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Bar U tips hat to pioneers

Pioneers who broke the land to raise crops, cattle and horses are long gone, but their love of the land lives on in their descendants.
Avril Chattaway, chairwoman of the Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association, stands with Don Evans and his parents, Donna and David Evans, during the Stockmen’ s
Avril Chattaway, chairwoman of the Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association, stands with Don Evans and his parents, Donna and David Evans, during the Stockmen’ s Dinner in High River on Jan. 30.

Pioneers who broke the land to raise crops, cattle and horses are long gone, but their love of the land lives on in their descendants.

That was apparent at the Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association’s annual Stockmen’s Dinner at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River on Jan. 30 where the families of Foothills pioneers Fioravante (Faro) DePaoli and David (Dave) Evans were honoured.

The dinner is held each winter to recognize pioneer ranching families whose descendants continue to work the land.

Turner Valley resident Don Evans spoke about his great-grandfather Dave, who came to Canada from Wales in 1897, settled in the Millarville area and became an integral part of the Millarville Racing Society.

Evans said his great-grandfather’s first job in Canada was working in the Crowsnest Pass as a bridge builder before heading north and working for Malcolm Millar, who Millarville was named after, and purchased land west of the hamlet.

“He took most of his wages in cattle and branded them ‘3/-’, the symbol for three shillings,” Don said of his great-grandfather.

He explained how he had moved a loghouse from down the creek to the homestead and returned to Wales where he married his school sweetheart Mary Anne Thomas in 1910. He returned to Millarville with his wife and they began ranching.

The couple welcomed their first child Elwyn in 1914. Elwyn now operates the ranch with help from Daryl, Don’s brother.

Don said his great-grandfather was one of the early presidents of the Millarville Racing Society and Elwyn continued his father’s passion for the society and remains a lifelong volunteer.

Elwyn was also one of the many ranchers involved in building Rancher’s Hall, which became a gathering place for Millarville residents, he said.

Don said he felt honoured that his family was recognized at this year’s Stockmen’s Dinner.

“It’s nice to be recognized for being here a long time and it’s nice to be among our neighbours,” he said. “They should be honoured for the work they do. All of us grew up ranching and the stories are quite similar.”

Also recognized was the DePaoli family, who owns Buffalo Head Ranch near Longview.

Donnie DePaoli spoke about how his grandfather Faro came to Canada from Italy in 1893.

Faro worked in a coal mine in Frank, on the railroad between Fort Macleod and Calgary and then in coal mines in British Columbia before settling in the Foothills.

Faro purchased land in Meadowbank and started farming with his brother, said Donnie.

Faro returned to Italy in 1922, married Rachel in 1923, returned to Canada two years later and Rachel and their two children at the time arrived a year later.

Donnie said his grandparents settled three miles south of the original farm and raised five children before the family took over Buffalo Head Ranch in 1949.

“Today, the family still raises prime Hereford cattle and quarter-horses there,” he said.

Donnie told stories of years of cattle drives, coming face-to-face with grizzly bears and rescuing moose, deer and other animals along the way. He also spoke of the camaraderie of neighbours and friends.

“Neighbours from both the ranch and the farm always came to help with the branding,” he said. “If it wasn’t for good neighours and friends it would have been a lot of long days.”

Avril Chattaway, chairwoman of the friends association, said it’s become a tradition for the Stockmen’s Dinner to recognize pioneer ranching families from Lundbreck to Millarville west of Highway 2.

“It is important to remember where we came from and where our neighbours came from,” she said. “The stories are so incredible to me. It’s important these stories are told.”

Chattaway said most of the families appreciate being honoured and the opportunity to tell the stories of their families who homesteaded in the area.

“It’s important for their children and grandchildren to see how important their stories are to other people,” she said. “We are not just celebrating the Bar U history we are celebrating ranching history in southern Alberta and the ranchers who pioneered here.”

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