Elizabeth (Liz) Belle (Grant) Ewing

Elizabeth Belle Grant (Liz) was born in Dawson City, on July 29, 1909, to John and Mary Grant. John (Jack) originally from Nova Scotia, travelled from Beaver Mountain/Brierly Brook, Nova Scotia, to Aspen, Colorado, then to Dawson, Yukon, in 1906. John (Jack) Grant had made an earlier trip to Dawson in 1895 following his brother-in-law, Robert Henderson, and had stayed for a year. Elizabeth was the niece of Robert (Bob) Henderson of Klondike fame. Robert was the co-discoverer of gold on the Bonanza Creek. John was known as “Aspen Jack” and was a sheriff with an office in the Aspen courthouse from 1904-1906. John and Mary are buried in the YOOP Cemetery in Dawson City under the same headstone.

Elizabeth’s brothers and sisters are: John Hector (Johnnie) 1899-1947, Christopher (Chris) 1902-1981, Esther Mae (Essie) 1906-1983, John Robert (Bob) 1912-1974, Daniel (Dan) 1914-1950, Hector (Hec) 1914-1959, Mary (Birdie) 1917-1984, and Dorothy Jacqueline (Dollie) 1920-1975.

A great tragedy devastated the family when Elizabeth’s father died of ptomaine poisoning while working at the Yukon Gold Company’s Mining Camp No. 54 Hunker. Twenty-one men were hospitalized as the result of eating meat containing a bacillus botulinus. John was one of twelve who died.

Mrs. Mary Grant died two years later leaving their nine children without parents. Their oldest son, Johnnie, a young man of 22 at the time, made it known that he was going to look after his siblings and keep them together as a family. Elizabeth and her sister Esther took turns going to school and staying home looking after the family. The youngest was just over a year old. The community helped as much as possible. Betty Taylor (nee MacLennan), whose family was living in Dawson City at that time, recounted that part of the history. She and Elizabeth remained friends all of their lives.

Elizabeth was a true pioneer. Born in Dawson City, she was the fourth child of nine. Elizabeth and her siblings were successful as pioneering citizens. As a young girl, she worked in the “Old Palace Bakery” owned by Charles Burkhard. The façade of the building is still there. After graduating from high school in Dawson City she worked for two years at the Yukon Telephone Exchange as telephone operator.

Despite her many responsibilities, Elizabeth made sure she had time for social events. In 1924, she won first place in the Arcade Beauty Contest and was awarded a mastodon ivory and gold nugget necklace, which her daughter Sue has today. Another highlight during that time was when she won the distinction of being the first girl to fly from Dawson to Whitehorse in the “Queen of the Yukon.”

Elizabeth’s life took a new direction when she met a handsome soldier named Matthew Henry (Harry) Ewing. He arrived in Dawson City in 1926, the destination of his first posting as a member of the Canadian Army Corp of Signals. His posting was a term of four years.

Elizabeth and Harry were married in 1928 in St. Andrew’s United Church of Canada. The local papers noted that “wedding bells will again ring merrily in Dawson tonight when Miss Elizabeth Belle Grant, popular young daughter of the North becomes the bride of Sergeant M. H. Ewing of Dawson staff of the R.C.C.S.” Harry and Elizabeth lived two years in Dawson, their home on the corner of Church and Eighth, after which they moved many times for Harry’s Army Signal Corp. His postings included Ontario, Quebec and three years in NWT.

Elizabeth and Harry were active in community life; they both played bridge, curled, played tennis and badminton, and danced. Elizabeth was a natural-born leader. As a result, she was in demand to be president of various organizations such as the Women’s Auxiliary to the church and the IODE (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire). She was blessed with good common sense so her opinion on issues was frequently sought.

After Harry retired from the army they tried to live in his home province of Quebec, but Elizabeth was pregnant with Suzanne and too homesick so they returned to Mayo.

Harry and Elizabeth raised three children: Esther Mary (Jo Fisher) born in Dawson City, John (born in Quebec during a military posting there), and Suzanne (Laberge) born in Dawson City. In 1942, Elizabeth and her family moved to Mayo where Harry was in charge of the military station. Incidentally, it was while Harry was in charge of the signals Station that Gordon McIntyre took the official picture of the thermometer at the station showing -80F.

In Mayo, Elizabeth once again was active in the community. The W.A. (Women’s Auxiliary of the Anglican Church) fundraised for soldiers overseas by putting on teas, dances, and bazaars. The IODE was a Canadian patriotic organization that also fundraised to help with the war effort. The whist drives and bridge parties were well attended. Elizabeth was an active member of both organizations and was usually at the helm.

After Harry retired in 1947, the family moved to Bedford, Quebec, but the call of the Yukon had them back in Mayo again in 1949. They established Ewing Transport, which flourishes today, owned and operated by Dick Ewing, one of Elizabeth’s and Harry’s grandsons. They bought a log house that had been built by Grand Huffman. The house was used by the mining company, Treadwell Yukon Co. Ltd., as a residence for the company doctors. Elizabeth hosted fancy teas as well as dinners. She had a china cabinet full of fine china teacups and saucers. She also owned a sterling silver tea service consisting of a tray, teapot, and a cream and sugar set. These were brought to the table on a beautiful tea wagon. Everyone enjoyed a tea party a Elizabeth’s home.

Mrs. George Black was very involved in the IODE and on one occasion, she attended a meeting in Mayo. Elizabeth was the Regent of the IODE at the time. Mrs. Black was impressed with the work the organization was doing and made a point of congratulating Elizabeth for the strong leadership she was providing. Elizabeth was a superb hostess for the occasion, supplying the finery for the refreshments that were served. Harry and Elizabeth enjoyed their life together with many activities!

Elizabeth laughed while recounting the time they were in Vancouver and had been to a show about martial arts. When they came out, she playfully tried a move on Harry. To the surprise of each, Harry flipped over Elizabeth’s back and landed on the sidewalk.

Elizabeth loved and was very proud of her family. She loved the Yukon and never wanted to live anywhere else. Elizabeth passed away from cancer in 1959 and is laid in Mayo beside her beloved Harry, where her headstone reads “Until We Meet Again.” The community of Mayo and the Yukon lost a remarkable pioneer woman that day.