Working for S. M. Simpson
Iwas looking through some of my collection of old photographs the other day and I came across one which I thought was worth sharing with the history readers of the Courier.
At the end of June 1934, I finished my school year in Kelowna. I then joined my father Tom Morrison at his logging camp in Whiteman’s Creek where he was logging yellow pine for S. M. Simpson.
This camp was located on a bench just above the creek falls. It consisted of an old miner’s log cabin that had been made into a cook house and dining room with a small room at the back for the cook, a lady named Tina Carlson.
The rest of the camp consisted of two tent houses — one large one that housed the crew and a smaller one that I shared with my father and the time keeper. As well, there was a barn for the horses.
What is unique about this photograph is that it contains all of the staff of the S. M. Simpson office at that time, plus some of their families, on a beautiful summer day in late July or early August of 1934.
I can identify all of the people by name except one.
The staff arrived before lunch and stayed on for supper so Tina, the cook, bore the heavy load of the day although everyone tried to help.
My father no doubt had invited them and got a great turn out.
After lunch, the men went off to the bush to look at the timber and the operation. The women must have gone with them.
How the picture came about I don’t remember, but I know that it was taken with my camera and has survived all these years.
From left to right, the people are: Tom Cooper, long-time book keeper and office manager for S. M. Simpson; next is my cousin Una Morrison; then Bill Morrison, an employee; next is Jack Morrison; next is Tom Morrison. The name of the next lady is the one I don’t remember. She was part of the office staff for a short time. Next was Jack Morrison Senior (my uncle) and his wife Norma. Beside them is Tina Carlson, our cook. Next were Charles Stuart, his wife Blanche, and young son James.
The office staff consisted of Tom Cooper, Norma Morrison, the unidentified lady and Charles Stuart who was in charge of forestry. The office at that time was at the north end of the sash and door plant on Abbot Street, across from Kelowna City Park.
Norma Morrison and Charles Stuart remained with the firm until retirement at 65 years old.
The rest of the group went on to other things, except James Stuart. He later became a longtime mayor of Kelowna.
Jack Morrison is a life-long resident of the Okanagan Valley and is a descendant of the pioneer Morrison family. He is a life member of the Okanagan Historical Society. This article is part of a series, submitted by the Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Historical Society. Additional information would be welcome at P.O. Box 22105, Capri P.O., Kelowna, B.C., V1Y 9N9.