Feb 2, 2019 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

As the Greenwood townsite grew into a bustling city, few natural resources were more in demand than lumber. Forestry practices in the Boundary came under close scrutiny in the first decade of the 1900s, as both forest fires and heavy logging stood to put local woodland reserves at risk.

In the Fall of 1900, the Boundary Creek Times offered a lengthy summary of the valuable business resources in and around Greenwood,_[1] and forestry was among them:

LUMBERING INTERESTS

The mountains are covered with a luxurant growth of fir, pine and tamarack, there also being a little to the west of us one of The finest cedar belts in British Columbia. There are numerous saw mills scattered over the entire district employing a large force of men in chopping and logging, and millions of feet of lumber are produced each year besides the enormous amount of timbers required for the mines, and in the different camps and towns are numerous plaining mills, sash and door factories, etc. The lumbering interests of this districts would in a few years alone support a town the size of Greenwood, and as the supply is almost inexhaustible, this industry is bound to continue to increase.

THE YALE-COLUMBIA LUMBER CO.
Peter Genelle, Pres. John Genelle, Vice-Pres. J. Poupore, Secretary. General Office Greenwood, B. C.

While this is a large lumber producing country, the Yale-Columbia Lumber Co., Ltd., is by odds the largest producers of rough arid dressed lumber in this portion of British Columbia. While their general office is located in Greenwood, they have mills and yards at Phoenix, Deadwood City, Eholt No. 1, Eholt No. 2, Long Lake, Rock Creek, Skylark camp, Nakusp, Robson, Ymir, Cascade and Rossland. There are few enterprises that contribute more essentially to the enterprise of the city than does the Yale-Columbia Lumber Co., Ltd. For the manufacture of the enormous output of this concern it requires a large force of men in chopping, logging and handling the material which they are constantly converting into rough and dressed lumber, and besides this force they also employ a large number of men in and around their different yards. This company are wholesale and retail dealers in rough and dressed lumber and all kinds of building material.

The business of this firm is conducted upon broad and liberal principals and a management that has built for them a trade that is worthy of their untiring energy and progressive business' ability. Patrons will find the local managers of this company accomodating, sociable and pleasant gentlemen with whom to transact business, ever ready to quote prices, in any quantity, as low as the lowest.

SMITH & McLEOD
Saw Mills Located at Enderby — Saw, Planing and Moulding Mills at Vernon — Dealers in Sash, Doors, Windows and Shingles. Clinton A. S. Atwood, Manager, Greenwood

A sketch of the most enterprising establishments of and doing business in Greenwood would be incomplete indeed without mention was made of Smith & McLeod. This popular firm have saw mill located at Enderby, and also planing, saw and moulding mills at Vernon. The location of their mills is in the best cedar belt in British Columbia, and for this reason their product is positively unsurpassed. The supply is practically inexhaustible, which places this firm in a position to not only offer a superior article, but at prices which positively defy competition.

They manufacture windows, sash and doors, as well as all kinds of inside house furnishings and make a specialty of cedar goods. They are also prepared to build to order store fronts, bar and office furnishings, and keep constantly in stock a full line of mouldings, sash, doors, shingles and building material. This company are prepared to fill orders either in large or small quantities, on short notice and at the lowest prices.

The Greenwood house is under the management of Mr. Clinton A. S. Atwood, who is an experienced man in this line, courteous and pleasant to transact business with, and ever ready to give patrons his closest personal attention.

Horses Skidding Logs, Boundary Sawmills
BC Archives, #NA-08747

Given the great importance of Forestry and lumber products to the local economy, business leaders throughout the Boundary lobbied their local representatives to take the matter of forest husbandry more seriously. In 1905, the Times ran this scathing editorial on the policies of Sri Richard McBride, a founding father of the B.C. Conservative party:_[2]

"The utter lack of business capacity displayed by the McBride government is exhibited in its administration of the valuable timber areas of the province. A business government would secure all possible revenue out of such a valuable asset and would make some effort lo preserve our timber from forest fires. Year after year thousands of dollars are lost in the destruction of timber by fire, and no change of policy is contemplated so long as the McBride government remains in power. In fact, the evils complained of appear to become more aggravated year by year."

Among the heaviest users of raw timber products in B.C. were the railroad companies, laying track over great expanses of the Boundary region, and from the west coast to Alberta. In December 1905, new regulations were published governing the use of Dominion lands along the railway belt:_[3]

"A LICENSE to cut timber can be acquired only at public competition. A rental of $5 per square mile is charged for all timber berths excepting those situated West of Yale for which the rental is at the rate of 5 cents per acre per annum.

In addition to the rental, dues at the following rates are charged:--
Sawn lumber, 50 cents per thousand feet B.M.
Railway ties, eight and nine feet long, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cents each.
Shingle bolts, 25 cents a cord.
All other products, 5 per cent on sales

A license is issued as soon as a berth is granted but in unsurveyed territory no timber can be cut on a berth until the licensee has made a survey thereof. Permits to cut timber are also granted at public competition, except in the case of actual settlers, who require the timber for their own use. Settlers and others may also obtain permits to cut up to 100 cords of wood for sale without competition."

In this January 1908 times editorial,_[4] we find a fascinating statement on Canada's forest reserves compared to other timber-rich nations of the world. This is particularly interesting when we consider how the world has changed between then and now.

"Because of the apparently inexhaustible timber ranges at our doors, the possibility of a timber famine does not seem to be immediate. The price of wood throughout the country is increasing, however, and this leads to an investigation of what the timber resources off the world are. It will be interesting to know that only seven countries in the world are now in a position to export timber. In Europe there are five, namely Austro-Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia; in America there are two, namely, Canada and the United States. But Russia, Austro-Hungary and the United States are increasing their population and developing their industries so fast that they cannot long continue to be exporting countries. The timber of Norway is threatened with excessive cutting. Germany, where the practice of forestry has been brought to the greatest perfection, has never been able to supply home demands and is a heavy importer.

Canada, Sweden, and Finland are left, and their supply is hopelessly deficient for the world. If Canada were to attempt to supply the United States alone, its entire timber area would be cut off and denuded in the course of a very few years -- probably less than a decade.

Various estimates of Canada's forest land have been given. Eight hundred million acres was a few years ago accepted as pretty near the truth; but, considering the damage caused by fire and other destructive agencies, it is doubtful if the existing forests cover half that area. To keep this area in its most productive state, thus enabling it to meet the demand as far as possible and to produce the largest revenue, is the problem set those in control of these areas, and, the protection of the forests against fire and other dangers and their proper management under forestry methods is the only way in which this can be effected."

Another very interesting manifesto was put forward by a resident of Kaslo on behalf of B.C. forest husbandry practices, published in a June 1908 edition of the Times:_[5]

FOREST PRESERVATION
Important Factor In Harbouring Natural Resources

"The following suggestions were held out by G. O. Buchanan, of Kaslo, in a recent lecture on forest preservation:

That the acquisition of timber lands even under 21 year licenses, is likely to be a good investment.

That B. C. should have a forestry commission, and that every acre of timber lands, the title of which remains in the province, should be turned over to the control of such commission.

That fire protection should be under the supervision of a body of men of the training, discipline and freedom from political influence of the Northwest Mounted Police.

That the first department of the B. C University to be equipped should be not one of mining, nor agriculture, nor of law, nor even of arts, but of forestry.

That the endowment lands should be turned over to such department.

That funds should be provided (chargeable against the lands), for their protection against fire, and for the beginning, at least, of the work of forest improvement. Such work to be carried on by the staff and students of the forestry school.

That all lands in B. C. in the interior above 4,000 feet in altitude, and on the coast above 3,000 feet, should be at once and forever reserved from every form of alienation of title. Mining and lumbering under strict supervision as to forest protection, to be provided for.

That the cutting of immature timber should everywhere be prohibited.

That the use of hewn ties by the railways be at the earliest possible moment discontinued, and sawn ties be substituted.

That the manufacture of lumber in advance of requirements be in every way discouraged.

That the Indians be bribed by bales of silk to cease the stripping of cedar trees on Vancouver Island, and of barrels of sugar to cease the girding of pines in East Kootenay. That the balance of timber on provincial lands be for some time to come retained by the government (or by the forestry commission if formed.)

That the government be advised to offer liberal terms for the surrender of existing licenses and leases.

That the largest possible amount of timber be withdrawn and kept off the market, the government retaining it with a view to future revenue possibilities, and also to prevent the acquisition by middlemen of a monopoly, such as may easily in the near future become one of the most oppressive that can be imagined.

That the Dominion government be advised that the present is a most inopportune time for the enforcement of an order recently made by them, requiring lessees in the 40-mile belt to cut their timber, and that the operation of such an order should be suspended.

That nothing contained in this paper is to be construed as intended to deter any person present from making investments in such timber berths as are in the open market."

In early 1909, local mill men and loggers began organizing under the banner of the B.C. Lumber, Logging and Forestry Association._[6]

That Spring, another strong editorial was voiced in the Boundary Creek Times, in the wake of the massive destruction of timber by forest fire in the Crow's Nest Valley of Alberta:_[7]

"The first step in forestry, here and everywhere else, is to preserve the forests that now exist, and so the first thing necessary in this region is to protect the green timber and the young growth from the fires that have been so disastrous in the past. This is the first problem that is engaging attention of the Dominion Forestry Service.

Up to the present fire protection in Canadian forests has been effected entirely by patrol of the area to be protected by rangers whose duty is to watch for fires and put them out (and much of the value of such a services lies in the fact that the ranger can discover and extinguish in its first stages a fire that, left unchecked, might destroy many thousand dollars' worth of timber) and warn travellers and campers of the danger of carelessness in the use of fire. This patrol will no doubt be the basis of the system finally adopted for this region, supplemented probably by the use of "look-outs" and telephones."

While the debate raged on through the early 1900s about how to protect local forests, there were at the same time very congenial efforts being made to showcase B.C.'s forestry resources. The leading men of Greenwood were well aware of these opportunities, and involved in them.

1900 Paris Exposition Poster

One of the most splendid efforts to promote forest resources was that of the Paris Exposition in 1900. In Greenwood, the local M & C was advocating for participation._[8] Although mineral exhibits were initially the focus, the Exposition venture grew to be a significant showcase of timber resources, among other assets of the rich province.

"At a meeting of the Mining and Commercial association, it was decided to urge the government to appropriate the necessary funds to assure a B.C. mineral exhibit at the Paris Exposition."

The Paris Exposition — or the L'Exposition de Paris 1900 — was one of the great World's Fairs of its day. It was situated in central Paris Métro, covering an area of some 216 hectares (530 acres). More then 48,000,000 visitors attended the exposition._[9]

Aerial view of the Exposition Universelle
Lucien Baylac (1851—1913)
Library of Congress #PPMSCA.15645

Over the course of the year leading up to the Expo, British Columbia and many others in Canada were preparing to take part in the important international showcase. Following is a July 1899 report published in the Boundary Creek Times, given by Mr. Robertson, the provincial mineralogist in charge of gathering samples for the Paris Exposition:_[10]

"[He reported to] the News-Advertiser that he had been to see sawmill men regarding 7,000 feet of choice lumber for the interior of the Colonial Building at Paris. It will be fitted up at Ottawa. He said:-- "We have managed to get the Paris Exhibition Commission to take British Columbia lumber for the interior fittings of the exhibition buildings. This is entirely separate from forestry exhibit; it is simply for use in the inside.

The Hastings Mill did not have quite the particular stock that it thought was good enough, so we have managed to get a couple of weeks extra time and the mill will provide the stuff for us, for which the Provincial Government will pay."

Paris Exposition 1900 Souvenir Coin
BC Archives, #NA-08747

By June 1900, reports from the Expo grounds were reaching Greenwood readers:_[11]

THE PARIS EXHIBITION

According to all accounts that are reaching us from across the water, Canada's exhibit at the Paris Exposition is one that reflects credit upon those who are responsible for its preparation and arrangement; and what is more important, one that will be of immense value in advertising the vast resources and opportunities of the Dominion. It is well calculated to make the Dominion better known abroad, attract the attention of foreign capital to her natural wealth of mineral and lumber, and to illustrate the fertility of her soil and her capabilities for varied production. Two of the most important exhibits in this respect are those of forestry and mining. ...

Canada's forestry exhibit is the largest and most varied in the entire exhibition and is divided into three general groups: (1) section of the principal Canadian trees, some in the form of logs and some polished on one face; (2) six-foot lengths of the chief Canadian woods, one-third polished, one-third waxed and one-third in their natural condition; (3) samples of all the wood products of Canada such as pails, boxes, implements, etc."

The Canadian Pavilion at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris
Illustration for Le Petit Journal, 11 November 1900

The Paris Exposition ran from mid-April to mid-November 1900. In September, a rather critical editorial was presented in the Times from a guest at the Expo:_[12]

CANADA AT PARIS

"The following references to Canada's exhibits at the Paris Exposition are taken from exchanges: What sort of a figure do British colonies cut in the Paris exhibition? That question is answered by a visit to the park of the Trocadero, where bunched together Canada, Western Australia, India and Ceylon, can be rapidly visited, and their wealth and significance contrasted with the conglomeration of dusky and diverse semi-savage tropicals who form the French group of colonies.

The fine Indian exhibit gives but a faint idea of the wealth of our splendid dependency, even Ceylon with its unique display of spices, and its successful tea-house, so frequented by the better classes, is not what excites the admiration of Britishers most. It is when he steps into Canada that he feels the greatness and promise of the new empire beyond the sea, and gets the proper idea of a true colony. Here he meets in the Canadian commissioners a set of men who represent the colonial idea of sturdiness and love of work, without a trace of the glacial age or official starch about them.

Around on both floors of the building are evidences of the immense material wealth and progress in the Dominion. The wealth of her fisheries, the richness of her vast grain fields, the enterprise of her farmers, the perfection and variety of her farm products, the range of her manufactures, the display of her gold and minerals, the extent of her railways and the generous scope of her education system, the evidence of all this lies before you, and even the dawn and prophecy of Canadian art. ...

In the great buildings of the Chainp de Mars where her displays of machinery, carriages and forest products are to be seen. Everywhere the same story is told. Canada and all her resources a part of the British empire. ...

In forestry and lumber British Columbia and the other provinces have beaten the whole world and received the highest award, but poor judgment was shown in the failure to purchase adequate space. The exhibit is therefore piled against the wall occupying a space of about 25x25 feet. In front are two large show cases, containing the exhibit of an English cartridge factory. I am told that additional space was offered to the Canadian government, but not accepted.

The Canadian building itself is very poor, while the exhibits are exceptionally good. Our representative, Mr. Stuart, is doing excellent work and has proved himself most highly qualified for the post. In conclusion I will add that but for British Columbia's exhibits Canada would have come off badly in the mineral and forestry sections. The Paris exposition is much too large, the buildings are marvellous, but the undertaking itself is a financial failure."

Paris Exposition 1900
Canada Souvenir Coin of Louis-Philippe Hébert, by Raymond Boily
BC Archives, #NA-08747

Despite what may have been shortcomings in design of the exhibit site, it seems clear that British Columbia's forestry resources were well presented to the nearly 1.5 million visitors who travelled to the Expo. The newly formed Greenwood Board of Trade also took advantage of the event, distributing 1,500 copies of its first Annual Report at the Paris Exposition._[13]

Canadian Pavilion at the Paris Exposition

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The Greenwood Mercantile Review, Supplement to The Greenwood Times — October 31, 1900, pp. 5-8 (excerpted and edited slightly)
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172860

[2] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 18, 1905, p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171924

[3] Boundary Creek Times — Dec 29, 1905, p. 3
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172719

[4] Boundary Creek Times — Jan 10, 1908, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171379

[5] Boundary Creek Times — Jun 12, 1908, p. 3
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171292

[6] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 26, 1909, p. 3
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172206

[7] Boundary Creek Times — May 07, 1909, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171243

[8] Boundary Creek Times — Feb 11, 1899, p. 3
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170257

[9] Wikipedia — Exposition Universelle 1900
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1900)

[10] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 01, 1899, p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170384

[11] Greenwood Weekly Times — Jun 30, 1900 p. 2
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172797

[12] Greenwood Weekly Times — Sep 12, 1900, p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172852

[13] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 16, 1901, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172941