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Thomas Kay diaries : holographs, 1894-[1900].
BANC MSS 2002/97 pzLOCAL
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Title:
Thomas Kay diaries : holographs, 1894-[1900]Creator/Contributor:
Kay, Thomas., creatorAbstract:
Kay's first diary starts with his departure from Liverpool, in Apr. 1894, on the steamer Labrador, to Halifax, and via rail
across Canada to B.C. Kay traveled with friends, Johnnie Holt, Charles Shepherd, Abraham Stott, and their wives. Kay joined
friend Jimmy Shephard, at Horsefly to help work a mining claim. At Horsfly, Kay describes the gold mining operations, living
and working conditions, gold fever, the Horsefly Hydraulic Mining Company, and the Chinese and Japanese workers. The claim
is jumped, so Kay seek's work in the mines, as a ditch digger, miner, etc. He then seeks work at farms and ranches in the
areas of Quesnel, Beaver Lake Valley, Soda Creek, Fort Alexander, Hancewille and Alexis Creek. He describes these early settlements,
the scenery, Siwash (Salishan) Indians and living conditions.
The second diary starts on July 1, [1899] in Dawson, where Kay is working in a bank. Soon he joins 21 other men in a "stampede"
up the Yukon River, to prospect for gold on and near Mendocino Creek. Kay describes travel up the trail to the creek, prospecting
efforts, and the return trip on foot and boat back down the Yukon. In Dawson, Kay resumes his duties at the bank and comments
on everyday life in Dawson. In Sept., Kay makes another trip up the Yukon, working as a waiter, pantryman, etc. bound for
Victoria to get supplies for the winter. During the winter Kay writes of gold discoveries at Nome.
Date:
1894 (issued)Subject:
n-cn-yk -- n-cn-bc -- n-us-akGold mines and mining -- Alaska
Immigrants -- Canada -- Diaries
Gold mines and mining -- British Columbia
Gold mines and mining -- Yukon -- Dawson
Salishan Indians
Chinese -- Canada -- History
Japanese -- Canada -- History
Gold mines and mining -- Alaska -- Nome
Or -- Mines et extraction -- Colombie-Britannique
Or -- Mines et extraction -- Yukon -- Dawson
Salish
Or -- Mines et extraction -- Alaska -- Nome
Chinese
Gold mines and mining
Immigrants
Japanese
Salishan Indians
Travel
Dawson (Yukon) -- Description and travel
Alaska
Alaska -- Nome
British Columbia
Canada
Yukon -- Dawson
Labrador (Steamship)
Kay, Thomas -- Diaries
Shepherd, Charles
Shepherd, Jimmy
Holt, Johnnie
Stott, Abraham
Kay, Thomas
Note:
Includes photo-postcard of Kay.
Thomas Kay, a native of Rochdale, Lancashire county, England emigrated to British Columbia in 1894 and was involved with the
Klondike Gold Rush during 1899-1900.
Type:
biographyDiaries.
History.
Diaries.
Physical Description:
print
1 box (.1 linear ft.)
Language:
English
Identifier:
BANC MSS 2002/97 pzLOCAL