Ruby Mine Discovery

Introduction:

See it in the original newspaper.

While researching ruby mines, I came across an old newspaper article dating back to February 19, 1898. The article read as follows: “A RUBY MINE DISCOVERED. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Feb.17—A report from Vancouver says that a big sensation has been caused there by a bricklayer stumbling on a ruby mine while excavating for a building. The gems are pronounced by experts to be genuine. The find was made on a high territory level of the Fraser River above New Westminster.[1]” This was the only account I could find on the incident. Obviously, the ruby mine was not very large—otherwise, other newspapers would have had articles on the subject. In researching where ruby mines can be found, I did not come across anything telling that there are ruby mines in Canada. This led me to believe that it was a small mine, and possibly only one or two families used the rubies. That is the way I have it in this story. As far as dates, I followed a 1898 calendar. Jane and her parents moved to British Columbia, and along with them came her best friend's father, Mr. Stephens. As Jane writes to her best friend, Sarah, we see the story unfold. The weather mentioned in the story is actually the way it was. The only things fictional in the story are Jane and the people around her.

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February 13, 1898 New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Dear Sarah,

The job here is going very well. Father has been quite busy laying bricks for different houses, and tomorrow he hopes to start on a job excavating for the new house for us (up to now, we have lived with some neighbours). Many, many houses are needed in this big new land of ours. Often times, the wealthy get their houses first, but tomorrow he begins work on ours! He finally has enough money to do that.

Winter is still upon us, there has not been as much snow this winter as at other times, but enough to suit me! The days have been cold, just last Wednesday eight millimetres of rain fell, which stopped some of Father's work because it froze right away on top of the snow, making it quite slippery. It has melted enough, though, that I hope Father can get back to work tomorrow. The temperature has been around four degrees, so pretty cold. Father says that it is nice to warm his hands over Mother's warm fire at noon when he comes home to eat.

Father says that bricklaying is very profitable right now, since so many houses are being built. I just hope that your father can raise enough for you to come here. Mr. Stephens is working hard, I can assure you! Father works along side him every day, and says that he is probably one of the fastest workers around. Mother doesn't believe it, though. She says that Father is the fastest. I don't know. I haven't watched both of them work together, so I couldn't tell you.

Mother wants me to set the table for tea, so I must scurry! Blessings to all,
Jane


February 18th, 1898. New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Dear Sarah,

I have some very exciting news to share with you. I'll have to start from the beginning, though, or else you won't be able to understand.

Yesterday, just after lunch, Father was working with Mr. Stephens excavating for our house. Of course, it was cold and snowy out, but everyone needs somewhere to live! The way people are moving here is amazing! They kept on hitting rocks, and Father was getting quite aggravated. Suddenly, a rock split in half by his furious chopping at the frozen turf with his shovel. You wouldn't believe it—but the rock was red inside! Mr. Stephens got all excited, and chipped a few other stones—they had red in them to! Father says that they were both quite excited.

After examinations, they found out they were rubies! We are rich! You can come to Canada! Father has a bag full of rubies in his bedroom underneath a pile of rubbish. He says that we are going to build our own house fancier than we originally planned. I love the spot he choose, it's on top of one of the foothills around here. I love that—you know how I like watching the ocean! And Mother loves the mountains.

After the rubies were found, you might imagine that everyone crowded in to see what all the fuss was about. They didn't, though. Only a few people wandered over to check it out. Father says that we will build the house over it as planned, and keep the rubies for ourselves. The house will soon be rising quickly. We sure don't want any thieves getting in there to steal our treasure! I am quite excited. I hope soon to see you.


With Love,
Jane

[1] Taken from The Quebec Saturday Budget - February 19, 1898