Essondale School

        For many years there were Grades 1-12 schools at Essondale, later Riverview hospital,  the hospital throughout the years also was home to many challenged children; and the staff who lived on the site had children of their own. The children of the staff and a few children who lived along the border of the grounds went to a small one-room school, located at the far western end of the property near the Lougheed Highway. The patients were schooled in various areas around the property,  and were further separated as to their specific educational needs.
I have only seen one photo of the "public" school and it was very grainy, I do not have a copy to share here.

       But I recently noticed the still  barely visible school in a two photographs of the Farm Cottage at Colony Farm.

Notice the light-coloured roof line near the fire hydrant on the left; that is Essondale School

 [ This is a small portion of a photo by: Stride Studios, 30 January 1930 Vancouver Archives A23166 ]

Provincial Mental Hospital - Farm Cottage - Essondale, B.C. - H.D. Crawford "Contractor"
The Stride Studios, New Westminster, B.C.  14 March, 1929     Vancouver Archives A23170

Essondale School is just above the fellow in lightly-coloured clothes, head.

If you went past the location today, you would have no idea that there was a school there, it is completely forested over, and a walk through the area would give you few clues that there was a school there.

Essondale School location marked in red.  this is a very small excerpt of a map of  Riverview Hospital/ Colony Farm created in the mid 1960's  ( Full sized MAP )

Site location today of Essondale School

Essondale School class photo 1950
Photo from the book: Riverview Hospital  A Legacy of Care & Compassion  (PDF)

“There was one classroom for Grades 1 to 12 at Essondale School. We’d go to the cannery at Colony Farm for field trips or our teacher would take us over to the Essondale grounds and get us to name the trees.”

Art Talbot;   Grew up at Essondale, 1940s and ‘50s


Very little information about the school can be found. In October 1916  Gilbert Mathewson, Dr. J.G. McKay and Gowan S. MacGowan were appointed school trustees for the next three, two and one years respectively.     I did see some letters about the founding of this school, the discussion went back and forth, about who was going to pay for it, the Mental Health branch or the local School Board, it appears that the Mental Health branch kept control of the building, since it is on Hospital property; and they billed the School board for the students that were NOT living on the property.  Originally the hospital wanted the school closer to the main hospital buildings, but the parents nearby wanted it nearer to the property boundary, because it was much quieter, and safer in their minds; this concession was met.  No idea when this school was closed, must be in the 60's, early 1970's when the Cape Horn Elementary was completed. 

Sadly the local school district 43 has done a terrible job of preserving their history.

UPDATE: found another aerial photo from 1947 that shows the school ( circled in red ) very well.

 

Otto Olsen Egelstad

On the 26^th of August 1932 Otto Olsen Egelstad was injured by three staff at Essondale. So on the 9th of September 1932  an inquiry was ordered by the Province.   The Hon. Samuel Lyness Howe,( 1854—1939 ) was authorized to appoint a commissioner into the matter. 

Hon. S.L. Howe 1931
photographer: Steffens-Colmer
B.C. Archives  A-02623

But within a few days the situation rapidly changed

1932 Sept. 14 The Vancouver Sun

3 Asylum arrests
————— Suspended guards held in death of patient
—————

       Charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Otto Egelstad, a patient in the Provincial Mental Hospital, Essondale, on august 26, three attendants in that institution were remanded for eight days by O.E. Walker, J.P. in Coquitlam Police Court at 11 a.m. Tuesday. [note: probably F.G. Walker ]
The patient died at Essondale last night at 10:40 o'clock.

      The three attendants who were released on $500 bail each, are Harry Maisoneuve, Maillardville; Malcolm McDonald, Essondale, and Archibald Lennox, Port Coquitlam.
The deceased patient, a Norwegian formerly resided in New Westminster. He had been at Essondale five years.
Dr. A.L. Crease, superintendent of the hospital, stated to the Vancouver Sun today that the three attendant had a struggle with Egelstad on August 26 after breakfast when a squad of patients were preparing to go to work in the fields.

WERE SUSPENDED


     As a result of that struggle the patient was put to bed in hospital and the three attendants were suspended from duty by Dr. E. Ryan who was in charge at the time.
Provincial police and the Attorney General were notified and an investigation was conducted.
It terminated Tuesday and resulted in the arrest of the three men Tuesday afternoon.
INQUEST ORDERED
      Dr. Crease stated that he cannot say whether the charge will be amended owing to the death of the patient but an inquest will be held although time and place have not been decided on.
Inspector John Shirra, acting assistant commissioner provincial police, was in charge of the case.

POOLEY ORDERS PROBE

      Hon. Robert Henry Pooley,( 1878—1954  ) Attorney General, has ordered a complete investigation of the case according to a statement made by him in Victoria today.
"Eric Popler, departmental solicitor, returned from Essondale this morning where he held an inquiry under the Departmental Investigation Act, and I will have his report this afternoon," said Mr. Pooley. "Future action will depend upon the nature of that report"

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1932 Sept. 17 The Vancouver Sun

DEMAND Asylum PROBE
—————  
Jurors urge gov't action
—————
MAN'S DEATH MYSTERY
—————

  Maillardville, Sept. 17.—A searching inquiry into circumstances connected with the death of Otto Egelstad, 47, patient in the Provincial Mental hospital, Essondale, was recommended by a coroner's jury here Friday afternoon.

        The jury returned a verdict that the patient died as a result of internal haemorrhage and injuries sustained in a struggle with attendants and that, while the injuries were accidentally inflicted, the circumstances should be thoroughly investigated.

       Evidence that the patient died as a result of internal haemorrhage and congestion of the lungs was given during the inquest by Dr. Archibald William Hunter,( 1882—1959  ) police surgeon of Vancouver, who conducted an autopsy.  
FIVE RIBS BROKEN
       He stated that five of the patient's ribs had been fractured, three on the left side and two on the right side.
This could have been caused by the patient falling and someone falling heavily on him during a struggle.
He testified that internal injuries suggested direct violence.
There were blood clots in the abdomen and a wound on the right side of the scalp.
No evidence of brain injury was discovered.

THREE GUARDS ARRESTED

      Harry Maisonneuve, Maillardville; Malcolm McDonald, Essondale and Archibald Lennox, Port Coquitlam, former guards at Essondale who were dismissed from that institution and later charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the patient are under remand on bail of $500 each.
Dr. A.L. Crease, superintendent of the hospital, testified that he was on holiday when the patient was injured August 26.
He stated that Egelstad was admitted to the institution June 13^th, 1925 and was of a quiet, sullen possibly erratic disposition, subject to delusions.   There are 2737 patients in the hospital he said.

STRUCK AT PATIENT

Dr. Crease stated that Egelstad was leaving with a squad after breakfast to go to work in the fields.
He got in the wrong squad and attendant Maisonneuve pulled him out of that party.
Another patient passed a remark that irritated Egelstad who swung his fist, missed the patient but struck Maisonneuve.

       Maisonneuve and another attendant, Malcolm McDonald, grappled with Egelstad and all fell on the floor of the wash room where the struggle took place.
Attendant Lennox came to the assistance of the other two attendants and after the patient quietened down he joined the squad in the field apparently all right.
He complained of feeling unwell a short time later and was taken to the hospital.

GUARDS DISMISSED

      A report was sent to the attorney general at Victoria, Dr. Ryan recommending that the three guards be dismissed from the service. Dr. Crease concurred in this and the men were dismissed a few days later.
Inspector John Shirras, ( 1883-1968 )Vancouver detachment Provincial Police, was present at the inquest which was held in Coquitlam Municipal Hall, Maillardville.
Dr. Edwin Howard McEwen,( 1878—1957  ) coroner, presided.
Thomas Robert Selkirk,( 1896-1952  ) appeared for the Crown. William Garland McQuarrie,(  1876-1943  ) for Maisonneuve, and Adam Smith Johnston,( 1888-1948  ) Vancouver for Lennox. McDonald had no lawyer present.

W.G. McQuarrie, M.P. ca.1920  Maisonneuve’s lawyer
Photographer: Steffens-Colmer.
BC Archives A-02324

——— 30 ———

1932 Sept 22 The Prince George Citizen
Essentially the same as the article transcribed below

1932 Sept. 21 The Vancouver Sun

3 accused of Manslaughter

Maillardville, Sept.21—Charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Otto Egelstad, Essondale Mental Hospital patient, on August 26, against three former attendants were changed to manslaughter today.
        The patient had five ribs broken during a struggle with the attendants and died in hospital on September 13. He also sustained internal injuries.

        The three men are H. Maisonneuve, Maillardville; Archibald Lennox, Port Coquitlam, and Malcolm McDonald, Essondale.
They appeared today in police court here before magistrate F.G. Walker and were remanded until Tuesday.

        Maisonneuve and Lennox have been released on bail of $5000. McDonald, who was unable to raise this amount of bail is being held in Oakalla Prison.

——— 30 ———

1932 October 6 Medicine Hat News

Asylum orderlies committed for trial when patient dies in hospital from alleged abuse. ————

  Maillardville, B.C., Oct.2—Harry Maisonneuve, Malcolm McDonald and Archibald Lennox, former attendants at the Essondale mental hospital, will be committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Otto Egelstad, inmate, who died September 3. E.G. Walker, J.P., announced this decision at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing in Coquitlam police court here. They had previously been charged with causing bodily harm, before the death of the patient. Formal committal was postponed until October 8 to permit arrangement being made for bail.

      Dr. A.L. Crease, superintendent, appearing as a witness, said he had been absent when Egelstad was injured. In their report to him, the accused had stated that Egelstad was going to work with the wrong gang and Maisonneuve pulled him back. As he did so, another patient irritated Egelstad and the latter turned to strike him. Instead Egelstad struck Maisonneuve in the face. McDonald grabbed Egelstad's arms and the patient started kicking. the two attendants took him into an adjacent washroom where the scuffle continued until Egelstad was subdued. Near the end of the struggle Lennox came in and assisted.

     The attendants in their report said Egelstad did not seem hurt and went to work outside, but reported sick at noon.
Some days later, after an investigation had been held and the attendants discharged, Egelstad took a sudden turn for the worse and died.

     Dr. Crease testified that Egelstad was impulsive, erratic, subject to delusions and liable to become violent at times.
Evidence that patients at Essondale were liable to attack attendants at any time was given by Dr. Crease. He said that he himself had suffered a fractured arm once when struck by a patient with a piece of iron torn from a bed. the chief attendant and his assistant had been attacked and another had his eye gouged out by a violent patient.

——— 30 ———

1932 November 25 The Vancouver Sun

ASYLUM Guards ON TRIAL
—————
Supt. tells of violence
—————
KEEPERS OFTEN ATTACKED
—————

New Westminster, Nov. 25.—Patients at the Provincial Mental hospitals cause violent scenes and inflict severe bodily injuries on the attendants but this does not justify the guards using any undue force in subduing those under their care.
        This statement was made by Dr. A.L. Crease, Medical Superintendent at Essondale, during cross-examination in New Westminster Assize Court Thursday.
Dr. Crease is a Crown witness in the case in which Archibald J. Lennox, Port Coquitlam; Harry Maisonneuve, Maillardville, and Malcolm McDonald, Essondale, stand charged with manslaughter.
They are charged with inflicting injuries that caused the death of Otto Egelstad, a patient, Sept. 13 last.

FRACTURED SKULLS

       Cross-examined by Frank Lyons, defense counsel, Dr. Crease admitted that as a result of attacks by patients, attendants have suffered from fractured skulls.
Other injuries included loss of an eye, a broken nose and a finger bitten off.

     "Of course, that does not excuse the guards," he added.
Dr. Crease also stated that a patient once broke his arm.
At the time of the trouble with Egelstad, August 26, Dr. Crease was on vacation.
On his return he received a written report of the occurrence from the accused men who had been suspended.

The report stated that the gangs were proceeding to work in the hospital grounds. Egelstad started out with the wrong gang but was pulled back by Maisonneuve.
Another patient named Armstrong made a remark at which Egelstad offense, and, swinging his fist he missed Armstrong and struck Maisonneuve.

GRAPPLED WITH PATIENT

     Maisonneuve with the assistance of McDonald grappled with the patient and took him from the dormitory to a bathroom, a distance of thirty feet. Lennox then gave a hand in the scuffle that ensued.
Shortly afterwards Egelstad re-joins his gang but in the afternoon complained of being unwell and was sent to the hospital.

         Dr. A.M. Gee, in charge of the ward, stated that Egelstad was of a sullen, impulsive, erratic and quarrelsome disposition. He testified that he attended Egelstad. A medical examination revealed broken ribs and severe bruises.
The patient died two weeks later.
         Cause of death was internal haemorrhage as a result of injuries inflicted by violence, according to Dr. W.A. Hunter, who performed an autopsy.

CANNOT EXPLAIN

       Lennox in a written report which was admitted during the trial said he went to the assistance of Maisonneuve and McDonald when he heard a loud thump on the door of the washroom. Maisonneuve said he heard no such bang.
Maisonneuve giving evidence on his own behalf today said he was unable to give any explanation of how Egelstad sustained the severe injuries which caused his death.
He recounted how Egelstad in the dormitory had had struck him and how McDonald and himself took Egelstad into the washroom.

        He said the floor had recently been washed and was slippery.
Witness said he locked the door to prevent other patients from interfering.
During a gruelling cross-examination by George Cassidy, crown prosecutor. Maisonneuve declared "Egelstad must have been injured in the afternoon for all I know."

     The scuffle between the patient and the attendants took place in the morning and evidence showed that Egelstad was working in the field in the afternoon.

——— 30 ———

1932 November 26 Vancouver Sun

GUARDS FREED 

Acquitted of manslaughter in Essondale death
—————

 
New Westminster, Nov. 26.— Harry Maisonneuve, 40, Maillardville; Malcolm McDonald, 45, Essondale and Archibald J. Lenox, 23, Port Coquitlam, former attendants at Provincial mental hospital, Essondale, were acquitted of manslaughter charges by an assize jury Friday.

       Excusable homicide and misadventure was the cause of death of Otto Egelstad, a patient at the hands of the accused, the jury found. The jury deliberated an hour and ten minutes.

          The accused were immediately discharged by Mr. Justice William Alexander MacDonald,( 1860—1946 )
His Lordship in addressing the jury said:

"In my long experience in law, I cannot recall a similar case. three men are charged with manslaughter and the Crown is unable to produce a dying statement from the deceased."
"The presentation of evidence given by mental cases to a jury would be impossible and of no benefit."

 
Justice, William Alexander MacDonald

———30———

Archibald James Lennox 1910—1990(a and b) James Archibald Lennox . Only a few months prior to this incident Archibald on March the 4^th, 1932 married Florence Lois Lamb,( 1908—1987 ) But at his death James was married to Nora Cheney.

Malcolm McDonald, (1887? – ?)   He just disappears locally, although, his is a common name.
Harry Maisonneuve. Real name: Alderic Aristide Maisonneuve  ( 1897—1961)  He Served in WWI, C.E.F. 1287170  Two attestations exist, one where he has NO military service then a second where he miraculously does.
   Parents Wilfred Maisonneuve and Adda Pare. 
At New Westminster in 1926 he married nurse, Jean Miller Brown,( 1903—1966 )
After Essondale, he appears to have worked as a boom-man, then various sawmilling related jobs, retiring as head sawyer. He continued to live in the Maillardville area until his death.   Daughter: Lajrette Jean Maisonneuve 1932—1991   Son: A.Maisonneuve

OTTO OLSEN EGELSTAD / given name:  OTTO OLSEN IGELSTAD

Otto Olsen Igelstad  was born at Kvelsrudeie i jevnaker,Norway 5^th of January 1885  and died on the 13th of September,1932  at Port Coquitlam.
father: Ole Eriksen (1840—1915) married in 1868 Anne Kirstine Andersdatter , they had twelve children
Otto Olsen Egelstad married in 1907 at Jevnaker, Norway,   Johanna Amelia Andersen.
They moved in 1907 to Potlatch, Idaho, then in 1909 to Vancouver, B.C., then to Cape Scott 1920,1921  after a short stay there they moved to White Rock, [ his brother Sivert / Seivert Egelstad, ( 1883—1962 ) lived in White Rock, his wife: Charlotte Stanley ( 1883—1954 ) ]
In 1922 they tried to immigrate to the U.S.A., but were debarred at the Blaine border crossing.  After a short stay in White Rock, the family moved to Surrey in 1928.  Otto was committed to Essondale in June 1925, he was 40 years old. 

Children of Otto Olsen Egelstad and Johanna Amelia Andersen:

Arnold Otto Egelstad ( 1914—1998 ) his wife Elsie Lavina Streed ( 1917—1977 ) they created ten children.
Ruth Helen Egelstad ( 1917— ? )  at New Westminster 1937 married Vermont Maeland Beckett, ( 1913—1973 )  Henry Martin Egelstad  d.1997   married to Ruth, they had two children
Signe Mary Egelstad  ( 1921—1986  )  married: William Gray Watson  they had two children. Oswald Arthur Egelstad  ( 1912 — 1967 ) married to, Mary West Evelyn Carrolla Egelstad ( 1910—1987  ) in 1928 she married Richard Frederick Thompson ( 1907—1979  )  five children 

NOTE:    Another sad story to add to the list; this was the first account of manslaughter at Essondale that I have found where staff were involved in the death of a patient, supposedly in their care.
       Mrs. Egelstad must have had a struggle, losing her husband and six young children to take care of.  I suspect the she may have remarried, after Otto’s abrupt death, since i could not find her name in B.C.

   It certainly appears in hindsight that the first two staff on the scene were guilty of something, especially “Harry” with his expensive lawyer; and we have McDonald who was imprisoned while waiting for the trial to proceed,  and Lennox who was last into the fray, and appears to be an innocent bystander in the matter.  Sadly justice appears to have not been done in this matter.   At least the hospital reacted quickly and fired all of them.