Charles A. Semli n An Inventory of his Paper s. University of British Columbi a. Library. Special Collections Divisio n.

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1 Charles A. Semli n An Inventory of his Paper s in University of British Columbi a Library Special Collections Divisio n Prepared by Rochelle Farquhar 986

2 Semli n Introductio n The Charles A. Semlin Paper s Charles Augustus Semlin was born of United Empire Loyalis t descent in Barrie, Upper Canada, in October 836. Leaving a teaching job in Barrie, he came to British Columbia in 86 a t the time of the Cariboo goldrush, and settled in Cache Creek. He bought the Dominion Ranch off Thomas Buis of Lytton in Augus t 870. He was also a partner in Semlin & Stuart until it wa s disbanded in 873. From 87 to 876, and from 88 to 903, h e was the Conservative MLA representing Yale in the Legislative Assembly. He became leader of the opposition in 894, an d premier in 898. While premier, he also held the portfolios o f public works and agriculture, and was also provincial secretar y part of the time. Dismissed from office in 900, he retired fro m political life in 903. He remained active at his Cariboo ranch and in the Interior Stock Raisers Association. Remainin g unmarried, he died at Ashcroft on November 3, 97.

3 Semlin Guide to the Inventor y The Semlin Papers which are contained in three boxe s include an assortment of items relating to Mr. Semlin' s activities between 870 and 98. Within the general series ar e items of correspondence, and miscellaneous items. Materia l associated with the Dominion Ranch also includes correspondenc e and day books of the ranch which are of special interest in tha t they offer glimpses into the early ranching days in the interio r of British Columbia. In addition the papers include a few items relating to The Interior Stock Raisers Association and th e partnership of Semlin & Stuart. Another item of special note is the letterpress copyboo k which contains correspondence from Semlin ' s office during hi s premiership. Most such copybooks from premier ' s offices ar e in the Provincial Archives of British Columbia. Many of th e letters reflect his portfolios of public works and agriculture. Major correspondents include Lieutenant-Governor T.R. McInnes and the following members of the Legislative Assembly : F.J. Dean e (Yale South), Thomas Forster (Delta), R.F. Green (Kootenay West - Slocan), H. Helgeson (Quesnelle Forks), H.D. Helmcken (Victoria), Alex Henderson (Newcastle City), J.M. Kellie (Kootenay West - Revelstoke), Thomas Kidd (Richmond), J.C. Kinchant (Cariboo), R. MacPherson (Vancouver), J.M. Martin (Kootenay West-Rossland), C.W. Munro (Chilliwack), Alan W. Neill (Alberni), J.D. Prentice (Lillooet East), and Ralph Smith (Nanaimo). There are also more than a dozen letters to W.L. Flood. The papers were donated in 95 by Edward D. McRae o f Ashcroft, B.C.

4 iii Semli n Table of Content s Introduction Guide to Inventor y Table of Content s Name Inde x ii i iv Inventor y General Serie s GENERAL CORRESPONDENC E CLIPPING S EPHEMERA MISCELLAN Y Subgroup s Dominion Ranc h INCOMING LETTERS Day books Ledgers Bills & receipts Financial miscellany MISCELLANY Government of British Columbia OUTGOING LETTER S - Premier ' s Offic e Letterpress copyboo k EPHEMERA The Interior Stock Raisers Associatio n PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE & MINUTE S EPHEMERA Semlin & Stuar t Ledge r Financial miscellany

5 iv Semlin Name Index The following names are all found on page of th e inventory. There is a further index to correspondence a t the front of the Letterpress copybook in Box -7. Ashcroft Conservative Associatio n BALDWIN, A.A. BANNERUN, D.L. BEATTIE, M. Bissinger & Co. British Columbia Historical Associatio n CAMPBELL, J. DODDS, C. DUNN, T.H. FREDERICK, Wm. Foste r The Great West Permanent Loan Compan y J. Hemans & Co. Inland Agricultural Associatio n S.L. Macgowan & Co. McLEOD, M.A. MORGAN, T.P. PARKE, F. SAVAGE, J. Simon Leiser & Co. Water Rights Branc h WILLIAMS, A. W. Josi e Old Man Charlie

6 Semli n Charles A. Semlin Papers Inventor y Box & Folder No. Subject Dates No. of Item s General Serie s GENERAL CORRESPONDENC E - Ashcroft Conservative Assoc. 97 BEATTIE, M. n.d. British Columbia Historica l Association 90 DODDS, C The Great West Permanent Loan Company 97 S.L. 97 McLEOD, M.A. 96 PARKE, F. n.d. Provincial Secretary 885 Josie 97 - CLIPPINGS 90,908-3 EPHEMERA -4 MISCELLANY 7 Envelopes 6 SUBGROUP S Dominion Ranc h INCOMING LETTER S -5 BALDWIN, A.A. 97 BANNERUN, D.L. 90 Bissinger & Co. 97 CAMPBELL, J. 907 DUNN, T.H. 90,90 5 FREDERICK, Wm. Foster 880 J. Hemans & Co. 908 Inland Agricultural Association 90 Macgowan & Co. 96 MORGAN, T.P. 97 SAVAGE, J. 896 Simon Leiser & Co. 908 Water Rights Branch 94 WILLIAMS, A.W. 97 Old Man Charlie 97

7 Semli n Day book s -6 Day book Day book Day book Day book fragments Day book Day book Ledger s - Ledger fragments Ledger Bills & receipts Financial miscellany MISCELLANY Envelope Government of British Columbia Premier,s Office OUTGOING LETTERS -7 Letterpress copybook EPHEMERA The Interior Stock Raisers Association PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE & MINUTES EPHEMERA 96,97 Semlin & Stuar t Ledger Financial miscellany