A WORLD WAR VETERAN Stephen Hughes was born in St. Mary's Road , and at the age of seventeen, enlisted in the first world war. In November, 1917, he was wounded in the right hand, and received two bullets in the left arm. He later recovered and returned home to St. Mary's Road . Looking for a farm to purchase, he saw an advertisement in the local newspaper, referring to Frank McGaugh 's farm in Bear River . Some time later, Stephen bought this farm and settled here. Here, he met his life-time partner, Alice McGaugh , and they were married in February 1919. From this union, there came twelve children, nine girls and three boys. It was February 14, 1935, and Bear River was in the midst of a severe sleet storm. On this day, Alice gave birth to a baby. Her daughter, Virginia, hurried down the long lane to her uncle Jimmy's place to get him to go for the doctor in Souris . The travelling was very slippery, and as she neared the house, she had to go up a hill. As she slipped along, she kept falling. She was in a dilemma for nearly an hour before finally reaching her destination. Jimmy hitched the horse and sleigh and went to Souris , over very treacherous roads. He brought the doctor who delivered a beautiful blue eyed red-headed girl. Alice and Stephen were very contented and happy with their valentine gift, whom they called Beatrice. Stephen and Alice remained in this house until 1937, when they bought a home closer to the road. This house was larger and had space for their ever-growing family. To the children, this was exciting for now they were close to the road and could see everyone travelling on the highway. This house had two sets of stairs, and the children would chase each other, up one set of stairs and down the other. The parents did not appreciate this activity very much. 73