Snapshots of the ‘Old West’

By Doreen Marion Gee

With new digital access to Victoria's very first newspaper, The British Colonist, we are right there in the dusty streets of a wild pioneer town, shopping for $2 boots amidst the clamour of horses' hooves and drunken refrains from a nearby saloon. Founded by Amor de Cosmos on December 11, 1858, The British Colonist (also called The Daily British Colonist and the Victoria Daily Colonist) was the original public record of life in wild untamed early Victoria, a rough-and-tumble world of native canoe races, gold rush fever, bawdy houses and frontier justice. The 2008 British Colonist digitization was a miraculous collaboration of the Times Colonist, the University of Victoria Libraries, and a consortium of British Columbia libraries. Every page from all the issues - December 11, 1858 to the end of June, 1910 - has been made available to the public.

For history buffs like me, reading actual media coverage in the 1800's is absolute nirvana. I love the feeling of ‘being there to witness history.' The genteel elegant writing style of Amor de Cosmos seems out of place in those rugged times of life on the edge. His words make our present use of the English language seem plebeian, bourgeois, almost crass. Witness the following description of a simple sporting event from the Victoria Daily Colonist, Tuesday October 16, 1894:

SPORTS AND PASTIMES
The paper chase, by moonlight proposed by the James Bay Athletic Association for this evening has excited a great deal of interest amongst the members, as well as the Rugby footballers, who having been invited to take part have decided to substitute the run for the usual Tuesday practice. The prospects are, therefore that the hares, who are to start about 8:30, will have a large following, and will require all of their eight minutes start. The run is expected to cover about five miles. It is hoped that all members who can possibly do so will attend to ensure the success of this new departure.

Even the advertisements were diplomatic and oh-so-nice: From the same issue is an ad entitled Broken in Health, and laments:

For a number of years I have been troubled with general tired feeling, shortness of breath, pain in the back; and constipation. I could get only little rest at night on account of the pain...until, upon recommendation of a friend, I purchased a bottle of Hoods Sarsaparilla, which made me feel better at once. I have continued its use, having taken three bottles, and I Feel Like a New Man. I have a good appetite; feel as strong as ever.

In those early days, injustice, prejudice and racism were brutal testaments to a more uncivilized time. Here is an excerpt from the Victoria Daily Colonist, Wednesday, June 27, 1888, referring to the first asylum in Victoria Harbour:

A crazy Chinaman, who has been confined in the city lock up during the past week, was sent up to the insane asylum yesterday morning . During his incarceration in the police barracks he kept up an incessant chattering, and never ate or drank anything without first, going down on his knees and bowing and praying for about five minutes.

Whether racist, offensive or charming, the snippets in these old newspapers are a fascinating and sometimes disturbing account of Victoria's early days.

Website: