|
a.
|
Note: From Links With The Past: Belbutte-Bapaume, p. 74-76 Winnifred writes ...
We were married March 18, 1937 at Bresaylor and farmed at Langmead, Edam and Bresaylor. During those years we rented land which caused the numerous moves.
In 1953, we decided to buy a home of our own, after much searching we bought a farm at Belbutte, where we lived and raised our family. We bought this farm from John R. Gatzke, but it had originally belonged to Alex Stolze. This was Mr. Stolze's homestead in 1914.
It was the beauty of the little yard that encircled the home that caught our eye as well as the location - close to town and to school. We will never forget the joy we had making our little farm home a beauty spot with flowers, etc.
Our farm was located on the NEW 32-50-13-W3rd, and the SW W 12-51-13-W3rd from Axel Linden, who lived on the south side of our quarter. He was a bachelor and came from Sweden. The hard knocks of life had made him very bitter, but as we got to know him, we loved him and it was a very sad day when he met with a car accident which took his life, while he was out for his daily walk.
We had three sons when we moved to Belbutte. Terry (11 years), Wayne (7 years), and Garry (two years). We were very happy with the location of our farm as there was a four-roomed school in Belbutte which taught from Grade 1 to 12; this made it very convenient, as our sons could be at home during their high school years. Frank was on the school board as a trustee for a number of years until the school was closed and the children were bused to Medstead. It was a real problem trying to keep our school open, but Regina finally won out and closed it.
This was the beginning of our little town to disappear. Next on the list was the grain elevator, we either had to haul our grain to Bapaume or to Spiritwood. Then our post office closed and our mail was delivered from Spiritwood into mailboxes which were placed on the street in Belbutte. Then the Telephone Central closed and we had a real struggle to get a pay booth. Frank began to investigate and through Regina a booth was placed at Albert Gatzke's Garage. Next to move was the Lutheran Church, and it went to Spiritwood; then the teacherage went to Leoville. Finally the local store closed. All that is left now is the garage, the Belbutte Church, and the Community Hall and some residential homes.
At first. while in Belbutte, we attended the Lutheran Church, but later decided to go back to the Anglican church in Spiritwood. The doctrines of the Anglican Church began to change, so we decided to take our family to the Free Methodist Church where we felt led by God that we would get sounder teaching.
Whether we realize it or not, God has a plan for each of our lives and as of now He was drawing me closer to Himself . 1 used to wonder and long to know - could a person really know God and know what would happen when one dies? Then one day a dear lady shared John 10:27 to 30 from the Bible with me. God gave me His assurance that day when she read, ''Once I take you into my hand no man can pluck you out''. It was Jesus who said this and He gave me the faith to believe this, . and my life has been completely changed since. The things I once loved to do I couldn't do anymore and the things I disliked I learned to love. As our dear Lord teaches us "theretore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.'' -11 Corinthians Chapter 5:17. I am so thankful Jesus came and died for the sins of all men. John 1:12 says: But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His neme-'' Isn't it wonderful God has no favorites: He loves us all and ''is not willing that any should perish''
We were really happy that we moved to Belbutte, the people were so friendly and made us so welcome. We grew to love them and there was always a welcome wherever we went. They never hesitated if anyone needed help, as they were always there to give a helping hand and to make you welcome.
We had neighbours who were from a mile to one half a mile apart. This we loved and never even missed the phone which was not on the farms as yet.
We had lots of good times at Belbutte on the skating and curling rink. Everyone helped out each winter to get them going. Some of the bonspiels ran around the clock to get them all played.
We broke a lot of land by getting brush cleared with a cat, and then burning the windrows. This land was broken with a big disc after which we had to pick roots and rocks before it could be worked and seeded to crop. It was tough work and no place for the weaklings, but we enjoyed it and survived to make a good farm out of it.
We sold out in 1973 and moved to North Battleford where Frank worked with a carpenter and then as a machinery set-up man for Twin Rivers and now is with the IHC agency. This is where he'll probably stay until he is retired.
The community pasture at Bapaume was a great help to the farmers of our area as we all had cattle. We had on the average 50 head. We also had pigs and poultry. The cattle were put in the pasture around the end of May and taken out in October. This made more land to farm and less fencing to do. The roundup in the fall was often real cold with rain or snow, and usually during the harvest when it was so hard to find the time to do it.
|
