A vintage postcard showing the old version of the  Osborne St.  Bridge over looking the Parliament Bldg. Crossing the Assiniboine River along Route 62, the Osborne Street Bridge connects downtown Winnipeg with Fort Rouge and other southern suburbs. The bridge is heavily used by cyclists and pedestrians, as well as vehicles.

Osborne St. Bridge, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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With his unquestionable passion for logs, Walter Keller came across a unique method of transforming woods into a work of art. It was about 7 years ago when he discovered chainsaw woodcarvings.

Born in Switzerland, Walter Keller made his way and immigrated to Canada in the year 1967. He’s a certified mountain logger back in Switzerland; today Keller builds cabins, including his own home, and teaches courses in log-cabin-building, under his famous business name The Timberman.

In Manitoba, Walter had been a logger and become Park Foreman at Paint Lake Provincial Park. In addition, he was Park Foreman in Whiteshell Provincial Park back in the 70’s. By then, he worked his way up to Regional Fire Control Officer in Thompson, Manitoba.

Few years ago, Keller began playing and experimenting with chainsaw carving. Nowadays, his wood carving liven up homes, cottages and business around the province and in Europe.

Self-taught, Keller now spends about 2/3 of his working time carving – for about 1/3 of his income he added. Using books, brochures, and going to logging fairs, Keller has continued to develop his skills and the variety of creatures that spring to life from his chainsaw. In fact, with the touch of his chainsaw, he managed to create life size realistic woodcarvings or sculpture.

Chainsaw carvings are made primarily with a chainsaw, although finishing touches may be done with chisels and, if the customers wants, a torch (to blacken areas) or paint. Varnish or another finish may be added.

Just like any other forester, Keller is an avid outdoorsman whose love of the woods has been translated into his chainsaw art. It’s an art form that is enjoyed across the continent and in Europe (as an internet search on chainsaw carvings makes apparent). For anyone who loves wood and but can’t manage a log cabin, a chainsaw carving in a log may suffice as an affordable and delightful way to have at least one log on site.

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Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Beeskau  on their 50th Anniversary in the 1920’s. They farmed in Oldenburg, later years in River Hills area.

A photo taken during Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Beeskau's Golden Anniversary.

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Eric Tommila was born in Viborg, Finland in 1864, coming to Montreal, Canada in 1894. Finland was very crowded with not nearly as many opportunities as Canada. He arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1897, and moved on to Brandon in 1898. Helena Sakuri was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1875 and immigrated to Canada by herself in 1903. She knew Eric Tommila from the old country and they were married in Brandon on the 11th day of February in 1904. Four boys were born there to Eric and Helena: Henry (Kirkland Lake, Ontario), Bill (Vancouver), Fred (Elma) born Jan. 8, 1911, and Harold (deceased in 1935).

In 1916, Eric decided to leave Brandon and take up farming, as farming looked good.
Prices of wheat and other grains were excellent, and besides he was getting on in age, and it was time to settle down. Land as available in Elma, so he purchased the N.E. quarter of section 21, township 10, range 12 E. The farm was covered with dense bush. Eric made a resolution to clear ten acres per year with axes and grub hoes. He lived up to his expectations; he cleared his 160 acres in 16 years. Fred remembers that it was a happy occasion when the last acre was cleared.

As Fred was growing up in Manitoba, he remembers the town of Elma, and how it also grew. In the early days, before 1920, only trails led to town. John Gilewich had a store, and was a shoemaker who made two pairs of shoes for Fred. August Ceck bought hay, grain, potatoes, and other farm produce from the farmers which he re-sold in Manitoba. Fred remembers August as being a very honest man, whose word was always good.

Fred attended school in Elma, attaining his grade 9. The old school was located directly north of where the last school (flow Elma Community Center) now is located. The school grounds were taken out of two different farms on the outskirts of town, because the farmers wanted to donate the land for the school; this was the best way to settle the discussion. One day, in 1922, Fred, Mike Lysecki, Oscar North, and Lily Neva were camped out in the hand built log “fort”, located on the far south side of the farm. The next morning, they walked through town to school and saw that the whole main street was burned down. All that remained of the stores that had stood on the main street was the chimney of August Ceck’s store. The children found some melted silver coins in the ruins. Needless to say, they were late for school. After school, they picked through the ashes and took as many nails as possible home to build their “forts” with. Fred remembers cutting his toe on some broken glass in the ashes. The children always went barefoot in the summer, even in school.

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After the wedding, Rudolf and Lena lived with her parents in the winter and they moved to Sanford the next spring, where they both worked for a farmer. Next year (1917), they went to Scepter, Saskatchewan, where they also worked for a farmer. In 1918, they went to Leader, Sask., and lived in town, with Rudolf working out. In 1919, they rented a farm at Leder working it for three years. In 1922, they came back to Seven Sisters, renting a house from John Kneller, where Arnold Golke now lives. They stayed there for one year, and then rented Rudolf Golke’s house where Wm. Klaprat now lives. Rent was one year’s taxes, $30.00. Mr. Golke, at this time, was living on Art Schultz’s farm, across the river. In 1923, they bought a farm, from the government for $11.00 per acre. The land had previously been owned by Jacob Rerick (Ed Rerick’s grandfather), but had been let go for taxes. This farm was owned for many years by Ed Honke, and now owned by Oscar Noel. A neighbour, Fred Gaek, told Rudolf about the farm; the property was covered with heavy bush, but there was a log house on it, and about 25 acres of land were cleared.

Times were very hard, and the payments could not be made. Somehow, due to some manoeuvering, the land was put into Lena’s name, and the price dropped to $3.50 per acre, which was much better. The land was cleared with axes and teams of horses. Land was cultivated with horses also. Rudolf was working out at the new power station in Great Falls. Lena stayed home and did all the farm work including milking cows, stacking sheaves, and making hay. Rudolf had to walk through the bush to Lac du Bonnet, and then catch a bus to work at Great Falls. Lena kept horses, cows, pigs, chickens, and turkeys at that time.

In 1928, with the first construction of the power house and dam at Seven Sisters, Rudolf got a job with arter-Halls-Ahldinger. Milk and cream were sold to the townspeople of Seven Sisters, with the girls (Lena’s daughters) often carrying it into town when they went to school. Later, milk was delivered into the townsite with a horse and buggy. A sign was placed on their gate advertising farm produce for sale to people going out to the beach just past Oscar Noel’s old place where he lived for many years. Seven Sisters was a boom town during construction, with several stores including a Chinese Restaurant, butcher shop, pool halls, hall, and grocery stores. A house was purchased from the company for $50.00, and moved onto the farm.

The farm was sold to Ed Honke in 1946, and the family moved to Toronto, where Rudolf worked for Carter construction (The same Carter that did the second construction at Seven Sisters. He worked for a man called John Bloos, building war houses, and then building a C.I.L. paint plant. Lena worked as a seamstress in a sewing factory.

In 1947, after one year, they decided to return to Seven Sisters. They returned with another local family, Alex Locht. They, had a car and a truck, bringing both family’s possessions. The trip took over two weeks as the time was spring break-up and the roads were in terrible shape.

Their present day property was then purchased from Walter Pommer, including the house and garages. Rudolf continued to work out with Rudolf Golke until 1950, when he and Lena moved to Great Falls to live with their daughter and her family in a store. The house, in the meantime was rented Out to three different people: Walter Kretchmer, Linda Kuhn (Craig) and Gary Kuhn. In 1955, they returned to Seven Sisters to stay and Rudolf retired in 1960 at the age of 70.

Rudolf and Lena Tittlemier’s family: Tina (Mrs. Fred Ans in Winnipeg), Dor Thomas (Larder Lake, Ontario), Ollie Gilker (Toronto), and Ruth Langedale (Toronto).

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Maxwell Labovitch is a professional ice hockey player coming from the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born on January 18, 1924. Max had played hockey for almost a decade but he missed out two seasons because he has to serve the military from 1942-1945.

These are the teams he played for:

New Haven Eagles (Right Wing) 1941- 1942
New York Rangers (Right Wing) 1943-1944
Vancouver Pros                                1945
Los Angeles Rambles                      1946-1947
Toledo Mercurys                              1947-1948
Toledo Mercurys North                 1948-1949
Toledo Mercurys South                 1948-1949
Toledo Buckeyes                               1949-1950

This canadian hockey player had garnered 43 points in 49 games under the Toledo Buckeyes of the NHL. Due to his commemorable achievements he was inducted in the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He retired from his sport around the year 1950.

Max is the man in the middle of the front row

Meanwhile, Rudolf’s father in 1911, had bought a homestead in the Seven Sisters area. The area was known as “the homestead”, located on the edge of Whiteshell Park. In 1912, enough money was earned to bring mother and the rest of the family to Canada. The farm was much too far from town and school (by Tirschmann’s creek) for the children to attend so old Mr. Ed Boesem (Art Boesem’s grandfather) sold a 60 acre farm to father for $500.00. Rudolf paid $100.00 down, and $400.00 by installments. That land was slowly cleared with axes and grub hoes. Transportation and land cultivation was with oxen.

Henry and Molly Tittlemier’s family: Rudolf, Paulina, Henry, Olga, Millie (Mrs. Ed. Kretchmer), Otto, Roy, Ewald, and Clara (Mrs. Tony Frantz). Father passed away in 1926, on the farm. Mother remained on the farm, and Roy took over its operation. Mother passed away around 1940.

Julius and Emma Honke came to Canada from Russia in the late 1890’s, to Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1900, the family moved to Oldenburg. Their homestead was 80 acres, where the old Oldenburg school still stands. The family built a two storey log house on the yard where John Broek now lives. The house was later moved across the Whitemouth River where it still stands today. The farm was all bush; the family, including the children spent many hours at back breaking labour in order to clear a few acres for garden and crops. Lena remembers working with oxen, and either walking or riding in a sleigh or wagon pulled by oxen to Whitemouth for groceries. There was no bridge at Oldenburg, one crossed the ice, or forded the river at lower water levels. Recreation consisted of going to church at Oldenburg, attending Sunday School picnics or just going for a ride with a horse and buggy or sleigh. Lena worked as a housekeeper in Whitemouth when she was 13 and 14 years old. She also milked the cows; wages were $8M0 per month plus room and board. Whitemouth was very small at that time, but had several stores.

Father then bought a farm closer to River Hills in 1912, and moved away from Oldenburg. The farm is presently owned by Edmund Wittenberg, located east of Fred Wittenberg’s farm. Charlie Honke lived there many years after dad passed away.

Julius and Emma Honke’s family: Gust, Lena (Mrs. Rudolf Tittlemier), Charlie, Gusta (Mrs. Julius Kuhn), Edward, and Tithe (Vincent). Both father and Gust died in the flu epidemic of 1918. Mother died around 1943.

Rudolf was brought down to the Honke farm by a friend, Louis Berntt. Here he met Lena and they were married on November 28th, 1915 at Old enburg Church. They drove there with a horse and sleigh. Gus Honke was the best man, and Emma Steiner was the brides maid. They received no wedding gifts that they can remember.

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The file illustration shows another view of Victoria Beach East Shore Lake Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba Canada.This was taken in the year 1930, where Einfeld Bakery was built and has been operated until now by its original family. Victoria Beach is located on the southeastern shores of Lake Winnipeg.

Vintage Manitoba Photo  showing yet another view of Victoria Beach East Shore Lake Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba Canada.

This Photo was apparently  taken in the year 1930, at the location  where Einfeld Bakery was built and has been operated until now by its original family. Victoria Beach is located on the southeastern shores of Lake Winnipeg

Rudolf was born in White Russia in 1890. The homeland was plagued with much unrest and threat of war; so, in 1910 Rudolf and his father Henry Tittlemier decided to emigrate. Men were being drafted into the army, and trained for war, so it was time to leave. Leaving Russia and crossing into Austria was a very difficult and dangerous task. The unmarked border was well guarded by soldiers with guns. The only safe way to cross was the hire a “guide”; someone who, for money would take them across, bribing the guards. Rudolf and his father broke up before the crossing; it was safer to cross individually. He crossed in darkness at 11 p.m., and went to a house, where they were expected, in an Austrian village a few hundred yards from the border. Father could not be found. Rudolf spent the night in the granary with straw for a blanket. The time was October, and the weather was cold. The “guide” found father next morning, so the couple had a hearty breakfast at the house. Rudolf remembers the house owner’s wife saying that all food was plentiful in Austria except bread.

Money was paid to the Misler Agency, and the pair went by freight train to Bremen, Germany. Brazil was their choice of countries to emigrate to, but the passage was too expensive. Canada was the cheapest country to go to, so the baggage was loaded on a ship headed for Canada. Each immigrant was required to have $50.00 to be allowed to come to Canada. Rudolf and his father had only that much money between them, so father showed the officials his money, and then passed it back to Rudolf so that he could show the same $50.00, and be allowed to go. They landed in Quebec City, and took the CPR to Winnipeg, arriving on November 20th, 1910, at midnight. They went to the Austrian-German immigration agency, and told the officials of their relatives in the Steinbach area. The agent suggested that Steinbach was not such a good place to go to, and that working in the bush would be a better job. Rudolf went to the employment agency, and met a man working in a bakery, located at McKenzie Street and Stella Avenue. He got a job looking after the bakery’s horses, and cleaning the stables. Wages were $200.00 per year. Rudolf slept on top of the bakery ovens at night. After about two weeks, he became a helper, going on a delivery wagon to a new town called Transcona. Along what is now Regent Avenue, there was a dog catcher who kept quite a few dogs penned up. One day the dogs broke loose, and chased the horses, creating a big disturbance. Rudolf did not want to go back, so he went to the immigration office, and got a job as a lumber jack for $30.00 per month at Grandview, Manitoba. His equipment included a sharp axe and a cant hook. There were six men to a gang cutting the wood, plus one teamster to drive the horses. Later in that winter, Rudolf became a teamster for $40.00 per month.

He worked there all winter, and in spring came back to Winnipeg dressed in bush clothes and had over $100.00 in his pocket. He bought a completely new wardrobe from head to toe, and still had over $80.00 left. He then took a job with the CPR for 15 cent per hour, working on a “change gang”, doing odd jobs. After about three months, the wages were raised to l7½1 per hour, and Rudolf was working as a store man in a CPR steel warehouse.

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This scene was taken in the year 1939 where workers  cut lumbers in bush behind River Hills.

River Hills' Lumber Industry