Hague 1903 - 2003
1903 was a rather important year for Hague. It was approximately 10 years earlier when Klaas Dyck, George Bergen and a bachelor, George Lovell, settled in what is now Hague. In 10 years, the population had grown to be 175. In 1901, Rosthern had a population of 413, while Saskatoon's population was 113.
The first Sunday School had been started in 1903 and a photo and the names of the 26 children of this group is on display in the museum. At that time, the leaders of Hague also felt there was a need for a school, but in order for this to be obtained, money was needed. In order to receive money, taxes had to be raised, which meant the village needed to be incorporated. The application was made to the North West Territories on June 25, 1903 and two months later, on August 24, 1903, the incorporation was registered.
The first election for an overseer was held September 15, 1903, with Klaas Dyck being elected as the first mayor.
What was Hague like in 1903? It had four elevators, a flour mill and numerous businesses, including two lumberyards.
In Mr. J. E. Friesen's history book, he mentioned that a popular Sunday afternoon entertainment was croquet. At times the competition was so keen that they had to finish the game by lantern light.
Edward Woodcock, a mail carrier to outlying villages to the east across the river, was crossing the railway crossing in February and was killed by a train. In the same year, two 13-year-old boys drowned in Fishers' Lake on a Sunday afternoon. Bernard Penner along with his friend, tipped out of the watering trough that they were using for a canoe and drowned. They were buried in the Blumenthal Cemetery.
The first person to be buried in the old Hague cemetery on the hill south of town was 20-year-old Susie Grabinsky, who died of TB on January 4, 1904.
On August 24, 1934, a local dairy man, Fred Kinzel, was trampled to death by his own bull.
What were prices like in those days? A top buggy with a collapsable top was priced at $50. A discount of $1.50 was given if the money was sent along with the order.
Hague had only short sections of wood sidewalks at the store fronts but in 1907 a wooden sidewalk was constructed along the full length of Railway Street.
The beginings may appear to be rather humble to our present mind, but it was a very sound foundation on which they built. What will the Hague residents of 2103 say - if it is still in existence?
In the early years there was drought, grasshoppers, and always a struggle with poverty. There were the first and second world wars that brought hard times. But changes seem to be the result of a modern world. Horse power to gas engine power; running for water to running water; road improved and education opportunities were slowly offered to all.
(Used with permission - as it appeared in the Saskatchewan Valley News - September 10, 2003, on a page about the Saskatchewan River Valley Nuseum celebebrating the town's 100th anniversary).
(P.S. Hague was my home town.)
