Prologue to Killed by Zulus — Duncan and James Box

A few Months ago I wrote Killed by Zulus — Duncan and James Box and today I found the story before the story they say.

In October of 1890 Duncan and James sat on the steps of the father’s farmhouse just a few miles from the small village of White Lake, Ontario. It was a beautiful day in Renfrew County and both boys watched the cows and horses graze in a field nearby while they discussed their future.

After their father married Ellen McLachlan their father Alexander (Alec) Box found out that the soil of their 200 year-old farm was rich sandy loam perfect for the growing of potatoes. In fact their potatoes were so in demand locally that customers flocked to the farm and potatoes were bagged, loaded, and paid for on the spot by many eager buyers.

You would think that Duncan and James would be content with inheriting the farm but Duncan brought up conversation mentioning to James that there was no future for them in White Lake other than being potatoe farmers.

Duncan lamented that their friends were out west in Manitoba and he just didn’t want them to end up like their friend Lal, living alone trying to raise prize beef. He did not want his future to be a hillbilly existence and wanted to be rich as if you didn’t have money you were going to go nowhere but the shores of White Lake.

They both realized their siblings would stick around and one of them would take the farm over some day, and it was time for the both of them to leave. Their friend Tom was in Edmonton prospecting for gold in Peace River country and Duncan thought that was the life for the both of them– oil and prospecting.

Duncan wanted to know how much James had in the Arnprior Bank and James said he didn’t have a dime. When Duncan expressed surprise James told him he hadn’t liked the face of the new manager so he had taken his $ 300 out of there and put it under his mattress. Between the two of them they had $700, so they decided to leave immediately.

When their father Alec heard of their plan he wasn’t surprised but he hated to see them go. Strong good-looking boys, they had been hard workers on the farm and never given their parents any trouble. As they stood on the steps saying good bye a few days later their Mother expressed concern that she might never see them again. When they shook their father’s hand in farewell they found a few dollars in their hands.

Next the boys arrive in Winnipeg….

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Photos by Gary Box

This is the house my great great grandfather John Ambrose Box built and farmed in White Lake and is now a museum complete with a log school, small log home and log church all moved on to the property when the town took over. The church and school house were constructed in 1868…..at least that is what is indicated over the doors of each building. In fact, I was told that the school was used until 1967. He also ran the General Store. The herb and flower gardens are magnificent. White Lake is about 30 miles from Carleton Place.

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)