Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1896
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-06T14:55:22Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-06T14:55:22Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1896 | |
| dc.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. | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22255 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Peter O'Reilly | |
| dc.subject | British Columbia | |
| dc.subject | Victoria (B.C.) | |
| dc.subject | Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.) | |
| dc.subject | civil service | |
| dc.subject | history | |
| dc.subject | 19th century | |
| dc.title | Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1896 | |
| dc.type | Other |