Part 20 (2/2)

”Mr. Fawcett served as a sergeant in the old Victoria Rifle Volunteers, afterward merged into the Canadian militia under Colonel Wolfenden. He was among the first to join the volunteer fire department of Victoria. He is the only remaining charter member of the Pioneers' Society, and was secretary at the first meeting when organized in Smith's Hall, Victoria, in 1871. He is a veteran member of the Oddfellows, having joined the order in 1868. He is a veteran member of the church committee of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and was active in the organization of this church about thirty-five years ago.”

CHAPTER x.x.x.

SOME COLORED PIONEERS.

Here is an interesting little story to early residents of over fifty years ago that may be recalled for their edification. It would be interesting to present residents to know that in 1858 Victoria had a larger colored population than she has to-day, although with now three times the population. This is how it happened, and thereon hangs the tale:

Before the rush to the Fraser River gold diggings and in California there was an act pa.s.sed through the Legislature of that state making it compulsory for all colored men to wear a distinctive badge. This called forth indignation from all the colored residents of California, and resulted in a meeting being held in San Francisco, delegates from all parts coming. At this meeting, after the matter had been fully discussed, it was decided to send a delegation of three, representing the colored residents of California, to Victoria to interview Governor Douglas, to know how they would be received in this colony. The delegation, consisting of Mifflin W. Gibbs,--Moses, a barber, and another, met Governor Douglas and received such encouragement that they returned and reported favorably. The result of this was that eight hundred colored persons--men, women and children--emigrated to Victoria during 1858 and 1859.

What induced me to write this matter up was the resurrecting of a newspaper cutting, evidently from the Victoria _Gazette_, for which I am indebted to Mr. Newbury, collector of customs, and which is given verbatim:

[Portrait: Samual Booth.]

”Application for Citizens.h.i.+p.

”We have copied the names and occupations of the persons who have made application to be admitted to the rights of British subjects within the past few days, and give them below. They foot up fifty-four in number--fifty-three are colored and one white.

”_Victoria Town._

”George Henry Anderson, farmer.

William Isaacs, farmer.

Fielding Spotts, cooper.

James Samson, teamster.

Richard Stokes, carrier.

John Thomas Dunlop, carman.

Nathan Pointer, merchant.

Augustus Christopher, porter.

Isaac Gohiggin, teamster.

William Alex. Scott, barber.

Mifflin Wister Gibbs, merchant.

William Miller, saloon-keeper.

George H. Matthews, merchant.

Robert Abernethy, baker.

Henry Perpero, gardener.

Thomas Palmer Freeman, storekeeper.

Stephen Anderson, miner.

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