Notes kept by Stanley to document his journey down the river.
Put up the tent, then took Fane down to the Brecht place - very nice - upright log house - will go back to shoot interiors - they have been there 12 years. House built in late 20's by Lynns who was customs agent.
Brechts home on the Kootenay River near the border, August 14, 1970
Afternoon visited Toska (Leo). His father settled there at Dorr in 1926. Leo is 49. Leo stayed on the farm until he joined up in the second World War. Then went to the coast logging on Vancouver Island. When his father died he came home and took over the farm (then years ago), wife and one girl (10 or 12 years old.)
He and his father didn't get along - never could do anything right. Father from Poland, very old fashioned - never drove a car, truck or tractor in his life - did all the haying with horses and pitch fork. He worked in the coal fields prior to settling here. Leo now is very mechanized, but he says he still likes to do things the hard way. - meaning that he loves to use his muscles at good honest work but has had to mechanize in order to be able to run the farm alone.
Runs 300 head of cattle, cows and yearlings. Doesn't live in the original log house but down in the draw - closer to water. Farm now includes 2 smaller farms that Leo has bought.
Toska's place with children
Got to Mojak farm after sundown met Paul - only him and his mother left at the ranch. His father settled there after first World War c. 1919. Paul was 9 months old.
There must have been a lot of activity at Dorr in the earlier years. The railway passed through there. There was a section house and crew. There were 5 or 6 small farms, the main road from Waldo passed through there and there was a siding for loading logs on the railway.
Now that is all gone except the two ranches and they will soon go (under water).