Historical Camp Personalities

REVEREND JOHN ALLISON DOYLE, D.D. was born near Elora, Ontario, May 28, 1871. He attended Albert College at Belleville, Ontario and Victoria University. He was ordained at Hamilton Conference in 1901, and was transferred to the Manitoba and North West Conference at his own request. Reverend Doyle was stationed at Wesley. In 1904, he was moved toLumsden. In July 1905, he held the first Summer School, under the auspices of the Medthodist Church.

MRS. ELIZABETH MARTIN. Known by her friends as Auntie of Sintaluta. She was born November 23, 1859, in Scotland. She married Alexander Martin and came to Canada in 1883. They both worked on the Bell Farm at Indian Head. Mrs. Martin became the dairy-maid and looked after 21 cows. She also learned how to cook on a large scale. Auntie was always interested in young people. She came to her first camp in 1908. She helped the ladies of Lumsden prepare meals. She came and took charge of the dinning hail for 28 years. She gave her time and skill of cooking to Lumsden Beach. She was a trustee from 1918 to 1931. Each year she also made a financial contribution to the camp. Auntie passed away February 8,1947.

MR. WILLIAM HINDSON came to the first camp. He led the singing, and was a member of Metropolitan Church Choir. He became General Manager, post master, store keeper and builder. He looked after the tents, built the floors for the walled tents, took care of the springs and mattresses. He was one of the Lumsden Company and trustee until he left for the coast in 1931.

MR. F. R. SEABOLT was one of the first trustees. He was active in the camp from 1908 to 1920. He made sure the accounts were well kept. He became ill and the last two years was not at the lake. In 1923, we received his resignation and a cheque for $325.00.

MR. JOSEPH GREER was a high school teacher at Lumsden. He was very faithful. He acted as Secretary-Treasurer from 1935-1940. He was also the Chairman for a short time. He built the fireplace in the former dining hall.

MR. J. H. WRIGHT was a trustee in 1918 and acted as treasurer. In 1923 a group was forming a company to purchase the farm to build cottages and use our beach. For the protection of our "Boys" and "Girls", the Lumsden Beach Trustees bought the farm. Mr. Wright left for the coast in 1928.

REVEREND A CARMAN BURLEY was living at Brora, when he became a Trustee in 1918. He acted as chairman at a very difficult time, when Mr. Seabolt was ill. He was chairman 1920, 1923, 1929,1935,1944,1956 (38 years a trustee).

MISS GAIL STEWART was appointed to the board in 1944. She was a very faithful worker. She was a leader at camp in 1927. By this time, the camps were run by the Saskatchewan Conference. In fact, the Conference ran the camp for ten years from 1935 to 1945. Regina Presbytery took over in 1945. Gail Stewart remembers camper fees at $6.50 per week. Gail was camp manager for a number of years. She ordered all the food supplies. If she needed extra help in the kitchen, she would SOS for her sister, Elva, to come and help. Gail remembers the flush toilets down by Temple Park (1927).