The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D. A Canadian Hero

APPENDIX A – EXTENDED BROOKS FAMILY GENEALOGY

A.19.0   Extended Brooks Family REUNIONS

A19.2 ALBERTA

Girouxville Alberta Community Hall -- Saturday, July 23, 2011

The PHOTO below was taken in the Girouxville Community Hall right after the Memorial Church Service for their sister Irene. The Brooks "boys" had just finished a memorial song Good Night Irene in honour of their sister.

Left to Right: Hubert, Jeannine, Gerald, Robert (Bob), Philip

Pictures from Gerald (Gerry) Bonnamour's House in Girouxville

During the week Gerry Bonnamour and daughter Diane provided generous hospitality to their many visitors. This hospitality was matched by son Bob Bonnamour and wife Anne. Anne's father Lionnel opened his house to Hubert, Ralf and Diana.

Left to Right: Diane (Bonnamour), Hubert, Carol, Phil, Jeannine, Gerry (Bonnamour) July 2011

Hubert's Birthday! On the morning of Monday July 25, Hubert, my sister Diana, Anne Bonnamour's father Lionnel, and myself were chatting at Lionnel's breakfast table when the phone rang. Lionnel of course answered and was a bit surprised when he found out that the call was for Hubert. The phone was located about 5 feet away from the breakfast table so everyone could hear Hubert's side of the conversation. " Neutral" is perhaps the best way to describe Hubert's brief responses. When he hung up, he mentioned that it was his wife Lilly and everything was all right at home and Lilly was gradually getting over her bronchitus. If any of us thought it strange that Lilly might call so early or call at all to Lionnel's place -- nothing was said. We then drove to Gerry Bonnamour's place for our customary 2nd breakfast. It was there that Carol and Phil broke the news that it was Hubert's birthday today, and we were about to seranade him with "Happy Birthday". It was then that we also appreciated what a great actor Hubert had been that morning when his wife had called obviously to wish hiom a Happy Birthday. The PHOTO to the right shows the one-of-a-kind Birthday Cake to remember that the ladies whipped up to celebrate the occasion which brought a rare photo smile to Hubert's face. Hubert was obviously pleased!

Monday July 25th, 2011 Hubert Gets a Surprise Birthday Cake To Remember

Some PHOTOS from Around Gerry's House

Robert (Bob), Gerald, Jeannine July 2011

Robert (Bob), Gerald, Pauline, Jeannine July 2011

ViewPoint Looking Down on Peace River -- On The Road To Bluesky

Ralf, Jeannine, Phil with Peace River as Back Drop July 2011

Hubert, Jeannine, Phil with Peace River as Back Drop July 2011

NEW BLUESKY

On Friday July 22^nd Jeannine, Phil, Hubert and Ralf set out to see Old Bluesky, New Bluesky, Friendenstal Cemetary, and the old Hubert Brooks and Joe Brooks homesteads.

There was nothing left of Old Bluesky on the banks of the Little Burnt River so we proceeded about 3 miles west down the road to New Bluesky.

New Bluesky, as we saw it on that day, was not as impressive as we might have imagined. The hamlet had at most 100 houses, not in the best condition, with a series of grain elevators at the far west end of town. The only thing of note was that there was virtually no one in sight, except for three children playing. We did not know where the Joe Brooks store was located.

Phil, Hubert, Jeannine at the Entrance to New Bluesky July 2011

Phil and Hubert at the Entrance to New Bluesky July 2011

Phil and Ralf at the Entrance to New Bluesky July 2011

On the following Monday, Robert (Bob), Jeannine and Ralf decided to go back to Fairview, Waterhole, the old homesteads and New Bluesky to explore further. This time we were accompanied by long time Fairview resident, and former Brooks homestead neighbor Pat(sy) (Wyness) Wilson. We picked Patsy up at the Garison Manor - right across the street from the Harvest Lodge where Mary Brooks spent her final days. We then went to the Harvest Lodge Chapel to see the Rousseau Painting, then to Mary Brooks' house in Fairview, on to Waterhole ( or the commemerative sign), then to the old homesteads south of Old Bluesky, ending up at New Bluesky. Having Patsy Wyness -- who knew exactly where she was going was like night and day. A very worthwhile 2nd trip!

But to keep the picture sequence entact, first the pictures from New Bluesky from the Monday-Patsy supervised trip!

REFERENCE PHOTO: Otto Brooks standing Outside of Brooks General Store
Operated by Otto & Joe Brooks; New Bluesky AB

Patsy Wyness shows Bob Where Brooks General Store was Located in New Bluesky

Bob Pointing to Location where Brooks General Store Stood In New Bluesky - the Hotel was Located across the Street

Hunting Down The Brooks Homesteads South of Bluesky

On the Friday trip to Bluesky, Phil, Hubert, Jeannine and I initially chose the wrong road off of the main Highway 2. We ended up asking a number of farmers for directions before ending up with a young family by the name of Freed who not only recognized what we were asking -- since the owners father had lived in the same area that we were asking about, but were also kind enough to provide up with a 1985 Fairview and District map that showed the appopriate Regional Roads.

With this map we were able to navigate to the bottom of Regional Road 30 to where the Correction Road heads east. This was thought to be the Hubert Brooks/ Otto Brooks homestead with the Joe Brooks homestead across the street. Nothing was there but fields! Although it turned out to be correct that we were looking at (part of) the original Hubert Brooks homestead, it turns out that we were one quarter section further south than we needed to be to be in line with the Hubert Brooks log cabin and the Joe Brooks cabin

If we only had the Patsy Wyness map provided to us on Monday -- see below. The dark black lines are the Regional Roads. The Hubert Brooks homestead is right where the number "25" appears -- about half a mile in from the road -- right on the bank. As seen on the map, the Joe Brooks property was right across the street -- close to the road. I will discuss the numbers and the Fred and Aimé homesteads further in the Extended Brooks Family Story -- being updated real soon now. Note the location of the Freed household.

Section of Peace River Homested Map Showing List of Quarter Section Historical Property Owners
Map Partial Section Courtesy: Pat (Wyness) Wilson

Hubert, Jeannine, Phil at the Southern most section of the Hubert Brooks Homestead -- at Correction Road -- July 2011

Ralf, Jeannine, Phil at the Southern most section of the Hubert Brooks Homestead -- at Correction Road -- July 2011

On Monday with Patsy Wyness as our guide we went directly to the Hubert Brooks/ Joe Brooks Cabin Locations

Patsy (Wyness) Wilson, Robert (Bob), Jeannine:
Picture Points East with Former Joe Brooks Property as Backdrop
(No buildings remain on site) -- July 2011

And on the other side of the road.....

July 2011 View down "former lane" to Hubert Brooks Log Cabin
(about 0.5 mile in at ravine cliff - see distant tree line in photo)
Hubert Brooks owned the land both to the Left and Right of the Fence

Bob and I decided to make the walk in to the former cabin site to see if there was anything left. We saw a herd of cattle slightly off to the right in the distance so we thought we'd be smart and avoid them by walking up the left side of the fence. We got three quarters of the way down to the ravine when the herd of at least 50 cattle starting running towards us. Bob said " Don't worry there's a fence between us and the cattle."
As we continued to walk further it suddenly became apparant to me that Bob's eyes were worse than mine! There was a 20 foot gap in the fence where a gate had been moved! The cattle though came to a halt at the gap and stood and stared at us. We were about 15 feet apart, a 10 foot barbed wire fence on our right, almost half a mile back to the car and off to the left open field. Mr. Head Bull didn't seem too pleased by the sounds of his snorting. Suddenly Cowboy Bob let out a " Yaha, ha, git." which must of meant something to the cattle for they took off in a fast run and kept on going in full stampede mode till we lost sight of them over the horizon. I can only wonder what the farmer must of thought with his cattle running like a bat out of hell back home.

July 2011: Bob Viewing Wood Wreckage Left on Hubert Brooks (Otto Brooks) Property (Clearly NOT original Homestead logs but of some Subsequent Structure) Ravine down to Little Burnt River in Backdrop to Picture

July 2011: Water Dugout Found Adjacent to Hubert Brooks (later Otto Brooks) Homestead

There were a number of trees and bushes around the Hubert Brooks property which were clearly not common to the area and were most probably planted by either Hubert or Otto Brooks. In the picture below, Bob is pointing to one such tree.

July 2011: Vista Looking South Along Ravine Next to Hubert Brooks Homestead Wood Debris Evident in Picture Foreground. Little Burnt River Off to Right

July 2011: Bob Points Down Into Ravine To Path Kids Took to Reach Little Burnt River

We then completed our trip to the "Homesteads" by driving down the Correction Road (see map above) with a quick stop at the East Burnt School, and then straight south to Alfred and Aimé's homesteads. No building were evident just fields. Literally the end of the road. We met one farm lady walking and stopped to talk to her. "Don't generally see many people down this way", was what she had to say. In looking at the expanse of property that Alfred had along the Peace River one couldn't help but be impressed. Too bad things didn't work out. Now most of the land in the area is being bought up by investors and farmers from Sweden!

VISIT with WARREN BROOKS & EUGENE BOLSTAD

On Tuesday July 26, Hubert, Jeannine and I made our way back from Girouxville to (North) St. Albert (just north west of Edmonton) to pick up Eugene Bolstad. Our destination was Spruce Grove (almost directly west of Edmonton proper) to have a reunion at the house of Warren and Iris Brooks. Warren's sons Michael and David and their families attended. Jeannine's daughter Lise and her family also attended.

Warren Brooks, Ralf Brooks, Jeannine Roy, Hubert Brooks, Eugene Bolstad - July 2011

Warren Brooks, Ralf Brooks, Eugene Bolstad, Jeannine Roy, Hubert Brooks - July 2011

Warren Brooks, Jeannine Roy, Eugene Bolstad, - July 2011

David, Michael, Iris, Warren Brooks - July 2011

Jeannine Roy and Daughter Lise Roy-Maxwell - July 2011

Great discussions ensued with both Warren and Gene taking turns recounting Extended Brooks Family history. Shortly, I'll update the Appendix A Extended Brooks Family section with the main points from these discussions.

Of perhaps immediate interest, Warren brought out:

1. Hubert Brooks' Original Pipe
2. Paul Gregoire's watch
3. Hubert Brooks' 1872 Samuel Colt hand gun
4. Alfred and Aimé "7M" Cattle Branding Iron
5. told us he had Hubert Brooks' original shotgun

Eugene brough 2 historical photos of his family which have been inseredt into the Appendix A Extended Brooks Family text.

All in all, a very good reunion!

The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.