REMINISCENCES OF JACOB IFTODI   as told to Bob Thorn

One hundred and thirty-five dollars paid for the passage of Jacob Iftodi and his wife in 1903 from the Ukraine to Canada. They arrived in Saltcoats enroute to Lennard. This location was chosen because there was lots of bush - material to build a log house and shelter for his oxen. He went to Winnipeg in 1908 to purchase a quarter section at $7.50 per acre - today it is worth $60. an acre. Harry Gaber broke his land for him with oxen. Jacob recalls hauling poplar poles to Russell to be sold for fuel at $1.50 per load. It took six hours for a one way trip - one yoke of oxen hauled the load and a second yoke conveyed the tired animals back to Lennard, a distance of twenty miles. Jacob smiled when he thought of his twin oxen with matching white collars! In 1914 he sold a yoke of oxen to an Albertabuyer.

His drill cost him $25. and a binder to be drawn by three oxen was $80. Prices received from grain buyers, P. H. Nelson and Jas. Newell were 50 cents for oats and 80 cents for wheat.

Mr. Iftodi, with tears in his eyes, cherishes fond memories of Mr. E. Lucas, bank manager, Russell when in 1918 he loaned him $4,200. to buy from Jack McAuley a steamer, which developed 16 horse-power on the draw-bar.

Jacob is retired in Russell at the age of 88. His wife died in May 1964. His family is: Lena (Mrs. J. K. Paulenko); Vera (Mrs. Sam Holunga); Florence (Mrs. John Moga); James; Geo. (married Siami Rutunan); Mary (Mrs. Strugar); Gordon (married Doris Duffy).

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