Huey Gum ran a restaurant in Woolford before moving to Fareham, later known as Whiskey Gap, in 1929. Contemporary newspapers also spell his name Houie Gum. Lethbridge Herald, 2 May 1929, p. 5
April 1929: Huey Gum in Woolford
In April 1929, Gum was operating a restaurant in Woolford. The Lethbridge Herald identified him as a Chinese restaurant keeper when it reported his purchase of a site at the new railway terminus at Fareham. Woolford Mercantile was also preparing a store, lumber and oil premises there. Lethbridge Herald, 2 May 1929, p. 5
The Cardston News described the arrangement more precisely. Woolford Mercantile had bought six lots through the Cardston Investment Company and planned a store opposite the station, with an implement warehouse and lumber yard. Gum bought the adjoining lot. Cardston News, 25 April 1929, p. 1
1929: a restaurant, hotel and pool hall
By June 1929, Gum had moved to his restaurant at the Fareham terminal. The Woolford correspondent reported the move in the Cardston News of 13 June. Cardston News, 13 June 1929, p. 2
Heritage of the High Country dates the combined restaurant, hotel and pool hall to 1929. Its Whiskey Gap account remembers Gum buying milk and cream from Otto Sommerfeldt to make ice cream on Sundays. W. J. Harper’s recollection describes meals, a pool table in the back room, and chocolate, cigarettes and confectionery for sale. Heritage of the High Country, pp. 45 and 359
The railway reached the settlement that year, bringing another connection for the small community and its businesses. Whiskey Gap’s railway history
October 1930: the former Woolford restaurant
Back in Woolford, F. Tracy was cleaning and refitting Gum’s former restaurant, with plans for a restaurant and confectionery business run with his wife. The notice identified Gum as being at Whiskey Gap; it concerned the Woolford premises. Cardston News, 2 October 1930, p. 1
December 1930: a journey to China
In December 1930, the Herald reported Gum making improvements to his premises at the Gap. Days later, the Cardston News reported that he had left for China and expected to stay several months. Huey Foone ran the café during his absence. Lethbridge Herald, 12 December 1930, p. 5 · Cardston News, 18 December 1930, p. 8
July 1931: Fareham becomes Whiskey Gap
The post office officially adopted the name Whiskey Gap on July 1, 1931. Dale Speirs, Journal of Alberta Postal History, no. 12, p. 13
1937: a sandwich and pie for 30 cents
Gum was still running a restaurant at Whisky Gap in 1937. A court report records him as a witness describing a customer’s visit on 21 October: a sandwich and piece of pie cost 30 cents. Gum changed a $20 bill to pay the bill. Lethbridge Herald, 5 November 1937, printed p. 6
1939: the pool hall changes hands
The Secretan family account in Heritage of the High Country records that Charles Secretan bought the pool hall from Huey Gum in 1939 and continued operating it. Heritage of the High Country, p. 503
1943–1944: the Secretans move to Del Bonita
In 1943–1944, the Fisher store in Del Bonita passed to Charles and Mabel Secretan, who moved to the community. The Fisher and Secretan family accounts give neighbouring years for the change. This business transfer does not establish when Huey Gum’s former building was moved. Heritage of the High Country, pp. 331 and 503 · Del Bonita Historical Buildings
2009: the building in Del Bonita
The former restaurant and lodging building stands at the right of John F. Novotny’s photograph. Its identification follows the separately labelled photograph on the source history page.
Whiskey Gap: the trail, settlement and railway · Del Bonita Historical Buildings