Branch Come Home Year August 9-19, 2007 |
Captain W. R Kennedy’s Visit to Branch in 1885 From the book “ Sport and Adventure in Newfoundland” By: Captain W.R. Kennedy Submitted By: Terry Power With thanks to Celine (Power) Kear, who gave a copy of this article to Bev during a visit to Winnipeg in 2005 |
In his book “ Sport and Adventure in Newfoundland” Captain W. R Kennedy gave the following account of Branch in 1885 ….
“We received a hearty welcome from our host, and indeed for all the village: the natives crowded round us, to give us every information concerning sport. These people all spoke with a foreign accent, rolling their “r’s” like a Frenchman, but with a curious mixture of Irish brogue as well. They declared the “patteridges” to be jostling each other on the barrens; and as for trout and salmon, they were as thick as “the sands on the say.” The village was picturesquely situated in a valley, and presented a very pleasing and well-to-do appearance, quite in contrast to the generality of Newfoundland settlements: this was due to the fact that the valley afforded pasturage to herds of cattle and sheep, and a considerable part of it was devoted to agriculture. The houses were beautifully clean and well kept; and the bonnie faces of the lassies and the rosy chubby cheeks of the children, were delightful and refreshing to behold, and in pleasing contrast to the desolation usually visible at the other settlements around the coast. This village of’ Branch River” represents what Newfoundland settlement ought to be, and what they would be, if any care were bestowed upon them. A fine salmon-river winds through the valley , irrigating a considerable extent of land, and forcing its way by a narrow “barachois” to the sea.
I never saw finer potatoes, or better cream, butter, or fatter poultry or stock, in any place than at Branch River. Show what can be done by perseverance. The hay crops were magnificent and the whole place bore the aspect of a well-to-do farm in the Lowlands of Scotland, It is certainly the most flourishing little place in Newfoundland.”
Captain Kennedy visit ed Branch while on one of his grouse-hunting trips in the Salmonier area.
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