Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 20

The History of Fort Langley, 1827-96

by Mary K. Cullen

Appendix C. Memories of Fort Langley
by Jason O. Allard.¹

Christmas at Fort Langley

I remember well the stories told me in my boyhood days of the celebrations that had taken place every Christmas and New Year at Fort Langley in the early forties and fifties when Fort Langley was then an important post and depot for the interior trading forts and posts of the company.

The officer in charge of the new fort, built after the first had been burned down, and known as the old McMillan Fort (Derby) was James Murray Yale, chief trader. He had under his command French-Canadians, Scotch, Iroquois from Eastern Canada, Sandwich Islanders and the Indians.

All of the employees of the company had quarters inside the fort with the exception of the Indians. The employed were farmers, carpenters, coopers, blacksmiths, boatbuilders, hunters, trappers and boatmen. All work started at 6 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. rain or shine, and as a matter of fact, all were kept at work the year round with a half holiday on Saturdays, which really meant scrubbing quarters. In those days one can hardly realize the amount of work which was performed by these men from year to year and at such small wages, [£]30 to [£]50 per year — without a strike ever being heard of!

Generous Ration of Rum

On ration day (Saturday) at noon the workmen were given a gill of pure rum (gratis). They also were allowed to purchase a pint apiece for the Saturday night spree.

There were bootleggers even in those days amongst the men. Those who did not drink did a flourishing business on Sundays for the sick ones purchased what rum had been saved by the non-drinkers. Fancy shirts, silk handkerchiefs and tobacco were given for the much-needed "smile".

It was the custom in those days to encourage marriages between the employees of the company and native women. Some were married according to the Indian custom, but afterwards, on the arrival of the priests, were remarried. Father Demers, afterwards Bishop of Vancouver Island and B.C. was one of the pioneer missionaries of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Mr. Yale was very particular about getting the men married into good families amongst the Indians for the protection of the fort.

All work ceased on Christmas Eve. The men were treated to a gill of rum and were then allowed to make purchases for themselves and wives. On Christmas morning all the employees of the fort, dressed in their very best, marched in a body up to Mr. Yale's quarters — it was called the big hall. Mr. Yale usually received them kindly and held a sort of smoker for a couple of hours in which the decanter was passed around freely. When at last they were feeling pretty happy they were told to go to the ration shop, where they were issued ducks, geese, beef, venison, peas and tallow, Sandwich Island molasses and a small allowance of tea were added to the bill of fare. Day and night, the dancing was kept up and there were no fancy dances in those days, the more noise the merrier.

Women Fight in Real Earnest.

In the afternoon of Christmas Day the men's wives were invited to the big hall where they were given two or three "shots" of wine after which their baskets (they were told to bring them) were filled with cookies, cranberries and blueberry jam and ships biscuits. As soon as the women got outside, the fun started as the wine had put the fighting spirit into them.

The women who were married to white men were related to the chiefs and the line was drawn between them and the wives of the Kanakas. The Kanaka women were accused of passing remarks about their white sisters and then from one imaginery insult or slight the fight was on. There was no prancing and sparring. It was run and grab for the hair of the head. A regular tug-of-war ensued. Finally they were separated by their husbands and all was peace and quietness.

It was one continual enjoyment during the week and on New Year's Day there was a repetition of the Christmas treat — without the fights. In the afternoon the Indian chiefs were invited and a smoker was held out in the open and the usual "wee dram" was given to them, after which they were given a whole beef to feast their tribe, together with peas, tallow and molasses.

Christmas at Colville, Wash.

In the late 'sixties when I was a clerk in the Hudson's Bay Company's service at Fort Sheperd, B.C., I was invited by Chief Trader Angus McDonald, the Hudson's Bay officer in charge of Fort Colville, Wash., to spend my Christmas and New Year at the fort, and gladly accepted the invitation.

On Christmas Eve there was a dance given to the employees of the company and friends nearby. The big events, however, always took place on Christmas and New Year's Day. Almost the entire settlement of the valley came to pay their respects to Mr. McDonald and accept his hospitality for the occasion. Amongst the guests were farmers and their wives, officers of the U.S. garrison and a few Indian chiefs.

Mr. McDonald's mode of entertaining his guests was probably different to what a great many had been used to, for the hall or mess room was cleared of the furniture and the floor was covered with buffalo robes in the absence of carpet. Every guest had to squat on the floor, tailor fashion, and everyone was happy and contented and pronounced it a grand picnic. Refreshments for the thirsty were served at the office and were of the very best quality.

Present at Katzie Potlatch.

At this late hour of my life I often think of the three Christmas holidays I spent at good old Fort Colville. Those were happy days, but it is sad to think of all those comrades who have passed away.

I was present at a potlatch on a small scale at Katzie, near Hammond, about fifty years ago. It was on a Christmas Eve. There were quite a few Indians present and the gifts consisted principally of food and in return for the food blankets were given.

On these occasions there is considerable speech-making on both sides. I was greatly amused at an old Indian subchief's speech — "She Ya Kan" by name. He started off as follows:

"Beloved friends and visitors, I am greatly pleased to see you here gathered together. It reminds me of the good old times we used to have before the priests came amongst us and stopped all our fun. What harm was there in our innocent dances? Let me tell you — perhaps at this moment the white men are having their dances, which the priest do not stop."