March 29th In Nevard History

 From 1959 in Bill Nevard's journal. 

Easter Sunday and I was allowed the day off (from Fort San). Mel Pinay working on West 1. Dick and I drove down to the 9 a.m. Holy Communion at St. John's taking the Hutchings and Alf Johnson. We had a congregation of 75 with 60 communicants.

When we got home we set about preparing dinner. Les, Joy, Ralph, David and Uncle Arthur came to dinner to help us eat the turkey. After dinner I took young Ralph up the Woitas hill. Joy played Dick's accordion for a while and Bob Drever came along to see us. Just as they were going home in the car George Birns came over and talked with them. After that we drove down to the evening service taking Alf Johnson. 

2026 March 28 as I drove along that same road 67 years later past Woitas' hill and beyond I did not remember climbing the hill with Bill or anything else about the day. Further up the road as I drove up the Molony coulee out of the valley I took this picture. This little winding back road was the main corridor between Lipton and Fort Qu'appelle back in 1959. 

 

Mary Nevard with sons Bill and Dick about 1918.

More Old Nevard Photos

 I thought I'd seen them all but a few more old Nevard photos turned up this morning. Found in a box while searching for something else as often happens with me. Did not find the thing I was looking for but these are pretty interesting. First one is not too clear but pretty sure it is Grandpa (Horace) and Grandma (Alice) Nevard with son Roy. Date on the back is 1923. Location I am not hundred percent sure but think it is their house on the homestead. Newly constructed in 1920.

Next is a wedding photo from October 1952. Joy Nevard and Leslie Goff. Bridesmaid Gladys Goff and best man Dick Nevard. Taken at St. John Anglican Church in Fort Qu'appelle. I have several photos from that same event but this is a different angle that I have not seen before. 

Arthur's Letter From Indian Head Forestry

No date on this one but would have to be between 1903 and 1905. My Dear Brother: I was very pleased to hear from you and to hear you are doing (well). I am staying on here for another month and I would like to stay all the summer if it was not for losing my place as the money is up to $44 per month now. So it is $30 a month and board now and that is as good as most of the farmers pay. I have asked Mr. Godfrey to see John Hunter for me and find out about work for you and shall see him tomorrow night and then I shall post this so you will know early. In the meantime I had let Mr. Smith, the teamster at our place, know I wanted to see Hunter or had casually mentioned it and he met him on the sidewalk and he spoke to him about you and he promised you a job as soon as he starts up and he has got a good sized job at the power house. So I will let you know what Mr. Godfrey says. I have got an order for $2 for you but I will send you another $5 and when you get working you can let me have it back if I want it back as I expect I shall. I have written to Emily and told her that Horace will lose 10 or 12 weeks work by putting it off so late. I think it is a pity as he could be getting some money for the winter. There is a brick building going up in town soon. The bricks are already on the spot Joe tells me. And one man has about 20 houses to put up so there seems to be plenty of work to be done. I hope you will both have a good summer's work but it will not be so late as in the Peg as they start earlier up here and finish earlier but whats the odds. You may just as well be brick laying two months in the spring as walking about in Winnipeg paying your board where you may earn just as much money and get on the homestead as soon as it freezes up instead of working the two months that you lose in spring. Perhaps Mr. Lochhead will put up the team until I come up as I expect brick laying will start as soon as the weather breaks up enough but I shall know tomorrow night. You might tell them to keep my mail until I come up as I have changed my address. There will be a Family Herald and Nor West Farmer and Canadan Thresherman. I sent the change of address notice last week so they will likely be up there from this time. You had better look me up at the Forestry when you do come down. I will ask Mr. Godfrey to look you up a lodge if you like as I guess he knows plenty of people by this time. P.S. Dear Earn: I have seen Mr. Godfrey and he tells me J. Hunter will give you a job as soon as you get here and will give you 50 cents an hour and I have sent you $7 so you can come as soon as you are ready. Goodby A.W.N.

December 11, 1949

This was my day off so after breakfast I started off walking for Lipton. After getting out of the valley I found the road pretty heavy as far as Devon school. No cars had been through. A little further on young Bill Bradley overtook me with a sleigh and gave me a ride to Lipton. He told me that Fred Neil had died on Wednesday and the funeral was today. I went to Fishers. Then in town where I bought a box of chocolates at Segal's cafe. I went back to Fishers for dinner. At 2 pm we went to the funeral in the town hall and afterwards I got a ride back to the San with Mr. Stiff, the undertaker. Mr. Corkhill and Charlie Bull were also in the ambulance while young Bill Stiff and another fellow went ahead in a truck.

Day Off From The San December 1950

From the journal of Bill Nevard Dec 1: Payday. Eleven members of the North Regina Badminton club came to the San and played against 8 of our members. Dr. Reilly, Dr. Trasi, Frank Froh, Jack Bogart, Mrs. McKenzie, Mrs. McPherson, Miss Gore and Miss Healy. After which we all went up to the assembly room for lunch. Dec 2: I decided to go out to the farm on my day off. Caught the Regina bus at the lodge and rode to Lipton. Irene Zerr was the only other passenger. I had my new parka on which had only come the day before. I visited Jack Goff's and Fishers. Called in at Segal's Cafe and got a box of chocolates as a Christmas present for Silver Birches. Started out walking to the farm at 9:30 and was about 4 hours making the trip. Only a sleigh trail most of the way. Everybody at the farm reasonably well. I got some stuff together for the boys to take to Lipton in the sleigh but couldn't find Dad's parka. I went up to Silver Birches and had dinner there. Gave Uncle Arthur two months payment and started back about 3:30 pm. I called in at Charlie Huber's place and managed to get a car ride with his son Leonard. We got to Lipton about 6:45 and I had to wait about an hour for the bus.

1945 Solar Eclipse

July 9, 1945 Plowing. I got up just before 4 a.m. Had breakfast and was out in the pasture after the horses when the eclipse of the sun was at it's nearest to totality. I only saw one star shining.

Bill's Grim Reaper Comment

A February 1971 entry in Bill Nevard's journal. This time in his own printing.