Anecdotes and Updates 1882-1982 - Virden Centennial ... - Manitobia

the Jeffreys, a practice that was repeated in the years to come. In'88 and '89 killing pigs was part of the Christmas festivities.We picture isolated shanties of the pioneers, but they gottogether to exchange implements, work, animals, tools, and todine. Together they trekked to the sandhills for poplar, the Assiniboinefor hardwood, and to Virden with grain, using horses andsleighs. Some of the hazards were sudden storms, which obliteratedthe trail, upset loads, broken axles or doubletrees. They wentto Virden to pay the taxes, to vote, see or fetch the doctor, attendchurch, meetings, sports days and celebrations. Daughter Jessiestarted school in August, 1893 at Mrs. Madge's Boarding Schoolfor a fee of six dollars a month. She was home each weekend. By'97 Bosshill School was built nearby.On January 21, 1893, Charles Ivens presented a paper at aFarmers' Institute meeting. His topic was "The Need of MixedFarming" . He practised what he preached as he grew a variety ofcrops, even rape, also vetches II , millet, peas and, of course, oatsand wheat. In '92 he added sheep to his cows and pigs. He built adairy and an icehouse that year too. Ice was hauled in April andstraw-covered. He then began to market butter. In '94 he added asmokehouse to cure meat.The need for fences became apparent as herds wandered.Days were spent searching for them. Once he found his sheep inElkhorn, 14 miles away. Strays were impounded. In '91 fence postsof poplar were cut, peeled and charred. Wire purchased in Virdenwas barbed or netting for the sheep.C. E. Ivens went on to build a stone house. He beautified hisyard, planted l2 maple seedlings and spruce trees. Fruits, berriesand currants had a place too. He increased his holdings to 1,120acres, and retired to Virden in 1926. He died in 1946 at the age of86.His service to the community is reported in The VirdenStory, but for this story he is "one of the homesteaders".GLOSSARY1. Quoted in Winnipeg Tribune, 19392. Sods turned back over3. British equivalent to 1/4 acre4. Stooking5. Gathering into bundles6. Digging around roots to get them out7. Burning or scorching22