Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1866
Date
1866
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Peter O'Reilly meets with government officials and friends in Victoria - opening of the legislative session with official dinner in New Westminster - tennis at Government House.
FEBRUARY
Birth of first child Francis Joseph O'Reilly on February 9th in New Westminster.
MARCH
Funds received to purchase leg irons, handcuffs, and safe for Columbia district - Peter 's district plans opposed by Nonus Birch and Matthew Ball - wife "Carry" (Caroline) attends church for first time since giving birth.
APRIL
Christening of Francis O'Reilly at Sapperton (New Westminster) church by Rev Percival Jenns- Peter departs for Big Bend to deal with gold rush - three weeks of travel to Big Bend on poor roads - tent camp established.
MAY
Peter rents 10 ft x 12 ft cabin to issue mining licences and hold court - after initial flurry of activity, issuance of licenses subsides as miners leave for other areas - seventeen men perish at Death Rapids on Columbia River - no attempt to celebrate the Queen's birthday by miners.
JUNE
"Head still most painful. .. could not even write my usual letter to Carry." - sudden death of Constable Gompertz - beef cattle driven to supply mining camps - a mining company brings in $1500 in one week - heavy rain causes significant flooding and damage to mine operations.
JULY
Departure from Big Bend to return to Wild Horse Creek - unavailability of Steamer Forty-Nine causes change in travel plans - Walter Moberly persuades Peter to take Columbia route to Fort Shepherd- Dewdney's trail followed eastward to Wild Horse Creek.
AUGUST
Peter oversees magistrate John Gaggin at Wild Horse Creek - decides to depart after two weeks - retraces route to Fort Shepherd, then southward to Fort Colvile to avoid fire on Dewdney's trail - arrival at Sooyoos (Osoyoos) Lake.
SEPTEMBER
Peter visits Tom Ellis at Penticton ranch before proceeding northward via Fort Kamloops, Thompson River, and Shuswap Lake to the Big Bend - poor reports on Big Bend mining - Peter organizes an election and works on court cases at Big Bend.
OCTOBER
Legislative Council election held - remaining court cases held over until June 1867 - winter sets in and Peter departs for New Westminster - heavy rain and deep snow slow the journey.
NOVEMBER
Arrival at New Westminster in two weeks - meetings with Governor Seymour - hunting with friends at Pitt Meadows.
DECEMBER
Peter and Carry depart for Victoria in a storm and are forced to lay over at Saltspring Island - ball held at Government House.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1866. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01907, Box 1, File 10.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, 19th century, history