BC Historical Talk: The Remarkable Diary of Thomas Russell
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:46AM Date: May 7, 7:00pm (Pacific Standard Time).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81233431103
For those who cannot make it, the talk will be recorded and will - after May 7, 2026 - be found on the Ladysmith & District Historical Society's website:
https://www.ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca
Overview:
Thomas Russell's Beautifully written diary reads like an adventure novel with near shipwreck, horrendous accidents and injuries, bush medicine, interactions with the Haida First Nation, whites and Asians, character sketches of scurrilous and honorable individuals, shoddy and dishonest work by previous company employees, a complex and thin coal deposit, a disgruntled workforce, and delay pick-up at the end of their contract (caused by the coal company having gone bust), which led to food shortages prompting perilous lengthy dugout canoe journeys in search of victuals. (Goodbody, Take 5; May 2026 Vol. 29. No 11)
With kind regards,
Ruth Goodbody