Langley: Who stole her grandfather's wagon wheels?

The wooden farm wagon did a lot of work over the years and its wheels decorated the yard of Rosemary Genberg, a link to her pioner past.

Then on Thursday morning, the 75-year-old awoke to find her Grampa’s wagonwheels stolen from her Povertyhill home (east Murrayville).

Her grandfather, James Stevenson, dubbed the site Poverty Hill because there wasn’t a road to access the property at the time.

Not many people can say they live on the land that their grandfather purchased in 1921.

“I was born on the property I currently live on,” Genberg added.

There was no hospital in Langley when she was born.

“Our grandchild makes five generations to live on this farm,” she said.

Stevenson used the wagon, 100 chickens and a harness for collateral to buy the 55-acre parcel of land, Genberg said.

“I painted the picture of the wagon in 2006 but shortly after all we could salvage was the four wooden wheels,” she said.

Genberg has painted the wagon and wheels several times over the years, using it on paintings and cards.

The wheels would not have been easy to steal so she figures there was more than one person involved. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the wheels, they can contact the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.

“It would reguire two people and a truck, as the wooden wheels are really heavy. When my husband and I moved the wheels, we used the tractor,” she said.

The theft was reported to police, but Genberg, a member of the Langley Heritage Society and the Douglas Day Pioneer Dinner committee, holds out little hope of its return.

“These are a part of my family’s history and mean so much to me, and would only have sentimental value to me and my family,” Genberg said. “I realize I will more than likely never see them again, but felt the need to let the community know of someone’s heartless actions causing a sad day for me and my family.”