This week in Prince George history, May 29 to June 4:
June 4, 1919: A tale of death and survival in the harsh wilderness reached Prince George from Giscombe (Giscome) Portage on June 2, The Citizen reported.
"Mr. and Mrs. B. Hatch, well known in this district, left here last fall on a prospecting trip into the heart of the vast country north of Summit Lake. Taking supplies calculated to last through the winter, they were accompanied by J. Grey, who resided in Prince George for some time," The Citizen reported.
The trio were "experienced pioneers" and although no one had heard from them since they left Giscome Portage, no one was concerned about their well being.
"Now comes news that Mr. Hatch and his partner were taken sick in March just as their supplies were running out and were planning to return. First Grey died, than Hatch, leaving Mrs. Hatch alone, without supplies," The Citizen reported. "She was found in the last stages of weakness, having supported life alone for two weeks on the flesh of a cat and two squirrels, and is now at the store of Messrs. Seebach & Hubble at Giscome Portage slowly recovering from the effects of here awful experience."
Further details were not available, but "it would seem that since all the party were experienced in woods life and all possessed the unconquerable spirit of the pioneer, that the dreaded Flu which claimed so many lives in the wilderness has added two more to its list of victims," The Citizen reported.
The influenza pandemic of 1918-19, known colloquially as the Spanish Flu, killed tens of millions of people worldwide.
Estimates at the time put the death toll around 21 million, but modern experts believe the disease killed between 50 and 100 million people - including an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Canadians. Unlike normal flu viruses, which generally only kill the most vulnerable, the Spanish Flu killed many otherwise-healthy adults.
So the next time you visit Huble Homestead Historic Site (which is what remains of Giscome Portage), give a thought to Mrs. B. Hatch, alone in the woods with two dying men and no food or supplies.
June 1, 1939: Prince George and the surrounding area was hit by royal fever, The Citizen reported.
"Prince George and the surrounding towns are something akin to 'deserted villages' today as hundreds of residents flock to Jasper to pay tribute to Their Majesties the King and Queen, where the royal train is stopping today and tomorrow," The Citizen reported. "At least 180 persons from Prince George left the city via CNR yesterday on an excursion train that left at 5:30 p.m. The train was crowded to overflowing with excursionists, who are making the 170-mile trip to pay tribute to the King and Queen."
A further 80 people boarded the trip to Jasper in McBride, The Citizen reported, while others had travelled to Vancouver by road and rail to see the King and Queen in Vancouver.
In addition, both local and provincial police officers were detailed to the Red Pass and Mount Robson to provide security for the royal entourage during brief stops, The Ciitzen reported.
The day before residents flocked from around the Okanagan to see the royal couple in Kamloops.
King George VI was the first reigning British monarch to visit North America. The King and Queen Elizabeth, the parents of Queen Elizabeth II, made a cross-country tour from May 17 to June 15, visiting every province and the dominion of Newfoundland (then still separate from Canada), where they were greeted by crowds in the tens and hundreds of thousands.
They also made an excursion into the U.S., marking the first time a British monarch had set foot in the U.S.
Despite the celebratory mood, dark times were ahead for the royal family.
On Sept. 3, 1939 King George VI would take to the radio to announce Great Britain was at war with Germany in a speech made famous by the film The King's Speech.
To explore 100 years of local history yourself, visit the Prince George Citizen archives online at: pgc.cc/PGCarchive. The Prince George Citizen online archives are maintained by the Prince George Public Library.
