We are very grateful for the publicity on the historic log house – built by local pioneers David and Isabella (Bella) Sinclair -- that was featured in the Innisfail Province on Dec. 8, 2015. Hopefully the move to the Innisfail Historical Village can be finished this summer.
However, on the point mentioned in the article on the arrival of Isabella to the region, Jim Brown and his sister Bella came by team and wagon with a load of supplies, and not by stagecoach. Secondly, they did not stop over at the Spruces stopping house, which was actually built the following year.
As well, please note that I am known as John Thomson, not MacDonald Thomson.
It should also be mentioned that David Sinclair was born in Scotland. He came over to Canada and went to work for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He helped build the bridges and trestles across the Prairies and on into British Columbia. He staked his homestead west of Innisfail and then built the house and barn to prove up on the homestead.
David and Bella were married at Kananaskis in 1886. They moved back to the homestead in 1889 where they continued to live for the next 40 years. The names of their children were George, Jack, Robert, Isabel and Marion.
I remember the time in 1942 when Bob Sinclair brought his mother and father out to the farm for a visit. Bob, David and dad walked down to the barn to look over the cattle. In the house, Bella and mother discussed recipes and served tea and scones.
John Thomson
Innisfail
