Bill's November 21, 1944 Letter Continued

November 21, 1944 letter continued.

Yesterday as soon as I'd done the necessary chores I took the wagon up on 25 and got my first load of barley home ready for hauling. As soon as I got back Dad and Uncle Arthur hitched on to the democrat and drove off to the Goff sale which was supposed to start at 12 o'clock. Actually it didn't start til 2 o'clock. The Goffs had invited Dad over for dinner so he was able to put his team in the stable and have some dinner before the sale started. Dad bought 3 sections of spring tooth harrows for $42. He also bought a hammer, logging chain and neck yoke. We seem to have mysteriously lost both our hammer and logging chain and both are necessary things to have around the farm.  Hobetzeder bought the binder and paid $278 for it. Tom Goff paid $80 for the mower so things went plenty high enough. Dad said the drag harrows sold for a higher price than they cost new in March.

I finished fencing the oat straw yesterday.  Dad wants to make a wooden trough, then when we let the stock onto this quarter we will be able to water them from the cistern. I don't know if I told you this before but Dad bought some new harness this fall for a team as he thought our other harness wasn't strong enough for hauling.

I shall have to get busy as soon as I get the barley hauled and start wood chopping. Last year I had it all cut and piled in the yard by Dec. 14th but I haven't cut any yet this year.

It was snowing a little last night before they got home from the sale but not very much. It is rather unusual to get so far into the season without a fall of snow. However with these thick fogs we have the frost on the grass is almost like a snow and Andy Gray was telling me that some of the electric light wires have broken with the weight of the heavy frost on them. 

I guess that uses up the news for this week and I'll have to quit.  Hoping you are well I remain your loving brother..        

                                                                                                                              E.W. Nevard

Alf Goff on the left of photo

January 28 1946, Hogs to Market

January 28: We loaded up four of our young hogs in the sleigh and I took them to Lipton, Uncle Horrie going with me. Not too bad a day but a cold wind developed making it somewhat unpleasant. The sleigh seemed to drag heavy but we got down in plenty of time. Our pigs being the first stock there. John Fleming was right behind us with a steer loaded in his sleigh. After unloading our stock and putting the teams in, John Fleming, Uncle H. and I went to Joe's restaurant for dinner. I went to Andy Gray's after dinner and gave him the certificates to fix up. Mrs. Gray is much better now.
Quite a bunch of teams in at Kellsey's. I saw the train come in but Dick was not on it.
Blowing harder and snowing a bit on the way home. Bud took Carol to Lipton in the cutter about 9 p:m.
January 29: Snowing today so I didn't do a lot. Uncle Arthur went up to Winstanley Grove to feed Bud's pigs. Uncle Horrie and Donald came down in the afternoon with our rack and took their sleigh back and their groceries. Uncle Arthur brought the mail down with two letters from Dick who thinks he will be home in February. Bud came back tonight and told us that he and Carol are the proud parents of a son born at 9 o'clock this morning.

 A somewhat unrelated photo but it shows how deep the snow can get some winters in Sask. Centre is Margaret (Daisy) Nevard when she worked at a farm near Pense in about the winter of 1912-13.

70 Years Ago On The Nevard Farm

Nov. 7, 1943

Dear Dick, It is now Sunday evening, more than eight days since you went away so I thought you would be waiting to hear from home and I am consequently writing this letter. Although no letter came from you in this week's mail. Probably it didn't have time.

How do you find it in B.C.? We hae a blanket of snow here now. About 4 or 5 inches so you wouldn't have done much more land work even if you had stayed home longer. After you left on the bus Saturday I went and did what business I had to do. I went to Andy Gray's and got the scoop shovel and he told me that he had room for wheat in the elevator. I did'nt see Mr. Brinkworth about the tiller as he went on the bus with you. We got home about 2:30 pm and after I had my dinner I went in the pasture and cut a load of wood. The books which came from the library were "Poland the Unexplained and Tramp's Sketches".

On the Sunday I let Gleam and Embers out for a while but got them in again at night planning to take wheat to town in the morning but on Monday morning it was snowing when I got up so I did not go. It didn't snow a lot and I went out in the pasture and cut two more loads of wood that day. Dad was making preparations to build a cement cupboard outside our bedroom. On Tuesday Nov. 2 I helped Dad mixing the cement for him and doing chores. Donald was here to supper and listened to Fibber McGee. On the 3rd Uncle H. and I each took a load of wheat to Lipton. I had Gleam with Embers. As I guess you know it was her first trip to town. Dad thought it would be a good idea if someone went down with me in case of having trouble at the elevator. Uncle H. was behind me until we got past the German Church , then he went ahead. He gained on me some but not a great lot. Gleam hesitated a bit going over the bridge at the big coulee but they were trotting and she got on the planks before she could check herself. When we got to the elevator Andy Gray was home to dinner. Uncle H. had his load on the scales when I came along and I drove up right behind him into the elevator. He was there but he didn't have to lead Gleam and she didn't give me any trouble on the scales either. On the way home I met 13 cars, 1 truck and 1 tractor and neither Gleam nor Embers showed any concern about them. There had been a sale at Henry Schmidt's that day which was partly the reason for so much traffic. When I got home it was snowing fast and everything was covered with a white blanket.

The next morning I had the job of driving the chickens into the new hen house. I did it too, all alone. There is just one pullet who is still living in the pigpen. We have 48 hens and chickens altogether and 11 turkeys. I got a load of gravel home and Dad made a new trough for the little pigs as they have outgrown their old one.

In the afternoon I cut another load of wood in the pasture. Uncle A's cow Diamond is the mother of twin calves. On Friday, the 5th it was snowing and blowing most of the day. I went and cut wood for a while but the snow was making my smock wet so I came home and cleaned out the old hen house. We got Pansy, Sunshine and calves in dinnertime. In the afternoon I got a jag of oat straw on sleighs. Quite a bit of the oat straw has been spoilt by the rain.

Yesterday I cut some more wood. I have 9 loads cut now. Roy brought the mail down in the morning. Today was a quiet Sunday at home. Dad went up to Silver Birches for a while after dinner. I think we are all about the same as usual. Don't see anybody much but able to keep busy and find life quite interesting. Weather tolerably mild but dull and snow not going very fast. Lighfoot and Roundhead send their best love and hope you find the mice in B.C. tender and toothsome. Hoping you are in good health I am your loving brother
 E.W. Nevard.

 

November 28, 1943

Headlands P.O. Sask.
November 28, 1943
Dear Dick
Well its Sunday night again and as I am likely to go to Lipton again tomorrow I may as well send you another letter and keep you up to date on the latest local events. Before I forget it, Dad was suggesting that I should take a pair of your rubbers and felt socks to Lipton and leave them in Andy Gray's office for you to put on when you next come home and he wanted me to ask you if there was anything else you might want left there in the way of wearing apparel as it may be pretty cold when you come home.
This past week has been my town week as I made five trips with grain going every day but Friday. As the wheat quota has been raised again to 7 bushels per acre I may make four trips this coming week if the snow holds off. On Tuesday the 23rd I took a load of Dad's wheat to town. Andy Gray was filling a car with barley and he advised me to bring barley as he said he had plenty of room for wheat but only a limited amount of room for barley. So on Wednesday I took down a load of Dad's barley and had it stored making out the ticket to Osler-Hammond & Nanton as it was for the company's share of the crop on 25. Uncle Horrie went down too with a load of wheat. He overtook me on the way down. Donald was with him as he wanted to go to Lipton to get a sweater but he did not go all the way to town with his father as he got a ride in with a grain truck. On Thursday I took down another load of dad's barley but I could only deliver 100 bushels as the barley quota is 5 bushels per seeded acre and the rest of the load I sold for Dad.
Gleam was pretty sluggish on that trip as it was her fourth on successive days and the roads are hard and rough so I decided to let them have a rest and stayed home Friday doing chores .
Uncle Arthur went to Lipton with barley that day and brought home word that the quota has been raised from 5 to 7 bushels. He has arranged to have August Zielke take some of his wheat to Lipton by truck. On Saturday I went to Lipton with wheat and Uncle Horrie took a load of barley. Quite a lot of grain seemed to be going in to town owing to the quota having been raised. Fred Engel took a load down and broke the tire of his wagon at the big coulee so he had to borrow a wagon from Jack Mintzlar to get in with
Tehse, Red Schmidt's boy and Prairie Schmidt's boy are all hauling with wagons behind tractors. No less than 30 cars, trucks and tractors passed me on the way home so you see everybody are doing their best to save gas.
Today was dull but snow still holding off. Dad baked a cake. I went and cut holes in the slough on 13 for the animals. Fred Engel and Wm. Miller were trying to drive home a calf of Fred's that insists on being with our cattle but they didn't have any success then. Pat Neil came this evening just before dark and fixed our four little boars so that job is out of the way. They sure made a racket and the sow broke out of her pen and was rampaging around until we drove her back. I saw Bill Senft in town and he said that Arnold is alright again now. I never read your letter until I got home on Saturday night. Glad to hear that you are getting on ok.
The open weather is fine for the animals giving them a chance to clean up some of the food laying around. We haven't had any really cold weather yet although the wind is often a bit unpleasant when you're on the road. I paid up the taxes for Dad last week so they won't be able to turn us out of house and home for a while yet. Well I guess this is all for now Dick. Goodbye from your loving brother....
E.W. Nevard.

Christmas Letter Dec. 43

Headlands P.O.
Dec. 19, 1943
Dear Dick
I didn't write my usual epistle to you last Sunday as I had finished my last letter only two days before and had it posted on the Saturday so now I have 9 days news to tell you.
Roy went to Lipton with John Fleming on the Friday although I didn't know it until afterwards.
On Saturday the 11th Dad and both uncles went to Lipton in the democrat taking King and George. Uncle Horrie brought the mail down with him as he came and I got your last letter written from B.C. Pleased to hear that you are able to make a little extra money. Hang on to it as you will find it very useful later on. I don't think you need furnish any more towards the tiller as I will have enough accumulated to pay for it when it comes I expect. Of course there is always the possibility that the company may not be able to fill my order.
I got another load of wood home while the men were away in town. Uncle Arthur rode back from Lipton with August Zielke in his truck and August took a load of barley back to town for him.
Sunday was quite a bit colder, 10 below zero in the morning and Monday was quite cold but nice and bright and I managed to get 2 more loads of wood home. August Zielke took two loads of wheat down for Uncle Arthur who rode to Lipton with him the first time and sent away the final payment on the separator. On Tuesday the 14th I got 2 more loads of wood home which makes 20 loads piled in the yard and ready for the saw and I guess that should make a year's supply although I still have a little to get in.
In the afternoon I hauled away manure and got a jag of oat straw. Dad baked a Christmas cake. We are getting all the cattle in now. On the 15th I went on 25 and got 50 green poles for a new hen house. The weather was turning milder again. On the 16th I went again and got another 50 poles. I guess I will have to get a third load to have enough. Part of Uncle Arthur's big slough has had the snow cleared off with a fresno and there is a bunch come and skate or slide there every Sunday now. Wheales, Bartons, Suppples, Berners and so on. On the 17th Cliff Barton came to Silver Birches to help Uncle Horrie kill his turkeys and Dad went up to help. I think they killed 32 altogether. Dad is sending one of them to Regina and Uncle Horrie is going to have a gobbler from Dad. The Herrings went to a dance at Headlands. It was a farewell affair for Billy Bordass who is going overseas.
Yesterday we chopped oats both for ourselves and for Uncle Horrie. It was a mild day , hardly freezing but too windy for comfort. Donald brought the mail down in the evening. Besides your letter Dad got one from Uncle Cecil. I think he is going to live in Colchester when he can get a house. Today has been reasonably nice without any outstanding events to record. I have composed 4 new songs in the past week. Dad will take your rubbers, felt socks, mitts and overalls tomorrow and leave them in Andy Gray's office for you when you come home. If you are coming home for New Year's celebration I guess I'll probably be seeing you before I write any more letters. Anyway I'll wish you a merry Christmas and ask you to convey the compliments of the season to Uncle Eddie and Aunt May from us. I think thats all the news I've got just now so goodbye Dick
From your loving brother E.W. Nevard

Bill and Dick Nevard by poplar logs about 1922.

Bill's Trip To Town January 1944

  Headlands P.O.
Sask. Jan 9, 1944
Once again I'm writing to you on Sunday night as usual. I don't know just when it will be posted. Uncle A said a few days ago he would have to go to town soon, either Monday or Friday on account of getting in the bank but Dad was up at Silver Birches this evening and he never said anything about going tomorrow.
After you left on the train Tuesday I went over to the elevator but Andy Gray wasn't there. Jake Huffman was in with a load of wheat and I talked with him for a while, then went over town and posted the letters. Then I bought the lumber Dad wanted. Willie Wilson told me there was some freigtht over at the station so I went and put that on the platform ready to pick up. It was for Uncle A. Then I went to the elevator again and saw Andy Gray. He told me he had room for wheat but not for oats and barley just then. I can't haul until we get more snow anyway.
I asked him about salvage paper. They are not doing anything in Lipton about it yet. The last time they collected salvage paper there it was kind of a washout. They had a whole lot of it stored in sheds and were going to have it trucked out but they were told that the expense of hauling it out would be more than it was worth. So finally , needing the sheds for other purposes, they paid somebody $6 to take it out and burn it.
I got home alright on Tuesday night and on the fifth I hauled away manure and got a load of wheat straw. In the evening Tom and Ed North came along in their covered in cutter after the parcel. They came in and stayed for a while.
On the sixth I got a jag of last year's hay home from 13 for the cattle and on the seventh I got a load of good hay home for Raspberry and the team. Yesterday being a nice day I went up the hill for a load of wheat straw and brought the mail home with me including your letter to Dad. Uncle A. has heard from Bud at last, he is in Italy.
I had two more books from the Open Shelf, "52 Years a Policeman, and Commentary on the Bible". The latter is a big book containing the text of the first five books in the Bible. There is about 675,000 words to read in it so it will keep me busy to get through the two books in the time I'm allowed.
Well I guess its bedtime again and five o'clock will be here before I'm ready for it so goodbye Dick.
From your loving brother............... E.W. Nevard
Aunt Alice wishes me to thank you for your letter to her.
                                                                    
Bill and Ernest Nevard 1946.