MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
My father, Mr. Edmund Colter Baines, was born in
Dad was the oldest and longest living grain buyer in the
I remember my father telling me how he had once been
I worked with my father as an apprentice for a few years,
Coalhurst was a small town but the people were always
I think the people of Coalhurst and those in the
Preston, Ontario, 1872. He was called Ed, and after
called Grandpa Ed, for children loved him, and he
loved children. He married Florence Mary MeCartin
in 1909. They had six children: Mary Florence, born in
1911, died 1981; Edward, known as Teddy, born in 1912,
died in 1943; Albert, born in 1914, died in 1915; Gordon,
born in 1918, died in 1951.and a son and daughter born
in 1915.
Province of Alberta. Dad started at Coalhurst in 1928.
He was there until about 1947 or 1948. 1 can recall
so clearly those early years of the farmers bringing their
wheat to the elevators in a large wagon drawn by four
large work horses. I can see still the wheat pouring
into pits - it was always interesting. How progress has
improved methods.
caught and pulled by the belt, up to the box where the
wheat was poured. Here he waited for the freight train
so he could be released when the box cars were loaded.
The most unreal and terrible event was the explosion at
the mine. I had been to town and didn't get back to the
elevator until about 4 or 4:30 p.m. Dad, of course, was
upset with me, but when I told him what had happened
he went right away over to see if he could help. It was
indeed a sad, sad accident. But the people showed and
proved their understanding and caring for each other.
at that time there were three elevators there - The Alberta
Pacific, The Alberta Pool and Ellison (where Dad was). He
was a good buyer and knew his wheat. We had to
commute from Lethbridge to Coalhurst every week.
kind and willing to share with each other. It was a lovely
little place, but not trouble-making. I think it has grown
and is indeed a good place to be.
surrounding county can be proud of themselves.
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