Jean Louise Mains (nee Cameron) was born on September 16, 1907 in Boissevain, MB. She attended school in Boissevain, one year at Brandon College and received her teaching certificate from the Brandon Normal School in 1926. She taught at Dunallen, Royal and Fairburn schools until her marriage to Clifford Mains (1890-1948) in 1937. The couple had three daughters: Barbara, Elizabeth and Susan. Clifford and Jean farmed until 1944, and then moved to Boissevain. Jean did hospital books until 1950, then moved with the children to Brandon for a year so she could take a secretarial course. Returning to Boissevain, she worked at the agricultural office for nine years then returned to school again, this time taking a business course at Red River College. For the next thirteen years Jean taught business at the Boissevain High School. A member of the Eastern Star, IODE, the UCW Group of St. Paul's United Church and the Beckonging Hills Activity Club, Jean enjoyed travelling and playing bridge. Jean Mains died on February 15, 2003 in Boissevain, MB. She is buried at Boissevain and Morton Cemetery.
Myrna Dring (nee Hicks) was born on May 18, 1944 in Ninga, MB. A part-time speech aide at Boissevain School in the early 1980s, she took her psychiatric nursing training in Brandon, Winnipeg and Ninette from 1962-1965. On July 31, 1965, Myrna married Ray Clinton Dring (1942-2005), and the couple adopted a daughter, Nancy. After the marriage, the family lived in Boissevain, where Ray was involved with the family business Dring Laminated Structures Ltd. In 1985, the Drings moved to Winnipeg. Myrna Dring continues to live in Winnipeg, MB.
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 Jean Cameron Mains and Myrna Hicks Dring about social life in the town of Boissevain from approximately 1900-1980. The interviewer is Bernice Pettypiece.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Mains' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Language Note
English
Conservation
Preservation copy made 2021 (R. Hess)
Audio Tracks
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For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
The Brandon Asylum for the Insane
Notes
The entire Brandon Asylum complex was completely destroyed. Patients were temporarily housed in the Winter Fair Building (located on the 500 block of 10th Street).
It is reported that the nearly 700 staff and patients were evacuated without any loss of life due to the fire itself (Refvik K. 1991. The Brandon Asylum Fire of 1910. Manitoba History, Number 21, Spring 1991).
The first building was built in 1890 as a reformatory (on right).
A four-story structure (centre) was built in 1892 and the former reformatory became an administrative section. Together they became the Brandon Asylum for the Insane.
[A third building (on left) began construction in 1903. (P.E.)]
This complete set of buildings was destroyed by fire on November 4, 1910 (see file FA2).
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
The first building was built in 1890 as a reformatory (on right).
A four-story structure (centre) was built in 1892 and the former reformatory became an administrative section. Together they became the Brandon Asylum for the Insane.
[A third building (on left) began construction in 1903. (P.E.)]
This complete set of buildings was destroyed by fire on November 4, 1910 (see file FA2).
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Seeking temporary housing, a parade of patients walked from the Brandon Asylum to the Winter Fair Building (located on the 500 block of 10th Street) the day after fire completely destroyed the asylum.
This photo shows the First Street Bridge as built and opened in 1909.
Note the pile of kegs next to the Empire Brewery. [The building was then] owned by Dave Weiss of Brandon Scrap Iron & Metals Recycling Co.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Brandon asylum patients crossing the First Street Bridge
For biographical information on Sarah Persis Darrach see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, Series 9: Clark Hall women's residence.
Custodial History
See collection level description of the Maureen Johnson collection (10-2009) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Group photograph of four nurses and one male military officer standing in front of a brick building in England where Sarah Persis Johnson was stationed. Johnson is standing on the far right.
For biographical information on Sarah Persis Darrach see RG 1 Brandon College fonds, Series 9: Clark Hall women's residence.
Custodial History
See collection level description of the Maureen Johnson collection (10-2009) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows staff and possibly patients gathered around a dining table at Christmas. The table is located in the hospital building. Other patients are visible in their beds. Sarah Persis Johnson is standing second from the front on the right side of the table.
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