Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1977

Fonds

Pioneer Researchers Association Oral History Project

Creator

Pioneer Researchers Association

Physical Description

1 cassette tape; digital copy

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Pioneer Researchers

Scope and Content

Side A - Biographical information: Born in Lethbridge 8 Aug 1899 in a house on 7th Ave and 8th Street South. Father, W T "Tom" McCaugherty, arrived in Fort Macleod in 1882. He freighted for a number of years, before taking a homestead 6 miles west of Lethbridge. Family was flooded out in 1902, and had to rebuild. Father ran horses and a few cattle. Moved north of Diamond City for better pasture land, and in 1917 moved to the Tilley area for the same reason. - Hugh was circle boss on the round-ups. Describes the round up operations in central Alberta. - Sold out the horse operation in 1931 for $17.00/head. Father moved back to the original homestead and ran cattle. Hugh went to work in the coal mines and at the grain elevators. When his father died, the original homestead was put on the auction block, and Hugh got in back by put in the highest bid. His son his now running it. - Biographical information: He was from a family of nine: 7 children - Monica, Mabel, Lila, Edna, Hugh, Laura, Dave. In 1902 when the family was flooded out, his father had to rebuild without any assistance - there was no welfare, relief, or government assistance programs. Family bible was donated to the Pemmican Club. - Hyssop Brothers had the largest ranching operation in southern Alberta. He names many of the central Alberta ranchers. - Most of the ranchers ran Clydesdales, Belgians, or Percherons. In WW1 the government purchased horses from southern Alberta ranchers. In Lethbridge, the sale was held at the NWMP Barracks, and horses sold for about $170./head. "Doc" Stewart bought Hugh's horse "Ben". Ben made it through the war, but was hit by a motorcycle and had to be put down. - West Lethbridge School opened in the summer of 1911 and had 32 children enrolled. The first teacher was Mr. Giffin. The school did not run regularly because teachers came and went. Another teacher Hugh remembers was Harry C Sweet. - Hugh was involved with the development of Park Lake. Planted many of the trees and helped organize and run the dances that they had to raise funds for the change houses and ball diamond. - Pemmican Club information and members. Side B (Good description of coal mining in Coalhurst) - His wife (2nd wife) gives biographical information: born in Raymond 21 Nov 1906. Lived in Barnwell most of her life. Taught school until her retirement in 1966. Married Hugh McCaugherty in 1967. Her first teaching position was in Hillspring and she had 52 students in 3 grades. She taught in Glenwood for 1 1/2 years before moving to Barnwell. Other then 2 years teaching on the Hutterite Colony the remainder of her teaching career was in Barnwell, the last 15 years as Vice Principal of the school. Her name is not mentioned. - Joe Morgan was a school inspector and homesteaded just south of Coalhurst in 1905. - Hugh relates a story his uncle told him about old Fort Whoop-up. - Coalhurst: development of the mine and the town. He worked in the mine in various positions and describes the scraper and shearer machines and general mining operations. Mentions Dan Quigley, an Englishman, who was the mine manager. - Captain Jack's Trading Post was located along the river near McCaugherty's. They used to find Indian beads in the area for years after. - In the 1902 flood the family had to go to the neighbors. - Summary: McCaugherty's regret in life is that he did not have the opportunity to further his education. His advice to the younger generations: Have ambition, get an education, and don't exploit our natural resourses.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921008009

Collection

Archive

Less detail