| In the 1860's Frank Laumeister at one time or another was probably the
most threatened freight outfitter in British Columbia. During the Cariboo gold rush
Frank decided to use " the ship of the
desert ' to help move the huge amounts of cargo to the remote interior
 outposts.
These two hump (bactrianus) camels could out walk & out carry any animal known in North
America. But to Laumeister's dismay these sometimes cantankerous animals would eat
anything from a pair of pants to a bar of soap, if given the chance.
Horses from competing freight outfitters would stampede at the sight of a camel causing
extensive losses for those companies.
The biggest drawback to making a profit was the loss of camels. These animals are sure
footed on a sandy desert but on the rocky trails of B.C. it was a different story. Most
trails at the time were cut into steep rocky canyon walls.
After a few years Laumeister sold the remaining camels to curious
ranchers throughout the province.
Thus ended a unique chapter in Canadian entrepreneurship. |
