Mr. Bellingham applied himself earnestly to learning all there was to know about land and H.B.C. methods of doing business. He was assigned one duty after another and, as his good work came to the notice of his superiors, "graduated" from each new position to a better one. To-day, he is assistant to the land commissioner, Mr. H. F. Harman.
When the Company's Edmonton townsite sale of 1912 was inaugurated, Mr. Bellingham was chosen to take charge of the Edmonton branch, in which capacity he remained until June, 1916, being then recalled to Winnipeg to deputize for the assistant land commissioner during the latter's absence in France.
[WHAT HAPPENED AT MOOSE FACTORY DURING SUMMER AND FALL, 1920]
Extracts from the Post Journal from Entries by J. L. Gaudet, Post Manager
July 1st—Our steamer, the "Inenew," left this morning on her first trip to Charlton Island, taking the District staff to the island for the summer, as this is our summer distributing point. Dr. Stewart and Rev. W. G. Walton were passengers.
July 6th—The steamer returned with a cargo for Moose Factory of Charlton Depot stock. The steamer returned to Charlton with a load of lumber which I am shipping to the Straits.
July 14th—The steamer returned with her second cargo from Charlton, and took another load of lumber for the Strait Posts. Mr. Johansen of the Biological Branch of the Naval Department of the Canadian Government, was a passenger on his way to Fort George. Mr. Fred McLeod and family were also passengers on their way to Woswonaby Post. Mr. McLeod is going there in the capacity of Post Manager.
July 21st—Mr. F. D. Wilson arrived here to-day with two apprentice clerks, Messrs. Beveridge and Findlay, both from Aberdeen, Scotland.
Aug. 3rd—Mr. Aurey, the government treaty paymaster, arrived here on his annual trip, paying treaty to the Indians. Mr. Aurey is assisted by Dr. Baker.
Aug. 10th—Mr. Russell and family, Mr. John Louttit and family, arrived with the schooner "Fort George." These gentlemen are on their way out to civilization. Mr. Russell was in charge of Fort George Post.
Aug. 14th—Mr. Romanet, general fur trade inspector, arrived here with Mrs. Romanet and two children. Mr. Romanet says he is here on an official visit from the Fur Trade Commissioner's Office. Inspector Phillips and Sgt. Joy, of the R.C.M. Police, also arrived to-day. They are on their way to the Belcher Islands to investigate some Eskimo murder case.
Aug. 17th—A large seaplane, "The Caaz," with Capt. Maxwell as pilot and Mr. Doan as engineer, landed here this afternoon. This is the first flying machine to come to Moose Factory and was quite a sight for our Indians.
Aug. 19th—The general inspector left on the schooner "Fort George" for Charlton Island this morning at 7 o'clock. A canoe carrying the ship's papers and two apprentice clerks, Mr. Gregory and Mr. Bremner, arrived at 1 p.m., just a few hours late to catch the schooner which I was holding for that purpose, so I had to get busy and send off our hay-boat with this mail to Charlton Island.
Aug. 23rd—The seaplane landed here to-day on her second trip from Remy Lake, which is a few miles from Cochrane, with two moving picture men, Mr. Blake and Mr. Tash. They claim that they are being sent by the Ontario Government to take pictures.
Aug. 26th—We had a visit from Capt. Mack to-day. He came with our schooner "Fort Charles" from Charlton Island, and states that they had a hard and trying trip coming through the Straits. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer were also passengers. Mr. Mayer is our worthy Post Manager at Great Whale River and is on his way out to civilization on a few months' leave.
Aug. 27th—The seaplane "Caaz" brought us some newspapers from Cochrane, dated Aug. 25th, with the latest news.
Aug. 31st—We have at last managed to extinguish the bush fire which was started by the Rev. Mr. Haythornthwaite on the 25th inst., after working day and night since it started. This will be quite a relief to the many families who are still camped across the river, as they were afraid to come back.
Sept. 2nd—Our steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with our District Manager, Mr. Rackham, Mr. Romanet, the general inspector, Mr. Griffith, manager of Albany Post, who is acting as private secretary to the general inspector, Messrs. Blake and Tash, movie men, and the Rev. Mr. Walton were passengers. The seaplane "Caaz" also arrived from Remy Lake with Mr. Griffin, representing the Toronto Star, as passenger.
Sept. 21st—Mr. A. Nicolson and family arrived this evening from Rupert's House, after a hard and trying trip around the coast. Mr. Nicolson has been in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company for forty years. It is with much regret that we see Mr. Nicolson severing his active services with the good old Company.
Sept. 23rd—Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Anderson and child landed here to-day after spending a few months' holiday in civilization. Mr. Anderson is on his way to his Post, which is Attawapiskat.
Oct. 1st—The steamer "Inenew" landed here to-day with the District Office staff and the balance of our outfit. This finishes our season's transport.
Oct. 7th—Capt. G. R. Redfearn, A. Guibeau, engineer, Inspector Phillips, Sgt. Joy, Mr. Johansen and Mr. Sainsbury left this morning for Clute.
Oct. 9th—Hauled out the S.S. "Inenew" to winter quarters and stored away the hauling gear.
Oct. 27th—Packet canoes returned from the line to-day and by them received the first issue of our magazine, The Beaver.
Oct. 29th—Mr. G. R. Ray, fur trade inspector, and Mr. J. B. Neil arrived here to-day at mid day.
Nov. 10th—The river is frozen over, and hardly any snow on the ground as yet. We are having fine weather.—J. L. Gaudet, Post Manager.
[The Ghost is Foiled in Lac Seul's Haunted Room]
By R. O. OTTEN
It was Christmas at Lac Seul Post, that historic place, well known to men of the North. Quite a number of the Outpost managers had come in to spend Christmas with the Post Manager and his family. The last to arrive was Mr. R. He had travelled over 200 miles by dog team and cariole to get there. After the hand-shaking was over, Mr. M., the Post Manager, drew Mr. R. aside and asked if he believed in ghosts. Mr. R. laughed and said he didn't believe in any kind of spirits, except the kind they used to have at Christmas in the old days, but wanted to know what the joke was. The Post Manager told him that he had only one room left vacant, and nobody had slept in that room for years as it was supposed to be haunted.