28
He had a plough, or a little farm, you know? And his wife and groceries. And he'd grow potatoes and cabbages and you name it. And then he'd sell it around. Sell it to some of the stores out here. That's before the government took over all the control of everything. A guy could go and earn a living and make a dollar for himself. But, yeah, he'd he'd a little farm and he was the one my dog, they got in their chicken coop. Killed his chickens.so, he killed your dog.
No he come…He chased through the, through the, the grain field looking with his shot gun. And his wife's running behind him on a Sunday morning with her pants, his pants saying "Ernie put your pants on". He had long johns for the night (laughs)… gown. And we were up sleeping up stairs and we heard bang, bang, bang. And I said to my wife, "Go and see who's that banging this time". So she opened the door and there's the guy hollering and screaming-my dog had killed his chickens.
wow.
So, I had to buy him some more chickens. And at the time, you know, he had them for laying hens. And at the time, (inaudible) the time was over. And I got a hundred chickens, but they were no good for his livelihood. But, he forgave me anyway. And I'd done my best to replace them anyway.
29
Prairie Lily2004
Living Prairie Museum, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
30
Crocuses-Crocuses all the time. Well, in the spring time (coughs). Tiger lilies. Shirley'll tell you more about that.Yeah, I used to have a lot of allergies as a, as a child and, but I still loved my flowers. I used to go and pick flowers with the crocuses and the tiger lilies and the brown-eyed Susan's and the daisies. And, of course I'd bring them home to my mother who'd (laughs) be upset because, I'd have my nose in the flowers and I'd be sick, so. But I sure loved all the flowers. They're not out there now, but when I was a kid there was lots and lots. Probably picked them all I guess.
There's still a number of flowers, we don't see…
Ah, there's lots you know, that, the flowers there, but you know when you're walking you see them, so you don't pay no attention. It's just like you walking down your street. The only time you look at a house's if it really stands out. Otherwise they're just houses. And to us, all those flowers were there, it's just ah, that was it.
31
Jack and Mabel relaxing on a Sunday afternoon.1955
547 Lakeview Road, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
32
Mabel and Jack Watson relaxing on a Sunday afternoon in their yard.Circa 1960.
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Shirley Watson, with her mom, Mabel, on her way to the first day of school.1961
547 Lakeview Road, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
34
Well, what we did was, um, we'd have to walk from our homestead - ah you call it a homestead, it was just our home - from across the prairie, a diagonal south east to the corner of Harcourt and Ness and then from Harcourt and Ness down Ness to either Thompson or down Harcourt to Bruce and Thompson, now where Bannatyne school is. It was quite a walk; it was about a 45 minute walk. And, you know, being little kids you dawdled a lot. So, I can remember being scared and about the third day of school, I stopped walking and I burst into tears and said I didn't want to go to school anymore. But they managed to get me there, and I managed to get through to Grade 12, so I guess I kept going. And um, I have some pictures here of going to school, so you can have a look at those. And all the kids, we all went together, we all stayed together, played together, and I can remember it as being very idyllic.Good big brothers.
Well, sometimes, sometimes. They had their moments, but I know my oldest brother always looked after for me.
35
Bob and Bill pulling their younger sister, Shirley, on a sleigh.1959
547 Lakeview Road, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
36
Watson kids in the winter time, with the driveway to 547 Lakeview St. in the background.Circa 1962.
37
The Watson children by their truck.1960
547 Lakeview Road, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
38
(On why the Watson's left)No sewer or water.
My mom got tired of hauling water (laughing) and the outhouse can.
We were the only people in St. James that had no sewer or water (laughing).
He's exaggerating.
Well, that's… that's what she said anyway.
It must have been close.
39
Father and daughter back home again1 November 2004
Homestead area, Living Prairie Museum, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Father (Jack Watson) and daughter (Shirley Nicholson) revisit their former property, which is present day Homestead area of Living Prairie Museum.November 5, 2004.
41
The Watsons and Ducharmes at the Prairie Reunion20 August 2006
2795 Ness Ave, Living Prairie Museum, St. James, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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