and Bluff Creek, June 1949 at St. James Anglican Church, Bluff Creek. Back Row, L to R: Miss Frances Wilmot the Bishop Messenger, George Napper, Mrs. Martha Minion, Bishop Thomas, Vivian Minton, Beatrice Robb, Joan Anderson, Archdeacon Norris, Evelyn Anderson. Second Row: Florence Corfield, Ruth Watson, Velma Anderson, Arlene Dickson, Norma Anderson, Lenora Anderson, Helga Asham. Front Row: Angus McLeod, Alvin Anderson (Bluff Creek), Alvin Anderson (Leifur), Billie Minton, David Corfield. Learning how. Musicians, Orville and Gordon A nderson. Getting better. Munroe made arrangements to make the most of the opportunity of- fered. Thanks to everybody present, a most enjoyable time was spent. Shortly after the surprise party referred to above, a dance was held at the residence of Mr. R. Carson, Sr. in aid of the Patriotic Fund. There were over 100 persons present. Mrs. Walters, together with her two daughters Mrs. Wm. Metheral and Mrs. U. Orton, were the prime organizers in the Ryanton district. On Friday, 22nd, the usual fortnightly social evening was held at Elkwood (Ryanton) School. There was a modest attendance but that was where moderation ended. Everybody present enjoyed themselves. Mr. Carson managed the floor. The instruments were too numerous to mention and the performers were in bunches so there was no scarcity of music. Dancing was the order until midnight, when lunch was‘served by two lady members of the dance committee, Mrs. Poole and Mrs. Wheeler. After lunch a short program was gone through in which the following friends kindly took part - Recitation, Mr. S. Orton; Songs, Mr. Solomon, Mr. Poole, WJ. Tutcher; A Fish Egg Story, Mr. J. Tutcher; and last but not least a selection from the Homes Leader Bands. Dancing was resumed until 3 a.m. Next dance February 5th. All old friends heartily welcome. Collection as usual to defray expenses incurred. October 14, 1915 Miss L. Wellwood, teacher at Ryanton, visited at her home in Kinosota over Sunday. ' May 25, 1916 Services will be held by Rev. A.C. Strachan on Sunday next, the 28th, at Rockland at 11 a.m., Ryanton at 3 pm. and Amaranth at 7:30 pm. June 1, 1916 Divine Service will be held at Ryanton schoolhouse, Sunday evening, June 4th, at 7 o’clock, when the service will be conducted by H.H. Scrase of Kinosota.