Mrs. McVicar was Brandon's/Grand Valley's first postmistress. Biographical details about Mrs. McVicar can be found in a newspaper clipping [F.A. ROSSER, “Sunbeams – The Birds Dived Down Like Fighters on Gopher,” Brandon Sun, September 16, 1978, 3] in McG 4.1 File 67.
Custodial History
Photograph was brought to Fred McGuinness by Owen Anderson of Cypress River, Manitoba.
Scope and Content
Photograph is a portrait of Mrs. McVicar sitting outside of her home in Texas.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph consists of greetings and salutations to the unknown recipients. Photograph "finished by Edrington's Studio, Weslaco, Texas."
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers. Alvie is seated, Harry is standing.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: out of the past, Harry & Alvie Spafford, 1909 Winnipeg. The back of the postcard reads: Harry on left, Alvie on right, in our early, days, Railway.
Photograph shows the City of Brandon parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The float is decorated with wheat sheaves, the city's coat of arms, and the words "education" and "health" adorn a pergola or arbour in the centre of the float. Seven people are on the float and appear to be in costume. An Aboriginal man is dressed in full regalia, one man appears to be in academic robes, another dressed as a farmer. One woman appears to be dressed like a nurse while another may be wearing a pioneer costume.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Brandon City's foat in 1927, Celebrating 60 years of Confederation, The lady in white is Miss Ann Carnahan who was on the city staff for a number of years and now resides in Victoria. She is my husbands [sic.] sister.
Photograph shows the Mental Hospital parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The side of the float is decorated with Canada's coat of arms and the words "Sixty Years." In the centre of the float is a three-tiered birthday cake with a Union Jack affixed to its top. Four women are draped in toga-like gowns and each are holding provincial (small) coat of arms for New Brunswick, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Two men can be seen wearing top hats and coats.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mental Hospital foat in 1927.
Photograph shows the Timothy Eaton Company's parade float pulled by two clydesdale horses. The parade is in honour of the diamond anniversary of Canada's Confederation. The side of the float reads: Canada's Power in the Affairs of the World. A large globe is strapped to the back of the float and the provincial coat of arms for Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and the Dominion of Canada line the side. The Canadian Red Ensign is mounted at the front of the float.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: T. Eaton Co. float, 1927, 60th Anniversary of, Confederation.
The Brandon Collegiate was built in 1907 and officially opened in 1908. Architect W.A. Elliott designed the building, which was faced with brick from Wisconsin (order 65,000 bricks). Located at 527 Louise Avenue, it ceased to be Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI) in the summer of 1974. It was renamed New Era School on the recommendation of Marion Pye, who was a teacher at BCI in its last years. The name "New Era" was also the name of the BCI yearbook.
Custodial History
Sent to Fred McGuinness from Martin Kavanagh of Brandon.
Scope and Content
Photograph is an outdoor class picture of Brandon Collegiate Institute students standing on the front steps of the school.
Notes
History/bio information obtained from Lawrence Stuckey descriptions and the Manitoba Historical Society website. The negative for this photograph can be found in McG 1.2 File 19.
Given to Fred McGuinness by Stewart Tait (1912-1988) of Brandon.
Scope and Content
Photograph is an outdoor class picture of young students standing on the front steps of what appears to be Park School.
Notes
Mr. Tait provided Fred McGuinness with a photocopy of the photograph (see McG 1.2, file 19) on which he identified a number of students in his class, including: first/front row - Miss Fleming (fourth from right); second row - Stan Fraser (first from left), Stewart Tait (second on left), Mrs. Ron Relf (nee Stock?) (fourth on left); third row - Ed Bolton (fourth from left), G. Cranston (fifth from left), Ed McGill (offset, above G. Cranston), Mary McGregor, daughter of C.C. McGregor (third from right)
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard is an outdoor class photograph of the 1909-1910 Central School Grade 8 class. The girls are wearing dresses and the boys suits and ties. School principal, Bedford A. Tingley, lays in front of the class.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VIII, Teacher, B.A. Tingely [sic.], Allena Coombs
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class picture of the 1908-1909 Central School Grade 7 class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and bows in their hair. The boys are wearing suits and ties. Teacher Naomi Moore stands to the right of the class.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VII, Teacher, Naomi Moore, Allena Coombs, 1908-1909.
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class photograph of the 1907-1908 Central School Grade 6 class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and the boys are wearing suits and ties.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Grade VI, Allena Coombs, 1907-1908.
Postcard has two thumb tack holes in its corners, bottom left corner is creased, face of one student is blotted out.
History / Biographical
Central School was situated on Lorne Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts an outdoor class photograph of the 1906-1907 Central School Grade 5? class. The class is posing outside of the school. The girls are wearing dresses and boots. Most of the boys are wearing suits and ties.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Allena Coombs, 1906-1907. All the students' names are listed. The class teacher is identified as Miss [Nettie?] Harrison.
Postcard has graphite smudge on the top right corner of image
History / Biographical
Wheat City Business College was established in 1904, when J.W. Beveridge and F.E. Werry resigned from the Commercial Department of Brandon College to establish the Wheat City Business College. It was located originally on the top floor of the Commercial Building at 143-10th Street, owned by Hughes and Co. Wheat City Business College continued to operate until the later 1960s. In 1911, the Henderson's Brandon City Directory lists the following teachers on staff: Mamie J. Macdougall, John B. Sample, John H. Snyder, Nettie M. Werry, and F.A. Wood (principal).
Custodial History
Donated to Fred McGuinness by Allena Strath (nee Coombs).
Scope and Content
Postcard depicts the 1911 class of the Wheat City Business College. Students include: O. Mutrie, E. Mailey, J.W. Belcher, S. Downey, H.R. Dustan, G. Greaves, D. Burden, C.J. Howey, M. Madder, A. Mills, E. Ballantyne, E. Lang, A. Binnie, L. Trent, M. Clark, E. Robertson, T. Ortenburg, A. Barnes, W.B. Grainger, V. Sanderson, H. Smith, E. Horror, M. Deacon, J. Smith, S. Gardiner, C.D. McMillan, N. Barss, E.J. Scott, M. McEwen, A. Scott, W. Naser, J. Cope, M. Trotman, J. Jackson, M. Gurr, P. McChesney, A.H. Andrews, M. Agnew, R.N. Truman, L. Cameron, T.C. Taylor, G. McClement, A. Armour, M. Drake, D. Chambers, M. Bourke, W.M. McGregor, Miss. McIlmoyle, J. Tendeck, G. McChesney, J.B. Stephens, O. Thornborough, A. Connor, H. Teale, E. Karr, P. Borland, J. Middleton, M. McIlmoyle, F.A. Wood, Principal D. Chambers, M.I. McGregor, B. McDougall, M. Maxwell, W. Crane, M. Vandeau, A. Lee, A. Hargreaves, H. Gimby, J. English, A. Coombes, H.J. McAnerin, M.C. Green, A.M. McGuinness, A.E. Shingfield, R. Blanshard, C. Goldstone, R. Heyden, Q. Oliver, N. Sterling, E. Cohen, V.E. Potter, H. Bellamy, Miss Pattison, Miss N. Werry, Miss. McQuarrie, J.H. Snyder, Miss M. MacDougall, Mr. J.S. Sample, Miss Lowry, A. Standal, G. Kennedy, C. Stojanosski, J. Elliott, M. Stnartk, R. Rewand, J. Mcneill, A. Kirchner, E. Green, E. Barnett, C.H. Howey, W. Main, M. Trew, M. Livingstone, B. Donaldson, A. Miller, J. Irwin, P. Brooks, R. Frank, S.A. Brown, B. Isman, M. Spearin, S. Thorsteinson, Miss Watson, J.A. McDonald, E. Zachary,S. Baglole, C. O'Brien, M. Thompson, F. Bockus, J. Hudama, E. Thompson, F. Shanks, M. Morrison, E. Cookman, ?.S. Wedderburn, E. Robinovitch, M. Maskew, C.A. Sharpe, M. Dack, M. Cossar, L. Grassie, I. Porteous, L. Markell, G. Burden, O. Paget, L. Cunningham, H.P. Hilton, F. Neilly, M.C. Feedman, E.F. Dixon
Notes
Back of postcard reads: A HAPPY XMAS./ and A very propersous / NEW YEAR / F.A. Wood [Principal of the Wheat City Business College]. Postcard is addressed to Miss Allena Coombs, Box 628, City, and has a cancelled one cent green King George stamp postmarked December 23, 1911, Brandon, Man.
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis [sic.] Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers. Harry is seated on the left, Alva ("Alvie") is standing with his right arm around his brother.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Harry on left, Harry & Alva Spafford, our early Railroad days in Winnipeg 1909 or 1910.
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a studio portrait of the Spafford brothers dressed as cowboys in chaps, bandanas, and hats. Harry is standing on the left and is reaching for a bottle resting on a stool. Alvie is standing on the right and is pointing a pistol at his brother. Behind the brothers is the back of train car that reads "leaving Winnipeg."
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Early railroad day in wpg, Harry on left, Alvie on right.
Postcard is stained and ripped in the right hand corner. A label is taped to the front of the postcard. The postcard has been issued.
History / Biographical
Harry Spafford (b. 22 Oct 1888, d. 10 May 1978) was born in Holmfield, Manitoba. He married Isabella Hawking of Ninga in 1914 and the couple moved to Brandon in 1915 where they continued to reside until 1973. Harry worked as a locomotive fireman and then as an engineer with the Canadian Northern Railway (CN). While with CN, he was an active member of the Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Firemen No. 788 of Brandon. He served as an alderman in Brandon from 1928 to 1945. In 1932, Harry ran in the Manitoba by-election for Brandon as an Independent Labour candidate and lost to the Conservative member George Dinsdale. In 1952, Harry ran as a Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) member in the provincial election and lost to Conservative party representative Reg Lissaman. Harry Spafford passed away in Burnaby, BC, and is interred in the Ocean View Cemetery. (Source: see obituary in McG 4.1 File 66)
Alva/Alvery/"Alvie" Reddell/Riddell/Ridall Spafford (b. 15 Mar 1891, d. 23 Aug 1985) was born in Enterprise, Manitoba, in the R.M. of Turtle Mountain. In 1911, he married Francis Ethel Harrison (d. 1979) in Killarney and had three children. Alvie farmed in Bannerman from 1902 to 1936, after which he moved to Boissevain to work as a Rawleigh salesman. In 1942, the family moved to Brandon where Alvie worked as a conductor with the CNR until his retirement. Alva Spafford passed away at the age of 94 at the Brandon General Hospital. His funeral was held in Killarney, Manitoba. (Source: Obituary, Brandon Sun, 23 Aug 1985)
Scope and Content
Postcard is a group photograph of some of the members of the Spafford family standing on the front steps of a residence. The four women and four men are dressed in heavy coats and jackets.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Harry Spafford on left, Alvie Spafford in centre, Alf Spafford on extreme right, about 1910; The back of the postcard is addressed to Mrs. Alva (Francis) Spafford of Bannerman, Manitoba. Alvie Spafford has written at brief note to his wife, Francis. The postmark reads November 23, 1912, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The names Aunt Ida, -- --, Uncle Harry, Alf, and Alva are written in pen at the top of the postcard.
According to the Manitoba Historical Society, the Volunteer Monument was unveiled at Winnipeg's Old City Hall on September 28, 1886. The monument commemorated the soldiers of 90th Winnipeg Rifles (also known as the "Little Black Devils") who were killed during the 1885 North West Rebellion. In 1968, the monument was moved to the east side of Main Street, between the Centennial Concert Hall and the Manitoba Museum.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a parade marching south along Main Street in front of the Volunteer Monument on Winnipeg's Old City Hall grounds (1886-1962). The parade was in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee that was held June 22, 1899. Businesses visible on the west (left) side of Main Street include: the Great Northern Railway Line, Gurney Stove & Range Co., Sherman House, The Arlington Hotel, Hurtley & Co., Central Drug Hall, Inman Optical Co. On the east side of Main Street, the Conferation Life Block is draped with bunting and a large ensign flag is flying from its tower. Specators line the streets and can be seen on roof tops and leaning from windows.
Notes
The front of the photograph reads: Jublee [sic.] Procession June 22/99 Winnipeg
Postcard is a studio portait of two women dressed for winter. The woman on the left is standing and is wearing a long winter coat, a while fur stole muffler. The woman on the right is seated in a wicker chair. She is wearing a three-quarter length winter coat with a black fur collar and trim and muffler.
Notes
Back of postcard reads: Harry Finnegan Nov. 16 1910, Zella Russel..., Nov. 27 19...
Photograph was in possession of Mrs. Ruby Miles, who passed the image on to Fred McGuinness. McGuinness makes reference to Mrs. Miles and this photograph in his Sunbeams column (Source: F.A. Rosser, "Another interesting chat with a daughter of the plains," Brandon Sun 18 Aug 1981).
Scope and Content
Photograph allegedly shows the Wheat City Business College graduating class standing outside a woodframed building in the winter. Affixed to the building are posters/advertisements that read: Happyland, Monday July 30 [1906?]. A banner spelling Happyland in large block letters hangs above the building's door that is numbered 209. Surrounding the banner are the red ensign/Dominion of Canada flags.
The students are wearing long wintercoats with fur collars, some are wearing fur hats. The men appear to have ribbons pinned to their lapels. On the left of the photograph, a group of three female students are sitting in a horse-drawn sleigh and have fur robes on their laps. On the right, a number of students are standing on a horse-drawn sled. Two individuals can be seen holding megaphones, another student is holding a basketball.
Notes
Writing on the back of the photograph reads: 1909, Tenth Street and Princess. Two yellow labels are affixed to the back of the photograph. one reads: graduating class, Wheat City Business College. The other reads Mrs. K.L. McGregor, 157-4th St.
Photograph was in possession of Mrs. Ruby Miles, who passed the image on to Fred McGuinness. McGuinness makes reference to Mrs. Miles and this photograph in his Sunbeams column (Brandon Sun 14 September 1978).
Scope and Content
Photograph shows a team portrait of Canadian footballers (soccer players) posing in the Melbourne Cricket grounds in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Members of the Canadian team include: front row - Fred Bowman, George Forrest, Bob Harley, Jimmie Adam, Dickie Stobbart, Bill Linning, Leslie Ford; back row - Jack Armstrong, J. Hood, Jim Wilson, George Anderson, Hank Noseworthy, Mitch McLean, Fred Dierden, William Sanford (source: Canada Soccer Flickr page, https://www.flickr.com/photos/canadasoccer/7257687442, accessed 23 Nov 2015). Canada won 3-nil (source: The Argus, 2 July 1924, 17).
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Canada v. Australia, Melbourne 5th July 1924, with the complements of V.A.B.F.A., The Sears' Studios, Melbourne. Writing on the back of the photograph reads: Mrs. R. Miles.
According to Fred McGuinness, J. Hood was from Brandon (Source: F.A. Rosser, "Picture treasure trove shows some city history," Brandon Sun 14 September 1978)
Photograph shows Fred McGuinness standing next to a rack of seven antelope that are hanging from a ladder stretched between two vehicles. Rifles are nestled amongst the antelope carcasses. The hunt occured in the winter.
Notes
Photograph is part of series of photographs (20-2009.13 to 20-2009.124) of an antelope hunting trip that likely occurred in Alberta.
