Ernest Long - Born December 6, 1899 - Finley,
North Dakota.

Moved to Spokane Washington when he was a
small boy. H.A. Long (Hort), Ernest's father, had
the first Ford dealership in Spokane. In 1918,
Hort decided his boys should become farmers,
so he moved his family up to Canada and settled
in the Cardston area. He then moved to a farm
in Spring Coulee, which is now owned by Ruth
(Long)Jenson. The original farm buildings were
located on the bank of the St. Marys River, in the
park area at the bottom of the St. Marys Dam. A
few trees still remain. The farm was purchased
from Congressman Nelson (often called Senator
Nelson), who was Mrs. Paul Boettcher's uncle.

When Ernest and Annabell got married, Hort
purchased a farm near Woolford, where he lived
until he retired and moved to Cardston. Ken started
to farm the home place.

Ernest and Annabell first bought a farm across from
Steels Crossing with the help of his dad. Hort
signed up for irrigation and then sold the farm.
Hort purchased another farm known as "Old Sandy",
near Raley, and moved the newlyweds there. Here
they suffered for 12 long years, barely scraping
through. Ernest and his brother Roy would hunt
coyotes with their hounds to make extra money
to subsidize the farm income.

Ernest got up enough courage in 1938 and bought
the present farm. At the time Ernest could not see
his way clear to purchase the whole Smith and Over
farm, so he asked Jack McKenzie if he would buy half,
which was agreed upon. They lived there until he
retired in 1956, when they moved to Lethbridge.
He continued to farm a small portion of the farm
until he was 65.

Ernest was an active member of the Spring Coulee
United Church, serving as an Elder, Secretary
Treasurer, leader of the adult bible study group,
and sang in the choir for many years. At special times,
such as Christmas and Easter, the three congregations
of Magrath, Spring Coulee and Raymond would put
together cantatas, he would always participate. He
was also a member of the Sunday Night Club. His
brother Ken and he would sing for many special
occasions and were requested to sing at most
funerals.

He played baseball and basketball in his younger years
for Cardston. He played short stop for the Coulee team
until he felt the younger men could do a better job. He
became catcher when he was approximately 48 years
old and caught until he was approximately 52. He
umped for another couple of years. He was Secretary
Treasurer for the R.E.A. from approximately 1950 to
1980. He was a Mason from 1955 until his passing. At
the age of 60, he suffered a serious heart attack, which
forced him to slow down and re-adjust his life style. He
lived to the ripe old age of 90.

Annabell Long - Nee McKenzie - born May 1 1906 -
Badeck, Nova Scotia.

Her parents moved to Diamond City in 1910. Her dad,
Duncan, heard of the rich gold strike in B.C.. He went
to seek his fortune with several other men. Some
time later word was received that he had passed away.
Left to mourn him was his wife Sadie, and two children
- Annabell and Grant. Sadie cooked for the miners to
provide the basics for her family.

She married Charlie Wilson, a machine operator in the
mines. Two children were born in this union, Violet
and Mildred. Mildred died when she was 6 from
Typhoid fever. During the next few years the family
moved many times, to Commerce, Coalhurst,
Drumheller, one summer to Vancouver and one
summer to Naramatta. The family split in 1923.

Annabell was living at Reg and Rose Berth's in
Lethbridge going to grade 10. Annabell told her
mother she would help the family as much as she
could. She went to the unemployment office and
got a job working for Mr. & Mrs. George Ross at the
Ross ranch at Milk River.

Sadie went to work for Mr. Thies - Woody Anderson's
uncle. Mrs Christine Thompson - nee McKenzie - related
to Sadie and Johnny Thompson (somehow), owned the
hotel in Spring Coulee. At this time the Coulee was the
end of the railroad. The hotel was a very busy place.
Besides keeping rooms, making meals, they also sold
pop, candy and ice cream. Christine rented the hotel
to Sadie. Sadie brought her children to live with her in
the hotel. Annabell helped her full time while Vi and
Grant continued to go to school. From here Sadie
moved to Calgary, and then to Vancouver where she
resided until she passed away in 1950. Vi became a
teacher, married Harry Evans and had 2 children.
She passed away in 1976. Grant moved to Vancouver,
married and passed away in 1972 leaving no children.

Sadie had a small shed at the back of the property
from which she sold pop and chocolate bars to the
baseball players and fans whenever there was a game.
This is where Annabell met Ernest, while she was
looking after business for her mother. They were
married March 27 1926.

They bought the farm at Steel's Crossing with the
help of Hort Long. A son was born here. Times were
tough, the only money they had was what she
earned on the cookcar. In spring they were moved
to Old Sandy. Years later the decision was made
to buy another farm. This was a big step in their
lives. In 1938 (tail end of the depression) brought
bright and new beginnings. The purchase of a farm,
a new car, and a new baby daughter. It was really
a miracle for those days.

Annabell participated in the Ladies Aid and the
Women's Institute. She taught Sunday School.

During World War Two, she knitted sweaters and
socks for the soldiers. In 1955, when Dr. Scott came
to the Coulee, as minister of the United Church, he
taught the interested ladies how to weave. She
became an avid weaver and continued after she
moved to Lethbridge. She is an accomplished handy
-crafter, and even now she still crochets. At present
time she is a member of the Spring Coulee Birthday
Club.

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