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He boarded at one of the only two Hotels, which were really tents. The Hotel he chose was owned by Mrs. Douglas who was a motherly lady of no mean proportions, and with the help of her daughter dispensed with much grace the hospitality of her establishment.  
 
The beds were built along one side of the Tent, and had upper and lower berths like in the Sleeping Cars on the train, with curtains to give the occupants some privacy. The kitchen was a lean-to at one end, and the dinning room, which was also a Rotunda, occupied the part of the tent not being used for sleeping. This accommodation was only suitable for the summer season.  
 
This Hotel was the location of the first Methodist Church service to be held in Brandon. The Reverend Thomas Lawson came to Brandon to conduct the Service, but could not find suitable facilities, and so Mrs. Lawson offered the dinning room area in her Tent Hotel.  
 
There was a very good audience, and after most of the congregation had arrived, and were comfortably seated, the Landlady accompanied by her Daughter silently emerged from one corner of the tent. She was dressed in her most stately attire, including bonnet, coat, and gloves.  
 
They passed through the kitchen, exited through the back door, and walked around the outside of the Tent to re-enter to march up before the congregation in a high reverential style to claim two reserved seats located at the front.  
 
Source: A Horseman and the West by Beecham Trotter.