PHOTO CAPTION.

2 April 2012

Collection at Local Museum Continues to Grow

Oxbow Saskatchewan - Three small items of local interest were recently donated to the Ralph Allen Museum in Oxbow.
 
Marj Nyeste said she and her brother Dennis were recently sorting through some of their Dad's personal effects, and came across some memorabilia belonging to their grandfather Ben Berntson.
 
As Ben had been the C.P.R. section foreman in Glen Ewen, Marj thought it was appropriate for the items to go to the local museum.
 
Donated was a small book, "Canadian Pacific Railway Company General Train and Interlocking Rules," a little key used for switching the tracks, and a straight razor.
 
Inside the book is a typed message:  "This Book is the property of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and is loaned to B. Berntson, Section Foreman, who, by accepting it, agrees to return it to the proper officer when called for, or forfeit twenty-five cents."
 
A story from the Oxbow Herald, published when Ben retired in 1949, was also glued inside the book.
 
The write up says:  "Thirty-six years service on the railroads were terminated on May 11th, when Ben Berntson, C.P.R. section foreman at Glen Ewen, retired on pension at the age of 65 years. Mr. Berntson first entered the employ of the C.P.R. in 1913, when he worked at Carnduff, Oxbow, and Estevan, coming to Glen Ewen in 1917 as section foreman, where he has remained in the same position for the past 32 years. Mr. Berntson has the proud record of 32 years without an accident, and while he could have retired five years ago at the age of 60 he chose to stay on the job. Mr. Berntson has enjoyed his work, but he is quite pleased to lay down his tools, as his health is beginning to show the strain of his long years of service. To celebrate his coming retirement several members of the family gathered at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Cushon, in the north Oxbow district on Sunday in a reunion when 15 grandchildren were also present. Five other grandchildren in Winnipeg and Torquay were not able to be present. Mr. and Mrs. Berntson are happily looking forward to a holiday trip to their native Norway this year. Glen Ewen friends will wish Mr. and Mrs. Berntson happiness and a well-earned rest."
 
Marie Berntson passed away in 1961 and Ben in 1968.
 
Marilyn Johnson.