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Group Portrait of Walter and Lottie Small Wedding
Wedding party posing in front of steps. Alfred Johns appears at back directly above Walter Small, the groom. Second from right in front row is Dr. Leslie Kilborn.

TitleGroup Portrait of Walter and Lottie Small Wedding
Alternative TitleSmall Wedding 1920, taken just before Johns twins were born.jpg
DescriptionWedding party posing in front of steps. Alfred Johns appears at back directly above Walter Small, the groom. Second from right in front row is Dr. Leslie Kilborn.
Spatial CoverageChengdu, Sichuan (30.658799, 104.069888)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
1911 Revolution in Chengdu
This event begins with news that the Chengdu Yamen has ordered all missionaries to move inside the city walls. It continues with the Johns' confinement in the Canadian Methodist Mission's new hospital (Sept. 6th - Nov. 17th, 1911) to the various activities around Chengdu on November 25th, 1911, which include the induction of new leadership and Walter and Lottie Small's wedding.

Title1911 Revolution in Chengdu
DescriptionThis event begins with news that the Chengdu Yamen has ordered all missionaries to move inside the city walls. It continues with the Johns' confinement in the Canadian Methodist Mission's new hospital (Sept. 6th - Nov. 17th, 1911) to the various activities around Chengdu on November 25th, 1911, which include the induction of new leadership and Walter and Lottie Small's wedding.
AbstractIn standard histories of the Chinese Nationalist Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution, the starting point was the Wuchang Uprising of October 10th, 1911. However, in Chengdu, hostilities broke out earlier on September 1st when Sichuanese leaders signed a petition to withhold taxes from the imperial government. These officials and a powerful lobby group called the T'ong Chi Hwei, or Railway League, were in conflict with the central government over who was to build the Hankow-Chengdu railway, foreigners or Chinese. When the government gave the contract to foreigners, riots broke out in Sichuan (5)(3). This case was never settled, and ultimately the Hankow-Chengdu railway had to wait until after the Communist takeover in 1949. John Service, who edited Grace Service’s extensive account of these events, notes that it is unlikely that the Sichuanese leaders really had revolution in mind when they signed the petition. However, they whole-heartedly embraced the cause after the Wuchang Uprising and the success of the revolution mounted (4). The experience of the revolution began for missionaries in Chengdu very dramatically on Sept. 6th when the British Consul in Chengdu ordered all English-speaking missionaries to confine themselves in the new Canadian hospital, whose construction was not yet finished. Work on the hospital had begun in 1907 under Dr. Ewan’s direction. When Ewan was forced to return to Canada due to ill health in the summer of 1911, Dr. Service was put in charge of medical work in Chengdu, and Walter Small was assigned to the building of the hospital. However, Small had barely begun his new assignment when the hospital was converted into a temporary encampment for the missionaries. Walter Small himself was stricken with typhoid fever while confined in the hospital he was to build (1). According to Grace Service, there were 225 missionaries camping out at the hospital (4), while May Carscallen estimated 140 (3). George E. Hartwell gives the conservative estimate at 124 (2), while Lily Hockin reported 105, although she was not personally there because she was stationed in Leshan at the time (1). Part of the variance in numbers derives from the fact that some missionaries were staying at other locations within the large Canadian Methodist Mission compound on Sichengci Street, Chengdu. Another factor is that these missionaries were completely cut off from all communications with the outside world – no postal service, wires or newspapers (4). They also had no contact with other foreigners in Chengdu (1). These missionaries’ isolation can be illustrated by the crisis caused by several of them being caught outside the compound when the Sichuan Governor arrested the leaders of the Railway League on Sept. 7th and closed the city gates on Sept. 8th. These were Charlie Carscallen of the Canadian Methodist Mission, as well as Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Helena Taylor and Elrick Williams of the American Methodist Episcopal Mission (4). The Governor could not assure protection for any foreigners outside the city gates, and also refused to help them get back in. Acting against the Consul’s advice, Bob Service (of the YMCA) and several others concocted a scheme to bring them into the city by a rope over the city wall. First, they lowered two Chinese servants over the wall with a note for the stranded missionaries, who were found having dinner in one of their homes at the West China Union University. Then, under cover of night in the worst rain storm of the year, the four missionaries and two Chinese men made their way from the campus to the city where they were dragged up over the 50 foot wall to rejoin their families after 36 hours of uncertainty (1)(3)(4). Grace Service gives insightful details of the missionaries’ lifestyle within the half-built hospital: “The outlook at the Canadian hospital was anything but cheerful. The building was not entirely completed; it was still surrounded by debris from the construction. The rooms were dusty, few windows were glazed, there were no stair railings, most doors were hung but lacked knobs and latches. Scores of foreigners were milling about, trying to decide what to do. It was noisy and disturbing. No naps for children were possible, so the plaints of many weary youngsters were added to the clamor echoing through the empty halls” (4). Soon the missionaries organized church services and committees to oversee security and supplies, as well as entertainment including bridge and tennis matches (1)(3)(4). Rumors of fighting and looting came in regularly, but there was no way of knowing what was really going on. The security guards would climb out onto the roof to watch for bombings and other violence. As Grace Service reported: “Life and death visited our little concentration camp. There were three births; one child died; several people had severe illnesses; and one or two engagements came about. Some left the hospital with warmer feelings toward hitherto casual acquaintances; a few had broken friendships to sadden memories of our days together” (4). After ten weeks in confinement, on November 17th, the missionaries were told they could leave the hospital. The adventure was not over, however. Soon after moving back to their own homes in Chengdu and on the West China Union University campus, Walter Small and Lottie Lawson made arrangements for their wedding. Taking no chances that no further political developments could come between them, they scheduled the wedding for November 25th, 1911, in Chengdu. Their romance had been percolating for several years, but it flourished while Lottie nursed Walter through typhoid fever in the hospital. Walter had been appointed to the Canadian Methodist Mission with the anticipation that he would be married upon leaving for China. However, his engagement fell through and he found himself going to China single (6). Acutely aware of the problem of female missionaries trained by the Women’s Missionary Society defecting to marry male missionaries, Lottie had held out from marriage to put in service to the WMS. But now was the time. The Small’s couldn’t have been more prescient. The same day as their wedding, a proclamation was posted on city walls and news spread around that Chengdu had fallen to the revolutionaries. Swarms of soldiers, mercenaries and bandits looted the banks and shops of Chengdu (7). Two days later the president of the Railway League, Pu Tien-chun, was sworn in as Governor of Sichuan (1)(4). However, when he was unable to control the marauding bands, the position of foreigners was uncertain at best. Finally, it appeared dire after the former Imperial Governor of Sichuan, Chao Erh-feng, had been executed (7). Not long after, on December 2nd, 1911, a large party of 31 Canadians departed Chengdu for the coast. The Johns were likely among them. Four days later, a party of American Methodists also evacuated. By December 7th, it was clear that all missionaries must go and even the most steadfast men began making arrangements to leave (4). On December 9th, the top two leadership positions in the new Sichuan government were taken by Grand Masters of the Gown Brotherhood, and chapters of that society took over local affairs. As Consul-General G. A. Combe observed over a decade later, “It was the beginning of the government of Szechuan by the Szechuanese for the Szechuanese” (7). For the continuation of the evacuated missionaries’ story, see the Nationalist Revolution Evacuation, 1911-1912 Event record.
Spatial CoverageChengdu, Sichuan (30.658799, 104.069888)
Christian Church in Chengdu
Church operated at Sichengci Street, Chengdu, by the Canadian Methodist Mission with an all native Chinese congregation. One can see a blend of Christian and Chinese iconography. There are twelve male and female members of the choir in total, and they are all wearing brown robes.

TitleChristian Church in Chengdu
DescriptionChurch operated at Sichengci Street, Chengdu, by the Canadian Methodist Mission with an all native Chinese congregation. One can see a blend of Christian and Chinese iconography. There are twelve male and female members of the choir in total, and they are all wearing brown robes.
Spatial CoverageSichengci Street, Chengdu, Sichuan, China (30.66052020741524, 104.08784276909351)
ProvenanceStockwell Family Archives
Six of the Victoria Eight
Group portrait of six graduates of Victoria College of the eight who joined the Canadian Methodist Mission to China in 1906. Front row (left to right): Newton Bowles, Edward Morgan, Charles Jolliffe; Back row (left to right): William Sibley, Harold Robertson and Edward Wallace.

TitleSix of the Victoria Eight
Alternative TitleTaken at College, all planning to go to China and did.
DescriptionGroup portrait of six graduates of Victoria College of the eight who joined the Canadian Methodist Mission to China in 1906. Front row (left to right): Newton Bowles, Edward Morgan, Charles Jolliffe; Back row (left to right): William Sibley, Harold Robertson and Edward Wallace.
Spatial CoverageVictoria College, Toronto, Ontario (43.66686182320748, -79.39187767344464)
ProvenanceBowles Family Archives
17 Rapids through a Narrow Pass of the Yangtze River Gorges
A lone missionary wearing a pith helmet stands on a rocky shore next to a narrow passage of water between two cliff faces.

Title17 Rapids through a Narrow Pass of the Yangtze River Gorges
DescriptionA lone missionary wearing a pith helmet stands on a rocky shore next to a narrow passage of water between two cliff faces.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
16 Rapids with Missionary Standing on Rocky Shore
A lone missionary wearing a pith helmet stands on a rocky shore overlooking a river rapids with mountains in the background. Passengers or crew members on the bows of both boats watch the procedure.

Title16 Rapids with Missionary Standing on Rocky Shore
DescriptionA lone missionary wearing a pith helmet stands on a rocky shore overlooking a river rapids with mountains in the background. Passengers or crew members on the bows of both boats watch the procedure.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
09 Johns' and Abreys' Houseboat Beached for the Night between Hankow and Ichang
Houseboat with sail down anchored at a rocky shoreline with a calm Yangtze River and rocky opposite shore in background. Inscription on the back describes the scene. The location is likely the first overnight stop on the houseboat after leaving the steamboat at Hankow (current Wuhan), which would have been near present day Yanziwo, Hubei. Frederick William Baller wrote grammar books with Wade-Giles romanization.

Title09 Johns' and Abreys' Houseboat Beached for the Night between Hankow and Ichang
Alternative TitleThere were three version of this photo with different captions on the back. The first two versions were transcribed by Ken or Martin Johns, and are not among the images we have for this project. The present version has caption 3 on the back, transcribed by the project team: 1. This was taken where we were anchored on Wednesday 18th. Myrtle’s head is out of our window. The cook is eating rice in the captain’s quarters, the captain’s daughter beside him. The front is covered because we are stopped for the day. You can see the mast of the ‘wuban’ which is drawn up the other side and two women of the village are washing by the water. They kneel on the stones and pound the clothes with a stick. Our rudder projects out of the water at the back. On top of the boat are tracking ropes. The shutters are on Abrey’s room’s windows. (Note: There are some words missing on the back of the photo). A second copy of the photo has: 2. The boat is covered in the picture. The matting is laid across poles every night to form a roof for the trackers sleeping underneath. A plank is up on which we walk ashore. A big oar shows at the side. A window shows in Abrey’s bedroom. The shutters are on their other window on this side as the organ is just inside. I am looking out of our bedroom window. The shutters on all the windows except the Abrey’s pull back. You can see them if you look closely. The next two pairs of windows are in the kitchen and the dining room combined. The stove is just inside the small window. Notice the stove pipe. Lao Woo (cook) and the captain’s daughter are looking out of the captain’s quarters. Lao Woo has his rice bowl in his hand and is eating his rice. The captain’s family sleep at the back where you see the window. They are usually not in the front where the cook is during the day. The cook and teacher sleep here and also some of the crew. Some of their washing is hanging beside the boat at the back. The cover is drawn over this part in the picture, the same as over the bow. Notice the extra ropes on top of our apartments for going up the rapids. On the shore, two women are washing, kneeling on huge stones. Just outside the picture beyond the plank are three professional beggars. The sail is lowered. 3. This was taken when we were anchored on Wednesday 18th at Yang Du Tsi or Yang Tu Chi, as Baller romanizes it. It is our houseboat. We think it a very good picture for taken in the rain. The exposure was one second. Myrtle's head is out [far?] window. The cook is eating rice in the captain's quarter. Captain's daughter [?] him. You can see the stovepipe above and just in front. The front is covered because we are stopped for the day. You can see the mast of the [cabin?] which is drawn up the other side and two women of the village are washing by the water. They kneel on the stones and pound the clothes with a stick. Our rudder [protrudes?] out of the water at the back. On top of the boat are tracking ropes. The shudders are on Abrey's room's windows. The back room of all is also the captain's.
DescriptionHouseboat with sail down anchored at a rocky shoreline with a calm Yangtze River and rocky opposite shore in background. Inscription on the back describes the scene. The location is likely the first overnight stop on the houseboat after leaving the steamboat at Hankow (current Wuhan), which would have been near present day Yanziwo, Hubei. Frederick William Baller wrote grammar books with Wade-Giles romanization.
Spatial CoverageYanziwo, Hubei (30.085029530526825, 114.04825444338547)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
19 A Chinese Cemetery with a Wealthy Man's Grave in Foreground
Scene shows a hillside covered with graves. In the foreground is a very large mausoleum with three tiers, said to be the grave of a wealthy man. A lone leafless tree stands on the grave partially obscurring a mountain range in the background behind.

Title19 A Chinese Cemetery with a Wealthy Man's Grave in Foreground
DescriptionScene shows a hillside covered with graves. In the foreground is a very large mausoleum with three tiers, said to be the grave of a wealthy man. A lone leafless tree stands on the grave partially obscurring a mountain range in the background behind.
Spatial CoverageChongqing, Sichuan; Chungking, Szechwan (29.55721589340982, 106.57581324445314)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
14 Trackers Pulling Johns's and Abrey's Houseboats
A large group of men called "trackers" on a rocky shoreline pull a junk (Chinese houseboat) up river by means of long ropes. These trackers are probably the crew of the junk who would also row the boat when conditions permitted. Further up river in the Yangtze Gorges, up to 100 additional local trackers were needed to get the boats through the rapids.

Title14 Trackers Pulling Johns's and Abrey's Houseboats
DescriptionA large group of men called "trackers" on a rocky shoreline pull a junk (Chinese houseboat) up river by means of long ropes. These trackers are probably the crew of the junk who would also row the boat when conditions permitted. Further up river in the Yangtze Gorges, up to 100 additional local trackers were needed to get the boats through the rapids.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
11 Houseboat Stuck on Sandbar with Military Men in Foreground
Seven men with various guns and amunition stand on the shore in the foreground. In the background a dozens of men are attempting to dislodge a large houseboat from being stuck on a sandbar. A group of passengers stand on board awaiting the outcome. The boat flies a Canadian flag of that time period.

Title11 Houseboat Stuck on Sandbar with Military Men in Foreground
DescriptionSeven men with various guns and amunition stand on the shore in the foreground. In the background a dozens of men are attempting to dislodge a large houseboat from being stuck on a sandbar. A group of passengers stand on board awaiting the outcome. The boat flies a Canadian flag of that time period.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
10 Two Houseboats on Yangtze with Four Missionaries
Two houseboats are seen anchored on the shore with two missionaries standing in foreground - Gordon Jones on right and unknown on left. Two missionary women are on the boat on the left. Also on that boat can be seen a Chinese mother and child, and many crew members on the deck. Similarly, the crew on the right boat are out on the deck, probably preparing and eating a meal.

Title10 Two Houseboats on Yangtze with Four Missionaries
Alternative TitleHouseboats on the Yangtze River, 1910
DescriptionTwo houseboats are seen anchored on the shore with two missionaries standing in foreground - Gordon Jones on right and unknown on left. Two missionary women are on the boat on the left. Also on that boat can be seen a Chinese mother and child, and many crew members on the deck. Similarly, the crew on the right boat are out on the deck, probably preparing and eating a meal.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
13 Village on the Yangtze River with Smoke Rising
This image, which bears the caption "Yangtze Village on River," portrays a village with copious amounts of smoke rising and a pagoda in the background. Is this the normal smoke from evening hearth fires, or a tragic event of warfare or banditry?

Title13 Village on the Yangtze River with Smoke Rising
DescriptionThis image, which bears the caption "Yangtze Village on River," portrays a village with copious amounts of smoke rising and a pagoda in the background. Is this the normal smoke from evening hearth fires, or a tragic event of warfare or banditry?
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
12 A Chinese Gunboat on the Yangtze
A boat with flags is parked at the river shoreline where several women are washing their clothes in the water. The boat has several flags folded above the cabin. Steep cliffs are seen on the opposite shore in the background.

Title12 A Chinese Gunboat on the Yangtze
Alternative Title8. Chinese Gunboat 1910: Women washing clothes in the foreground.: “A typical Chinese gunboat such as ply up and down the Yangtze. Wouldn’t a British gunboat make short work of it.”
DescriptionA boat with flags is parked at the river shoreline where several women are washing their clothes in the water. The boat has several flags folded above the cabin. Steep cliffs are seen on the opposite shore in the background.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
06 Sailboat on Lower Yangtze River
Small sailboat with two crew members in the waters of the lower Yangtze where it is wide and calm. The flat countryside of the opposite shoreline is visible in the background.

Title06 Sailboat on Lower Yangtze River
Alternative TitleBoats on the lower Yangtze River; 1910
DescriptionSmall sailboat with two crew members in the waters of the lower Yangtze where it is wide and calm. The flat countryside of the opposite shoreline is visible in the background.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
04 Vaccination Party on Yangtze Steamer
Three rows of tightly packed missionary men, women and children pose with their sleeves rolled up while having their smallpox vaccinations on board a steamer on the Lower Yangtze. One man appears to be having a dose of chlorophorm to put him out during the vaccination. Most of the others are smiling proudly for having gotten their shots.

Title04 Vaccination Party on Yangtze Steamer
DescriptionThree rows of tightly packed missionary men, women and children pose with their sleeves rolled up while having their smallpox vaccinations on board a steamer on the Lower Yangtze. One man appears to be having a dose of chlorophorm to put him out during the vaccination. Most of the others are smiling proudly for having gotten their shots.
Spatial CoverageYangtze River (31.76986, 121.04664)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
02 Canadian Missionaries Aboard the Empress of Japan, 1910
Six Canadian missionary couples on board the Empress of Japan enroute to begin their missionary careers in West China. Top row: Rev. Thomas Bateman, Dr. David McKinley, Alfred Johns, Fred Abrey, Gordon Jones. Middle row: Mrs. Elsie Abrey, Mrs. Myrtle Johns, Dr. Omar Kilborn, Dr. Retta Kilborn, Mrs. Susie Mabel McKinley. Front row: Mrs. Clara Jones, Roland Kenneth Kilborn, Mrs. Alice Bateman. The Kilborns are the only seasoned missionaries in the group.

Title02 Canadian Missionaries Aboard the Empress of Japan, 1910
DescriptionSix Canadian missionary couples on board the Empress of Japan enroute to begin their missionary careers in West China. Top row: Rev. Thomas Bateman, Dr. David McKinley, Alfred Johns, Fred Abrey, Gordon Jones. Middle row: Mrs. Elsie Abrey, Mrs. Myrtle Johns, Dr. Omar Kilborn, Dr. Retta Kilborn, Mrs. Susie Mabel McKinley. Front row: Mrs. Clara Jones, Roland Kenneth Kilborn, Mrs. Alice Bateman. The Kilborns are the only seasoned missionaries in the group.
Spatial CoveragePacific Ocean
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives
Mrytle & Fred Johns Wedding Portrait
Upper body portrait of Alfred and Myrtle Madge Johns on the occasion of their wedding at UsborneTwp, near Exeter, ON.

TitleMrytle & Fred Johns Wedding Portrait
DescriptionUpper body portrait of Alfred and Myrtle Madge Johns on the occasion of their wedding at UsborneTwp, near Exeter, ON.
Spatial CoverageUsborne Twp, Exeter, Ontario, Canada (43.33431090474142, -81.40140003085375)
ProvenanceJohns Family Archives