KREW KUTS: A Crossroads Museum Story - Part 2

By Bernie Krewski

The creation of this museum moment, as described in these pages last week, was straightforward and unfettered – who originally belonged to several donated wedding accessories, who married this couple and when?  

The Oyen News, fortunately, supplies an answer, publishing details of the wedding of David A. Peck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard S. Peck of Oyen, and Edith Balaam nearly a century ago.  

Many Trails Crossed Here, vol. 1, has a brief history of the Balaam family (pp. 117-118) but contains no information about Mr. and Mrs. Peck, other than reference to their married son and daughter-in-law eventually “moving to a farm near Lacombe.”

One other question remained – who was the mysterious “police magistrate who was also the Anglican minister?”

The following newspaper accounts shed a few lights.   

Gerard and Annie Peck and their four sons came from England to Oyen in 1921 and farmed “two miles northwest of Oyen.” Gerard Peck was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and had been a police magistrate in Bolton, England, for ten years. Their sons had completed basic schooling by this time and were pondering future careers when their parents decided to settle near Oyen.

Mr. Peck’s appointment as Police Magistrate three years after coming here was publicly announced on November 5th, 1924, in a brief statement in The Oyen News. It was probably of great significance considering his previous experience in England. Local businessmen C.W. Robinson and Fred J. Whitlock had previously acted in this capacity.  

By then, the Peck family seemed to be well entrenched in the life of this community. Gerard Peck won several prizes in the Horses category, “Brood mare with foal at side” at the Oyen Fair in July. Edward, their second son, “left to take a veterinary course at the Guelph Agricultural College in Ontario.”

In early March 1925, the Pecks hosted a “Big Rabbit Drive” at their farm - “Bring your own lunch. Mr. Peck will provide coffee for all!” About fifty people attended and 124 rabbits were caught and destroyed. A week later, another drive occurred. It was attended by 150 adults and schoolchildren. A hundred rabbits were killed. “From accounts from those who attended, rabbit drives are proving just as popular as crossword puzzles, and the furry pests are due for numerous parties before seeding time comes around,” said the editor of The Oyen News.

Magistrate Peck adjudicated several cases that year. Tom Lafferty, former owner of the Livery Barn, was sentenced to two months incarceration for common assault, later reduced on appeal to a $20 fine and costs. Martin Hayes, who operated the Sibbald Drug Store, was charged with unlawfully selling liquor. He was remanded and taken to Drumheller to await trial and received a sentence of two months at the Lethbridge jail. Frank Trautman of Lanfine was fined $5.00 + costs for running a car without a license.

The Pecks appeared to be a highly sociable couple. On January 9, 1926, they hosted a “most enjoyable function” at their home for about fifty guests - a dance from 8 p.m. until midnight after which “a dainty supper was served. Mr. L. Shuttleworth officiated at the piano.”

A month later about fifty friends arrived at their home. It was a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. G.S. Peck. The evening was spent in dancing, refreshments being served at midnight.

Twenty couples from the Young People’s Club informally called upon Mr. and Mrs. Peck on April 16, spending a pleasant evening dancing. “The Club is planning to hold its next dance in the Masonic Building on Friday, April 30.”

Other news events reported in 1926 included an advertisement by Mr. Peck: “For Service – The Percheron Stallion, “Ben of Excel,” will stand for service at the Peck farm two miles northwest of Oyen on June 2.” Herbert, the Peck’s oldest son, attended a reunion at the Olds School of Agriculture in July. This indicates he must have been a student there earlier. Mr. Peck also arranged a visit for an official from the Department of Agriculture. The purpose was “the culling of poultry flocks.” Edward, the Peck’s second son, resumed studies at the veterinary college in Guelph, Ontario.

Two significant events occurred in 1927. Hubert Peck departed from Oyen in April, having purchased a ranch at Radnor, Alberta, west of Cochrane.  

Also, Loftus (Sam) Martin, a farm worker from Birmingham England, age 24, died four days after an operation for appendicitis. He came to Oyen in the spring. After spending a short time employed at a farm south of town, he suddenly became ill while working for Gerald Peck and passed away on November 7 (Keith MacLean records, MTCH, v.2, p. 173). His funeral was held at All Saints Church, conducted by Rev A.W. Gollmer of Cereal.

In April 1928 Edward Peck graduated as a veterinary surgeon at Guelph Veterinary College. He married Miss Sylvia Le Marchant, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. Le Marchant of Bolton Lanes, England on June 2. Their marriage took place in Oyen at All Saints Church. Rev. Charles Wright, incumbent of Alsask and Oyen, conducted the service.

As The Oyen News reported, Sylvia Le Marchant was given away by Mr. Gerard S. Peck in the unavoidable absence of her parents. David A. Peck supported his brother as best man. The wedding march and music for the service were played by Mr. George Benbow. “The little church on the corner has a pretty interior, and it was beautifully arranged with plants and flowers provided by the Women’s Guild and their friends. This was the first wedding to be held within its doors.”

One hundred and twenty-five guests attended a dance in the evening at the Masonic Hall to the music of the Oyen Imperial Orchestra. The happy couple left for Calgary and Banff on the night train, escorted by half the guests with many cheers and much rice!

The year 1929 was highly eventful for Mr. and Mrs. Peck. Herbert, their firstborn, had his own farm. Edward was a veterinarian and recently married. Oswald, their third son, was a student at the University of Alberta. David, the youngest, would be married in April.

In January the Pecks announced they were looking for a house in Oyen, planning to move into the village in the spring.  Two weeks after David’s wedding, they left for a two-month visit to England, stopping to visit Edward and Sylvia in Quebec.

There will be more about the Peck family in the next issue of The Echo.