Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1896
Date
1896
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Frank and Jack O’Reilly work on local elections – a Christmas tree is decorated – Carry and Peter O’Reilly both have colds – ice skating at Colwood – Kit O’Reilly plays golf and Jack goes hunting.
FEBRUARY
The O’Reilly siblings continue their pastimes of golfing and hunting – dividends from the Victoria Gas, but not Albion Iron Works – Peter’s “leg not so well – constant dull pain”, Carry wheels him about in a chair – a prospect of work in a West Kootenay mining area for Frank.
MARCH
Carry and Kit O’Reilly attend Maternity Home meetings – Kit and Frank play in the Pooley golf tournament – Peter meets with lawyer Aikman regarding his mortgages to others – Frank purchases a theodolite for surveying - planting of grasses at the Fairfield orchard.
APRIL
Albion Iron Works “more encouraging” – Kit practices “bycicle riding” – wedding of Nelly Ward and William Oliver, Kit is a bridesmaid – “most disagreeable” blowing dust frequently found on Victoria streets – Frank departs for survey work in the West Kootenay.
MAY
Captain Frank Garforth departs in HMS Pheasant after spending much time with the O’Reillys over the years – Peter attends meetings of the Albion Iron Works and B C Corporation – Albert Janes leaves employment “without the slightest warning – a poorly maintained and overloaded Point Ellice bridge collapses killing 55 people.
JUNE
Peter and Carry listen to a concert by the band of the HMS Royal Arthur, witness the departure of the ship from Esquimalt – Ashdown Green and Edward Mohun in disagreement about reserve boundaries at New Westminster - Frank O’Reilly returns from the Kootenay briefly, then returns – Peter continues to supervise Harding’s caretaking at Fairfield.
JULY
Carry and Kit help organize the Royal Jubilee Hospital Bazaar – summer weather very hot, forest fire smoke in Victoria for days – Christ Church Dean Beanlands accuses the trustees, including Peter O’Reilly, of misusing trustee funds – Albion Iron Works directors offer to purchase Victoria Iron Works – Joseph Trutch returns from England.
AUGUST
Peter sees Joseph Trutch and Robert Jackson most days – Carry, Kit & Peter dined on board the HMS Imperieuse – smoke again blankets Victoria – Louisa D. Ellis visits for ten days – Carry sprains her ankle – Jack goes hunting at Goldstream.
SEPTEMBER
Thick smoke continues – Joseph Trutch departs for Nelson, BC and England – Indian Reserve Commission departs for the Naas River, their steamer delivers freight and passengers along the way – stormy weather makes for a slow and uncomfortable journey – one reserve laid out near Greenville.
OCTOBER
The IRS returns to Victoria – Peter inspects the newly acquired Victoria Iron Works – Kathleen “Kit” O’Reilly and friends leave for England with Sir Richard and Lady Musgrave – Jack goes hunting on Prevost Island.
NOVEMBER
Carry and Peter suffer with colds and sickness - English mail delayed due to railway blockage, no news of daughter Kit in England – Minister of Public Works Joseph-Israël Tarte inspects the Point Ellice bridge - Carry and Maude Cornwall arrive for a visit – a cold winter freezes water pipes at Point Ellice.
DECEMBER
Frost damaged carrot and mangold crop harvested, ash trees pruned – holly cut and sent to friends – Frank O’Reilly returns from West Kootenay for a visit – at year end letters received from Kit and Joseph Trutch in England.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1896. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01911, Box 3, File 6.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century