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A few settlers arrived before the railway.1889
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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1833 -1915 JAMES MURRAY "English Sheppard, a groundskeeper and rabbit catcher. Born 7 Jun at Coldburn farm near Kirknewton (Close to the Scottish border)Immigrated to Canada with most of his family at age 55 in 1885. The family followed the earlier emigration of his oldest son and daughter in law George and Cristine.
1889-MURRAY'S MOVE TO MURRAY VALLEY-10 miles northwest of OLDS, NWT
This move was after being droughted out west of Calgary.
[The following stories on James and Mary Jane Murray and their family were taken from local history books.]
See Olds First (1) "Mr. Murray and sons Robert and Archie, started up the Edmonton Trail with a cow, four horses, a wagon, a bed and a stove. They came about sixty miles north, then took the Rocky Mountain House Trail to ten miles northwest of where Olds now stands, to a valley with lots of feed and water. Later named Murray Valley. Here they settled [squatted until land was surveyed in 1892] by a nice spring, building a sod shack and became the first settlers of this vicinity in the summer of 1889. Next trip to Calgary brought Mrs. Murray to the new home and the other three sons and two daughters came soon after.
p.204 - The sod house was extremely cold in winter and in summer when it rained
outside, it rained inside and dripped inside for days after, while the sun shone outside. The only dry place was under the table.
Provisions had to be kept in beds in winter to prevent freezing. They woke up one morning and the cow was in the shack with her head in the flour barrel. [They took the bread dough to bed with them to keep it from freezing and used an umbrella over the bed when it rained*].
p 205 - Until the railway reached Olds in 1890 and stores were opened, Calgary was the nearest place to get provisions and mail. The trip was made by team and wagon, spending the night at Sam Scarletts stopping house southeast of Carstairs or at the Buttes northeast of Balzac."
*Authors Note
Copyright Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell
Source Volume 1 Murray Descendants, From Northumberland to Murray Valley, Alberta
by Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell Calgary AB 2002
3
James Murray in the 'Rabbit Years'.9 September 1891
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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*** "Lone Pine" by John Inglis - p195 "...John Murray Sr. (James Murray's son) was accredited with planning the first rabbit trap, but his idea was soon infringed upon by many others. This trap was but a crude pen about twelve feet square built of poles three to four feet high. A gangway or approach was made on a gradual slope or ramp from the ground to the top of the wall. There were four of these approaches, on each side of the pen, extended for the rabbits convenience towards a bunch of green hay either tied to a fixed post in the center of the pen or hung from an obliging limb of a poplar tree as a lure. There was a spring board at the end of the different approaches and quite near the lure. By the time the rabbit thought he was close enough for a nibble of that nice green hay down would go the spring-board, off would slide Mr. or Mrs. Rabbit, and as soon as the board was relieved of their weight up the board would go again ready for the next fluffy sucker, and thus the catch continued night and day until their number became so decimated by the catch that it didn't pay the trapper so destroying his traps he quit catching commercially..."In 1897 a new log house was built on the new homestead. --- The cattle numbered about 200 and horses about 60 at the time of Mr. Murray's death in Feb., 1915."
It could be observed easily that the Murray's had been reared staunch Methodists and James Sr. often led their religious services giving his own house on these occasions for the house of worship. Eventually the Murray Valley became solely a farming proposition and was officially named `Murray Valley' by surveying geographers as a tribute to a family held in high esteem by neighbors and friends everywhere".
* See Olds First -p 207 - "It would not be proper to fail to comment on Mr. Murray's activities in the community when settlement became sufficient to warrant such a move. Anything that was for the good of the district had his support. He was perhaps the chief sponsor for a school and Berrydale school district 409 was
established in 1896, the first board being W.H.Greenwood, chairman; Jas. Murray, Geo. Whitelock, and Matt Phillips, trustees; William Peck, Sec. Treas. [It was a log building and was constructed at a cost of $147.45. John Inglis named it Berrydale because of the many berries in the district].
The school was built and in operation in 1897 and besides serving as school was also the district church and community center. Mr. Murray, who had been a lay preacher in the old country, along with Mr. Morphy took the services until the arrival of the Rev. Thos. Powell in Olds. He was a man who preached his religion with vehemence and his gestures and actions on the platform of Berrydale filled many a child with awe and wonder and sometimes with a little amusement. If his sermons were forceful he was equally as emphatic in living up to the standards he set for others."
In 1899 the first assessment of Berrydale School was as follows: James Murray, Methodist, male, age 67 rancher, SW32, 33,2,W5 - 160 acres value $300. Horses $165, Cattle $994, implements $157. (Pigs sold for $4 each) Beef 1890 sold for 4 cents per pound. A total personal property of $1,360 compared to
$500 for 160 acres of land.
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Mary Jane came to the 6th Siding after James, Robert, and Arch set up their 'soddie' house.9 September 1891
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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Abt.1856 James married MARY JANE (LOCKIE) b 18 Oct. 1833 at Ancroft.1858 James & Mary Jane's 1st son George was born at Kyloe.
1862 James & Mary Jane's 2nd son John was born 14 July at Belford.
1867 - Agnes Murray born 07 Sep 1867 (also remaining 3 children born while living at Hazelrigg).
[The following stories on Mary Jane Murray and their family were taken from local history books.]
MARY JANE (LOCKIE) MURRAY b1833-1908 (74)
See Olds First - p 205 "A salute is due to all women of the early settlement for they bore the brunt of the hardships and trials of those pioneer days. Of course the first lady of the district, the one that came by wagon with her husband in 1889 was Grannie Murray, a quiet person, rather a stay at home who enjoyed company in her own home more than visiting. Two events she never missed were a country picnic or the Christmas tree entertainment at the school. If she missed some of the district's social life she had her own quiet pleasure at home, and we refer to her stubby clay pipe and her plug baccy which she whittled with the kitchen butcher knife. [She was shattered by her oldest son George's untimely death at age 38 in 1896.
P 206 - Another story emphasizing good old Scotch thrift is told of Mrs. Murray. A new settler to the district went to her place to buy a few hens. She took him out to the flock and he picked out a dozen at the arranged price of 25 cents each. Seeing several nice male birds the newcomer decided he should have one also and picked out one that he liked. He was told the price would be 35 cents to which he objected but the old lady
with dignity stood her ground drawing the purchaser's attention to the fact that it was a very proud bird and to look at the sheen of its feather and the way it could strut and "Ken ye he does his work well". Needless to say she got the extra dime."
On Jan. 14, 1908, age 75, MARY JANE died. (Her son George's wife Chris died Feb. 21, 1908). James then lived with Robert & Bertha, after Robert's death in 1912, James told his son Arch he would leave everything to him, and if he married Robert's widow Bertha.
*Authors Note
Copyright Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell
Source Volume 1 Murray Descendants, From Northumberland to Murray Valley, Alberta
by Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell Calgary AB 2002
7
The James Murray Family Homesteads1889
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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*** "Lone Pine" by John Inglis - p195 "...In 1897 a new log house was built on the new homestead. --- The cattle numbered about 200 and horses about 60 at the time of Mr. Murray's death in Feb., 1915.”
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James Murray sends a letter to Dr. Clark in 1897.1899
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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Letter from James Murray, Olds, Alberta, N.W.T. Canada to his friend Dr. Michael Clark in Belford, Northumberland Co., England. Aug. 25th, 1899"Dear Friend: It is such a time since we had any correspondence, I hardly know how to begin. Well, we are all enjoying good health, that is the first blessing, and I have a comfortable home, and I think it was the best thing ever I did for me and my family to bundle up and come out here. It is not all sunshine. We have to contend with the troubles and trials of life go where we will, life would not be worth living if there were no difficulties to surmount. We live in a beautiful valley ten miles from Olds, and it is six miles long and two miles wide with trees stretching along the back and in front of the valley, they call it Murray Valley. I suppose that is because I was the first here, and my family came next, and we had the place to ourselves up to last year, then the settlers began to come in beside us.
"We do very little farming, we go in for cattle raising and dairying, we milk 14 cows, the hardest of our work is in the hay field, it begins July 25th and lasts as long as we can cut.
"Now about our political affairs, this is a high tariff country, the Conservatives have built up a high tarriff system they call National Policy, but they should spell it poverty. After all, the farmer and cattle raisers
are the back of this country, without this class of wealth producers, there would be no need for farm implements, which we must have, to carry out this wealth producing industry, and of course no need for the manufacturer, but we must pay 25 per cent on all our farm machinery, but they say we must protect our home industry, yes but is growing grain and raising cattle not home industry and certainly they are the most important to the country, and for these there are no protection. National policy stands behind the manufacturer and authorizes that important gentlemen to drag the subsistence out of the producer, but they say this creates a market for our produce, well where is it, certainly not in Toronto or Montreal or any place in Canada, if we had free trade I know where we would find a market, Great Britain will swallow up all we could produce and
look for more.
"Since I have left the Old Country I have met strange people and with a great many strange opinions regarding religion, so I had to fall back on the old book and search the scriptures to see if these things were true, and the out come of the whole has been to increase my faith in all the vital principles of our common Christianity, but there is one thing to which my mind is ever expanding and that is the beauty of the Christ life as put on and practiced in the lives of men and women, and moreover there is no people or denomination that
has a monopoly in the religion of Christ.
"I was very much interested in the wild man or red skin as they are called out here, although they are not red but bronze except when they have their great dances, and then they make themselves red with Bullock's blood. I have seen them at their annual sun dance, there I have seen them in wild fantastic form pumping and shouting and dancing amidst the rattle of tom toms together with weird songs, which to their ears it must be music, but now let me introduce you to another scene. It was my privilege to witness about 270 of these wild
men and women clothed and in their right mind, and worshiping at the shrine of Jesus, their profound attention, the beautiful singing and earnest prayers made an impression upon my mind never to be forgotten.
"Now I may say in a word that all the family are doing very well, we are making a comfortable living and are getting together a little property. We have got Mary Jane [our oldest daughter] and her husband up from Ontario, they have got a farm about one mile South of us, but they have not come to it yet, they live in
Olds and he has work on the Railway. Agnes [our youngest daughter] has gone from us again her name is Mrs. Phillips, they live about five miles East of us.
And now I must conclude with my Christian love and regard to you and all yours remember me to all inquiring friends.
(Sgn.) James Murray.
"During Sir Edward Greys Election there were some little books circulated bearing on free trade. They had been published about the Cobden days, if I could have some sent me it would be a great favour.
James Murray, Olds, Alberta, Canada N.W.T."
James Murray developed gangrene and had is toes removed in this image.
*Authors Note
Copyright Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell
Source Volume 1 Murray Descendants, From Northumberland to Murray Valley, Alberta
by Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell Calgary AB 2002
11
James Murray and his sons who homesteaded in the Murray Valley in the Olds district.1897
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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Murray SonsThe sons George, John and James Jr. were married and lived on lands in close proximity to their father’s headquarters. Robert and Archie the two younger sons were single during the early years and lived with their parents. Agnes (Nan) married a Mr. McLean shortly after moving into the valley.
After marrying, the McLean’s took up a homestead within the Murray orbit. Charles came from N.B. in 1891 and engaged in ranching near Olds.
[Janet born. Calgary 1894 & Mary Christina (Mame) 1896, Charles died 1897].
Mamie (Mrs. Bill Warren), the eldest daughter of James Murray Sr. didn't come west with the family, she had married and remained in Ontario until 1897, than moving to Olds where Bill worked a seven or eight year stretch of rail-roading with the C.P.R. before moving to Vancouver.
ROBERT MURRAY - b 1875 Hazelrigg, Eng. was 10 when the family came to Canada. He homesteaded with his father in the Murray Valley area, where he married BERTHA ECHLIN and had two children,
George born 26 Aug 1903 and Ada born 17 Mar. 1910. Bob was interested in writing and drama and entertained at School concerts with Scotch readings. He also loved horses and races; at one time there was a racetrack on Agnes Murray Phillips land.
An article in the July 18, 1940 Olds Gazette has "Reminiscences of First Olds Fair 1900" it says "Bob Murray usually won the cowboy race on his big bay. The riders raced a certain distance, turned around a post and returned.
Diary entry Jun 10, 1912 Bob l& Bertha went to Calgary. Jack went to Bob’s trial. Robert died an early death 23 Jun 1912 in Calgary age 37
ARCHIBALD - b Jan 13 1878 Hazelrigg, Eng. married BERTHA ECHLIN (Bob's widow) and they had two children Vera born 08 Jan. 1914
“Mr. Archie Murray of the Berrydale district passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Sheets, on Tuesday, September 25th in his 67th year."
Mr. Murray was born in England and came to Calgary in 1887 [1886] and to the Olds district in 1889 where he had been a resident for the past 55 years. He was indeed one of the pioneers of this district and will be sorely missed at the next reunion of the Old Timer's Association.
JAMES `JIM' MURRAY - b 1870 Hazelrigg, Eng. was 15 when he came to Canada with his parents. He married SUSAN BURNETT and had 2 children Dorothy who married 1. Alfred Dean, 2.Ben Berg and Robert born Carstairs Dec. 26 1901 and married Margaret Wilson. James and Susan separated. (Diary has Nov. 17, 1909 entry, Suzy moved to Calgary and Dec. 24, 1911 - went to Olds for Jim from Vancouver).After the war James married MOLLIE.
There is some confusion as to when Jim and Mollie were married and when they moved to Vancouver. They were married at Murray Valley.
See Olds First -
p 205 - ... As stated they established quite a herd of cattle. Mr. Murray was a good stockman and had the habit on winter nights of taking a stroll through the cattle that were around the yards to see that all was well. On one nightly turn the old man was upset by one of the animals and in the fall broke a leg. His call was heard by sons Arch and Bob who loaded him on Arch's back and carried him to the house. As they passed the light from the kitchen window, Mrs. Murray spied them and hurriedly opened the door and greeted them with "What cow has calved now?”
On Jan. 14, 1908, age 75, MARY JANE died. (Her son George's wife Chris died Feb. 21, 1908). James then lived with Robert & Bertha, after Robert’s death in 1912, James told his son Arch he would leave everything to him, and if he married Robert's widow Bertha. Even though Arch was fond of Rose Adshead, he agreed, however he named his second daughter Irene Rose.
James spent his last day at Clark’s. The day before he died he told George he planned on being on the hay rake that fall - he died next morning. He had suffered with gangrene in one foot [as per Murray Diary
entry Jul 5 1914, “Dr. Stevens here. Grandpa got his toes taken off.”]
See copy of Registration of Death - cause of death - Heart Disease. Place of Birth -Scotland.
OBIT: DEATH OF JAMES MURRAY, SR.
On Monday, Feb 15 1915, occurred the death of James Murray, Sr. of Murray Valley, in his 83rd year. Mr. Murray was an old timer of the district and the funeral, which was held on
Wednesday, Feb. 17, was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The interment took place in Hainstock cemetery, the
services being conducted by Rev. J. Douthwaite. Obituary will be published next week. [as yet his obit. Has not been located].
Both James and Mary Jane died at Murray Valley and are buried in the Hainstock Cemetery, west of Olds, Alberta. Also buried there are sons George, Robert, Archie and daughter Mrs. Agnes(Murray) Phillips.
WILL OF JAMES MURRAY - Feb. 11, 1908
[The 2nd Will was made Dec. 25, 1912 after Robert's death June 1912]
Twenty Fifth day of December Nineteen hundred and twelve I revoke all former wills and other testamentary dispositions by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last will & testament. --- That all my personal and real property whatsoever and wheresoever except South West quarter of Section Thirty two Township Thirty Three Range two West of fifth Meridian which goes entirely to my son Archibald Murray. All the rest of my personal & real property to be divided between Archibald and Elbertha Murray Archibald getting two thirds and Elbertha widow of my deceased son Robert Murray one third and appoint the aforesaid Archibald and Elbertha Murray to be the sole executors of this last will and testament
names as witnesses. Harry L. Echlin Ada A. Echlin
*Authors Note
Copyright Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell
Source Volume 1 Murray Descendants, From Northumberland to Murray Valley, Alberta
by Mrs. Ialeen (LaMarsh) Colwell Calgary AB 2002
13
James Murray's son Robert homesteaded at Murray Valley.1900
Murray Valley, Olds, NWT Canada
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ROBERT MURRAY - b 1875 Hazelrigg, Eng. was 10 when the family came to Canada. He homesteaded with his father in the Murray Valley area, where he married BERTHA ECHLIN and had two children.George born 26 August 1903 and Ada born 17 March 1910. Bob was interested in writing and drama and entertained at School concerts with Scotch readings. He also loved horses and races; at one time there was a racetrack on Agnes Murray Phillips land.
An article in the July 18, 1940 Olds Gazette has "Reminiscences of First Olds Fair 1900", it says: "Bob Murray usually won the cowboy race on his big bay. The riders raced a certain distance, turned around a post and returned."
Diary entry June 10, 1912: Bob & Bertha went to Calgary. Jack went to Bob's trial. Robert died an early death 23 June 1912 in Calgary age 37.
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