Earle Marshall Currie was born on March 29, 1891 on section 4-3-19 near Boissevain, MB. He attended Fairburn and Boissevain schools. In 1911, he moved to British Columbia where he owned a poultry farm. Earle married Verlie Annie Merle Jones (1898-1997) on September 3, 1919 and together they had four children, including Glenn and Marshall. The Currie's returned to Boissevain for the 100th anniversary of settlement in the area and the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Boissevain in 1981. Earle Currie died on April 12, 1983 in Chilliwack, BC.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Earle Currie about early Boissevain, as well as the cement and cement block industry owned by his father George Comer Currie. The interviewer is Phyllis Hallett.
Notes
History/bio information taken from the records. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Audio Tracks
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This photo provides a good view of the coal sheds along CPR track. Coal was unloaded from boxcars into roof hatches and hauled by drays from doors on avenue side. Only part of a long row of these commercial coal sheds is shown. As a boy I remember several fires in them. LAS.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Hanbury Manufacturing Co.
Notes
View of complete Hanbury Manufacturing complex (from Pacific Avenue looking north), showing the intersection of 6th Street & Assiniboine Ave.
Note overhead walkway over 6th St. between buildings
Probably the peak of the sawmilling industry in Brandon was "The Big Drive" in 1910, when 125 drivers brought 5 million board feet of timber down the Assiniboine to Hanbury's Mill.
Most of these logs were cut in the Riding Mountains in winter and floated down the Little Saskatchewan and Birdtail Rivers to the Assiniboine.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Logs, destined for Hanbury Manufacturing Co., in the Assiniboine River
Notes
Looking north from 3rd Street.
[This negative was produced using a previously published image (P.E.).]
Probably the peak of the sawmilling industry in Brandon was "The Big Drive" in 1910, when 125 drivers brought 5 million board feet of timber down the Assiniboine to Hanbury's Mill
Most of these logs were cut in the Riding Mountains in winter and floated down the Little Saskatchewan and Birdtail Rivers to the Assiniboine.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Logs, destined for Hanbury Manufacturing Co., in the Assiniboine River
Notes
View from First Street North
Courtesy of the family of E.C. Higgins (Mrs. Millen Dunbar nee May Higgins).
John C. Cousins was the son of Thomas Cousins (b. August 17, 1882 in Truro, Nova Scotia - d. March 5, 1914) and Mary Margaret Craig (b. April 14, 1824 - d. April 25, 1903). He married Eunice Eliza Nixon from London Township, County of Middlesex, Ontario. Together they had three children: Eunice M., Eric O. and Kathleen. J.C. Cousins was Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Daly from 1905 to 1910 and Assessor for the Town of Rivers from 1931-1938.
Custodial History
Record was accessioned in 2007 by the McKee Archives. Prior custodial history unknown.
Scope and Content
This document is a rambling memoir of John C. Cousins' recollections of life in the Rural Municipality of Daly from the settlement era in the early 1880s, through to the 1940s. He touches on various themes, including: his family history; the activities of the R.M. of Daly and his role as Reeve; the history of school districts in the municipality (lists names of first teachers and early students); the history of churches in the municipality; tragedies in the municipality; lists members of the Council of the municipality for the years 1885-1946; and the devastating impact of the Spanish Influenza on Aboriginal people in the municipality.
In addition, the memoir includes documentary records, such as minutes and copies of letters. There are also many photographs of both events and individuals (virtually all of the photographs are labelled and names are provided). The memoir goes beyond a simple recounting of facts. Cousins is discursive and thoughtful, often making references to developments happening in other parts of North America and Canada. There is also a link to the Maritimes, from which his family originated.
Edith Mary Laycock was born on June 25, 1913. She attended Brandon Collegiate from 1929 until her graduation in 1931. Ms. Laycock attended Brandon College from 1931-1934, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1935, she attended the Wheat City Business College and graduated from the Stenographic Course. Ms. Laycock was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a stenographer for many years and belonged to the Canadian Pacific Expressmen's Mutual Benefit Society from 1939.
Edith Laycock was very interested in drama. While attending Brandon Collegiate and Brandon College she participated in school and college plays. She was involved in drama and theatre throughout her aadult life. Edith Laycock directed many of Brandon College's major productions beginning in 1950. She was also the director of many of the plays put on by the Brandon Little Theatre from 1950. Ms. Laycock also performed in the Little Theatre productions when she was not directing.
Ms. Laycock was also involved in many other elements of Brandon life. She served alternatively as the vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and production manager of the Little Theatre throughout the 1940's and 1950's. She was the Social Manager for the Brandon Festival Committee in 1948, the Publicity Chairperson for the Brandon Music Festival Association in the 1950's, and the Secretary of the Brandon Overture Concert Association. Laycock also wrote play reviews for the Brandon Sun in the 1950's. She was the director of the Manitoba Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. In the 1960's Laycock was a member of the Brandon Council of Women and Chairperson of its Arts and Letters Committee. She was also the Vice-President of the Brandon Art Club in 1960. Edith Laycock also held a 12-week class in creative dramatics for children at the Allied Arts Centre in the early 1960's.
Edith Laycock died in Brandon on December 17, 1987.
Custodial History
This fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists of memorabilia kept by Edith Laycock. A large part of the collection consists of programs from plays that Laycock performed in or directed during the 1950's and 1960's. There are also numerous newspaper clippings about Laycock's plays including reviews, pictures, and advertisements. This collection also includes a folder of programs from the Brandon Little Theatre productions in the 1950's, as well as clippings about the Little Theatre. There are also numerous articles about miscellaneous drama and art events throughout Brandon, Manitoba, and Canada. The fonds also includes Laycock's daybook from 1962, and travel notes from Laycock's 1952 trip to Great Britain and Europe. The latter contains a passenger list for the Empress of Scotland, August 5, 1952. The collection further includes Canadian Pacific Railway passes dating from 1947-1963 and a copy of the Canadian Pacific Pension Plan. Fonds also contains material from the various organizations that Laycock was involved with including the Brandon Council of Women and Beta Sigma Phi. Fonds includes 12 photos that appear to be family photos from Laycock's childhood. Finally, the fonds contains various copies of plays that Laycock performed in or directed.
