69 Years Ago On The Nevard Farm

 At the time Bill Nevard wrote this letter to his brother, Dick Nevard was stationed at Nanaimo, B.C. with the 116th Field Regiment of the 25th Field Regiment of the Canadian Army.
                                                                       Headlands, Sask.
                                                                        Nov. 21, 1943
   

Dear Dick

It is now time to commence my usual Sunday night epistle to you. I have only 3 days news at present as I finished my last letter to you Thursday night and posted it Friday.

I beat the alarm on Friday morning and got up at 4:35 a.m. in spite of which is was 9:00 by the time I started off to Lipton with a load of wheat. It took me over 4 hours to get to town owing to the rough roads. It has been thawing a bit in the daytime and freezing at night so it is either rough or slippery most of the way but I got down without mishap. Fred Engel overtook me on the way and told me that Mrs. Hobetzeder had died the day before and in town I heard that she would probablyl be buried on the Saturday.

Jack Binnington and Johnny Supple rode to town with John Fleming. He charges fifty cents a piece for passengers now when driving the mail. When I got home I found that Hobetzeder had been here in my absence wanting Dad and Uncles to go as pall bearers. John Senft was also around looking for his calves. We have calves of John Senft, Fred Engel and Wm. Miller all on our summerfallow besides 3 of Uncle H's horses and two of Uncle A's with ours.

On Saturday, November 20 Donald came down with the mail. Besides your letter to Dad there was one from Aunt Louie which I guess I will have to answer in a little while.

Dad and both uncles went to the funeral at Lipton in the democrat. Dad, Uncle H, Messrs Fisher, Michelson, Radwell and McCullough were the bearers.

I cut 1/3 of a load of wood that day and did various chores. I am finishing this letter on Monday night before going to bed as I figure on going to Lipton again tomorrow and posting it so you will not need to be alarmed if you get two letters close together. You know it is not always possible to post letters at regular intervals and if the weather were to change suddenly a snowfall might keep us away from town for quite a while.

Sunday was quiet and uneventful. I cut some holes in the ice of the slough down near the grade so that the stock could get a drink as the ice was getting quite thick, about 5 or 6 inches.

This morning I got up early and after getting ready and loading up started out for Lipton. It was a nice bright day and thawed quite a bit but cool enough in the wind. Uncle A took a load too and caught up to me before I got to town. Jack Binnington and Murphy Newton were in ahead of us with loads. Jack had a three year old mare with him who had never been to town before.

I saw Mr. Brinkworth in town today and ordered a Cockshutt tiller (4 1/2 feet). It will cost $296 cash and is ordered for February delivery. It can be handled by six horses and has a power lift. Of course I am not sure that the company can fill the order but Mr. Brinkworth thought my chances would be better if I ordered early. I have put your money in the bank for safe keeping until it is needed. Dad bought a heater at Jampolsky's on Saturday and I brought it home today. Dad had sent to Eatons for one previously but they could not supply it and sent back the money.

Well its time to go to bed and I can't think of anything more of interest. Will probably send another letter next week. Cheerio

from your loving brother E.W. Nevard

 

Working On The Road

1937 was one of the driest years of the 1930s. Working on road repairs would help to pay the municipal taxes for their farm so many farmers contributed their labour and horses to improve the prairie trails. Here is Bill Nevard's account of two days on the road near their farm.

I took Gleam this morning with Topsy to give her a first taste of road work. I got a barrel of water at the big slough to provide drink for my team and Uncle Horrie's . While loading it up it came on to rain pretty smart, but with grim resolution I kept on my way.
The scene of our operations to be was a sylvan glen close to the far-famed school of Headlands. The participants: William Senft with a goodly crew of noble lads. Uncle Horrie, plowman. W Bordass, J Pahl, E Senft, and D Schmidt, fresnoliers. Cliff Barton and myself sliponians, and Arnold Senft, fill-em-upper.
All being assembled we bent to our task with dynamic energy and unabated fury vieing with the ant and the seven year locust for ruthless industry. My team found road work pretty easy as they were standing still most of the day while I built the grade. Several of the Headlands scholars paid us brief visits when free from their studies.

July 18
Last night it rained pretty hard and I was doubtful about going on the road but I took a chance on it. It was so slippery that my team could hardly keep to their feet on the way there. Most of the fellows were late and Dan Schmidt did not come until after dinner but we managed to get going and finished near the school, moving a mile and a half south to Bill Senft's corner before quitting.
Brian Michelson came to review our handiwork this afternoon. The grade is 150 yards long. A diversion.