Homelessness is not new
Homelessness.
Local residents, civic officials, social agencies, businesses, and other interested and caring parties and societies continue to wrestle with this all-too-familiar problem.
Homelessness is not a new issue, limited to 21st century Kelowna; it has deep roots in our community, a reminder that not everyone enjoys Kelowna’s “good life.”
The Thursday, Oct. 28, 1915, edition (page one) of “The Record” informed its Kelowna readers of the realities of 20th century homelessness:
Supposed Wild Man Taken in Charge by Police
Early this week a report was received at the local police office that a “wild man” had been seen roaming through the bush near the mouth of Mission Creek. Some more alarming yarns were being handed around town as to the condition of the man.
Chief Thomas in the absence of the provincial police went out at once to investigate. He found, camped amongst the trees a figure which certainly looked like a wild man. His hair was grown down over his shoulders and a heavy beard covered his face. His clothing consisted of a pair of tattered trousers, which would scarcely hang together and an equally ragged shirt. For shelter he had a piece of canvas stretched across the bushes.
A fire was burning close by on which were boiling in an old can a few potatoes.
The man, who gave his name as Duncan Morgan, was perfectly rational, however. According to his story, he had been there about two weeks. He said that owing to lack of work he had got “up against it” and finally his clothes had got so bad he was too ashamed to seek work, as no one would give him a job. Lately, he said he had been living on potatoes and onions.
He was 23 years old, he said, and had come from Monashee, where he had been prospecting.
It was apparent that from whatever reasons the man was in a bad way, and he was accordingly brought into Kelowna. His
appearance was greatly improved by a visit to the barber where he indulged in the luxury of a good bath and his superfluous locks were trimmed. He was also fitted out through the kindness of a local gentleman with a suit of clothes. On Wednesday (Oct. 27) he was brought up before the magistrate and charged with vagrancy. Upon instructions from the provincial police at Vernon he was remanded until Saturday (Oct. 30) in order that enquiries could be made in the neighbourhood of Monashee.
This story has three parts:
• Report of a “wild man” roaming through the bush at the mouth of Mission Creek.
• Police Chief Thomas investigating this report and ascertaining that Duncan Morgan was not a “wild man.”
• Chief Thomas accompanied Duncan Morgan into Kelowna, where he was remanded in custody, charged with vagrancy: homeless without employment.
Parts of the story not included in the article interest me. Who was Duncan Morgan and what happened to him?
Using tried-and-true genealogical sources, I pieced together details of Duncan Morgan’s life.
Duncan Morgan, an apparently healthy young man, was unemployed and homeless in October 1915, living under “a piece of canvas stretched across the bushes,” his prospects limited.
What could he do to improve his dismal situation? Duncan Morgan “signed up” and joined thousands of other young Canadian men and women who shipped off to the battlefields of the First World War. Canadian First World War Attestation Papers – an excellent online site – show that Duncan Morgan enlisted with the Canadian forces at Vernon on July 30, 1916. These records, running to an impressive 89 pages, provide biographical information: born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Dec. 24, 1891, son of John Morgan. Duncan’s mother’s name was not included in these records. On July 30, 1916, Duncan Morgan was living at Vernon, unmarried, working as a bookkeeper, having previously served with the 30th British Columbia Horse regiment. One of the records in his 89-page file, lists Duncan Morgan as living at Kelowna, putting to rest any doubts that I might not be checking into “wild man” Duncan Morgan.
Private Duncan Morgan served with the Canadian forces until the end of the war (1918). He was honourably discharged and returned to Canada, having been presented with the service medal in recognition of his service for “King and Country.”
The 1921 Canada Census (British Columbia; Skeena District; Ocean Falls Sub-district; page 3) lists 29-year-old Duncan Morgan living at Labourchere Channel, Ocean Falls. His place of birth was Nova Scotia, and both of his parents were also born in that province. Unmarried, Duncan Morgan was working as a logger, sharing accommodation with other loggers.
The trail goes cold until 1949. Duncan Morgan’s British Columbia Death Registration records that he died on board a fishing boat in Wallace Bay, Cousins Inlet on Feb. 6, 1949.
The informant of Morgan’s death knew little about him, reporting that the deceased was single and worked as a “Fisherman and Trapper.” Morgan’s date and place of birth were incorrectly listed as “1894” and “Ontario.”
The cause of Duncan Morgan’s death was “Brain Injury... fractured skull, gunshot.” Duncan Morgan committed suicide. He was buried in Ocean Falls Cemetery.
There is much more to know about Kelowna’s “wild man.” A careful reading of his First World War Attestation Papers might shed more light on his life, perhaps answering some of the questions which haunt us as we look back on his life and the brief time that he spent in Kelowna.
In the meantime, we can take some solace, knowing that Duncan Morgan was well-treated when brought into Kelowna and given a much-needed haircut and a warm bath. An unidentified “local gentleman” fitted him out with a suit of clothing... a simple act of genuine human kindness.