A speech written and read by Anna Smith about the days of the "School Van"
Mr. M.C., school friends and district friends. I am speaking for the "Van Kids" who attended school here for 2 years in 1920 and 1921. We had no school in the new Grainland district so arrangements were made to attend Graytown till we got a school. A break wagon was attained in Regina, with large wheels. A top was built on this. The side curtains were made of canvas rolled up or down according to the weather, as the seats were placed down both sides. There was a door, back and front. The driver sat in the front door to drive the team of horses, but came inside if it rained. It was a long trip for small children. We were first on and last off and in the winter it was dark to start and dark to finish. The rest of the family was generally eating supper when we got home. Kathleen Wiltshire (Brownlee) drove the Van the first year and was a pupil too, staying at the Geo. Roy home. The winter "jumper" was a long box like affair with seats at extreme ends and center seats placed back to back. It wasn't the smoothest thing to ride in, but no one seemed to think of that. It had no cover over it so everyone had to be covered with robes and we all had foot warmers. Faces were covered with scarves and only eyes showed out to the frost. We sat in front so had a blanket over our heads for protection from snow off the horse's feet. Children from homes of Joe Fisher, Will Fisher, Geo Roy, Jas McKay and Joe Highmoor rode the Van and we took the Hampton girls and Frances Pettit as we passed by. Our second summer driver was my Uncle Chas Stewart, just home from a "prison of war" camp in Germany. He had 3 wolfhounds that came with us and we often had a wolf tossed on to the front platform, en route to school. It all made for variety. It was life as it was. I regard it a privilege to have been one of the "Van Kids" and lived through that era, so different to Vans or Buses of today. Makes one look back and appreciate what was done for us then and might the present generations be appreciative of what they have.
The old schools had their troubles with heating and much school time was used up sitting near the stove to keep warm. We played outside with whatever games we could think of. Harold Mills had always had lots of company when he was fence fixing and we often got far away when the bell rang. Also when the C.N.R. put the rail line through, it was a novelty to go and watch them building the grade as it was done by horses and scrapper. I can remember coming to church services here and the Christmas programs will always be remembered till the generation is gone. The teacher I most remember was Miss McLellan, our second year teacher. Other families I remember and would not have known if I had not been a "Van Kid" were Mr. & Mrs. John Mills and family, the Olver families, Wood's family, Angus family, Mr. & Mrs. Swindell and girls, the Pettit's, the Hampton's, the Gray's, Stone's, McPherson's, DuRussell's, the Johnston's, Harold & Ethel Mills. My brother, one of the "Van Kids", later became his brother in law.
I visited Tom and Kathleen Brownlee in Bowsman some years ago and they returned our visit to Kennedy. Sorry to have heard of Tom's recent passing at such a ripe age. Called at the Dave Highmoor home in that area too and saw Dave a few years ago, as he was a "Van Kid". Met several of the Graytown School mates later at Highschool in Windthorst, and still can meet up with a number of them, though some today I might not know. We have feelings of mixed emotions when we share though, for those no longer with us, but there were many season's made happy in the past by these fine people who have left us living memories of them. Here I want to pay tribute to Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Roy, who had a big part in our "Van days". Let us say "Hat's off to the past and remember we shall not pass this way again, so let us do our good deeds and show our kindness now". Always happy to see my Graytown friends and my old school friends. Other than Mae McKay, who else is present today from the "Van Kids"?
Thanks for the invitation to speak, I feel honored.
Anna Smith.
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