Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1872
Date
1872
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
No scheduled passenger service forces Peter O'Reilly to remain at Fort Simpson for three more weeks - Peter learns of the murder of two white men in 1862, investigates, has the Indian suspects arrested, trial to be held in Victoria - steamer Otter does not arrive, "I cannot describe my feeling of depression" - attends William Duncan's Indian Church at Metlakatla - arrives at Victoria on January 30th, friends and family welcoming him.
FEBRUARY
Frank O'Reilly receives a new saddle for his sixth birthday - Legislative Assembly sworn in by Judge Matthew Begbie, Lieutenant Governor Joseph Trutch opens session - Peter holds two inquests - mountain ash, horse chestnut, black locust, and maple trees planted at home.
MARCH
Workmen prepare croquet ground and repair house gutters - Peter works in garden - writes report on the Omineca district - Caroline and all three children, Frank, Kathleen, & Mary have sore throats and colds.
APRIL
Peter sells his gold bars to Bank of British Columbia - leaves Victoria for Yale with bad cold and feels "lonely and miserable" - arranges purchase of 250 pack horses and mules for railway survey - the case of two Indians accused of killing a Chinaman goes to trial in Yale - roses and lilac plants brought back to Victoria - reserve maps distributed to Indians.
MAY
Peter holds court at Lytton and Yale - observes Judge Begbie "behaved in his usual excentric manner, & was disagreeably facetious." - holds court at Kamloops and Ashcroft - suffers another bad headache and medicates with salts - returns to Victoria, attends Queen's birthday festivities aboard HMS Scout - attends regatta and dress ball at Government House - Dr Helmcken aids O'Reilly employee Tom who possibly suffers effects of opium - "Tom very violent - & tried to commit suicide by jumping into the sea."
JUNE
Very few entries. June expense accounts show a purchase of land in Penticton for $491 and three lots at Point Ellice for $450.
JULY
Peter and assistant Mashell depart for the Chilcotin country by way of Bute Inlet, meet the railway survey crew, prepare to proceed up the Homathko River - Indian packers refuse to work preventing the group from leaving - Peter warns of the possible failure of his "mission" - a group of 17 finally departs, but are again delayed when a recalcitrant packer strands the party on a river island taking their canoe and provisions - meeting with surveyor Hermann Tiedemann whose questionable knowledge the crew relies on - search for the survey trail which cannot be found - slow progress made through rough and rocky terrain, streams and swamps, trees cut to create bridges - Indian guide and packers needed "regardless of the cost".
AUGUST
Passage through the mountains surrounded by dramatic peaks and glaciers - Peter nearly swept away while crossing a glacial stream - coming out of the mountains the crew encounters Indian settlements, three horses procured - within a week the men and horses arrive at Fort Alexandria, all worn out - Peter investigates disturbances between a white settler threatened with death and the Chilcotin Indians blamed for the killing of a steer - takes statements from the accused and witnesses - return to Victoria - writes report on Chilcotin Indians - issues lease on 500 acres for silver mining - tries to attend funeral of Captain William Irving in Yale but arrives too late.
SEPTEMBER
Prepares for Yale election of Member of Parliament for House of Commons - court business continues at Hope and Langley - expense accounts show payments for 4000 bricks, sinking and bricking a well, and cleaning old well at home - returns to Hope, Lytton, Ashcroft.
OCTOBER
Edgar Dewdney elected MP for Yale - Peter hunts for snipe and ducks near Fort Langley - sends election results to Ottawa - receives payment for election expenses.
NOVEMBER
Repeats court circuit of Yale, Kamloops, Ashcroft, Lytton, and back to Yale - letters from Carry not received for three weeks.
DECEMBER
Peter & Caroline attend consecration of rebuilt Christ Church Cathedral, and witness event that leads to church schism, "Archdeacon Reece preached a sermon advocating Ritualism after which the Dean [Cridge] got up & protested against such doctrines being promulgated in his Church a painful scene insued & a number of ladies left the Church." - Peter deposits $1300 into savings bank for his children - Dr Helmcken examines daughter Mary, "who has been a great sufferer of late & has caused us much uneasiness." - departure of Lena Burgess leaves the O'Reilly's without a servant, "what a nuisance not being able to procure domestics." - Peter witnesses Legislative Assembly opening with throne speech given by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Trutch - Trutch's chosen premier, John McCreight, resigns days after a vote of no confidence - O'Reilly and Trutch families celebrate New Year's Eve together and Kathleen's fifth birthday on December 31st.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1872. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01908, Box 1, File 16, Microfilm Reel A01912, Box 3, File 17, & Microfilm Reel A01913, Box 8, File 5.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century