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Emeri Paré’s Police Logbooks
As busy archivists, we often find ourselves unable to fully explore the archival records housed within our vaults. Once records are arranged, described, rehoused, and processed, we move on to the next collection.
We were aware of Emeri Paré’s police logbooks but never had the opportunity to delve into these captivating records. The logbooks offer fascinating insights into Coquitlam during the First World War, documenting a wide array of incidents – from complaints about stray dogs to thefts, car accidents, and investigations into murder and suicide. This web exhibit will explore these intriguing archival records and share some of the discoveries. The Emeri Paré fonds consists of three slim handwritten logbooks. Donated to the City of Coquitlam in 2006, long before the City Archives were established in 2014, these volumes cover the years 1914, 1915-1917, and 1918-1919. Notably, they are the only police logbooks known to have survived from that era. Remarkably, they remain in good condition considering their age of over 100 years, especially given their daily use.
Emeri Paré was appointed as a Special Constable for the Corporation of the District of Coquitlam in 1912 and became the first Police Chief in 1914. The Paré family was prominent in Maillardville, and Emeri also served as the first Fire Chief of the Municipal Fire Brigade. For a time, the Paré residence at 1318 Brunette Avenue functioned as the Police Office, Jail and Municipal Hall.
An Accident at Essondale
Map of incident - July 31 1914 Logbook
The 1914 logbook chronicles the tragic drowning of 35-year-old John Rutherford at what was then known as Essondale Provincial Mental Hospital (now səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Suh-MEE-kwuh-EL-uh)/Riverview). The notes from July 31 include a typed account of the incident alongside a hand-drawn map of the accident site. John Rutherford, an Essondale patient from Ladner, drowned while attempting to swim a section of the Coquitlam River, close to where it meets the Fraser River, near Essondale. Although he had previously bathed in the area, it is unclear why he decided to swim across the River. Witnesses, including three men and a child, reported that as he struggled, Rutherford shouted, “I don’t think I can make it” and then “Hurry, I am all in.” One of the men dove into the river to save him, while another attempted to reach him by boat, but both efforts were unsuccessful. Chief Paré received a telephone message about the accident, and he and a constable took statements that together form this detailed historical record. Rutherford’s body was eventually recovered on August 4.
Gone to the Dogs
The dogs of Coquitlam seem to have kept the fledgling police force on its toes. The logbooks are littered with dog complaints. In an effort to manage the growing dog population, the Corporation introduced “The Coquitlam Bylaw Respecting Dogs” in 1912. However, it appears that man’s best friend did not want to play ball. On January 24, 1914, a report noted that a dangerous black dog was chasing after people on Alderson Avenue, reportedly belonging to the Cadieux family. A constable was dispatched to advise the owners to keep the dog chained.
Dog report - January 24 1914 Logbook
On March 14, 1914, an “English Setter Dog” was found and taken to the police station, with descriptions sent to nearby police stations in New Westminster, Burnaby, and Port Coquitlam. The dog was described as having long white hair with a black spot and weighing 90 lbs.
On August 8, 1914, Mick Cole from Colony Farm complained about a dangerous dog on Pitt River Road that had attacked him three times! It seems that much of 1914 was spent addressing canine-related issues, as the police were determined not to let sleeping dogs lie.
The Rockslide of 1915
Numerous entries for February 14, 1915, document a tragic rockslide.
Newspaper clipping of Rockslide Incident - 1915-1917 Logbook
On January 22, 1915, blasting work at a quarry near the Pitt River triggered a massive landslide that tragically killed three workers, whose bodies were swept into the river. Chief Paré later recovered one body, identified as Richard Evans, and arranged for it to be taken to a New Westminster funeral home. The logbook contains correspondence found on Evan’s body, which was what was used for identification. Among the letters was one from his union, The International Union of Steam and Operating Engineers. Remarkably, this correspondence has survived for 110 years, pinned to logbook for safekeeping. In this instance, the logbook preserved evidence that ensures Richard Evans and his tragic fate will not be forgotten.
Ham Rustling
The logbooks also chronicle various petty thefts. In the winter of 1915, there was a wave of unusual thievery involving stolen hams, chickens, and beef from local farmhouses. While no apprehensions were recorded, it is possible that thefts stemmed from the extreme cold and the need to feed hungry mouths, as the winter of 1915 was one of the coldest on record in the Lower Mainland.
The case of the missing flowerpots
On March 19, 1918, a complaint was filed from the Gatensbury area regarding the theft of several flowerpots from a greenhouse. This area was well known for its commercial greenhouses at the time. The culprits, four young boys from Fraser Mills, were quickly identified. A report the following day listed the guilty boys’ names and noted that they had returned most of the flowerpots in an act of restitution. The boys were soon parted with their ill-gotten gains.
Restitution of flower pots - January 14 1918-1919 Logbook
Gatensbury Greenhouses across from Como Lake
Emeri Paré’s police logbooks contain reports on a spectrum of incidents, providing rare glimpses into life in Coquitlam during World War 1 - a period of profound change. They serve as examples of archival records that preserve forgotten stories from a bygone era.