HISTORY
MINING HISTORY
COMPANY HOUSING
STAFF BOARDING HOUSES & MAIN OFFICES
MINING HISTORY
COMPANY HOUSING
STAFF BOARDING HOUSES & MAIN OFFICES
THE STAFF HOUSE
(aka Dominion/DISCO/DOSCO Staff House)
1912-1956
by Gail Hussey Weir
Created February 2023
(aka Dominion/DISCO/DOSCO Staff House)
1912-1956
by Gail Hussey Weir
Created February 2023
In the early years of Wabana mining, the original two mining companies operating on Bell Island each had their own Staff Boarding House located at their loading piers on the south side of the Island. The Company Staff House was a combination boarding house and hotel where Company staff (office workers, mining engineers, supervisors, etc. but not regular miners) stayed for varying periods, either while doing contract work for the mining company, or while awaiting availability of permanent Company housing. When rooms were vacant, other community professionals who needed short-term accommodation also stayed there.
The Dominion Company built a new Staff House in 1912 on the east side of the Dominion East Track (now called Steve Neary Boulevard) where it met Church Road (opposite what later became the Sports Field). This Staff House stood the longest and became the only Staff House around 1922 after the two companies amalgamated in 1920. It was a three-storey building with a gambrel roof, which gave it a barn-like appearance. (Apparently there was a fourth storey with rooms in the peaked attic.) One manager described it as "a barn that shook with the wind." This Staff House was a minute's walk from the "new" Dominion Main Office on Bennett Street which, after the companies merged, became the only Main Office. The photo below of the Sports Field in the early 1950s with the Staff House and St. Cyprian's Church (in the left background) is courtesy of Lydia Bennett. This Staff House burned to the ground on May 20, 1956.
The Dominion Company built a new Staff House in 1912 on the east side of the Dominion East Track (now called Steve Neary Boulevard) where it met Church Road (opposite what later became the Sports Field). This Staff House stood the longest and became the only Staff House around 1922 after the two companies amalgamated in 1920. It was a three-storey building with a gambrel roof, which gave it a barn-like appearance. (Apparently there was a fourth storey with rooms in the peaked attic.) One manager described it as "a barn that shook with the wind." This Staff House was a minute's walk from the "new" Dominion Main Office on Bennett Street which, after the companies merged, became the only Main Office. The photo below of the Sports Field in the early 1950s with the Staff House and St. Cyprian's Church (in the left background) is courtesy of Lydia Bennett. This Staff House burned to the ground on May 20, 1956.
Matrons of the Dominion (aka DISCO/DOSCO) Staff House over the Years
Along with managing the domestic staff and the day-to-day operations of the Staff House, the Matron hosted and provided meals for staff functions as well as for visiting dignitaries of church and government. As of Feb. 2023, I have not found any information for Matrons of the Dominion Staff Houses prior to 1913.
1913:
Malina (Mrs. Mark) James (nee Taylor, 1852-1920): (may have been the first?) Matron of Dominion Staff House, c.1913.
The only mention found for her was a brief statement in the Daily News, as reported by Bown for Sept. 9, 1913, p. 43: "A dinner was given at the Dominion Staff House with Mrs. Mark James as hostess." Directories for Bell Island for the period did not list her or the other women working at the Staff House, however, she is listed in the 1913 Directory for Carbonear as being a homeowner on Water Street and "widow of Mark." [See more of her bio in "J" under "People" in the top menu.]
c.1915-1920:
Margaret Stone (Maggie, nee Badcock, 1856-1920): Matron of Dominion Staff House c.1915-1920.
"Mrs. Abel Stone, Matron of Dominion Staff House, passed away on Oct. 18, 1920; her remains were taken to her former home in Habour Grace for burial." (Bown, 1920, p. 62, col. 3, top.) Her obituary in the Daily News "News of the Year, 1920," said she had been "living on Bell Island for 5 or 6 years" prior to her death. [See more of her bio in "S" under "People" in the top menu.]
c. October 1920-c.1922?:
Sophia Rees (1893-1966): Matron of Dominion Staff House, c. October 1920-c.1922?
1921 Census listed her as "In charge of Staff House" (DISCO). [See more of her bio in "R" under "People" in the top menu.]
c. 1922? - October 1930:
Sarah L. Fraser (nee Frazer, 1861-1951): Matron of Dominion Staff House c.1922?-October 1930.
"Mrs. D.A. Fraser retired as Matron of the Staff House" in October 1930. (Bown, 1930, p. 34, col. 1.) D.A. Fraser, Mechanical Engineer, Machine Shop Foreman, came to Bell Island in 1896; his wife managed Company staff house. James M. Cameron, Industrial History of the New Glasgow District, 1960, p. IV-16.) [See more of her bio in "F" under "People" in the top menu.]
November 1930-June 1954:
Ellen (Nellie) Forward (1879-1963): Matron of Dominion Staff House November 1930 to June 1954.
"Mrs. D.A. Fraser retired as Matron of the Staff House and was succeeded by Miss Nellie Forward." "Retired: Miss N. Forward, Staff House Matron, 23 years service." (Sources: Bown, 1930, p. 34, col. 1; Submarine Miner, July 1954, p.6) [See more of her bio in "F" under "People" in the top menu.]
July 1954-c.1968:
Jean Gray (1912-2003): Matron of Dominion Staff House July 1954-c.1968.
Jean Gray, July 1954 to c.1968. The Wabana Mines closed in June 1966, but the Staff House may have remained open for a few years while mining equipment was being sold off. She is listed in the 1968 Voters' List for Bell Island as "Hostess."
1913:
Malina (Mrs. Mark) James (nee Taylor, 1852-1920): (may have been the first?) Matron of Dominion Staff House, c.1913.
The only mention found for her was a brief statement in the Daily News, as reported by Bown for Sept. 9, 1913, p. 43: "A dinner was given at the Dominion Staff House with Mrs. Mark James as hostess." Directories for Bell Island for the period did not list her or the other women working at the Staff House, however, she is listed in the 1913 Directory for Carbonear as being a homeowner on Water Street and "widow of Mark." [See more of her bio in "J" under "People" in the top menu.]
c.1915-1920:
Margaret Stone (Maggie, nee Badcock, 1856-1920): Matron of Dominion Staff House c.1915-1920.
"Mrs. Abel Stone, Matron of Dominion Staff House, passed away on Oct. 18, 1920; her remains were taken to her former home in Habour Grace for burial." (Bown, 1920, p. 62, col. 3, top.) Her obituary in the Daily News "News of the Year, 1920," said she had been "living on Bell Island for 5 or 6 years" prior to her death. [See more of her bio in "S" under "People" in the top menu.]
c. October 1920-c.1922?:
Sophia Rees (1893-1966): Matron of Dominion Staff House, c. October 1920-c.1922?
1921 Census listed her as "In charge of Staff House" (DISCO). [See more of her bio in "R" under "People" in the top menu.]
c. 1922? - October 1930:
Sarah L. Fraser (nee Frazer, 1861-1951): Matron of Dominion Staff House c.1922?-October 1930.
"Mrs. D.A. Fraser retired as Matron of the Staff House" in October 1930. (Bown, 1930, p. 34, col. 1.) D.A. Fraser, Mechanical Engineer, Machine Shop Foreman, came to Bell Island in 1896; his wife managed Company staff house. James M. Cameron, Industrial History of the New Glasgow District, 1960, p. IV-16.) [See more of her bio in "F" under "People" in the top menu.]
November 1930-June 1954:
Ellen (Nellie) Forward (1879-1963): Matron of Dominion Staff House November 1930 to June 1954.
"Mrs. D.A. Fraser retired as Matron of the Staff House and was succeeded by Miss Nellie Forward." "Retired: Miss N. Forward, Staff House Matron, 23 years service." (Sources: Bown, 1930, p. 34, col. 1; Submarine Miner, July 1954, p.6) [See more of her bio in "F" under "People" in the top menu.]
July 1954-c.1968:
Jean Gray (1912-2003): Matron of Dominion Staff House July 1954-c.1968.
Jean Gray, July 1954 to c.1968. The Wabana Mines closed in June 1966, but the Staff House may have remained open for a few years while mining equipment was being sold off. She is listed in the 1968 Voters' List for Bell Island as "Hostess."
Some social and other events at the Staff House
Sept. 9, 1913: A dinner was given at the Dominion Staff House with Mrs. Mark James as hostess. (Bown, p. 43.)
Feb. 25, 1916: Bachelors at the Dominion Staff House gave an "At Home." Mrs. J.J. MacDougall acted as chaperone. Messrs. Morley, Murphy, Burke, Davis, Lodge, Harvey and Ward were hosts to a number of lady friends. (Bown, p. 50.)
In 1931, the Daily News reported that "Miss Nellie Forward gave a Valentine party at the Staff House on the 13th." (Bown, p. 37.)
May, 1933: The Staff House was put under quarantine due to the diagnosis of a case of diphtheria. (Bown, 1933, p. 51.)
Oct. 1933: A presentation was made to Alma Cull of the domestic staff at the Staff House on the eve of her wedding. The senior boarder, Cuthbert Main, made the presentation. (Bown, p. 53.)
Mar. 27, 1936: Sir Humphrey Walwyn paid his first official visit to Bell Island. He and his entourage were given a tour of No. 6 Mine, led by Manager C.B. Archibald. They were served luncheon at the Staff House before visiting Tom F. Neary's modern dairy and also the piers before returning to the City. (Bown, p. 60.)
In the summer of 1938, Sir Bruce Porter, who was chief medical officer in charge of the Third London Hospital at Wandsworth during the war and had charge of many wounded Newfoundland soldiers, visited Bell Island. He was accompanied by his niece and others. They were met at the Beach by members of the Great War Veterans Association. After Sir Bruce laid a wreath at the War Memorial, the party was given a tour of Bell Island, following which a luncheon, hosted by DOSCO Manager C.B. Archibald, was served at the Staff House by Miss Nellie Forward and her assistants. (Bown, p. 71.)
Feb. 25, 1916: Bachelors at the Dominion Staff House gave an "At Home." Mrs. J.J. MacDougall acted as chaperone. Messrs. Morley, Murphy, Burke, Davis, Lodge, Harvey and Ward were hosts to a number of lady friends. (Bown, p. 50.)
In 1931, the Daily News reported that "Miss Nellie Forward gave a Valentine party at the Staff House on the 13th." (Bown, p. 37.)
May, 1933: The Staff House was put under quarantine due to the diagnosis of a case of diphtheria. (Bown, 1933, p. 51.)
Oct. 1933: A presentation was made to Alma Cull of the domestic staff at the Staff House on the eve of her wedding. The senior boarder, Cuthbert Main, made the presentation. (Bown, p. 53.)
Mar. 27, 1936: Sir Humphrey Walwyn paid his first official visit to Bell Island. He and his entourage were given a tour of No. 6 Mine, led by Manager C.B. Archibald. They were served luncheon at the Staff House before visiting Tom F. Neary's modern dairy and also the piers before returning to the City. (Bown, p. 60.)
In the summer of 1938, Sir Bruce Porter, who was chief medical officer in charge of the Third London Hospital at Wandsworth during the war and had charge of many wounded Newfoundland soldiers, visited Bell Island. He was accompanied by his niece and others. They were met at the Beach by members of the Great War Veterans Association. After Sir Bruce laid a wreath at the War Memorial, the party was given a tour of Bell Island, following which a luncheon, hosted by DOSCO Manager C.B. Archibald, was served at the Staff House by Miss Nellie Forward and her assistants. (Bown, p. 71.)
Staff House Tragedies
The first Staff House tragedy occurred on On September 3, 1923, when Hilda Harney, a 23-year-old member of the domestic staff, was killed by a runaway ore car as she crossed the East [ore car] Track in front of the Staff House on her way to visit her parents. (Bown, 1923, p. 73, col. 1.)
Her headstone in the Salvation Army Cemetery, Bell Island, reads: "Erected by the Guests of the Staff House to the Memory of Hilda, beloved Daughter of John and Elizabeth Harney. Born August 16, 1900. Died September 3, 1923. (Photo by Gail Hussey-Weir.)
The article on the right is from the Evening Telegram, Sept. 4, 1923, p. 4.
Her headstone in the Salvation Army Cemetery, Bell Island, reads: "Erected by the Guests of the Staff House to the Memory of Hilda, beloved Daughter of John and Elizabeth Harney. Born August 16, 1900. Died September 3, 1923. (Photo by Gail Hussey-Weir.)
The article on the right is from the Evening Telegram, Sept. 4, 1923, p. 4.
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The second Staff House tragedy happened May 20, 1956 when, in the early morning hours, the 4-storey Company Staff House on the East Track burnt to the ground. 12 people, comprised of male boarders and female household staff, escaped without serious injury. One man, Aime Moquin, perished in the fire.
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The one-storey, T-shaped building in the foreground of the photo on the right is the "new" DOSCO Staff House on the south side of Bennett Street. It was built in 1957 following the loss of the 1912 Staff House to fire in 1956. It was located immediately west of the Company's Main Office, which was on the site now occupied by the Home Hardware store.
The Wabana Mines ceased operations in June 1966, but Jean Gray was still listed as a "Hostess" in the Bell Island Voters' List for 1968. The Staff House may have been in use by the Provincial Department of Mines during those years following the closure of the mines as some staff were kept on to oversea the dismantling and sale of mining infrastructure as well as the remaining stockpiled ore. This building was eventually sold to a businessman in Portugal Cove who had it dismantled and rebuilt there for a different purpose. |
This photo was first published in the Company's magazine, The Submarine Miner, in Dec. 1957 and was the cover in Dec. 1958.
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