February is Black History Month in Canada.
Every year we want to recognize this important event. This is the second article we’ve published on Dewey Blaney from Big Hill Country and this time from More Big Hill Country. He is mentioned approx. 30 times in both books, more so than any person I’ve investigated so far.
Dewey Blaney was certainly a pioneer. His story is very moving and often inspirational, one worth the retelling.
page 299 More Big Hill Country 2009
Dewey Lee Blaney and his twin sister were born in Roanoke County, Virginia in 1897. In 1906 his family moved to Salem, Virginia. His grandfather had been a slave. Dewey went to work for the Barnett family as a houseboy and he helped in their feed store. When the Barnetts moved to Bottrel, Alberta area in 1915, they brought Dewey with them. He worked for them until 1919. Then he went to work for the Morgan family, before taking various jobs in the Dog Pound and Bottrel areas. In 1927, he went to work for the Hogarths driving truck and taking care of their horses when they worked on the construction of the Banff – Jasper Highway.
Later, Dewey worked for John Boothby as well as other fanners and ranchers around Cochrane. At one time he held the job as a grave digger up at the Cochrane cemetery.
Dewey was well respected and a friend to many people in Cochrane and the surrounding area. He often was asked to babysit the neighbourhood children. They in turn considered him a friend. They also knew if they met Dewey on main street he would often hand them a coin to get a treat. Much of his money was spent on the children.
For many years Dewey was the town policeman on Hallowe’en night. He loved to dance and was always up for a game of cards, especially cribbage. When he was young he had an interest in boxing.
When he retired, Dewey lived in a small shack a mile and a half west of Cochrane, near the old race track. He would walk into town, almost on a daily basis, usually someone would make sure he got home each night. Dewey always wanted to return to Salem to see his family, especially his twin sister, but after living in a white community for so long he was afraid he may not be accepted by his family. In 1970 when Dewey passed away, many people attended his funeral “because he had no one”. Many students missed classes to pay their respects to their friend. Neighbours, friends, parents and children were surprised to see each other there “for Dewey”. A children’s park on Carolina Drive has been named in his honour.
