14

With the fast approaching winter Percy was in a rush to get a permanent house built to escape from the bitter night time winds. Percy enlisted the help of a neighbor to build and once finding that he himself was deeply unskilled with an axe he enlisted the help of a second neighbor to help the first.

15

Original Log Cabin with Alice Criddle in Doorway
Circa 1884
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

16

When it became evident that the 150 logs that he had previously cut for the construction was insufficient Percy accompanied by Mr. Lawrence and the oldest Vane boys traveled to Spruce woods four miles N.N.E of the homestead. There wood was in an abundance and after a few hours they had the two teams loaded with wood. This trip was to be the first of many trips to Spruce Woods in search of lumber for the cabin, and even then the house had to be downscaled much to Percy's disappointment.

In December of that year they finally moved into the log cabin. After the long wait it didn't quite fill their expectations. The lack of insulation soon became very evident when chilly winds would whistle through the house and temperatures would drop to 20 degrees below (F). The boys would share a bed; sleeping in their clothes between two straw filled mattresses in a failing attempt to stay warm.

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Side view of Log cabin 1890 with Edwy, Cecil, and Harry Vane in front
Circa 1890
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada


Credits:
Alistair Abell
Sipiweske Museum

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In 1890 they expanded the log cabin by adding an extension on the north side creating a barn style house. Percy recorded in his diary about a Christmas spent in the house.

Percy describing Christmas dinner in a new land. From his diary:

"Despite my rapidly increasing illness, we kept Christmas Day in the old English style - that is - so far as we could. A pudding graced the board - also some mince pies - though I for the first time in many years failed to assist in making and trying the former. Nuts had we also - but there was no goose or turkey - no beef - no chestnuts - no celery and Stilton - and no wine. Despite these gastronomic shortcomings the children managed to enjoy themselves - and we drank sundry toasts, in Brandy and water - the Yule log being ceremoniously burnt in our beastly Canadian iron stove.

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Drawing of Cabin with Extension
Circa 1890
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada


Credits:
Alistair Abell
Sipiweske Museum

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This house was to serve for another 16 years.

"Friday January 15, 1886
Not got my new thermometer yet. Fraser failed to fetch it this week and there have been no end of other bothers and delays besides. The custom house required full power of attorney ere they would give it up despite a letter from me authorizing Frasers to get it and the fact that the box had care of Frasers Bros. on it. Of the two I almost think the Custom House is more idiotic than the Back in this brilliant land of knaves and blockheads. Fancy and civilized country putting obstructions in the way of is customers."