96 Museum AND Art NOTES

unfortunately, will never appear in any book. To talk in an inimitable leisurely way,
telling anecdote after anecdote, is his long suit, and he speaks with such seriousness
and emphasis that the listener cannot but be suitably impressed and edified. True,
Mr. Jones is not alone in this respect, as there are other old-timers who have many
worthwhile stories to tell, but Mr. Jones has an atmosphere about him that is quite
piquant and rare. The pity is that so few of these interesting old-timers have kept
diaries or committed their recollections to writing. Happily, in the near future, the
Archives Department of the province will endeavour to overcome this lack. A special
assistant will be engaged for the purpose of travelling throughout the province and
taking down, verbatim, the stories of our pioneers. In this way invaluable informa-
tion, that would otherwise be lost forever, will be gathered in and preserved for
- future reference. No difficulty in dealing with pioneers and old-timers is anticipated,
as there are no more courteous and obliging people in the world. The writer, not
only at Barkerville, but wherever he interviewed representatives of historic families
up and down the Cariboo Road, was received with the greatest courtesy. He wishes
to bear testimony to the uniform kindness, hospitality and desire to help on the part
of all people visited from Hope to Barkerville.

Under finest possible weather conditions and the stage all set for an interesting
function, a crowd of eight hundred spectators gathered around the Cairn at 3:30 p.m.
The Cairn itself is of the usual type erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments
Board. It is set in the living rock by the roadside a few hundred yards from the
entrance to the town and looks as if it would remain there for all time. The moving
spirit in its erection was, of course, His Honour Judge F. W. Howay, whose work in
marking historic sites in this province is deserving of the highest commendation. But
for his indefatigable labours in inducing the Dominion Government to mark outstand-
ing historic spots, it is safe to assume that nothing would have been done to mark
sites of national importance, and to commemorate with visible tokens of our remem-
brance outstanding enterprises and the deeds of our great men who have left the
impress of their personalities on our country’s history.

On the platform surrounding the Cairn were the following old-timers: Harry
Jones, ex-M.L.A., Cariboo in ’63 and still a resident; Mrs. John Boyd, ’65; Mrs.
Houser, ’67; Mrs. House, sister of Mrs. Houser, 775; John McDougall, ’80; Harry
Moffat, ’°76; John Wintrip, ’71; Mrs. August Baker, ’76; Wm. Adams ’73. Others
who were unable to attend: James B. Leighton, Mrs. R. B. McMicking, Alphonse
Hautier, John Mackay, Duncan McKinley, Tom Bishop, Isaac Kipp, C. J. Major, Bill
Brown, Mrs. W. A. Johnson, James Craig, E. S. Peters, Mrs. (Rev.) Reynard, Alfred
Carson. Most striking of all were the figures of Mrs. John Boyd, pioneer of 65, and
Mrs. Houser, who came to Barkerville in 1864. Mrs. Boyd is a tall, dignified lady
with a fine presence. Mrs. Houser, although somewhat frail, looks much younger
than her years. It was unfortunate that Mr. J. B. Leighton, Alphonse Hautier, Bull
Brown, Duncan McKinley and other real old-timers were unable, for various reasons,
to be present. A great sheaf of telegrams and letters were read by the chairman,
Mr. E. J. Avison, conveying the good wishes of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor,
Honourable Premier Tolmie, the Honourable W. A. McKenzie, minister of mines,
Mrs. R. B. McMicking, the Honourable F. P. Burden, minister of lands, the Honour-
able W. C. Shelly, minister of finance, the Honourable R. H. Pooley, attorney-general,
the Honourable J. Hinchliffe, minister of education, the Honourable T. D. Pattullo,
J. M. Yorston, former M.P.P. for Cariboo, the Honourable Mr. Justice Murphy,
native son of Cariboo, Brig.-General Victor Odlum, E. S. Peters, D. A. Stoddart,