MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
The company had an extensive dairy operation and a large
barn was built in 1917. (this barn was later declared a historic
site, but unfortunately the building burned down a few years
ago). The farm suffered a tragic fire about 1920 when the
main house was burned as well as the stable and over 30
head of horses. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Boulton lived and worked
on the farm. When the company got into financial difficulties,
Mr. Boulton received some dairy cows which were the basis for
the Boulton Dairy in the McLean District. Bankruptcy was
declared in 1919, and an auction was held to dispose of the
company assets in 1920. The land was sold to the Hutterites.
The Hutterites were to rent the land for five years, with an
option to buy it. Darius Walter was "an excited eleven year old"
when he arrived with his father Darius Walter, Sr. and his
brothers with their wives. He became the manager of the
operation in 1945 when his brothers moved away. He and his
sister Rachel, are the only ones still on "The Felger Farm" who
came with that first group.
The following story was carried in a local paper in 1924.
A bit of the old world was dropped down at the C.P.R. station
this morning. Ruddy, buxom women in plain dark dresses,
aprons and kerchief-covered heads; lively '!flappers" in togs
which one might see in rural Holland, Germany or some other
European country; and round-eyed babies, rosy as apples and
cunning in their picturesque gray frocks and tiny aprons. They
were all there, a bent grandmother of 75 years and a wee infant
recovering from a cold.
They were all there and they were all talking -- talking in a mixture
of German and English about their new Alberta homes.
The party comprised 30 women and children, the vanguard of a
new colony of Hutterites. They were travelling in a Soo Line
tourist car. The menfolk will be along in a few days with the
livestock and equipment, for they picked up bag and baggage
to settle on their newly-acquired grain-farm in Alberta.
They were met here by members of the Wilson Siding colony,
the reception being most hearty. The older women of the party
were acquainted with the men from Wilson. The grandmother
of the colony was visibly moved as she recognized members of
the brotherhood. When they came to her, kisses of greeting
and respect were implanted on the furrowed cheeks of the old
lady, and tears came to her eyes.
"This looks good to me; I'm crazy about Canada already," cried
the "vamp" of the party, a pretty little maid of some 18 summers.
The reporter had to pinch himself to see if it was a real experience.
Yes, it was real. She was a genuine "flapper" in spite of her
simple homespun, and she could use slang fluently! It was evident
the communal life of the brotherhood is not protected against
the contamination of Americanism. This little lady with the
laughing eyes and ready tongue was the proof.
"We are bringing everything, horses, cows, chickens, geese,
pigs, machinery. We think we'll like Alberta. We have heard
many wonderful stories about the country, the great crops you
raise here, and we want to share in the prosperity of the country.
We think we'll like it much better than South Dakota. Our other
colonies are satisfied here. Of course, it will mean lots of work, "
but we are used to work, you know, said a woman who appeared
to be the leader of the party.
Miscellaneous Histories