Jimmy Simpson, Early Days, Mar. 30, 1952.
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/descriptions9071
- Part Of
- Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds
- Scope & Content
- Reference copy available. Summary available.
- Date Range
- 1952
- Reference Code
- S37 / 18
- Description Level
- 6 / Item
- Part Of
- Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds
- Description Level
- 6 / Item
- Series
- I.D. Peter and Catharine Whyte sound recordings
- Reference Code
- S37 / 18
- Date Range
- 1952
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording
- Scope & Content
- Reference copy available. Summary available.
- Content Details
- Source: Jimmy Simpson Date: March 30, 1952 Interviewed by: Peter and Catharine Whyte Speed: 7 ½ Remarks: Peter telling a few stories “Jimmy Simpson, Early Days, Mar. 30, 1952” Side A: Jimmy Simpson – walked 25 miles to Bow Lake. Peter talks about the trip to Skoki and meeting Earl Spencer building his cabin there. Jimmy Simpson talks about his day trip to Waterfowl and Lake Louise. Peter tells story of Jello eating contest at Lake Louise. Jimmy tells funny story about eating Jello while he was in Spray Lakes area. Jimmy first went down to Red Deer River around 1915-1916. Jimmy had visited Hidden Lakes with the Castles. Douglas Lakes – named after the Castles. Castles – first went into area with Brewsters. Peter tells of their first visit with the Castles in Honolulu. Catharine says he was a good cook. Jimmy tells story of first ascent of Mount Cline with Castle and Rudolph Aemmer as guide. Discussion on glaciers and icefalls. Jimmy predicts that in 50 years, Lake Louise will become a sink hole. Peter says he met Amery when he was with the Brewsters. Jimmy Simpson met Amery when he made his First Ascent of Mount Amery, Edward Whimper – Jimmy Simpson camped with him at Lake O’Hara. Whymper didn’t climb much, but liked to drink. Jimmy has a few stories about Whymper. Side B: Continuation of interview with Jimmy Simpson, Jimmy talk about Joe Smith and Sliver City – Was one of the first places when he first came. Crag and Canyon newspaper. Ike Byers was undertaker and built coffins. National Park Gazette newspaper was published in old park Hotel. Jimmy tells stories about Ike Byers. Cutting trails with Tom Wilson and C.P.R. – went as far as Bow Lake in Fall of 1897. Thought it was a good place to build a cabin and did it but it took 40 years! Indians used to come up the Siffleur and over to the Bow. Hector Crawler’s private hunting ground – area of the Mistaya. 1902 – First time Jimmy Simpson spent Winter there. Jean Haber – ascent of Mount Columbia. Tom Wilson – C.P.R. and discovery of Lake Louise – just publicity. Ernie Breely (sp?) – Peter thought he was jimmy’s brother. Jimmy has also gone on trip with Billy Wolfe, a taxidermist Jimmy remembers snowshoeing all the way in to Tom Wilson’s place at Kootenay Plains for Christmas dinner leaving soon afterwards. Mount Columbia, First Ascent – Jimmy, James Outram, Christian Kauffman. Outram and Collie – Ascent of Mount Forbes. Jimmy was only 19 when he first came to Canada; landed in Halifax, went on to Winnipeg, came as far as Calgary and eventually ended up at Lake Louise in 1896. Bill Peyto came out in 1890 – Jimmy first met him in 1896. Nigel Vavasour and Bill Peyto came into camp at Mystic Lake. Vavasour started cattle farm at Hillsdale. Ross Peacock took two Englishmen, one was parker. The Englishmen had brought out elephant guns. Moose were abundant than before – came in form B.C. Indians – used to scatter, go hunting and then meet at some later point. Nordegg region – Jimmy says he was responsible for it being there. Martin Cohen changed his name to Martin Nordegg. Jimmy made a special trip for Nordegg to get the men back for another job.
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