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The
Gregorys
Mr.
& Mrs. Charles Gregory came to Canada in 1881. On the boat
crossing the Atlantic, they met and became friends with the Samuel
Jones’ of South Wales. They came from Winnipeg to Turtle Mountain
district by ox cart, which took nearly two weeks. They spent a
night camped at Pancake Lake, as did many of the pioneers.
The
Charles Gregorys were newly-weds at the time of their great
adventure. They homesteaded, and on this land all their children
were born, except Kathleen who was born in Old Wakopa in a tent.
The Gregorys tented the first year. They pitched a tent at Wakopa
first, then moved it out to their homestead. Mrs. Gregory was
startled when an Indian looked in on her.
The
prairie was strewn with buffalo bones when they came.
Before
the Riel Rebellion, Mr. Gregory went regularly to rifle practice, with
an Enfield rifle.
The
Gregorys joined with several neighbours and shared in the purchase of a
threshing outfit.
They
also bought the first windmill in the district (1900 – 1901), and even
did custom crushing for one year.
Kath
and Mary nursed; many didn’t do anything, lived together.
(The
above was gathered by Arthur Sutton in conversation with the Gregorys).
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