Grund and Bru — Two
Most
Enchanting Districts
Icelanders Played Major Part
In Growth and Development
The Grund and Bru in the Municipality of Argyle are enchanting little
districts covering an area of approximately 2 townships. They do not
lack in historical interest. The founding and settling of this land was
mainly due to the work of a pioneer who played a great part in the
growth and development of the country, namely Sigurdur
Christopherson, a member of the Icelandic delegation that came to
Manitoba in 1874 to select a suitable location for the Icelandic
delegation that came to Manitoba in 1874 to select a suitable location
for the Icelandic colony. First in New Iceland, now Gimli, and then to
Argyle in 1880. He named his farm Grund meaning flat country. “Bru” was
the name given to Jon Olafsson farm meaning bridge. The successive
Icelandic settlers came to this country empty handed but they were
hearty, congenial and enthusiastic workers and adhered to a policy of
strict economy.
On account of the floods at Gimli and district during the years 1878-79
and 1880 farmers were unable to obtain enough food for their stock.
Many to drive their stock to other districts to be fed during the
winter.
In July 1880 Christian Johnson and Sigurdur Christopherson set out try
and find a more favorable place for the Icelanders to continue farming
This was in a southerly direction where we have now the Municipality of
Argyle. The reason for this was that Mr. Everett Parsonage
who had lived in New Iceland and had moved to southern Manitoba, had
written these men about the promising land.
These two men travelled by row boat to Winnipeg and by steam boat to
Nelsonville, where the closest land office was. From there they walked
to Pilot Mound, home of their friend Mr. Parsonage. It took them three
days, sleeping outdoors and camping the best they could.
These three men ventured out in search of suitable land, heading north
to 6-13-14 until they came to Oak Creek. There Mr. Playfair was
building his first home. They followed Oak Creek to the district
we now call Bru.
No buildings were seen but a tent in the distance on the west side of
the creek indicated a little life. This tent was occupied by Messrs
Parry and Alf Esplin who had just located on suitable land on 20-6-13.
From there they travelled west to 12-6-14 and camped where Helgasons
now live. Mr. Parsonage rode his pony south to the hill, (west from the
Lutheran Church), turned around and galloped his horse back and told
his comrades he had found paradise. Immediately four or five sections
were picked out.
They returned to Nelsonville and Mr. Christopherson filed on E 10-6-14,
bought a scythe and snath, came back and put up hay,
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living with Esplin. Kris Johnson decided
to go to North Dakota in case he could make a better stake there, but
returned and filed on 12-6-14. On Sept. 25th.1880, Skafti
Arason, William Taylor F. Frederickson and Halldor Arnason filed on
land.
About March 15th, 1881, Mr. S. Arason, wife and two small children, Mr
Skuli Arnason with "wife and three children”, along with G. Nordman and
Sig Christopherson left Gimli for their new homesteads. They had built
small cabins on their sleighs which was an added comfort. These sleighs
were drawn by oxen. A few cattle were brought with them to start the
ball rolling. It was a happy day to arrive at Esplin’s on March 31st
after travelling for two weeks in very cold and stormy weather. They
camped close to Christopherson's hay until the weather turned milder.
Now the building began. They pulled out their axes, hammers and nails
and built log houses. Later that spring, Mrs. Christopherson with two
children, Mr. and Mrs. Hearn, Mr. Halldor Arnason and Mr.
Thorstein Johnson, B. Josephson moved to this land of opportunity. This
meant that eight families had nestled in this district, prepared to
work hard for a comfortable home. Little were they aware of the
hardship and struggle ahead of them. These eight families,
however, had their land ready for a crop, their homes and stables built
and plenty of hay
by the latter part of 1881 and looked forward with highhopes to a fine
crop the following
year.
In 1882 many more settlers came in from the Gimli district and settled
on land. Mr. Jones, Mr. Card and Mr. Dale, three successful
homesteaders arrived. The settlers broke more land, increased their
stock and added to their buildings. The outlook was good as the
Municipality of Argyle was
formed.
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