Greenwood's Own 'John Bull'
BY: BG EDITOR
Punch cartoon, c. 1851
May 19, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG) —
More on the life and times of Fungus Ferguson.
Throughout the 1800s, the name "John Bull" was known as the personification of England and its people. Many political cartoons of the day featured a stout man of native country stock who epitomized the genial Brit. Here in Greenwood, a man of similar visage arrived in 1899 — Mr. Adolphus "Fungus" Ferguson.
Adolphus was also fondly known as "King Fungus" — the name he gave his local mining company — but he was best known for his expert gardening abilities. England was famous for its pastoral countryside and the fertile gardens and orchards planted across the island. Not surprisingly, Fungus Ferguson was recognized as the epitome of John Bull when he landed in Greenwood and began gardening with happy abandon.
Word of Fungus' arrival in Greenwood is first discovered in an August 26, 1899 edition of the Boundary Creek Times,[1] which announced that "A. Fungus, Shanghai, was in the city this week."
Less than a month later, he was reported as being the owner of the King Fungus Mining Company.[2]
But it appears that Fungus Ferguson had already been on the scene in Greenwood well before the August 1899 report. His obituary mentions that he came to the Boundary in 1896. He was involved in local mining, if not directly, then at least through the agency of his business partner. A May 17th edition of the Times[3] notes that:
"Philip S. Standhope who is to have charge of the work at the King Fungus placer mine, will leave England shortly for here. It is the intention of the King Fungus company to do a large amount of work on their property this summer."
By January 1901, Adolphus was gaining reputation as King Fungus not only for his mining ventures, but for his garden expertise, as reported in our original story, Fungus Ferguson's 'Glass House'
In the dead of winter, Fungus was producing hothouse greens that again made the news, in a February 1901 issue of the Greenwood Weekly Times:[4]
"The Times office was invaded by "Fungus" this week, Mounted upon the well known "Spider," he came to the office with a rush and presented the editor with a dangerous looking box. Upon investigation it was found to contain the choicest lettuce direct from the hot house.
The home grown article is so superior to that brought in from the outside that Mr. Ferguson is sure to have ready sale for all he can produce. He states that everything in the hot houses has turned out exceptionally well and that he will soon be able to furnish a large assortment of delicacies."
The home grown article is so superior to that brought in from the outside that Mr. Ferguson is sure to have ready sale for all he can produce. He states that everything in the hot houses has turned out exceptionally well and that he will soon be able to furnish a large assortment of delicacies."
By March of the following year, Fungus had a new partner in his growing business — Mr. Patterson — and the two were well engaged in their greenhouse:[5]
Under the Glass
"A Times' reporter caught the breath of summer and saw the prophecy of good things just ahead while being shown, through the hot houses of Messrs. Ferguson & Patterson, by the genial proprietors, the other day. Lettuce ready for the table, tomatoes in bloom, early potatoes just-a-jumping, cresses and radishes and spinach in profusion are all in evidence and in plenty.
It mattered not that the reporter mistook some luscious looking mushrooms for the vulgar toadstool, his escort maintained his genial smile, and let him take a sniff at the flowering primrose and sweet forget-me-not and stately wall-flower standing about to relieve the sea of gracious green.
This firm find a ready home market for their product and are constantly extending their facilities to gratify the taste for the best things that grow. All that Fungus asks for is seed true to their kind and he'll do the rest.
"A Times' reporter caught the breath of summer and saw the prophecy of good things just ahead while being shown, through the hot houses of Messrs. Ferguson & Patterson, by the genial proprietors, the other day. Lettuce ready for the table, tomatoes in bloom, early potatoes just-a-jumping, cresses and radishes and spinach in profusion are all in evidence and in plenty.
It mattered not that the reporter mistook some luscious looking mushrooms for the vulgar toadstool, his escort maintained his genial smile, and let him take a sniff at the flowering primrose and sweet forget-me-not and stately wall-flower standing about to relieve the sea of gracious green.
This firm find a ready home market for their product and are constantly extending their facilities to gratify the taste for the best things that grow. All that Fungus asks for is seed true to their kind and he'll do the rest.
In an article about Greenwood's 'bright outlook' and the high-grade mineral claims being discovered near the City, we read about a find that helped to grow Fungus Ferguson's interest in the mining industry:[6]
"Immediately below the Providence mine is the market garden of Adolphus Ferguson, more popularly known as Fungus. The genial proprietor of this beautiful piece of earth has succeeded in growing the most tempting products.
His trade in the city increasing so rapidly he found it necessary to break new ground. In doing so the plough ran into rock, which is a poor thing to grow vegetables on, but which was found to be rich in minerals. Mr. Ferguson stripped the rock and found that it was no movable boulder but a continuation of the ledge from the Providence.
He then located his ground as a mineral claim and being a loyal Englishman, he named his claim the Coronation in honor of the auspicious event which will take place this month. The ore is similar to that on the Providence and is no doubt a continuation of the lead on that famous property."
His trade in the city increasing so rapidly he found it necessary to break new ground. In doing so the plough ran into rock, which is a poor thing to grow vegetables on, but which was found to be rich in minerals. Mr. Ferguson stripped the rock and found that it was no movable boulder but a continuation of the ledge from the Providence.
He then located his ground as a mineral claim and being a loyal Englishman, he named his claim the Coronation in honor of the auspicious event which will take place this month. The ore is similar to that on the Providence and is no doubt a continuation of the lead on that famous property."
The coronation referred to was that of Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions. The event took place at Westminster Abbey on August 9th, 1902.
Less than two weeks after that exciting event was another, here in Greenwood. Fortunately, it was also a happy event, as reported by the Times:[7]
A Big Fire
"About 9:30 Wednesday evening a large fire supposed to be at Ferguson's gardens drew a big crowd from the city anxious to assist King Fungus in saving his house and home. Fortunately the fire was found to be in unused log buildings immediately to the rear of Mr. Ferguson's place. The buildings were formerly used by J. Knowles when he ran a dairy here. Mr. Ferguson wishes to thank all those who went out to his place thinking that he was the victim."
"About 9:30 Wednesday evening a large fire supposed to be at Ferguson's gardens drew a big crowd from the city anxious to assist King Fungus in saving his house and home. Fortunately the fire was found to be in unused log buildings immediately to the rear of Mr. Ferguson's place. The buildings were formerly used by J. Knowles when he ran a dairy here. Mr. Ferguson wishes to thank all those who went out to his place thinking that he was the victim."
By the summer of 1903, we find that Fungus Ferguson was feeling the effects of local competition for his garden produce. His challengers, simply referred to as the "Chinamen"[8] , were most likely the Chinese operators of a large market garden operation in Rock Creek known, commonly known as the Chinamen's Garden.
A Cucumber Story
"We found on our desk this morning a monster cucumber of the English variety known as the "Lord Roberts," grown by Ferguson & Patterson, gardeners, Greenwood. It measured 15 inches in length. Fungus says its flavor beats anything in its line in British Columbia.
Fungus justly complains of the lack of support by the Greenwood people generally, who for some reason continue patronizing Chinese farmers and gardeners. The public should remember that all fruits and vegetable handled by Chinamen out of town are picked the evening before, and after a long haul in a hot sun are not to be compared with the produce of the Ferguson gardens which is picked the morning it is placed on the market, and are as clean and fresh as if taken from a private garden. The prices are as low as any and the vegetables are not sent out to market a second time, as is the case with the Chinamen, to be sold for what they will bring.
Fungus states his vast hygienic reputation on the fact that it is the consumption of so many stale greens that enables the corner drug store to dispose of so many bottles of Chamberlain's cholic mixture."
"We found on our desk this morning a monster cucumber of the English variety known as the "Lord Roberts," grown by Ferguson & Patterson, gardeners, Greenwood. It measured 15 inches in length. Fungus says its flavor beats anything in its line in British Columbia.
Fungus justly complains of the lack of support by the Greenwood people generally, who for some reason continue patronizing Chinese farmers and gardeners. The public should remember that all fruits and vegetable handled by Chinamen out of town are picked the evening before, and after a long haul in a hot sun are not to be compared with the produce of the Ferguson gardens which is picked the morning it is placed on the market, and are as clean and fresh as if taken from a private garden. The prices are as low as any and the vegetables are not sent out to market a second time, as is the case with the Chinamen, to be sold for what they will bring.
Fungus states his vast hygienic reputation on the fact that it is the consumption of so many stale greens that enables the corner drug store to dispose of so many bottles of Chamberlain's cholic mixture."
Sadly, the pursuits of Fungus Ferguson in Greenwood lasted no longer than five years, although he covered a great deal of territory in that time. The September 9th, 1904 edition of the Times announced his departure:[9]
Death of Mr. Ferguson
ADOLPHUS FERGUSON DIES AT SACRED HEART HOSPITAL TO-DAY
"At noon today one of the Boundary district's pioneers passed away in the person of Adolphus Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was taken ill at his home a few days ago and was ordered to the hospital by his medical adviser. The immediate cause of death was heart disease.
"Fungus" as he was popularly called was born in Kent, England, about 62 years ago. While still a young man he went to Shanghai, China, and engaged in the silk trade amassing a fortune. He returned to England where he met with financial reverses and afterwards went back to China.
About sixteen years ago he came to this province settling in New Westminster where he engaged in the dairy business. He lost everything in the Fraser river floods of 1894, and came to the Boundary in 1896. He engaged in mining until about three years ago when he started the market garden at the northern end of the city.
Mr. Ferguson was a splendid type of the English gentleman. In appearance he was an exact replica of John Bull and the striking similarity was commented on wherever he went. Generous to a fault and of a particularly sunny disposition he left many friends but no enemies.
Mr. Patterson his partner is making arrangements for the funeral which will take place tomorrow afternoon from Gulley's undertaking parlors at 3:00 p. m."
ADOLPHUS FERGUSON DIES AT SACRED HEART HOSPITAL TO-DAY
"At noon today one of the Boundary district's pioneers passed away in the person of Adolphus Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson was taken ill at his home a few days ago and was ordered to the hospital by his medical adviser. The immediate cause of death was heart disease.
"Fungus" as he was popularly called was born in Kent, England, about 62 years ago. While still a young man he went to Shanghai, China, and engaged in the silk trade amassing a fortune. He returned to England where he met with financial reverses and afterwards went back to China.
About sixteen years ago he came to this province settling in New Westminster where he engaged in the dairy business. He lost everything in the Fraser river floods of 1894, and came to the Boundary in 1896. He engaged in mining until about three years ago when he started the market garden at the northern end of the city.
Mr. Ferguson was a splendid type of the English gentleman. In appearance he was an exact replica of John Bull and the striking similarity was commented on wherever he went. Generous to a fault and of a particularly sunny disposition he left many friends but no enemies.
Mr. Patterson his partner is making arrangements for the funeral which will take place tomorrow afternoon from Gulley's undertaking parlors at 3:00 p. m."
A follow-up report[10] in the social column tells us:
"The funeral of the late Adolphus Ferguson took place Saturday afternoon and was largely attended. Services at the grave were conducted by Rev. W. A. Robins. The pall bearers were Messrs. G. A. Rendell, A. Patterson, A. S. Black, J. McCreath, Phil McDonald and C. Scott Galloway."
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 26, 1899, p. 8
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170220
[2] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 02, 1899, p. 7
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170718
[3] Boundary Creek Times — May 17, 1899, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170525
[4] Greenwood Weekly Times — Feb 21, 1901, p. 4
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0172890
[5] Boundary Creek Times — Mar 21, 1902, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171082
[6] Boundary Creek Times — Jun 13, 1902, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170927
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 22, 1902, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171043
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Aug 28, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171009
[9] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 09, 1904, p. 3
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170720
[10] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 16, 1904, p. 6
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170827
