Gibson, Seth

SETH GIBSON 1reftext77_79.gif

by Martin Aarbo

Seth Gibson came to the Elk Point district to homestead SW 2-57-6-W4 April 10,1911, from the Province of Quebec, where he had worked in logging camps.

He worked mostly on log river drives, floating logs down river to saw mills. He was a very agile man, quick on his feet also a good swimmer. Not owning a team of horses, he would walk to Valentine's Store at Hopkins crossing, a distance of twelve miles one way, packing fifty pounds of flour and other supplies on his back.

On the occasion he and Helge Hesselgren went down to the Saskatchewan River to prospect for gold. Not finding any on this side, Seth said, "I'm going to the other side". Helge said "How? " Seth picked out a nice driftwood log, floated it into the river and twirled log against current and in nothing flat was on the other side, Helge looking on with his mouth open. This was the kind of work Seth had done in Quebec.

One day Seth was walking to town to get provisions. Dr. Ross came along with his Model T Ford and gave him a ride. On the way they had a flat tire, which took some time to fix. So the next time Dr. Ross offered Seth a ride he politely replied, "No, thanks, I'm in a hurry to get to town". Mr. Gibson did not do much farming himself. Neighbors were hired to work the land, while he worked out, returning to live on the homestead in winter.

When the depression years hit, there was no work for anyone, and money was scarce. Being a bit senile, Seth came upon the idea of making his own. He purchased a number stamping outfit, cut out plain paper the size of dollar bills, and proceeded to print one and five dollar notes.

When Seth took this money to Markstad's Store to buy groceries, for some reason Mr. Markstad would not accept it. This made Seth mad, and he told the neighbors "Markstad must be going blind. He doesn't know good money when he sees it".

Seth Gibson passed away in an Edmonton home some time in the early sixties.