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Frank and
Margaret (1853 – 1947) Schultz were quite prominent citizens of Baldur
in the early days of the village.
After a number of years on the farm, taking care of the animals, living
in fear of the Indians and tramps, and alone with her small sons,
Margaret was very glad when her husband decided to move to Baldur.
There Frank opened a real estate and insurance office and established a
little private bank. After a few years the Union Bank decided to open a
branch in Baldur.
Margaret was a staunch Methodist. In her estimation dancing and cards
were "of the Devil" and the boys were not allowed to have cards in the
house. Later when they grew up and she found they were playing cards
away from home she relented and allowed them to play and even started
to play with them. Some of the boys were keen sportsmen, particularly
Otto, who during his university years won many medals for racing and
hockey.
Adapted from Come into our Heritage, page 624.
Margaret is best remembered as an early advocate for the establishment
of a “Cottage Hospital” a project, and interest of Frank’s that
was taken up by Margaret after his death. She bequeathed land for the
Baldur Hospital and funds for equipment.
Margaret Schultz, by anyone's standards, was made of the 'right stuff,
and her independence and enthusiastic love of life and her fellow man
helped mold the characters of her young boys. Another story, some years
later, when 'Maggie' was in her
.ate sixties or early seventies, helps illustrate her perserverance and
pioneer spirit.
After a gusty rainstorm had swept the shingles off her kitchen roof,
she simply gathered her materials and her skirt and proceeded up the
ladder to repair the roof. Her next door neighbour, Mrs. Johnson,
pleaded with her to come down — fearing she would fall. Maggie's answer
was an invitation to the dear lady to find another hammer and join her.
Her friend threw up her hands in despair, and returned inside to peek
anxiously from her window.
When a job needed doing, Maggie 'saw to it' that it
was attended to, one way or another.
Maggie never forgot neither Frank's dream, nor his promise of land nor
his pledge of funds. She was to live to watch her son Ivan become
Minister of Health and Public Welfare for Manitoba in the Bracken
government in 1944; and to watch as he carried his father's banner and
pressed for the establishment of rural hospitals in Manitoba.
Maggie died in 1947, but not without bequeathing all that portion of
the southwest quarter of section 13 township 5 range 14 of the
Principal Meridian' to the Municipality of Argyle for the single
purpose to which it had always been intended — as the site for a
hospital. She also left funds to be used in equipping the hospital.
And, in a manner befitting the mother he worshipped, Ivan 'saw to it'
that her wishes were carried out.
The Argyle Museum has a portrait with a plaque
outlining Maggie Schultz's many acheivements.
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