The Late Right Hon. Sir John A.

Macdonald,
Head of the Mounted Police Department.
First Responsible

The Right Honourable Sir Wilfred Lalrier,

The Present Responsible Head of the Department.

THE FORCE LOSES A GOOD FRIEND IN SIR JOHN MACDONALD BUT GAINS ANOTHER IN
SIR WILFRED LAURIER."
10 ,VU/in

» 4 4 » 4 ^ f

Osier,

Sfork
4 »»»»»
Hammond
Rrokers a^
4

^^^^^'
» 4 »
&
^^gfsy

Nanton
insurance,
GENERAL FINANCIAL AGENTS

Stocks bought and sold on New York, Toronto and Montreal Markets.

Lands for Sale in the Provinces of Manitoba,

Saslcatchewan and Alberta.
Calgary and Edmonton Land Co., Alberta Railway and Irrigation Co.,
Ontario and Qu'Appelle Land Co., Winnipeg Western Land Corporation.

Town sites on Edmonton & Calgary Railway

Insurance, Fire and Marine.

The Western Assurance Co., The Law Union and Crown Insurance Co.

\ Loans, Money Lent at Lowest Current Rates.

The North of Scotland Canadian Mortgage Co., The Law Union and
Crown Insurance Co. (Investment Dept.)

Fuel, Hard and Soft Coal.

Gait Coal, American Hard Coal, Canadian Anthracite, etc.

QUO TA TIONS A LL RAIL WA Y PO!N TS.

OSLER, HAMMOND & NANTON,

»»»»» Comer Main and McDermott Streets WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE.
PREFACE 4
CHAPTER I. — A Big Problem for a Young Country. —The Necessity of Providing for the Pro-
and Property in the Great West during the Process of its Exploration and Settle-
tection of Life
—
ment. Some Notes on the Early History of Canada's Great North- West. Colonel Robertson Ross' —
Reconnaissance of 1872 and his Report 5
CHAPTER II. — Organization of the NorthWest Mounted Police. — How the Authority of the
Dominion was Advanced Eight Hundred Miles Westward from Manitoba to the Foot Hills of
by the Big March of 1874
the Rockies 17

CHAPTER —The First Winter in the Far West. — Hardships of the Pioneers of Fort Macleod.
III.
—The Whisky Trade Suppressed and Law and Order Established. —A Marvellous Change. —
Illicit

The First Detachment on the Saskatchewan. —Trouble with the Laurent Half-Breeds, —
St.
General Sir Selby Smyth's Inspection and Favourable Report 29
CHAPTER IV. — Col. Macleod Commissioner. —The Development of the North-West Territories
under Proper Protection. —Dealings with the Indians. —The Sun Dance. —The Big Treaty with
the Blackfeet 38
•CHAPTER —The Sitting Bull Incident. — Unwelcome Visitors from the United States Impose
V.
several years Hard Work and Grave Responsibilities. — Sitting Bull and the Custer Massacre .... 45
CHAPTER VI. — Under Sir John Again. —The Mounted Police placed under the Department of the
Interior. — Experimental Farming by the Force. — Lieut.-Col. A. G. Irvine succeeds Lieut.-Col.
Macleod as Commissioner. — Difficulties with the Indians in the Southern Part of the Territories. —
Tribes Induced to leave the Danger Zone near the International Frontier. —The Establishment
of the Force Increased by Two Himdred Men 56
CHAPTER VII. — Lord Lorne's Tour. —A Vice-Regal Escort which Travelled over Twelve Hundred
—Some Notes of a Highly Significant Prairie Pilgrimage
Miles. 67
CHAPTER VIII. — Headquarters Removed to Regina. —The Usefulness of Fort Walsh Disappears,
and the Post —
Abandoned. The Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. A Record in
is —
Track-Laying and an Equally Creditable Record in the Maintenance of Order. p]xtra Duties —
Imposed upon the North-West Mounted Police 71
CHAPTER IX.— The Rebellion of 1885.—The Uprising Predicted by Officers of the Force well
in Advance of the Actual Appeal to Arms. —
Irvine's Splendid March from Regina to Prince
Albert. —
The Fight at Duck Lake, and Abandonment of Fort Carlton. Services of the Detach- —
ments at Prince Albert, Battleford and Fort Pitt and of those which Accompanied the Militia
Columns throughout the Campaign 81

CHAPTER — —
X. Increase of Strength and Duties. The Establishment Raised to 1,000 Men. —
L. W. Herchmer Commissioner, — —
More Vice-Regal Visits. Extension of the Sphere of Opera-
tions Northward to the Athabasca and Peace River Districts and into the Yukon. The Fight —
to Suppress the Illicit Liquor Trade. —
The Force Loses a Good Friend in Sir John Macdonald but
—
gains another in Sir Wilfrid Laurier. The "Almighty Voice" Tragedy. Rapid Extension of —
the Yukon Duties 103
CHAPTER XI. —Under the Present Commissioner. — Handsome and Useful Contributions of
the North-West Mounted Police towards the Armies fighting the Battles of Empire in South
Africa. — —
The Victoria Cross. Great Extension of the Work of the Force in Yukon and the Far
—
North. The Memorable Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the Con-
ferring ujx)n the Force of the Distinction
"
Royal
—The Earl of Minto Honorary Commissioner. —
".

Vice-Regal Visits. —The Inauguration of the New Provinces. —The Hudson Bay Detachments. —
Something about the Force as it is To-day and the Work it is Doing 124
APPENDIX A 159

-.^Kim'^.^^.m'^^.
 PREFACE
undertaking to write a history of such a redoubtable corps as the Royal
North- West Mounted Police, a corps which .might be said to be constantly
ONE on strenuous active service, and consequently peculiarly prolific of stirring
story, is tempted to dwell rather upon the dramatic and sensational incidents of the
records of the force than upon the more matter of fact and historically valuable
annals.

I have tried to resist this temntation as far as possible, my desire being to pro-
—
duce a volume of some sort of historical value rather an authentic record of the
origin, development and work of the force than a spicy collection of stirring adven-
tures,more or less apocryphal in character. A few, comparatively a very few,
thoroughly authenticated stirring incidents of the service of the force are related
in the following pages, but no more than enough to intelligently illustrate the
character of that service.

The late Inspector Dickens upon one occasion informed me that he had for some
time been collecting, with a view to their publication, a number of the well-authen-
ticated stories of daring and adventure within the force, and it is greatly to be regretted
that his intention was never put into execution, for what a stirring volume might
have been added to Canadian literature.

As
to the present modest volume, the record of the Royal North- West Mounted
Police so largely the history of Western Canada that the preservation in some sort
is

of an endurable form accessible to the reading and writing public, of the annals
of the force seemed an actual necessity, particularly with the control of the force

undergoing a change as at present.

Every care has been takento secure accuracy of fact, and I must especially

express thanks to Lieutenant-Colonel Fred. White, the Comptroller, for his

my
courtesy in assisting me greatly, not only with personal information, but by placing
documents and photographs in his possession at my disposition. I feel that grateful
acknowledgements are also due to Assistant Commissioner J. H. McIUree, for assis-
tance in securing many of the portraits used in the illustration of this work, and to
Mr. D. A. McLaughlin, Chief Government Photographer, Ottawa, for a number of
excellent illustrations procured from him.

I have drawn some

extent, too, upon Dr. H. J. Morgan's volume, ''Canadian
to
Men and Women Day," for some biographical information. It is rarely one
of the

produces a Canadian book of historical character without doing so.

Having resided for some time in theNorth- West, having gone through the rebel-
lion of 1885, including the chase after Big Bear, and having many friends among the
officers and men Royal North- West Mounted Police, I have had the privilege of
of the

knowing something way the force does its work and of the excellent spirit per-
of the

vading all ranks, and I only hope this volume may do something towards perpetuating
the record of the invaluable contribution towards Empire building in this Canada of
ours, made by this truly admirable body of men.

ERNEST J. CHAMBERS.

The Senate, Ottawa.

September 1, 1906.
 CHAPTER I

A BIG PROBLEM FOR A YOUNG COUNTRY

The Necessity of Providing Protection for Life and Property in the Great West during the
Progress of the Country's Exploration and Settlement Some Notes on the Early History —
—
OF Canada's Great North-West Colonel Robertson-Ross' Reconnaissance of 1872 and his
Report.

1872 the Dominion of Canada, as yet only five At that very time the United States was spending at
with a momentous
years old, was face to face the rate of $20,000,000 a year upon its western Indians
IN proposition. alone,and naturally enough similar complications with
How was the infant country, weak in population and the Indians in the Canadian west as those which had
financial resources, to provide for the exploration, occurred in the United States, drenching the camps and
opening up and settlement of the vast region of 2,300.- trails of the pioneer settlers with blood, and necessita-

000 srjuare miles —a continent in itself —acquired by ting the frequent despatch of costly military expeditions,
the Dominion in virtue of "The Rupert's Land Act" were feared even by those not usually timid. There
passed by the Imperial Parliament in 1868? were powerful and ferocious tribes of Indians in the
The United States had had to pour out, and was —
new region the Crees and Blackfeet for instance it —
still pouring out, at that date, human life and money was well known, but just how many was a matter of
with a prodigal hand to open up the new territories to dispute, for the knowledge of the new country was very
the South of the infant Dominion's recently acquired meagre, based upon the unverified tales of the half-
western Empire, and the end had not yet been accom- breed trapper and the fur trader. There was even great
plished (1). With her infinitely more restricted imme- uncertainty as to the actual extent and main physical
diate resources in men and money Canada could not features of the country. There were great rivers and
face the same expenditures. lakes and considerable mountain ridges which had
The total revenue of the Dominion in 1872 was only never even been heard of, and such great streams as the
$20,714,813.

Mr. Donaldson, a United States fJovcrnmcnt census ancnf, has shown

(1) In the U. H. CofiKremional Reconlx there ix a re|M>rt of onKasoinents
with hoRtile IndiniiM within the military ilivimon of the Minaouri from 1K('>K to by actual records that l>etween July4, 1770 and .June.30, INSOthc Inilians had
co«t the Unite<l States (Jovernment S0i0,2.'i0. 284.02. It was further shown
1882. In the recapitulation it ii* nhown that "more than 1 ,00<) officerH an<l
•oliiiem were kille<l or wouncie<l" in the Indian fiithtinx of that |>cri(Kl. Four that only ime-third of this amount ($2.'V2,0(K).(HN!..'i4) had been spent on

huniiretl battle* and nkirmivhe* were foUKht with Indiana in the fourteen pacifj'imi anil civilizinK Indians, two-thirds (S(l9r)„'{.'i0, 277.68) had been
nbsorlMMi in finhtinK them. In .March. 1882 the U.S. .Senate called on the
yearn.
Between 1862 and 1868 no le»w than 8<K) ncttlcrK were murdered in the .Secretary of War for the cost of the Indian wars for the perio'! I872--I882.
MMlth-weat by the Cheyenne*. Arapahoe* and Comanrhe*. The report showe<l that it amounte<l to no less a sum than S202.004,.50(l.

DurinK the tint week of the big .Sioux War which began in 1862 and It is not to l)e wondered at that one Unile<l States officer. General Har-
which coMt the U. H. Government between $I5,000.(MH) and t20.000.000, vey, once *|>cakinit of the cost of the fre<|uenl Indian wars, remarked: "It —
over 700 white* ()eri*hRd throuKhout the western frontier of Minnennta and would l>c better a* a matter of economy, to board unil IihIkc the Indians at
adjacent di*tricl» of Iowa and Dakota. an<i more than 200 were made cap- the Fifth Avenue Hotel, than to tight them."
tive*, a condition often wone tliaii death.
Saskatchewan, Bow, Qu'Appelle and Belly Rivers Mounted Police, a body which has earned for itself
were incorrectly sketched upon the crude maps. (2) during the thirty-three years of its existence an im-
Among so much that was uncertain as to the new portant and highly honourable place in the annals of
region there was this much known positively:
—The Canada.
Dominion had undertaken to govern the Great North- Before proceeding with the relation of the facts con-
West, and by a solemn covenant entered into with the nected with the organization of this splendid force and
Province of British Columbia, had pledged itself to lay with its services to the country and the Empire, it is
down across the vast unexplored stretches of forest, probably better, for the purpose of indicating the exact
prairie, flood and mountain, a railroad connecting the conditions prevailing in the North-West in 1873, the
old British colonies on the Pacific coast with the original year the force was organized, to briefly trace the history
provinces of Canada. of the country up to that time.

Up to 1866 Vancouver Island and the mainland of The original means of communication between the
British Columbia, formerly called New Caledonia, were Great North-West and Europe was via Hudson Bay, and
separate colonies, but in the year named they were for a very long period that was the only trade route
united under the name of British Columbia. July 20, between our great west and Britain. The British flag,
1871 British Columbia became a province of the Do- it might be remarked, was the first European ensign to
minion of Canada on the specific understanding that fly over any part of that vast domain, and it held un-
within two years work would be begun upon a railway disputed sway over the shores of Hudson Bay and the
to connect the province with eastern Canada. The region to the south and west of it for many years before
very day that British Columbia entered Confederation, the last of the lily-emblazoned flags of France in the
parties of engineers entrusted with the preliminary valley of the St. Lawrence was replaced by the Union
surveys for the new railway, left Victoria to work east- Jack. English trading posts had been established on
ward, and others started from the Upper Ottawa to Hudson Bay and Straits, and English trading influences
work westward. felt throughout a considerable portion of region which

It was obvious that to ensure the safe construction now forms part of the Dominion's North-West and
and operation of this trans-continental railway, no less North-East territories within forty years of the founding
than to provide for the security of the settlers who of Ville Marie (now Montreal) by de Maisonneuve. A
were already beginning to filter into the wilderness, keen conflict was for a number of years maintained
some powerful and efficient instrument would have to between the French and the English for the possession
be provided for the assertion of the national authority of these remote territories, and the trading forts suc-
and the enforcement of the law. cessively changed hands as fortune happened to favour
Such an instrument was created in the North-West the one or the other.
A British expedition, under Sebastian Cabot, in 1517
(2) It was less than twenty years since the first systematic attempt to
explore the western part of the continent had been made. Itwas not until after discovered Hudson Strait. In 1576-1577 Martin
1853 that the western half of what is now the United States was thoroughly made
Frobisher his voyages of discovery to the Arctic
explored, in the year named the United States Secretary of War being
authorized by the President to employ engineers to ascertain the best route regions of Canada. In 1585 John Davis discovered
for a railway to connect the Mississippi with the Pacific coast. The first Davis Straits, and the two following years visited the
reports of these engineers were decidedly discouraging.
The British Government in 1857 despatched an exploring expedition seas to the north of Canada. In 1610 Henry Hudson,
under Captain Palliser to explore the vast unknown territory of British in command of another English expedition, discovered
North America west of Lake Superior, with special instructions to attempt
to locate a practicable horse route on British Territory for connecting Eastern and explored Hudson Bay and James Bay, and win-
Canada with British Columbia. The explorations of this expedition ex- tered on the shores of the latter.
tended over four years, and although the quest for a trans-continental wag-
Hudson, being de-
gon trail, owing to the restrictive instructions issued, was unfruitful, the serted there by his mutinous crew, another English
results were important, demonstrating that there was an immense land re-
serve in the western part of British North America, capable of being put to
expedition under Captain Thomas Britton proceeded
the use of man. to James Bay in 1612 to effect his relief, but failed. In
In 1859 the Edinburgh Review ridiculed the idea of forming the Red
1613, two distinct English expeditions, one under
River and Saskatchewan country into a Crown Colony, denounced it in fact,
as a wild and wicked notion, declaring that hailstones, Indians, frosts, early Captain Fox, the other under Captain James, both, as
and late, want of wood and water, rocks, bogs, etc., made settlement im-
had been the case with Hudson, despatched in quest of
possible.
One has but to read Dr. Grant's interesting volume "Ocean to Ocean" a north-west passage to the Far East, explored both
to realize what absolute ignorance there was as to the Great North-West in
Hudson Bay and James Bay. In 1670, King Charles
1872, not in what is generally regarded as the East merely, but in Manitoba
as well. Thus the learned annalist speaks ot meeting while at Fort Garry, II, of England, granted to Prince Rupert the charter
and on the same day. Archbishop Tache. and Mr. Taylor, the United States
to trade in and about Hudson Bay and Straits, in
Consul. He writes that to hear the Consul and the Archbishop speak about
the fertile belt was almost like hearing counsel for and against it. "The Hudson Bay Company was organ-
virtue of which the
Consul believes that the world without the Saskatchewan would be but a
ized. A
governor and establishment were sent out
poor affair; the Archbishop that the fertile belt must have been so called
because it is not fertile." from England, and two forts or trading posts estab-
6
lished. The main object of the company was to traders, de laVerandrye and du Luth (after whom the
engage in the fur trade, but its charter authorized it to city ofDuluth is named) built a fort on the Lake of the
,

conduct explorations. Woods, and before the conquest of New France was
In 1672 the French Jesuit priest, Father Albanel, completed, enterprising French pioneers had established
inspired by that zeal for the spread of the Gospel of trading posts on Lake Winnipeg. Lake Manitoba, Cedar
Christ among the heathen Indians, which led so many Lake, and on the Saskatchewan.
devoted French priests, in that brave era, throughout For a time after the conquest, the French fur traders
daring trips of explorations, and in many cases, alas! appear to have practically withdrawn from the vast
to glorious martyrdom, performed the feat of making region west of the great lakes, and the Hudson Bay
the passage overland from Montreal to Hudson Bay, Company enjoyed full possession of the far western
and took formal possession of the land in the name of fur trade. Then rival concerns returned to the big
the King of France, although the English had already company's sphere of operations. The most important
established themselves there. of thesewas the North- West Company, organized on a
If the officials of the Hudson Bay Company heard of co-operative system at Montreal, 1783. Its promoters
the good priest's visit and patriotic act, it does not were Scotch and Frc;nch, and as it was a Canadian
appear to have concerned them, for the year 1686 the company and operated over the same route as the
company had no less than five trading posts in opera- former fur trade of New France, it attracted to its
round the shores of Hudson and James Bays. They " "
tion support the hardy voyageurs and coureurs des bois
were designated the Albany, the Moose, the Rupert, who had diverted so large a share of the western fur
the Nelson and the Seven Factories. In the year last trade to the St. Lawrence route during the French
named one of these English posts was overwhelmed regime. To them the Hudson Bay Company was an
with disaster. The activity of the English traders in hereditary enemy, and they entered upon the work of
the then far north-west was interfering with the fur opposition with great zeal. Rivalry of the keenest
trade of the St. Lawrence, and an expedition under kind prevailed between the two companies, and pitched
Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur was organized in
d'Iberville, battles and bloodshed were the result. The Hudson
New France to proceed to Hudson Bay and destroy Bay Company claimed the whole of the present north-
Moose Factory. The commission was thoroughly west, including Manitoba, by reason of its charter and
executed, and, in subsequent expeditions, between alleged prior occupation. The North-West Company,
1686 and 1697, d'Iberville captured five more posts of as a Canadian concern, on the other hand, claimed the
the company, and destroyed many of its vessels; but right to trade in the prairie regionon the ground that
the Hudson Bay Company was not destroyed nor de- it had not only been discovered by parties sent out
terred from its purpose. In 1696 d'Iberville returned from Canada during the French regime, but had, up to
to France, and under the treaty of Ryswick, passed the time of the conquest, been occupied by Canadian
that year, there was a mutual restoration of places traders or their agents, and was consequently a part of
taken during the war. By the treaty of Utrecht, 1713, the Canada of New France which was ceded to Britain
Hudson Bay,, and adjacent territory was definitely by the Capitulation of Montreal, and not rightly a part
and ceded to Britain, fifty-seven years before
finally of the Hudson Bay Territory.
the Laurentian colony of New France. In 1811 and 1812 the Earl of Selkirk, having ac-
There was destined to be many years' dispute as to quired a controlling interest in the Hudson Bay Com-
exactly what comprised the Hudson Bay territory, or pany, decided to form a settlement, and sent a number
Prince Rupert's Land. The original charter com- of settlers outfrom Scotland to locate upon lands on
prised the country drained into Hudson Bay and Hud- the Red River. This was the first serious attempt at
son Straits, but the company's voyageurs and trappers settlement in what is now the great province of Mani-
travelled over great areas to the west and south of toba. The North-West Company, whose employees
those limits, and established forts or trading posts up to this time had practically monopolized the trade
therein. Rival English disputed the
fur traders of the Red River Valley, soon came into violent conflict
monopoly of the company, even to the coast irade of with this settlement, and determined and dastardly
Hud.son and James Bays, but the Company generally measures were resorted to to accomplish the destruction
succeeded in driving them out and destroying their of the settlements. Attempts to starve the settlers
establishments. out by seizing their supplies en route from Hudson
The French, too, with their wonderful genius for Bay failed, and so did efforts to arouse the Indians to
inland discovery, penetrated from the distant St. Law- accomplish the destruction of the settlement, and other
rence settlements to the great prairie region to the efforts to bribe the settlers from their allegiance to the
south and west of Hudson Bay. In 1732, two Montreal Hudson Bay Company. At length a party of North-
West Company men entered Fort Douglas, the head- From ignorance of the country the settlement nearly
quarters of the settlement, and carried off the guns suffered extermination from floods and famines.
and means of defence. This caused somewhat of a In 1835 the Hudson Bay Company purchased the
stampede among the and the raid upon the
settlers, rights of the Selkirk family to the Red River Colony^
fort being in course of time succeeded by the arrest and a sort of government was set up by the Company
and transportation to Montreal of the Governor of the with a council (Council of Assiniboia) comprised of its
settlement, Miles Macdonell, the settlement was servants. The colonists had no voice in the selection
abandoned in June 1815, the year of Waterloo. Later of the members, and the Company's governor and his
in the same year, the main party of the Selkirk settlers, council made the laws, interpreted them, and enforced
recruited by some new arrivals from Scotland, returned them. Before many years the British genius for repre-
to the destroj^ed settlement and rebuilt their homes, sentative government asserted itself, and the British
fort and mill. The half-breed adherents of the North- and Canadian parliaments were petitioned by the
West Company, who had been directly responsible for settlers to make them equal participators in the rights
the previous disaster, again showing a disposition to and liberties enjoyed by British subjects elsewhere.
create trouble, the Selkirk colonists suddenly fell upon In 1857 this matter was discussed in the Canadian
their settlement and took their leader,
Cameron, pris- as well as theBritish Parliament, and the question
"
oner, releasing him, however, on the promise of good of Rupert's Land and the North -West
joining
behaviour. June 19, 1816, the colony was again sur- Territory" to Canada made such progress that pro-
prised and raided by the North-West Company's half- vision was made in the British North America Act
breeds. Twenty-one of the Hudson Bay Company anticipating the admission of the territory into Con-
officials and adherents were killed and one wounded in federation. At the very first session of the Dominion
this affair. Again the afflicted colonists were forced Parliament the project took definite shape, and a series
to take shelter in the Hudson Bay forts to the of resolutions were passed favouring the admission of the
north. territories ruled by the Hudson Bay Company into
Meantime Lord Selkirk had arrived in Canada to Confederation. The Imperial Government having
endeavour to secure protection for his colony, but expressed its approval, negotiations were entered into
failed signally until he personally organized a mili- with the Company, and in 1869, a formal deed of sur-
tary force. Upon the conclusion of the war of 1812- render of the territories was executed, the Dominion
1814 with the United States, two Swiss auxiliary Government agreeing to pay 300,000 pounds sterling
regiments in the British Service, the De Meuron and the to the Company relinquishment of its mono-
for the
Watteville regiments, were disbanded in Canada, and poly and rights in the territory, the Company retaining
Selkirk engaged one hundred of their officers and men, its trading posts and one-twentieth of all the lands in

clothed and armed them at his own expense, and with the fertile belt. And so this vast territory, covering
thirty canoe men started out via the great lakes for his some 2,300,000 square miles became a part of the
settlement. It was June, 1817, before the expedition Dominion of Canada.
reached the site of the settlement, and the refugee The transfer of the country was marked by the
settlers were recalled from Norway House on Lake Riel uprising of 1869, due chiefly to the objection of
Winnipeg. The Red River colony was re-established, the French half-breeds, who were generally hunters, to
but for many years longer had a painfully chequered the anticipated opening of the country to settlement,
existence. on a system foreign to their practice but due in some
;

The troubles in the great North-West became a measure to intrigue by Fenian agitators and by citizens
subject of discussion in the British House of Commons of the United States, who were desirous of seeing the
and of Parliamentary investigation, and finally, by Hudson Bay territory added to the Republic.
Parliamentary mediation, an union of the interests of The Red River expeditions under Col. (now Lord)
the Hudson Bay Company and the North-west Com- Wolseley, in. 1870, effectively put a period to the upris-
pany was accomplished, the united company taking ing, and in 1870 the Red River settlement and ad-
the name of the Hudson Bay Company. The Govern- jacent territory was formed into the Province of Mani-
ment of the vast region now known as Manitoba and toba, the first legislature being elected the following
the North-West was vested in the company, whose January. Shortly afterwards an Executive Council
officers were commissioned as justices of the peace. was named to assist the LieUt.-Governor of Manitoba
A special clause in the license granted to the recon- in administering the affairs of the territories beyond
structed company, prohibited any interference with the limits of the new
province.
colonization. The population of the Province of Manitoba in 1870
The troubles of the Selkirk settlers were not yet over. according to the census was 1,565 whites, 578 Indians,
5,757 French half-breeds and 4,083 English-speaking In effecting this improvement, roads had been cut
half-breeds. and graded by the engineers, stream and lake channels
Immediately after taking possession of Fort Garry roughly cleared of logs, stumps and boulders; por-
in 1870 Colonel Wolseley called upon Mr. Donald A. tages improved, steamers placed upon some of the
Smith, now Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, to act longer water stretches, stations in the charge of res-
as the administrator of the provincial government ponsible men established at the portages and other
pending the arrival of the Lieutenant-Governor. resting places, and so on. For the first forty-five miles
Things were in a very unsettled condition after the from Lake Superior the route was entirely by land.
collapse of the inefficient Riel administration, and with Then succeeded a stretch of three hundred and eighty
many of the people of the settlement coming into the miles of lakes and rivers, and then another land stretch
Fort, numerous acts of lawlessness were reported. of one hundred and ten miles, or 530 miles in all.
To restore and maintain law and order, a mounted The co^npletion of this route resulted in an.,a;^feci-
"
poHce force was organized under the command of
'
able influx of population.
Captain Villiers of the Quebec Battalion of Rifles. In 1871 and 1872 attention was drawn in the Dom-
The organization of this force is historically interesting inion parliament to evidences of restlessness among
as it was the first police force to be organized in western the Northwest Indians, and the advisability of taking
Canada. effective means to deal with any possible uprising. The
The two provisional battalions of militia (rifles) which practice of the United States Indians, particularly the
Wolseley took to Fort Garry in 1870 remained in the Sioux, of resorting for refuge to British territory, after
province for the winter, sufficient men being re-inlisted their periodical uprisingsand when hard pressed by
in the spring to form a small provisional battalion, the blue-coated armies sent against them, was con-
which it was deemed wise
to keep at Fort Garry as a sidered a most disquieting factor, and anxiety, niore-
Garrison after that. This battalion, in spite of the over, began to spread as a result of complaints made on
short terms of enlistment, was maintained in a very behalf of various bands of Canadian Indians as to bad
frequent drafts from
efficient state for several years, treatment by the officials of the government.
Ontario and Quebec, and in 1873 from Nova Scotia In the House of Commons March 31st, 1873, Dr.
and New Brunswick, being sent to Manitoba to keep John Schultz, M.P., in presenting a motion for copies
the ranks full. After the first year a battery of field of correspondence relating to the dissatisfaction pre-

artillery was incorporated in the battalion. This was vailing among the Indians of Manitoba and the North-
the only military force maintained in the new west West in 1871 drew attention to the fact that the Im-
besides some companies of volunteer militia in Mani- perialProclamation of July 15th, 1870, which added
toba. The calls for special duty were quite numerous, 300,000 square miles to the area of the Dominion,
upon one occasion a detachment marching across the pledged the country to the care and protection of
prairie to Lake Qu'Appelle upon the occasion of the 68,000 Indians. He contrasted the state of peace pre-
negotiation of an Indian Treaty, upon another to the vailing in the new region with the state of war and
Lake of the Woods. This permanent force was in bloodshed prevailing across the International frontier.
command of Major Acheson G. Irvine, who had gone But a spirit of restlessness was abroad among the
out with Wolseley's expedition as second in command Indians, and a more generous policy towards them
Quebec Rifles, and who subsequently rose to the
of the on the part of the government was necessary.
command of the North-West Mounted Police. Mr. Cunningham, Member for Marquette, who
The necessity of maintaining this small force in the followed Dr. Schultz, attributed the restlessness and
Red River settlement and the difficulty in forwarding discontent among the Indians to the then recent tran-
drafts and supplies, had the result of hastening the sition in the of the country.
government The Indian
work which the government undertook of improving could not understand that Great Britain and Canada
the water and waggon route between Lake Superior were identical. The Americans had a longing eye
and Fort Garry, and which from the name of the en- upon the North-West, and lost no opportunity of spread-
gineer placed in charge, is so well known historically ing discontent there. In fact, most of the trouble
" "
as The Dawson Route. there was to be attributed to American highwines sold
Colonel Wol.seley's force in 1870, in spite of the to the Indians by men calling themselves traders; and
greatest efforts of officers and men, took nearly three if Canada desired to retain possession of the country
Thunder Bay
months in coveriii<: tti( distance between she would have to be prepared to spend money freely,
(I*rince Arthur's Landing) and Fort Garry, Thanks and garrisons would have to be established and sus-
to the improvements effecte<l in the route, the trip in tained throughout the Saskatchewan district.
1872 (ould \)c done in three weeks. The Hon. Joseph Howe took exception to these
9
assertions. Did not the Hudson Bay Company, he presence at any particular point. There were 500
asked, govern the country for years without the men employed on the boundary survey, and they were
assistance of a single soldier, with the exception strong enough to protect themselves and render assist-
of one regiment for a short time when war with ance to persons settled in the neighbourhood.
the United States was anticipated. (3) If Canada Sir John A. Macdonald, then Prime Minister of
could not hold the North-West without garrisons scat- Canada remarked that it was the duty of the govern-
tered all over the country, she could not hold it at all. ment to see that the frontier was protected, to see that
there were no raids nor incursions or outrages by
violent men from another country; and when settle-
ment took place it would be their duty to see that a
militia force was organized and that law was main-
tained. That country had only been Canada's two
years. There were at the moment 300 as fine men as
could be found in any military force in the world up
there, who were sufficient to prevent any Indian war.
It was the intention of the government, however, dur-

ing that very session, to ask the House for a moderate

grant of money to organize a mounted police force,
somewhat similar to the Irish mounted constabulary.
They would have the advantage of military dis-
cipline, would be armed in a simple bvit efficient way,
would use the hardy horse of the country, and, by
being police, would be a civil force, each member of
which would be a police constable, and therefore a
preventive officer. This force would be kept up to
protect the frontier, to look after the customs and put
down smuggling, and particularly the smuggling of
ardent spirits, which tended to the utter demoraliza-
tion of the Indian tribes. This force would also move
in case of any threatened disturbance between Indian
tribes or between Indian and white settlers.
The difficulty of settling the territory was enhanced,
he was afraid, by the insidious advice of single traders
crossing the line. They were under no restraint,
morally or otherwise. They considered they had a
right to cross the line, and defraud the Indian of his
furs in exchange for spirits, arms, ammunition, and
other ware; and they often induced the Indians to
make unreasonable demands on the government; but
—
by firmness by letting the Indians understand they
would have fair compensation, and no more, he be-
A Typical Group of North-West Indians in Gala Garb,
lieved these difficulties would be overcome.
(From a photogfraph by Mr. McLaughlin, Chief Photographer of the
Public Works Department). Numerous reports, some based upon truth, others
without any foundation in fact found their way into
They had 300 well-drilled men concentrated in the
the papers about fierce tribal fights among the western
heart of the country ready to be dispatched to any
Indians. For instance April 9, 1871, the following
part at any moment. It would be madness to divide
appeared in the Ottawa "Free Press":
—
them over the country until necessity required their "
Latest Saskatchewan advices bring intelligence of a
From 1846 to 1848 a wing of H. M. 6th Regiment of Foot was quar-
fight between Cree and Blackfeet Indians, in which
(3)
tered at Red River; and for a number of years following, the colony was
protected by a corps of enrolled pensioners. Lord Selkirk's detachment of 70 of the former were killed at long range by breech
disbanded Swiss did not remain in the colony, but emigrated to the more
loading rifles, before they were able to come within
rapidly developing settlements on the Upper Mississippi. From 1857 to
1861 a detachment of the Royal Canadian Rifles occupied Fort Garry during fighting distance. The Crees were not aware that
the excitement caused by the Sioux uprising across the Minnesota frontier.
their hereditary foes had been furnished with so deadly
After the Sioux massacres in 1862 a number of the Sioux came across the
line to Red River, but they were got rid of without serious trouble. a weapon. The rifles had been furnished by American
10
traders. A pity this trade cannot be stopped. No no newspapers and no means of communication except
one knows how soon these rifles may be turned against expresses,it is clear that if the government wishes to

our own people." avoid worrying, expensive, murderous difficulties

About this time, all sorts of sensational stories began with the Indians, something must be done. There
to gain currency in the United States as to the designs must be law and order all over our North-West from the
of American freebooters against the far western country. first. Three or four companies of fifty men each, like
There were reports that imposing fortifications were those now in Manitoba, would be sufficient for the

being erected at strategical points, armed with artillery purpose, if judiciously stationed. Ten times the num-
and manned with rapidly augmenting forces of western ber may be required if there is long delay. The country
"
desperadoes of the worst class. These forts were re- cannot afford repetitions of the Manitoba rebellion.
presented as the centres of a large and prosperous The government realizing that something had to be
traffic, particularly in bad whisky, and it was represented done in the direction indicated in the foregoing, the
that the garrisons were not only fully determined, but same year as this was written (1872) despatched
quite prepared to resist, by force of arms, any attempt Colonel P. Robertson-Ross, then occupying the dual
to assert the authority of the Canadian government in position of Commanding Officer of the Militia of Canada
their neighbourhood. and Adjutant General thereof, on what he described
Although the most sensational of these stories which as "A Reconnaissance of the North-West Provinces
"
reached the east were much
exaggerated, there is no and Indian Territories of the Dominion of Canada, the
doubt that the incursions of illicit traders from across object being to obtain an expert report on the country.
the lines in the far west country were fraught with As the report of Colonel Robertson-Ross describes
much danger. the situation as it existed immediately before the
Dr. Grant (" Ocean to Ocean ") records the fact that organization of the North-West Mounted Police, and
a few hours before the arrival of Sanford Fleming's as it doubtless had an influence in determining the

party at Fort Carlton in 1872, Mr. Clark, the Hudson question of that organization there is no excuse needed
Bay agent, had received informationby the then most for publishing the report fully.

direct; but really very round-about route, namely via The Adjutant General wrote: —
Edmonton, that Yankee "Free Traders" from Belly "On the termination of the annual training of the
River had entered the country (now Southern Alberta) , Militia in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, I pro-
and were selling rum to the Indians in exchange for ceeded in the first instance, via Lake Superior and the
their horses. The worst consequences were feared, "
Dawson Route " to Manitoba, and in accordance with
as when the Indians have no horses they cannot hunt. instructions,subsequently the Continent
crossed
When they cannot hunt they are not ashamed to steal through Canadian territory to the Pacific Coast and
horses, and horse stealing in these days led to wars. Vancouver Island, travelling nearly the whole distance
The Crees and Blackfeet had then been at peace for from Fort Garry on horseback.
"
two or three years, (an unusually long period) but, if Leaving CoUingwpocJ on \,\\e 16th July, in the steam-
the peace was once broken, the old thirst for scalps boat for Thunder E|ay, (^^Ifp Superior), the vessel
would revive and the country be rendered insecure. reached her destination early ^^ the morning of the
Dr. Grant wrote that Mr. Clark spoke bitterly of the 22nd, stopping, en route, a|i the settlements of Owen
helplessness of the authorities, in consequence of having Sound, Leith q,nd Killarney, on the shores of Lake
had no force from the outset to back up the proclama- Huron, and at Gargantua 3^y, Michipicoten Island
tions that had been i.ssued. Both traders and Indians, and Neepigon, on Lake Sup.erior.
"
he said, were learning the dangerous lesson that the From most careful inquiries, it appears that the
Queen's orders could be disregarded with impunity. number of Indians occupying the country along the
The members of Fleming's party comforted Mr. line of the "Dawson Route," and who belong to the
Clark with the assurance that Colonel Robertson-Ross, Objibbeway tribe, does not exceed a total population
Adjutant General of the Canadian Militia was on his of four thousand, of whom it is believed about eight

way up to repress all disorders and see what was neces- hundred are men capable of bearing arms. Although
sary to be done for the future peace of the country. among these Indians there may be some restless charac-
Dr. Grant (p. 141 Ocean to Ocean) commented as ters, they are considered good Indians on the whole,
follows —
on the position: "Making allowances for the and ifkindly but firmly treated, they are not likely to
fears of those who see no protection for life or property cause any interruption along this route, or offer opposi-
within five hundred or a thousand miles from them, tion to the peaceful settlement of the country.
and for the exaggerated size to which rumors swell in a "
During the past summer, the Objibbeway tribe were
country of such magnificent distances, where there are apprehensive of an attack from the Sioux, their here-
11
ditary enemies, dwelling west of the Red River on the presence of a disciplined military body, under its own
American side of the International boundary line. military rules, in addition to, but distinct from, any
With a view, therefore, of preserving the peace of the civil force which it may be thought proper to establish.
"
country, and of supporting our Indian commissioner when Whatever feeling may be entertained toward Police-
engaged in making treaties and for the protection of men, animosity is rarely, if ever, felt towards disci-
settlers, I am of opinion that it would be advisable to plined soldiers wearing Her Majesty's uniform, in any
encamp a detachment of about one hundred (100) portion of the British Empire.
"
summer months at Fort Francis.
soldiers during the In the event of serious disturbance, a Police Force,
This force could be taken from the Militia now on duty acting alone, and unsupported by a disciplined military
at Fort Garry, returning to that station for the winter body, would probably be overpowered, in a Province of
months. To send an Indian commissioner unaccom- mixed races, where every man is armed, while to main-
panied by a military force to make a treaty with this tain a military without any Civil Force is not desirable.
"
tribe last summer proved a failure. I believe that a small number of Constables will be
"I would further suggest that the employees of the sufficient tomaintain order in the Province, provided
Department of Public Works stationed along the line the Military Force is maintained; but, that, in the
" "
of the Dawson Route, who will this summer number event of serious disturbance, a large Police Force would
about 400 men, should be organized into a Naval Bri- be unable to do so, should the military be withdrawn,

gade, to be armed and equipped by the Militia Depart- and I consider the presence of a Military Force in the
ment; and that the offer to raise two Volunteer Com- North- West Territories for some years to come, as indis-
panies of Militia at Prince Arthur's Landing, Thunder pensable in the interests of peace and settlement.
Bay, be accepted.
"The existence of such a material power along the
line,would, I feel sure, prove of the greatest importance.
There is no doubt that the passage of troops for the
last three years proceeding to and from Fort Garry in

support of the civil power, on mission of peace, has

already been attended with the best results.
"I would further urge, if it be the intention of the
government to retain any military force on duty in
Manitoba, that one hundred men of the Provisional
Battalion be supplied with horses and equipped as
Mounted Riflemen, that an addition of one officer and 25
gunners from the School of Gunnery at Kingston be
made to the Artillery detachment, and the Artillery Soldiers and Policemen Too — A Full Dress Parade of the
supplied with four of the Horse Artillery guns recently Royal North-West Mounted Police, 1901.
obtained from England.-/ Thus the force would form
a small but effective Field Brigade, and its military "During my inspection in the North-West I ascer-
power be greatly increased. tained that some prejudice existed amongst the In-
"With regard to the necessity for maintaining any dians against the colour of the uniform worn by the
Military Force at Fort Garry, no doubt whatever exists men of the Provisional Battalion — many of them had
in my mind as to the propriety of doing so, in view of said "who are those soldiers at Red River wearing
the presence of many bands of Indians, considering dark clothes? Our old brothers who formerly lived
the primitive state of society in the Province, the there (meaning H.M.S. 6th Regiment) wore red coats,"
"
strong political party feeling which exists, and the fact adding, we know that the soldiers of our great mother
that on both sides of the International Boundary Line wear red coats and are our friends. "
"
restless and reckless characters among both white men Having concluded the inspection of the Militia
and Indians abound. in Manitoba, accompanied by my son, a youth of 16
"It undoubtedly very desirable to maintain a
is years of age, as travelling companion, 1 left Fort Garry
certain number
of Police Constables in the Province on the 10th of August for the Rocky Mountains and
under the civil power, some of whom should be mounted, British Columbia, with one guide only, and an Indian
but I feel satisfied that the great security for the pre- lad of the Saulteaux tribe, to cross the continent
servation of good order, and the peace of the North- through Dominion territory to the Pacific coast.
West Territories, under the changing state of affairs, "At the time of departure from Fort Garry, some
will for some years, be found to lie in the existence and doubt was expressed as to the propriety of so small a
12
party travelling without a guard through Indian terri- is not believed that they would bring into the
"It
tory, and especially through the country of the Black- fieldmore than 1,000 or 1,100 men, if as many. They
feet tribe, if found necessary to do so; and I have to keep together by bands for mutual protection, in what
thank the Government very much for the authority is termed in military language standing camps; as
conveyed by your telegram to Fort Garry, to take with many as 100 or 150 tents being pitched together, and
me, if desired, a personal escort of six soldiers from the their chiefs have control over the young men. Their
battalion on duty in Manitoba. war parties usually consist of only 50 or 60 men, and
"On full consideration, however, and with the ad- when on raiding expeditions against hostile tribes,
vice of those best able to judge, I did not think it ad- they can make, with horses, extraordinary marches.
visable to do so. A
military escort of only six men With the Blackfeet, as with all the Indians in the West-
would be inadequate to afford protection in case of any ern Prairies, when at war, murder and assassination is
real danger from the Prairie Indians, and might possibly considered honourable warfare.
"
invite attack. Considerable additional expense, more- many fine looking men among the Black-
There are
over, would have been entailed for their transport and feet, Sioux, Plain Crees, and other tribes, and they
subsistence. have a bold and military bearing. Their active wiry
"Proceeding from Fort Garry through the Swan and keen glittering eyes, betoken high health
figures,
River and Saskatchewan districts, via the Hudson's and condition, and they can endure great hardships
Bay Company's posts of Fort Ellice, Carlton, Pitt, and fatigue; but on the whole, the Indians are not
and Edmonton, I arrived at the Rocky Moun-
Victoria, equal, in point of physical strength or appearance, to
tain —
House about twelve hundred miles distance from white men hardened by active exercise and inured to
—
Fort Garry in 31 days, of which 25 days only were labour.

occupied in actual travel. "As a rule, the Prairie Indians are bold and skilful
"The Hudson's Bay Company's Forts along the line horsemen, but they are not very skilful with firearms.
of the North Saskatchewan at Carlton, Pitt, Victoria The Blackfeet and Plain Crees follow the Buffalo, sub-
and Edmonton consist of wooden houses surrounded sisting entirely by the chase. They therefore require a
by stockades; these stockades are about 20 feet high great many horses and dogs for transport and hunting
with small bastions at the angles to afford flanking purposes.
defence. They are not formidable, but would be "In the present year, peace having existed for the
probably sufficient to afford protection from In- past two summers between the Crees and Blackfeet,
dians. and accompanied as I was by a guide well known, and
"
At Forts Carlton, Pitt and Victoria, accommodation related to the latter tribe, I did not think there was
for companies of soldiers, 50 strong, could be found in much danger in travelling through their country.
"
these Hudson's Bay Company's Forts, in addition to There is always, however, great danger, if mistaken
the present occupants, and at Fort Edmonton for about for an American citizen, and on approaching the Inter-
125 soldiers. national line, near the Porcupine Hills, of meeting with
"These Forts are conveniently enough situated for hostile bands of the Gros Ventres and Crow Indians,

purposes of trade, but in a military point of view are from the Territories Dakota and Montana, U. S.,
of

badly placed, being in nearly every instance com- who Dominion Territory on horse
frecjuently cross into
manded from the rear
by higher ground. stealing expeditions, and who are not likely, if they
"On arrival "Rocky Mountain House," I
at the fall in with travellers, to make distinctions.
learned that to cross the mountains into British Co- "Although there may not at present be much risk
lumbia by the " Vermilion Pass" with horses was im- in travelling through the Saskatchewan territory along
possible owing to the immense quantity of fallen timber the wellknown track followed for so many years by the
caused by a great storm in the mountains last spring. Hudson's Bay Company, especially when associated
"An attempt to cross by this pass had been made by with an employee of the ('ompany, speaking the Indian
a party of Assiniboine Indians early in the summer language, it is a matter of doubt if such can long con-
without success, tinue under the changing state of affairs, without the
" some (lovernment, supported by ma-
Under these circumstances it became necessary to introduction of
undertake a journey of about 300 miles through the terial force.
"
country of the Blackfeet Indians and to cross the Beyond the Province of Manitoba westward to the
mountains by the North Kootenay Pass. Rocky Mountains, there is no kind of Government at
"Although the Blackfeet may number altogether present whatever, and no security for life or property
about 2,350 men, many of these are old, and some of beyond what people can do for themselves.
them mere boys. "The few white men there are in the Saskatchewan

13
country, and at the H.B.C. Forts, frequently expressed number about 20 well armed men, under the command
to me their conviction that unless a military force is of a man calledJohn Healy, a notorious character.
"
established in the country, serious danger is to be ap- Here it appears they have for some time carried on
prehended. an extensive trade with the Blackfeet Indians, supply-
"The clergymen of all denominations whom I met ing them with rifles, revolvers, goods of various kinds,
with, expressed similar convictions; those at Forts whiskey and other ardent spirits, in direct opposition
Victoria and Edmonton, as representatives of the com- to the laws both of the United States and the Dominion

munity urged me in the most impressive manner to lay of Canada, and without paying any custom duties for
their claims for the protection of themselves, their the goods introduced into the latter country.
wives and families, before His Excellency the Governor- "The demoralization of the Indians, danger to the
General of the Dominion, and the Government of their white inhabitants and injviry resulting to the country
country. from this illicit traffic is very great.
"It appears that of late years no attempt has been "It is stated upon good authority that during the
made supremacy of the law, and the most
to assert the year 1871 eighty-eight of the Blackfeet Indians were
serious crimes have been allowed to pass unpunished. murdered in drunken brawls amongst themselves,
Hardly a year has passed without several murders and produced by whiskey and other spirits supplied to
other crimes of the most serious nature having been them by those traders.
"
committed with impunity. Year after year these unscrupulous traders continue
"During the present year, about three weeks before to plunder our Indians of their Buffalo robes and
my arrival at Edmonton, a man by name Charles
Gaudin, a French speaking half-breed cruelly murdered
his wife at no great distance from the gate of the H.B.

Company's Post. I was informed that the criminal

might have been arrested, but that there was no power
to act. This same man had previously most wantonly
and cruelly mutilated an old Indian woman by severing
the sinews of her arm so as to incapacitate her for
work.
"At Edmonton there is a notorious murderer, a
Cree Indian, called Ta-ha-kooch, who has committed
several murders, and who should have been appre-
hended long ago. This man is to be seen walking
openly about the Post. Many instances can be ad-
duced of a similar kind, and as a natural result there is
a wide-spread feeling of apprehension. The gentlemen
Among- the Tepees.
in charge of the H.B.C. Post at Fort Pitt, as well as
others elsewhere, assured me that of late the Indians valuable furs by extortion and fraud, and the shameful
have been overbearing in manner, and threatening at traffic causes certain bloodshed amongst the Indian

times. Indeed, the white men dwelling in the Sas- tribes.

katchewan are at this moment living by sufferance, as "At Fort Edmonton during the past summer whis-
itwere, entirely at the mercy of the Indians. They ky was openly and other Indians
sold to the Blackfeet
dare not venture to introduce cattle or stock into the trading at the Post by some smugglers from the United
country or cultivate the ground to any extent for fear States who derive large profits thereby, and on these
of Indian spoliation. traders being remonstrated with by the gentlemen in
"When at Edmonton and the Rocky Mountain charge of the Hudson's Bay Post, they coolly replied
House I was informed that a party of American smug- that they knew very well that what they we're doing
glers and traders established a trading post at the was contrary to the laws of both countries, but as there
junction of the Bow and the Belly Rivers, about 30 was no force there to prevent them, they would do just
miles due east from the Porcupine Hills, and about 60 as they pleased.
"
miles on the Dominion side of the boundary line. It is indispensable for the peace of the country and
This trading post they have named Fort Hamilton, welfare of the Indians that this smuggling and illicit
after the mercantile firm of Hamilton, Healy & Com- trade in spirits and firearms be no longer permitted.
pany, of Fort Benton, Montana, U.S., from whom it is "The establishment of a Custom House on the Belly
said they obtain supplies. It is believed that they River near the Porcupine Hill, with a military guard
14
of about 150 soldiers is all that would be required to nay Pass two or three years ago, were all killed by the
effect the object. Not only would the establishment Blackfeet. near the Porcupine Hills, the moment they
of a military post here put a stop to this traffic, but entered the plain on the eastern side; since which time
it would also before long be the means of stopping no attempt at prospecting for gold has been made in
the horse stealing expeditions carried on by hostile that part of the country.
Indians from south of the line into Dominion Territory, "With regard to the measures which should be
which is the real cause of all the danger in that part of adopted for the settlement of the country, I feel satis-
the country, and the source of constant war among the fied that the introduction of a civil police force unsup-
Indian tribes. ported by any military into the Saskatchewan Terri-
"
Indeed it may now be said with truth, that to put a tory would be a mistake, and that no time should be
stop to horse-stealing and the sale of spirits to Indians lost in establishing a chain of militarj- posts from
is to put a stop altogether to Indian wars in the North- Manitoba, to the Rocky Mountains. The appointment
West. The importance
of the Porcupine Hills as a of a Stipendiary Magistrate for the Saskatchewan, to
view is very great, commanding as
strategical point of reside at Edmonton and act as the Indian Commissioner
it does the entrance on both the Kootenay Passes is also a matter of the first importance. The individual
towards the west, and the route from Benton into the to fill this important post, should be one, if possible,
Saskatchewan territory on the south and east; the already known to. and in whom the Indians have con-

country can be seen from it for immense distances all fidence. I consider that it is very necessary to invite
round. Although hostile to United
citizens of the the co-operation of the Hudson's Bay Company in the
States it is believed that the Blackfeet Indians would adoption of any steps towards establishing law and
gladly welcome any Dominion Military Force sent to order in the Saskatchewan for the first few years, and
protect them from the incursions of other tribes, and no Indian Commissioner should proceed unaccom-
to stop the horse stealing which has for so long been panied by a military force.
carried on. With excellent
judgement they have "A large military force is not required, but the pre-
pointed out the southern end of the Porcupine Hill as sence of a certain force, I believe, will be found to be
the proper place for a Military Post. indispensable for the security of the country, to pre-
"
In order to satisfy myself on this point, I spent the vent bloodshed and pressrve peace.
"
greater portion of the 29th September in reconnoitring The number of the Indians dwelling in the extensive
the ground recommended by them, and if it be the country which lies between the Red River and the
policy of Government to take steps to stop the illicit Rocky Mountains on Dominion Territory, has been
smuggling which is being carried on, at this part of the much exaggerated. It is very difficult to arrive at any
Dominion, there is every convenience for establishing accurate Indian census, but having made every enquiry
a Custom House and Military Post. Timber of large during last summer on this point, whilst travelling
size and good quality for building is close at hand, and through the country, from those most competent to
the surrounding country is most fertile and favourable judge, I doubt if there are more than four thousand
for settlement. Prairie Indians capable of bearing arms in the Do-
"The distance from Fort Ekimonton to the Porcu- minion territory between Fort Garry and the Rocky
pine Hills about six or seven days journey on horse-
is Mountains, south of the Sub-Artie Forest, and north
back, and from the Kootenay Valley on the western of the International Boundary Line,
— the total Prairie
side of the Rocky Mountains, from whence supplies Indian population amounting, perhaps, to 14,000 or
could be easily obtained, about fifty or sixty miles. 15,000.
" "
Frequent intercourse, and an active trade between These Indians arc scattered over such an immense
the Kootenay District of British Columbia and the extent of country, that anything like a formidable
Saskatchewan country, would result from the settlement combination is impossible; most of the tribes, more-
of a Custom House and Military Post at the Porcupine over, have been hostile to one another from time im-
Hills. Many individuals are prepared to settle there, memorial. I£ is believed that the Blackfeet and the
if any protection is afforded, and the Indian trade of the Plain Crees, the two strongest tribes of prairie Indians,
country at present tapped by United States smugglers, may have respectively about one thousand fighting
would remain with our own countrymen. There is a men, but it is doubtful if either tribe could ever con-

general belief prevalent, moreover, that valuable gold centrate such a number, or if concentrated that they
deposits are to be found near the Porcupine Hills. could long remain so from the difficulty of obtaining
The unsettled state of the country hitherto has not subsistence. Although many of the Blackfeet have
admitted, however, of much prospecting. A party of breech-loa^ling rfles, the Indians generally are poorly
four American miners, who crossed through the Koote- armed and badly mounted.
15
 "
Under these circumstances, it will be readily under- establishment of Military Posts at the following places,
stood that comparatively small bodies of well armed strength as below:
—
and disciplined men, judiciously posted throughout "At Portage de la Prairie, 50 Mounted Riflemen;
the country, could easily maintain military supremacy. Fort EUice, 50 Mounted Riflemen; Fort Carlton, 50
A body of fifty riflemen, armed with breech-loading Mounted Riflemen; Fort Pitt, 50 Mounted Riflemen;
rifles, is a formidable power on the Prairies. Fort Victoria, 50 Mounted Riflemen; Fort Edmonton,
"One regiment of mounted riflemen, 550 strong, 100 Mounted Riflemen; Fort Porcupine Hills, 150
including non-commissioned officers divided into com- Mounted Riflemen. With a proportion of officers and
panies of fifty would be a sufficient force to support non-commissioned officers.
"
the Government in establishing law and order in the At the places indicated for Military Posts no great
Saskatchewan, preserving the peace of the North-West difficulty would be experienced, or expense incurred in
Territory, and affording protection to the Surveyors, hutting the men, they themselves performing the
Contractors, and Railway Laborers about to undertake work, or an arrangement might be more easily made
the great work of constructing the Dominion Pacific with the Hudson's Bay Company to provide barrack
Railway. accommodation and rations at the different posts for
"
Although the proposed military strength, and con- the number of men reqviired.
sequent expense, may appear somewhat considerable, "I would further beg to suggest, if it be decided to
I have been guided by every consideration of economy establish any chain of military posts, that for the first
in recommending the above number. It is wiser policy year the soldiers be employed in laying down a tele-
and better economy to have one hundred soldiers too graphic wire from Manitoba towards British Columbia,
many, than one man too few; the great extent of the if not
required to hut themselves.
country, and detached nature of the service, must also "From my own knowledge and observation of the
be taken into account, and it should be borne in mind country, I think that if proper energy be used, the very
that the only thing the Indians really respect, and will desirable work of establishing telegraphic communica-
bow to, is actual
power. tions might be accomplished, without exacting too
"
should be borne in mind too, that in addition to
It much from the soldiers, in one or two seasons. I would
the Indian element, there is a half-breed population of further observe that no time should be lost in making
about 2,000 souls in the Saskatchewan, unaccustomed the preliminary arrangements. The men and horses
to the restraint ofany government, mainly depending should, if possible, be concentrated at Fort Garry in
as yet upon the chase for subsistence, and requiring to the month of May or June, their equipment for-
be controlled nearly as much as the Indians. warded sooner, and the companies despatched without
"If it be in harmony, therefore, with the policy of delay."
the Government to do so, I would recommend the

N.W.M.P. crossing the Dirt Hills, August 1874.

(From a sketch by H. Julien in the "Canadian Illustrated News.")

16
 CHAPTER II

ORGANISATION OF THE N.W.M.P.

How THE Authority of the Dominion was Advanced Eight Hundred Miles Westward, from Manitoba
TO THE Foot Hills of the Rockies, by the Big March of 1874.

the late Sir John A. Macdonald had from the Sir John never lost sight of the importance of pro-

AS firstmanifested the greatest possible interest

in the acquisition by Canada of the Hudson
viding an effective instrument to enforce the law and
provide for the protection of life and property in the
Bay Territory, and later, in the development of the then new North- West, but caution had to be exercised
country, it was only natural that he should have taken to prevent mistakes at the very inception of the pro-
a leading part in the organization of the force designed posed force, and time was naturally exhausted in
to establish law and order in the North- West. In fact. making enquiries and arranging preliminaries. Mean-
Sir John has been, not inaptly called the father of the time all sorts of exaggerated stories as to trouble with

Royal North-west Mounted Police Force. the Indians and the far-western whisky traders reached
The Adjutant General's reconnaissance was under- eastern Canada. At one time thousands of refugee
taken at the special request of the Prime Minister, and Indians from the United States were reported to be
all of the preliminaries leading to the organization massacring settlers in Canadian territory. At another,
of the force were not only made in his department, desperate fights between United States and Canadian
but under his personal supervision. Indian tribes were reported to be in progress on Cana-
This was one of the most strenuous periods in the dian territory. Still another circumstantial report
history of the Dominion's first great prime minister. would relate that the whisky traders from across the
The legislative and administrative machinery of the Line^ were erecting forts to assert the authority of
new Confederation was being got into perfect running the United States over the new region.
order by the exercise of great skill and attention. As a result of the circulation of these sensational
There were new positions to fill, and new officials to tales some uneasiness was created in the older pro-
shake down into the places they had been selected to vinces, and numerous questions were from time to
occupy. There were provincial diflfercncies to be time put in parliament.
reconciledand various systems of colonial government April 28, 1873 Mr. H. H. Cook, M.P. asked in the
to be brought into harmonious accord. The Inter- House whether it was the intention of the Govern-
national frontier was being surveyed and marked, a ment mounted force to Manitoba, or
to despatch a
new province, Manitoba, being organized, and a plan whether was intended to send re-inforcements of
it

being evolved for the carrying out of that gigantic any description to that territory, and if so, at what
undertaking, a railway connecting the Atlantic with date would such expedition be organized and ready
the Pacific. to proceed.
With work and responsibilities accumulating fast, Sir John Macdonald replied that it was the intention
17
of the Government an appropria-
to ask Parliament for made to any constable or
acres might be sub-constable
tion for the purpose of organizing a boundary police. who should have conducted himself satisfactorily
April 30, 1873 a similar query was made in the during the three years of his service. The outfit

Senate by the Hon. Mr. Letellier de St. Just. of 300 men would cost about $50,000, but the force
The Hon. Mr. Campbell said the government had would have to be selected by degrees, and it was

nothing very on the subject.

definite No precise not probable that it would comprise 300 men at first,
information seemed to have reached Fort Garry. or for a long time yet. It was the intention of the

The acting Lieutenant Governor telegraphed that government to reduce the military force in Manitoba by
tidings had reached them that Indians from the degrees
United States and from Yellowstone River were The original intention, it will be observed, was to
coming into the Dominion territory. There was provide a force of comparatively modest proportions.
nothing beyond that. By way of precaution, certain It was Sir John Macdonald's idea, moreover, after

steps had been taken, which, should anything occur, thoroughly weighing the respective merits of purely
he thought would prove sufficient for the protection military and purely police organizations, to have the
of our people and the country. new force combine as far as possible the advantages of

April 29, 1873 Mr. Alexander Mackenzie enquired both. It was to be a military police, in fact, organ-
in the House of Commons whether there was any ized very much after the system of the famous Royal
truth in the rumors of an Indian outbreak in the Irish Constabulary, but necessarily differing from that
North-West. body in uniform and equipment. With regard to
Sir John A. Macdonald, the Prime Minister, reported the former Sir John was very specific in his instructions.

Twenty-eight Years After

— Full Dress Parade of R.N.W.M.P. in Honour of H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York, 1901.

that the Government had no information on the sub- He wanted as little gold lace and fuss and feathers as
ject furtherthan the rumors which had been current, possible, not a crack cavalry regiment, but an efficient
but these had been so continuous that it was difficult police force for the rough and ready particularly
—
to believe they could be without foundation. The —
ready enforcement of law and justice.
Government had received no reports. The bill introduced by Sir John, (36 Victoria, Chapter
May 3, Sir John Macdonald moved for leave to in- 35), was concurred in May 20, 1873.
troduce a bill respecting the administration of justice Section 13 laid down the general standard for the
and for the establishment of a police force in the rank and file as follows: —
North- West Territories. With reference to the proposed "No person shall be appointed to the Police Force
mounted police, the Premier explained, the Act pro- unless he be of sound constitution, able to ride, active
vided that the Governor might appoint a Police Com- and able-bodied, of good character, and between the
missioner and one or more Superintendents, a pay- ages of eighteen and forty j'ears; nor unless he be
master, sergeants and veterinary surgeon, and the able to read and write either the English or French
Commissioner would have power to appoint such a language."
number of constables and sub-constables as he might At the time the bill was passed, there was so much

think proper, not exceeding three hundred men, who uncertainty as to the new country that it was deemed
should be mounted, as the Governor might from time best to leave the question of the headquarters in abey-
to time direct. The Commissioner and Superintendents ance, Section 18 reading as follows:
—
would be ex-officio justices of the peace. A free "The Governor-in-Council shall appoint the place
grant of land not exceeding one hundred and sixty at which the headquarters of the force shall from time

18
 to time be kept; and the office of the Commissioner the east, most or all of them from the Active Militia.

shall be kept there, and the same may be at arty place It was expected that some of the time-expired men
in the North-West Territories or the l^rovince of Man- of the force in Manitoba would enlist in the new force,
itoba." as quite a number of them did, but most of the men
Section 26 fixed the scale of pay as follows: — had to be enlisted in the east and forwarded to Manitoba
"Commissioner not exceeding $2,600 a year and not over the Dawson route.
lessthan $2,000; superintendent not exceeding $1,400 Each officer selected in the cast was recjuired to
and not less than $1,000; paj'master not exceeding recruit and take with him to the west, fifteen, twenty
$900; quarter-master not exceeding $500; surgeon not or thirty men as the case may be, and as they were
exceeding $1,400 and not less than $1,000; veterinary required to report with their quotas at (^ollingwood
surgeon not exceeding $600 and not less than $400; within three or four days after receiving orders, they
constable not exceeding $1.00 per day; sub-constable had not much time to make as careful a selection as
not exceeding 75c. per day." many of them would have desired.
Sir John Macdonald, at this time, besides being Pending final arrangements as to the command,
President of the Council, held the portfolio of Minister these nuclei of the Royal North- West Mounted Police
of Justice, and section 33 of the Act provided that, were ordered, on arrival at Fort Garry, to report to,
for the time being at any rate, the new force should and remain imder the temporary command of Lieut. -
K main under the direction of that department. The Col. W. Osborne Smith, the Deputy Adjutant General
.-section in question read as follows: — of Militia. ))ut there seems, it appears, never to have

'As Little Gold Lace and Fuss and Feathers as Possible." — Detachment of the R.N.W.M.P. in Service Uniform,
Calgary, 1905.

"The Department of Justice shall have the control been any intention of continuing permanently the
and management of the Police Force and of all matters connection with the militia force.
<
onnected therewith but the Governor-in-Council may,
;
The permanent militia force on duty in Manitoba
at any time, order that the same shall be transferred to wa.s being kept up with .some difficulty and considerable
any other Department of the Civil Service of Canada, expense, owing to the short term of service. Up to
and the same shall accordingly, by such order, be 1873 the recruits for this force had been drawn exclu-
transferred to and be under the control and manage- sively from Ontario and Quebec, but in May, 1873
ment of such other Department." two detachments of recruits of fifty men each were
The year 1873 was a very busy one for the govern- raised in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick, respectively,
ment, and it was really September, 1873, before and despatched to Manitoba to replace time expired
the plans for the organization of the force took men of the i)ermanent force on duty in that
shape. province.
It was decided to organize at first three troops or The permanent force in Manitoba imder the direct
divisions of fifty men each, the mobilization and comnmnd of Lieut.-Col. A. G. Irvine in 1873 consisted
organization to take place at Fort (Jarry or VV'innipeg. of the following:— Battery of Artillery, 3 officers, 80
It was decided to take some officers from the militia non-commi.ssionrd officers and men; Provisioiuil Bat-
force serving in Manitoba, others were selected in talion of Infantry, 17 officers, including the regimental

19
staff, acting for both corps, 244 non-commissioned offi- ment, became the responsible head of the Mounted
cers and men. Police.
Lieut. -Colonel W. Osborne Smith, D.A.G. of Military Meantime, it became very evident to the Com-
District No. 10 (Manitoba) in his annual report, Jan. 2, missioner, to the Government and to all concerned, that
1873, stated that during the year 1872 a considerable to open up the new region, to suppress lawlessness
amount of extra duty had fallen on these corps in con- throughout length and breadth, and to put a stop to
its

sequence of requisitions in aid of the civil power. For the frequently recurring Indian scares, the force would
instance, on July 2 a detachment of 50 men had to be have to be increased for the purpose of conducting an
rapidly despatched by night to White Horse Plains to expedition across the country to the base of operations
repress riots and to aid in effecting the capture of rioters, of the Yankee whisky traders near the Foot Hills of
a duty which was satisfactorily accomplished. A com- the Rockies.
pany of the Provisional Battalion of Infantry was de- Having this end in view, the Commissioner, after his
tached to the Northwest Angle of the Lake of the Woods arrival in Manitoba, endeavoured to make himself as
as an escort and guard for His Honor the Lieutenant well acquainted as possible with the affairs of the North-
Governor, during the negotiations for a treaty with the West at large, as also with regard to the kind of trans-
Objibway Indians. This duty, which occupied about port usually employed, the best trails westward, the
three weeks, was satisfactorily performed; the party distances, nature of the country to be traversed, &c.
returning to headquarters on October 9. The International boundary survey, then in progress,
In October 1873 the officers and recruits destined to having been carried out to a point 420 miles west of
compose the first three divisions of the North- West Red River, he was fortunate enough to be able to ob-
Mounted Police, some 150 in all, were assembled in tain much reliable information concerning a portion of
Manitoba and quartered at the Stone Fort or Lower country of which so little was known, and for this
Fort Garry. Organization and drill were at once pro- he was indebted to Captain Cameron, R. A., (2) the
ceeded with, but under great difficulties owing to the Boundary Commissioner, as well as to Captain Ander-
non-arrival of the necessary equipment. As a matter of son, R.E., the Chief Astronomer. It being understood
fact a considerable proportion of the uniform and that an expedition westward would be undertaken in
equipment, including the winter clothing, was frozen the spring, Colonel French went very thoroughly into
in on the Dawson route, causing much inconvenience the question of supplies and transport, the general con-
and discomfort to the officers and men of the new force. clusions arrived at being: —
Shortly after the mobilization of the three first divis- 1st. That the stores andprovisions for the force
ions, which were distinguished by the first three letters should be transported westward by the force's own
of the alphabet, the Government tendered the command horses and oxen.
of the force to liieutenant Colonel George A. French, of 2nd. The cattle for slaughter should be driven on
the Royal Artillery, who was just completing three foot, accompanying the force, instead of carrying pork
years service as Inspector of Artillery and Warlike or pemmican in large quantities.
Stores in the Militia Service and as Commandant of A. Returning to Ottawa in February, 1874, fuUy pre-
Battery R.C.A. and the School of Gunnery at Kingston, pared to press on the consideration of the Government
Ontario. Colonel French promptly accepted the posi- the propriety of increasing the strength of the force to
tion of Commissioner and proceeded to Manitoba to the limit allowed by Act of Parliament (viz., 300) be-
take up his duties. fore attempting to coerce the outlaws and whisky
After the arrival of the Commissioner, the organiza- traders in the Far West, Colonel French was some-
tion of the three divisions made rapid progress, and what surprised to find that the members of the Govern-
they were in a condition to perform considerable ser- ment were even more fully imbued with the gravity
vice during the winter, in spite of the shortages of of the case than the Commissioner himself.
equipment. Arrangements liad to be made for the supply of
November 6, 1873, the keen political tension which arms, ammunition, and stores of every description, a
had prevailed in parliament and throughout the coun- uniform had to be designed and supplied, men lo be
try over the so-called Pacific Railway scandal culmin- enrolled, requisitions had to be made on the Imperial
ated in the resignation of Sir John A. Macdonald and Government for field guns and stores, which could
his ministry,and the following day the Hon. Alexander not be supplied in the country, horses purchased, &c.
Mackenzie formed his administration. The Hon. A. A. An enormous amount of work had to be done in a very
Dorion (1), as minister of Justice in the new Govern- short time.

(1) Later Sir A. A. Dorion, Montreal, Chief Justice of the Court of (2) Later Major General Cameron, who for some years commanded
Apjjeal of the Province of Quebec. the Royal Military College, Kingston.

20
 In April, 1874, the greater number of the men to be Sul>Inspector James Morrow Walsh to be Inspector
raised were brought together at the New Fort, Toronto, vice McLeod promoted.
and every endeavour used by all ranks to pick up as Edwin Allan Gentleman, to be Sub-Inspector, vice
much instruction as possible in the very limited time Walsh promoted.
available for drill, riding, target practice, &c. In view of the difficulty which had been experienced
A considerable number of the men enlisted had served with transportation over the Dawson route the pre-
either in Her Majesty's Regular Service in the Royal Irish vious autumn, and having regard to the importance of
Constabulary, or in the schools of gunnery at Kingston despatching the expedition to the West without the
and Quebec; (3) and there were very few indeed who were opened with the
least possible delay, negotiations
had not some military experience, either in the Regular United States government with the object of despatch-
Service or the Militia (4). From these circumstances, as ing the force at Toronto to the Manitoba frontier via
well as from the
fact of the intelligence and respecta- Chicago, St. Paul and Fargo. The required permission
bility of the great bulk of the men enrolled, the pro- was obtained, and on the 6th June the force left To-
gress in drill was extraordinary, and the scores made ronto, at 2 p.m., by two special trains, the marching-
at target practice would indeed have been astonishing out state showing 16 officers, 201 men, 244 horses (5).
to any one unacquainted with the natural aptitude of On arrival at Sarnia, nine cars containing the waggons
Canadians in this particular. and agricultural implements, and, at Detroit, two cars,
In the matter of riding, the progress was much less containing 34 horses, were attached to the trains.
satisfactor3\ According to the Act, all men should The force arrived at Chicago at 5 p.m. on the 7th.
have been able to ride; but when put to the test, it The horses, being taken out. were fed in the stockyards,
was very evident that a good many rated their abilities and appeared little the worse of their trip. On the
in this line too highl)^ evening of the 8th the force left for St. Paul arriving
It was too much to expect that nmch advance could there at 4 a.m. on the 10th. The horses had another
be made in riding in such a limited time and with un- day's rest here, and left on the 11th, arriving at Fargo
trained horses; however, the Commissioner consoled (1300 miles from Toronto) on the morning of the 12th.
himself with the reflection that, whereas little drill and The trains being shunted on a siding about noon, and
no target practice could be carried out on the line of the horses disembarked and attended to, the men began
march to the West, there would be ample opportunity getting the waggons out and putting them together.
for the practice of equitation. This was a very tedious business, as the persons who
The force mobilized at Toronto was organized into furnished the waggons had bundled them into cars in
" "
three new divisions, designated
"
D, E " and " F, " detached parts; and instead of getting so many wag-
and Inspector McLeod, C.M.G., who was on duty
J. F. gons complete in each car, the men had to hunt right
with the three original Divisions in Manitoba, was through the trains to get all the parts re(iuired. Finally
The all the cars had to be emptied together, and the parts
promoted to be Assistant Commissioner. following
appeared in the Canada Gazette:
— placed on the ground, and in this manner more rapid
progress was made. The saddlery, im{)orted from
Department of Justice,
England, was all in pieces, but each box was complete
Ottawa, June, 1st, 1874.
in itself, and consequently the saddlers, working under
North-West Mounted Police Force. the saddler-major, got them together pretty quickly.
HisExcellency the Governor-General has been When the Commissioner looked round, on tiiis even-
pleased to make the following promotions and ap- ing, and saw acres of ground covered with waggons

pointments:
— and stores of all sorts, it did look as if he could not get
Inspector James Fartjuharson McLeod, C.M.G. ,
to away under several days. Tiic Fargo people quite
be Assistant Commissioner. enjoyed the sight; they considered that it would at
least be a week before the force could get off; but they
(3) IJeut.-Col. French in his laat report as oommanrlant of A. Battery, had little idea of what could he done witli properly or-
KinffnUin. <lat«<l NoveniWr HO, 1873 mentioned that eixht non-commix-
)iione<l (ifficefH and men had taken their dixohnrKe for the purpoHe of enKUKi"K ganized reliefs of men.
in the Mounte<l Police. In the report of the ct)mmandant of the name At 4 o'clock a.m. of the 13th the saddlers were at
battery for the followins year it wax Htated that fifteen non-eomniimiione<i
ofRcera and men ha<l taken their dincharKe for the purpoM of ennacinK in work at the harness and saddlery, the wheelers putting
the Mounted Police. Similarly many non-commitwioned ofiicerH and men the waggons logetluT, and an offi( er and 30 men getting
took their diacharicex from H. Battery, Quebec, to join the t>olice.
out stores and loading them. This party was relieved
(4) The number of men in the who, previoux to enrol-
nix divixiona
ment in the North-Wext Mounted Police had performed military xervice.
—
waa an followx: Regular Hervice (Britixh). 41; Royal Irixh Conxtahtilary (ft) The marchinit-out xtate, dated Toronto, June 0. xhowed the fol-

and Civil Police Forcex. 14; Canadian Artillery (A and H Hatteriex). .32; lowinK xtrength: Staff. .'>; inx|)ertorx, 2; xuh-iiiH|)oc'tc>rx, 9; roiixtaliipx, 7;

Cana<iian Militia. 87; total, 174. acting ronxtablew. 20; xuh-cfinxlablcx, 174; total, 217; horxcx, 240.

21
at 8 o'clock a.m., again at noon, and again at 4 o'clock loading waggons and ox-carts for the march. Parties
p.m. At 5 o'clock p.m. DDivision drove out with 29 from each division had to be detailed daily for herding
loaded waggons, at 7 p.m. E Division followed; and the horses upon the prairie, and the disorganized state

by the afternoon of the 14th F Division cleared up of the Quarter-Master'sdepartment added materially
everything (with the exception of heavy stores, going to the ordinary camp Altogether there is no
duties.
down by steamer), and came to where the other divi- question but that the men were hard worked at this
sions were camped, about six miles from Fargo. The time.
14th being on Sunday, the force remained in camp. The work the little force under the command of
On the 15th the force made its regular start, doing Colonel French had undertaken to do was a most
about 27 miles; and as the waggons were lightly loaded important one from a national point of view, the open-
maximum), some being empty, and
(11 cwt. being the ing up of half a continent, almost, to Canadian rule
having a number of spare horses, it kept up and ex- and enterprise. And there was no doubt it would be
ceeded this rate to the 19th, and, without any particu- accomplished with great hardship. It was reasonable
lar mishap or accident to speak of, arrived at Dufferin, to anticipate much danger too, but to men of the

(now Emmerson) in Manitoba on the evening of the character of those who composed the original divisions
19th June; and the Commissioner felt a great load of of the North-West Mounted Police, it was the expecta-
responsibility taken off his shoulders at again being on tion of danger that supplied the spice to their service.
Canadian soil. The conduct of the men had been most The special instructions to Colonel French were to
exemplai^'. their general appearance and conduct in- make as direct as possible for the forks of the Belly

variably attracting the favourable notice of the railway and Bow

Rivers, in which vicinity the worst of the
and others en route.
officials much-discussed whisky forts were understood to be
At Dufferin the Commissioner's column met the located. This illicit whisky trade with the Indians,
" " "
Assistant Commissioner with A, B " and " C " divi- and in fact all illicit trading, was to be suppressed,
sions from Winnipeg, and the whole force, now together and the authority of the Dominion Government assert-
for the first time, was encamped on the north side of ed. A post, or posts, were to be established, garrisoned
the Boundary Commission ground. and provisioned unknown region, the Indians,
in this
On the night after the arrival of the Commissioner's as far as possible were to be visited and impressed
column one of the most dreadful thunderstorms ever with the power and good intentions of the Government,
witnessed in Manitoba burst over the camp. There notes taken of the main physical characteristics of
was apparently one incessant sheet of lightning from the country travelled over, and the headquarters of
10 p.m. to 6 a.m. About midnight 250 of the horses the force temporarily established near Fort EUice,
stampeded from the which they were placed,
coral in where arrangements were being made for the con-
breaking halters, picquet ropes, &c., &c., and even struction of barracks and other necessary accommo-
knocking over some of the waggons which encircled dation.
them. It was a fearful sight. Several of the men had Colonel French had endeavoured before leaving
the hardihood to attempt to stop some of the horses, Toronto to get rid of any of his recruits who were not
" "
but it only resulted in their being knocked over and willing to rough it. On two distinct occasions,
trampled on, and in this manner six of the pluckiest he assembled all ranks on parade, plainly told them
men got hurt, one of them being seriously injured about that they would have, and must expect, plenty of
the head. hardship; that they might be wet day after day, and
The police had the good fortune to recover most of have to lie in wet clothes; that they might be a day or
the horses within a distance of 35 miles, probably in a two without food, and that he feared they would be
great measure due to the freshness having been taken often without water, and he called on any present
out of the animals by their 160 mile march from Fargo. who were not prepared to take their chances of these
Many days were lost in recovering the horses, and much privations to fall out, and they would have their dis-
injury done, riding in every direction looking for them. charges, as there were plenty of good men ready to
The loss eventually was reduced to one, and this one take their places. A few did thus accept their dis-
was supposed to have been drowned in the Pembina charges, and one feels they acted properly in the
River. matter.
"A," "B," and "C" Divisions being much below The marching out state dated Dufferin, July 8,
their proper strength, 50 men were transferred from 1875,
—
showed the following strength: staff, 4; ins-
" "
D and " " Divisions to make them up. Uniforms,
E pectors, 4; sub-inspectors, 11; surgeon, 1; veterinary
arms, ammunition and clothing, saddlery, harness and surgeon, 11; constables,
30; acting constables, 20;
general stores, were served out, and parties kept busy sub-constables, 204; total 274. Horses, public, 308;
22
private, 2; guides and half-breeds, 20; field guns, 2; and every thing settled down into their proper places.
mortars, 2; working oxen, 142; cattle, 93; waggons, The cooks, by degrees, got into the way of cooking
73; ox-carts, 114. and baking in the open air, and loaves of bread no
On command, at Fort Ellice, sub-inspectors, 1 ;
cons- longer bore the appearance of lumps of dough. Being
tables, 1; acting constables, 1; sub-constables, 12; on The Boundary Commission Road, and having a
total, 15; horses, 17. At
Dufferin, staff, 2; inspectors, good sketch of the route, the marches could be arranged
2; constables, 5; sub-constables, 14; total 23. with a certainty of finding wood, water and grass, at
The revolvers for the force did not arrive from definitepoints. Although by marching early the
England until the first week
and on the 8th in July, column nearly always halted during the heat of the
July the force drew out to a camp about two miles day, at noon, or thereabouts, yet the excessive heat
from Dufferin, more to see that all was right than of the weather told heavily on both horses and oxen.
with the idea of making a start. Next day Col. Many of the men had little skill as teamsters, and the
French sent back two waggon loads of articles, such bulk of the horses, having been purchased more for
as syrup, which, being rather luxuries than necessaries, the saddle than draught, ran rapidly down in condi-
he thought could be dispensed with. The force tion when placed at such work; other riding horses
moved on to the river Marais. Next day, the 10th, being transferred to the waggons in their places, were
having brought up two loads of oats, in lieu of articles frequently put to work in the harness of the horses
sent back, and the half-breed ox-drivers being mostly they had replaced, and as the harness did not always
sobered, the force made a march of ten miles, striking fit them well, many sore shoulders were caused
thereby,
across the country, as the Boundary Commission but these horses were made available for riding.
road, (used for teaming the surveyors' supplies) in From Dufferin to Roche Perc^e, a distance of 270
some parts passed south of the Boundary Line. miles, the force had a fair amount of grass and
The was probably the largest ever seen
police train good water. It had also some oats for the first few
in these parts; when
closed up to a proper interval it days, but nevertheless many of the horses ran down
was a mile and a half long. But from advanced to rapidly in condition. It is an admitted fact that al-
rear guard, it was more usually from four to five miles, most all Canadian or American horses fail during the
owing to the uneven rate of travel of horses and oxen, first season they are fed on prairie grass, and there-

and the breaking of axles and wheels of that imposi- fore it is little to be wondered at that those of the
" "
tion of the country, the Red River cart. police should have failed.
"
The column of route," according to the Commis- Just before he left Dufferin, Colonel French's orders
"
sioner's report, presented a very fine appearance. were changed to the effect that the arrangements for
" "
First came A
division with their splendid dark bays leaving men on the Bow or Belly Rivers were can-
and thirteen waggons. Then " B " with their dark celled, and itwas ordered that part of the Force was
browns. Next "C" with bright chesnuts drawing to go to The Commissioner therefore
Edmonton.
the guns, and gun and small arm ammunition. Next altered arrangements accordingly and sent off
his
" " "
I) with their greys, then " E with their black from Roche Perc^e to Fort Ellice and Edmonton "A"
horses, the rear being brought up by "F" with their Division under Inspector Jarvis, with a number of
light bays. Then a motley string of ox-carts, ox- cattle, agricultural implements, general stores and a
waggons, cattle for slaughter, cows, calves, &c., very large (juantity of provisions, (including over
mowing machines, &c., &c. 25,000 lbs. of flour.)
"
To a stranger it would have appeared an astonish- On the 6th August the main force ascended the
ing cavalcade; armed men and guns looked as if fight- Coteau again, crossing the Dirt Hill, the highest part
ing was to be done. What could ploughs, harrows, of the Coteau, estimated to be nearly 3,000 feet above

mowing machines, cows, calves, etc., be for? the sea level. Here the force had to halt a day to
"
But that little force had a double duty to perform: rest the horses after such heavy work, (particularly
to fight, if necessary, but in any case to establish jwsts on the gun horses) and making a big march next day,
in the far west. arrived at the easternmost of the Old Wives Lakes;
"However we were off at last, the only man in but finding the feed very poor and the water rather
Winnipeg who knew anything about the portion of saline,French felt that he had to push on, and camped
the country to which we were going encouraging me on the Old Wives Creek on the 12th, and finding
with the remark: 'Well, if you have luck you may tolerably good feed, he determined to give the horses
get back by Christmas, wth forty per cent, of your their well earned rest. While camped here the force
"
horses.' was visited by a number of the Sioux of the Sipeton
After being a few days on the march, every one Tribe.

23
 Hearing there was a probability of obtaining some emissaries. From start to finish every endeavour was
oats from the Boundary Commission at Wood Moun- used to prevent stampeding.
tain Depot about 40 miles south, Col. French des- From Fargo to Dufferin the horses were after dark
enclosed inside large corrals, formed by waggons and
patched the Assistant Commissioner thither with
a

party to obtain some. McLeod on his return, brought the picquet ropes. The grass being very good, the
out with him some 15,000 lbs., and Col. French ar- days long, and plenty of oats being available, this
ranged with the Commissary of the Boundary Com- system did fairly. After leaving Dufferin, for many
mission for the delivery of 20,000 more at the Cripple days the police were able to cut grass with the scythes
Camp, or Depot, which he had decided to form at and mowing machines taken along with the Force,
the site of the camp, and for the delivery from the tying up the horses at dark, and feeding them with
Commission's trains coming east of 25,000 more (in grass as well as oats. Then the Commissioner had
all 60,000 lbs) but eventually the force was only able to risk leaving them out all night, and the freshness

to receive 20,000 more from this latter source. being taken out of them by this time, and their
On the 19th, the Commissioner established his De- being, where possible, sent out by divisions (each
pot of Cripple Camp at a point two miles west of division guarding their own) they got on fairly under
where the force had been camped, as there was good ordinary circumstances, nearly all the horses being
" "
or knee-
grass, water and wood there. Here he left 14 waggons, hoppled or knee-haltered. Hoppling
28 of the poorest horses, 7 men, (five being sick) a haltered will not prevent the horses stampeding, but
it checks the pace, and gives more time to those in
charge to head the runaways. This system had to be
pursued for the greatest portion of the trip, and with
very strong guards and picquets, day and night, the
force managed to keep the horses together. Still the
fear of stampeding haunted all ranks. A clap of
thunder at night was sufficient to banish sleep from
the eyes of those who felt themselves more particularly
interested in the success of the expedition; and if the
storm grew nearer, although desirous of letting the
horses have every mouthful possible from the scanty
pasture, yet the commissioner felt compelled to order
them in before it was perhaps too late. On the 4th
August Col. French was nearly too late in giving the
order as the following extract from his diary will shew,
"Tuesday, 4th. Tremendous thunderstorms between
12 and 1 a.m. Nearly all the tents blown down; in
A Typical Group of Indians and their Mounts.
great anxiety lest the horses should stampede for- ;

tunately had ordered in most of them before the storm

half-breed and some footsore cattle, also 20 days' broke over us two lots of horses broke away, but
;

"
provisions for the returning Force, and stores of all were stopped by the picquets.
kinds that were not absolutely necessary to take on, The Force remained from the 24th to the 28th
pushing on the same afternoon 12 miles farther. For August at a small lake (where a large party of Plain
the next few days the force made good marches, Hunters and Indians had been camped) awaiting the
sighting the Cypress Hills on the afternoon of the arrival of the Assistant Commissioner with the oats.
24th and camping close under them on the 25th to On the 29th the force moved about four miles further
await the arrival of the Assistant Commissioner with to get feed for the horses, and on the morning of the
the oats. During this period there was no particular 30th there was another stampede in broad daylight.
incident to record except the stampeding of the horses This was in a very awkward place for such an event
of "D" troop on the night of the 20th, carrying away to occur, hills and hollows rendering it impossible to
with them some of
"
B" troop. see a horse unless quite close to him. The Commissioner
In addition to stampeding from ordinary causes, had begun to hope that he was done with stampedes,
throughout this historical prairie march, the officers in fact that the horses were too poor both in flesh
of the force had reason to fear stampeding by design, and spirit to attempt to run, but although the animals
either on the part of Indians desirous of obtaining were in a very poor condition, and had marched just
remounts, or on the part of whiskey traders, or their 594 miles from Dufferin they were off in the same way
24
as usual, and, although hoppled, many of them ran no trail for the last 150 miles, and the little swamps
several miles. All were however recovered. that the force used to depend on for feed and water had
While waiting at this camp, the members of the been destroyed by the buffalo. French's only reliable
force regaled with stories brought by half-
w'ere guide knew the country no farther. On the 6th the
breeds relative to the doings of the whisky traders, column struck the Saskatchewan, it being half a day's
the toughest yarn being that 500 of them were working march nearer than had been supposed, and an American
at their forts all the summer, that the Mounted Police scout accompanying the force insisted that the force
guns would be little good, as the "free-traders" had was at the Forks, but as there were no Forks in the
constructed underground galleries into which to retire, vicinity he had to admit he was wrong, and added that
etc. the Forks were 12 miles more north. To his disgust
. On the 31st the Assistant Commissioner arrived Col. French told him he would steer south-west instead.
with the oats, and having sent off letters, pay lists, In fact he had little doubt then as to the situation of
etc.,by the returning guide, Col. French pushed on the force, and on the 9th,camp was pitched within three
nine miles the same afternoon. On the 2nd of Sep- miles of the Forks of the Bow and Belly Rivers without
tember the column sighted buffalo for the first time. knowing it. On the 10th the column moved seven
This created great excitement as may naturally be miles farther, finding water by watching the flight of
supposed. Out of a band of six bulls the police some ducks, and camped there. Some sandhills the
one of these, killed by Col. French himself,
killed five, column passed denoted that they ought to be in the
making 953 lbs. of ration meat clear of all offal. vicinity of the Forks, but not having seen a very pro-
The following appeared in the Commissioner's minent landmark mentioned by Palliser, French was
diary at this date:
— very doubtful of the position.
—
"September, Wednesday, 2nd. Started about 7 a.m. Sending back Inspector Walsh with a small party to
When out about two hours rode up to the advance guard ,
near where the force camped on the 9th to examine the
and observed some moving objects near the left river there, he reported that another large river
flankers, rode out there. Flankers thought they were came in from the north, and he found also the land-
ponies. On going a little farther I felt certain they mark French had been looking for, thus leaving no
were buffaloes. Presently they began running, leaving doubt in the matter.
no doubt in the matter. I took a carbine from one of Three deserted log huts without roofs were the only
the men, and made after them, headed them and forts visible.
turned them towards the train, fired at one which And so the force were at last at their journey's end,

dropped back, and was despatched by some one else; the Bow and Belly Rivers.
three went across the creek, I went after them, and The force had marched westward across the unknown
was joined by the Scout Morreau and Lavallee, we prairie a distance of 781 miles from Red River, and
each shot one, I fired into the Scout's buffalo as he after the first eighteen miles had not seen a single
stood at bay, and dropped him. This was a very human habitation, except a few Indian tepees.
fine beast about ten years old; he made, when dressed, was now the middle of September, and the appalling
It
953 lbs. ration meat. fact was ever pressing upon the mind of the Com-
—
"Thursday, 3rd, left at 7 a.m. I find that although missioner that on the 20th of September the previous
1720 lbs. of ration meat were issued yesterday, from year the whole country from the Cypress Hills to the
the twobuffalos which had been cut up, there is nothing to Old Wives Lakes was covered with a foot of snow,
show for three others which had been killed, the half- several men and horses having been frozen to death.
breeds merely cutting slices of the meat off, and Starting on the return march at once Colonel French
carrying it along. Julien ran a buffalo, and killed could not possibly reach that portion of the country
him. I came in for the finish, had the beast cut up, till well into October. However the snow storm above
and brought it on an ox-cart. The men having plenty mentioned had been exceptionally early, and he hoped
of meat. I had this fellow cut up, placed in one of for the best, while determined to prepare for the worst.
the water barrels and well salted. The salt we had From what the Commissioner had heard of the fer-
carried so far now comes in useful. There being no tility of the soil on the Bow and Belly Rivers he had

grass had to make a stretch of 17^ miles without hoped that the horses and oxen would have been able
"
halting. Next stage, 20 miles, no water. to have pulled up greatly in condition by a week's
On the 4th September the force was visited by a rest in that vicinity, but in reality the force had to

party of Sioux, to whom Col. French gave .some pre- leave there as (juickly as possible to prevent their being
sents. The country the force had been travelling in actually starved to death. In fact several of the oxen
had been very hard on horses and oxen; there being did die of starvation, but the mistake is now readily
25
accounted for; those who travelled along the base of found telegrams awaiting his arrival, by one of which
the Rocky Mountains,reporting on the fertihty of the he learned that the Government approved of a strong
soil on the head waters of the Bow and Belly Rivers, force being left on the Belly River, and by another,
and somehow these reports got to be applied to the that Swan River in the vicinity of Fort Pelly, and not
whole courses of these rivers. Fort EUice had been selected as the site for the head-
On the 11th the force moved up to the Belly River, quarters of the force.
but could not find a ford at first,the water being too At Fort Benton, Colonel French got at last some
deep and rapid. Pushing up along the river to a point reliable information about the whisky traders and
about 16 or 18 miles above the Forks a ford was found. their doings, and arranged with the Assistant Com-
After reconnoitering up both rivers, the force missioner that he, with a portion of the force, should
proceeded to the Three Buttes or Sweet Grass Hills, move to the vicinity of Fort " Whoop Up " on the Belly
half way between the Forks and Benton, where there River, this being the whisky traders' headquarters
was reported to be plenty of wood, water and grass. and main scene of operations.
It was decided that as soon as a satisfactory place The officers of the force at Benton also found to their
for a camp could be found, to move there, and after satisfaction that the cost of getting in supplies via the

obtaining information regarding the whisky

reliable United States would not be half as much as if the force
trading posts, to open up communication with the had been stationed at Edmonton. Having purchased
Government at Ottawa. This latter could compara- 16 horses and ponies and a small quantity of supplies.
tively easily be done via Fort Benton, across the In- Colonel French left Benton on the 26th to rejoin the
ternational boundary line, in Montana. force.
The choice of a camping ground, was not so easy as The information obtained at Benton as to the whis-
it might seem owing to the poor condition of the grass. ky forts in the Bow River and Belly River country
On the 19th September the Force arrived at a Coulee proved very reliable.
close to the West Butte and halted, as the grass ap- With regard to the forts supposed to be at the Forks
peared a little better and the water was good. Colonel of the Bow and Belly Rivers which had been particu-
French now found that although the boundary line larly mentioned in Col. French's instructions, the forts
crossed the West Butte high up, yet all the best wood were really at the junction of the Saint Mary and Belly
was south of the line. This did not look so very pro- Rivers. Persons travelling along the Porcupine Hills,
mising. Notwithstanding, however, the Assistant Com- and across the head waters of the Bow and Belly Rivers
missioner was satisfied to build quarters there and re- on being told that Fort " Hamilton " Fort " Whoop
main for the winter. Up" or Fort "Stand Off" was at or near the "Forks"
Without any unnecessary delay the arrangements had readily supposed that the Forks of the Bow and
were completed for the selection and equipment of the Belly Rivers were meant, when their Indian or half-
force to remain in the Bow River district under tlie breed guides did not mean those Forks. In this man-
Assistant Commissioner, and also for the return of the ner, no doubt, the Adjutant General of Militia, Colonel
rest of the force, which it was decided to march to Robertson- Ross, fell into the error of locating Fort
Swan River via Cripple Camp depot. Fort Qu'Appelle Hamilton at the Forks of the Bow and Belly Rivers.
and Fort Pelly. The word "Fort" as used in these regions was also
" " "
It was decided that B, C " and " F " divisions explained. It is no wonder that people should have
should remain with the Assistant Commissioner, " D " felt alarmed at hearing that there were eight or ten
and "E" divisions to return to the new headquarters forts between the Belly River and Edmonton; but
with the Commissioner. On the 21st the Commissioner when it was explained that any log hut where a trader
arranged for the departure of "D" and "E" divisions, makes his headquarters is a Fort, the cause for alarm
selected all the best horses and oxen, left behind all disappeared. These forts were usually named after
stores not absolutely necessary, and moved on with the trader who built them, as Fort "Kipp", Fort
them to the Boundary Commission Road, about 7 "Hamilton," &c. Fort "Whoop Up," in its day,
miles south. appears to have been a central depot for most of them,
On the morning of the 22nd Colonel French de- and this was by comparison a fortification.
tached himself from the column and started for Benton On October 5, Col. French, with his returning column
with the Assistant Commissioner and a small party, arrived at the Hudson Bay post on the Qu'Appelle,
(with empty carts) to communicate with the Govern- the first human habitations (wigwams and tents ex-
ment, receive instructions, and obtain some necessary cepted) seen by the force since the 10th July. The
supplies of oats, moccasins, socks, &c., &c. force had marched 363 miles in the past 15J days,
On arriving at Benton on the 24th the Commissioner including some time lost at the Cripple Camp, being
26
an average of over 24 miles per diem. At the Qu'Ap- Pelly, and then on to Snake Creek, a distance of ten
pelle the police received much civility and kindness miles farther. To my horror found barracks in course
from Mr. Maclean, the officer in charge of the Hudson of erection on top of a hill covered with large granite

Bay Company's post. boulders, no trees to protect the buildings, and these
Having sent off despatches to Government via Fort latter strung out in a line a thousand feet long, exposing

Ellice, announcing the safe arrival of the force thus a full broadside to the north, the ground burnt up to

far, Col. French moved the main body across the River within 20 feet of the barracks, where it was stopped by
Qu'Appelle on the evening of the 16th, camping on Mr. Sutherland's men. Shurtliff's news was still
the top of the bank, where the feed appeared pretty worse —that half the hay cut had been burnt, the
good. At Qu'Appelle, the force became aware of Hudson Bay Company (from whom we might have
some extraordinary stories that had been going the purchased) losing 300 loads.
rounds of the Eastern press relative to their safety, —
"Thursday, 22nd. It being evident that the whole
to the effect that not alone were the horses all dead, force could not be wintered here, I sent a messenger

except four, but that the men were all starving, and last night and ordered the force to halt at any good

by no possibility could they return. grass near Fort Pelly, three of the senior officers and
Leaving the north bank of the Qu'Appelle on the the doctor and veterinary surgeon to come on and
morning of the 17th, the force marched through a form a board to enquire into and report on the present
fine park-like country, good soil, grass abundant, and situation. Fire raging in woods close by. Sent some
nice clumps of timber dotted over the surface. After men to assist Mr. Sutherland's men in keeping the fire
the first few miles, however, the force found the country away from the saw mill. The Board report that
completely burned in every direction. there are only seventy-five tons of hay of a very inferior
On the 21st Col. French rode ahead of the force, quality.
passing Fort Pelly and then proceeding on ten miles
—
"Friday, 23rd. Arranged matters at Swan River,
to Swan River. Here he found the barracks in course and rode up to Pelly where D and E troops were en-
of erection on the south bank of the Swan River; camped. Picked out the best horses and strongest
the had run up almost to the buildings, the woods
fires oxen to take on with us, left all surplus stores, drew
a few hundred yards to the west were all on fire. No out across the Assiniboine and camped at the "first
part of the barracks was finished, and some of the build- patch of grass we came to; delayed considerably by
ings had not even been begun; the amount of work cattle breaking away through the bush. A horse of
done in such a short time was marvellous nevertheless, 1)troop could not be found. One ox lost in the woods,
"
and if the buildings were not ready for occupation, but believe it went back to E troop camp.
it was not for want of zeal and energy on the part of Notwithstanding that the Board which reported
the gentleman superintending their construction, Mr. against remaining at Swan River, recommended that
Hugh Sutherland. not more than 80 head of stock should be left there,

But there was worse news than this in store for the Col. French risked leaving over 100 head, and there
Commissioner, half the hay had been burned, and the he also left "E" division, with Inspector Carvell in
Hudson Bay Company, from whom he might have command, and again picking over the strongest horses
bought some, lost 300 loads, and had not enough and oxen, on the evening of the 23rd he moved across
" "
for their own stock. The total amount of hay the the Assiniboine with I) division and the staff, en

Company's chief officer supposed he had remaining route to Fort p]llice.

was 60 tons, and that having been cut in October did The weather now remained cold and foggy. On
not appear particularly nutritious. Some cattle that the 27th Col. French's now
small column was met by
the Commissioner had sent to Fort Ellice on the west- a drove of 84 head of cattle, en route to Swan River,
ward march had been taken up to Swan River, thus and he turned them back. On the 28th the Com-
making over 200 head of cattle to be wintered. It missioner arrived in the valley of the Assiniboine

appeared to Col. French that it would be impossible opposite Fort Ellice. On the 1st November he met
to carry out the instructions of Government; but not Paymaster Clark and his small party en route for

wishing to depart therefrom solely on his own judg- Fort Polly and turned them back.
ment of what was advisable, he assembled a Board of —
November 7. I) division reached Winnipeg, and
Officers to enquire into and report upon the situation on orders from Ottawa, proceeded by easy stages to
of affairs. Dufferin to pass the winter.
A few extracts from Colonel French's diary at this which has been drawn upon largely
In his report,

point are interesting:

— in this chapter, Lieut.-Colonel French embodied the

"Wednesday, 2l8t Oct. — Rode on ahea<l of force to following remarks on the objects of the expedition
27
and the spirit evinced by the officers and men com- "Where time was so valuable there would be no

posing it :
halting on account of the weather. The greatest
"For the credit of the Dominion and of humanity, heat of a July sun or the cold of November in this
it was absolutely necessary that a stop should be put northern latitude made no difference; ever onward
to the disgraceful scenes that were daily being enacted had to be the watchword, and an almost uninterrupted
on the Bow and Belly Rivers and the Cypress Hills. march was maintained from the time the force left
The immense distance to this place, and the shortness Dufferin with the thermometer 95° to 100° in the
of the season for operations, necessitated a mounted shade, till the balance of the force returned therein
force being despatched. November, the thermometer marking 20° to 30° below
"The Mounted Police were being organized for the zero, having marched 1959 miles."
preservation law and order in the North- West
of

Territories, but consisted only of about 120 men and The complete list of officers upon the occasion of the
50 horses at the time this expedition was contemplated. departure of the force from Dufferin in 1874 was as
Nevertheless was decided, for very good reasons,
it follows:
that the work
of establishing law and order where Lieut.-Col. George A. French, Commissioner.
all was lawlessness and violence should be entrusted Major James F. Macleod, C.M.G., Assistant Com-
to the Mounted Police. missioner.
"
Tied down by no stringent rules or articles of war, Staff: J. G. Kittson, M.D., Surgeon; Dr. R. B.
but only by the silken cord of a civil contract, these Nevitt, Assistant Surgeon; W. G. Griffiths, Paymaster;
men by their conduct gave little cause of complaint. G. D. Clark, Adjutant; John L. Poett, Veterinary Sur-
Though naturally there were several officers and geon; Charles NicoUe, Quartermaster.
constables unaccustomed to command, and having —
*'A" division W. D. Jarvis, Inspector; Severe
little experience or tact, yet such an event as striking Gagnon, Sub-Inspector.
a superior was unknown, and disobedience of orders "B" —G. A. Brisebois, Inspector; B.
division J.
was very Day day on the march, night
rare. after Allan, Sul>Inspector.
after night on picquet or guard, and working at high "C" division — Wm. Winder, Inspector; T. R. Jack-
pressure during four months from daylight until dark, son, Sub-Inspector.
and too frequently after dark, with little rest, not "D" division (Staff division) — J. M. Walsh, Inspec-
even on the day sacred to rest, the force ever pushed tor; James Walker and John French, Sub-Inspectors.
onward, delighted when occasionally a pure spring "E" —Jacob Carvell, Inspector;
division H. J.

was met with. There was still no complaint, when Mcllree and H. N. Lecaine, Sub-Inspectors.
J.

salt water or the refuse of a mud hole was the only ''F" division — L. N. F. Crozier, Inspector; Vernon
liquid available. And 1 have seen this whole force Welsh and C. R. Denny, Sub-Inspectors.
obliged to drink liquid which when passed through a By special invitation of the Commissioner, Mr. Henri
filter was still the color of ink. The fact of horses Julien, of Montreal, accompanied the expedition as
and oxen "
failing and dying for want of food never artist and correspondent of the Canadian Illustrated
disheartened or stopped them, but pushing on, on News." Mr. Julien, who still resides in Montreal, in
foot, with dogged determination, they carried through the exercise of his art, and is conceded to be the most
the service required of them, under difficulties which talented black and white artist in Canada, as he is one
can only be appreciated by those who witnessed of the most skilful newspaper artists in America, was
them. attached to the staff of the force during the expedition.

28
 CHAPTER III.

THE FIRST WINTER IN THE FAR WEST.

—
Hardships of the Pioneers op Fort Macleod The Illicit Whisky Trade Suppressed and Law
— —
AND Order Established A Marvellous Change The First Detachment on the Saskatche-
—
wan Trouble with the St. Laurent Half-Breeds General Sir Selby Smyth's iNsPEcmoN —
and Favourable Report.

one considers the position of ('olonel And for a time Colonel Macleod's hands must be
Macleod and his little force of 150 men, left
WHFJN to facethe dangers of that first winter
all
necessarily tied owing to the necessity of providing

in the far west, he cannot fail being struck with its

manifold perils.
There was, first, the complete isolation of the force,
nearly eight hundred miles from the nearest reinforce-
ment, although fortunately within much nearer means
of communication via Henton. Then there was the
inexperience of officers and men and their lack of
knowledge of the country in which they were located.
The region in the immediate vicinity of the locality
chosen as the site of post had only been imperfectly
reconnoitred, owing to the neces.sity of husbanding
the .strength of the already-fatigued horses, and the
im|K>rtance of the Commissioner beginning his return
march without a day's delay. All of the whisky
trudiim iK)sts refMirted to exist in the country had not
been located, and it was announced in Henton that
many of the illicit traders and other dtwfx'radoes who
advent of the police,
infested the country before the
and had withdrawn before French's advance, had ex-
pressed their intention to niturn as soon as Colonel
French and the heailcjuarters of the force had started
for the east. So the whisky traders might be still
considered one element of trouble and <hinger.
as
Then there were the Indians, whose numl)ers and <lis-
Jhith'h I'arquharHon Maflood, C.M.Ci., CommiHNiuncT of the
[Mwition were largely an unknown quanttty. N.W M.P. from July io, 1876, to Ort. 30, 1880.
29
 shelter for his men and Hve stock, and to the fact that tion was entered by a force under the personal com-
his horses were
very poor condition, the best having
in mand of the Assistant Commissioner, October 9, 1874.
been selected for the Commissioner's column, and only This fort was situated on the west side of and 300 feet
the weakest, including a large proportion of absolutely from the Belly River, near the mouth of the St. Mary's
run-down animals, left with the Assistant Commissioner. River, near the site of the present thriving town of
The difficulty of obtaining forage, and the ignorance Lethbridge, the centre of the Alberta mining industry.
of the little force as to the peculiar climatic conditions The post was of the stockade type, almost square,
" "
prevailing in this part of the Dominion proved to be and with two bastions, or flankers as they were
among the worst dangers which had to be faced and generally called on the frontier. The walls were loop-
overcome. holed, and there were two three-pounder guns in the
But all the dangers were faced manfully and without position. Within the stockade, and opening on to
any signs of quailing. the central square, were a blacksmith's shop, stables,
Immediately upon his return from Fort Benton, fur store, store, store room, post kitchen,
trading
the Assistant Commissioner chose as the best site for dwellings, Outside
etc.the stockade were two de-
his headquarters a level strip of land within one of tached corrals and a hay shed, and less than 300 yards
the curves or loops of the Old Man's River, this situa- away were the charred remains of the old "Fort
tion assuring him a supply of water and wood, and Whoop-Up," which had been partly destroyed by
seemingly a good prospect of a natural hay crop. fire. In close proximity to this fort in the autumn
The high banks of the river afforded shelter from the of 1870 occurred the last great fight between the Crees
north wind, and the position was an admirable one and Assiniboines and their hereditary enemies of the
from a point of view, commanding the
strategical Blackfoot Confederacy, including Blackfeet, Bloods
route frequented by the United States traders. and Piegans. The smallpox had been ravaging the
It having been decided to call the position Fort camps of the Blackfeet nations on the Belly and St.
Macleod, in honour of the Assistant Commissioner, Mary Rivers around Forts Kipp and Whoop-Up,
work was at once begun at preparing timber for the and the Crees and Assiniboines deemed it an oppor-
erection of barracks, including besides living quarters tune time to exact revenge for past reverses, and put
for the officersand men, stables, hospital, storehouses, a Force of 700 braves upon the warpath. The attack-
magazine, etc. The post was built of cottonwood ers foiled in their attempt to take their enemies by
pickets, the spaces between the pickets being filled surprise, retired down
the bed of the Pelly River,
with mud, and the roofs covered with sods and sand. where a fierce and bloody running fight took place,
The preparation of the lumber was found to be of so the Cree tribes losing some 300 killed and wounded,
laborious a character that a portable saw mill was the Blackfeet a little less than 100.
purchased and forwarded to Fort Macleod during There is no better way to give an adequate idea of
the season of 1875, but it was not in working order the work the force on duty in the far west had to per-
antil the autumn of 1876. It was then employed form that first year, or the hardships they had to en-
in cutting lumber for flooring and roofing purposes, dure, than to quote, in extenso, some of Colonel Mac-
the original roofs of turf and sand proving very leod's concise reports to the Commissioner.
unsatisfactory. No time was lost in attempting to The Assistant Commissioner had hoped to be able
secure a supply of forage for the horses and fresh meat to procure forage for all his horses in the immediate
for the men. The police had to do most of these things vicinity of Fort Macleod for the winter, but on October
themselves, but some men were attracted to the spot 20th he wrote the Commissioner, via Benton, as
from across the lines, and a little hired assistance was follows :
—
secured. "I am now forced to the conclusion, that it would
But it was a strenuous autumn and a hard and be perfectly impossible to keep the whole of the horses
trying winter for all ranks. here for the winter. There is hardly any hay to be
The Assistant Commissioner, naturally had to bear cut at this late season of the year, and what there is
in mind the special duty the Force under his imme- lies in small patches at distances of eight and ten
diate command had been assigned to perform, and as miles from here. I have engaged men to cut as much

soon as the work on the new post had been fairly as can be got, and have to pay them $15 for doing so.
started, he proceeded to locate the various trading From this source I consider myself lucky if I get
will

posts in the region, ascertain the nature of the business even 25 tons. I have been able to buy about 15 tons
conducted by the various traders, and take steps to of rather good hay from different parties, and there is

put a stop to illegal trading of all kinds. Fort Ha- I believe about 20 tons cut out on the prairies, the
milton, the principal trading post remaining in opera- owner of which I have at last found out, and expect in
30
camp every day, as he is coming out with suppHes. this country to secure the fine except by seizing pro-
I have had two racks made for our own waggons, perty enough at the time the seizure is made, and not
and am now having two large ones made for Baker's to wait for a distress warrant after the fine is imposed.
"
waggons, which will hold 5 tons at a load, so altogether Mr. Crozier executed his mission in a most satisfactory
I shall be well off if I can secure 50 or 60 tons. manner. Two days afterwards he appeared in camp
"
With regard to the supply of meat for the detach- with the colored man in custody and four others, all
ment, I was able to procure a plentiful supply of buffalo of whom he had captured about 45 miles from here.

meat, shot by our people, which lasted for several days He found the five in possession of two waggons, each of
after we got here. But although we saw splendid them containing cases of alcohol, and brought the
herds, in much larger numbers than you saw near whole party with their waggons, 16 horses, 5 Henry
Benton, just before crossing the St. Marys, not one was rifles. 5 revolvers and 116 buffalo robes, into camp. I

to be seen on this side. I thought it impracticable to confiscated the robes, and tried each of the prisoners,
send men off long distances in search of them, so I for having intoxicating liquors in their possession.

bought as much as carried us along at different times, "All the inspectors sat with me to try the cases.
the price at first being five cents a pound and at last, I fined the two principals and Bond, who was their

two cents. The buffalo having now come nearer, interpreter and guide, $200 each, and the other two
three of our men with
Mr. Lavallee killed enough for $50 each. They were acting as hired men for the other
our detachment in one day to last for a week. As soon two. Next day Mr. Weatherwax, a gentleman I dare-
'
as the present press of work is over, I hope to commence say you have heard spoken of in Benton as Wavey ',

killing enough for our winter suppl}' as well as to secure came to me and paid all the fines, except Bond's, and
enough robes for the whole force. When the storm his I fancy he would not pay, as I detained him on the
'
came on I issued out of the lot seized by Mr. Crozier, other charge of trading liquor to Three Bulls. Bond '

50 robes to the men, and bought 105 more at $4.25 said he thought he would raise the amount, so he will
U.S. currency, which were also issued." undergo his imprisonment as per state enclosed. I
'
In the continuation of this letter dated October 30th, wanted Three Bulls to get some more evidence about
'

Colonel Macleod wrote: — this matter, but the Indians have no idea of evidence,
"
I am happy to be enabled to inform you that al- and think that if they tell you a witness to a trans-
though we have all been very busy in the construction action is in a camp near by it is all that is required.

of our winter quarters, we have been able to carry on He brought me a horse as a present,, and said that he
some police work as well, and have struck a first blow had several men at the camp who saw the transaction.
at the liquor traffic in this country. I him that
of course refused to take the horse, telling
"I found out from an Indian named 'Three Bulls' itwas not considered right for a judge to take any pre-
that a colored man of the name of William Bond, who sents from a party who had a case before him. He was
has a trading post at a place called 'Pine Coule' in great distress at my refusal, but promised to bring
about 50 miles from here, (I was told it was 40), had the witness I wanted. They have moved off 12 miles

traded a couple of gallons of whisky for two horses of from here for a buffalo hunt, but expect them back
I

his. I saw that I had to be very careful in not raising again before long. 1 think it best, although I have a
the suspicion of a lot of men, who were continually subpcena all ready for both 'Three Bulls' and his

riding into camp, so I told Jerry Potts, the interpreter, witness, to avoid using any compulsory process until
"
to get all the information he could and arrange to meet they understand things better.
'Three Bulls' on the road next night about dark. Mr. December 4, Colonel Macleod wrote to the Commis-
Crozier was next morning to select ten of the best men sioner:
and horses, out of the whole detachment, and hold "Since I last wrote you by Inspector Walsh, I have
himself in readiness to move at a moment's notice. had no opportunity of sending this letter to I^enton.
Next afternoon, just l)efore dark, without letting any Indeed if had it would have been almost impossible
1

of them know where they were to go to, they left this to write on account of the extreme cold weather we have

camp, guided by Potts. I gave Mr, Crozier written had. Nearly the whole of hist month, the thermometer
instructions to guide him; amongst others, to seize stood very low. one night going down to minus 30 and
all robes and furs of any kind which he suspected had one week averaging only 2. The cold, too, was accom-
been traded for li(|Uor, and in addition a sufficient panied by very heavy winds, and such a fall of snow as
amount of gcKKls and chattels, to .satisfy the fine which had not l)een known in the country by any of the
in each case might be imiM)s<*d. I was very glad to .settlers.Fortunately the valley of this river it has
in

find by your instructions that you had directed me to not fallen to such a depth, as in other places, even
seize the roljcs, &c., traded; and I .see no other way in between this and the Belly River the difference is very
31
great, and I hear that between this and Benton it has ton. There are also 10 tons more at Fort Kipp which
fallen to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. Last Saturday evening no one here has a right to sell which I have taken
closed in with thethermometer at 20 below, and Sunday possession of, and will pay the owner, when he turns
morning dawned with a most delicious warm sunshine up, a reasonable sum for. Instead of incurring the
with the atmosphere as calm and pleasant as on a day expense of getting this hay from Fort Kipp brought
in spring, the thermometer standing at 44 above. I up here, I have sent Inspector Brisbois with a detach-
am happy to say that the same kind of weather has ment of 14 men and 14 horses to remain at that place.
continued ever since, with now and then a very strong Besides having the horses fed there I thought it ad-
wind from the west. The snow about here has quite visable to have a small body of police at that point,

disappeared, and is only to be seen on the hill-tops. as there is a large camp of Indians close by, and I am
"
The bad weather had a very serious effect in re- informed that there is good reason to believe that a
I was able, how-
' '

tarding operations on our quarters. large quantity of whisky is cached in the neigh-
ever, to place the men all under shelter of a roof, with bourhood. When Inspector Walsh returns I shall
chimneys half built, but sufficiently high to admit of a send 8 or 9 horses more down there. Some of our
fire being put on, before the severest weather overtook horses have never recovered from their weak state
us. The officers, with the exception of Winder, Jack- consequent upon their long journey and bad feed.
son and the Doctor, took possession of the kitchen, A few have succumbed, notwithstanding their being
and have made themselves tolerably comfortable. I treated with the greatest care. I had a sling made,
have taken advantage of Mr. Conrad's invitation, and with a block and tackle, to raise them up and rest
am now staying with him in a house he has built close their legs. In some cases they have come round.
to the fort. Winder's tent, doubled, is pitched in the
woods, and with a stove com-
inside they are very
fortable. Our quarters are now being pushed, and I
hope to be in, in a week at the most from now.
"The very cold weather had a very decided effect
on the health of the men, the sick list one day having
reached 45, mostly colds. I had eight of the men
removed to a couple of forts near here; they have all
but two now quite recovered, and the doctor reports
that they are progressing very favourably, and will
return in a day or two. The hospital is nearly ready,
for any 'v\^ho may require to be sent there. I have
leftnothing undone that I could think of to make
the barracks as comfortable as circumstances permit. A Glimpse of Old Fort iMaclend.
The constables' mess is on one side, and the kitchen
and wash-house at the other, with a latrine, connected but in one case, particularly, nothing appeared to give
with a covered passage, with the wash-house. The the poor animal strength, he became a mere suspended
quarter-master's stores are now complete, and are skeleton.So I had a Board upon him, and another.
now readily with the supplies, which have nearly
filled The Board recommended that the first be shot, which
all arrived. The trains bringing them here lost 33 I had done, the latter they thought might be got

oxen during the severe weather. round, but he died the same evening. The severe
"I find that I cannot get any of the hay I spoke of cold appeared to affect the thin ones very much.
"
in a former letter as being out on the prairies. Be- I am happy to be able to report the complete
tween the snow and the buffalo, it has all disappeared. stoppage of the whisky trade throughout the whole
I had consequently almost made up my mind to send of this section of the country, and that the drunken
some more oxen by Baker's men into Benton
of the riots,which in former years were almost of a daily
for the winter, intending to send them to Fort Ha- occurrence, are now entirely at an end; in fact, a more
milton for some days and feed them there on hay and peaceable community than this, with a very large
oats before they started on their longer journey, but number of Indians camped along the river, could not
the state of the roads precluded the possibility of be found anywhere. Every one unites in saying
doing so, and I was dreadfully perplexed as to what how wonderful the change is. People never lock
to do. I have now been able to procure 18 tons of their doors at night, and have no fear of anything
hay here, at the enormous expense of $50 per ton, being stolen which is left lying about outside; whereas,
and about the same quantity at Fort Kipp, at $27 per just before our arrival gates and doors were all fastened
32
at night, and nothing could be left out of sight. So sent village of Batoche, the pasture improved, and
strong was the Indian's passion for whisky, they Jarvis intended resting the animals for some days, but,
could not be kept out of the traders' houses by locks as the little column was overtaken by a severe storm,
and bars. They have been known to climb up on he hurried on to Carlton in the hope of saving the
the roofs, and endeavor to make their way through horses. At the Fort he obtained from the H. B. offi-
the earth with which the houses are covered, and in cials a large store-house in which he stabled them until
some instances they slid down through the chimneys. the storm abated, or he would have lost the greater
"
The Rev. Mr. McDougall, (Methodist Missionary at part, if not all of them.
Morley) has been paying us a visit. He is delighted The Inspector also purchased 80 bushels of barley
at the change that has been effected. He tellsme which was he could obtain, and with great care and
all

that he believes there are some traders still on Bow economy made it last to Victoria, where he got a few
River. Walsh brings back the horses I asked the
If bushels more, also ten bags of barley bran. In spite of
Government to allow me, I shall pay them a visit every precaution the detachment lost several horses
before many weekspass." through exhaustion and sickness, though all possible
December 15, Colonel Macleod wrote as follows: — care was taken of them. The greatest loss occurred
"I received a letter from the Department, by Walsh, within the last 25 miles, the cold having stiffened the
informing me
that I had been appointed a Preventive horses so much that they could not travel over the
Officer H. M. Customs. I have already taken
in frozen ground. Several were carried for miles, as the
inventories of the stocks at several posts about here, men had to lift them every few yards. On the first of
and intend to-morrow to proceed to Forts Kipp and November there were some which
for nearly a month
Hamilton to do the same there, and to enter a lot of had been times during the day, and had
lifted several

goods which are arriving. I am happy to say that they been the Inspector's own property, he reported,
a large number of horses are now being imported. he would have killed them, as they were mere skeletons.
Immediately before our arrival, large bands of them From reports Jarvis received from persons he met on
were being continually sent the other way proceeds — the road between Carlton and Edmonton he understood
of the whisky trade. Now a horse can't be got from that a very small quantity of hay had been cut on ac-
an Indian, and they wish to buy more than the traders count of the severe rains through the summer covering
have to sell. the marshes with water, and as it was late for the
"A number of traders are
sedulously spreading pohce to cut any, Jarvis deemed it advisable not to
reports amongst the Indians that we are to be here take the cows, calves or weak oxen beyond Victoria,
for the winter, and that we will be off in the spring. but made a temporary agreement to have them win-
All that have come to see me invariably ask how long tered there; oxen and cows at $15 per head and calves
we are going to stay. Their delight is unbounded at $10 for six months, to be fed hay and stabled when
when I tell that I expect to remain with them always. " required.
We will now leave the pioneer force of the Mounted Inspector Jarvis wound up his report as follows:
—
"
Police in what is now Southern Alberta and find out In conclusion, I may state that on looking back over
how it fares with the first detachment on the North our journey I wonder how we ever accomplished it
Saskatchewan. with weak horses, little or no pasture, and for the last
It will be recalled that on his march westward 500 miles with no grain, and the latter part over roads
Lieutenant Colonel French detached from his force impassible until we made them. That is to say, I kept
at La Roche Percee most of 'A' division under the a party of men in advance with axes, and when practi-
command of Inspector W. D. Jarvis with instructions cable felled trees and made corduroy over mud
to proceed first to Fort Ellice, leave a detachment holes, sometimes 100 yards long, and also made a num-
there and thence proceed via Batoche, Fort Carlton ber of bridges, and repaired all the old ones. We must
and Fort Pitt to Edmonton. have laid down several miles of corduroy between Fort
From Inspector report dated FMmonton,
Jarvis' Pitt and here. Streams which last year, when I crossed
November 2, appears that he and his force
1874, it them, were mere rivulets, are now rivers difficult to
arrived at Edmonton on October 27th, being on the ford. And had it not been for the perfect conduct of
way 88 days altogether, 60 of which were travelling the men, and real hard work, much of the property
days, averaging fifteen miles per diem. must have been destroyed.
"
After leaving Fort Ellice, Jarvis found the pasture I wish particularly to bring to your notice the
and water so bad that he had great difficulty in pro- names of Troop. Sergt. Major Steele and Constable
curing enough to keep life in the horses and oxen. Labelle. S. M. Steele has been undeviating in his
After crossing the South Sa.skatchcwan, near the pre- efforts to assist me, and he has also done the manual
33
labour of at least two men. The attention paid by Territories, with the object of conferring with the
Constable Labelle to the horses has saved many of general officers commanding, respecting the repression
them. of crime, the capture of criminals on both sides of the
"On arriving here I received stabling and quarters International Boundary, and the obtaining of inter-
for my party,, and can make them comfortable for the national co-operation in this important matter. The
winter. General's official tour between the 24th of May and
"
should have stated that, on account of the weak
I the 15th of November embraced a distance by the
state of the horses, I left about one waggon load at route travelled, ingoing and returning, of about 11,000
Carlton, also two waggons and a quantity of stores at miles, of which over 2,000 miles were performed on
Victoria, and even after thus lightening the loads I horseback, and 600 with pack animals.
was obliged to hire 10 oxen and carts to go to Sturgeon The General's report, particularly in its references
River (25 miles) to assist some of our carts, as the oxen to the North- West Mounted Police, as he found the
were quite worked out. force in its first year of service in the far west, is
"
I also left 4 men in charge of 5 horses (unable at the particularly interesting.
time to walk) about 12 miles back. And after resting
for two days, being put into a tent at night, they were
"
able to bring in four which we are now recovering.
The Saskatchewan detachment had this advantage
over the force which advanced into and remained in
Southern Alberta. Their route, although rough and
long, was fairly well known, being used by the Hudson
Bay Company. The southern force had to find and
make a trail for itself through a perfectly unknown
country. Then Inspector Jarvis found the Hudson
Bay posts at Forts EUice, Carlton and Victoria valuable
rest and supply stations, and at Edmonton barrack
accommodation for the winter was obtained, ready for

occupation.
It was the Commissioner's intention on reaching the
forks of the Belly and Bow River to forward a rein-
forcement northward to Jarvis under Inspector Walsh.
As a matter of fact, Walsh and his detachment actually
started, but was recalled by Col. French, as the
route was declared to be impracticable.
It will be observed that the disposition of the Force

during the winter of 1874-75 was as follows: —

" "
Headquarters and D division, Dufferin, Man.
"B." "C" and "F" divisions under Colonel Mac-
leod at Fort Macleod.
"A" division under Inspector Jarvis at Ellice and
Edmonton.
" W. D.
E" division under Inspector Carvell, at Fort Pelly
Superintendent Jarvis.

and Swan River.

In the spring, headquarters and " U " division moved Specially referring to the Mounted Police, in his
to Swan River and several outposts were established
report, which was addressed to the Secretary of State,
by detachments from all the winter depots. Major General Selby Smyth wrote:
"
During the summer of 1875, Major-General E. Selby I proceeded from Fort Macleod at the base of the

Smyth, then commanding the Canadian Militia, was Rocky Mountains to Fort Shaw in Montana, a distance
commissioned by the Dominion Government to make of 250 miles, accompanied by Assistant Commissioner
a tour of mihtary inspection across the continent to Macleod commanding the detachments of the Mounted
the Pacific, to inspect and report
upon the North-West Police in the western division of the North-West
Mounted Police and the posts occupied by them, and
Territory, and from him I learnt the nature of the
to visit the several outposts measures likely to conduce to a more settled state of
occupied by the United
States Army in Montana, Washington and
Oregon affairs along the frontiers.
34
 "In compliance with the instructions contained eighth day, a distance of 270 miles from Swan
inyour confidential letter to me, dated June 24th last, River. (1)."
"
wherein I am directed in the progress of my tour Leaving the troop of Mounted Police at Carlton,
through the North- West Territories to visit as many I cros.sed the north l)ranch of the Saskatchewan the
as possible of the Mounted Police Posts and to make following day, and proceeded by way of Forts Pitt
special inquiry into certain points therein detailed, and Victoria towards Edmonton, 400 miles; but being
bearing upon the organization, equipment, distribution, delayed a day at Sturgeon Creek, a deep and rapid
and general efficiency of the force, I have now the stream, in order to construct rafts for its passage, I
honour to report to you that after my return in June recrossed the Saskatchewan the same afternoon at
from reorganizing the Militia in Prince Edward Island, the new post established by Inspector Jarvis. From
and having proceeded westward, to inspect the thence Edmonton lies about 20 miles south.
various brigades of militia encamped in Ontario, I "Proceeding south, 120 miles, I crossed the Battle
embarked at Samia on the 2nd July, and passing up and Red Deer Rivers, and at the latter found another
Lakes Huron and Superior, I reached Fort Garry by troop which had been with judgment moved to that
way of Duluth, Moorhead and the Red River on the point on learning the rumours afloat about the Carl-
15th, and making the necessary inspection
after ton Dumont affair.
"
there, I departed for the Prairies on the 19th
finally My staff on the expedition was composed of Cap-
of that month, travelling the first 200 miles in vehicles tain the Honourable M. Stapleton, Coldstream Guards,
which had been provided for myself and staff as far A.D.C., Captain Ward, A.D.C., to his Excellency
as Shoal Lake, where I met with the first outpost of the Governor General, and Lieut, the Honourable
the Mounted Police. T. A.D.C., Royal Horse Guards, and
Fitzwilliam,
"From this point I travelled throughout the North- afterwards joined by the Honourable Evelyn Ellis,
West Territories and across the Rocky Mountains, late Royal Navy.
"
fully 1,500 miles, escorted by a party of the Mounted Now as to the sufficiency of the force in respect
Police, until they were relieved at Joseph's Prairie in of discipline, and equipment, including
numbers,
the Kootenay under arrangements made
district horses, arms, saddlery, means of transport, etc.
"
by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia for The force consists of 29 officers and 300 men and
my further progress to Vancouver's Island. horses; the Commandant is termed Commissioner,
"The general opinions I have been able to form of and his second in command, Assistant Commissioner,

the North- West Mounted Police, have been greatly the remaining officers are respectively inspectors
influenced by the experience I acquired of them on and sub-inspectors, and the men designated constables
my line of march through the countr} % I shall now and sub-constables, the former answering to the
therefore shortly allude to it. status of non-commissioned officers.
"
From Shoal Lake post I proceeded direct to Swan "The force is divided into 6 Divisions of 50 men
River, about 140 miles, and on the morning of my each; it may be considered fairly sufficient for the
arrival there I was overtaken by Lieut, Cotton, an duties it is at present called upon to perform. The
officer of the Manitoba Artillery bearing despatches
(1) The trouble, here referred to by General Sir Selliy Smyth was
to me from the Lieutenant Governor of that pro- with the FVench Half-Bree<lK or Metis who had drifte<l weHtwani from
vince, Manitoba and had itettled alonK the banks of the South .Saskatchewan
from Clark's Crossing <lown to the forks of the Saskatchewan. The Half-
"The nature of these despatches was such that Breeds had always l)een more or less of a disturbinK element in the west
after a conference with the from their restiveness and sansitiveness, and particularly since the Hed
commandant, Lieut. Col.
Kiver trouble of 18<i9-7() they had be<'n reKarded with more or less suspicion
French, determined to take a force of 50 Mounted
I
by the white settlers. ,\s Manitoba l>eKan to l)e opened up to white settle-
Police from Swan to Carlton, as a party of observa- ment, the Half-Breeds, not merely by families but by settlements, moved
off towards the west, most of them findinic conxenial homes in the virgin
tion. My reason for coming to this decision arose prairie alonK the banks of the .Saskatchewan. Here they felt themselves
from the important nature of the information conveyed free from Kovernment influences and the land surveyor, and were still able
to pursue with success their favourite occupation of buffalo huntinit. In
in the despatches, and though my impression was 187.5 word reached the Dominion authorities that one of the leadiuK men

that the report was somewhat overdrawn, I had no of the Saskatchewan settlement, a niiKhty Ualf-Hreed hunter name<l CJa-
briel Dumimt, had set up a sort of Provisional (iovernment, somewhat
possible means, .so far removed from telegraphic or after the style of that created by Kiel in the lied River settlement in 1869-
70. It was reporteil that Dumont and his Kovernment even set up pre-
postal communication, to test the facts of the case
tensions to existence completely inde|>endent of the Dominion laws or
except by going to see my.self. Dominion authority. The (ieneral had a conference with Dumont and
"I accordingly marche<l the wime of the other lea<linK Half-Br«>pi|s near the site of the present villaKe
following afternoon
of Baloche, and it was explainc<t that the only object of the Half-Breeds
accompanied by I^ieutenant-Colonel French and 50 was to intrcxluce a rouKli tribal or municipal orKanization such as was

of his men. We crossed the south branch of the customary in Half-Bree<l settlements and huntinK camps. A <lelicate
warninit as to the futility of attemptinK anythinK further than that was
Saskatchewan and reached Carlton House on the given before the (jeneral and his escort move<t on.

35
normal effect of its presence has already produced a and wild vetches, plenty of wood, abundance of
wholesome improvement in the condition of the water, grow, I believe, all the way north, till the
wandering tribes of the prairies, and the nomadic verge of the great sub- Arctic forest is touched. The
inhabitants of the North- West generally, and caused isothermal lines indicate that the climate is mild, and
a feeling of security throughout the settlements of it is well known that the soil is suitable to maintain
the Territory. a dense population.
"
"For a newly raised force, hastily enrolled and The Bow River post (now Calgary) was established
equipped, it
very is in fair
organizationorder — its onmy march south by detaching the troop awaiting
isbased upon sound ^inciples, but there is room for my orders at Red Deer River. Lieutenant - Colonel
improvement in several respects on which I pre- Macleod had, with good judgment, fixed on the spot,
sent herewith a confidential report. It will be rea- and made all arrangements.
dily understood that in the detached state of the "The Hudson Bay Company, had, years ago, tried
force, so much time having been occupied in providing to maintain a post there, but their agents were in-
shelter for men and horses, it has hitherto been next timidated by the Blackfeet Indians and soon driven
to impossible to bestow proper attention on discipline, away.
interior economy, equitation, the care of horses, sad- "Of the constables and sub-constables I can speak
dlery, equipment, and the duties of constables — all generally, that they are an able body of men, of excel-
of which are quite indispensable. lent material, and conspicuous willingness, en-
for
"
I consider that men should be recruited from the durance, and, as far as I can learn, integrity of character.
rural districts, a few only, for clerks, etc., to be taken "They are fairly disciplined, but there has hardly
from towns. The decayed gentleman is a failure. been an opportunity yet for maturing discipline to
They should be active young men, sons of farmers, the extent desirable in bodies of armed men, and,
accustomed to face all kind of weather and rough dispersed as they are, through the immensity of space
work as well as to the use of horses; this element is without much communication with headquarters, a
badly wanted in the force. The horses are a very great deal must depend upon the individual intelligence,
fair average lot and they have been generally pur- acquirements and steadiness of the Inspectors in per-
chased in Ontario. I should prefer selecting them fecting discipline, drill, interior economy, equitation,
from rural than from horse dealers and sale
districts and care of horses, saddlery and equipment, together
stables. A better, sounder and cheaper description with police duties on which they might be occasionally
of horse could thus be obtained. required.
"At Carlton, a small party was left there on my "A searching inquiry is necessary into the nature
passing through, I do not know whether they still of the hoof disease among horses at Edmonton. It

remain, and I doubt the necessity for them, there has fallen with fearful effects on the police and other
being no inhabitants at Carlton House except the horses in that neighborhood. It is supposed to be an
officials and clerks of the Hudson Bay Company. insect which eats into the hoof in a short time; it is
The nearest settlement is that of French half-breeds very painful and when not attended properly the horse
at St. Laurent, distant 18 miles, on the right bank of dies.
the South Saskatchewan, and the Prince Albert Mis- "This summer a steamer ascended the North Sas-
sion Station, distant 40 miles, at the forks of its two katchewan for the first time as far as Edmonton from
branches. From the latter settlement, supplies of Grand Rapids near Lake Winnipeg. Certainly the
every kind are sent to Carlton, which produces nothing. navigation of both branches of this mighty river,
"
From Carlton to Edmonton, 400 miles, police are abounding with coal and other mineral wealth
not required. Forts Pitt and Victoria are little fre- for many hundred miles, will open up the country for

quented Hudson's Bay posts, occupied by clerks and settlement, reduce the price of transport and provisions,
some retired officials. Along that entire distance of and become one of the many causes tending to produce
400 miles I met no living soul except one travelling a new order of things and abolish monopoly.
"
half-breed and the monthly postman; but nature While it may be considered that 300 men are
denotes it abode of a large population.
to be the future enough to maintain order in the North- West, it is

It must be inhabited, its balmy climate is inviting, evident that this force would be insufficient to put
warm and genial in the summer, and though the down a serious outbreak, should such a very unlikely
winter's cold lasts long, the snow does not lie deep, misfortune occur. It would be difficult to collect more
and stock can pasture out all through the year. The than 100 effective men of the force at a given point in a
land is rich and fertile, and would produce all cereal reasonable time.
It is covered with the most luxuriant herbage, "
crops. Militia are not availal:)le in the North- West Terri-
36
tory, nor do I consider a mixture of the military and West Police, too much attention cannot be paid to
civil element at all desirable. There is sufficient of their efficiency. We
read that not long ago these
the military character about the police, and they have wild Indian tribes of the far west were accustomed
the advantage that every man is a limb of the law, to regard murder as honourable war, robbery and
whereas military cannot act without a magistrate or pillage as traits most ennobling to mankind; the
constable. Blackfeet, Crees, Salteaux, Assiniboines, the Peigans,
"Therefore suggested that volunteer police or
it is among the most savage of the wild races of Western
bodies of special constables should be formed at such America, free from all restraint and any sort of con-
settlements as Prince Albert, St. Albert, St. Ann's and trol, waged indiscriminate war with each other and
St. Laurent, these men to be subject while on duty to with mankind. Law, order, and security for life and
the same rules as the regular police. property were little observed; civil and legal institu-
"
Too much value cannot be attached to the North- tions almost entirely unknown."

^:^j;5j

Jf'jtJtJ.

Hunting Buffalo during the Long March of 1874. (From a sketch by A. Julien in the "Canadian Illustrated News.")

37
 CHAPTER IV.

COLONEL MACLEOD, COMMISSIONER

The Development of the North-West Territories under Proper Protection Dealings with the —
—
Indians The Sun Dance —The Big Treaty with the Blackfeet.

year 1876 brought two important changes much interest, the head-quarters of the R.N.W.M.P.

THE North-West Mounted Pohce. By Order

for the
in Council of the 20th April, 1876, the control
at Regina, as well as some other posts.
In July 1876, an escort of eighty-two men was detailed
and management of the force was transferred from the to accompany the Lieutenant Governor of the North-
Department of Justice, then presided over by the West Territories on his mission to Forts Carlton and
Hon. R. Laflamme, to the Department of the Secretary Pitt, in connection with the making of a treaty with
of State, the Hon. R. W. Scott. the Cree Indians.
By Order in Council of 20th July, 1876, Lieut.-Col. In consequence of the Indians in the adjoining Ter-
James Farquharson Macleod, C.M.G., was appointed ritory of Montana being engaged during the summer in
to succeed Lieut.-Col. French, as Commissioner. conflictwith the United States troops, it was considered
Lieut. -Colonel James Farquharson Macleod, C.M.G., necessary, as a precautionary measure, to increase the
was one of the first officers appointed to the Mounted force at Fort Macleod, and also at Fort Walsh, a new
Police. He had been for some years identified with post established in the Cypress Hills. A hundred men
the Ontario Militia, and at the time of taking up his were accordingly ordered there from the northern posts.
first appointment in the Police, was major of the 45th Four seven-pounder guns were also purchased from
Battalion, with the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel. the Militia Department and forwarded, together with a
He took part in Colonel Wolseley's expedition to the supply of ammunition, to Fort Walsh. Two nine-
Red River in 1870 as Assistant Brigade Major of pounder field guns had previously been supplied to
Militia,and in recognition of his meritorious services, Fort Macleod.
was awarded the brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel The massing of the force at these posts near the
and the decoration of C.M.G. frontierno doubt secured tranquility in that section of
Lieutenant Colonel G. A. French, now Major General the Territory and prevented the United States Indians
SirGeorge A. French, immediately after giving up the from using Canadian soil as a base of operations for
appointment of Commissioner, returned to service in prosecuting the war with the X,^nited States troops.
the British Army and performed distinguished service On the 22nd of August the following report of Sub-
in various parts of the world,
being particularly identi- Inspector Denny was received from the Assistant Com-
fied with the organization and
development of the missioner.
defen.sive forces of Australia. He "
visited Canada with According to orders received on July 8th to proceed
Lady French in the summer of 1906, and visited, with to the Blackfoot camp for the prisoner
'

Nataya ',
I

38
left Bow
River on the above mentioned date and found standing of helping them to fight the whites, as they
the Blackfeetcamped about 30 miles above the mouth were their friends and they would not fight against
of Red Deer River, that being about 200 miles north- them.
"
east of Elbow River. They said as they would not come and help them
"After having secured the prisoner I was detained against the Americans, that they would come over to
in camp by a council called by the principal Blackfeet this side and show the Blackfeet that white soldiers
chiefs, who invited me to their meeting. were nothing before them, and that after they had
"They told me
that they were very glad we had exterminated the soldiers and taken their forts they
arrived, as at that time they were in a very unsettled would come against the Blackfeet.
"
state, o\\ing to communications that had passed be- In consequence of this message the Blackfeet nation,
tween the Blackfoot nation, including Blood Indians when I reached their camp, were in a state of uncer-
and Piegans. and the Sioux from across the line. tainty, not knowing how to act, 'Crowfoot,' the
"
About a month ago the Sioux sent a message to the head chief of the Blackfeet was authorized by the
Blackfoot Camp with a piece of tobacco, which the nation, all of whom were present, to ask me whether in
Blackfoot chief showed me. The messenger told the case they were attacked by the Sioux without them-
Blackfeet, from the Sioux, that the tobacco was sent selves being the aggressors, and called upon ua, the
them to smoke if they were willing to come across the Mounted Police, to help them, we would do so. I told
line and join the Sioux in fighting the Crow Indians, them that in case the Sioux crossed the line and attack-
ed the Blackfeet, without the Blackfeet giving them
any cause to do so, that we were bound to help them,
they being subjects of this country, and having the
right of protection as well as any other sul)jects.
"
The Chief told me that the Blackfeet had told him
to tell me that as we were willing to help them, in the
event of the Sioux attacking them, that they would, in
case of being attacked, send two thousand warriors
against the Sioux.
"
I thanked them for their offer, and told them that I

would inform you of all they had told me, and that as
long as they were quiet and peaceable they would al-
ways find us their friends and willing to do anything for
their good.

"They expressed great satisfaction at all I had told

them, and promised to do nothing without letting us
first know, and asking our advice.

Walsh "
I'ort in its Palmy P.-in^. I distributed some among them, and told
tol)acco
them to let us know of any movements of the Sioux to
and other tribes with whom they were at war, and also the north.
the Americans whom they were fighting at the same "I left them on Friday last, camped together about
time. 80 miles above the mouth of the Red Deer River. I
"They also told the Blackfeet that if they would brought the prisoner with me without any trouble, and
"
come to help them against the Americans, that after arrived here this day.
they had killed all the whites they would come over A copy of this report was forwarded by His Honour
and join the Blackfeet to exterminate the whites on the Deputy (lovernor, to the Right Honourable the
t his side. Secretary of State for the Colonies, from whom a suit-
"They him that the soldiers on this side
also told able acknowledgment was received by His Excellency
were weak, and that it would take them but a short the (lovernor (leneral.
time to take any forts that they had built here, as they During this same year, 1876, representations
had taken many strong stone forts from the Americans, having been made that owing to the destruction o<"
at small loan to themselves. crops by hail-stones, the inhabitants of the j)arish of
"
The Blackfeet had sent an answer to the Sioux a St. Albert,near Fximonton, were likely to suffer great
short time before I arrived, to the effect that they distress during the winter, it became necessary, in
could not smoke their tobacco on such terms, and that order to avert the threatened famine, to consider
they were not willing to make peace with the under- what steps should be taken to afford relief, and also

39
 to prevent the breaking up of the settlement and Macleod, that section of the Territories, as already
dispersion of the inhabitants. Instructions were stated,was in possession of outlaws and illicit traders.
accordingly given to the officer commanding the In his report for 1876, the Comptroller, Mr. Fred-
Police at Edmonton
to invite the clergy of the several erick White, was able to report:
"
denominations to assist him as a committee for re- The now
suppressed, and a number
liquor traffic is
lieving distress, to such extent as the surplus supplies of Americans have crossed the border and engaged
of the Mounted Police would permit, payment at in stock raising and other pursuits in Canadian ter-
cost price and expense of transport to be obtained ritory. A village has sprung up around Fort Macleod,
where possible. Where payment not possible, the and trade is rapidly increasing. The customs duties
best available security was to be taken for ultimate collected at
this port by the officers of the Pofice

payment in furs or money. during two months ended 31st October last,
the
The strength and distribution of the force at the amounted to $16,324.69, and over 20,000 robes were
end of the year 1876 was as follows: —Fort Macleod, shipped from there during the past season.
1 Commissioner, 1 Assistant Commissioner, 1 Surgeon, "At Cypress Hills, the scene of the massacre of 1873,
1 Quartermaster, 1 Inspector, 5 Sub-Inspectors, 103 there is also a settlement. The customs collections
Constables and Sub-Constables, and 105 horses; Fort made there by the Mounted Police during the nine
Walsh (Cypress Hills), 1 Quartermaster, 1 Inspector, months ended 30th September last, amounted to
4 sub-inspectors, 95 constables and sub-constables, $5,584.22."
90 horses; Fort Calgary, (1) 1 Quartermaster, It will be recalled that in 1872 an Act was passed
I Inspector, 33 Constables and Sub-Constables, at Ottawa providing for the unorganized territory of
37 horses; Fort Saskatchewan, 1 Inspector, 1 the North- W^ est by the Lieutenant Governor of Ma-
Sub-Inspector, 20 Constables and Sub-Constables, nitoba and a council appointed by the federal autho-
18 horses; Battleford and Carlton, 1 Inspector, rities. The members of this council, gazetted in
II Constables and Sub-Constables, 18 horses; January 1873 were the Honourables M. A. Girard,
Swan River, 1 Surgeon,
Veterinary Surgeon, 1 Donald A. Smith, Henry J. Clarke, Patrice Breland,
1 Inspector,
Sub-Inspector, 1 29 Constables Alfred Boyd, John Schultz, Joseph Dubuc, A. G. B.
and Sub-Constables, 10 horses; Shoal Lake, 7 Cons- Bannatyne, William Fraser, Robert Hamilton and
tables and Sub-Constables, 4 horses; Qu'Appelle 5 William Christie. There were afterwards added the
Constables and Sub-Constables, 4 horses; Beautiful Honourables James McKay. Joseph Royal, Pierre
Plains, 4 Constables and Sub-Constables and 3 horses. Delorme, W. R. Bown, W. N. Kennedy, John H.
The expenditure during the fiscal year ended 30th McTarvish and William Tait.
June 1876, for Mounted Pofice service was $369,518.39 This Act remained in force until 1875 when a bill
but that amount included $41,184.47 arrears of the providing for the further organization and govern-
years 1873-74 and 1874-75, also a charge of $19,762.95 ment of the North-West Territories was introduced
for miscellaneous stores taken over from Her Ma- in parliament by the Honourable Alexander Mac-

jesty's North American Boundary Commission in kenzie, being passed and coming into force in October
1874-75. 1876 with the Hon. David Laird as Lieutenant Gov-
If the Mounted Police was costing the country ernor. To assist the Governor there was a small
money, it was rendering good value for the expend- council consisting of Col. Macleod and Messrs Mat-
iture. Prior to the arrival of the Police at Fort thew Ryan and Hugh Richardson, Stipendary Ma-
gistrates.
(1) The firm of I. G. Baker and Company
of Fort Benton, Mont., a Immediately after the establishment of the Terri-
reputable firm, had a fur trading post at the junction of the Bow and Elbow
tories, as a separate Government, the Honourable
Rivers, close to the site of Fort Calgary when the Mounted Police entered
the country, and the year after the establishment of Fort Macleod, a de- Mr. Laird, Lieut.-Governor, proceeded to Winnipeg
tachment of the Police under Inspector Brisebois, was sent there. A
contract was entered into by I. G. Baker and Company to erect the ne-
en route for Livingstone, or Swan River Barracks,
cessary buildings or fort, very much after the style of the old Hudson the headquarters of the Mounted Police, which had
Bay log huts and stockade. The first police fort was built on the site of
the new barracks, and was the first permanent structure erected on the
been selected as the Provisional Seat of Government.
present town site. Calgary was at first known by a variety of names such His Honour reached Livingstone on the 11th of Nov-
as "The Mouth", "Elbow River" and "The Junction". When a detach-
ment was first stationed there it was known in the force as Brisebois'; and ember, and took the oaths of office and entered upon
when the fort was built Inspector Brisebois dated his reports from "Fort his duties as Lieutenant Governor on the 27th of
Brisebois". Finally Colonel Macleod, the Commissioner, was deputed
that month.
by Sir John A. Macdonald to confer a name on the fort, and he called it
by the name of his paternal home in Scotland, "Calgarry", which is the Just at this time various problems of the vexed,
Gaelic for "Clear Running Water". The double "r" does not appear to
have been popular and so we have the name with the single "r." In 1881 and always very delicate, Indian problem pressed upon
the Hudson Bay Company established a post at Calgary. the police and territorial authorities for settlement.
40
 The Sioux resident in Canada (not including, of accompanied with a backward and forward movement.
course, "Sitting Bull" and his followers) occupied a When the muscles were lifted out on the breast by the
somewhat exceptional and anomalous position in pincers, one end of a lariat (a rope or thong of rawhide
the country. They were a fragment of the large used for lasooing and picketing ponies) was tied to the
tribe of United States Indians of that name who took bleeding flesh, while the other end was fastened to the
refuge in British Territory in 1862, immediately after top of the pole in the centre of the lodge. The first
the Indian massacre in Minnesota. The bulk of young man, when thus prepared, commenced dancing
these refugees settled near Portage La Prairie, in the around the circle in a most frantic manner, pulling
Province of Manitoba; but a small number of them with might, so as to stretch out the rope, and by
all his

took up their residence at Qu'Appelle, others in the his jerking movements, loosening himself by tearing

neighborhood of Fort Ellice, and others near Turtle out the flesh. The young man's dance was accom-
Mountain, close to the Boundary line, and about 100 panied by a chant by those who were standing and
miles from the western limits of that Province. These sitting around, assisted by the thumping of a hideous
refugees and their children in 1872 numbered alto- drum, to keep time. The young brave who was under-
gether about 1,500 or 2,000. In 1875 two large going this self-torture finally succeeded in tearing him-
Reserves on the Assiniboine River were assigned to self loose, and the lariat, relaxed from its tightness,

the Manitoba Sioux, but it was difficult to induce them fell back towards the centre pole with a piece of
to settle there. the flesh to which it was tied. The victim, who, up to
Considerable diplomacy and great patience had to be this time, did not move a muscle of the face, fell down
exercised to induce even some of the better disposed on the ground, exhausted from the pain, which human
Canadian tribes to abandon their savage habits, in- weakness could no longer conceal. A squaw, probably
cluding tribal wars, horse and cattle stealing, self- his mother, rushed in and bore the young brave away.

torture, such as that practiced at the sun dance, etc. He had undergone the terrible ordeal, and amid the
congratulations of the old men, would be complimented
as a warrior of undoubted pluck and acknowledged
prowess.
"Another of the young men was cut in two places
under the shoulder blades; the flesh was raised with
pincers, and thongs tied around the loops of flesh and
muscle thus raised. The thongs reached down below
the knees and were tied to buffalo skulls. With these
heavy weights dangling at the ends of the thongs, the
Outskirtfi of an Indian Encampment during- a Pow-Wow. young man was required to dance around the circle
to the sound of the bystanders' chants and the accom-
The sun dance was a sort of religious ceremony in panying drum until the thongs became detached by
which the young braves, graduated from youth, as it the tearing away of the flesh. The young brave con-
were, testing their fortitude and stoicism in resisting tinued the performance until one of the thongs antl its
pain and torture. For this ceremony a large lodge, attached skull broke loose, but the other remained.
built in the shape of an amphitheatre and decorated The mother of the young man, prompted by an impulse
with bits of coloured stuff, was erected, an outer circle of savage affection or maternal pride, then rushed into
being divided off by a low barricade for the women, the ring leading a pony with a lariat around his neck.
the medicine men and chiefs being admitted to the Rapidly attaching the free end of the lariat on the
centre space. The sides and roof were covered with pony to the skull, which was still attached to the (juiv-
boughs. The performances began with low chants ering flesh of her son, she led the pony aroimd the ring,
and weird incantatioas. The neophytes were then the young brave being dragged around after it, but
brought in and partially stripped, their mothers usually still making a brave attempt to sustain the ciiant, and

taking an active and keenly interested part in the to break himself free from the skull. Finally, nearly
ceremony. A spectator at one of these revolting cere- exhausted, and unable to keep up with the pony, he
monies penned the following description: fell forward on his face, the pony of course keeping on,

"Then the medicine man began his part by cutting and the thong holding the skull being torn out of the
slits inthe flesh of the young men, taking up the mus- flesh. Still the his voice ghastly husky,
suff'erer,
cles with pincers. The older squaws assisted in lascer- chant as he grovelled on the ground
tried to join in the

ating the flesh of the boys with sharp knives. The in violent contortions for a few moments before being
women would at the same time keep up a howling, removed to the outside of the lodge.
41
 "
A third of the candidates was by the lariat hitched Salteaux tribe of the Objibb3ways, by which the

to the pony by raised loops of flesh and muscle in his country between Ontario and the limits of the old
back, and was dragged in this way several times round province of Manitoba was ceded. In September
the ring; but the steady force not being sufficient to 1874, Treaty No. 4 was made at Qu'Appelle Lakes
tear the noose free from the flesh, the pony was backed with the Crees, Salteaux, and mixed breeds, by which
up, and a slack being thus taken on the lariat, the pony 75,000 square miles were ceded. In September 1875,
was urged swiftly forward, and the sudden jerk tore Treaty No. 5 was made at Behren's River and at
"
the lariat out of the flesh. Norway House with the Salteaux and Swampy Crees,
Naturally the Mounted Police were desirous of put- extinguishing their title to the territory all around.
ting a stop to such debasing and cruel practices, but Lake Winnipeg. In 1876, treaty No. 6 was negotiated
the traditions and susceptibilities of the savages had to at Forts Carlton and Pitt, by which the Indian titles
be considered, and it has taken years of coaxing and to the lands along the Saskatchewan and north

example by the police, the missionaries and the officials thereof were extinguished.
of the Indian Department to secure the practical Lieut. -Governor Laird, in August 1877, received
abolition of these scenes. notification that he and Lieut.-Colonel Macleod had
The negotiating of the more recent Indian treaties been appointed Commissioners to negotiate a treaty
with various tribes imposed considerable duty in the with the Blackfeet and other Indians of the unsur-
way of escorts, guards, etc., upon the Police. These rendered parts of the North- West Territories adjoining
treaties, itshould be explained, were entered into for the International boundary.
the purpose of obtaining the formal consent of the Previous to this time Battleford, on the North
Indians to the settlement of the lands over which Saskatchewan, had been selected as the seat of gov-
particular tribes were accustomed to roam and hunt, ernment for the North-West Territories, and as the
and which the Canadian Government honourably new Government House, then being erected, was
hesitated to regard as other than the property of the about completed, Governor Laird removed his fur-
Indians until they had relinquished their natural rights niture and other properties to Battleford before
to its possession by formal treaty. proceeding to Macleod for the negotiation of the
In the year 1871, Treaty No. 1 was negotiated at treaty.
the Stone fort or Lower Fort Garry with the Objibbe- Some extracts from the official report of Lieutenant
ways and Swampy two tribes in the
Crees, the only Governor Laird are interesting, not only at giving an
original province of Manitoba, by Governor Archibald, idea of the procedure at these treaty negotiations,
and in the same year a treaty with the Indians farther but as indicating the various, and important duties
north, as far as Lake Winnipegosis and Behren's in connection therewith devolving upon the Mounted

River, and to the west as far as Fort Ellice. This Police. The Governor wrote, in part:
second treaty comprises a tract of country two or "On our journey, while within the limits of Treaty
three times the size of Manitoba. About four thou- No. 6, we met scarcely any Indians, but after we
sand Indians assembled on these occasions, the In- crossed Red Deer River we met a few Crees and Half-
dians agreeing to the extinguishment of the Indian breeds, and several huntingparties of Blackfeet.
title to the land on conditions satisfactory to the The former generally use carts in travelling, but the
Indians. These first two treaties in Canada's great Blackfeet and their associates are always on horse-
west were negotiated on principles which experience •
back.
in the older provinces of Canada had proved to be "The Crees appeared friendly, but were not so
mutually fair
just,and and which principles have demonstrative as the Blackfeet, who always rode up
been observed in all subsequent treaties made by the at once with a smile on their countenance and shook
Dominion with the Indians. In brief, the principles hands with us. They knew the uniform of the Mounted
in question were that the Indians should have allot- Police at a distance, and at once recognized and
ted to them reserves of land that no white men could approached them as their friends.
invade and that they themselves could not dispose "We resumed our journey on Monday, and arrived
of. Schools were to be established and maintained at Fort Macleod on the Old Man's River, on Tuesday,
among them, missionary effort encouraged, and re- the 4th of September. The distance between the
gular rations of food> besides other necessaries Blackfoot Crossing of the Bow River and the Fort is
supplied by the Government up to certain fixed about 79 miles, thus making the length of our journey
values per capita. from Battleford 365 miles, as measured by Major
In October 1873, Treaty No. 3 was made at the Irvine's odometer.
"
north-west angle of the Lake of the Woods with the A few miles from Fort Macleod I was met by the
42
Commissioner of the Mounted Police and a large "The chiefs
Stony unreservedly expressed their
party of the force, who escorted me into the fort, willingness to accept the terms offered.
"
while a salute was fired by the Artillery Company Fearing that some of the Indians might regard the
from one of the hills overlooking the line of march. demands of the Blood Chief who had spoken, if not
The men, whose horses were in excellent condition, promptly refused, as agreed to, I told them that he had
looked exceedingly well, and the officers performed asked too much. He had admitted the great benefit
their duties in a most efficient manner. the Police had been to the Indians, and yet he was so
"
Lieut.-Col. Macleod having attended to forwarding unreasonable as to ask that the Government should
the supplies to Bow River, which had been previously pay a large gratuity to each Indian for the little wood
delivered at the fort, left for the Blackfoot Crossing their benefactorshad used. On the contrary, I said,
with some eighty officers and men of the Police Force, ifthere should be any pay in the matter it ought to
on Wednesday, the 12th September. I followed on come from the Indians to the Queen for sending them
Friday and reached Bow River on Sunday morning. the Police.
The policehaving arrived on Saturday, the Com- "Hereupon, 'Crowfoot' and the other chiefs laughed
missioners were fully prepared for business on Monday, heartily at the Blood orator of the day.
"
the 17th, the day which I had from the first appointed When the Commissioners (the following day) in-
for the opening of the treaty negotiations. timated that they were ready to hear what the chiefs
" '

The Commissioners were visited by Crowfoot ', had to say, 'Crowfoot' was the first to speak. His
the principal Chief of the Blackfeet, shortly after their remarks were few, but he expressed his gratitude for
arrival. He desired to know when he and his people the Mounted
Police being sent to them and signified
might meet us. We ascertained that most of the his intention to accept the treaty.
"
Indians on the ground were Blackfeet and Assiniboines The Blood chief who made the large demands on
or Stonies, from the upper part of Bow River. the previous day said he would agree with the other

During Tuesday several parties of Indians came in,

'

Old Sun head chief of the North Blackfeet,

'
chiefs.

but the principal Blood chiefs had not yet arrived. said 'Crowfoot' spoke well. 'We are not going to
According to appointment, however, the Commission- disappoint the Commissioners. He was glad they
'

ers met the Indians at two o'clock on Wednesday. were all agreed to the same terms. They wanted
"An outline was given of the terms proposed for cattle, guns, ammunition, tobacco, axes and money.
"
their acceptance. We also informed them we did not 'Bull's Head,' the principal chief of the Sarcees.said

expect an answer that day, but we hoped to hear from

'
We are all going to take
your advice.
'

them to-morrow. That day we again intimated to the '"Kagle Head.' the Piegan head chief, remarked '1
give you my hand. We all agree to what Crowfoot says.
'

Indians that rations would be delivered to such as

applied for them. We told them that the provisions "'Rainy Chief,' head of the North Bloods, said he
were a present, and their acceptance would not be re- never went against the white man's advice. Some of
garded as committing the chiefs to the terms projwsed the minor chiefs s{)oke to the .same effect.
"
by the Commissioners. The officers of the Police Force who conducted the
"
We
then invited the chiefs to express their opinions. payments, discharged this duty in a most efficient
One of the minor Blood chiefs made a long speech. manner. Not in regard to the payments alone were the
He told us that the Mounted Police had been in the services of the officers most valuable.
"
country for four years, and had been destroying a With res|>ect to the whole arrangements, Lieut.-
quantity of wood. For this wood he asked that the Col. Mcl^eod, my a.s.sociate Conunissioner, both in that

capacity and as Commander of the Police,

Commissioners should make the Indians a present pay- wjis inde-

ment of $50 a head to each chief,and $30 a head to all fatigal)le in his exertions to bring the negotiations
to a

others. He said the Blackfeet, lihxMls. Sarcees and successful termination. The same laudable efforts
A.ssistant Com-
Piegans were all one. The police made it safe for were put forth by .Major Irvine, (the
Indians to sleep at night, and he hoped the (Ireat missioner) and the other officers of the force, and their
Mother would not soon take these men away. kindness to me, fx^rsonally. I shall never fail to re-
" member.
'Crowfoot said he would not sfx'ak until tcnmorrow,
'

'Old Sun,' another influential IMackfoot chief, said "The volunteer band of the force at Fort Machunl
the same.
' '
the head chief of the Piegans,
Kagle Tail, deserve more than a passing notice, an they did much
"
remarked that he had always followed the advice the to enliven the whole proceedings.
the .Mounted Police gave him.
officers of He hojx'd In concluding his refxirt, the Lieut4»nant Governor
the promise which the Commissioners made would be made the following highly flattering recommendation
securwl to them as long a« the sun shone and water ran. with regard to the Mounted Police:
43
 "
I would urge that the officers of the Mounted Police dians have confidence in the Police, and it might be
be entrusted to make the annual payments to the In- some time before they would acquire the same respect
"
dians under this treaty. The Chiefs themselves re- for strangers.
uested this, and I said I believed the Government
el
And it was only four years since the force had
would gladly consent to the arrangement. The In- marched into this then unknown country.

A Lancer of the N.W.M.P.

A sketch by H. JuHen during- French's March in 1874.

44
 CHAPTER V.
THE SITTING BULL INCIDENT

Unwelcome Visitors from

the United States Impose Several Years Hard Work and Grave
—
Responsibilities The Great Sioux Leader and the Custer Massacre.

more critical positions were ever faced remain in Canada; that the President of the United
by a force entrusted with the preservation of
FEW law and order in a country than that which
States and his Cabinet were upright men, willing and
anxious to do justice to the Indians; and should they
confronted the North-West Mounted Police when return peacefully, they would be properly cared for, and
Sitting Hull, the Sioux leader, with his warlike and any treaty made with them would be honestly fulfilled.
powerful nation, after the so-called Custer massacre It was evidently desirable that as wards of the United
in the United States, crossed the boundary line to seek States they should return to that country upon the
shelter in Canadian territory. Government of which morally devolved the burden
Sitting Bull and his warriors were flushed with a and the responsibility of their civilization, but how-
notable military success and liable to act rashly. could that end be attained?
They were warlike, powerful and hard to control, and Sitting Bull is commonly thought of jis a warrior.
their presence in Canada was a .source of anxiety both In point of fact he was not such. He was a medicine
to the Government of Canada and that of the United man, which means that he included within him.self
States. These Indians harboured feelings of fierce the three professions of the priesthood, medicine
hostility towards, and thorough distrust of the United and law. He inherited from his father the chieftain-
States people and Government. These feelings could ship of a part of the Sioux tribe; but his remarkable
be traced to two principal causes, the dishonesty of ascendancy over the whole tribe or nation was due
Indian agents and the failure of the U.S. Federal to his miracle-working and to his talents as a poli-
authorities to protect the Indian reservations from tician. He played upon the credulity of the Sioux
being taken possession of by an adventurous and with his "medicine", or pretended miracles, until
somewhat lawless white population. The officers they believed him to possess supernatural powers,
of the North- West Mountetl Police force were promptly and were ready to follow his lead in everything. Some
instructeflto urge upon Sitting Bull and his war- other Sioux inherited wider authority, and
chiefs
riorsthe necessity of keeping the peace towards the some minor were inclined now and then to dis-
chiefs

people of the United States, but it was felt to be not pute his sway, but when Sitting Bull made an appeal
desirable to encourage them to remain on Canadian to the religious fanaticism of the people there was
territory. Colonel Macleod was accordingly instnicted no withstanding him. As a medicine man he had the
to impress them with their .sfjuaws of the nation abjectly sul)servi(uit,and through
probable future hardships,
after the failure of the buffalo, should they elect to them was assisted in maintaining control of the bucks.

45
 It might, perhaps, be explained here that every man" simply a white man's expression which the
is

Indian tribe in the old days had many medicine men, Indians have adopted. It was originally used by
some of them and important personages. Some
chiefs the w^hite explorers and missionaries because they
were young, others old, but they were all leaders in found these tribal priests or magicians engaged in
religious and social functions. No one could visit their incantations at the sides of the sick, the wounded,
an Indian tribe at any festival time, or period of general or dying. But instead of being engaged in the prac-
excitement, without seeing the medicine men figuring tice of medicine the so-called "medicine men" were

very conspicuously in whatever was going on. Some- in reality exorcising the evil spirits of disease or death.
times they were merely beating drums or perhaps •

Sitting Bull was born about 1830 and was the son
only crooning while a dance or feast was in progress. of Jumping Bull, a Sioux chief. His father was, for
At other times they appeared in the most grotesque an Indian, a wealthy man. Bull, although
Sitting
not intended for a warrior, as a boy was a wonderfully
successful hunter, and at fourteen years of age he
fought and killed another Indian considerably older
than himself, receiving a wound, which made him
lame for He first became widely known to the white
life.

people of America in 1866, in that year leading a terrible

raid against the settlers and U.S. military post at
Fort Buford. His path was marked with blood and
made memorable by ruthless savagery. As the
marauders approached the fort, the commandant of
the post shot and killed his own wife at her earnest
request, to save her from the more cruel fate of falling
into the hands of the Sioux.
In the early '70's Sitting Bull set up a claim to all
the land for forty rods on both sides of the Yellow-
stone and all its tributaries. In the latter part of
1875 a party of fifty white men from Montana invaded
Sitting Bull's territory and built a fort. The Indians
were determined that the party should evacuate,
and during the months December 1875 and January
of
1876 there were daily attacks upon the fort. A
strong force of United States regulars and Montana
militia was sent to the relief of the place, the occu-

pants of the forts were taken away, and Sitting Bull

promptly fired the place. Sitting Bull reached the
zenith of his fame and power the succeeding summer.
Gold and silver had been discovered in the Black
Hills, in the district which was not only regarded by the
Indians as peculiarly their own, but in a certain sense
Sioux Leader "Sitting- Bull." (Ta-Ton-Ka-I-A-Ton-Ka. ) as a "medicine" or sacred region. There was a great
rush of miners and prospectors to the country imme-
costumes, painted all over, hung with feathers and diately, and it was one of these parties that established
tails and claws, and carrying some wand or staff, the fort which Sitting Bull had caused the evacuation
gorgeous with colour and smothered with Indian of. Several great Indian chiefs visited Washington to
finery. The medicine man was a conjurer, a magician, protest against the invasion of the prospectors, which
a dealer in magic, and an intermediary between the they pointed out was a clear violation of existing
men of this world and the spirits of the other. He treaties between the Indians and the United States
usually knew something, often a great deal, of the Government. The Washington officials agreed to
rude pharmacopoeia of his fellows, and occasionally, keep the prospectors out but failed to do so, and by the
prescribed certain leaves or roots to allay a fever, to autumn of 1875 there were a thousand niiners at work
arrest a cold or to heal a wound. That was not his in the Black Hills. Then the Indians demanded pay-
business, however, and such prescriptions were more ment for the land of which they were being deprived,
"
apt to be offered by the squaws. The term medicine and a Government commission was sent to the
46
spot to arrange matters. But the commission returned while he himself, with five companies, made a detour of
and reported that there was no use trying to arrange some three miles to take the hostiles in flank or rear.
matters without force to enforce the terms. This con- Reno's command found
themselves so outnumbered
vinced many of the Indians that the best thing they some heavy fighting and losing many men,
that, after
could do was to fight for their rights, and singly and by they were forced to withdraw to a high bluff, where
villages, they gradually deserted from Red Cloud, after entrenching themselves, they were able to hold

Spotted Tail and the other more peacefully disposed their own until joined by the four companies wiiich iuid

chiefs, and began flocking to Sitting Bull, who had all been detached. Custer and his immediate command
along been truculent and had opposed all suggestions literallyplunged headlong and recklessly into the very
to abandon the title of the Indians to the territory in strongest part of the Indian position and were literally
question. At the time, he was roaming about in the annihilated, not one officer, non-commissioned officer
northern part of Dakota, near the Canadian frontier. or man of those five gallant
companies surviving the
Anticipating serious trouble, the United States authori- massacre to the tale, although all sold their lives
tell

ties during the autumn of 1875 sent word to Sitting dearly, fighting to the very last. Reno and his force
Bull and the chiefs with him that they must report at succeeded in holding their own in their entrenched
the reservations allotted to them by the 1st of
January position against the repeated and desperate attacks of
1876, the alternative being war. The
threat having the Indians until relieved on the 27th by General
no effect, and a winter campaign having been attempted Terry.
and found unsatisfactory, a vigorous campaign was For some weeks the United States troops supposed
organized in the spring. Three columns under that Sitting Bull had been killed in the figiit with
the command of Generals Gibbon, Terry and Crook Custer's force, but in course of time reports from the
were equipped and placed under marching orders, the wild country in the north of the state near the Cana-
objective point being Sitting Bull's
camp Big in the dian frontier showed that he was alive, and military
Horn country. With General Terry's column, destined operations were resumed. In May, 1877, reports from
to march westward from Fort Lincoln, was the 7th Canada, through the North-West Mounted Police,
United States Cavalry, under the dashing young announced that the old leader, with many of his
General Custer, who had been such a picturesque figure warriors,had taken refuge across the International
in the final stages of the Civil war, and who had per- frontier.
formed many daring things in Indian warfare during As early as May, 1876, the Mounted Police had been
the years which succeeded the triumph of the Northern keeping a sharp lookout for bands of fugitive Indians
cause. from across the lines. The Assistant Commissioner,
June 22, Custer at the head of his fine regiment of Lieut.-Col. Irvine, in temporary command of the
twelve companies, left the divisional camp at the mouth Force during the Commissioner's absence in the cast,
of the Rosebud to follow a heavy trail leading up the in the summer, instructed Inspector Crozier. in com-
river and westward the direction of the Big Horn,
in mand at Cypress Hills, to even gather all the infor-
the expectation being that the hostile force would be mation he could regarding the movements of the
struck near the eastern branch of the last named river, Sioux Indians on the United States side of the line.
and known as the Little Big Horn. General Terry During December, 1876, United States Indians,
with the rest of his force started to ascend the Yellow- under Black Moon, an Unapapa Sioux chief, number-
stone by steamer, thence marching up the bank of the ing about 500 men, 1,0(K) women, and 1,400 children,
Big Horn. It was estimated that both cohimns would with about 3,500 horses and 30 United States govern-
be within striking distance of the hostiles and able to ment mules, cros.sed the line, and encamped at Wood
co-operate by the 26th. But on the 25th Custer's Mountain, east of the Cypress Hills. Sub-Inspector
force was involved in an awful disaster. Frechette having located this camp, Inspector Walsh
Comparatively unexpectedly Custer struck Sitting proceeded thither, arriving at Wood Mountain on the
Bull's camp in the valley of the Little Big Horn while 21st December, making the trip from the end of the
three of his companies were detached two miles on his Cypress Mountain in three and one-half days. The
left flank, and one to his rear. Without taking any hostiles had arrived only two days before the Inspect-
care to properly reconnoitre the hostile position, to or's arrival. Their camp was adjoining the Santee
ascertain its exact location and strength, he decided to camp of about 150 lodges, of which White Eagle was
attack at once, and with characteristic Anglo-Saxon the Chief, and was situated in the timber, four miles
disregard of Indians, recklessly divided his force, de- east of the Boundary Survey Buildings. White
tailingMajor Reno with three companies to attack the Eagle had occupied that section for many years past,

position from the direction of the original advance, and was ver>' observant of the Canatlian laws. He
47
expressed himself to be glad to see Inspector Walsh, for hunting purposes as their women and children
as he was unable to tell the new arrivals the laws were starving. They were using knifes made into
which they would have to observe if they remained lances for hunting buffalo, and others were lassoing
in this country. The matter had given him much and killing them with their knives. Some were using
uneasiness as he did not wish other Indians coming bows and arrows, and killing this way was so severe
in and joining his camp to be without a knowledge on their horses that they were nearly used up, and
of the law which would govern them. About six if they did not have any ammunition they must
o'clock on the evening of Walsh's arrival, White starve.

Eagle assembled all the hostile Chiefs; the principal Walsh replied that the Great Mother did not wish
" " "
ones amongst whom were The Little Knife, Long any people in her country to starve, and if she was
"
Dog," "Black Moon," and "The Man who Crawls, satisfied thatthey would make no other use of am-
and explained to them who the Inspector was. munition other than for hunting, she would not object
Walsh opened the Council by telling them he would to them having a small quantity, and that the Santees
not say much to them aside from giving them the who had always obeyed the laws could be allowed a
laws which governed the people in Canada, which small quantity; but they, the Uncapapa's Agallallas

they must obey as long as they remained, and to ask and others were strangers, and might want ammuni-
them a few questions to which answers would be tion to send to the people whom they claimed as

required, which, he would transmit to the Queen's brothers on the other side of the line. This, they
Great Chief in the country. declared they did not wish to do.
He asked them the following questions: "Do you Walsh then told them he would meet Mr. Le Garre,
know that you are in the Queen's country"? They a Wood Mountain trader, who was on his way with
replied, that they had been driven from their homes some powder and ball and 2,000 rounds of improved
by the Americans, and had come to look for peace. ammunition to trade to the Santees, and would allow
They had been told by their grandfathers that they him to trade to them a small quantity for hunting
would find peace in the land of the British. Their purposes only, and this appeared to relieve them
brothers, the Santees, had found it years ago and greatly.
they had followed them. They had not slept sound Not the least cause of anxiety in connection with
for years, and were anxious to find a place where the incursion of these United States Indians was
they could lie down and feel safe; they were tired of the fear of collision with the Canadian tribes. In
living in such a disturbed state. end of the year 1876, the Comptroller,
his report at the
Walsh next asked them, "Do you intend to re- Mr. White, wrote
" —
The country between the Cypress
:

main here during the cold months of winter, have Hills and the Rocky Mountains, which has hitherto

peace, and when spring opens, return to your country been claimed by the Blackfeet as their hunting ground,
across the line and make war?" They answered, no, has this year been encroached upon by other Indians
they wished to remain, and prayed that he would ask and Half-breeds, causing much irritation among the
the Great Mother to have pity on them. Blackfeet, who have called upon the Police to protect
Walsh then explained the laws of the country to them in maintaining their rights to their territory,
them as had been the police custom in explaining saying that if they were not restrained by the presence
them to other Indians, and further told them they of the Police, they would make war upon the intruders."
would have to obey them as the Santees and other According to the Commissioner's report, for 1877,
Indians did. the state of affairs existing during the early part of
The chiefs then made speeches in which
several that year in the southwesterly districts of the North-
they implored the Queen to have pity on them, and West was entirely different from any
Territories,
they would obey her laws. Walsh replied that he experienced since the arrival of the Force in the country.
would send what they had said to the Queen's Great The winter was extremely mild, week following week
Chief. In conclusion he told them there was one with the same genial sunshine, the mild weather being
thing they must bear in mind, the Queen would never interrupted only by an occasional cold day. There
allow them to go from her country to make war on was little or no snow, so that the grass of the prairie
the Americans, and return for her protection, and from one end to the other, being dried up easily, took
that if such were their intentions they had better fire, and only required a spark to set it ablaze for

go back and remain. miles in

every direction. Unfortunately, nearly all
The following day the Chiefs waited upon Walsh, the country out from the mountains, the favorite
with White Eagle for spokesman, and prayed that haunt of buffalo during the winter season, was burnt
he would allow them a small quantity of ammunition over, so that from this cause, and also on account of
48
the mild weather, the herds did not go into their the Sioux, and might be the means of checking any
usual winter feeding ground; but remained out in disturbance which might occur.
the plains to the north and south of the Saskatchewan. Happily the year passed over without any
The Blackfeet Indians who had as usual moved up signs of the rumored alliance of the Indians against the
towards the mountains in the fall, and formed their whites, and there were no signs of any dis-affection on
camp along the river bottoms, which had for years the part of the Canadian Indians. They had visited
back afforded them fuel and shelter, and easy access and mixed with the Sioux, and the Sioux with them,
to a supply of meat, were forced to take long journeys and there was no reason to think that those visits had
of seventy and one hundred miles, to secure the neces- meant anything more than a desire to make peace
sary supply of food for themselves and families, and with one another, as they had been enemies for years
eventually moved their camps out to where buffalo before. "Crow Foot," the leading chief of the Black-
were to be got, with the exception of few small camps, feet, told theCommissioner that he had been visited
who were in an almost starving condition several times by Sitting Bull who told him he wished for peace.
during the winter. Crowfoot had replied that he wanted peace; that he
The result of this condition of things was a large was glad to meet the Sioux leader on a friendly visit,
band of Blackfeet were gradually getting closer and but that he did not wish to camp near him, or that
closer to the Sioux, who were, by degrees, making their their people should mix much together in the hunt,

way up from the south-east in pursuit of buffalo, and it was better for them to keep apart.
while other bands of Indians and half-breeds were Immediately after the first party of Sioux crossed
pressing in both from the north and south. The most the lines in December, 1876, communication between
extravagant rumors were brought in from all directions. Fort Walsh and the Indian Camps was established
A grand confederation of all the Indians was to be by the erection of outposts convenient distances
formed hostile to the whites, every one of whom was apart. The police took possession of all firearms
to be massacred as the first act of confederation. and ammunition held by parties for the purpose of
"
Big Bear," a non-treaty Cree Indian chief, was said trade, and sales were only allowed in that region
to be fomenting trouble amongst the Indians on the on permits granted by the officers of the Force.
Canadian side. An officer. Inspector Crozier, whom Early in March, Medicine Bear and his tribe of
the Commissioner sent to inquire into the matter, Yanktons (300 lodges) crossed into Canadian terri-
was told that he would not get out of Big Bear's camp tory, and also Four Horns, the head-chief of the
alive. Tetons, with 57 lodges direct from Powder River.
The police officers felt quite confident the reported Inspector Walsh held a council with the new arrivals
confederation was without foundation. And so far as on March 3rd, at their camp on the White Mud River,
the Blackfeet were concerned, their loyalty had been 120 miles east of Fort Walsh.
made firmer than ever by the treaty which had been These chiefs set up the claim that all the Sioux
very opportunely made the autumn before. The tribeswere British Indians. From child-hood they
Commissioner, in fact, had often received assurances had been instructed by their fathers that properly
of their support in case the Force got into trouble with they were children of the British, and in their tribes
the Sioux, and he could never trace the reports of dis- were many of the medals of their "White Father",
affection amongst the Canadian Indians to any re- (George III), given to their fathers for fighting the
liable source. Even " Big Bear," who had a bad Americans. Sixty-five years previously, was the first
reputation, when visited by Inspector Crozier, re- their fathers knew of being under the Americans,

pudiated any intention of behaving as had been but why the "White Father" gave them and their
reported. country to the Americans they could not tell. Their
On account of the large gathering of Indians of fathers were told at the time by a chief of their
Commissioner deemed it advisal)le
different tribes, the "White Father" that if they did not wish to live
to recommend the concentration of as large a Force with the Americans they could move northward
as possible at Fort Walsh, the post nearest to where and they would again find British land there.
the Indians would be congregated. The Canadian Towards the end of May, Sitting Bull, with his
Indians had frequently exprcsse<l a desire that some immediate tribe, crossed the boundary and joined
of the police .should be near them during the summer, the other Unite<l States Indians in Canadian Terri-
when they were out on the plains. The Oimmissioner tory.
thought that the presence of a strong force at Fort Inspector Walsh promptly had an interview with
Walsh might strengthen the hands of the Canadian Sitting Bull. Bear's Head and several other C'hiefs.
who were very intrusion of They asked for ammunition, and Inspector Walsh
Indians, jealous of the
49
informed them that they would be permitted to have chiefs that Lieut.-Col. Irvine was the highest chief
meat for their families, but cautioned
sufficient to kill of the Great Mother at present in the country, and
them against sending any across the line. They that he had now come to their camp to hear what they
also made the claim thatgrandfathers were
their had to say to him, and to learn for what purpose the
British, and that they had been raised on the fruit three Americans who at present were in the camp
of English soil. Inspector Walsh explained the law had come from United States to Canadian territory to
to them, and asked Sitting Bull if he would obey it. their camp.
He replied that he had buried his arms on the Ameri- Lieut.-Col. Irvine, addressing the Indians through
can side of the line before crossing to the country —
an interpreter remarked: "You are in the Queen's,
of the White Mother. When he wanted to do wrong, the Great Mother's country. Major Walsh has ex-
he would not commit it in the country of the White plained the law of the land which belongs to the Great
Mother, and if in future he did anything wrong White Mother. As long as you remain in the land of
on the United States side, he would not return to the Great White Mother, you must obey her laws.
this country any more. He also said he had been As long as you behave yourselves, you have nothing
fighting on the defensive; that he came to show us to fear. The Great White Mother, the Queen, takes
that he had not thrown this country away, and that care of everyone in her land in every part of the world.
"
his heartwas always good, with the exception of such Now that you are in the Queen's land you must
times as he saw an American. Inspector Walsh, not cross the line to fight the Americans and return
from the interview, gathered that Sitting Bull was of to this country. We
will allow you enough ammunition

a revengeful disposition, and that if he could get the to hunt buffalo for food, but not one round of that

necessary support he would recross the line and make ammunition is to be used against white men or Indians.
war on the Americans. "In the Queen's land we all live like one family.
May 29, Lieut. -Colonel Irvine, the Assistant Com- If a white man or Indian does wrong he is punished.
missioner arrived at Fort Walsh, and shortly after The Queen's army is very strong, and if any of her
his arrival, six young warriors arrived from Sitting children do wrong she will get them and punish them.
Bull's camp to report that three Americans had If anyone comes into your camp like those Americans
arrived there. On the morning of the 31st, the Assistant did, come to the Fort and tell Major Walsh. You are
Commissioner started for the camp, (140 miles due quite right, and I am glad you did send your young
east) accompanied by Inspector Walsh and Sub-Ins- men to tell Major Walsh about these men. As soon
pectors Clark and Allen. Irvine was much impressed as your young men arrived at the Fort, we started,
with Sitting Bull. He found the Indians very bitter and came here to see you and shake hands. I will
I

towards the three men in their camp for following go to see those Americans and find out what they are
them, regarding them as spies. The three were doing here, and will take them out of the camp with
Reverend Abbott Martin, a Roman Catholic mis- me. I am glad you are looking for peace and behaving
sionary, General Miles' head scout and an army yourselves here. We will protect you against all harm,
interpreter. But for Sitting Bull's promise to Walsh, and you must not hurt anyone this side of the line.
the two latter, who were known to the Indians, would You were quite right not to hurt the Americans who
have been shot. The object of the priest was simply came here and to send to Major Walsh. You need
to try and induce the Indians to return to their agen- not be alarmed. The Americans cannot cross the line
cies. The army men claimed that they had accompanied after you. You and your families can sleep sound and
the priest for protection, but that their object was to need not be afraid."
ascertain from the Mounted Police, if the Indians Lieut.-Col. Irvine was somewhat surprised at re-
intended to return. ceiving a visit in his tent from Sitting Bull after eleven
The council between Irvine and Sitting Bull was that night. He sat on the Assistant Commissioner's
conducted with impressive ceremony. The peace pipe bed until an early hour in the morning, telling him in
was smoked, the ashes taken out and solemnly buried, a subdued tone his many grievances against the
"
and the pipe was then taken to pieces and placed over Long Knives."
the spot. At first Sitting Bull's party in Canadian territory
Sitting Bullhad around him Pretty Bear, Bear's Cap, numbered 135 lodges, but it rapidly augmented.
The Eagle Down, Spotted Eagle, Sweet Bird,
Sitting It was astounding with what rapidity the news of

Miracongae, &c., &c.; and in the Council Lodge there Sitting Bull's safe arrival in Canada was transmitted
must have been some hundred men, women and to other branches of Sioux who had, up to that time,
children. remained in the United States. This news quickly
Inspector Walsh informed Sitting Bull and the had the effect of rendering the North-West Territories
50
attractive to the remainder of the hostile Indians who Secretary of State, the Hon. R. W. Scott, expUiined
had taken part in the Custer fight, their numbers being that both Blackfeet and Crees were anxious about
augmented by large bands of Indians of the same tribes the invasion of their territory by the Sioux. The
who previousl}' had been located in United States re- Blackfeet had remembered that before the
servations —in
other words, a general stampede took took possession of the country for Canada they had
police

place, and in an extremely short time Canada became been always able to keep them out. The Commis-
the home of every Sioux Indian who considered him- sioner strongly advised that an attempt be made to
self antagonistic to the United States Government. In induce the Sioux to recross to the United States side.
all,they numbered some 700 lodges; these lodges being He recommended that the United States Government
crowded, it may safely be estimated that they con- be corresponded with and their terms submitted to
tained eight souls to a lodge; thus suddenly the North- the Sioux, who would be told that they could not be
West had its Indian population increased in a very un- recognized as British Indians, that no reserves could
desirable manner by some five thousand souls. In be set apart for them in Canada, and no provision
addition to Sitting Bull, the Mounted Police had such made for their support by the Government; and
celebrated chiefs as "Spotted Eagle," "Broad Trail," moreover, that by remaining on the Canadian side
"
"Bear's Head," "The Flying Bird," The Iron Dog," they would forfeit any claim they had on the United
" "
and many others to deal with.
Little Knife, States.
Not only were the fears of actual and intending August 15, 1877, the Hon. R. W. Scott, Secretary
settlers aroused, but our own Indians and Half- of State, telegraphed Lieut-Col. Macleod, then at Fort
breeds looked with marked, and not unnatural, dis- Benton, Mont., as follows: —
favour upon the presence of so powerful and savage "Important Sitting Bull and other United
that
a nation (for such it really was) in their midst. Cana- States Indians should be induced to return to reser-
dians were assured on all sides that nothing short vations. United States Government have sent Com-
of an Indian war would be on our hands; to add to missioners to treat with them. Co-operate with Com-
this, serious international complications at times missioners, but do not unduly press Indians.
seemed inclined to present themselves. Both the "Our action should be persuasive, not compulsory.
United States and Canadian press kept pointing out "Commissioners will probably reach Benton about
the possibility of such a state of affairs coming about. 25th inst. Arrange to meet them there."
The press of Manitoba urged that a regiment of The commission referred to in the preceding, ai>-
mounted troops, in addition to the police, should pointed by the President of the United States, consist-
be sent to the North- West to avoid international com- ing of Generals Terry and Lawrence, was sent to Fort
plications and the interruption of trade. Walsh, in which vicinity the Siou.x were, to endeavour
The matter was even referred to by Major General to induce the refugees to return to the United States.

Selby Smith in his annual report on the Canadian The commissioners and their party arrived at the
Militia for the year 1877, he, writing: Canadian frontier on October 15th and we:o there
"The recent addition to the Indian population of met by an escort of the Mounted Police, who accom-
the prairies, by the arrival of a large body of Sioux panied them until their return to United States ter-
under the notorious Chief 'Sitting Bull', at Cypress ritory. The next day after cro.ssing the boundary
Hills, calls for increased precautions and strength; the commission arrived at Fort Walsh, where Major
and especially for the greatest possible efficiency of Walsh of the I*olice, under instructions from head
the North-West Mounted Police. From my per- quarters, issued at the instance of the Commissioners,
sonal experience of this valuable body of men I can had induced Sitting Bull to come. The following day
speak in high terms of approval. In my report a conference was held between the connnissioners
8ub.sec|uent to my journey through the North-West and Sitting Bull, who was accompanied by Spotted
Territories two years ago, I ventured to recommend Tail and a number of his other chiefs.
a depot and training establishment in Ontario for General Terry told Sitting Bull through his inter-
preters that his was the only Indian band
officers, men and horses of the North-West Mounted
which
Police, to be an obvious neces.sity; to spend six had not sjirrendered to the United States. He pro-
months for instructions before joining their troops posed that the band should return and .settle at the
so widely detached over the spacious r^ion of those agency, giving up their horses and arms, which would
"
pathless prairies. be sold and the tnoncy invested in cattle for them.
As early as 30, 1877, Lieut.-Col. Macleod, the Bull
May Sitting rcplii'd:
"
Commi-ssioncr, Ottawa, in a report to the
then in For sixty-four years you have kept me and my
Prime Minister, the Hon. Alex, Mackenzie, and the people and treated us bad. What have we done
51
that you should want us to stop? We have done two more words. Go back home, where you came
nothing. It is all the people on your side that have from. This country is mine, and I intend to stay
started us to do these depredations.
all We
could here, and to country full of grown people.
raise this

not go anywhere else, and so we took refuge in this See these people here? We were raised with them.
country. It was on this side of the country we learned (Again shaking hands with the police officers.) That
to shoot, and that is the reason why I came back to it is enough; so no more. You see me shaking hands
again. I would like to know why you came here. with these people. The part of the country you gave
In the first place, I did not give you the country, me you ran me out of. I have now come here to stay
but you followed me from one place to another, so with these people, and intend to stay here. I wish
I

I had to leave and come over to this country. I was to go back, and to 'take easy' going back.
it [Taking
born and raised in this country with the Red River a Santee Indian by the hand.] These Santees I —
half-breeds, and I intend to stop with them. I was was born and raised with them. He is going to tell
"
laised hand-in-hand with the Red River half-breeds. you something about them.
" "
The-one-that-runs-the-roe, a Santee Indian,
said: "Look was born and raised in this
at me! I

country. These people, awa}^ north here, I was raised

—
with my hands in their own. I have lived in peace
with them. For the last sixty-four years we were
over in your country, and you treated us badly.
We have come over here now, and you want to try
and get us back again. You didn't treat us well,
and I don't like you at all." ^
"
A squaw with the peculiar appelation The-one-that-
speaks-once" then spoke, remarking: — "I was over in
your country I wanted to raise my children over there,
;

but you did not give me any time. I came over to this
country to raise my children and have a little peace.
(Shaking hands with the police officers.) That is all I
have to say to you. I want you to go back where you
came from. These are the people I am going to stay
"
with, and raise my children with.
''The Flying Bird" then made a speech and said:
"
These people here, God Almighty raised us together.
We have a little sense and we ought to love one another.
Sitting Bull here says that whenever you found us out,
wherever his country was, why, you wanted to have it.
It is Sitting Bull's country, this is. These people sitting
all around me: what they committed I had nothing to

do with. I was not in it. The soldiers find out where

Superintendent J Walsh. we live, and they never think of anything good; it is
"
always something bad. (Again shaking hands with
and we are going over to that part of the country, the police officers.)
and that is the reason why I have come over here. The Indians having risen, being apparently about to
(Shaking hands with Col. Macleod and Major Walsh.) leave the room, the interpreter was then directed to
That is the way I was raised, in the hands of these people ask the following questions :

here, and that is the way I intend to be with them. "Shall I say to the President that you refuse the
You have got ears, and you have got eyes to see with offers that he has made to you? Are we to understand
them, and you see how I live with these people. You from what you have said that you refuse those offers?"
see me? Here I am! If you think I am a fool, you Sitting Bull.
" —
I could tell you more, but that is all

are a bigger fool than I am. This house is a medicine I have to tell you. If we told you more why you —
house. You come here to tell us lies, but we would not pay any attention to it. That is all I have
don't want to hear them! I don't wish any such to say. This part of the country does not belong to
language used to me; that is, to tell me such lies, in my your people. You belong to the other side; this side
"
Great Mother's (the Queen's) house. Don't you say belongs to us.
52
 And so the commission returned to the United States head chief of the Bloods, confined in the I'olice Guanl
without having accomphshed anything. Room at Macleod on a charge of theft, escaped across
After the interview of the United States Commis- the lines. Some time afterwards he returned to
sioners with the Indians, Col. Macleod had a "talk" Mecasto's camp, and the chief at once apprehended
with the latter. He endeavoured to impress upon them him, and with a large number of his warriors, de-
the importance of the answer they had just made; livered him up at the fort gate to the officer in com-
that although some of the speakers to the Commis- mand.
sioners had claimed to be British Indians, the British An incident of trouble between Canadian Indians
denied the claim, and that the Queen's Government at this time is interesting as
indicating the pluck
looked upon them all as United States Indians who had shown by the police in dealing with the Indians.
taken Canada from their enemies. As long
refuge in May 25, 1877, Child, a Sauteaux Treaty
Little
as they behaved themselves the Queen's Government Walsh and reported that the
Chief, arrived at Fort
would not drive them out, and they would be pro- Sauteaux, numbering 15 lodges, and 250 lodges of
tected from their enemies, but that was all they could
expect.
It is hard to realize the awkward position in which
the PoHce Force was placed. From 1877 up to 1881 the
force maintained a supervision and control of the refugee
Siou.x. It would take chapters to give even a short sum-

mary of the perpetual state of watchfulness and anxiety

the force was kept in during these years, to say nothing
of the hard service all ranks were constantly being
called upon to perform. Ever)^ movement of the
Sioux was carefully noted and reported upon. The
severity of the North-West winter was never allowed to
interfere in the slightest degree with the police duty
it -was considered necessary to perform.
.Many reports, official and semi-official, were for-
warded through various channels on what was con-
" "
sidered the vexed Sioux question.
At one time many people were of the opinion that
Sitting Bull and his band of immediate followers
would never be induced to surrender to the United
States, the impression being that these undesirable
settlers were permanently located in our territories.

Through the officers of the force, however, negotiations

were carefully carried on with the Sioux. Besides the
basicdifficulties tobe overcome, the intricate and delicate
manner with which the officers had to deal with even
the smallest details relating to the ultimate surrender
necessitating the exercise of great caution. Many
complications arose, all of which delayed materially
the surrender so much desired and eventually effected.
Among other things a questionable and discreditable
influence was brought to bear by small traders and
others in anticipation of inducing the Sioux to remain
in Cana<ia.
While the
(jualities of patience and diplomacy pos-
8e»He<lby the Mounted Police were l)eing tried to the
utmoHt with the refugee Indians from across the lines,
they were encourage<l by several evidences of the
confidence in and respect for them shown by the
Canadian Indians.
During the year 1877, one of the band of .Mecasto,
not leave; that if they persisted in doing so the soldiers soon entered camp and surrounded the war lodge,
would kill their horses and dogs, and cut their lodges, and found Crow's Dance and nineteen warriors in
etc. Little Child replied if they did him any harm it. Walsh had them immediately moved out of
or occasioned any damage to his people, he would camp to a small butte half a mile distant; found the
report the matter to the Police. Crow's Dance re- lodges of the Blackfoot and Bear's Down; arrested
plied, "We care as little for the Police as we do for and took them to the butte. It was now 5 a.m.,
" and Walsh ordered breakfast and sent the interpreter
you.
Little Child then had a Council with his head men, to inform the chiefs of the camp that he would meet
and addressed them as follows: "We made up our them in council in about an hour. The camp was
minds to move but are forbidden. When the children taken by surprise, the arrests made and prisoners
of the White Mother came to the country we thought taken to the butte before a Chief in the camp knew
they would protect us to move wherever we pleased, anything about it.
as long as we obeyed her law, and if any one did us
any harm we were to report to them. This is the
first time that any such an occurrence has happened

since the arrival of the Police in the country; let us

move; the Assiniboines attack us, and we will
let
' '

report to the White Mother's Chief, and see if he

will protect us."
To they all assented and the camp was ordered to
this
move. The lodges were pulled down, and as they
attempted to move off, between two and three hundred
warriors came down on the camp and commenced
firing with guns and bows in every direction, upsetting
travois cutting lodges, etc., besides killing nineteen
dogs (a train dog supplied the place of a horse to an
Indian) knocking men down and threatening them
with other punishment.' The women and children
ran from the camp, screaming and crying. It seems
only by a miracle that no serious damage was done
with the fire-arms, as the warriors fired through the
camp recklessly. When warned by Little Child that
he would report the matter to the Police, Crow's
Dance struck him and said: "We will do the same
to the Police when they come".
After the attack was over Little Child and camp
moved northwards, and the Assiniboines toward
the .east. At 11 Walsh started
a.m.. Inspector
with Inspector Kittson, fifteen men and a guide, to
arrest Crow's Dance and his head men. At 10 p.m.
the party arrived at the place where the disturbance Inspector E. Dalrymple Clark, First Adjutant of the
North-West Mounted Police.
occurred and camped. At 2 a.m., they were again
on the road, a march of about 8 miles brought them
in sight of the camp. The camp was formed in the At the appointed time the following Chiefs assem-
shape of a war camp with a war lodge in the centre. bled, viz., "Long Lodge," "Shell King" and "Little
"
In the " war lodge Walsh expected to find the head Chief". Walsh told them what he had done, and
Crow's Dance, with his leaders.
soldier. that he intended to take the prisoners to the fort
Fearing they might offer resistance, as Little Child and try them by the law of the White Mother for
said they certainly would, Walsh halted and had the the crime they had committed; that they, as chiefs,
arms of his men inspected, and pistols loaded. Striking should not have allowed such a crime to be committed.
the camp so early, he thought he might take them They replied, they tried to stop it but could not.
by surprise. So he moved west, along a ravine, about Walsh then said he was informed there were parties
half a mile; this bringing him within three-fourths of in the at that moment who wished to leave,
camp
a mile of the camp. At a sharp trot the detachment but were afraid to go; that these parties must not be
54
stopped; and for them (the chiefs) to warn their pose of surrendering to the United States authorities
soldiers never in future to attempt to prevent any at Fort Bulford, U.S. The final surrender was made
person leaving camp; that according to the law of at Fort Bulford, U.S., on the 21st of July, 1881, in the
the White Mother every person had the privilege of presence of Inspector Macdonell, who had been sent on
leaving camp when they chose. At 10 a.m., Walsh in advance of the Indians by the Commissioner to
left the Council, and arrived at Fort Walsh at 8 p.m., inform the United States authorities.
a distance of 50 miles.
In his annual report for 1881, Lieut.-Colonel Irvine,
Before entering the camp, Walsh explained to his
Commissioner of the Mounted Police wrote:
men that there were two hundred warriors in the
"
camp who had put the Police at defiance; that he I cannot refrain from placing on record my appre-
intended to arrest the leaders; but to do so perhaps ciation of the services rendered by Superintendent
would put them in a dangerous position, but that Crozier, who was in command at Wood Mountain
they would have to pay strict attention to all orders during the past winter. I also wish to bring to the
iriven no matter how severe they might appear. favourable notice of the Dominion Government the
Walsh afterwards reported that from the replies loyal and good service rendered by Mr. Legarrie,
and the way his men acted during the whole time, trader, who at all times used his personal influence with
he was of opinion that every man of this detachment the Sioux in a manner calculated to further the policy
would have boldly stood their ground if the Indians of the Government, his disinterested and honourable
had made any resistance. course beingdecidedly marked, more particularly
Sitting Bull vainly strove to bring forward some pre- when compared with that of other traders and indi-
text by which he and his followers might remain on viduals. At the final surrender of the Sioux, Mr.
Canadian soil. Finally, recognizing that nothing be- Legarrie must have been put to considerable personal
yond right of asylum would be afforded him, this once expen.se, judging from the amount of food and other
mighty chief left the Wood Mountain Post for the pur- aid supplied by him."

5.3
 CHAPTER VI.

UNDER SIR JOHN AGAIN

The Mounted Police Placed under the Department of the Interior — Experimental Farming
BY THE Force — Lieut.-Col.
A. G. Irvine Succeeds Lieut.-Col. Macleod as Commissioner —
Difficulties with the Indians in the Southern part of the Territories — Tribes Induced to
Leave the Dancer Zone near the International Frontier —The Establishment of the Force
Increased by Two Hundred Men.

16, 1878, the Mackenzie Government 1878 was directed, are so rapidly becoming occupied
OCTOBER having sustained defeat at the general elections, that the stream of settlement is finding for itself new
and the following day Sir John A. courses, notably in the Bird's Tail Creek district, and
-
resigned,
Macdonald formed a new cabinet, taking himself the south-easterly of Fort EUice, westerly of the Little
portfolio of the Department of the Interior. That Saskatchewan, and in the country south of the Assini-
the great statesman still retained a keen personal in- boine, in and near the valley of the Souris River; also
terest in the North-West Mounted Police was soon in the neighborhood of the Turtle Mountains, which
shown, for no later than the month of November, extend along the International Boundary from 40 to
the charge of the North- West Mounted Police was 60 miles beyond the Province of Manitoba. Attention
transferred to the Department of the Interior, from is also being directed to the subject of stockraising,
the Department of the Secretary of State. After this for which that section of the Territories lying along
change the several branches through which the opera- the easterly base and slopes of the Rocky Mountains is
tions of the Department of the Interior were conducted said to offer unusual facilities, in the way both of shelter
stood as follows: — North- West Territories, District of and pasturage, cattle being able to subsist in the open

Keewatin, Indians and Indian Lands, Dominion Lands, airduring the whole winter, and being found in good
Geological Survey and North-West Mounted Police. condition in the spring. A number of people are al-
In his annual report for 1879, Lieut.-Col. Macleod, ready engaged in the pursuit of this industry, and with
the Commissioner stated : so much success that there is every probability of its
"It will be learned with satisfaction that the con- further development by gentlemen of experience in
siderable influx of population into the North-West stock-farming and possessed of large capital, both from
Territories, to which I had the honour to direct attention Great Britain and the older Provinces."
in my last report, has very greatly increased during The officers in charge of posts at the end of the
the past twelve months, and the coming season pro- year 1879, were Superintendent W. D. Jarvis, Sas-
mises results far beyond anything which has so far katchewan; Supt. J. Walker, Battleford; Supt. W. H.
been experienced. The Pembina Mountain, Rock Lake, Herchmer, Shoal Lake; Supt. J. M. Walsh, Wood
Little Saskatchewan and Prince Albert Districts, to Mountain; Supt. L. N. F. Crozier, Fort Walsh; and
which the greater proportion of the immigration of Supt. Wm. Winder, Fort Macleod.
56
 Surgeons Kittson and Kennedy were in medical pelle under Superintendent Crozier, and another from
charge at Forts Walsh and Macleod respectively. the same
post, consisting of one officer and fifteen
The Commissioner recommended that as soon as men, under Inspector Dickens, attended the payments
practicable in the spring, there be a redistribution of at Sounding Lake, supplementing another escort from
—
the force as follows: Fort Macleod, 2 divisions; Fort Battleford under Inspector French and another escort,
;

Walsh, 2 divisions; Fort Qu'Appelle, 1 division; Fort consisting of one officer and fifteen men, under the
Saskatchewan and Battleford, 1 division, with such command of Inspector Cotton, accompanied the
outposts as may be thought necessary. The Commis- Right Reverend Abbott Martin to Wood Mountain
sioner considered it advisable on account of the large on an unsuccessful mission to Sitting Bull and his
number of Indians who would undoubtedly flock back Sioux on behalf of the United States Government.
in the spring to both the Cypress Hills and the Bow In addition to their other multitudinous duties,
River country, that the force mentioned shoukl be the Mounted Police in 1879 undertook farming opera-

kept at these posts. It was felt that it would be some tions of an experimental and extended character in
Southern Alberta. The Commissioner reported :
—
"Farming operations on the Police Farm about 30
miles from Fort Macleod have l)een carried on with
great success for a first year's trial. I am satisfied
that next year they will yield as good returns as Ins-
pector Shurtliff
expects. The farm is beautifully
situated, the soil is excellent, and it only requires the
earnest attention of those who have to do with it to
"
make a success in every way.
it

Lieut.-Col. Macleod during the year held several

civil courts, both at Fort Walsh and Macleod, claims

for over eight thousand dollars having been entered

and adjudicated upon. In order to visit the different
posts, and carry out the duties he was instructed to
perform, the Commissioner travelled in waggons and
on horseback over two thousand three hundred miles.
Owing to the complete failure of the buffalo hunt
in 1879 there was a famine among the Southern Al-

berta Indians, and the police at Fort Macleod and

other posts were taxed to their utmost resources in
affording relief. Messengers and deputations from
Crowfoot were constantly arriving, asking assistance
and reporting the dying condition, and even deaths,
of many of the Blackfeet and allied tribes from starva-
tion. Superintendent Winder, in command at Fort
Macleod despatched Inspectors Mcllree and Frechette,
Commissioner of the Nt>rlh-VVest
at different intervals to the camp at the Blackfoot
Lieut. -Colonel A. Ci, Irvine,
Mounted Police— 1880— 1886. Crossing, with such provisions as he was able to get,
to the relief of the Indians, and to the extent he was
time before these people could be settled down on their able to spare from his limited (juantity of stores; at
reserves, and there would be a great deal of trouble one time the police stores at Macleod were reduce<l
making them do so. down to six bags of flour on hand. At this time
At all the Indian payments in the North-West, in (June) from 1.200 to 1,500 Indians (Bloods, Peigans
1879, the officers and men of the Police took over and Surcees). encami)ed around the Fort, were being
and attended to the distribution of the supplies, and fed, and later on as many as 7,000 men, women and
at all places in Treaties Nos. 6 and 7, with the exception children, all ina destitute condition, applied for re-
of Sounding Lake. Battleford and Port Pitt, they lief. Beef and flour were distributed every other
performed the duties of paymasters. In accordance day small (juantifies to each family.
in The Super-
with instructions received from the Department, an intendent, himself always attended at this distribu-
escort from Fort Walsh of two officers and 30 men tion, in order that if any Indian complained of not

proceede<i to and attende<l the payments at l^u'Ap- receiving his portion he could settle the difficulty.
57
 In this he was assisted by the officers, non-commis- The barrack accommodation was generally bad.
sioned officers and men. This continued until after For instance Superintendent Walker reported as
the payments were made, in October, when the ma- follows as to the Battleford barracks on December 19:

jority of the Indians left for the Milk River country,

— "The Battleford barracks are just as you saw them
south of the boundary line, in quest of buffalo. last summer, except that they were all mudded over
At this time the officers of the various posts found when the cold weather set in. They are still very
the actual duties so exacting that they were unable uncomfortable; we are now burning from four to five
to spare the time for the training of the men that cords of wood per day, and it is only by keeping on
they would have liked. For instance in his report fires night and day that the buildings are made habit-

dated Fort Walsh, December 29, 1879, Superinten- able. This morning, with the thermometer 37° below
dent Crozier wrote: zero,water was frozen on the top of the stove in my
"
I have the honor to inform you that the force at bedroom, notwithstanding there was sufficient fire
this considering the great amount of detach-
fort, in the stove to start the morning fire."

ment, escort and other duty during the summer, and

continually being done, is, as regards their drill and
knowledge of general duties, efficient. It will be
understood that it is quite impossible to take raw
recruits and in a few months, while, at the same time,

doing all the various duties they may be called

upon to do, bring them to a state of perfection. The
recruits have not had the instruction in equitation
that I should have wished, had their other duties not
been so heavy. In my opinion, it would tend greatly
to the efficiency of the force if a depot for the training
and instruction of recruits was established where
they would remain for a stated time, solely for that
purpose, before being allowed to do general duty.
Such an establishment would, I consider, now that
the term of service is five years, be much more fea-
sible than when three years was the term. "
The distribution of the force this year (1879) was as
follows :
—
"A" Division, Fort Saskatchewan; "B" Division, Fort
Walsh and Outposts; "C" Division, Fort Macleod; "D"
Division, Shoal Lake and Outpost; "E" Division,
Forts Macleod and Calgary; "F" Division, Battleford.
Several, now important outposts, were established
this year and the preceding one. The Prince Albert
post was established as an outpost of Battleford early
in the winter of 1878, principally to look after the Superintendent James Walker, now a leading resident ot
Calg'ary.
wandering bands of Minnesota Treaty Sioux Indians,
who were said to be causing annoyance to the settlers Lieut.-Col. J. F. Commissioner
Macleod, C.M.G.,
by petty pilfering, etc., but after the arrival of the police of the force, having been re-appointed a Stipendiary
not a single case of pilfering was charged against them.
Magistrate for the North- West, on the 1st of November,
In February, 1879, Supt. Walker, in command at
1880, resumed the duties connected with that position,
Battleford, received intelligence that Chief Beardy the district assigned to him being the southern and
of Duck Lake and his band of Indians, had threatened south-western section of the Territories, with residence
several times to break into Stobart, Eden Co's store at Fort Macleod. Lieut.-Col. A. G. Irvine, an officer
and help themselves to the Indian stores there. Com- of abilityand experience, who had, since 1877, been
plaints from the settlers of that neighbourhood were Assistant Commissioner, was promoted to the com-
also sent to Lieutenant-Governor Laird. After con- command of the force.
sulting with HisHonour, the police authorities decided Lieutenant-Colonel Acheson Gosford Irvine was the
that it would be expedient to station a few
policemen youngest son of the late Lieut.-Col. Irvine of Quebec,
at Duck Lake for a time.
Principal A.D.C. to the Governor-General of Canada,
58
and grandson of the Honourable James Irvine, for many poral. 12 Constables. —
Calgary 1 Sergeant, 1 Cor-
years a member of the Executive and Legislative poral. 6 Constables. Macleod (Farm) 1 Inspector, —
Councils of Lower Canada. He was an active member 4 Constables. Blood Indian Reserve 1 Corporal, —
of the Militia of the Province of Quebec, and oljtained 1 Constable.
high certificates of qualification at the old Military "D" Division— Battleford—1 Staff Officer, 1 Super-
School held in Montreal. He took part in Wolseley's intendent, Inspector, 1 Staff Sergeant, 2 Sergeants,
1

expedition to the Red River in 1870 as Major of the 5 Corporals, 32 Constables. Saskatchewan 1 Ins- —
2nd (orQuebec) with such dis-
Battalion of Rifles, pector, 2 Sergeants, 9 Constables. Prince Albert —
tinction, that he was selected for the command of the 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable. Fort 1 Walsh —
Inspector,
permanent force of a battalion of infantry and a 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, 29 Constables.
battery of artillery selected for service in Manitoba,
" — —
E " Division Fort Walsh 1 Inspector, 2 Sergeants,
retaining that command with universal acceptance 2 Corporals, 29 Constables.
until the reduction of the force after the organization "F" Division— Fort Walsh— 2 Staff Officers, 5 Staff
of the North-West Mounted and being trans-
Police, Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 12 Constables. Wood Moun-
ferred to that body as Assistant Commissioner. While tain — 1 In.spector, 2 Staff Sergeants,
Sergeant, 1 1

in command of the permanent force in Manitoba. Corporal, 15 Constables. Total 293.

Lieut.-Colonel Irvine commanded the force of per- In the reports of the officers commanding posts
manent troops and Manitoba volunteers which pro- for 1880. several important facts were noted. Super-
ceeded to the United States frontier on active service intendent W. D. Jarvis at Fort Macleod, reported that
at the time of the Fenian incursion in 1871. until the end of October he had not enough men to
The most amicable relations continue to exist be- carry on the ordinary barrack duties. Nevertheless,
tween the police and the Indians, and manifestations the few he had worked most creditably, and did
increased of growing confidence and good feeling on severe duty without complaint. He found the horses
the part of the latter. Although at this period par- of "C" Division nearly worked out, and, with the
tially relieved ofthe responsibility of making treaty customary ration of oats, it was impossible to get
payments owing to the appointment of officials in the them into or keep them in condition. The stables
direct service of the Indian Department, service in were destro^'^ed by fire on the 5th December. A few
the way of furnishing escorts to persons charged with horses were after that event billeted in the village,
the conveyance of the treaty money, and in assisting the remainder being herded on Willow Creek, about
the agents during its disbursement, was frequent. three miles from the post, and were doing as well as
Shortly after his appointment, the new Commissioner could'be expected for horses in low condition. Super-
recommended that the pay of non-commi.ssioned intendent Jarvis particularly called attention to the
officers and men be increased by length of service, in behaviour of a detachment of thirty men
soldier-like
cases where such .service had been in all respects satis- under Inspector Denny, who were obliged to ride to
factory. This, he felt, would take the place of good Fort Calgary and back, a distance of 200 miles, in
conduct pay in the British service, and would, he the depth of winter, without tents or any of the usual
thought, prove a strong incentive towards inducing comforts of a soldier on the line of march. The total
men to conduct themselves properly during their amount of customs duty collected at Macleod by
term of service, which under existing regulations was the police for the year 1880 amounted to $15,433.38.
of considerable length, five years; more particularly as There had been fifteen cases tried by police officers,
free grants of land had ceased to be any longer given besides those brought before the resident Stipendiary
in recognition of good service. Magistrate. Sixty gallons of smuggled whiskey had
The distribution of the force at the end of the been seized and destroyed.
year 1881 was as follows: — Superintendent W. H. Herchmer, who had taken
"A" Division — Fort Wal.sh — 1 Superintendent. 1 over the Battleford command had made some changes
Inspector, 3 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 22 Constables. in the disposition of his force.
"B" Division Fort — Walsh — 1 Superintendent, 13 At Prince Albert, he found that the quarters occu-
Constables. Qu'Appelle
— 1
Superintendent. 1 Ins- pied by the men were totally un.suited to recpiirements,
pector, 3 Staff Sergeants, 4 Sergeants, 1 Corporal. 37 several families occupying the .same l)uil(ling. which
Constables. —
Shoal Lake 3 Constables, 1 Sergeant. was horribly cold, and the stabling miserable. The
Swan River — 1Inspector. 2 Constables. Superintendent succeeded in renting desirable pre-
"C" Division —
Fort Macieod— 1 Suiwrintendent, 2 mi.ses. thoroughly convenient as to situation and
InspeHofB, 3 Sergeants, 2 (k)rporal8, 25 Constables. accommodation for men, horses and stores, and easily
—
Blackfoot Crossing 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 1 Cor- heated, and moved the detachment in. He also re-

59
moved the detachment from Duck Lake to Prince ranchmen arrived at that place in search of horses,
Albert for the reason that the quarters occupied were alleged to have been stolen in the United States by
required by the owners, and no other building was Blood Indians. In order to recover, as far as possible,
attainable; also because the reason for which the de- the stolen property, an officer and party were sent to
tachment was sent there no longer existed, as the the Blood reservations. The account of the dut}^
Indians of that neighbourhood were showing a desire performed is shown in the following extract of a letter
to be peaceable, —
this change being a result of the from Inspector Dickens, who commanded the party.
lesson taught them the previous summer. From this it will be observed, that a portion of the
In the execution of duty during the year. Super- stolen property was recovered, but not without trouble

intendent Herchmer had travelled over 4,000 miles, and personal risk.
"
and Inspector Antrobus, 2,000. I have the honour to report that in obedience to orders

I proceeded on the first instant to the Blood Reserva-

In 1881, the police had considerable trouble, and
tion to search for horses stolen from American citizens
only by the exercise of diplomac}^ firmness and great
on the other side of the line. I was accompanied by
courage, avoided much more serious trouble, on ac-
count of Canadian Indians stealing horses in the Sergeant Spicer, Constable Callaghan and the American
United States and bringing them across the lines.
citizens. On arriving at the reservation, I had an in-
terview with Red Crow, the chief, and explained to
' '

Superintendent Crozier at Wood Mountain was in-

formed that a party of the Canadian Bloods had just
him that it would be better for his young men to give
returned to the reserve from a successful horse raid up the horses, so as to avoid further trouble, and he
said he would do his best to have the horses returned;
in Montana.
but he did not appear to have much control over the
Immediately he sent a party to the Blood Reserve, who were very
loth to give up the stolen
Indians,
recovered sixteen head of horses and two colts, and
horses. Eventually, recovered fourteen horses,
I
arrested eight Indians who had been implicated in
which were identified by the Americans, and placed
stealing the property in Montana and bringing it into
them in a corral. While we were waiting near the
Canadian territory. On the return of this party from
agency for another horse which an Indian had promised
the Blood Reserve, Crozier sent another one to the ' '
to bring in, a minor chief, Many Spotted Horses ap-:
mouth of the Little Bow River; that succeeded in
peared and commenced a violent speech, calling upon
capturing another Indian and recovering two more
the Indians not to give up the horses, and abused the
head of horses.
party generally. I refused to talk with him and he
Another horse was also procured, making 19 in all, I went over to Rev. Mr. Trivett's
eventually retired.
that had been feloniously stolen in the United States.
house for a few minutes, and on returning was told that
The Court, taking into consideration that no Indians an Indian who goes by the name of 'Joe Healy' had
had heretofore been punished for this offence, '
said that one of the Americans had stolen all Bull
and that what they had done was not considered by '
Back Fats horses last winter and had set the camp on
them a crime, deferred sentence, and, after a caution, foot. This the American denied, but the Indians be-
allowed the prisoners their liberty.
came violent and began to use threatening language.
Major Crozier pointed out — "If the Legislature of The American went up to the corral, and White Cap ' '

Montana could be induced to pass a law similar to the who had just come in, collected a body of Indians who
one we have, not onl}^ would the bringing to justice commenced howling and yelling and started off to seize
of horse-thieveson both sides of the line be greatly the Americans. It was impossible at the time to get a
but the existence of such a law in both
facilitated, word in, so I started in front of the Indians towards the
countries would doubtless have the effect of putting
corral, and shouted to the party to mount their horses
an end to horse-stealing to a very great extent. I and to be ready to start in order to avoid disturbance.
would suggest that immediate steps be taken by our I mounted my horse and placed myself in the road be-
Government to bring to the notice of the proper tween the party and the Indians, who began to hesitate.
authorities in Montana the existence of this law in
Sergeant Spicer, who was behind the crowd, called out
Canada, and the advisability of the Legislature of that that he wished to speak to them for a few minutes, and
territory enacting a reciprocal measure." seeing the party all mounted, I rode back and met the
In order to afford further proof of the trouble taken Sergeant coming out of the crowd of Indians, who be-
by the police in the recovery of property, stolen by came quieter but who were still very sulky. No more
Canadian Indians south of the line, it might be men- horses being forthcoming, we collected the band and
tioned that, in June the same year the officer command- rode out of the camp. I thought it best to get both
ing at Fort Macleod reported that several Montana men and horses as far away from the reservation as
60
ix)ssible that night and after supping at Fred Watch-
; and took him over to the post. A crowd of Indians
er's ranch, we started for Fort Macleod, and although followed, all very excited. While the Inspector
I heard a report that a war party had gone down the was enquiring into the case, a large body of Indians
Kootenay River to intercept our passage, we forded gathered from various quarter and gradually hemmed
the river safely and reached Fort Macleod without being in the men who were placed outside to
keep them
molested. back, and others surrounded the stables, and were
"
I took care when
I first went into the camp to ex- posted along the roads. The police were at once cut
plain to the Indians from whom I took horses, that if offfrom water and from the store-house, the number
they had any claim on the horses or any cause of com- of Indians increasing as they began to arrive from

plaint, they could come into the fort and lay their case the camps. Dickens sent for Crowfoot. He arrived
"
before you. with the other chiefs. He said that he knew Bull
"I was well satisfied with Sergeant Spicer, who Elk" was innocent, that some of the white men had
"
showed both coolness and tact. treated the Indians like dogs. He begged that " Bull
In January. 1882, serious trouble occurred with the Elk" might not be sent into Macleod. After a long
Blackfoot Indians on their reserve at the Blackfoot talk it was evident that the Indians were determined

Crossing. This was in connection with the arrest of to prevent the prisoner being taken out. It was im-
a prisoner, named "Bull Elk", a Blackfoot Indian, possible to get a horse saddled to make a road through
on the charge of shooting with intent to kill; the the throng. Crowfoot said that he would hold him-
Indians endeavouring to offer resistance to the detach- selfresponsible for the appearance of the prisoner, if
ment first sent out to make the arrest. Prompt steps the Stipendiary Magistrate or some magistrate came
were, however, taken by the officer commanding at to try the case. As it was utterly impossible to get
Macleod, Superintendent Crozier, who himself pro- the prisoner to Macleod owing to the roads being
ceeded with every available man at his command to completely blockaded, Dickens told Crowfoot that
reinforce thedetachment at the Blackfoot Crossing. he would let him take charge of the prisoner if he pro-

"Bull Elk" was arrested and committed for trial, and mised to produce him when recjuired. This he said
every precaution taken to meet any resistance that he would do, and the Inspector let him take the pri-
might have been offered by the Indians. It was soner. The agent said he never saw the Indians in
pointed out to them in the plainest possible manner such a .state before.
that law and order were to be carried out, that the Superintendent Crozier's official report shows how

police were in the country to do this and that any critical the situation at this time was. He arrived at
attempt at resistance on their part would be punished the Blackfoot Crossing on the evening of January the
as it deserved. Seeing the determination on the 6th, having travelled day and night.
part of the police to carry out the letter of the law, On the following morning he proceeded with the
and finding that a determined force was at hand with interpreter to that part of the camp in which the
" "
which to enforce strict obedience and respect, even prisoner Bull Fvlk was, and l)r()ught him from the
should it be found necessary to resort to the most camp to the quarters occupied by the police, where
extreme measures, the Indians submitted to the ar- the Superintendent, at once, as a magistrate, com-
rest of "Bull Elk", being forcibly reminded in so menced the preliminary examination of witnesses as
doing that resistance on their part would not be toler- to the matter of the shooting by the prisoner. The
a moment, or in any way allowed to interfere
at(Kl for Superintendent found sufficient evidence to warrant
with the impartial administration of justice, in the him in committing the pri.soner for trial, and upon
case of Indians and white men alike. the evening of the second day, left the Blackfoot
At Commissioner deemed it advi.sable
this time the Crossing with the pri.soner and escort for Macleod,
to reinforce the strength of Fort Macleod by thirty and arrived there on the evening of the 9th.
non-commi.ssioned officers and men. He therefore The Indians had boen greatly excited. I'pon Cro-
ordered a detachment of that number to proceed zier's arrival at the Blackfoot Cro.ssing, Insiwctor
from Fort Walsh to Fort Macleod with all possible Dickens reporte<l to him that the Indians were then
despatch. <|uiet; "but" said he, "they are only waiting for an
In his repf)rt of the original trouble, Inspector attempt to be made to take the prisoner from them
"
Dickens, in command of the detachment at the Black- and they certainly resist.
will Crozier, therefore
ff)ot Crossing, stated that, when on January 2nd, at concluded to place the building in a state of defence,
alK)Ut 3 i).m., Charles Daly of the ln<lian Department jis he had determined to arrest the ofTendcr, and,
reported that "Bull Elk" had fired at him, he (Ins- having done so, to hold him, even if it were necessary
pector Dickens) went over and arreited the man. to re-sort to extreme measures. Bv eleven o'clock

(il
on the morning after his arrival, the place was so de- Crowfoot did then speak to them in his usual vigorous
fended that it would scarcely have been possible for manner, endorsing perfectly what the police had done,
any number of Indians to take it, and, besides, the and had decided upon doing. He and the other
Superintendent had, in the same buildings, protected Indians by this time saw that Crozier was determined
the horses and the supplies of the police and Indian to carry out any line of action that he saw fit to com-
Department, and had arranged to procure a supply mence.
of water for both men and horses within the same The reinforcements that had arrived from Fort
building. Macleod in so short a time had astonished and awed the

Before leaving Fort Macleod he left orders for all Indians. For these reasons, the chiefs and people
available horses to be sent from the farm, to have were willing to listen to reason, and did so.
the guns in readiness, and upon the receipt of word On the first of May, 1881, before the arrival of
to that effect from him, to proceed forthwith to the the recruits, Big Bear (then a non-treaty chief) reached
Crossing. Dickens, it should be stated, had diploma- Fort Walsh. He came in ahead of his followers, all

ticallyallowed the prisoner his liberty temporarily, of whom, numbering some 130 lodges, were, he in-

upon Crowfoot saying he would be responsible that formed Col. Irvine, en route. The Commissioner at
he would be forthcoming when required. once told this that he did not wish his people
chief,
On the adjournment at the conclusion of the first to come in the vicinity of the fort, and also that he

(.lay of the preliminaryexamination. Crowfoot again would receive no aid from the Government. The
asked that the prisoner be allowed to accompany him Commissioner directed him to a place known as the
to his lodge. This request Crozier positively refused "Lake", where they could subsist by fishing.
to accede to. After some considerable time, seeing This Big Bear did, and for some time Col. Irvine
the police officer was determined not to give in, Crow- heard nothing further from him. Later on, however,
foot and his people
dispersed. Superintendent he received information that councils were being
Crozier held the prisoner in custody at the Crossing held daily in the Indian camp, and further that the
for one night and a day, and upon the evening of the result of these councils was that Big Bear and his

8th, left with him under escort for Fort Macleod. followers had decided to visit Fort Walsh, make ex-
The was tried before the Stipendiary Ma-
prisoner orbitant demands for provisions, and in case of their
gistrate and underwent imprisonment for his offence being refused, to help themselves. Colonel Irvine
in the guard room at Macleod. He was a minor chief considered it advisable, thereupon, to move all the
of the Blackfeet. Indian supplies inside the fort. These supplies had
The immediate cause of the difficulty seems to have previously been stored inside a building in the village
been an altercation between the prisoner and a white rented by the Indian Department. He also took over
man employed on the reserve by the beef contractors. the ammunition of T. C. Power & Bros., the only
The Indians were
evidently greatly impressed traders at Fort Walsh, and placed it in the police
with the preparations Crozier had made. Crowfoot magazine. The Commissioner confined all the men
asked him if he intended to fight, and the Superin- to barracks, had the 7 pounder mountain guns placed
tendent replied "Certainly not, unless you commence". in position in the bastions, and made all arrangements
He also explained to the chief, as had often been done to have the force at his command ready for any emer-

before, that the policehad gone into the country to gency. On the 14th, Big Bear with 150 bucks, all
maintain law and order, that if a man broke the law armed, arrived at the fort. By runners going to
he must be arrested and punished. Crozier asked his camp. Big Bear was kept informed of the action
him then if he, as a chief of the Blackfoot nation, that had been taken; the effect no doubt was salutary.
intended to assist him in doing his duty, or if he in- Demands made for ammunition during the council
tended to encourage the people to resist. The Super- with Col. Irvine were refused, and there is no doubt
intendent further said: "If I find sufficient evidence that Col. Irvine's treatment of Big Bear at this time
against the prisoner to warrant me in so doing, I intend had a most satisfactory effect, showing him, that he
to take the prisoner to Fort Macleod, and when I an- as a non-treaty Indian would not obtain assistance
nounce my intention of so doing I expect you to make from the Government, and that any attempt of his to
"
a speech to your people, saying I have done right. obtain such by force must prove entirely futile.
Crowfoot did not answer, beyond making excuses On the 4th May, 1882, Inspector Macdonell, the
for the manner in which his people had acted a few oflficer commanding at Wood Mountain, received a

days before. However, at the conclusion of the exa- report from Mr. Legarrie, trader, who had just re-
mination of witnesses, Crozier told them all that the turned from Fort Buford, U.S., in which Inspector
prisoner was going to be taken to Fort Macleod. Macdonell was informed that on the evening of the
62
28th April, while Legarrie was encamped en route to fused that the Indians were afraid of killing their own
Wood Mountain, a war party of thirty-two Crees friends. Finally Legarrie succeeded in buying off the
appeared and made demands for provisions. lives of his men, the war party being allowed to take
Mr. Legarrie had with him a half-breed and a Sioux what they liked and I^egarrie's party to go, after having
Indian. He and these men gave
the war party food. had his carts pillaged, by the taking of blankets, rifles,

Shortly afterwards they took articles from the carts by ammunition, etc.
force, and threatened the lives of his party. During Immediately on the receipt of the information, In-
the night Mr. Legarrie heard the Indians in council spector Macdonell despatched mes.se ngers to all the
arranging to kill him and the Teton Sioux. Towards half-breeds and friendly Indians' camps within a radius
morning another council was held, when it was ascer- of 20 miles of his post, instructing them to keep a watch
tained that the Indians were composed of two parties, for this war party, and to immediately inform him if
one from Cypress Hills, the other from Wood Mountain. any trace was seen, promising that unless they were
The Cypress Hills party wished that what had l)een captured, permanent quiet would not be establishetl
in his district as the same party had given continual

annoyance during the spring. He therefore deter-

mined to make an arrest at any Shortly after, a
cost.

half-breed, who resided 15 miles east of the post, re-

ported to Inspector Macdonell that on the previous
evening he had, while herding horses, come suddenly
upon a war party of eight Indians on foot, all having
lariats (a sure sign that they were on a horse stealing
expedition). This war party admitted they were going
to steal horses, but promised to touch none belonging
to the half-breed. From the description given of the
Indians who had attacked Legarrie, the half-breed
assumed that they belonged to the same war party.
Inspector Macdonell immediately mounted every
man of his command available, and in company with
Legarrie, whom he had sent for to identify the Indians,
he started to make the arrest. He travelled in the
direction of a half-breed camp, 15 miles from the post
in which direction the Indians had gone. On arriving
within a quarter of a mile of the camp, a scout was sent
in to gather information. The scout told the camp that
he was in search of four horses stolen from Wood
Mountain, but he was told that they were not there as
eight Crees had just come in on foot. Inspector Mac-
donell immediately pushed on to the camp, which was
composed of about 45 lodges. On reaching the camp
Superintendent .\. R. .Macdonell. he found a large crowd collected, and all the doors of
the lodges closed, and on asking for the Cree Indians,
arranged .should I)e carrie<l into effect at once. But the camp was denied.
their presence in the

arrangements were changed, and it was decided to The crowded camp appeared very sulky and averse
allow Legarrie and his party, who had previously been to his searching the lodges, one half-breed in particular

disarmed, to "eat once more" before killing them. who spoke a little English, showed much opposition.
When daylight came, Legarrie commenced prepara- This man Inspector .Macdonell covered with his re-
tions for a start. The scene following he describes as volver. This had the effect of cowing the crowd, and

being a terrible one, the Indians having taken possession lodges were pointed out where seven Crees were found.
of the carts. Ix^garrie expected every moment to be The.se were arrested and di.sarmed, and a denumd made

killed, the noise was fearful, some crying for the scalps for the renuiining Indian, who was at last given up.

of the whole party, others only wishing to kill the Teton The prisoners were then conveyed to Wood Mountain
Indian. Post. the next day an examination was held by
On
Two attempts at firing were made, but fortunately Inspector Macdonell who committe<l them for trial,
the guns mis.se<l fire in bf)th cases. All became so con- and afterwards conveyed them to Qu'Appelle where
63
they were tried and found guilty by the Stipendiary his annual report for 1882, mentioned the amicable
Magistrate. relations which existed between the United States
been invariably given by the
All possible aid has troops and the Mounted Police Force, which, he
police towards the recovery and return to their legiti- said, "goes far in ensuring quiet along the boundary
"
mate owners of horses and mules stolen and brought into line.

Canadian territory from the United States. The efforts On the 29th of May, 1882, a party of some 200 Blood
in this respect in 1882 were accompanied by marked Indians arrived at Fort Walsh from their reservation
success. near Fort Macleod. These 200 men were well mounted
During the month of May, of that year, a United and equipped as a war party, all armed with
fully
States citizen from the Maria's River, Montana, arrived Winchester repeating rifles and a large supply of
at Fort Walsh. He gave a description of 11 horses ammunition. On arrival they went at once to the
which he believed had been stolen from him by our officer in command and reported that the Crees had
Indians. A party of police was sent out to the various stolen some forty head of horses from them, and had
been stealing all winter. The
object of their visit
was recover their stolen horses from the Crees,
to
their intention being to go on to the Cree camp at
"The Lake" east of Fort Walsh. Feeling assured
that, if this was done, serious trouble would ensue,
Supt. Crozier told the Bloods he would not allow this,
promising that he would send an officer and party,
with a small number
of their representative men,
to the camp, and
Cree that if their horses were
there they would be returned to them. To this the
Indians agreed. Superintendent Crozier detailed
Inspector Frechette for the duty; six Blood Indians
accompanied him to the Cree camp.
This officer returned on the following day with
three horses belonging to the Bloods. Crozier was
with the exception of two other horses,
satisfied that,
which were afterwards returned by the Crees, the
horses the Bloods had lost were stolen by United
States Indians.
This same year efforts were made to induce several
tribes to move from
the dangerous vicinity of the
I'. S. boundary to reserves selected for them in the

north, where, the buffalo having disappeared from

the plains, the hunting was better.
Soon after Col. Irvine's arrival at Fort Walsh in

April, 1882, he commenced holding daily councils

with the Indians (Crees and Assiniboines) .with a view
Superintendent A. H. Griesbacli.
of persuading them to move northward to settle upon
the new reservations.
camps and succeeded in recovering and handing over On the 23rd of June "Pie-a-pot", with some five
allthe horses stolen, taking care that no expense was hundred followers, left Fort Walsh for Qu'Appelle.
incurred by the man who had suffered the loss. A " "
delay that arose from the time of Pie-a-pot's
At Qu'Appelle, 9 horses and 6 mules, which had been promise to go on his new reservation until the time
stolen from Fort Buford, U.S.A., were recovered by of his departure from Fort Walsh, did not reflect dis-
" "
Inspector Griesbach- of B Division, and returned to credit upon this chief, as regards any inclination on
Messrs. Leighton, Jordon & Co., their owners, 1st Jan., his part to act otherwise than in perfect good faith,
1883. but was purely owing to the lack of ability of the
The United States military authorities in all such police to aid him in transport. Such aid was im-
cases aided the police as far as lay in their power, perative, the Indians were wretchedly poor and
as
which was more limited than that of the police. without horses. Considerable influence from differ-
General Sheridan, of the United States Army, in ent surreptitious (]uarters was brought to l)ear with
64
the view of inducing the Indians to remain in the entire followers in the spring and settle upon the
southern district, the object of course, being that reservation allotted him.
they should receive their annuities at Fort Walsh, Big Bear was the only remaining chief in the North-
and thus secure the expenditure of the treaty money West Territory who had not made a friendly treaty
on that section of the countr}'. Even United States with the Canadian Government, in the surrendering
traders from Montana clandestinely visited the Indian of his and his people's rights as Indians, by the accept-
camps with the same project in view. ance of annuities and reserves, the occurrence con-
As far as practicable Col. Irvine transported them sequently being considered an opportune one, coiu'lud-
" "
with police horses and waggons. In Pie-a-pot's ing asit did, the final treaty with the last of the
many
case he sent four waggons, with a strong escort of Indian tribes in the Territories. Several years were
police. A portion of the escort, with one waggon, to elapse, however, before Big liear's band reiieemed
went through to Qu'Appelle; the remainder of the the pledge and settled on the allotted reserve.
"
escort and waggons returned from Old Wives' Lake", Bythe departure of these chiefs, Fort Walsh was
where they were met by transport sent from Qu'Ap- entirely rid of Indians.
pelle by the Indian Department. On account of the increased responsibilities devol-
" "
At the time of Pie-a-pot's departure from Fort ving upon the force, owing to the construction of the
Walsh, the Cree chief, "Big Bear" (non-treaty Indian), Canadian Pacific Railway and the influx of settlers,
"Lucky Man", -and "Little Pine", with about 200 authority was given in the early part of the year 1882
lodges, finding that Col. Irvine would not assist them for an increase of the force by two himdred men.
in any way unless the}' went north, started from Fort In consequence of this increase of the force, re-
Walsh to the plains in a southerly direction. These cruiting was commenced in Toronto, by the late
chiefs informed Col. Irvine that their intention was Superintendent McKenzie, at the New Fort. It was
to take "a turn" on the plains in quest of buffalo, originally intended that these recruits should be sent up
and after their hunt to go north. They added that via Winnipeg, then out to the terminus of the Canadian
they did not intend crossing the international boundary Pacific Railway, and across country to the various
line,
—a statement which he considered questionable posts where they were recjuired. However, owing to
at the time. Colonel Irvine, therefore, at the request the severe floods in Manitoba, which temporarily sus-
of the officer commanding the United States troops pended the railway traffic, as well as the un.settled
at Fort Assiniboine, informed the United States au- state of Indian Fort Walsh, the original
afi'airs at
thorities of the departure of these chiefs. The Ameri- intention was changed and the recruits were taken up
cans in expressing their thanks were much gratified via Lake Superior and the Northern Pacific Railway to
with the information imparted. If but few did cross Bismarck, Dakota, where they embarked on the
"
the line, they were deterred only by fear of punish- steamer Red Cloud," and proceeded up the River
ment by United States troops, who had formed a Missouri to Coal lianks, where they were met by
large summer camp at the big bend of the Milk River. Superintendent Mcllree with transport, and taken by
At the time of the departure of these chiefs from him to Fort Walsh, distant al)out 120 niiles. They
Fort Walsh, Col. Irvine told them that the United arrived on the 11th Juno. SuperiiUendont .McKenzie,
States Government was opposed to their crossing who left Toronto in command of the recruits, was
the line, and stated in a clear and positive manner shortly after taken ill and left at Prince Arthur's
that any punishment which might be inflicted upon Landing, where he tlied in a few days. The conunand
them by the United States troops could only be regarded was taken over by Inspector Dowling. In all, 187
as the result of their own stubborn folly, in not acting recruits arrived, as well as Surgeon Jukes and Inspector

upon the advice of the Canadian Government, given Prevost.

purely in the interest of the Indians themselves. A small number of recruits were also this year en-
On December 8th, "Big Bear" and his followers, gaged Winnipeg, 37 in all. These recruits were
at
who had not yet entered into a treaty, accompanied taken on to (iuWppelle and attached to "li" Division.
by several treaty chiefs and Indians, went formally Later on, 12 more were taken up by Inspector Steele.
to Colonel Irvine's (juarters, and after having spent In all, 63 recruits arrived at Ciu'Appelle.
the afternoon and evening in going over the details The total number of recruits posted to the force

of previous interviews, he signed the treaty No. 6, in 1882 was 2o(). of whom 200 were the increa.se of the

which it will be recalled was made at Forts ('arlton force, and the remainder to fill vacancies, discharged
and Pitt,which was the section of country to which men, &c.
Big Bear really belonged. His announced intention The recniits who arrived at Fort Walsh were posted
at the tinte of signing was to go to Fort Pitt with his to "A." "C" and "10" Divisions. The larger pro-
05
portion of these recruits were excellent men, but some, ining recruits for admission to the force in May last,
according to the Commissioner's report, were mere left me no power to reject men otherwise eligible be-
lads, physically unfit to perform the services required. tween the ages of 18 and 40 years. This rule applies
Colonel Irvine recommended most strongly that the well to the regular army, where men enlist for a longer
minimum age at which a recruit be accepted for period, where the duties ordinarily required are far less
service be fixed at 21 years of age. severe; but for short periods of service, say 5 years,
In speaking on this same subject, Surgeon Jukes gave attended with much exposure, and demanding consider-
"
annual report in the following words
his experience in his : able powers of endurance, the age of 18 is too young.
— " The examination papers given me when I was exam-

The Start from DufFerin, July 8, 1874.

'From a sketch by H. Julien in the "Canadian lUustrated News.")

60
 CHAPTER VII.

THE MARQUIS OF LORNE'S TOUR

A Vice-Regal Escort which Travelled over Two Thousand Miles —Some Notes of A Highly
Significant Prairie Pilgrimage,

year 1881 will always be memorable through- cort of the North- West Mounted Police Force would

THEmade out the North- West by reason of the visit

to the region in that year by His
be required to accompany His Excellency, together
with a certain number of additional men to act as
Excellency the Marquis of Lome, Governor General teamsters, etc. The Commissioner at once communicated
of Canada. with the Comptroller on the subject, pointing out the
In 1877 the Earl of Dufferin, then Governor various details that required consideration and action.
General, visited Manitoba, accompanied by the Similar letters were written to Superintendents Herch-
Countess of Dufferin, but their tour through the mer and Crozier. The officers commanding at Battle-
prairie region of the Dominion was confined to the fordand Fort Macleod were informed as regards the
limits of the Province of Manitoba. So that the supply of forage, etc., recjuired and the points at
Manjuis of Lome, in 1881, was the first Governor which such supplies should be delivered along the
General to visit the North-West Territories. The road.
visit was fraught with great practical benefit to the It was decided that the escort and additional men
North-West and the whole Dominion, the newspaper required should be furnislicd from head(|uarters, and
reports of the Vice-Regal progress bringing the new that their equipment should be made as complete as

r(^ion immediately, and in a favourable manner, to possible. The necessary stores required were care-
the attention of the people of the older Provinces in a fully selected, and Superintendent William Herch-
way no other event could have done. mer was appointed to command the escort.
This tour of Lord Lome not only brought the On the 8th of August, Superintendent Herchmer,
Mounted Police into wide notice at the time, but is who had pail of his escort with him, reported to His
still considered as one of the best proofs of the early Excellency, for duty at the railhead of the (<anadian
efficiency and usefulness of the force, for the entire Pacific Ilailway, west of Portage la Prairie, and as-
duties in connection
with the long prairie journey, sumed charge of .some additional transport brought
were taken over, and with complete success, by the up by train for the \ ice-regal party. It having been
force. arranged that His Excellency should proceed to Fort
By a letter from Mr. F. White, the Comptroller. Ellice !)> river, the main escort was assemljled there,
Col. Irvine was informed a few weeks before the event, and the transport under Superintendent Herchmer
that His Excellency theGovernor-CJeneral had decidtnl was advanced there without delay. August 13, His
to visit the North- West. He also learned that an es- Excellencv landed at Fort Ellice, was met by a mount-
67
ed escort of twenty men under Superintendent Herch- to Qu'Appelle River, 40 miles; Aug. 17th, Qu'Appelle,

mer and escorted Hudson Bay Post. The ap-

to the 34 miles; Aug. 18th, halt; Aug. 19 to camp, 38 miles;

pearance of the escort and the general bearing

of the Aug. 20th, Edge of Salt Plain, 33 miles; Aug. 21st,
men called forth universal admiration. halt; Aug. 22, to camp, 38 miles; Aug. 23, to camp,
About 3 p.m., on the 14th August, His Excellency 34 miles; Aug. 24, to Gabriel's Crossing, 36 miles; Aug.
and his escort started for Qu'Appelle, which was 25th. to Carlton, one-half day, 20 miles; Aug. 26, 27,
reached on the evening of the 17th, His Excellency 28, 29, to Battleford, 92 miles; Aug. 30th to Battleford;

being received by a smart guard of honour under Ins- Aug. 31, to Battleford; Sept. 1, to camp, 33 miles;
pector Steele. Sept. 2, to camp, 36 miles, Sept. 3, to Sounding Lake.
On the 19th, the party started for Carlton with 46 37 miles; Sept. 4, to camp, 23 miles; Sept. 5, to camp,
men and 84 horses. Of these 84, 36 were remounts 35 miles; Sept. 6, to camp, 30 miles; Sept. 7, to camp,
and 46 horses belonging to the various divisions. 23 miles; Sept. 8, to camp, one-half day, 10 miles;
The route was via Humbolt, Gabriel Dumont's Sept. 9th, Blackfoot Crossing, 34 miles; Sept.
10th, camp, one-half day, 14 miles; Sept. 11th,
camp, one-half day, 18 miles; Sept. 18, Calgary, 28
miles; Sept. 13, halt; Sept. 14, to halt; Sept. 15,
to High River. 37 miles; Sept. 16th, to Willow Creek,
40 miles; Sept. 17th, to Macleod, 25 miles; Sept. 18,
Macleod; Sept. 19th, to Macleod; Sept. 20th, Colonel
Macleod's house, 40 miles; Sept. 21, to halt; Sept.
22nd. to camp, 28 miles; Sept. 23, to camp, 28 miles;
Sept. 24, to Cutface Bank, 38 miles; Sept., Birch
Creek, 31 miles; Sept. 26th, to Teton River, 68 miles;
Sept. 27, to Fort Shaw, 28 miles.
—
Total number of
miles: 1,229.
In addition tothis, the escort, or most of it, for

Supt. Herchmer took some men with him from Battle-

ford, travelled in the first place from Fort Walsh to
Fort a distance of 443 miles; then again from
Ellice,
Fort Shaw
to Fort Macleod, and from Fort Macleod
to Fort Walsh, a distance of 400 miles, making an

aggregate total of 2,072 miles.

His Excellency held councils with Indians at Fort
Ellice, Fort Qu'Appelle, Fort Carlton, Battleford,
Blackfoot Crossing, and Fort Macleod.
Owing to the hurried nature of the trip, it proved
very trying on the horses. Between Ellice and
Qu'Appelle, Superintendent Herchmer was obliged
to leave three horses on the trail, while between
Supt. William H. Herchmer, later Assistant Commissioner. Qu'Appelle and South Branch, he four horses, left

two dropping dead. Of these two, one was the pro-

Crossing, Fort Carlton, Battleford, l^lackfoot Cross- perty of the Indian Department. Between Carlton
ing, Calgary, Macleod, to Fort Shaw, Montana, from and Battleford, three horses were left, between Battle-
which point His Excellency returned east through ford and Blackfoot Crossing, five were dropped along
United States territory. the trail. At Carlton, one horse was left, and at Cal-
A more exact idea of the route, and a correct state- gary, seven. None of these horses were incapacitated
ment of the distanccj? travelled by the Mounted Police from lack of care, for day and night the horses received
escort given in the following abstract diary:
is — the greatest attention, and throughout this long and
Aug. 8, end of C. P. R. to camp, one-half day, 5 trying march, not a horse was incapacitated for work
miles; Aug. 9th, to Big Mud Creek, 32 miles; Aug. 10th, by sore back or shoulders, truly a remarkable and
to Rapid City, 25 miles; Aug. Uth, to Shoal Lake, 38 probably an unprecedented record.
miles; Aug. 12th, to Birtle, 25 miles; Aug. 13th, to The force crossed the South Saskatchewan at

Ellice, one-half day, 4 miles; Aug. 14th, camp, one- Gabriel Dumont's
Crossing, on August 25th, the
half day, 6 miles; Aug. 15th, camp, 35 miles; Aug. 16th, crossing being effected most successfully, 80 horses
68
and 19 waggons being crossed in five hours with one drive without watering the horses. The rain con-
scow. The men of the lorce worked admirably, tinued for twelve hours, the weather remaining cold.
their handiness and cheerfulness under most trying At the Indian Council at Blackfoot Crossing the
circumstances, the wind being very high, being most escort furnished a guard of honour under Superin-
favourably commented upon. At Carlton, it was tendent Herchmer. In his report that officer stated:
determined that His Excellency and party shoukl — "Notwithstanding the necessarily extremely short
"
visit Prince Albert, travelling by the steamer North- notice I received as to this guard being required, the
cote". Superintendent Herchmer with the escort men turned out in a manner that would have done
and transport, proceeded overland to Battleford, credit to any troops stationed in permanent stations.
reaching there on the 29th. The following day, His His Excellency and party were loud in their expres-
Excellency arrived from Prince Albert by steamer sion of admiration at the men's appearance. I men-

"Lily". tion this incident as I consider it goes far to prove the

Onthe 31st, His P^xcellency visited the barracks efficiency a force which, notwithstanding the fact
of
and quarters at Battleford, expressing himself very that it had travelled over 850 miles of prairie, was
nmch pleased. thus enabled to supply a guard of honour at a few
While the party was en route from Battleford to minutes notice, fit to appear on a general inspection."
Calgary, on the morning of the 7th, they came upon a On the 11th, about 3 p.m., some 25 miles from
small herd of buffalo near Red Deer River. Three Calgary, Lt.-Col. Irvine, the Commissioner, accom-

by the party; the meat thus sup-

buffalo were killed panied by Superintendent Cotton, Adjutant of the
plied being most acceptable, as they had been some- force, arrived at the Vice-Regal camp and were
what longer on the road than was calculated on, the heartily welcomed. They brought a relay of horses
distance travelled being greater than expected. There and a good supply of oats. At 1.30 p.m. on the follow-
being no road, the party did not steer as direct a ing day the party reached Calgary, making a successful
course as if they had gone over a well-marked and ford at the Bow River at a point immediately in rear
direct trail. The guide originally intended to have of Police Post, which ford Col. Irvine had previously
taken the party to a crossing of the Red Deer River, formed and marked out.
immediately south of the Hand hills, but when about The 13th and 14th, the party remained in camp at
20 miles from the Hand hills, the guide assured Super- Calgary, their rest being a particularly pleasant one.
intendent Herchmer that the party would encounter His Excellency and party had excellent fishing, and
waggons down to the
serious difficulty in getting the some shooting.
river, and also stated that he could take him to a On the 14th, the Commissioner, accompanied by
crossing still had a better ap-
farther south, which Supt. Cotton, started for Fort Macleod to make ar-
proach. This being the case, Herchmer decided to rangements for the reception of His Excellency.
accept the latter course and found a good crossing. On the 15th, His Excellency and escort started for
At Red Deer River, the guide, John Longmore, Fort Macleod w'th ninety-nine horses. On the morn-
informed the Superintendent that he could take the ing of the 17th, about seven or eight miles from that
party no farther, as he was unacquainted with the were met by the Commis-
place, the Vice- Regal party
country beyond. Herchmer, therefore, utilized the sioner and Supt. Cotton.
services of "Pound Maker", a Cree Indian chief from On reaching Willow Creek, about three miles from
Battleford, who had accompanied the Indian Com- Fort Macleod, His Excellency was received by a salute
missioner (a). fired from the two 9-pounder muzzle-loading rifle guns
Between Battleford and Red Deer River, there in possession of the force. These guns were placed
was plenty of water; but the only wood was at Sound- inan approfjriate position on a high ridge conunanding
ing Lake, about half way, so w^ood for cooking had to Willow Creek. From the crossing of the Old Man's
be carried. River to the fort the road was lined at inttTvals by
Soon after leaving Red Deer River, on the 8th, a a party of mounted men under command of Supt.
cold and very severe rain storm set in, and after tra- ('rozier.At the main gate of the fort His lOxcellency
velling some 8 miles, the party camped at the first was received by a guard of honour under Inspector
water. Had
Superintendent Herchmer not camped Dickens. The general appearance of this guard of
at this point, he would have had to make too long a honour was everything that could be desired.
On the morning of the 19th. Superintendent Herch-
(a) The Mme "
Pound Maker" (genenUly written one word) who fimired mer handed over the command of the escort to Supt.
rnn'piruouKly in HieVn rehpllion. who gave himiwlf up at Battleford. and in accordance with the Commissioner's in-
Cro/ier,
khortly aftrrwardfi ilied in r«infinenM*nt. it in «up|M>«eil liy many, of a Wroken
hrart, Mr wao a linndwinic. Iirnvf tnlcnted iind irciwriilly n nnlili- Itidian.
. structions. Supt. Herchmer had previously applied
69
 he might
to be relieved from escort duty, in order that owing to the United States troops having lost their
return to Battleford and reach that post before the horses from the encampment at Birch Creek, this
winter set in. design could not be carried out. Colonel Kent,

Before leaving Fort Macleod the following letter himself, accompanied the party from the Blackfoot
was received by Superintendent Herchmer: Agency, Montana, to Fort Shaw. His Excellency
was escorted about two miles on the road towards
"Fort Macleod, 18th Sept., 1881. Helena by the Mounted Police under Crozier, the
"Sir,— I am commanded by His
Excellency the duty then being transferred to a detachment of the
Governor General to desire you to express to Super- 3rd U.S. Infantry.
intendent Herchmer, his entire satisfaction with the ad- Prior to His Excellency taking his departure from
mirable manner in which that officer has performed his Fort Shaw, he commanded to be ordered a parade of
duty while in command of the force of Mounted
Police the escort of North-West Mounted Police, whom he
which has escorted His Excellency from Winnipeg to addressed in the most flattering terms.
Fort Macleod. I am further to request you to convey To quote some of his words, he said: "You have
to the non-commissioned officers and men who formed been subjected to the most severe criticism during the
the escort. His Excellency's thanks for the services long march on which you have accompanied me, for I
rendered by them while on the march, and the have on personal staff experienced officers of the
my
pleasure it has afforded him to witness the discipline three branches of the service — cavalry,artillery, and
and efficiency of the corps.
—
infantry and they one and all have expressed them-
F. DeWinton, Lt.-Col., selves astonished and delighted at the manner in
Milty-Secy." which you have performed your arduous duties, and
at your great efficiency."
After leaving Fort Macleod, His Excellency's party From His Excellency's remarks, he fully appreciated
was joined at the Blackfoot Agency in Montana by the many different kinds of services performed by the
a detachment of United States troops, who accom- Police of the North-West.

panied the party as far as Birch Creek. It had been "Your work," said he, "is not only that of military

the intention of the officer commanding the United men, but you are called upon to perform the im-

States troops at this point. Colonel Kent, to escort portant and responsible duties which devolve upon
His Excellency thence to Fort Shaw with a mounted you in your civil capacities. Your officers in their

detachment of ten men, in addition to the escort of capacity of magistrates, and other duties are called

Mounted Police under Superintendent Crozier, but upon to perform even that of diplomacy."

A Typical Four-Horse Mounted Felice Team.

(From photograph loaned by the Comptroller, Lieut.-Col. F. White).

70
 CHAPTER VIII.

HEADQUARTERS REMOVED TO REGINA

The Usefulness of Fort Walsh Disappears, and the Post is Abandoned — Several New Posts
Established — Fort Macleod Moved — The Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway — A
Record in Track-laying and an Equally Creditable Record in the Maintenance of Order —
Extra Duties Imposed Upon the North-West Mounted Police.

establishment of the Mounted

since the quarters and the remainder of his force to Winnipeg,
had been uncertainty as to the
Police there and later to DufTerin, Man.
EVER best place for the establishment of permanent The next spring the headquarters of the force were,
headquarters. It has been related how, in 1874, under orders from the Government, and in spite of

Swan River near Fort Ellice was chosen as the site Lieut. -Col. French's opinion that the site was unsuit-
for headquarters and the erection of barrack and able, established at Swan River, but in a few years,
other accommodation begun. It has also been ex- owing to the vital importance of preserving order
plained that Lieut.-Colonel French, the first Com- among the numerous tribes of Indians in the vicinity
missioner, on the return march from the Belly River, of the International frontier, and the necessity of
arrived at Swan River, but on account of the unpre- putting a stop to illicit trading across the lines, head-
pared ness of the buildings, and the lack of winter quarters were first removed to Fort Macleod, and in

forage, due to prairie fires, left only one division at 1879, to Fort Walsh.
and near Swan River, and proceeded with head- The Mounted Police Buildings in the North-West
Territories in 1876 were as follows: —
Swan River, accommodation for 150 men and horses
" 50
Hattleford,
" 100
Fort Maclood
"
Kort Walsh 100
" 25
Fort CalRary
" "
Fort Sasixatchewan 25
"
Shoal Lake 7

The buildings at Swan River and Battleford were

erected by the Department of Public Works; tlio.se
at the other posts by the Mounted Police.

To the outside ol)sorver began to look !is though

it

the head(|uarters of the Mounted

Police were destined
to be a perambulatory institution, but as a
matter of fact, within the force, and particularly
on the part of tho.se responsible for its efliciency, the
Wood and Anderson's Ranch, On site of Old Fort Wal.sh. idea of establishing a satisfactory permanent head-
(Prom a photograph loaned White,
quarters for the force was never lost sight
h>' LSrtit.-Col. of.
Coi
:!«»mptrollcr of the K.N.W.M.P.)

71
 Ill his annual report for the year 1880, dated Jan- most desirable that the barracks should be as com-
1st, 1881, the Commissioner, referred to this fortable as possible, but it is not deemed expedient
uary
as follows: to incur any considerable expenditure upon them at
subject
"I am
perfectly well aware of the many important present, not until the line of the Pacific Railway haf
considerations that require to be most carefully been finally determined, as upon that determination
weighed before a point for the headquarters of the will depend the situation of the permanent head-
force can be finally settled upon. It is a matter that quarters; and it may then be found convenient to
cannot be looked at merely from a military point of abandon a number of the existing posts and construct
view. The future construction of public works others elsewhere. There were obvious disadvantages
the North-West Territories, the rapid attaching to the custom of permitting detachments
throughout
may be anticipated, and the to remain throughout the entire length of service at
immigration that safely
settlement that will necessarily accompany it, must, one post, and during spring the system was inaugurated
I prove important factors as regards
also of moving them to new stations at least once in two
presume,
the permanent establishment of police headquarters. years. It is, of course, understood that the head-
It would then be a most grievous mistake to arrive quarters staff do not come under the operation of this
"
at any hastily formed conclusion which might, and rule.

the chances are would, be a source of never ending During 1881, the contract for the completion of
regret. the Canadian Pacific Railway was made by the Domi-
" nion Government with the Montreal syndicate at the head
I propose that in future the headquarters of the
force be a depot instruction, to which place all
of of which were Messrs. George Stephen and Donald A.
and men joining the force will be sent, where
officers Smith (now Lord Mount Stephen and Lord Strath cona).
they will remain until thoroughly drilled and in- The work of pushing the gigantic work to completion was
structed in the various police duties. To carry out at once taken up energetically, and with the laying
this plan successfully, indispensable that a com-
it is of the rails across the prairies a new era dawned for

petent staff of instructors be at my disposal. A the North-West and the Mounted Police. Itwas
portion of such a staff can obtain by selection from
I realized that the exact location of the line would have
officers and non-commissioned officers now serving much to do with the future distribution of the force
in the force. In addition to this, however, I recom- and the location of the permanent headquarters.
mend that the services of three perfectly well qualified In his report at the end of the year 1881, the Com-
non-commissioned officers and men be obtained from missioner wrote:
an Imperial Cavalry Regiment. I am satisfied that "The distribution of the force cannot well be
the inducements we could hold out would be satisfactoril}^ laid down imtil the exact location of the
the means of obtaining the best class of non- Canada Pacific Railway is known. In any case
commissioned officers to be had in England. I there isan immediate necessity for having a strong
would not recommend that non-commissioned officers force in the Macleod district, which includes Fort
of more than five years service be applied for. Old Calgary. In the meantime the following will give
men, who have already spent the best days of their a fairly approximate idea as to what I consider a
life in the British service, would be quite vmfit for the judicious distribution, viz:
—
Qu'Appelle, 50 non-
work that in this country they would be called upon commissioned officers and men; Battleford, 50 non-
to perform, nor would they be likely to show that commissioned officers and men; Edmonton, 25 non-
energy and pride in their corps which is desirable that, commissioned officers and men; Blackfoot Country,
by example, they should inculcate into others. In- 200 non-commissioned officers and men; Headquarters,
structors of the class I have described, in addition to 175 non-commissioned officers and men. Total 500.
the knowledge they would impart to others, would It will be observed that this distribution is based
serve as models for recruits, as regards soldierlike upon the assumption that my recommendation, as
conduct and general bearing. The importance of regards the increase of the force, will be acted on.
the benefits the force would thus derive cannot, in I make no mention of Wood Mountain; for this section
" men shown
my opinion, be overrated. of the country I propose utilizing the fifty
In the same report the following reference was as being stationed
Qu'Appelle. understand
at I

made to the unsatisfactory condition of the barracks the Canada Pacific Railway will run south of our
at headquarters and elsewhere: "Complaints con-
— present post known as 'Qu'Appelle.' The chances
tinue to be made regarding the condition of the police are therefore, I will hereafter have to recommend
buildings, and the character of the accommodation that the location of this post be moved south. Were
they afford in their present state of repair. It is this done we would then have control of the section

72
of country in which Wood Mountain post now stands. decided upon at once, and a suitable post be erected
The location of the present post at Battleford may without delay. He based this recommendation upon
not require to be changed for some time at all events. the assumption that the site would be selected at or
Edmonton would be an outpost from Calgary. Our near the crossing of the South Saskatchewan River.
present post in the Edmonton district is Fort Sas- He stated, however, that should the Government con-
katchewan, which is situated some eighteen miles sider that point too far west for headquarters, it would
east of Edmonton proper. It is, I think, actually nevertheless be necessary to erect a post in the vicinity
necessary that our post be moved to Edmonton. of the Cypress Hills.
"There mind, no possible doubt but that
is, to my By a telegram of the 20th July, 1882, Col. Irvine
the present headquarters. Fort Walsh, is altogether was informed of Sir John A. Macdonald's decision of
unsuitable, and I would respectfully urge upon the the Pile of Bones Creek (now Regina) being the head-
Government the necessity of abandoning this post quarters of the force, also of the number and dimen-
with as little delay as possible. In making this re- sions of the section buildings to be made in the Eastern
commendation I am
a great measure prompted by
in Provinces and forwarded to Regina, for stables and
the knowledge of the fact that the Indian Department quarters. This telegram reached Colonel Irvine at
do not consider that the farming operations at Maple Fort Macleod.
Creek have been successful in the past, and that Soon after his return from that post to Fort Walsh,
they are still less likely to prove so in the future." he proceeded to Qu'Appelle; and after having inspected
"
At the time this report was penned, Col. Irvine B " division, accompanied His Honour the Lieutenant
believed that the main line of the C.P.R. would pass Governor, the Hon. Edgar Dewdney, to the Pile of
considerably north of the Cypress Hills and of its Bones Creek. The Commissioner, after looking over
actual location; as was first proposed, in fact. During the ground, instructed Inspector Steele, who had
1882, the Commissioner was notified by Mr. C. E. accompanied him, where the buildings were to be
Perry, the engineer in charge of the work, that the situated, and immediately moved the headquarters
southern route had been adopted, and that consi- of "B" division from Qu'Appelle to Regina. At the
derable supplies would have to pass through, or in end of October the sectional buildings commenced to
the immediate vicinity of the Cypress Hills. In view arrive, and building was proceeded with.
of the change, the Commissioner received a letter The headquarters of the force was transferred from
from Mr. Perry, on the subject of the syndicate parties Fort Walsh to Regina on the 6th of December.
receiving protection from the police. He was at A recruiting depot, with an establishment of one
the same time informed that large quantities of sup- officer and ten men was, under authority of the

plies were to be shipped through Fort Walsh, and Minister established in Winnipeg in the spring of
a considerable number of men were to be employed 1882.
at once in and about Cypress Hills. This being the Building was carried on extensively during the year
case, the situation of affairs was essentially changed, 1883, not only at the new headcjuarters but at other
and Col. Irvine was compelled to somewhat modify posts. During the year in question the buildings at
his previous recommendations, in so far as they re- Pile of Bones Creek (or Regina) were completed. New
lated to the immediate abandonment of Fort Walsh, l)arrack8 at Fort Macleod to replace those previously
as he saw that it was actually necessary to maintain a in use, were in course of erection. New posts were
force of police in that vicinity for the protection of the pushed forward towards completion at Medicine Hat
working parties from United States Indians as well as and Mai)le Creek.
Canadian ones, and also to prevent smuggling and There had been very special and particular rea.sons
illicit whisky dealing being carried on from the United for l)uilding a new post at Fort Macleod, in fact a new
States territory. He therefore recommended that site had to l)e .selected. January 18, 1881, the (Com-
Fort Walsh be not abandoned until the authorities missioner reported that the coiirse of the "Old .Man's"
were positively informed as to the location of the River at Fort Macleod had changed. This river,
Canadian Pacific Railway line, by which time a suit- at high water, at this date, deviated from its original
able site for a new post could be selecte<l. possibly, course in two places, the stream, after this unexpected
he thought, near the crossing of the South Saskatch- freak of nature, pa.ssing immediately in front and
ewan River, about 35 miles north-west of the head rear of the fort, the post thus being made an island.
of the Cypress Hills. On a.scertaining the final location In rear the water flowed within a few feet of the west
of the Canadian Pacific Railway line, the Commissioner side of the fort. The deviations made from the original
communicated with the Minister of the Interior re- course of the river continued, becoming more and more
commending that the site for future headcjuarters be formidable, and it was probable that in the coming
73
spring many of the post buildings would be carried sillswere 8 in. square, floor beams, 2 in. by 8 in., and
away if left in their actual positions. were 2 ft. apart; framing 2 in. by 6 in. and were 18
Taking all these things into consideration it was in. apart, with 6 in. square corner posts. Plates of
felt to be absolutely necessary that Fort Macleod be two 2 in. by 6 in. scantling, firmly spiked joists,
removed from its original site. The Commissioner which were 2 in. by 8 in. by 6 in. strongly braced
recommended that a new site be selected at the police and firmly attached to ceiling joists, which were 2 in.
farm, which was situated some 30 miles south-west by 8 in.
from where the fort originally stood. Every precaution was taken to strongly brace the
It appears that the Old Man's River changed its framing and roofs, to prevent any damage resulting
course by breaking through a narrow neck of land from the high winds which prevail at Fort Macleod.
that divided the main stream from a slough. In All outside walls were of common 1 in. boarding
1880, the river reverted to its old bed, breaking through covered with tar paper, and then sided up with 5-8
lower down, cutting off another large portion of the in. siding, 6 in. wide and lap of 7-8 in.

island on which the fort was built, and causing the The floors throughout were of two thicknesses,
demolition of several houses. The soil of the island with tarred paper between. Roofs were shingled,
was a loose mixture of sand and gravel, and to show with felt paper between shingles and sheeting. The
the strength and velocity of the current, it might window casings and door frames were of neat appear-
be mentioned that in one night one hundred and ance. The officers' quarters, barrack rooms, mess
twenty yards of the bank was washed away. To room, hospital, offices and recreation room, were all
save the saw-mill from being swept away it was ne- lathed and plastered in the interior; the guard room
cessary to move it from its old site. The whole lower and store houses were lined with dressed lumber.
portion of the island, including a part of the farm, All doors leading to the exterior were 3 ft. by 7 ft.
was inundated, and the water rose so high as to ap- and Ij in. thick inside doors, 2 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft. 8 in
proach within twenty yards of the fort itself. The and 1 in. thick; with the exception of the barrack
level of the flood was not five feet from the floors in rooms all the doors were 3 ft. 7 in. The windows in
the fort. all the buildings had twelve lights, 12 in. by 16 in.

Nothing was done about the selection of a new site except in the kitchens of the officers' quarters and
until March, 1883, when the Commissioner was informed store and harness rooms, which were each of twelve
that the latest site which had been selected for the lights, 10 in. by 12 in.

erection of the new post at Fort Macleod had been were painted a light grey, and trimmed
All buildings

approved, and that the erection of a new post was with a darker shade of the same colour. The wood
to be commenced during the following summer. The work and casings in the interior were painted the
site chosen was about two and a half miles west of same colour. Roofs were painted with fireproof
the old post, on the bench land overlooking the "Old paint.
Man's" River, and on the south side of it. Every Chimneys were of zinc, 14 in. square with a circular
care was taken in the selection of the site. The soil flue, 7 in. in diameter, thus giving a large air space,
was dry and gravelly, good drainage was obtainable, which was utilized as a ventilator. They projected
plenty of fresh water was near at hand, there was 4 in. above the peak of the roof, and passed through

good grazing ground in the immediate vicinity, and the ceiling.

an uninterrupted view was afforded. Owing to the distance from the railway, 138 miles,
Work on the post was at once begun and pushed it was impossible to construct the chimneys of brick.
to completion. The principal buildings were laid Where stovepipes were carried through partitions,
out in a rectangle, 484 ft. long by 254 ft. wide, with they were surrounded by three inches of concrete.
officers' quarters on west side, barrack rooms facing This new post was considered a masterpiece at
them on the opposite side, offices, guard room, re- the time it was built.
creation room, sergeants' mess and quarters, on the On May last, 1884, the new barracks
the 19th of
north side, with stables, store rooms, harness room, were taken over from the North- West Coal and Navi-
opposite; the remaining buildings were outside the gation Company, and occupied shortly after by "C"
"square". division, a small party only being left as caretakers in
The buildings were of the same general construction. the old buildings.
All buildings rested on foundation blocks about 12 Fort Calgary having been created a district post,
inches square, and placed at intervals of 6 feet. These and "
E " division removed there, under the command
blocks had a firm bearing on the hard, gravelly soil, of Superintendent Mcllree, the buildings were en-
a thin layer of soil and mould being removed. All tirely inadequate to accommodate the Division, and
74
were so entirely useless and out of repair that Col.
Irvine gave instructions to that officer to commence
building at once on his arrival, and to retain for use
during the winter such buildings as, with little, or no
expense, could be made habitable for the winter.
The buildings to be erected were to be laid out in a
general plan for a new post.

^ , ",
'

'
neared the eastern boundary of the Territories, the tractors, the settlers, or anybody else, by them. Where
troubles then feared may be classified as follows: — large amounts of money are being expended among
1st. Annoyance and possible attack on working suchmen as railway navvies it is to be expected that

parties by Indians. many attempts will be made to supply them with

2nd. Difficulty of maintaining law and order among liquor, and such attempts were made in the west in

:he thousands of rough navvies employed; and the 1882. Had this not been effectually stopped, the
prevention whisky being traded in their midst
of historian of the period would have had to report a
md at all points of importance along the line. large number of depredations as having been com-
Fortunately, the Indians were so kept in subjection mitted. It is probably unparalleled in the history

hat no opposition of any moment was encountered of railway building in an unsettled, unorganized
rom them. western country that not a single serious crime had
been committed along the line of work during the
first year of operations, and this fact certainly reflected

great credit on those responsible for the enactment

and carrying out of the laws.
The following is a copy of a letter the Commissioner
received from W. C. VanHorne, Esq., General Manager
of the Canadian Pacific Railway, just as he was pre-
paring his annual report:
—
"
Canadian Pacific Railway,
Office of the General Mai ager,
Winnipeg, 1st Jany., 1883.

"Dear Sir,
— Our work of
construction for the year
of 1882 has just closed, and I cannot permit the
occasion to pass without acknowledging the obliga-
tions of the Company to the North-West Mounted
Police, whose zeal and industry in preventing traffic
in liquor, and preserving order along the line under
construction have contributed so much to the success-
ful prosecution of the work. Indeed, without the
assistance of the officers and men the splendid
of
force under your command, it would have been im-
have accomplished as much as we did. On
possible to
no great work within my knowledge, where so many
men have been employed, has such perfect order pre-
vailed.
"On behalf of the Company, and of all their officers,
I wish to return thanks, and to acknowledge par-
ticularly our obligations to yourself and Major Walsh.

(Signed) W. C. VanHorne.
—
rhe Old Order and the New An Indian at a Celebration of
Whites near a North-West Town. Lieut. -Col. A. G. Irvine,

Commissioner of North-West Mounted Police,

As originallyexpected, numerous and continued
(Torts were made to
Regina."
smuggle in whisky, at almost
11
points along the construction line. This taxed The next year, 1883, the work of railroad construc-
le resourcesand vigilance of the force to the utmost tion was accompanied by increased duties and troubles
;

ut these labours were successful. for the Mounted Police.

In the construction of the railway
during 1882, up- Track-laying on the Canadian Pacific Railroad
wards of 4,000men were employed during the whole ceased in the month of January, at a point some
immer, some of them exceptionally bad characters. twelve or thirteen miles eastward of the station now
no liquor obtainable,
>wing, however, to there being known Maple Creek. Several parties of workmen
as
ery little trouble was given the police, the con- employed by the railway company wintered in the
76
Cypress and getting out timber. These
Hills, cutting Pie-a-pot'sband fairly deserved the appellation of "Bad
men, ignorant Indian
of habits, were on different Indians," and even the possibility of the massacre of
occasions needlessly alarmed by nmioUrs that reached some of the advanced parties engaged in the railway
them of the hostile intentions of the Indians in the work was darkly suggested. As the army of navvies
vicinity. On
one occasion, a timid attempt was made advanced towards the Indian camp, and the latter re-
by a few Indians to stop their work, such attempt mained sullen and defiant, the railway officials appealed
at intimidation being prompted on the part of the to the Lieutenant-Governor for protection. His Honour
Indians by a desire to procure presents of food from promptly turned the appeal over to the Mounted Police,
the contractors. On representation being made to and, with just as much promptitude, means were taken
the officer commanding at Fort Walsh, prompt and to remove the difficulty. Pie-a-pot had hundreds of
effectual steps were taken to secure quietude, and well-armed braves spoiling for a fight, with him, but
prevent any similar occurrence. On this subject it isnot the custom in the North- West Mounted Police
Superintendent ShurtlifTe reported to Col. Irvine as to count numbers when law and duty are on their side.
follows: Soon after the order from headquarters ticked over
"On the 7th
inst., Mr.
LaFrance, a railway con- the wires, two smart, red-coated members of the force,
tractor, who was cutting ties in the neighbourhood of their pill-box forage caps hanging jauntily on the tradi-

Maple Creek, came to me and complained that a body tional three hairs, rode smartly into Pie-a-pot's camp,
of Indians, under 'Front Man,' had visited his camp and did not draw rein until in front of the chief's tent.
and forbidden them to cut any more timber, saying Two men entrusted with the task of bringing a camp
that it was the property of the Indians, and that they of several hundred savages to reason It appeared
!

had also demanded provisions from them. Mr. La like tempting Providence —
the very height of rashness.
France and his men being thoroughly frightened, Even the stolid Indians appeared impressed with
at once left the bush and repaired to the police out- the absurdity of the thing, and gathering near the
post at Maple Creek and claimed protection. On representatives of the Dominion's authority, began
hearing Mr. LaFrance's complaint, I sent for 'Front jeering at them. One of the two wore on his arm the
.Man,' and explained that it was a very serious matter triple chevron of a sergeant, and without any prelimi-
to interfere with any men working in connection nary parley he produced a written order and proceeded
with the railway, and convinced him that it would to read and explain it to Pie-a-pot and those about him.
not be well for him or any other Indian to do anything The Indians were without delay to break camp and
having a tendency to obstruct the progress of the take the trail for the north, well out of the sphere of
road. On being assured that he would have no railway operations. Pie-a-pot simply denuirred and
further trouble, Mr. LaFrance resumed work." turned away.
The Pie-a-pot incident, is one of the traditions of the The young bucks laughed outright at first, and soon
force, for have not gifted pens embalmed it. ventured upon threats. But it did not disconcert tlie
The work of construction was being rushed across two redcoats. They knew their duty, and that the
the prairies west of Swift Current, and right in the line written order in the sergeant's possession represented
of the engineers, directly where the construction camps an authority which could not be defied by all the
would soon be located with their thousands of passion- Indians in the North- West. The sergeant quietly gave
ate, unprincipled navvies — the flotsam and jetsam of Pie-a-pot warning he would
that give him exactly a
humanity — Pie-a-pot and his numerous tribe had pitched (juarter of an hour to comply with the order to move
their tents,and brusquely announced that they in- camp, and to show the Indian that he meant to be
tended to remain there. (piite exact with his count, he took out his watch.
Now Pie-a-pot and his band had not just then that Again Pie-a-pot sullenly expressed his intention to
wholesome respect for the law of "The Big White defy the order, and again the young braves jeered. They
Woman" and the red-coated guardians thereof which entered their tepees, and when they returned they had
a few months additional acquaintance were to confer. hands. The reports of discharged fire-
rifles in their

Moreover it is as true with the aborigines as with other arms .sounded through the camp, a sj)ecies of Indian
people that "Evil communications corrupt good man- bravado. Some turbulent characters of the tribe

ners," and in spite of the eflforts of the police, Pie-a-pot's mounted their ponies and to jostle the mounts
tried

band, or individual meml)ers thereof, had l)een just of the two redcoats as they calmly held their ix)sitions
enough in communication with the railway construction some young bucks firing off
in front of Pie-a-pot's tepee,

camps to be decidedly corrupted. The craze for the under the noses of the police horses.
their rifles right
whiteman's money and whisky raged within the Men, women, and even children, gathered about jeering
numerous teijees of Pie-a-|>ot 's
camp. I n fact just
,
t hen and threatening the representatives of law and order.
77
They knew that the two men could not retaliate. December, Mr. Murray of the C.P.R. reached Regina
Pie-a-pot even indulged in some coarse abuse at the ex- with an engine and car, and the detachment pro-
pense of his unwelcome visitors, but they sat their ceeded forthwith to Moose Jaw, which was the end of a
horses with apparent indifference, the sergeant taking division, and 40 miles west of headquarters. On
an occasional glance at his watch. arrival at Moose Jaw, Superintendent Herchmer,
When the fifteen minutes was up he coolly dis- commanding the detachment, placed a guard on the
mounted, and throwing the reins to the constable, railway round house at that place. From the assist-
walked over to Pie-a-pot's tepee. The coverings of these ance rendered by the police the railway company was
Indian tents are spread over a number of poles tied enabled to make up a train, which left for the east on
together near the top, and these poles are so arranged the following morning with passengers and mails. By
"
that the removal of a particular one. called the key- this train Supt. Herchmer, with nineteen men, pro-

pole." brings the whole structure down. The sergeant ceeded to Broadview, the eastern end of the same rail
did not say anything, but with impressive deliberation wav division.
kicked out the foot of the key-pole of Pie-a-pot's tepee,
bringing the grimy structure down without further

ceremony. A howl of rage at once rose from the camp,

and even the older and quieter Indians made a general
rush for their arms.
The least sign of weakness or even anxiety on the
part of the two policemen, or a motion by Pie-a-pot.
would have resulted in the speedy death of both men,
but the latter were, apparently, as calm as ever, and
Pie-a-pot was doing some deep thinking.
The sergeant had his plan of operations mapped
out, and with characteristic sang-froid proceeded to
execute it. From the collapsed canvas of Pie-a-pot's
tepee he proceeded to the nearest tent, kicked out the
key-pole as before, and proceeded to methodically kick
out the key-poles all through the camp.
As W. A. Fraser, the brilliant Canadian novehst,
writing of this remarkable incident, put it, Pie-a-pot
•
had either got to kill the sergeant —
stick his knife
into the heart of the whole British nation by the
murder of this unruffled soldier —or give in and move
away. He chose the latter course, for Pie-a-pot had
brains." /

During the month of Deceinber, 1883, a very serious

strike occurred on the Canadian Pacific Railway line,
the engineers and firemen refusing to sign such articles
Colonel S. B. Steele, C.B., etc., formerly Inspector and later
of agreement as were proposed and submitted to them Superintendent in the North-West Mounted Police.
by the railway authorities; these workmen making
demands for increased rate of pay, which, being re- During the year 1884, the progress of the Canadian
fused by the Company, led to the cessation of work PacificRailway construction, then approaching the
by engineers and firemen all along the line. It at once mountain section from across the prairie, was made
became apparent that the feeling between the Com- as uninterruptedly as heretofore. The large influx
pany and their employees was a bitter one. This of miners and others into the vicinity of the mines in
being the case, and the Company further finding that the mountains on the resumption of the train service
in addition to its being deprived of skilled mechanical in the spring (the service was suspended during the

labour, and also that secret and criminal attempts were winter), necessitated a material increase in the
being made most valuable property, the
to destroy strength of the
Calgary division, the
headquarters
services of the N.W.M.P. were called into demand.
strength of which it was advisable to diminish as little
A detachment of police, consisting of two officers as possible.
and thirty-five men, was placed under orders to pro- In March, Inspector Steele, who was commanding
ceed to Moose Jaw. On the evening of the 15th at Calgary, in the absence of Superintendent Mcllree,

78
on leave, reported that preparations were on foot for manager of construction, who promised to accede to
the illicit distillation of liquor in the mountains, and their
demands, as far as lay in his power, they would if

in June called attention to the difficulty of checking return to their camps, their board not to cost them
illegal importations into British Columbia under the anything in the meantime. Some were satisfied
narrow latitude imposed by the Peace Preservation with and several hundred returned to their
this,
Act applying to the vicinity of public works. This camps. The remainder stayed at the Beaver (where
latitude was subsequently extended to twenty miles there was a population of 700 loose characters), os-
on each side of the railway track. On the 10th of tensibly waiting for their money. They were appa-
May, in consequence of a message from the manager rently very quiet, but one morning word was brought
of construction, anticipating trouble at Holt City and to me that some of them were ordering the bricklayers
its neighbourhood, Sergt. Fury and ten men were posted to quit work, teamsters freighting supplies to leave
there for duty, two being retained at the 27th siding, their teams, and bridgemen to leave their work. I

and a corporal and four men at Silver City, and these sent detachments of police to the points threatened,
men, for the time, maintained order amidst the rowdy leaving only twomen to take charge of the prisoners
element in a highly creditable manner. On the 5th at my post. I instructed the men in charge of the
June, Superintendent Herchmer assumed command of detachments to use the very severest measures to
the Calgary district, being accompanied from head- prevent a cessation of the work of construction.
"
quarters by a reinforcement for "E" division, of two On the same afternoon, Constable Kerr, having
non-commissioned officers and 22 men. On the 21st occasion to go to the town, saw a contractor named
June, a detachment of mounted men was dispatched Behan, a well known desperado (supposed to be in
to the Columbia River, to protect the railway com- sympathy with the strike), drunk and disorderly,
pany's property and interests at that point. and attempted to arrest him. The constable was
A detachment of the force under Inspector Steele, immediately attacked by a large crowd, of strikers
was employed in the maintenance of law and order and roughs, thrown down and ultimately driven off.
on that part of the Canadian Pacific Railway under He returned to barracks, and on the return of Ser-
construction in the mountains, during the early geant Fury, with a party of three men from the end
part of 1885. The distribution of this detach- of the track, that non-commissioned officer went
ment was as follows: — Laggan, 3 men; 3rd Siding, with two men
to arrest the offending contractor,
2 men; Golden City, 8 men, 7 horses; 1st Crossing, whom they found in a saloon in the midst of a gang
4 men, 2 horses; Beaver Creek, 2 men, 1 horse; Sum- of drunken companions. The two constables took
mit of Selkirks, 2 men, 1 horse; 2nd Crossing, 4 men, hold of him and brought him out, but a crowd of
2 horses. A little later, as construction proceeded. men, about 200 strong, and all armed, rescued him,
Golden City was left with three men and one horse, in spite of the most resolute conduct on the part of
the balance being moved on to Beaver Creek. In the police. The congregated strikers aided in the
the absence of gaol accommodation for the district rescue, and threatened the constables if they per-
of Kootenay, cells were constructed at the 3rd Siding, sisted in their efforts.
Golden City, 1st Crossing, Beaver Creek, Summit "As the sergeant did not desire to use his pistol,
or Selkirks and 2nd Crossing. A mounted escort of except in the most dire necessity, he came to me,
four constables was detailed to escort the Canadian (I was on a sick-bed at the time) and asked for orders.
Pacific Railway paymaster whenever he required it. I him to go and soi/o the offender, and shoot
directed
Inspector Steele reported: any of the crowd who would interfere. He returned,
"About the first day of April, owing to their wages arrested the man, but had to shoot one of the rioters
being in arrears, 1,200 of the workmen employed on through the shoulders before the crowd would stand
the line struck where the end of the track then was, back. 1 then recjuested Mr. Johnston, J. P.. to ex-
and informed the manager of construction that unless plain the Riot Act to the mob, and inform them
paid up in full at once, and more regularly in future, that I would use the strongest measures to prevent
they would do no more work. They also openly any recurretice of the trouble. 1 IukI all the men
stated their intention of committing acts of violence who resisted the police, or aided Behan, arrested next

upon the staff of the road, and to destroy property. morning, and fined them, together with him. $100
I received a deputation of the ringleaders, and assured each, or six months hard labour.
them that if they committed any act of violence, "The strike
collapsed next day. The roughs
and were not orderly, in the strictest sense of the having had a severe lesson, were quiet. The con-
word, I would inflict upon the offenders the severest duct of the police during this trying occasion was all
punishment the law would allow me. They saw the that could be desired. There were only five at the

79
Beuvcr at the time, and they faced the powerful mob sing requirements of advancing settlement and civil-
of armed men with as much resolution as if backed ization. Colonel Irvine suggested that 300 addi-

by hundreds. tional men should be obtained as soon as possible,

"While the was in progress I received a
strike these to be recruited in Eastern Canada, and to be

telegram from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor men physique and character, accustomed
of undeniable
of the North- West Territories, directing me to proceed to and able to ride. With such men, the
horses,
to Calgary at once with all the men, but in the interests Commissioner explained, the necessary training, in-
of the public service I was obliged to reply, stating cluding a course of instruction in police duties, could
that to obey was impossible until the strike was be more rapidly completed than if equitation, in
settled. addition to the rudiments of foot and arm drill, had
"
On the 10th day of April the labourers had been to be taught.
all paid, and I forthwith proceeded to Calgary, leaving We obtain a good idea of the class of men composing
the men in charge of Sergeant Fury until everything the North- West Mounted Police at this time from a
"
was perfectly satisfactory. very readable and well written book published by
On the 7th of April, this year, a constable found Sampson Low & Co., London, 1889, entitled "Trooper
in the Moose Jaw Creek the dead body of a man named and Redskin in the Far North- West; Recollections
Malaski, with a heavy chain attached. The same of Life in the North- West Mounted Police, Canada,

night Sergeant Fyffe arrested one John Connor on from 1884 to 1888," by John G. Donkin, late Cor-
suspicion of being the murderer. An examination poral N. W. M. P. The author, in a chapter directly
of Connor's house showed traces of blood on the concerning the personnel of the Mounted Police wrote:
walls and floor, an attempt having been made to "After having been about two months in the corps,
chip the stains off the latter with an axe, and further I was able to form some idea of the class of comrades

examination revealed the track of the body, which among whom my lot was cast. I discovered that
" "
had been dragged from the house to the creek. there were truly all sorts and conditions of men.

The murder had evidently been committed with Many I found, in various troops, were related to
an axe, while the murdered man was lying on the English families in good position. There were three
bed, probably asleep, there being three deep wounds men at Regina who held commissions in the British
on the side of the head. Connor was convicted of service. There was also an ex-officer of militia, and
the murder before Colonel Richardson, Stipendiary one of volunteers. There was an ex-midshipman,
Magistrate, and a jury, on the 2nd May, and was son of the Governor of one of our small Colonial de-
executed at Regina on the 17th July. The prisoner pendencies. A son of a major-general, an ex-cadet
made no statement of any kind with respect to his of the Canadian Royal Military College at Kingston,
guilt. a medical student from Dublin, two ex-troopers of
During the construction of the prairie sections of the Scots Greys, a son of a captain in the line, an
the C.P.R. the duties of railway mail clerks in the Oxford B. A., and several of the ubiquitous natives
North- West were performed by members of the force. of Scotland, comprised the mixture. In addition,
During 1884, from Moose Jaw westward, all the mail there were many Canadians belonging to families of
via the Canadian Pacific Railway was conveyed to and influence, as well as several from the backwoods,
fro in charge of members of the force, their number who had never seen the light till their fathers had
varying with the alteration in the train service. Three hewed a way through the bush to a concession road.
constables from headquarters performed this duty They were none the worse fellows on that account,
between Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat, two of the though. Several of sported medals won
our men
Maple Creek division from Medicine Hat to Calgary, in South Egypt, and Afghanistan. There
Africa,
and two of the Calgary division from that place to was one, brother of a Yorkshire baronet, formerly
Laggan. an officer of a certain regiment of foot, who as a con-
These men were sworn as officials of the Postal tortionist and lion-comique was the best amateur I
Department, and absence of aught to the con-
in the ever knew. There was only an ex-circus clown from
trary, carried out their duties to the satisfaction, no Dublin who could beat him. These two would give
less of the Postal Department, than of their own
gratuitous performances nightly, using the barrack-
officers. room furniture as acrobatic 'properties.'"
In his annual report for 1884 the Commissioner This aggregation of "all sorts and conditions of
pointed out the need of a further increase in the men," already proved to be efficient in many a tight
number of non-commissioned officers and men in the corner, was about to undergo the supreme test of
force, to enable him to comply with the daily increa- service in actual warfare.

80
 CHAPTER IX.

THE REBELLION OF 1885

The Uprising Predicted By Officers of the Force Well in Advance of the Actual Appeal To
Arms — Irvine's Splendid March From Regina to Prince Albert — The Fight at Duck Lake
—
and Abandonment of Fort Carlton Services of the Detachments at Prince Albert, Battle-
ford and Fort Pitt and of Those which Accompanied the Militia Columns Throughout the
—
Campaign Preventing a General Uprising Throughout the North-West.

account the North-West Rebellion, the

of ities atthe seat of Government of reports describing

ON year 1885 one which will alwa3's be considered

is

historical in Canada. The campaign which

the various stages of the development of the rebellion.
July 8, 1884, the following telegram was received
resulted in the suppression of the rising was the first by the Comptroller in Ottawa and referred to the
conducted by Canadian troops alone, without any authorities concerned :
—
assistance from the British regular army. The re- "
Battleford, 8th July, 1884.
bellion marked in a dramatic manner the complete
unification of patriotic sentiment throughout all the
"Fred. White, Ottawa.
"
provinces of the Dominion; Canadians from the
Louis Riel arrived at Duck Lake, with family,
various provinces fighting in the ranks, side l)v side, brought in by half-brocds. They brought him, it
and shedding their V)lood, to assert the authority of is said, as their leader, agitating their rights.

the Federal Government, and thus demonstrating L. N. F. Crozier."

the .successful accomplishment of the fundamental
In an official report on this subject, to the Com-
project of the framers of Confederation, the creation
of a Canadian nation. missioner, l)earing date 13th July, 1884, rendered by

The marks an era in the history of the

rebellion, too, Superintendent Crozier, who was in command at
Battleford, that officer stated that the half-breeds
Royal North-West Mounted Police, for the force
claimed to have grievances of various kinds and that
naturally Iwre the brunt of the campaign, and ac-
the Indians were becoming excite<l on account of
<|uitted itself well. Officers and men wherever em-
the action of the half-breeds.
ployed, whether on the march, scouting, on courier
August 2nd. the Commissioner
forwarded to Ot-
-crvice, in garri.son. or on the battlefield, acted in a
manner creditable to the force and to the country. tawa from Regiiui the following report received by
The services of the Mounted Police in connection him from Superintendent Crozier: —
"
with theuprising cover a considerable period pre- Battleford, 27th July, 1884.
ceding actual
its outbreak, for one of the best proofs "Sir;
—
of the efficiency of the force dtiring this stirring time, "I have the honour to inform you that Riel has held
was aflforded by the prompt transmission to the author- meetings at both Prince Albert and Duck Lake. I

81
am informed that his meeting at the first named effect upon the country, and, among those effects,

place was an open one. Some httle difficulty took not the least,a sense of insecurity among settlers.

place, but was promptly put down. "I believe now, that Big Bear and his followers would
At Duck Lake, his audience was composed of French have been upon their reserve but for the emissaries of
half-breeds and Indians. He is said, though I have Riel, who, it is said, invited him to meet that person at
no official information to that effect, to have told Duck Lake.
the Indians that they had 'rights' as well as the "Certain it is he has gone there, and that after having
half-breeds, and that he wished to be the means of promised and received provisions to go to Fort Pitt.
having them redressed. He had proceeded with the camp some distance on the
"
I am also informed that he expressed a wish to road, but turned back after hearing from Riel.
"
confer with the Indian chiefs. I have already re- There are very many rumours about as to what Riel
ported that I believe the Indians sympathize with has said to the Indians, that, if true, are intended to
the half-breeds, nor could anything else be expected, cause discontent among them as to their present con-
being close blood relations and speaking the same dition.

language. L. N. F. Crozier."

August 9th, Superintendent Crozier forwarded the

following report received in cypher from Sergeant
Brooks at Prince Albert, dated the 8th:
"Returned from Duck Lake last night; Big Bear in
council with ten other chiefs. Riel has held several
private meetings at the South Branch, attended by
leading half-breeds; he has not seen Big Bear. Big
Bear's camp, with twelve lodges, is forty miles S.S.E.
of Fort Pitt. His son is with the camp. It is re-
ported to me that Big Bear will go to Prince Albert
after he leaves Duck Lake."
In forwarding this report, Superintendent Crozier
wrote the Commissioner :

"
For several weeks have had a man stationed at
I

Duck Lake report what transpires there, par-

to

ticularly as to the half-breeds and Indians. The same

point is visited frequently by the non-commissioned
officers and men from Prince Albert also. I also

receive from the non-commissioned officer at Prince

Albert, despatches by letter or cypher telegram, of
anything that he may become aware of that he deems
of importance. I have this day sent a non-commis-

sioned officer and three men to patrol in and about

Duck Lake and the settlements thereabouts, with a
view to detecting, if possible, the presence of horse

Captain "Jack" French, formerly an Inspector of the N.W.M. P., be some in that
who orjfanized and commanded " French's Scouts," and thieves, as it is supposed there may
who gallantly fellat the head of his men in the vicinity."
advanced line at the capture of Batoche. On the 5th of August a non-commission,ed officer,
who had been instructed to ascertain the state of
"
What may be the result of this half-breed agitation feeling at Prince Albert, reported: — "There is very
or what effect it inay have upon the Indians, of course little talk about Riel. The
principal part of the
I cannot foretell. I before said, and still think, pre- people who seem to agree with him are people who
cautionary measures should be taken; such measures are hard up and think they must do something to
as will not only prevent turbulent spirits carrying cause a little excitement. I have heard very few
their schemes to an extreme, but prevent both Indians who any way well-to-do speak favourably of
are in
and half-breeds even making an attempt to resist him. There is no doubt but that all the breeds swear
authority or organize for illegal purposes, for these by him, and whatever he says is law with them."
constant 'excitements' must have a most injurious On the 10th of August, Sergeant Brooks, at Prince
82
Albert, reported that Riel had held a meeting that day with secrecy, and no person, except the members
as the people were coming from church at Batoche. at of the committee, isallowed to take part in them.
which he said 'the Indian's rights should be protected At all the public meetings, Kiel and his supporters
as well as your own.' He reported also that Jackson. have been very moderate, or rather cautious, in their
brother of the druggist, at Prince Albert, seemed to be utterances; butI learn that they appear in disguise
*'
a right-hand man He
has a great deal to
of Kiel's. at theseopen gatherings, and advocate very different
say. and I believe he does more harm than any breed measures in their councils. The last meeting was
among them." held a week ago at the house of Batiste Boyer, one
On the 18th August, Superintendent Crozier re- of the chief supporters of the movement. Charles
ceived orders from the Commissioner to increase the Nolin, another member, and one of the most unrea-
Prince Albert detachment to an Inspector and twenty sonable, proposed that the half-breeds make certain
men, and did so accordingly. demands on the Government, and if not complied
On the 17th of September. Sergeant H. Keenan, at with, they take up arms at once, and commence
Duck Lake, reported that a meeting of Kiel's sup-

porters had been held at St. Laurent on the 1st, at

which a number of half-breeds and white men from
Prince Albert were present, "including Jackson, Scott
and Isbister, three of Kiel's strongest supporters in
that district. Speeches were made condemning the
Government, and Mr. Jackson stated that the country
belonged to the Indians and not to the Dominion of
Canada." Sergeant Keenan concludes: "I met Kiel
a few days ago, and during our conversation he told
me that the Government, through Bishop Grandin,
had offered him a seat in the Council or in the Do-
minion Senate."
In view of the increasing unrest on the North
Saskatchewan, the Comptroller forwarded the fol-
lowing :

"Ottawa, 3rd Sept., 1884.

"The undersigned has the honour to submit for the

Minister's consideration, that in view of the possibility
of additional Mounted Police being required in the
North Saskatchewan District, it is desirable that steps
l)etaken to secure accommodation for men and horses,
l)eyond the capacity of the Mounted
Police post at
Battleford, and it is
suggested that arrangement might
be made with the Hudson Bay Company for the use,
for police purposes, during the coming winter, of their
Superintendent S. Gaffnon.
buildings, or a portion thereof, at Fort Carlton, which
is about fifteen miles northwest of Duck Lake, about

west of Prince Albert, and one hundred killingevery white man they can find, and incite
fifty-five miles
the Indians to do the same. I obtained this informa-
and twenty miles east of Battleford.
tion from an Old Country Frenchman who belonged
Frkd Whitk, Comptroller." to the connnittee, and left it on account of the ex-
treme and unre.'tsonable measures it advocated.
Under date, " Batoche, 25th Sept., 1884," Sergeant This man Nolin the most dangerous of the half-
is

Keenan reported as follows: breeds for the rea.son that he is strongly in favour
"
have the honour to state that since my last re-
I of tam|)ering with the Indians."

port has been quiet here. There have, however,

all The suggestion contained in the Comptroller's
been frequent meetings of Kiel's committee held in memorandum of the third of September having been
different parts of the settlement. It is almost impos- acted u|x)n, and |K'rmission obtained from the Hudson
sible for me to obtain any information as to what Bay (V»mpany to ([uarter a detachment at their his-
transpires at these meetings, as they are conducted torical post at Fort Carlton, in October a police pt)st

83
was established there under command of Superin- is that they are afraid the Government will not sanc-
tendent S. Gagnon. and the strength of the northern tion the way they,amongst themselves, have agreed
division increased to 200 of all ranks, this number to take their —
homesteads ten chains frontage on the
being distributed between Battleford, Carlton, Prince river by two miles back. The Indians are quiet.
Albert and Fort Pitt. The sub-agent here reports that one of the southern
The Indians about Fort Pitt appeared to be peace- Indians, who makes it a business to run from band
ably enough disposed in November, for on the 9th, to band, trying to create mischief, is now in Beardy's

Inspector Dickens, commanding there, reported: band. The agent has a criminal charge to prefer
"From the 1st to the 11th, I was absent on a tour against him, and as soon as the guard room is fitted
around the reserves on the occasion of the annual up I will have him arrested."
treaty payments of the Indians. The payments On the 14th January, 1885, Superintendent Crozier
passed off quietly, as I have already reported. On reported that invitations to a large gathering, in the
my return I found that Little Poplar had arrived spring, atDuck Lake, were being circulated amongst
at Pitt, to be present at the payment of Big Bear's the Indians, and he was informed that an effort would
band. Big Bear now talks of taking a reserve in be made to get the Qu'Appelle Valley Indians to
"
the sj .ing. As long
as they receive rations I do not attend. appeared, too, that
It Little Pine" had tried
think they will give trouble during the winter that — to induce a number of the Blackfeet to move north-

is, I do not think that they have at present any

in- wards in the spring, and "Poundmaker" said that
tention of so doing." "Little Pine" had told his young men not to dispose
From Fort Carlton, on December 23rd, Superin- of their guns. Superintendent Crozier expected to
tendent Gagnon reported as follows: hear later from
"
Poundmaker " the particulars of
"
I have the honour to report that during the last "Little Pine's" negotiations with the Blackfeet, as
month the half-breeds of St. Laurent and Batoche soon as he should have obtained them from " Little
settlements held a public meeting, to adopt a petition Pine." Superintendent Crozier expressed great faith
" "
drawn up by a committee, and that this petition, in Poundmakers' reliability and fidelity.
signed by the settlers of both settlements, had been On
the 12th of January, Inspector Dickens reported
forwarded to Ottawa. This meeting, from all re- from Fort Pitt that " Big Bear's " band were at work
ports, seems to have been very orderly. Several drawinglogs, cutting wood, &c., "all quiet."
other smaller re-unions have taken place during the On
the 26th of January, Superintendent Gagnon,
same period, but all had reference to school matters. commanding at Carlton, reported that nothing of im-
The half-breeds are pressing Kiel to settle amongst portance had occurred during the month among the
them, and have given him, as a token of their grati- half-breeds in that district. "They had, after New
tude for services rendered, a house well furnished, Year a which they presented their
social meeting, at
and will further, on 2nd January next, present him chief, Riel, with $60 as a token of their good will. The
with a purse. These testimonials are for the good meeting was very orderly and loyal, and no allusion
will of the majority,and would go towards denying was made to the actual troubles."
certain rumours, which say that several are lacking Riel appears to have been in financial troubles
confidence in their leader, that his way of acting just then, and to h^,ve obtained assistance from the
and speaking denote a very hot head, and that he Roman Catholic missionary at St. Laurent. Superin-
does not agree Vvith their priests. There is no doubt tendent Gagnon was now informed that the pre-
that a great number are still led by him, and would viously mentioned petition had not been sent to
act on his dictates. Some time ago I sent several Ottawa, as stated, but was then in process of being
men to the South Branch to have horses shod. The signed, with a view to its being forwarded the following
river being full of floating ice, they could not cross. month. It appeared that a letter only, as a sort of
Some way or other, the report was brought to the avant courrier to the petition, had been sent on the
east side of the river that these men were sent to arrest before-mentioned occasion.
Riel, who was then
at the crossing. Within half an There was now a period of about three weeks during
hour, over one hundred men had collected to protect which the former excitement appeared to have died
him. There is a certain amount of suffering amongst a natural death, the next feature being a rumour,
the half-breeds, but not to the extent it was expected reported by telegram from Battleford on the 21st
to reach. Large quantities of supplies are required February, that Riel was talking of leaving the country
for this part of the country, and all who have horses
soon, as he was not recognized by the Government as
can make a living by freighting with them. As far a British subject. Apparently, something of this sort
as I can see, the chief grievance of the half-breeds was necessary to fan the dying embers into flame again.
84
It succeeded so far that on the 24th February a meet- on the 19th, by a report that the half-breeds had
ing got up by himself was held, to beg Riel to stay seized the stores at the South Branch, and made Mr,
in the country, to which request he was pleased to Lash, Indian agent, besides
prisoner, committing
consent. other depredations.
On the 10th of March, Superintendent Gagnon In anticipation of the order to proceed to the north,
telegraphed that the half-breeds were excited, and the Commissioner had withdrawn from Calgary to
were moving about more thaii usual. Further, that Regina twenty-five non-commissioned officers and
they pro|x)sed to prevent supplies going in after the men, and twenty horses, and at 6 a.m. on the 18th of
16th .
March, Lieut.-Col. Irvine left the Regina barracks
On Superintendent Crozier, who had
the 11th, en route for Prince Albert, the marching out state
reached Fort Carlton from Battleford, reported by showing four officers, 86 non-commissioned officers
telegraph as follows: and men, and 66 horses. The little column pro-
"
Half-breeds greatly excited reported they threaten
; ceeded as far as Pie-a-Pot's reserve, 28 miles, and
attack on Carlton before 16th. Half-breeds refuse to halted for dinner. afterwards proceeded along the
It
take freight or employment for Government; will stop Qu'Appelle Valley, and camped
for the night at
all freight coming into country after 16th of this Misquopetong's place. All the rivers were at this
month; getting arms ready; leader will not allow time frozen solid, and no water could be obtained for
people to leave home, as they may be required. the horses. The distance travelled during the day
Origin of trouble I think because letter received was 43 miles.

stating, Riel not recognized British subject; they On the 19th, reveille sounded at 3.30 a.m. Broke
expect arms from States. Have ordered 25 men from camp and left Misquopetong's place at 5 a.m., and
Battleford and one gun to come here at once." drove into Fort Qu'Appelle, which was reached at
On the 14th, Crozier telegraphed from Carlton to 9.45 a.m. The Commissioner was here busily em-
Lieutenant Governor Dewdney, at Regina: "Half- — ployed for some time purchasing additional teams
breed rebellion liable to break out any moment. and sleighs required for transport. At 4 p.m. the
Troops must be largely reinforced. If half-breeds detachment left Fort Qu'Appelle, and travelled on
rise Indians will join them." towards O'Brien's, which was situated eight miles north
The same day Lieut.-Colonel Irvine, from Regina, of Qu'Appelle. The Commissioner here camped for
wired the Comptroller at Ottawa as follows: "Lieut.- — the night. The distance travelled during the day
Governor received telegram dated Carlton, to-day, was twenty-seven miles.
from Crozier, saying half-breed rebellion may break On the 21st reveille sounded at 3.30 a.m.; broke
out any moment and joined by Indians, and asking camp and started at 5 a.m., travelling through the
that his division be largely increased. Would re- Touchwood Hills, and camped for the night about a
commend that at least one hundred men be sent at mile from the Hudson Bay Company's post. Distance
once, l)efore roads break up. Please instruct." travelled during the day was 40 miles.
On the 15th, Col. Irvine telegraphed to Ottawa: — It was at this point that Col. Irvine received the
"
Lieutenant-Governor thinks I had better go north following communication from Superintendent Crozier,
with men at once; roads and rivers will soon break dated Carlton, 19th March, 1885:
"
up." I have the honour to inform you that the half-

The same night the following telegraphic order was breeds seized the stores at South Branch to-day,
despatched by the Comptroller to the Commissiotier: — Mr. Lash, Indian agent, Walters, merchant, two tele-
"Start for the north quickly as possible, with all graph operators, and .Mr. Mitchell, of Duck Lake, are
available men up to one hundred. Telegraph march- prisoners. Beardy's Indians joined the rebels this

ing out state and report when passing telegraph afternoon. The wire is cut. The rebels are assembled
station," on south side of river. Prisoners are held in Roman
On
the 17th, a telegram was received at Regina from Catholic church, about a (luarter of a mile up stream
Superintendent Crozier to the effect that: "Present from crossing. All One Arrow's band of Crees joined
movements and preparations have quieted matters. them this afternoon. Many of Beardy's also joined
No cause for alarm now." them. The remainder of Beardy's will probably
There was no guarantee, however, that this ap- follow to-morrow. The number of rebels assembled

parent security would continue, and existing arrange- this afternoon is estimated at from 200 to 4(M) men.
ments were carried out, fortunately, as it appeared, They will rapidly increa.se in luimbers. My im-
for on the 18th two urgent appeals for more men came pression is that many of the Indian bands will rise.

over the wires from Superintendent Crozier, followed, The plan at present is to seize any troops coming into
85
the country at the South Branch, then march on march. The distance travelled was 291 miles, and
Carlton, then on Prince Albert. The instructor led this in seven days, the average daily travel thus being
One Arrow's band. He is a half-breed." 42 miles. The hardships experienced on such a march
The distance travelled during the day was 40 miles. can only be understood and the nature of such service
On the 22nd, broke camp at 5 a.m., and proceeded thoroughly appreciated by those who have resided
across Salt Plain. The weather was bitterly cold. in the northern portion of the Territories, and so

One man had badly frozen.

his feet Halted for dinner become familiar with the severity of the North-West
after having crossed Salt Plain. In the afternoon winter. It must be remembered that Col. Irvine's

reached Humboldt, and camped here. Mr. Hayter littlecommand had, in reaching Prince Albert, gone
Reed, Assistant Indian Commissioner, joined Col. right through a section of the country then in pos-
Irvine there, and remained with him throughout. session of the rebels.
Distance travelled 43 miles. On finding himself in Prince Albert, Col. Irvine
was at this point ihat Col. Irvine ascertained
It felt that the most difficult and arduous portion of the
that some 400 half-breeds had congregated at Batoche, object then in view, viz.:
—
affecting a junction with
for the express purpose of preventing his command Superintendent Crozier —
had been effected, and this
joining Superintendent Crozier. The Commissioner in a markedly successful manner, the avowed plans of
here sent the following telegram to the Comptroller: the rebels being to prevent any augmentation of the
"Arrived here 4.30 this afternoon. Camp to-night force at Carlton, by offering a continued resistance
at Stage Station, six miles farther on. About 400 at the crossing of the South Branch of the Saskat-
half-breeds and Indians at South Branch, "Batoche's," chewan.
prepared to stop me crossing river. Have decided to Col. Irvine's original intention was to have reached
go to Carlton by direct trail, east of Batoche via Carlton on the 25th March. This might have been
Prince Albert. Expect to reach Carlton 25th." done had it appeared imperative, but upon the morning
On 23rd, broke camp at 5.30 a.m. Weather
the after his arrival, Col. Irvine had the assurance of Mr.
continued bitterly cold. Soon after starting Col. Thomas McKay, who had just returned from Fort
Irvine received intelligence of the mail station at Carlton, that all was quiet there. To add to this,
Hoodoo having been sacked by a party of rebels. the travelling over ice and frozen roads had, as was to
On reaching Hoodoo he found that the intelligence be expected, made it necessary to have the horses'
received was perfectly true. All provisions and grain shoeing carefully looked to. Taking into considera-
stored there had been carried off by the rebels, who tion that upon its arrival at Prince Albert (at 8 p.m.
had also taken the stage driver prisoner, and carried on the 24th) the force had completed a winter march
off the f
tage horses. The
Commissioner subse- of 291 miles, a thorough inspection of men, arms and

quently overtook a freighter loaded with oats. The horses was, of course advisable. Besides all this, the
oats the rebels had ordered the freighter to carry organization of a company of Prince Albert volunteers,
on to Batoche. The train containing these oats Col. deemed advisable to take on to Carlton, took up time,
Irvine ordered to move on with his column, which as did also the procuring of transport for these ad-
was done at as rapid rate as the freighter was able ditional men.
to travel. The Commissioner afterwards used these The Commissioner was naturally anxious to have
oats in feeding his horses. Distance travelled, 33 both men and horses reach Carlton, the acknowledged
miles. scene of operations, in a thoroughly efficient and
On the 24th, broke camp at 6 a.m., and travelled serviceable condition.
along the trail leading to Batoche, a distance of six or Upon the following morning (26th) at 2.30 a.m.,
seven miles. The detachment then left the trail and Irvine and his command were en route, so it will be
proceeded in a
north-easterly direction towards seen with what exceptional promptitude the necessary
Agnew's Crossing on the South Saskatchewan, which preparations were carried out. Irvine took with him
point was reached about 2 p.m. Having crossed the besides 83 of his own non-commissioned officers and
river. Col. Irvine halted for dinner. men from Regina, 25 volunteers from Prince Albert.
Before making the start for Prince Albert, news was The services of these brave volunteers were offered
received by Col. Irvine to the effect that the half- with a perfect knowledge of the dangers they might
breeds were bitterly disappointed and furiously en- be called upon to face. Like the loyal and gallant
raged at his having succeeded in crossing the river, citizens they proved themselves to be, they were
and in so doing completely
outflanking and out-
—
ready for any service in fact, all were anxious to
manceuvering them. The force reached Prince be employed. Col. Irvine accepted the services of
Albert at about 8 p.m., after a very rapid and successful these men with what he considered a most important
86
object in view, his desire being, on arrival at Carlton. and ammunition which was in the store of a trader
to be in a position to increase to a maximum the named Mitchell, of Duck Lake. When within three
number of police available for service outside the miles of Duck Lake. Mr. McKay, who was riding in
post. He hoped in this way, by a prompt and decided front, saw four of the North-West Mounted Police
move, to quash the rebellion ere it had assumed more scouts who had been sent out in advance, riding
formidable proportions. But he never intended these towards him, closely followed by a large number of
volunteers to remain away from Prince Albert for half-breeds and Indians. On perceiving this Mr.
any extended period. The importance attaching McKay turned and rode back to the sleighs, halted
to the position of that place he was thoroughly alive them, and told the men to load their rifles and get
to from the outset This he made publicly known ready. He then went forward and met the rebels,
before he started for Carlton. During the afternoon who were all armed and mounted, in large numbers,
march, (on the 26th), and when within nine miles of which "were being rapidly increased from the rear.
Fort Carlton, the Commissioner received the following The rebels behaved in a very overbearing and
despatch from Superintendent Gagnon:
— excited manner, and demanded a surrender of the
party or they would fire. There is no doubt that
"Carlton, 26th March, the rebels would have immediately fired upon Mr.
"To the Commissioner McKay and party but for the fact that they (the
North- West Mounted Police. rebels) were themselves on the open plain, where
they could make no use of cover to protect them-
"Superintendent Crozier, with 100 men, started
selves from the fire which McKay would most cer-
out on Duck Lake road to help one of our sergeants
tainlyhave ordered. The rebels' demand of surrender
and small party in difficulty at Mitchell's store. I
was refused, and a reply given by Mr. McKay in their
have 70 men, and can hold the fort against odds.
Do not expect Crozier to push on farther than Duck own language (Cree), that if firing was commenced
Lake. Everything quiet here. by the rebels they would find that two could play
that game.
S. Gagnon, Gabriel Dumont. the erst-while buffalo hunter
"
Superintendent. referred a previous chapter, and others, kept
to in

prodding loaded and cocked rifles into Mr. McKay's

Subsequently, when a short distance from the top ribs, and declaring they would blow out his brains.
of the hill which immediately overlooks Carlton, Two of the rebels jumped into a sleigh belonging to
the Commissioner received a second despatch from Mr. McKay's party,and endeavoured to take pos-
Superintendent Gagnon. It read as follows: — session of the team; but Mr. McKay told th^ driver
not to give it up, but to hold on to it. which he did.
Carlton, 26th March, 2.30 The Indians kept jeering at Mr. McKay's small party,
To the Commissioner
and calling out: "If you are men. now come on."
North-West Mounted Police.
The party then returned in the direction of Carlton,
"Crozier exchanged shots with rebels at Duck Mr. McKay cautioning the rebels not to follow, as
Lake; six men reported shot. Crozier retreating on he would not be responsible for what his men might
Carlton; everything quiet here, but ready for emer- do. During the parleying Dumont fired a rifle bet-
gency. tween Mr. McKay and the teamster before referred
to, which it was feared was intended
S. Gagnon, as a signal for
" "
Superintendent. the large number of Indians a.s.sembled in the rear.
During the withdrawal towards (Wlton. a scout
Col. Irvine reached Fort Carlton about 3 o'clock was ordered in advance to report the circumstance
in the afternoon of the 26th. and found that Super- to Superintendent Crozier. and on Mr. McKay's
intendent Crozier had then just returned from Duck arrival at the fort, another party, under command of
I^ke with a party of North-West Mounted Police Suix'rintendent Crozier. started for
Duck Lake, for
and Prince Albert Vohmteers. the purpose of securing the stores Mr. McKay's men
The Commissioner learnt from Su{X'rintendent failed in getting.
he Tiie command was of the following strength, viz:—
Crozier that had, early that morning, sent a
party consisting of Sergeant Stewart, N.W.M.P., Su|)erinten(lent Crozier. Ins|x>ctor Howe (with 7-pr.

and 17 constables, with eight sleighs, and accompanied mountain gun). Surgeon Miller, and fifty-three non-
by and under the direction of .Mr. Thos. McKay. .I.P., conunissioned oHicers and men of the North-West
of Prince Albert, to secure a quantity of provisions Mounted Police, (all of 'D" division), and Captains
87
Moore and Morton, and forty-one men of the Prince On being confronted by the rebels, Crozier im-
Albert volunteers, making a total of 99. mediately ordered his sleighs to extend at right angles
Crozier was met by the rebels at nearly the same across and to the left of the road, unhitched his horses
was forced to and sent them to the rear. The rebels appeared to
point from which Mr. McKay's party
retire. In this latter case, however, the rebels were desire a parley, several of them advancing to the
able to use of strong natural cover, being hidden
make front with a white flag, which Crozier took to be one

in extended order behind a ridge, which flanked of truce. As the rebels appeared to be moving with
on either side by small brush, crossed the road much a view of surrounding his force, Crozier threw a line
in the form of a distended horse-shoe. of skirmishers to the right of the road under cover

Before leaving Carlton, Crozier had been informed of a of the force, excepting the
wood, the remainder
that there were only about 100 marauding rebels men charge of the horses, taking cover behind
in

at Duck Lake, the head-quarters and main force, the sleighs. Crozier himself advanced towards the
white flag, calling back for the interpreter Joseph
according to the latest information received from
McKay. Meantime a large party of rebels was
noticed moving in the direction of Crozier's right
flank, and he said several times to the man with the
white flag:
—
"Call those people back", but the man
paid not the slightest attention, the sending out of
the flag apparently being merely a piece of treachery,
to gain time while the operation of out-flanking the

right of the police position was being conducted.

Had that been accomplished, and it was only pre-
vented by the line of skirmishers Crozier had extended
towards his right, the force would doubtless have
been annihilated.
While Crozier and McKay were parleying with the
man with the flag, was opened from the rebel
fire

position and returned, and in a few moments fighting

became general, the seven-pounder being got into
action and, although worked at great disadvantage,
with good effect. The murderovis character of the
rebel fire, particularly from the extreme left of their

position, convinced Crozier that he was opposed by

a much larger force than he had ever dreamt of meet-
ing at Duck Lake. The ground was covered with
a deep crusted snow, making it very difficult for a

satisfactory disposition and movement of the force

to be made, and giving the rebels in their chosen
ambush a great advantage. Concealed from view,
to the right of the trail along which the police had
Superintendent Joseph Howe.
advanced, were two houses in which were posted a
large number of rebels, who poured in a deadly fire
scouts, being at Batoche's Crossing, on the south side and who were gradually working round towards the
of the Saskatchewan. He consequently considered right rear of Crozier's position, although the left of
that he had enough men with him to overcome any the rebel line was being gradually driven back. Ac-
resistance he was likely to meet with, and from the cording to the Superintendent's report the police
numbers of meii'
Superintendent Crozier saw on and volunteers composing his little force behaved
reaching the rebel position, he was justified in believing superbly, their bravery and coolness under the mur-
that the information he had received as to the nume- derous fire being simply astonishing. Not a man
rical strength of the rebel force in front of him was shirked or even faltered.
correct. He was deceived however, for according When Crozier found that the enemy were far
to the sworn testimony of prisoners in the rebels' more numerous than his own force, that they were
hands the strength of the half-breeds and Indians ambushed almost all around him, that they had
was 350 men. every advantage of ground and cover on their side.
88
while he and his men had every disadvantage of posi- itbecame incumbent on the Commissioner to decide
tion contend against, he deemed it prudent to
to whether Fort Carlton or Prince Albert was to be
abandon his attempt to proceed further, and to withdraw made the base of operations. He was perfectly well
his force from action, which was done in perfect order. aware of the vital importance attaching to the result
As five of the horses had been killed or disabled of his decision, embracing as it did the lives and pro-
by gun shot wounds, Crozier was obliged to abandon perty of the settlers, in addition to what, from a
two of his sleighs and one jumper, in which there strategic point of view, he assumed would place him
were a few rounds of ammunition for the 7-pounder in the strongest possible position he might hope to

gun, which fell into the hands of the rebels. occupy. Although his own opinion on this point was
The bodies of most of the killed were off to the strongly in favour of evacuation, he nevertheless
extreme right, in situations most exposed to the am- decided to hold a council, for the purpose of ascertain-
bushed rebels, and could only have been collected ing the views of the many leading men from Prince
by incurring the gravest risk of putting the entire Albert, temporarily performing military duty at
command the greatest possible jeopardy and
into Carlton. The result of this council was the unani-
Crozier decided not to assume the risk. The rest mous opinion that the safety of the country lay in
of the command, horses, sleighs and all the wounded ensuring Prince Albert being placed in a tenable
were safely brought off the field. position. was agreed that Prince Albert and the
It
The casualties in "D" Division wese as follows: — country immediately adjoining it represented what
Inspector Howe, flesh wound; corporal Gilchrist, might be termed the whole white settlement, where
broken thigh; constable G. P. Arnold, shot through the lives and interests of the loyal people lay. The
the lungs and neck, died at 1.45 a.m., on the 27th; section of the country to the southward, already ii\
constable G. M. Garrett, shot in the lungs, died, 3 the possession of the rebels, was composed of their
p.m., on the 27th; constable S. F. Gordon, flesh own (half-breed) settlements and farms.
wound; constable W. A. Manners-Smith, shot through Prior to the holding of the council, before it was
lungs; constable A. Miller, slight scalp wound; cons- known what the movements of the police force were
table W. Gibson, shot through the heart, died on the to be, it was represented to Irvine by the Prince Albert
field; constable J. J. Wood, flesh wound of the arm. volunteers, that they must at once return to Prince
The casualty list of the Prince Albert volunteers (en- Albert to guard their houses, property and families.
rolled as special officers and constables of the N. W. This they considered their sacred duty, in order to
M. P.) was as follows: — prevent an attack by the rebels, the success of wiiich
Captain John Morton, Corporal William
Killed, could have had no other meaning than a pillage of
Napier, Constables Joseph Anderson, James Babie, the town and settlement, and doubtless a massacre
Sheffington Connor Elliott, Alexander Fisher, Robert ot some of the people.

Middleton, Daniel McKenzie, Daniel McPhail. When it was determined to abandon Carlton it was
Wounded, Captain Henry Stewart Moore, Sergeant decided to load up as much of the provisiojis in the
Alexander McNabb, Constables A. Markley, Scout, post as possible and take them to Prince Albert, and
Alexander Stewart, C. Newett. to destroy the rest. In the afternoon of the 27th a

Though had been unsuccessful

Crozier's little force solemn duty was performed, the bodies of Constables
in getting the stores they had hoped to take in and in Gibson, Arnold and Garrett, being buried with military
compelling the rebels to retire from Duck Lake, one honours in one grave about 200 yards to the northwest
consequence of the action was to force the rebels to of the gate of the fort. After this the work of pre-

give up for a time a contemplated attack on Fort j)aring for the evacuation of the fort was proceeded

Carlton, which was to have been made on the night of with, mattresses being filled with hay to be laid in
the 26th March, and which might easily have resulted the sleighs for the accommodation of the wounded.
disastrously, for the site of the Hudson Bay post at About 2 a.m. while those detailed for the work
Carlton, being selected for trade purposes and not for of preparation for departure were still busy, the
defence, was in a most indefensible situation. alarm of fire was given. Some of the loose
hay being
It might, perhaps, be added that a few days before used to prepare litters for the wounded, had become
the fight near Duck Lake, a demand had been made ignited by a heated stove pipe. A strange ruddy
for the unconditional surrender of Fort Carlton. light flamed from the sergeant major's (juarters, and
The total strength «)f the force, police and volunteers, a thick smoke arose that obscured the twinkling stars.
at Carlton after Crozier's retreat and Irvine's arrival, This was al)ove the archway of the main gateway,
was 225 non-commi.ssioned officers and men. Of and next the hospital. The buildings had taken
these eleven were wounded. At this stage of affairs fire, and a frightful scene ensued. Bugle-calls were
80
sounding, officers hurrying around with hoarse words Immediately upon his arrival at Prince Albert,
of (ommand. and the men, half-asleep, were bewild- the Commissioner applied himself to completing as
ered. ^'olunteers and red-coats were mixed up far as possible the defences of the place, and caused

indiscriminately. The wounded were removed at all the able-bodied men who offered their services
once, down the narrow stairs, out of danger into the to be enrolled as special constables. Some 309 were
cold outside, suffering the most excruciating agony. enrolled, but to arm them there were only 116
Several of their comrades nearly suffered suffocation Snider rifles All the shot-guns throughout
available.
in effecting their rescue.The teams were hurriedly the country were gathered in, and these were issued
hitched up, and as the main doorway was blocked to the balance of the men, and handed from one to

by the fire and smoke, other places of exit had to be the other as occasion required. The volunteers
made in the temporary stockade of cord-wood. were formed into four companies under Captains
No time was lost in taking the trail for Prince Young, Hoey, Craig and Brewster, the whole under
Albert, but it was two and a half hours before the the command of Lieut. -Col. Sproat. A company
last team got off. Prince Albert was reached about of scouts, forty-seven in all, was organized under
4 p.m. the command of Mr. Thomas McKay.
According to the author of "Trooper and Redskin": As reliable information was received that the rebels
"As soon as the news of the Duck Lake catastrophe contemplated an attack upon Prince Albert, the
reached Prince Albert, measures of defence were Commissioner had a strong chain of patrols and pic-
immediately taken. There was no knowing how quets nightly surrounding the main part of the town.
soon the exultant bands of the 'Dictator' might On April 19, Col. Irvine made a reconnaissance in
sweep down upon the unprotected town. The des- force in the direction of the rebel headquarters at
patch ordered our officer to warn all the surrounding Batoche and ascertained that there was a strong
settlers and summon them to a place of rendezvous. force on the west side of the river and that there

Steps were to be taken to fortify a central place of were also detached parties at commanding points
retreat. The Presbyterian church and manse were and scattered through the woods on the trails be-
pitched upon as the most commodious and convenient for tween Batoche and Prince Albert.
the purpose, and a stockade of cordwood, nine feet During the first few weeks of Colonel Irvine's occu-
high, was erected around them. This was finished pation of Prince Albert, his position was a very cri-
between 1 a.m. and daylight. The civilians worked tical one. The normal population of the town of
splendidly. Many a house was in mourning, and many Prince Albert was 700 people, but as the settlers
a tearful eye was seen upon the streets. It was a flocked into the place for protection, the population
day of unparalleled brilliancy. The warm sun beat was augmented to 1,800 exclusive of the police. Not
down from a cloudless sky the snow was giving way in
; only was there imposed upon Colonel Irvine the
places to frothy pools, and here and there a brown patch responsibility to protect this large number of people,
of earth showed through the ragged robe of winter. but the necessity of feeding them for Prince Albert
"
We were engaged in taking cartridges, and rice, was absolutely cut off from its natural source of sup-
and necessary stores of all descriptions, into the ply, the trails to the railway running through the
improvised citadel in the centre of the town; and district in revolt. Several trains of supplies for the
sleighs kept plying backward and forward between place were war-bound, thus reducing the normal
the and barracks. Sleigh-loads of women
church stocks of the store keepers. And the adjacent settle-
and children came hurrying in from the Carrot River ments, many of them deserted by the panic-stricken
district; and from many a lonely homestead, hidden inhabitants, had to be afforded protection, as far as
away among the bluffs. Every house in the town possible, against marauders, necessitating unending
itself was very soon vacant, the inhabitants all taking patrol and scouting duty. were kept out
Scouts
sanctuary in the church precincts. We abandoned well towards the rebel position, thus keeping the
the barracks at noon; the sergeant and I being the rebels on the alert and under the necessity of maintain-
last to leave. I carried the Union Jack under my ing and watching two fronts, one facing the advancing
regimental fur coat. We left everything else behind militia column under General Middleton the other,
us as they were; locking all the doors. The scene in the direction of Irvine's alert police force at Prince
was one of the most uncomfortable
inside the stockade Albert. (1).
that can be imagined. The entrance was narrow,
(1) The day
after ths capture of Batoche, the writer, with the late
and blocked with curious members of the fair sex, Montizambert, R.C.A., conversing with some intelliKent half-
Lieiit.-Col.
breeds and the Roman Catholic priests in the St. Laurent Church, en-
straining their necks as though they expected to see
quired why the half-breeds had been so inactive during the lons! advance
the enemy walk calmly up and ring the bell." of Middleton's column from Qu'Appelle Station to Fish Creek, particularly

90
 In his report, Lieut. -Colonel Irvine stated that per- crossing, and on receipt of this message the guard
haps the most important work done by his scouts was was increased to two officers and thirty men. Friday,
the driving back of the men employed on similar May 1st, one of the three steamers which had wintered
duty by Riel, who on various occasions tried to scout at Prince .\lbert was .sent round to the crossing. Xhis
"
right into Princa Albert. Another important duty steamer, the Marquis," with an escort of the Mounted
done by Irvine's scouts was the maintenance, after Police, under Inspector White Fraser, reached Batoche
the battle of Fish Creek, of communication with just as the last shots of the action of that name were
General Middleton. being fired, and the steamer and her escort rendered
should have been already stated that on March
It such assistance to the Northwest Field Force in the
24th, the Comptroller, Mr. F. White, sent the Com- subsequent operations, particularly at the crossing of
missioner the following telegram: "Major-General
— the South Saskatchewan, that General Middleton
Commanding Militia proceeds forthwith to Red River. specially mentioned Inspector White Fraser in his
On his arrival, in military operations when acting with report.
militia, At a somewhat later
take orders from him."
date Colonel Irvine received a message from \Major-
General Middleton saying that the Commissioner was
under his orders, and should report to him. At this
time Colonel Irvine understood that Middleton had
only 350 troops with him, being in ignorance of the
despatch of a large force of militia from the eastern
provinces, because all communication was cut off.
Meantime he had suggested in a message to the General
that their forces should combine, either by the police
moving out from Prince Albert to join the militia, or
the militia proceeding first to Prince Albert and thence
moving with the police upon Batoche.
From that time all in Prince Albert were kept
in utter darkness as to the military operations which
were transpiring on the other side of the revolted
territory until April 16th, when messages arrived from
General Middleton to state that he hoped to attack
at Batoche on the 18th or 19th, and that the police
were not to join in the attack, but watch for

fleeing rebels. It was in consequence of this in-

formation that the reconnaissance in force on the

19th was undertaken.
After several days delay, Irvine opened up com-
munication with Middleton. then encamped at Fish
Creek, and through a message dated April 26th, learned
from the General of the action of Fish Creek, and that Inspector White Fraser.
it was the expectation to reach the Hudson Hay
crossing on the South Saskatchewan the following Batoche was captured by the force under General
Thursday. On his own responsibility Colonel Irvine Middleton on May 11th, and May 19th, the militia
had already made scows and posted a guard at this column reached Prince An)ert. the police, volunteer
companies, and the whole population turning out to
ms the prairie supply deitots were so ex[K)tie<l, and the capture of one of
them would have been a most xerioun matter for the troops. It wiin dii»- receive them. All with Middleton were much struck
tinctly (tate<l in reply that the half-breeds were afraid to move f.ir from with the smart and soldierlike api)earance of the
Batoche, in cane the Police from Prince Albert should attack the rpl>el
poMtion in their abnence, from the north-west side. The niicht l»efore Fish police, who paraded in their best for the occasion.
Creek (April 23nl-24th) some of the more imi)ctuoiis half-breeds an<l Indians There is no d<)ul)t that the presence of the police
wanted to attack Middleton's camp at Mcintosh's, but the more cautious
men a4lvi8e<i axainst attackinx any further in advance of their main position force saved Prince Albert from falling into the hands
than Fish Creek, or Tourond's (kjulec. as they called it, that lieinu within of the rel)els. Had such a catastrophe come about,
an easy march of Batoche, in ca«e Irvine's force shouhl apt>ear there in
their absence. In an inter\-iew with Gabriel Dumont in Montreal, some the rebellion would have a.ssinned proportions of much
years after the reliellion. Dumont confirmed this explanation. .S<i there greater magnitude. Prince Albert was the key of the
is no question the presence and activity of Irvine's force nt Prince
Albert had a marke<l and useful effect ut>on the campaign. whole iK)sition, and the falling of it into the hands of
91
the rebels would have been disastrous to the Dominion, complished. On the 27th, the Commissioner returned
and and property.
involved great loss, in lives to Prince Albert, leaving Inspector Drayner in com-
A large number of the nomadic bands of Sioux mand of the detachment. This officer afterwards
Indians, who for years had been living about the patrolled the Duck Lake country, recovered a con-
Sasketchewan move, with the intention of
district, did siderable amount of property stolen by the rebels,

making a raid on Prince Albert, and these hostile and arrested six Indians concerned in the uprising.
Indians only abandoned their raid when, in close About noon, June 8th, the Commissioner received
proximity to Prince Albert, they saw Irvine's trail telegraphic orders from General Middleton to send
leading to that place. as many men as possible to Carlton, cross the river,
For some time was generally believed that all the
it and patrol towards Green Lake, as Big Bear and his
people, white, half-breed and Indian, about Prince band were reported to be making in that direction.
Albert and surrounding country, were in all cases At 6 a.m., the following day, Col. Irvine left Prince
loyal, and were utterly without sympathy for the Albert with a party of the following strength:
—
rebels. According to Col. Irvine, there was no ground
for this belief. The loyalty of a large number was of
a questionable nature, they had, therefore, to be care-
h\\\y watched, and of course, every effort was made
towards keeping doubtful Indians and half-breeds
loyal.
Upon the news being received of the delay which
occurred after the action at Fish Creek, its effect was
felt in and out of Prince Albert by the bearing of the

rebel sympathizers, or, more correctly speaking, they

should be described as rebels, who had so far not had
the courage to espouse the cause they favoured. Out-
side of Prince Albert a number of half-breeds and

Indians, who had previously expressed loyalty, took

part in the subsequent battle at Batoche. Among
these were rebel Indians, and they commenced by
plundering the other reserves. This was before
taking part against the troops at Batoche.
After the arrival of the General at Piirice Albert,
Lieut. -Col. Irvine expected to be at once employed
with his force in the contemplated operations against
Poundmaker and Big Bear. Immediately upon the
General's arrival the Commissioner reported to him
that he could take the field at once with an efficient
force of 175 mounted men, fully equipped, with their
own transport in perfect working order, and carrying,
travelling fast, seven day's rations and forage. Every
member of the force was likewise anxious to secure
Inspector F. Drayner.
active employment in the field, but the General de-
cided to leave Irvine and his force at Prince Albert, Assistant CommissionerCrozier, Inspector Howe,
proceeding to Battleford with the militia. The Assistant-Surgeon Millar, and 136 non-commissioned
General, with most of his force proceeded direct from officers and men. At Fort Carlton a detachment
Prince Albert by steamer, the remainder under Lieut. - of ten men in charge of Sergeant Smart was left,
Col. B. Straubenzie, proceeding via Carlton. May and the south end of Green Lake was reached June
24, the Commissioner, with thirty men proceeded to 14. In this march, the party travelled over a rough
Carlton to guard the ferry at that place, at Colonel country, repairing the bridges and corduroy roads
Straubenzie's request. While in camp at Carlton, as they went along. At the south end of the Lake
Colonel Irvine took a small number of men with the Commissioner was forced to leave his waggons.
him and rode to the south side of Duck Lake, for In doing this he established a small camp near the
the purpose of disarming a band of Indians encamp:d Hudson Bay Company's depot, which had been
there, which task was quickly and successfully ac- pillaged by Indians in a most wholesale manner.
92
 The party then proceeded to the north end of the Irvine left Prince Albert for Regina, reaching head-
lake, a distance of sixteen miles, along a bridle path, quarters on the 17th.
constantly leading their horses over fallen timber Inspector W. S. Morris, formerly a major in the
and bad swamps, crossing a creek near the north New Brunswick militia, and at one time Assistant
end by swimming the horses, and crossing the men, Engineer of the City of Winnipeg, commanded at
saddles, etc., on a raft built for the purpose. From Battleford after the departure of Superintendent
the north end of Green Lake, Col. Irvine sent out Crozier for Carlton, until the arrival of Superintendent
scouts to Loon Lake rnd on the 17th returned to the Herchmer, who ordered Inspector Dickens, as the
south end of the lake, where the waggons were. I'Yom senior inspector in the post, to assume the command.
this point the Commissioner went back southward In accordance with instructions from the Com-
on the Carlton trail to the forks of the road leading missioner, on March 26th Inspector Morris organized
to Pelican Lake. From here he sent out scouts in a volunteer company among the permanent residents,
all moving about himself to watch the
directions, and another composed of settlers from the adjacent
trails and pick up food for the horses, a at this country. They were served out with the arms which
time the party was without oats. Owing to the had belonged to a disbanded militia company. The
numerous muskegs the moving of waggons and stockade being in a more or less dilapidated condition
even saddle horses, was very difficult. Inspector Morris' first care was to make it as strong
June 23, a "Wood" Cree who had been in Big Bear's as possible. A loop-holed embankment was con-
camp came in and offered to take a scout to the point structed on the inside, and at the southeast and north-
where he had left Big Bear in the direction of Loon west corners flanking bastions were built for the
Lake, whence the trail could be followed. Colonel accommodation of the one seven-pounder at the post.
Irvine at once sent Scout Leveille with the Indian, The place was surrounded by a vigilant and numerous
the point indicated was found, and the trail followed enemy, and in the fort, where nearly 400 women and
southward. The Commissioner then moved back children had sought protection, were those of whose
towards Carlton, on the way coming across some loyalty Inspector Morris had the gravest suspicion.
of Big Bear's band, who explained that the chief was In order to prevent surprise by night a guard of
making for the Saskatchewan River. July 2nd, the sixty men and six mounted patrols were kept on duty.
Commissioner was met by Inspector Drayner, who The only means of communication was via couriers,
had been sent back to Carlton with provisions, and and in one case Constable Shores, who pluckily volun-
who reported that Big Bear had been captured near teered to carry a message to Swift Current, was chased
Carlton by Sergeant Smart and his party. (2). July nearly sixty miles by the enemy.
4, the commissioner reached Carlton, and finding Inspector Francis J. Dickens (who was a son of the
some of Big Bear's band encamped there arrested famous English novelist), commanded at Fort Pitt,
them and took them in to Prince Albert, where he another important centre of disturbance. Inspector
arrived on the night of July 5. July 11th, Colonel Dickens was, in 1885, 36 or 38 years of age, and had

(2) The actual capture of Big Bear was eflfected in a most tame and and his youngest son. He crept, by Indian paths, between the forces of
unroniantic manner compared with the extensive operations his flight had Colonels Otter and Irvine, an<l was Knully captured, near Fort Carlton,
occaiuone<i. Early on Thursday morning. July 2, the attention of the man on by .Sergeant Smart an<l three men of the Mounted Police, who had been
picquet at the Police camp on the north side of the Saskatchewan at Carlton detailed to watch the crossing at this jxiint. His <ion, a copper-hued boy
was attracted to a man shouting over to him from the south side. The picquet with small, black, bea<l-like eyes, and one councillor, who rejoiced in the
ahoutmi back anri asketl what he wante<l, when the man replied that there modest title of "All-and-a-half." accompanied him. They were brought
were some of Big Bear's Indians hiding in the vicinity. The i)icquet im- to Prince All)ert an<l entered the town in the early morning of ,luly ,3rd.
me<liately re|>orte<I the matter to Sergeant .Smart, who crossed the river A non-commissioned officer reported the fact to (.'aptaiti (lagnon, who
accom|>anied by Omstables Sullivan, Nicholls and Kerr. Arrived on the was in beil, aii<l very much surprised at this unexpected inlelligenco. Big
Kouth side, they had only proceeded a short distance along the Battleford Bear was in a pitublc condilion of tilth and luinKcr. lie w:is given a goo<l
trail when they came u|K>n a camp fire around which were lying thret; mTubbing in a tub nt the burrncks, though this was anything but pleasing
Indians. One of these, much to their astonishment and satisfaction, to him. A new blanket and a pair of trousers were procured him from
they ea»ily identified as Chief Big Bear, he lieing known i>ersonally to two the Hudson Bny store. His arms consisted of a Winchester, and he stated
of the party The other two of the party were one of the Chief's councillors that his only fisid, for eleven days, ha<l been what he was enabled to secure
and his youngest son. The Sergeant unceremoniously told Big Bear and in the wood'i. A roll was placed at the disposal of himself ami staff in the
his companions that they were under arrest, directed one of his men to guard-room, and his skinny ankles were adorned with shackles. A little
collect the arms of the party, and told the Indians to carry their other hlirivelled up lisiking pii^ce of humanity he was, his cunning face seamed
"
canty belontpngs and cume along." Smart and his men lost no time in and wrinkled like crumpled p.jrchinent. Kver since the a<lvent of the
retracing their steps to the tioat at the crossing ami back Ui camp. .No .Mounte<l Police he had l>eeii in trouble, and when he finally agreed to take
later than eight o'clock the same morning Sergeant .Smart, accompanie^l treaty he wished to have the extraordinary proviso inserted that none
by Constables Colin C. CVilebrofik, Sullivan and iNicholls, left with the of his banil were ever to lie hanged. The Indians of his trilx- were all
prisoners for Prince AU>ert, reaching that i>lace at 11 the same night, and <lisafTecteil. I.itlle Poplar, one of his sons, eM'ape<l to Mniitariu with some
much to their relief safely hxlging their in the guard hnusi* nl of the worst of the gang., leaving a trail marked witli blood, and was
the (ioschen |M>lice barracks. — (Statementcaptives
of CVmi'lnblc (%ilfbr<Hik). finally shot by a hulf-breecl at l'"iirt Helknai) in the summer of I>iK(l. ('aptain
In "Troo|ier and Redskin," we find the following reference to the (lagnon could imw send a despatch to the (leneral, announcing thiy wel-
rrivai of Big Bear at Prince Albert: —"Big Bear after he ha<l been uburi- come news, and the campaign of the reltellioii was ended,"
done«l by the Wood Creea, wandere<l off with a handful of his councillors

93
had an active career. When a mere lad he left Eng- All the men worked hard and most cheerfully. By
land, and afterwards joined the
Indian police, and the capture of the Hudson Bay waggons at Frog Lake
was on duty on the Punjaub. A sunstroke there there was no means of transport available, and con-
made it necessary for him to try some other climate, sequently a withdrawal was out of the question, al-
and on returning to England in 1876 he secured a though it seemed the most sensible thing to do, if the
position in the North-West
Mounted Police. women and children of the Hudson Bay Company's
March 30, Dickens learned through Mr. Rae, the officials' households could be got safely away. In anti-
Indian agent at Battleford, that the country was in cipation of the breaking up of the ice, the Hudson Bay
a state of rebellion. In the immediate vicinity of Company's carpenters began to construct a scow to take
Fort Pitt all was quiet, but the Inspector was anxious the women and children down to Battleford. Little Pine,
about the whites at Frog Lake, which was the centre one of the chiefs in revolt, and his band arrived on
of a large Indian population, and where there was a the other side of the river on the 7th, and was ordered
detachment of police under Corporal Sleigh. Dickens not to cross or he would be fired upon. After a few
days. Big Bear and a large number of Indians appeared
behind the post with several white prisoners. A flag
of truce was sent down to the fort by BigBear demanding
the surrender of the arms and ammunition. Mr.
Maclean, the Hudson Bay agent, held several parleys
with Big Bear, and was eventually taken prisoner.
Shortly afterwards Constables Cowan and Loasby
and Special Constable H. Quinn, who had been out
scouting, came back and rode right on to the scouts
thrown out round the Indian camp, who fired. Con-
stable Loasby 's horse was shot under him; constable
Cowan was killed. Loasby ran down the hill pursued
by a party of Indians, who fired at and wounded him.
He ran some 500 yards, badly wounded in the back.
The men at the windows nearest to the Indians opened
fire. Four Indians dropped as if killed, and two or
three others were evidently hit. The Indians retired
into the brush, and Loasby was helped into the fort.
At Mr. Maclean's own advice and special instruc-
tions, his family and all the Hudson Bay Company's
servants and other civilians in the fort, joined him in
Big Bear's Camp, where they remained as prisoners
until the breakingup of the band.
Dickens found himself after this in an awkward
position. He and his detachment had been des-
patched to Fort Pitt to afford protection to those
Inspector W. S, Morris. who had voluntarily surrendered themselves as prison-
ers in the hostiles' camp. There was consequently
communicated with the sub-Indian agent, Mr. Quinn, no object to remain in a very indefensible position,
and offered to either reinforce him or escort him in to to be made the object of attack by an overwhelming
Pitt. Mr. Quinn was however confident that he could force of hostiles. The force in hand was too small
keep the Indians quiet if the police detachment was to do anything of itself, but joined to that at Battle-
withdrawn, as he feared their presence exasperated the ford, might help to make that post secure. The
Indians. At Mr. Rae's special request Corporal ice inthe river was breaking up, the scow constructed
Sleigh and detachment returned to Fort Pitt, and
his by the Hudson Bay men for a different service was
April 2nd, the Frog Lake massacre occurred. Immedi- nearly complete, and could carry the detachment,
ately steps were taken to put the little fort, which ifsound, and Dickens decided to avail himself of the
was situated in an absolutely indefensible position, in road of retreat which appeared to lay open to him.
some sort of a defensive state. The windows and doors Some arms which could not be taken away were
of the dwelling houses and storehouses were barricaded destroyed, ammunition and some supplies were col-
with flour bags, and loop-holes were cut in the walls. lected, and the scow was put in the water. She at
94
once filled, and appeared to be useless. Constable R. same under guard in the magazine. There were in
Rutledge, however, said he was sure she would carry the fort two brass 4-pr. guns. Griesbach had these
the detachment across the river, and volunteered remounted on strong trucks, and cartridges made;
to pilot her across among the cakes of floating ice. also which he improvised by having tin
case-shot,
The position was so was deemed wise
critical that it cases made the bore, and then filled them with
to fit

at all risks to place the river between the detach- about ninety trade balls. These, on trying, he found
ment and the main band of Indians, and at night, to work very well. Having despatched a courrier to
during a heavy snow storm, the attempt was made Calgary asking for troops and arms to be sent forward
and with success, thanks to skilful management and as soon as possible, Griesbach returned to Fort Sas-
hard baling.Owing to the unsafe condition of the katchewan.
scow itwas decided to encamp about a mile down Having done all in his power for the defence of
the river on the opposite bank. The river was so Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton, the Inspector
fiill of ice that the Indians could not have followed scoured the miles around with
country for many
had they wanted to. The night was bitterly cold, scouts and patrols, succeeding in keeping everything
the blankets were wet through, and some had been quiet until the arrival of the militia under General
lost in crossing. At dawn the detachment once more Strange.
took their places in the scow and the voyage was Three detachments of the Mounted Polico, namely,
resumed, Battleford being safely reached on the those commanded by Superintendents W. H. Herch-
21st. mer and Neale, Inspector S. B. Steele and Inspector
Fort Saskatchewan during the rebellion was com- A. Bowen Perry, activelyparticipated with the militia
manded by Inspector A. H. Griesbach, and there is columns in the operations of the campaign, and in
no doubt that his good and useful work, and the every case acquitted themselves with distinction.
bold front shown by him and his detachment of Superintendent Herchmer, was, before the out-
nineteen, all told, prevented a general rising of the break, in command of "E" Division at Calgary
—
Indians and half-breeds in the immediate neighbour- March 24, in response to a telegraphic order he left
hood. for Regina with 30 non-commissioned officers and
Immediately, news the uprising was received,
of men, twenty-four horses, and four waggons, on his
Griesbach took steps to put Fort Saskatchewan in way down his command being joined by four
a state of defence, having four bastions built and a constables and one horse of "A" Division, and
well dug. He collected all the available men to work two constables of "D" division. On arrival
on the defences and assist in defending the post if at Regina he received orders to proceed with
necessary. He also made arrangements to obtain Superintendent Neale, seven men of "B" Division and
provisions to sustain a large number of people, pur- one 7-pr. gun, to Fort Qu'Appelle. Arriving at
chased ammunition, and had cartridges prepared Qu'Appelle Station he was directed l)y His Honour
for the various kinds of arms in possession of the Lieut. -Governor Dewdney to return to Regina, pond-
settlers. As the news brought in by scouts and ing the arrival of Major General Middleton. March
others became more alarming, the settlers and 27th. Supt. Herchmer returned to Qu'Appelle with
their families, from long distances, fled to the fort the Lieut. -Governor, to meet the General, who ordered
and received protection and food. April 12, there him to join him with all available men and
were gathered the fort, seventy-nine women and
in two 7-pr. guns at Fort Qu'ApiX'lle. March 29,
children, and alx)ut 30 men armed with guns of various Supt. Herchmer received new orders to proceed at
descriptions. once to Battleford via Swift Current, and arrived
After making the preliminary arrangements at Fort by rail at the last-mentioned place at 10 p.m. on the

Saskatchewan, Griesbach proceeded to Kdmonton, 30th. The River Saskatchewan, just north of Swift
where he found the citizens, naturally, much ex- Current was. however, impa.ssible. the ice having gone
cited. He accepted the services of a company of from the sides, but a high ridge remaining in the
volunteers, and on his own responsibility armed middle. At this time the steamer "Northcotte"
them with 35 F^nfield rifles loaned by the oflicor in was being prepared at Medicine Hat to convey troops
charge of the Hud.son Hay post, and (juartercd them to the north, and a party of Crees in the vicinity
in the Hudson Hay fort. The officer placed in com- threatening the safety of the vessel, Supt. Herchmer's
niaml of the volunteer company wa.s ordered to re- conunand was onlere*! to Mediciiie Hat. where it arrived
pair and rebuild part of the stockade of the fort, to on .March 31st, ramping near the steamer. Tlie

collect all of the ammunition of all description in Indians speedily decamjjed. police The detachment
the stores, giving receipts for it, and to place the proved very useful in getting the steamer into the

95
water, all the teams, and 35 men being employed. shots with some hostiles. Superintendent Herchmer
A lot of armed Indians having arrived at Swift Current, obtained permission to go on with Superintendent
Herchmer and his force were ordered back Neale and thirty of the police. On the 24th, the
Supt.
on April 5th.
there, arriving at 5.40 a.m. The trail force encamped in front of the old Government
between the station and the river was kept patrolled House, remaining there until the 29th, the police
and a party established at the river to protect the and scouts attached thereto patrolling the country
ferry.
in every direction. April 27, Supt. Herchmer re-

May 12, Lieut.-Col. W. D.

Otter, at the time D.O.C. inforced his command by thirty-one non-com-
officers and men and twenty horses from
at Toronto, and just appointed to the command of missioned
a light column detailed for the relief of Battleford, "D" division in garrison at Battleford, the object
arrived at Swift Current and informed Superintendent being to obtain a troop of fifty mounted men. Thirteen
Herchmer that he and his command were to join the horses were purchased in Battleford.
column, and that as it was General Middleton's wish Upon the occasion of the movement to Pound-
maker's Reserve and action at Cut Knife Hill (May
2), the flying column included 75 of the Mounted

Police, as follows: — "E" division, Superintendent

P. R. Neale, Sergeant-Ma j or Wattman, 28 non-com-
missioned officers and men; "A" division, 5 non-
commissioned officers and men; "B"' division, 7 con-
stables; "D" division, 31 non-commissioned officers
and men. Superintendent Herchmer, as Chief of
Staff was second in command of the whole column.
Under orders from Lieut.-Col. Otter, "B" Battery
took two of the police 7-pounders in preference to
their own nine-pounders. As throughout the march
to Battleford, the police acted as theadvance guard,
and worked so admirably that they were universally
praised. As the advanced guard, the police were
the first to draw the fire of the Indians, and for a
time they had to sustain it unsupported, for their
supports had to advance across a rough creek and
scramble up a steep hill to reach them. The first
force from the rear to reach the advanced firing line
was the dismounted party of police, who went forward
at the double. It is unnecessary here to enter into
a description of this much-described fight. Super-
intendent Herchmer in his report wrote:
"
Throughout —
the action, which lasted seven hours, our men behaved
admirably. The sense of duty shown by them in
Superintendent P. R. Neale. always keeping themselves so well to the front, and
occupying the most forward positions, explains our
that he should be consulted on all would
points, he loss." He specially mentioned as deserving of recog-
be appointed Chief of Staff. was done, the
This nition for their bravery and dash, Sergeant-Ma j or
command of the police detachment being handed T. Wattam, Sergeant J. H. Ward, who was wounded
over to Superintendent Neale, who at 1 p.m. the same early in the engagement, Sergeant G. Macleod, Sergeant
day received orders to move to the South Saskat- I. Richards, Corporal S. M. Blake, Constable W. H.
chewan and remain there, patrolling both sides ot Routledge, Constable Taylor, Constable T. McLeod
the river until the arrival of the troops. The column of "E" division; Constable I. C. Harstone of "A"
arrived at the river on the 14th, crossed on the 16th, division; Constable E. Rally, Constable W. Gilpin
and took up the trail for Battleford on the 18th, a of "B" division; Constables C. Ross, W. C. Swinton,
point three miles south of that place being reached H. Storer, R. Rutledge, C. Phillips, M. I. Spencer
by the main force on the 23rd. Some scouts under and G. Harper of "D" division.
Constable Charles Ro.ss advanced as far as the houses Early in the engagement Corporal R. B. Sleigh of
on the south side of the Battle River, exchanging
"
D" Division was shot through the mouth and killed,
96
 being the first man to fall. Shortly afterwards Cor- by the mounted detachment of the
services rendered
poral W. H. P. Lowry of "E" division was mortally N.W.M. Police under Captain Neale."
" "
wounded, and also Trumpeter P. Burke of D division. The commands of Inspector Steele and Inspector
The two latter died the day after the action. Sergeant Perry did their service in connection with the Alberta
J. H. Ward of
"
E " division, was also seriously wound- Field Force under the command of Major-General
ed, but recovered. T. Bland Strange of the Royal
Artillery, who com-
From the date of the action until the arrival of Gener- manded " B " Battery, R.C.A., at the time " A " Battery
al Middleton's force at Battleford, twenty to thirty was commanded by Lieut.-Col. French, first Commis-
of the police were constantly patrolling the country. sioner of the Mounted Police. Major-General Strange,
May 14th, a patrol commanded by Sergeant Gordon at the time of the uprising was ranching south of
was suddenly attacked by a party of Half-Breeds and Calgary and was entrusted first with the organization
Indians when about seven miles from Battleford and of a local force for the protection of that
district, after
constable F. O. Elliot of "A" division was killed and it was denuded of
police for service in the north, and
constable W. J. Spencer of "D" division wounded. later with the organization and command of an inde-

May 26th, the Comptroller having requested that pendent column to operate against the insurgent
Superintendent Neale be returned to Regina as soon tribes of Indians in the western sections of the
North
as possible, that officer, who had rendered conspicuous Saskatchewan district. Calgary was selected as his
service all through the campaign, left Battleford for base, and there his force was organized.
headquarters, carrying despatches. On the 30th, Supt. Inspector Steele was on duty with his command
Herchmer 50 mounted men of the Police left
w^ith in connection with the railway construction in the
Battleford for Fort Pitt. He also had under his com- Rocky Mountains,wh(Mi on April 10, he left for Calgary
mand Boulton's Horse and the Intelligence Corps, under orders from the Lieutenant-Governor. On the
a squadron of scouts recruited from among the Domin- 13th, Strange obtained permission for Inspector Steele
ion Land Surveyors and commanded
their assistants with his command of 25 police who had been on duty
by Captain Jack Dennis, formerly a member of the in the mountains to accompany him and placed all of his
Mounted Police. From Fort Pitt this force served original mounted force, consisting of a troop of scouts,
with General Middleton throughout the hunt after raised by Steele himself, and 60 of the Alberta Mounted
Big Bear including the advances to Loon Lake and Rifles under Major George Hatton, besides the police,
the Beaver River. These marches were particularly under his command. The organization of the provisional
trying to men and horses, as there were no changes of mounted corps was a difficult matter. Strange was
clothing, no tents and no provisions but such as could surprised to find that
onlynot were the settlers
be carried on the saddles. But there were no com- in the District absolutely without arms, but that the

plaints. June 28, Superintendent Herchmer received cow-boys and ranchmen, a class usually well armed,
orders to return to Battleford and reached there on had, though surrounded by reserves of well-armed
the 1st. On the 4th he started for Swift Current, having Indians, relied on the protection of the police and
a number of prisoners from Battleford in charge, who were without arms, certainly an eloquent testimonial
were safely delivered at Regina on the 10th. to the efficiency of the force.
The following extracts from Lieut.-Colonel Otter's The supply of arms, ammunition and saddlery
report of his column's services are apropos:
— was a great difficulty and cause of delay. The de-
"In Lieut.-Col. Herchmer, N.W.M. Police, I had a mands on the Militia Department from many quarters
most valuable assistant, and not only in the action simultaneously were, no doubt, difficult to meet ;

of Saturday (Cut Knife) but throughout our march Winchesters re(|uired for cavalry were not in stock,
from Swift Current to Battleford, he displayed the and could not at first be secured. On the 10th April,
most sterling qualities of a soldier; while the men of Strange received a telegram from the C.P.R. Agent
his command have time and again proved themselves at Gleichen that the employees were leaving their
as invaluable to my force." posts, and refused to remain unless protected by
"Sergeant-Major Wuttam, N.W.M. Police, was an- troops. The men on the C.P.R. construction in the
other whose brilliant example and dogged courage mountains had also struck work, and Major Steele
(at Cut Knife) gave confidence and steadiness to those and his detachment were detained to protect C.P.R.
within the sound of his voice. Constable Ross, N.W. stores. The same day a detachment of as many
M, Police, our chief scout, was always ready to lead a of the Allx;rta Mounted Rifles as could be armed and
dash or take his place in the .skirmish line, in fact, oquipi)e(l were sent to guard the railway and watch
he seemed everj'wherc and at the proper time." the Blackfoot Reserve at (ileichen.
"
I also wish to bring to your notice the efficient Steele and his men were actively employed with
97
Strange's column throughout the long campaign, Calgary on the 21st, the distance of 105 miles being
participating in the battle of Frenchman's Butte, covered in three and a half days. Written orders
and alone, in the northern wilderness, fought at Loon awaiting Perry, directed him to assume
Inspector
Lake the last and most dashing action of the whole command an independent column under orders to
of

campaign. About Fort Pitt, Steele and his men had follow the General in a few days. This column was
several skirmishes with Big Bear's band, and at to include besides the detachment of "C" Division,
Frenchman's Butte led the attack and attempted a one wing of the 65th Mount Royal Rifles of Montreal,
wide turning movement. Constable McRae was 150 officers and men, and a transport train of 68 men
seriously wounded at Frenchman's Butte and Sergeant and 175 horses. By general orders of the Alberta Field
Fury at Loon Lake. In his report at the end of the Force issued by General Strange, Inspector Perry
campaign, Inspector Steele specially mentioned Ser- had been created a Major in the Active Militia (3). The
geant Fury, Constable McDonnell, Constable McRae, column left Calgary on the 23rd, the Red Deer River,
Constable Davidson, Constable Bell, Constable McMinn,
and Constable P. Kerr. All but the last-mentioned
constables performed the duties of non-commissioned
officers to the scouts. Steele added: "I have no —
hesitation in saying they are collectively the best
body of men I have ever had anything to do with."
Shortly after receiving the telegraphic order from
Major-General Middleton to assume command of the
Alberta District, General Strange communicated with
Superintendent Cotton, N.W.M.P., commanding at
Fort Macleod, and Captain Stewart (w^ho acted ener-
getically in raising ranch cavalry) to patrol to
Medicine Hat and the frontier.
Captain Cotton placed Fort Macleod in a state of
defence as a refuge for families from the neighbourhood,
stationed couriers between Macleod and Calgary,
and assisted General Strange by every means in his

power, sending at his request, a nine-pounder field gun

with a picked detachment of N.W.M.P. under In-
spector Perry to join the column. Just at this time
Strange was preparing, by Major-General Middleton's
orders, to march on Edmonton, where the settlers
had flocked, abandoning farms in the neighbourhood
as far as Victoria and Beaver Lake. From these
districts Strange Avas receiving messages imploring
assistance, the Indians having risen, destroying farms,
and plundering all food supplies from the Red Deer, Superintendent F. Norman.
Battle River, Peace Hills, Beaver Lake, Saddle Lake
and Fog Lake, where they had committed atrocious 103 miles distant, being reached on the 28th. Severe
murders. storms of snow and rain had delayed the march. The
was urgent that the adA^ance should not be de-
It Red Deer River, which General Strange's column had
layed, and Strange was on his way from Calgary to forded twenty-four hours before with ease, was im-
E«imonton when Inspector Perry arrived at the formei- the heavy rains having caused to rise
passable, it

place. rapidly. It was, when

Perry's column reached it, a
Inspector A. Bowen Perry (now Commissioner of surging stream 250 yards wide, with a current of five
the force) had been on duty with "C" Division at and a half miles an hour. The only means of crossing
Fort Macleod, and received his orders on the was a small skiff carrying about six persons. A ferry
morning
of April 19. His detachment consisted of 20 non- scow which was in use the previous year had been
commissioned oflficers and constables, 3 civil carried away and broken up by the ice.
teamsters, Perry de-
a 9-pounder M.L.R. gun, and 43 horses. termined to the crossing by a swinging raft,
Baggage effect
and camp ecjuipment were limited to 75
pounds per
jnan. The detachment marched, (.3) By what appearsto have been an inexcusable omission, no record
April IS, and reached of this promotion appeared in the "Official Gazette."
98
firstthrowing across by means of the skiff a strong Edmonton he was highly complimented on the con-
advance guard and a working party. While fatigue duct of his march.
parties were set to work to construct a raft out of At Edmonton, Strange reorganized his force for
some heavy square timbers which were to hand, the advance down the North Saskatchewan. Major
teams were despatched to a point some eight miles Perry'sdetachment of North-West Mounted Police
away to draw timber to be used to build a new scow, was posted to take up the duties of horse artillery
Perry knowing the uncertainty of raft navigation. with their nine-pounder, the mounted men forming
In two hours the raft was completed and a rope some the cavalry escort. Six men from the Winnipeg Light
1,200 feet in length, formed of the horses' picketing Infantry, a provisional battalion raised in Winnipeg
ropes, carried across. The gun, gun-carriage, am- by Lieutenant-Colonel W. Osborne Smith, were
munition and harness were placed on board, and the attached as part of the gun detachment, and their
raft was rapidly approaching the distant shore when trair-ing was proceeded with during the halt at Ed-
the rope broke by binding round the tree from which monton. At the same time the gun ammunition.
itwas being paid off. Inspector Perry subsequently
wrote in his report: — "We rapidly drifted down the
stream, running away from the shore to the south
bank. Aided by Constable Diamond, N.W.M.P., I
succeeded in landing a rope and attaching it to a
tree. But the raft was going too quickly to be checked,
and the rope broke. About three miles down it was
driven into the bank by the current, and striking an
eddy, opportunity was afforded for landing a strong
2-inch rope, which firmly secured it. The landing
was under a 'cut bank" 30 feet high. Up this, gun,
carriage and ammunition were hauled, with great
labour, by the men of the detachment on board. To
bring them back to the 'crossing,' a detour of about
six miles had to -be made, around a large swamp, and
a new road over a mile in length was cut through a
heavy wood. Waggons and carts were taken to pieces
and ferried over in parts to carry ammunition back.
The hoi*ses were crossed by swimming."
In his report, it will be noticed, Inspector Perry
modestly abstained from explaining that he and
Constable Diamond succeeded in landing the rope
which checked the headlong course of the run-
finally
away raft at the risk of their lives. Yet such is the case.
The construction of the ferry-boat was proceeded
with as soon as the timljer could be procured, work
was prosecuted night and day, and twenty-four lnspi'c-toi- W. 1). .Aiitrobus.

hours after it was begun, a trial trip was made. In

the meantime, the regular ferry cable, which had been which was some of that brought up with the expedi-
lying along the north shore, was stretched acro.ss the tion of 1874, was tested and found to be in excellent
stream and anchored. The construction of this condition. On leaving Edmonton, part of Straiige's
ferry was of the utmost importance, as it completed force advanced on a flotilla of scows and barges,
the line of communication between Calgary and steered, and to .some extent propelled, by sweeps,
Edmonton, and obviated any delay to the column and part marched o\erlan(l. Inspector Perry's com-
following. After crossing the Red Deer, Inspector —
mand was broken up Sergeant Irwin and eleven
Perry '.s column made a rapid march to Edmonton, men in charge of the troop and headcjuarters' staff
covering the distance of 105 miles in three days and horses, jjroceeded by trail, the remainder of the de-
a half. The police with this column had all the scout- tachment, with the gun, being placed on a scow. At
ing and courier duties to perform as well as the pro- Fort Saskatchewan an old ferry scow was obtained,
vision of night guards to the herd of transport horses. on which the six gun horses were f>laced. When
When Inspector Perry handed over his colunm at twenty miles from Victoria this scow sank owing to
99
leaks, and the horses,which were saved, were ridden day by steamer "Northwest," the Inspector and his
in to Victoria. From this point the whole detach- command embarking on the vessel to return to Fort
ment proceeded by land to Fort Pitt, part of the Pitt. When about fifty miles from the last named
infantry, and some stores, only, proceeding by
river. place, a couple of scouts were met, in a canoe, with
Between this point and Fort Pitt there was consider- information of Strange's action at Frenchman's Butte,
able forced marching, the distance from Frog Lake May 28th. It being determined that the steamer
to Fort Pitt, thirty-five miles, being made in one should return to Battleford for re-inforcements and

day. ammunition, (the latter specially required by Strange)

Tuesday, May 26th, General Strange, whose ad- Perry at once landed his force on the south bank to
vanced column had reached Fort Pitt, determined proceed to Fort Pitt by land. This was at 4.30
to discover the whereabouts of Big Bear by recon- in the afternoon, and at 5 the next morning Fort Pitt

naissance in force. Inspector Steele and his mounted was reached. This ride was a trying one, the men and
men were despatched to search the north side of the horses being thoroughly fatigued from the heavy

river, Inspector Perry being detailed for similar duty ridefrom Fort Pitt to Battleford. A heavy cold rain
on the south side. His instructions were to travel fell the night, and the little force had to pass a
all

directly south as far as Battle River, then to circle swampy lake, over 200 yards wide, through which the
round to the east and return to Fort Pitt. If he men had to wade waist deep, leading their horses.
found it possible, he was also to establish communica- After a halt of several hours at Fort Pitt, Inspector
tion with Battleford; but it was considered as very Perry marched on and joined General Strange at his
unlikely that he would be able to do this, as it was camp six miles down the river. The Inspector was
supposed that Poundmaker and Big Bear were then thanked by the General for the success of his re-

actually effecting or had already formed a junction connaissance, and was delighted to hear that the 9-
of their forces in the district between Fort Pitt and pounder had been of the greatest service at the en-
Battleford. It must be remembered, that Strange's gagement of the 28th, the gun detachment under Ser-
force had penetrated so far into the wilderness that geant O'Connor having behaved splendidly.
they had for days been without information from Monday, June 3rd, Strange's force moved forward to
either the Battleford or General Middleton's columns. Frenchman's Butte, and thence advanced northward
Perry, with seventeen of his own men, five scouts, to the Beaver River. Steele and his men having gone
and the Rev. W. P. McKenzie, acting chaplain, north via the Loon Lake trail, the duties of advance
crossed the river at dark on barges. Nothing was guard and scouting fell upon Inspector Perry's com-
carriedon the horses except four day's light rations, mand. The march from Frenchman's Butte to Beaver
100 of Winchester ammunition, and great-
rounds River, 80 miles, took three days and a half, quick
coats. A heavy rain fell the whole night, but no travelling considering the difficult nature of the trail,
halt was made until near daylight. Battle River which led over miles of morass, in which the gun
was reached about noon without any trace of the frequently sank to the axles and was only extricated
enemy being seen, and after that an eastward course by the united exertions of horses and men. In one
was struck. Only short halts were made that day case the gun had to be unlimbered and dismounted,
and the following night, and the little force advanced and the gun, waggon and ammunition hauled over in
with great caution as Perry expected at any moment parts, in waggons. The return march from Beaver
to fall in with the enemy. After a trying and severe River to Fort Pitt via Saskatchewan Landing, a
a point twenty miles from Battleford
night's ride, distance of ninety-two miles, occupied only three
was reached Thursday at daybreak, and here a halt days.
was made to rest the horses. Shortly afterwards June detachment received orders to return
29, the
an Indian appeared who proved to be the bearer of to Fort Macleod,and was struck off the strength of the
a message from General Middleton to Big Bear, in- Alberta Field Force, which was about to be broken
forming him that both Riel and Poundmaker had up. The divisional orders, dated Fort Pitt, June 28,
surrendered. Inspector Perry at once proceeded to 1885, contained the following flattering reference to
Battleford and reported his arrival and the result of Major Perry and his command:
—
his reconnaissance to General Middleton. The ride "The detachment of North- West Mounted Police,
from Fort Pitt to Battleford, a distance of 130 miles, under the command of Major Perry, with the 9-
was accomplished in thirty-six hours, and without pounder gun, will join Colonel Herchmer's force to-
a single horse giving out. morrow morning and proceed by route march to
On Inspector Perry's representations, supplies for Battleford.
"
General Strange's column were forwarded the next Major-General Strange, in relinquishing the com-
100
mand of the detachment of 'C Division, North-West constantly in circulation, Superintendent CottoU
Mounted Police,under command of Major Perry, has established a line of couriers with Calgary, for there
to thank them for their vahiable services and in- was no telegraphic communication at the time, ana
variably excellent conduct. He has never com- only a weekly mail. This line of couriers kept the
manded better soldiers. Their double duties as horse population aware of the actual course of events and
artillery, and when required, scout cavalry, have been of the untruthfulness of exaggerated reports put
performed to his entire satisfaction. In bringing a into circulation. Superintendent Cotton held numerous

9-pounder gun from Fort Macleod to Beaver River, interviews with the Blood and Piegan Indians, and
through most difficult country, including the passage kept the country in the vicinity well patrolled. One
of the Red Deer River, the march of some 800 miles, company of militia, and later two (of the 9th Bat-
with every horse and man in his place, reflects great talion) were sent to Macleod as an auxiliary garrison,
credit, not only on Major Perry, but on every non- and placed under Superintendent Cotton's orders,
commissioned officer and man. That gun was mainly
instrumental in demoralizing the band of Big Bear
on 28th May, at Frenchman's Butte. The opening of
communication from Fort Pitt to Battleford by this
small detachment entailed hardships cheerfully endured.
"Major-General Strange especially recognized the
ably conducted march of the left wing of the 65th

Regiment under Major Perry's command, which he

has brought to the notice of the Comptroller of Police;
as also the names of Sergeant-Ma j or Irwin, Staff-

Sergeant Horner, and Sergeant O'Connor.

"
Major-General Strange wishes his thanks to be
conveyed to Major Cotton, N.W.M.P., for the selection
he made of an officer and nien of whom he may feel
proud. In parting with this detachment of North-
West Mounted Police, he wishes them every success
and happiness."
The total distance marched from Fort Macleod to
Edmonton, Fort Pitt to Battleford, from landing
place on the Saskatchewan back to Fort Pitt, to
Beaver River and back to Fort Macleod was 1,308
miles. The distance marched, until dismissed from
the Alberta Field Force, June 28, was 928 miles in
38 marching days, an average per day of 24 miles.
And this does not take into consideration the con-
stant duties of guards, picquets, patrols, etc.
Distinguished and important as were the services Deane
Sui>eriiitendent R. B.
rendered to the country by the various bodies of the
.Mounted Police which came into actual contact with
the hostile Indians and half-breeds during the rebel- mounted corps raised at Macleod by
as wa.s also a

lion, they were probably really less useful than the Major John Stewart. Special provision was made
.services of the divisions which remained at their ordin- to protection to working parties of tele-
furnish

ary headquarters and which, by their brave front and graph and railway construction lines. U{)on one
constant alertness, saved the country from the ap- occasion, shots were exchanged between Stewart's
From scouts and some Indians, supposed to be Assini-
palling tragedy of a general Indian uprising.
one end of the country to the other, the Indians were boine or Gros Ventres war parties from United
restless during the rebellion, and runners from the States a point thirty miles west of
territory, at
hostiles were constantly striving to induce the more Medicine Hat. As a result, Superintendent Cotton
At all the |X)sts jnade a prompt reconnaissance in force, but although
loyal trilxis to take the warpath.
utuisual precautions were taken. there was a great deal of night signalling by the Indians,
At Fort Macleod, for instance, early in the rel)el- no Indian raids were made. The management of
lion, finding that all sorts of exciting stories were the railways thanked Superintendent Cotton for the
101
protection afiforded their parties during these critical more recruits arrived and were accommodated in tents,

months, and at the annual meeting of the South and on May 18, 31 more recruits arrived. It may
Western Stock Association, held at Fort Macleod, be supposed that the energies of the small staff of
April 29, 1885, the following resolution was unani- non-commissioned officers at Superintendent Deane's
mously passed:
— "That this association desires to disposal were taxed to the utmost, but they were
express their high appreciation of the efficient manner equal to the
occasion, and particularly Sergeant
in which Major Cotton and his command have per- Major Belcher, and Quartermaster Sergeant Simpson,
formed their duty in helping the cattle ranches, and performed valuable service at this time. The recruits
the prompt steps taken during the present troubles themselves subsequently furnished a number of
to keep the Indians quiet, meet our fullest confidence valuable non-commissioned officers. May 13, Super-
and approval." intendent Deane was able to detach 15 men to Maple
The departure of Lieut.-Col. Irvine from Regina Creek, and on the 16th, 20 mounted men to Inspector
for Prince Albertwith his detachment left the post Macdonell at Wood Mountain. July 8th, a non-
at headquarters denuded of all but a small staff of commissioned officer and 15 additional men with 16
non-commissioned officers and a few necessarily horses were sent to Inspector Macdonell. May 9th,
employed and sick men. Superintendent R. Burton at request. Superintendent Deane held
Pie-a-pot's
Deane, Adjutant, who previous to joining the force had a powwow that chief, who reported he was
with
served in the Royal Marines, was left in command. In having trouble with some of his young braves as a
consequence of information from the north that arms result of exaggerated stories from the scene of re-
and ammunition were expected by the half-breeds bellion in' the north. Macdonell assured
Inspector
from the railway, that officer issued orders to seize him that he and his tribe would be safe from molesta-
and hold all such articles consigned to traders in the tion so long as they remained on their reserve. (4).
south, 1,435 pounds of arms and ammunition being May 23rd, Louis Riel arrived a prisoner at Regina,
thus seized. The demand for men became so great and so many other half-breed and Indian prisoners
that Superintendent Deane sought and obtained followed, that several additions had to be made to
leave from Ottawa to engage special constables, but the prison accommodation at headquarters. Until
practically none could be got. Early in April, he the conclusion of the numerous trials and executions
secured the services of five Sioux Indians to act as for high treason and murder which were among the
scouts and who proved useful in giving information sad results of the rebellion, the duties at Regina
as to the movements of the half-breed runners, who were very heavy.
were constantly on the move between the different
Indian camps, inciting their occupants to join the (4) Chief Pie-a-Pot was in the old warring days one of the most re-

rebels. About the middle of the month, with the nowned warriors of the Southern Crees. As a matter of fact he was a
member of the Sioux tribe, the hereditary enemies of the Southern Crees.
assistance of Mr. Legarrie of Wood Mountain, an ir- As an infant he became very expert with the bow and arrow, so the story
was formed Wood goes, being able to sever the prairie flowers from their stems with his
regular corps of half-breeds at
arrows, with unerring accuracy. Owing to his abnormal skill and pre-
Mountain to patrol the international frontier, Ins- cocity, his proud mother was enabled to induce the Sioux chiefs to allow
the lad, at the tender age of twelve, to accompany one of their big war
pector Macdonell, with four men, being sent from
parties on a foray into British territory. Meeting disaster at the hands
Medicine Hat to command and organize the corps. of the Crees, the Sioux retreated, and the lad was taken prisoner and
adopted, his prowess securing for him in time the chieftainship of the
April 21st, nineteen recruits, and eighty-two horses tribe.
arrived at Regina from the East. On May 3rd, 130

102
 CHAPTER X.
INCREASE OF STRENGTH AND DUTIES.

The Establishment Raised to 1000 Men. — L. W. Herchmer, Commissioner. — More Vice-Regal

Visits. — Extension of the Sphere op Operations Northward to the Athabaska and Peace
River Districts and into the Yukon. —The Fight to Suppress the Illicit Liquor Trade.
—The Force Loses a Good Friend in Sir John Macdonald but Gains Anothi:r in Sir Wilfrid
Laurier. —The "Almighty Voice" Tragedy. — Rapid Extension of the Yukon Duties.

end of the rebellion left the Mounted Police escort of 100 men. A small mounted escort, by His

THE with greatly increased responsibilities.

there was the pacification of the half-breed
First, Excellency's desire, accompanied him from Indian
Head via Katepwa to Fort Qu'Appelle. thence to
settlements and the Indian tribes which had been in Qu'Appelle station, where he embarked for Regina,
revolt. Secondly, the sense of security hitherto a train escort of one officer and twenty-four men
enjoyed throughout the white settlements had to be accompanying him thither. The usual guard of
restored and its uninterrupted continuance provided honour received him at the Territorial Capital. On
for, and in accomplishing this, a decided spirit of the evening of the 23rd September, with the same
disaffection and defiance manifested by some of the escort. HisExcellency left
Regina for Dunmore,
most powerful tribes, which had not participated in thence proceeding to Lethbridge, where he arrived
the Rebellion had to be coped with. Thirdly, pro- on the afternoon of the 24th. and was received by a
vision had to be made for the rigid enforcement of guard of honour from Fort Madeod. On the 25th,
the law in new settlements and mushroom frontier a mounted escort accompanied His Excellency from

villages, which sprang into existence as if by magic Lethbridge via Fort Kipp to the Hlood Reserve, about
as a result of the completion of the Canadian Pacific eight miles from which place he was met l)y the Indian
Railway. agent, and a party of Indians on horseback. His
It was realized that a very considerable increase Excellency had a long interview with the Bloods,
of the strength of the Mounted Police was necessary, and camped for the night on the opposite side of the
and without delay steps were taken to recruit addi- Belly River. On the 26th, his Excellency visited
tional men and to rearrange the distribution of the the Cochrane ranche, and Fort Macleod on the follow-
force. Officers and men were in the very midst of ing day, remaining for the night in the police barracks.
much strenuous work when the North-West was On the 28th, His lOxcellency started for Calgary,
visited by the then Governor General, Lord Lansdowne, camping for the night at Mos<|uito Creek, 50 miles
the visit doing much to allay excitement and to em- north of Fort Macleod, and reaching Calgary about
phasize the fact that law and order hml been re- 6 p.m. next day. A guard of honour at the railway
established throughout the Territories. station was there furnished from "E" Division, and
On the arrival of His Excellency at Indian Head, the 29th was spent in visiting the Indians at the
on the 2l8t September, he was received by a strong Blackfoot crossing, the Vice-Regal party and escort
103
 His Honor was much above the average. Too large a proportion,
taking train from Calgary to Cluny, where
the Lieutenant Governor was in waiting. Arrived at however, were unable to ride, and unaccustomed to
the agency at the Blackfoot crossing, His Excellency horses.

had a long interview with the Blackfeet, and subse- The distribution state at the end of the year gave
to Calgary, whence a small train
returned the strength and stations of the various divisions
quently
escort accompanied him to Donald, B.C. as follows :
—
His Excellency was pleased to express his approba- Depot Division, Regina, total strength, 121.
tion of the smartness of the men and horses composing
"
A — ''
Maple Creek, with detachments at Medicine
the various escorts, and of the state of their barracks. Hat, and Swift Current, 102.
In October and November, in consequence of the "B" — Regina, with detachments at Fort Qu'Appelle,
accession of strength to 1,000 rank and file, five new Broadview, Moose Jaw, Moosomin, Moose Moimtain,
divisions were created, making ten in all, each having Shoal Lake, Whitewood, and on the mail service, 103.
an establishment of 100 non-commissioned officers —
"C" Fort Macleod, with detachments at Stand Off,
St. Mary's, Pincher Creek, Lethbridge, the Piegan
Reserve, 112.
"D"— Battleford, 94.
"E"— Calgary, 101.
"F"— Prince Albert, 96.
— Edmonton, with a detachment at Fort Sas-
''G"
katchewan, 99.
"H" — Fort Macleod, with detachments at Chief
Mountain, Lethbridge, Old Fort Macleod, 104.
"K"— Battleford, 107.

Total, Commissioner, 1 Assistant Commissioner,

1

10 Superintendents, 24 Inspectors, 1 Surgeon, 4

Assistant Surgeons, 32 Staff-Sergeants, 48 Sergeants,
51 Corporals, 867 Constables. Grand total, 1,039.
Notwithstanding the accession of 500 additional
men up to the end of the
to the strength of the force,

year, no provision had been made for their accom-

modation, with the exception of one large room built

at Regina for prison purposes, which, after the delivery
of sentenced prisoners, was subsequently converted into
a barrack room.
At Regina the barrack rooms were over-crowded
so much so as to effect the men's health, and it had
been necessary to send recruits away to outposts
before they were properly trained. Half of the
Quartermaster's store was at the end of the year full
Lieut. -Col. Lawrence W. Herchmer, Fourth Commissioner. of men, to the great inconvenience and prejudice of
the Quartermaster's department.
and men, the former numbering fifteen. These Great care was shown by the officers and men of
divisions were numbered A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, the force at this time in their dealings with the half-
and the Depot Division. This last was designed to breeds and Indians, and with marked success, the
be permanently stationed at headquarters, and to it rapid healing of the scars of the rebellion speaking
all recruits on joining were to be attached, being volumes for the successful diplomacy of the police.
drafted therefrom as vacancies occurred in the other Writing at the end of 1885 from Prince Albert, which
divisions. The headquarters staff were deducted had been the centre of the disaffected district, and
from the Depot Division. where, since his promotion, he commanded. Super-
Between the 1st January, and 31st December, 1885, intendent A. Bo wen Perry reported:
—
"
608 recruits joined the force, and underwent such The half-breed population is quiet, and the feeling
training as circumstances permitted from time to time. amongst them, to a great extent, appears to be one
The physicjue of the new men, enrolled at the time of regret for the past troubles. Very few will ac-
of this big increase of the establishment, as a rule. knowledge that they took up arms of their own free
104
will, claiming that they were persuaded and forced clusions; and they, though certainly not without
into the trouble. their aboriginal prejudices, are, for the most part,

"They are now entirely dependent on freighting aware of and ready to admit the universally honor-
and government assistance. able,humane, and even markedly generous treatment
"
I have seen the priests of the different half-lireed they have at all times had at the hands of the Govern-
missions, and they all tell a piteous tale of starvation ment. Still, their influence does not appear strong
and want among their people. enough to successfully inoculate the younger men
"Inspector Cuthbert. who recently visited the half- with such a train of thought, and it must not be forgot-
breed settlements, reports that the half-breeds are in ten that the younger men played the most important
want, and will require a great deal of assistance. part in this rebellion.
"
Xo trouble need be feared from them. It should, I think, be borne in mind that our
"
The Indians and peaceable. Some
are very quiet experience during the past summer has furnished us
danger has been apprehended from the Indians at with what I may term data, from which we may with
Duck Lake, who were engaged in the recent outbreak. safety assume that had any serious reverse happened
These Indians were not paid their treaty money and, to the troops serving in the north, an almost simul-
I believe, are not receiving much assistance, as will taneous outbreak would have occurred in the south.
be seen in Inspector Cuthbert's report. This officer Even as I write, I cannot but call to mind the far

says, under date the 18th November: 'From the — from peaceaWe effect produced here when the news
"
Indians of Beardy's reserve, who were rebels, and of the fight at Fish Creek became known.
whom I saw, I learned that they were having very After adverting to the hereditary enmity between
hard times. I could learn nothing from the Indians the Blackfect and Crees, and expressing his belief
themselves or from settlers in the vicinity in confirma- that these tribes would, notwithstanding this, make
tion of current reports of brewing trouble. No alarm common cause against the white men. Superintendent
is felt as to their raiding on freighters or settlers, and Cotton continued with reference to the despatch of
no communication is held by them with Indians in some war parties on horse stealing expeditions: —
the Battleford district.'" "This horse stealing on the part of the younger men
While encouraging improvement was being
this is doing an incalculable amovmt of harm throughout
reported in the district which had been the scene of the camps. Setting aside the complications it may
the revolt, keen anxiety was developing as to the at any time give rise to with the United States Gov-
attitude of the Indian tribes in the south. ernment, it unsettles them greatly. If one man
In a report of the 26th of October, Superintendent succeeds in evading arrest, the others are thus prompted
Cotton drew attention to the objectionable changes to copy him and their so doing is considered a signal of
that had come about in the general bearing and feeling personal bravery that invariably meets with universal
of the Indians in the southern section of the Territo- approbation. Thus, a large number of our Blood
ries. "I now express it as my positive opinion", he Indians are becoming professional horse-thieves, and
wrote, "that the feeling of the Blood Indians towards though their operations are carried on, f(»r the greater
the Government and white men generally is at this part, south of the international boundary line, it
present moment very far from one of a friendly cha- cannot be said to be luiiversally the case, and war
racter. In this respect the past year has brought a parties often visit distant portions of our Territories,
marked change, particularly among the young men, solely for the purpose of horse stealing. That our
who plainly show that a spirit of unrest and disquiet Indians can, with the utmost ease, procure strong
is not dormant within them". alcoholic drink in the United States, is unquestionably
Alluding to the Rebellion and its suppression, Supt. the fact. This proves a powerful incentive towards
—
Cotton wrote: "It must be remembered that the the continuance of these southern migrations, as
accounts of the various scenes enacted in the north does also the fact that they receive aid, most willingly
are received by the Indians more from an Indian proffered, in their criminal practises from their blood
point of view than from fact«. The loss of the troops relations, the South Piegans (also of the Blackfoot
was magnified and that of the Indians minimized. Nation). The
mentioned Indians dare not them-
lost
This is what they still believe antl 1 think it shows selves steal American horses, but they gladly accept
that an Indian can be influence<l and his sympathy horses from our Indians in payment for help and
aroused by another Indian much more thoroughly information afforded."
ami forcibly than by any white man. The chiefs While the Indians in the Southern part of the Ter-
and old men, having greater and more varied exixrience, ritories were thus caiising anxiety, the Mounted
are much more prone to form correct and logical con- Police were called upon to extend their sphere of

105
operations eastward into Manitoba. On the 28th of As a matter of record, it is interesting to know that
July, 1885. Inspector Sanders, one non-commissioned at this period the
government entered into negotiations
officer and twenty-four constables, with twenty-six with Major Hutton, whose name was at the time
horses, proceeded to Southern Manitoba for the pre- identified with the mounted infantry movement in
vention of horse stealing in a district stretching along the regular service, with the object of securing his
the frontier from the eastern boundary of the muni- services as commissioner of the Mounted Police.

cipality of Louise to the western boundary of the Major Hutton agreed to accept the proffered appoint-
Province. A
request for this protection had been ment on certain conditions, and his advice was even
made, on behalf of the settlers, by the Attorney- asked on matters affecting the arming, equipment and
General, at Winnipeg, and the Right Honorable the training of the force, but it was later decided to select
President of the Privy Council, in sanctioning "for an officer of Canadian experience. Some years later,
the present and until a local force is formed" the as Major General, MajorHutton commanded the
employment of a small detachment of police, reminded Canadian Militia, and, still a brigade com-
later, as
mander in South Africa, he had a battalion composed
largely of officers and men of the N.W.M.P. under his
command.
Superintendent L. W. F. Crozier, Assistant Com-
missioner, retired with gratuity June 30, 1886, Super-
intendent W. M. Herchmer, with the title of " Ins-
pecting Superintendent," taking over most of his
"
duties. Supt. Antrobus took over the command of E"
Division at Calgary from Supt. Herchmer on April 7.
During the summer, "E" Division and the head-
quarters of "G" Division, consisting of one officer
and 50 men, were camped on the Bow River, at Cal-
gary, and remained there for about six weeks. This
had an excellent effect, and gave a good opportunity
of perfecting the men and horses in drill and camp
work. Supt. Herchmer suggested that the following
summer a larger camp be formed there, it being a
very central place for the western divisions to meet,
and he thought 200 men could easily be massed from
"E", "G", "H", and "D" Divisions.
From the new Commissioner's
report for the year
1886 it
appears that target practice had been carried
on in all the Divisions, but while many of the men
had made excellent shooting, a considerable number
did poorly. This, it was hoped to remedy the fol-
lowing season by careful overhauling of the car-
Superintendent G. E. Sanders, D.S.O. bines, and by more instruction in preliminary drill.
Revised Standing Orders for the force were prepared
the Attorney-General "that it is not the duty of the
during the year, and in December, were ready for
Mounted Police to enforce the laws in Manitoba." the printer, and a short and concise drill book was
April 1st, 1886, a change took place in the command being prepared, to which instructions in Police duties
of the force, the Commissioner, Lieut-Colonel A. G. and simple rules of Veterinary practice were to be
Irvine retiring with a gratuity and being succeeded attached, which it was thought would place in each
by Lawrence W. Herchmer, Esq., at the time holding Constable's possession a complete explanation of all
a responsible position in the North- West under the his various duties.
Indian Department. The new Commissioner, who The physique of the force was very fine, and im-
was a brother of Superintendent Wm. Herchmer, the time, the trouble being to get clothing
all
proving
had served as a subaltern in the British Army and
large enough; but as it had been arranged, in future
had acquired considerable experience of field service to have the clothing generally made in Canada (1), with
in the North- West as a Commissariat Officer on the
(1) For S3veral years, as was the practice also in the Active Militia, the
staff of the International Boundarv Commission. uniforms had been imported from England.

106
proper size rolls, it was hoped there would be no outposts were established at points along the roads
difficulty in guarding against this mistake. for the winter, but patrolling was resumed as soon as

Up to this year the police had erected most of their it was considered advisable in the
spring.
barracks and other buildings themselves, and even in the During the years immediately succeeding the re-
case of some of the larger barracks built by contract, bellion, there was a marked development of the patrol
the work had been supervised by the officers of the system of the Mounted Police. During 1S87, log
force. In 1886 the work in connection with the buildings with stables and corrals were built at con-
erection and repairs of barracks was handed over to venient places along the frontier, particularly along
the Department of Public Works. the base of the Cypress Hills; to afford shelter to the
The most serious crimes of the year were the rob- men in bad weather, and enable the patrols to go out
beries of the Royal Mail stages between Qu'Appelle earlier and stay later in the season than they other-
and Prince Albert, and between Calgary and Ed- wise could.The following season other shelters
monton. The former of these, in July, near Humboldt, were built at convenient situations all along the
was the first attempt at highway robbery in the frontier, the labor being done by the Police, and by
territories since the advent of the police, although putting up hay at these posts, a great saving of horse-
such events, with various ghastly settings, were of flesh resulted.
almost weekly occurrence in the adjoining territories A new element in the police patrols in 1887 was
of the United States. The news of the Humboldt introduced in the engagement of some fuU-blooded
robbery caused great excitement, it being assumed Indians as scouts, who were attached to the patrols,
that desperadoes from Missouri and other western and did very good service, being invaluable as
states were seeking fresh fields in Canada. If they trailers,and able and willing to travel excessive
succeeded in getting away free it was felt that this distances in an almost incredible space of time. On
would .be the fore-runner of a series of stage and several occasions during the summer of 1887, these
train robberies such £is had made the western States scouts arrested members of their own tribes. Their
notorious. Throughout all ranks of the Mounted tendency at was to serve a short time and then
first

Police was felt to be imperative that the perpetra-

it return home, which was not always convenient.
tors of the robberies be discovered. The capture of Their pay was $25 per month and rations, and they
the robbers (there were first supposed to be six masked horsed themselves, the Police furnishing arms and
men engaged in the robbery, although investigations saddles.
on the spot showed it to have been the work of a single All the main trails in the Territories were at this
highwayman) was entrusted to"F" Division, then at period watched by police patrols, and at convenient
Regina, commanded by Supt. A. Bowen Perry. A places along them, parties were stationed. The out-
detachment of eight proceeded east by rail to Broad- posts along the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway
view, a similar one under Inspector Begin, westward were increased during 1889, and it was found necessary
to Moosejaw. The remainder of the division under as soon as the Manitoba and North- Western Railway

Supt. Perry, proceeded north, direct from Regina, entered the Territories, to establish a post at Lan-
the detachments at Broadview and Moosejaw moving genburg on that road. This party patrolled the
in the same direction at the same time. In this way Fort Pelly and the York Colony districts, which were
the whole country through which the robbers were remote from the head(juarters of police Divisions.
considered likely to attempt to escape was carefully Early in the spring of 1887, the Bloods caused a
covered. Had the robbery been the work of a gang good deal A number of their young men,
of trouble.
of United States highwaymen, they would doubt- tired of the reserve, and anxious to di.stinguish them-
less have been headed off, but it transpired that the selves, made a dash on Medicine Hat and vicinity and
robber was a resident of the north, and he was arrested on U. Territory, stealing a number of horses.
S.

by the Mounte<l Police in Prince Albert in August, During the summer too, the [Kjlice had occasional
tried in Regina in October, and sentenced to fourteen trouble with them. Occasionally, cattle were killed
years imprisonment in the penitentiary. in the neighborhood of their reserves, but the arrest,

The robbers of the Exlmonton stage were not caught, speedy trial and punishment of "Good Rider", a
although the country was scoured by the police in Blood, stopped this practice.
all directions. The mails on the route between Cal- November 27, having been informed that several
gary and Edmonton, Swift Current and Battleford, Blood Indians, camped at the Lower Agency, had
and Qu'Appelle and Prince Albert were constantly whisky in their po.'w^o.ssion, and that one of their
escorted by Police after the first robbery until the minor chiefs. "Calf Shirt", had brought it in from
cold weather removed the necessity, and after that, Montana, and had stated to his band that if the
107
ar -^*» «?K^ 'i««** &wm^ ^har
-w!3i^ ja .>.,. .^^^^ai.

Mrf If «l^r

MMf «dbir neMor

.^lSll|lt^HA edbyni 10461

flMfai^ bf iiartcir^ ^jk,, «.iMi m^sr:- uv^iand. 3jG20; cm
Un4.f tmtmihoiM, 200 maei^ Total, 15,181 miks.
tfrnfimii iSke mmtt rear the Comaaammar, in Iw
mmmhI fiefwit ndiesmd to a eorioas aereanon to tiie
ptjfuiaiitm of tiie Nortli-West Tenitories, nmaj dt- t. - tlWttir
nettem fwma ihe Umted States Army cmnh^ orer ifyt
1mm intli their hones and arms. The latto- woe
inken irfftn them by the Mounted Pdice and returned Sapt. Slede, in Us vtpon. mikli paotvi
to the U- H- Authorities, who declined to prosecute pointed out tliat tbe nndbns «ff '^D^
the thfeire«^ thtnkmg they were well rid of than. regards phy»q^ a vht Iuk bud;
irese .

In May, IWJ7, Superintendent Steele with "D" Divi- great many being coi^ifenJb)r ovh* 6 f««t lo^. axi^i
i^rtt, iifeti stationed at Lethbridge. was. on accoimt erf measurii^ as omkIi as 44 inrlkes arovodl ^ke <Ak^^
i*ervjvm trouble among the local Indians, ordered to the Taking the dixisiQn aD through^ the avcnc^liHsbt
K/x/tenay distriet of British Columbia where they was 5 feet ^inches, and dhest nmsiNreafeHil 3S^
remained until the summer of 1888 performing much inches.
goorl work. During the year 1S88, the Mwmted IVIice ptttnt^.
108
in accordance with applications from the Customs and remaimnl under the command of liis^XH^tor Me-
and Interior Departments, were extended into Msuii- tiibbon. The i.^^ue of wihhI jH^nnits was alnu>st
toba, and the detachment under Inspector McGibboiu entiivly in thehands of the |H>litH\ autl betwe<M\ their
the first year, was able to render valuable ser\ ice in various vocations they certainly had plenty to do.
the suppression of smugglers and timber thieves in With the exception of the service during the re-
the Pembina Mountain country. bellion, and a few exwptioj\al casc^. the servict^s of
In all quarters of the Territories, except in the the Mounttnl Police had up to this time Iwhmi pivtty
south- west, the Indians. acconiing to the Conunissit>nerV well coidined \o the tH>rtion of the territt>ries south of

report, were making rapid strides towanls self-supiKMt. the line of the North Saskatchewan, But the ex-
All they required were more cattle, and a cash market tension of railway systems and the expansion of settle-
encourage them.
for their produce, to ment began to attract attention to the north. .\»ul,
During the year 18SS, 55 men, whose terms of as was the case with the iinn\igration westward, so with
service had expired, immediately n^engagiHi. 10 the movement northwan;!, the Mounted l\>lice have
who took their dischai^e, afterwards ii-oimajitHl.
among them a sergeant who re-engaged as lonsiablo;
two who purchased their discharge enlisted in the
ranks again, and several othei"^ offered to re-join.
In his report for the year, the Commissioner remarked :-
j^ermission, I hope to make this force
'*
With your
very hard o enter
1 and very easy to get out of, both
by purchase and dismissal". That has continued to
be the principle governing enlistment and discharge.
A drill book for the force was printed on the police
press at Regina, during the year ISSK.
The drill was
of the simplest kind, and conflicted in way withno
the Mounted Infantry Regulations, but contained much
information respecting details and movements ab-
solutely required in the force which were not laid
down in the Mounted Infantry Manual.

During the year 1889, there were several events of

special interest to the Mounted Police.
Lord Stanley
of Preston (now the Earl of Derby) then Governor
General, visited the North- West, making an extended
tour. In addition to the usual duty patrols, escorts
accompanied His Excellency in his visits to the various
parts of the Territories, and all the transport required
was necessarily thrown on the regular patrols who
were required to do more mileage, owing to the tem-
porary absence of their comrades.
Inspoi'lor Hojfin.
His Excellency was pleased to express his gratifica-
tion at the appearance and efficiency of the different
detachments that came under his immediate observa- been the pioneers. The Canadian policy has been to

tion. provide protection for life ami property and the means
Honourable t^Mackenzie of enforcing the law, ahead of settlement, and
During September, the
therein, not forgetting the traditional respeetof British
Bowell, the Minister of Customs, was driven, in Police
lies (he s««eret of tlu> peace-
transport, along the line of patrols on the
frontier. peoples for eijuitable laws,
These patrols extended from Gretna, 28 miles east of ful settlement of the Canadian West.
the Red River, to the Rocky Mountains, a distance of Dm-ing 18S9. for the first time, police were sent into
about 800 miles, and most of the Customs Depart- Keewatin atthe nniuest of th(> bi«>ut(>nanl Governors
of Manitoba, and the North-West Territories. A
ment work on this immense line was done by the
Mounted Police. party under Inspector Begin, proceeded to Grand
the vicinity
The force sent into Manitoba in 1888 for frontier Rapids on the first boat, and remained in
the sununer with the view of preventing (he
duty, in connection with the Department of Customs part of
of licpior into the northern portions of
and the Interior, was considerably augmented in 1889 importation
109
the North- West the Saskatchewan,
Territories, via of police under Sergeant Waite, went through the
without permits. The low state of the water in the Crow's Nest Pass with pack-horses, on a tour of ins-
river, however, prevented the steamers from running, pection, and visited the Kootenay country.
and the party was withdrawn. While in the north, The patrol party was again, on the opening of
Inspector Begin collected a great deal of information navigation, sent north to the Lake Winnipeg district,
which the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba acknow- and was considerably increased in size; a great deal
ledged. work being done by Inspector Begin and
of efficient

During the summer of 1889, 40 men of "F" Division hiscommand. This officer, in 1890, went as far north
from Prince Albert and the same number of "C" Divi- as York Factory.
sion from Battleford patrolled to Regina and back, During the early summer, H.R.H. the Duke of
remaining during the greater part of the month of Connaught passed through the country, on his way
September under canvas at Regina. The two parties, home to England on completion of a command in
on the way south, effected a junction at Saskatoon. India, and wherever he stopped in the North-West,
An extraordinary drought all over the country was escorts were provided, and transport was ready, if

excessively hard on the horses, and the "C" and "F" required.
patrols, under Supt. Perry, had to travel on one Assistant Commissioner Herchmer reported to His

day, 40 miles, and on the next, 42 miles, without water. Royal Highness at Banff, and accompanied him
This was bad enough for picked horses and a flying beyond the eastern limits of the Territories. His
patrol, but when it is considered that there were Royal Highness expressed himself as much pleased
eighty men mounted, without spare horses, and twelve with the Mounted Police and the services performed
heavily loaded teams, the distances are enormous. for him by them.
Great credit was considered by the Commissioner to be The Assistant Commissioner also accompanied
due Superintendent Perry and all ranks, for the Colonel Fane of the British Army in a tour of the
splendid condition of the horses on arrival at Regina, ranching country to ascertain its capabilities in the
every horse in work had an entire absence of sore way of supplying remounts for the army.
backs and shoulders. The patrol proceeded south, The same year (1890) the officers of the force gave
via Saskatoon and Moose jaw, a distance of 300 miles even more than the usual attention to the suppression
in twelve days, and returned via the route of the Long of prairie fires, and parties were specially sent out in
Lake Railway and Saskatoon, 350 miles, in ten days. some of the districts which had suffered in former
During 1889, great interest was taken in rifle shooting, years, with instructions to look sharp after all parties
and the Commissioner suggested the sending a team starting fires, and in all districts the outposts were
to Ottawa for the Dominion matches the following particularly instructed in this direction. The result

year. He also recommended that the best shot in was most satisfactory.
each division, and the best in the force, should receive Perhaps the most important event in the history
extra pay. of the Mounted Police, as in that of the Dominion,
In June, a rifle competition took place at Saskatoon, during the year 1891, was the death of Sir John A.
between teams of 16 non-commissioned officers and Macdonald on June 6th. Sir John had always mani-
men of "C" and "F" Divisions for "The Hudson Bay fested the keenest personal interest in the force, and
Cup", "F" Division proving the winners. The cup never allowed anything to interfere with his ambition
was presented by the officials of the Hudson Bay to have it maintained as a sensible, practical police
Company, and was to be won two years in succession. force and at the same time to have it kept up to a
During the year 1890, in addition to the regular high state of smartness and military efficiency as a

patrols, small patrols, under the command of an officer, veritable corps d'elite. Whatever portfolios the
frequently travelled through the various districts and veteran premier held, he retained the administra-
proved in a most conclusive manner that the regular tion of the Mounted Police in his own hands
patrols had done their duty entirely to the satisfaction up to the very last. In the new government formed
of the law-abiding settlers. after Sir John's death, the premier, Hon. Sir J. J. C.
The police outposts were becoming more numerous Abbott, as President of the Council, retained control
every year, and the detachments were rapidly im- of the Mounted Police.

proving the buildings, thereby better ensuring the As to the personal of the force in 1891 the Com-
comfort of the men, who had to undergo very severe missioner reported the average height as about 5 feet,
hardships at times on patrol.. 9^ inches and chest measurement about 38} inches.
During the summer of 1890, the energetic Minister There was some difficulty in securing enough suitable
of Customs, theHon. Mackenzie Bowell, with a party horses, as not a single eastern horse had been bought
110
for several years. The western horses were reported fumery, etc. — Barrels of coal oil would have a keg of
to be improving every year, and with the progeny of whisky floating in the oil. Some genius invented a
imported horses coming into the market the following celluloid egg shell which was filled with whisky, and

spring, a furthermarked improvement was expected. for a time it proved a safe receptacle.
But, eventually,
The Commissioner in his annual report for 1891 the Mounted Police discovered the hoax, as they did
appeared gratified to state: "Canteens are now
— the others. The preventive service in connection
working at Regina, Macleod, Lethbridge and Calgary, with this liquor trade was simply detested by the
and are found to be a great convenience and saving to Mounted Police for it was continually embroiling
the men. The profits reduce the cost of messing, and them in trouble, and without any thanks, for the mis-
afford the men recreation which they could not other- called prohibitory liquor law soon became very un-
wise enjoy. 1 find that there has been a sensible popular v.ith everybody, including the clergy.
decrease of crime and in the number of breaches of Commissioner after Commissioner of the force
discipline at those posts where canteens have been complained of the difficulty of enforcing the act. For
established; and that these posts compare favourably instance, in his report for 1885, Lieut.-Col. Irvine
in this respect with those where no canteens exist". wrote :
—
The construction of the Calgary and Edmonton "The traffic in illicit liquor cannot, I regret to say,

and the Calgary and Macleod railways was closely be said to be on the decline. The ingenuity which
watched during 1891 by the police, and every assist- is devoted to encompass the transgression of the
pro-
ance was given the contractors in enforcing the ab- hibitory law is worthy of a better cause. Books
sence of liquor from the camps. Several arrests were (that is, zinc cases made up in the shape of books),
made for illegally leaving employment, but, on the sardine tins, oyster cans, coal oil cans and barrels,
whole, the best of order was maintained all through. and many other receptacles, including trunks, are
One officer was in charge of constables on railway used to import liquor. The last mentioned, checked
construction all the time. through as passenger's baggage, were much in vogue
During year a strict liquor license law was
this during the early part of the year, and in connection
introduced, which has tended to greatly reduce the therewith a very plausible complaint was made to
very objectionable duties the Mounted Police had Ottawa of the high handed action of the police, which,
hitherto been called upon to discharge in enforcing however, the complainants, did not substantiate by
the laws respecting liquor. Up to this date a pro- avowing themselves the owners of the checks in
hibitory law was in force, it being an offence to have question. Details of the several seizures made have
even lager beer in by a
possession except covered beenalready reported periodically. I may safely
permit obtained personally, and only on payment of say that the majority of the people living in the North-
a heavy fee, from the Lieutenant Governor. When West do not respect and do not hesitate to break the
one remembers the large Indian population and the prohibitory liquor law. It is the unceasing and
crude state of society in the pioneer days, the object faithful endeavour to enforce the provisions of this
is easily understood. But, as the country opened up, law, in the face of a rapidly increasing population,
and towns, villages and settlements multiplied, it be- and much greater facilities for evading it, to which
came impossible to enforce the law, for public opinion the police owe most of the adverse criticism to which
was against it. If people could not get licjuor honestly, they have been subjected. Men who were law-
why, they would simply get it dishonestly. Where abiding citizens in the old provinces think it no crime
wholesome liquors could not be obtained, the poison- to evade the liquor law, and do so on every opportunity.
ous product of the illicit still found way in. The
its If such men are not caught, then the police come in

Mounted Police seized liquor by the waggon load for abuse from temperance quarters. If on the other
and destroyed it only to have to go through the same hand, arrests are made, conviction becomes a con-
operation the following day. The smugglers and ception, which eventually gives birth to most uns-
holders of illicit liquor were arrested and re-arrested, paring abuse, not of the law, but of those whoso duty
only to bring down uponthe police the enmity of the itis to enforce it."

prisoners and their friends. All kinds of subterfuges In his report at the end of 1.SS7, Commissioner
were resorted to to smuggle beer and li<|Uor into the —
Herchnier wrote: "The enforcement of the North-
territories. Piano ca.ses were line<l with tin and filled West prohibitory law is more difficult than ever, the
with liquor. Metal receptacles containing spirits were sympathy of many of the settlers being generally
concealed within the covers of bogus Bibles and against us in this matter. Large <iuantities of licpior
hymn-bw)k8. Brandy and whisky were imjxirted in have been seized and spilt, but a great deal more
medicine bottles labelled as containing acid, per- illicit liquor has undoubtedly beyn used under the

111
cloak of the permit system. Liquor is run into the end of that year, the Commissioner wrote: — "The
of a very unsatisfactory con-
in
country in every conceivable manner, in -barrels liquor question is still

sugar, salt, and as ginger ale, and even

in neatly cons- dition, and while the importation of beer has, I think,
tructed imitation eggs, and respectable people, who lowered the demand for stronger liquor, the ruling
otherwise are honest, will resort to every device to of the court that liquor onceadmitted under permit
evade the liquor laws, and when caught they have can be held by anyone, and the fact that counterfoils
of permits belonging to other people can protect
generally the quantity covered by their permits. It

is really curious the extraordinary length of time liquor, almost completely kills the enforcement of
some holders of permits can keep their liquor. The the North-West Act, in spite of the efforts of the

permit system should be done away with in the first Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories
place if the law is to be enforced, and the law itself to prevent the transfer of permits, and places the
should be cleared of the technicalities that have police in a most unfortunate position. In fact, as at

" No COMPL.\lNTS." A Settler sigriing- a Policeman's Patrol Sheet.

(From one oi a series of Pictures painted for the Dominion Department of Agriculture by Paul Wickson),

"
enabled so many to escape
punishment this last year. present interpreted, it is impossible to enforce the Act.
The importation and manufacture of a good article It is not to be wondered at that the introduction of
of lager beer, under stringent Inland Revenue regula- a license system was hailed with satisfaction in the
tions would, in my opinion greatly assist the satis- Mounted Police, but there was a direct disadvantage
factory settlement of this vexed question. Nearly therefrom too, for in his annual report at the end of 1892
all the opprobrium that has been cast upon the Police the Commissioner ascribed an increase of drunkenness
generally, and my management in particular, can be in the force to the introduction of the License Act (2).

directly traced to public sentiment on the attempt to

" (2) The crusade against illicit liquor in theold mis-called prohibition days
enforce this law.
was productive of drinking in some cases, the men occasionally obtaining
In 1889, the law was amended to permit of the possession of seized liquor. In one or more cases, bibilous policem ni
made a practice of burying under the turf where the seized liquor was
importation of beer, and this relieved the situation^
accustomed to be spilled, convenient recepticles, which were unearthed as
somewhat, but not altogether. In his report at the soon as the officers' backs were turned after each spilling.

112
 December 5, 1892, the Mounted Police again lost factory to be able to state that their presence had a
it« administrative head, Sir John J.J.C. Abbott re- most tranquilizing effect on the Indians, some of whom
signing and being succeeded as Premier by the Hon. had on previous occasions made themselves anything
Sir John Thompson. In the Thompson Cabinet, but agreeable to their agent, and they certainly in-
December 5, 1892 to December 12, 1894, the Hon. tended giving trouble this season, while it should be
W. B. Ives, as President of the Council, had the borne in mind that the police had been absent,
if

Mounted Police department under his charge. petty traders would probably have introduced liquor
During the year 1892 a great increase in the settle- among the natives."
ment of the North-West was reported, particularly in A limited number of settlers moved into the Prince
the Edmonton district, which was filling up very Albert district in 1892 and many delegates from the
rapidly, and as the crops had been good, a very large United States and the eastern provinces visited Prince
influx was expected the following year. Large Albert and the surrounding country with a view of
numbers of settlers came in from the United States, making reports as to the quality of the land and the
particularly from Washington and Dakota, and all general prospects of intending settlers. In many
appeared quite satisfied with their prospects. cases the Dominion Immigration Department and
The Mormons, who had established a settlement the local Boards of Trade requested police assistance in
in Alberta, were increasing numbers and importing
in driving such delegates from point to point. Whenever
a number ofsheep. They were also preparing to practicable, assistance was rendered.
irrigate their land in the near future. They, in 1892, During the year 1893 the force lost by death
supplied most of the butter and eggs used at Macleod three officers and four men, the heaviest death rate for
and Lethbridge, and were, so far as the police could many years.
judge, good, law-abiding settlers. Assistant Surgeon Dodd, an officer of great medical
Every possible assistance was at this period rendered experience, died very suddenly on the 1st of January,
incoming settlers by the force, even as far as driving while in medical charge of Maple Creek. He was
them over the most desirable districts for settlement, buried in the police cemetery at Regina. Inspector
and they repeatedly expressed their appreciation of Piercy, an officer who served in the force for many
the services so freely rendered. All the new settle- years, both in the ranks, and afterwards as a com-
ments were regularly visited by patrols, and each missioned officer, died at Edmonton on the 13th of
settler specifically asked to report in writing if he had March, and was buried there. Inspector Huot, who
any complaints or not. had been in command at Duck Lake for several years,
The steady extension of the active sphere of opera- and who had been suffering for some time, died at
tions of the Mounted Police northward took a marked Duck Lake on the 23rd of March. He was a great
-top forward in 1892. favourite with his comrades and very popular in his
Early in the .season the advisability of establishing district,having always displayed great tact in dealing
a permanent outpost at Cumberland House (wliich with the natives. He was buried at Prince Albert.
is situated about 220 miles below Prince Albert, on On numerous occasions transport was placed at
the Saskatchewan River") was Supt.considered. the disposal of agricultural delegates, who visited
Cotton, commanding at Prince Albert, furnished the various sections of the territories this year. Upon one
CommLs,sioner with a detailed rep>rt on the subject, of these occasions the visitors were a party of Germans,
the result being that a small detachment con.sisting who Macleod in April, and who represented
arrived in
of one non-commissioned officer and one constable, several hundred families, who had commissioned
was stationed there in July. The establishment of them to examine and report upon the North-West,
this detachment embraced an imjx)rr.ant section of with a view to settlement therein. These gentlemen
country not previously under police surveillance. visited Kootenay, Big Bend, Pincher Creek, and Stand
One of the nio.st important duties devolving upon Off.
this detachment was the prevention of illicit licjuor During 1894, the system of patrols carried out
being supplied to Indians. In Aiigust, the Com- during the preceding few years was continued; the
missioner received a communication from R. Macfar- new settlements, particularly in the F'dmonton dis-
lane, Esq., chief factor of theHudson's Bay Company, trict, Ix'ing well looked after. The totalwithdrawal
Cumberland which he wrote:
district, in "During of all thedetachments in Manitoba, early in the spring,
the past month, the party ({Kilice detachment) has men and horses at the (\)mmission(>r's
place*! sufficient
been travelling witli .Mr. Agent Rearler on liis yearly dis|M)sal to meet new responsibilities. The vigilance
annuity payment tour to the diflFerent Indian reserves of these patrols continued to have a good effect, as
of the Pas, Agency, Treaty No. 5. It is very satis- very little serious crime had occurred in the Terri-
113
tories without detection. As usual, there was a total police into Canada under arrest, and consequently

absence of train and highway robberies, so very pre- were not fugitives from justice under the Act.
valent during this particular year on the other side
A reduction of the force having been determined
of the boundary line. The deterrent effect of the upon, no recruits were engaged after the early part of
Force in this direction was repeatedly noticed in the the year, and only the very best of the time-expired

public press of Canada

and the United States during men were re-engaged. Every opportunity was taken
the year. to keep the men up to the mark and the whole force

The most important capture made by the Mounted was well drilled.

Police patrols in 1894 was that of three half-breeds, His Excellency the Governor General, the Earl of
near Writing-on-Stone detachment, in the Lethbridge Aberdeen, visited the Territories during the summer.

Ins. Scarth Ins. G. Brown Supt. Belcher Vet. -Surg. Burnett

Ins. J. Constantine Supt. A. B. Perry Ins. Strickland

Officers of the N. W. M. P. on Duty at Regina

Ins. Baker Commissioner Herchmer Ins. Irwin
Asst.-Com. Mcllree Ins. C. Starnes Surgeon Bell

district. These breeds were more or less implicated entailing the usual amount of additional escort and
in the 1885 rebellion, and fled to the United States, guard duties upon the His Excellency was
force.

taking up their residence, with some 40 others, in the pleased to express his satisfaction at the smartness
Sweet Grass Hills, where they lived without work, and high state of discipline evinced by all ranks.
killing, it is believed, a great many cattle. They In his annual report, this year, Supt. Steele, com-
were surprised in the act by Corporal Dickson, ar- manding the Macleod district, commenting on the
rested and tried, but got off, as it was found by survey success of the Mounted Police in enforcing respect
that the actual killing took place just over the line, for the law, compared with the very generally ex-
in United States territory, and it was held that they tended epidemic of lawlessness in some of the
could not be extradited, as they were brought by western States, wrote :
— "To properly appreciate
114
this, one should take into consideration all the trusted to the Mounted Police, and occasioned a house-
influences that usually bear against law and order to-house which was very advantageous, as it
visit,
and which are found in their most developed state in brought all the settlers under the innnediate observa-
the western frontier settlements. In spite ot these tion of the police. The following was the result of
drawbacks, it is a fact that there is no place in the the census as taken by the police, exclusive of Indians:-
Dominion where life and property are more respected Assiniboia, 33,925 white, 867 half-breed. 34,843
than in the North-West Territories. The policy of horses, 99.575 cattle, 76,864 sheep; Alln^rta, 26,185
establishing the means of obtaining law and order, white people. 2,598 half-breed. 42.257 hoi-ses, 168,598
l^efore settlement, has been most beneficial to the cattle, 45,816 sheep; Sa.skatchewan, 5,763 white
country at large, and makes 'vigilant committees,' people, 4,168 half-breeds, 6,541 horses, 20,614 cattle,
'white cai)s' and 'lynching gangs' impossible. By 6.422 sheep.
such committees, gross injustices have, and always The Hon. Sir Mackenzie Bowell, Prime Minister,
will l>e perpetrated, and many innocent i)ersons and responsible head of the Mounted Police Depart-
shot and hanged." ment, made an extended tour of the North-West
During the summer, a detachment of the Mounted during the summer, inspecting many of the chief
Police was sent north to the Athabasca River Country. jx)sts and detachments, and announceil himself well
December 12, 1894, the Thompson Ministry was pleased with the efficiency and zeal of the force.
dissolved by the sudden death of the Premier, the
Hon. Sir John S.D. Thompson, at Windsor Castle.
December 21, the Hon. Sir Mackenzie Bowell, formed
his cabinet, and as Premier and President of the

Council, was the administrative head of the Mounted

Police Department until April 27, 1896, when he re-
signed. During the short time he was at the head of
the Department Sir Mackenzie showed a markedly
intelligent and useful interest in the corps.
The continued reduction of the force in the spring
of 1895 necessitated the amalgamation of "D" antl
"H" Divisions at Macleod, and "B" and the Deix)t
Divisions at Regina, and the superannuation of two
suf»erintendents and two inspectors. While this

entailed considerable extra work on the officers re-

maining, the work was performed satisfactorily.

But very few men were recruited during the year.
Typical I'olii-f lamp on ihf Trail.
and a new system, of trying all recruits for two months
(Sir Mackenzie Bowells parly cmampfU «l Onion I-«kc, 1895.)
Ijefore permanent enlistment, was instituted.

Notwithstanding the very consirlerably reduced

strength of the force, the patrols during 1895 were A detachment was jigain sent this summer, (1895)
increased, and all the territory rec|uiring it was visited for duty on the Athabasca River to prevent li(Hior
d'u\ not accom-
by them. Patrols this year called on all settlers on going in, withoiit fx'rmit, but an officer
under commnnd
their route, taking particulars of any complaints they pany it, the detachment InMug place<l
of StafT-Sergeant iletheringon who hati h«<l two years
may have had, and making inquiries concerning sus-
picious characters seen in the vicinity, whether any stray experience in the district.
animals had been seen, and whether any animals The advance rush of miners and prospcct<ir» to the
stich thi«
were diseased. along their route they rode through
All Yukon gold mines attainjMl pro|.ortions
felt it whs time to provide
any herds of cattle, or bands of horses, and looked year that the government
them over. They made inquiries re any breach of for the :i.Hsertion of the Dominion authority there,
In the
the fishery and and any and ihv establishment <»f law and order.
game regulations, iWNsible
then' was an instnunent
evasions of the customs. All of Indians were North-West Moimtnl P«.lice
cami# wwks
and within a few
vi.«iteti, and inquiries made, and the Indian pas.ses ready to hand for the piir|K.se.
the o<lvance
in the season, a sharp lookout was of the is.Huing of flie necesj«ary instruct ioiw,
examined, and,
of the "Riilers of the Plains" mirthwnnl had U-en
kept for prairie fires. This routine continues to Im«
well u|» towards the extreme n«.rth-w«-sf corner
followed. pushed
western reserve.
The taking en- of the Domini«»nV great. ufiexplorc<l
of the census in April, 1895, wa.-*

115
 The Commissioner's instructions from the Comp- at both police and Indians before he was shot by a

troller were to the effect that a party of twenty, in- constable. It appears that this Indian had a child
sick in the school conducted by the Rev. Mr. Tims,
cluding officers, was to be despatched to the Upper
Yukon for duty there. Inspector Constantine, an on the reserve, and on the child dying, after being
officer of great determination and ability, who had taken home, he became more or less crazy, and after
been in the far north country the previous year, was threatening several officials, finally shot Mr. Skynner,
selected to command, the other officers being Ins- with whom he had some difficulty about obtaining
All beef for his sick child.
pector Strickland and Assistant Surgeon Wills.
ranks were carefully selected for physique and fitness July 13, 1890, the Hon. Sir Charles Tupper's govern-
for the work. They left Seattle, Wash, by steamer, on ment (formed May 1st, the same year) having been

the 5th of June, and arrived at their destination, Fort defeated at the polls, the Honourable Wilfrid Laurier

Cudahy, on the 24th July, some 4,800

miles, where, formed his first cabinet, as President of the Council,
they lost no time in completing barracks. They got taking under his personal charge the administration
out all the timber some 60 miles up the river, ran it of the Mounted Police Department, which he still

down, and conveyed it to the local saw mill, where they retains. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has always shown the
squared the timber to a convenient size; the slabs and same personal and keen regard for the
interest in

boards thus obtained saving the necessity of purchasing welfare of the North-West Mounted Police as were
very expensive lumber. The ground selected as the manifested by Sir John A. Macdonald, and the result
site had to be striped of moss before building on it, has been most beneficial for the force as a whole and
which involved a great deal of hard work as this for the officers and men individually.
accumulation of northern vegetation was about two During 1896 the force began to feel the crippling
feet thick and had to be thrown into the river. The effects of the recent reduction in the establishment.

buildings were of logs, squared, each log being At the end of the year there were 750 men on the

dropped on a layer of moss, which being thus pay roll, but 70 of these were Indians, half-breeds
compressed as the building went up, became quite and white men who had been taken on as "^ specials".
air-tight, the roofs being slabs, moss and earth. The reduction in numerical strength alone did not
Great progress was reported as being made by the altogether represent the total reduced efficiency of
Indians during the year 1895. Although in some the force, for in his report for the year the Commis-
districts their crops were a failure, the means of earning sioner wrote: —
"The Force, generally, is not as well
money placed the industrious ones above want, even drilled as formerly, and while every opportunity has
when there had been little hunting. With the ex- been taken, the police and other duties have been so
ception of the Bloods, Peigans, Sarcees and Blackfeet arduous that it was impossible to find time to drill,
(and even these were then acquiring cattle) all re- and in many cases the detachments have only had
serves in the territories had large bands of excellent arm and target practice, as we had no men avail-
drill

cattle, the quality of which would compare more than able to relievethem while they came to headquarters.
favourably with those of their white neighbours. All This has had a bad eft'ect, and I have no hesitation in
the beef required in these bands for the sick and reporting that a lowering of our standard from a
destitute, etc., had been purchased direct from the disciplinary point is imminent, and is impossible to
Indians themselves, and particularly in the north, a avert, unless the men are well drilled, as continual
considerable number of steers had been sold to drovers, detachment work very trying to the best men."
is

many of them
for English markets. Inspector Constantine and his little garrison of 20
During the year, on two occasions, Indians fired men were reported to be doing good work in the Yukon.
at the police when attempting their arrest. In one Some camp of about 300, about eighty
miners, in a
case, "Night Gun," a Blood, who had been followed miles from the North-West Mounted Police post,
for several days by Corporal Carter, fired once, and undertook to run the settlement according to the
attempted to fire a second time, rather than be arrested miners' code, and when remonstrated with, declined
for horse stealing, and later in the "
year, Almighty to alter their proceedings. But immediately on the
"
Voice, a Cree, deliberately shot dead Sergeant Cole- arrival of Inspector Strikland and ten Constables,
brook near Kinistino, while attempting his arrest for
they desisted from their high handed actions, and
cattle killing and breaking jail. These were the only afterwards behaved remarkably well.
two occasions on which Indians fired at the police at On the 14th July, 1896, Interpreter Jerry Potts, died
but while attempting to arrest " Scraping
close quarters, of consumption after 22 years of faithful service. He
High," a Blackfoot, for the murder of Mr. Skynner, had joined the force at Fort Benton, in 1874, and
ration issuer, to the reserve, the Indian fired
frequently guided the late Colonel Macleod's command from the
116
Sweet Grass Hills to where the first police post in the Police to London for the occasion, along with a
strong
North-West was established, old Fort Macleod. From contingent picked from the active Militia. The
that time, for many years, there were few trips or detachment consisted of one Superintendent, one
expeditions that were not guided over the vast western Inspector, thirty non-commissioned officers and men
plains by Jerry Potts, who, as a guide, had no equal and 27 horses. Sui:)erintendent Perry and Inspector
in the North-West or Montana. Whether in the heat Belcher were the officers selected, and the force and
of summer or in the depth of winter, with him as the Dominion had every reason to be
proud of the
guide all concerned were perfectly safe and quite detachment, their
physique, appearance, discipline
certain that they would arrive safely at their destina- and being very generally admired, and they being
drill
tion. His influence with the Indians was such that considered by prominent officers quite equal to the
his presence on many occasions prevented bloodshed, best troops present. The horses, which suffered
and he could always be depended upon in cases of greatly on the passage over, were in very good con-
difficulty, danger, or emergency. dition on the day of the great procession.
They were
The force also lost this year a splendid non-com- afterwards presented to the Imperial Government.
missioned officer in Reg. No. 857, Sergeant Wilde,
who was shot dead in effecting the arrest of an Indian
murderer named "Charcoal". Sergeant Wilde was
in every respect one of the finest men who ever served
in the force, brave to a degree, and most useful in

every capacity. The citizens of Pincher Creek section,

where he had been statioaed for several years, have
erected a monument to his memory. Although in
the prime of life. Sergeant Wilde had served seven
years in the Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, three years
in the 2nd Life Guards, and 14 years in the North-

Wqst Mounted Police.

With characteristic doggedness the Mounted Police
kept on the trail of Sergeant Wilde's murderer until
he was hunted down, and after a fair trial, "Charcoal"
paid the penalty of his crime with his life, in the pre-
sence of the chief of his tribe, in the precincts of Fort
Macleod, March 16, 1897.
1897 will always be memorable throughout the "C"
Serjfeants of Division, 1896.
British Empire "Jubilee Year," famous for the
as A " The Backbone of the Force."
Typicial Secton of
celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the accession
of Victoria the Good to the throne of Britain. In All the horses sent over were bred in the west and,

Ivondon, the Capital of the Empire, the main pageant with one exception, ranged the prairie until four years
— —
a magnificently regal affair partook altogether old.
of an Imperial character. It was a tremendous tri- Shortly before the embarkation of this i)arty for
bute rendered to the person of a dearly beloved sove- England occurred the final stirring act of the "Al-
reign by the peoples of a proud, world-wide Empire mighty Voice" tragedy.
whose unification, prosperity and Imperial pride had Mention has been already made of the esca|x», late
l)een largely the product of her beneficent reign. in the autumn of 1895. of a Cree Indian named "Al-
All of the widely scattered countries of the world mighty Voice" from the custody of the Mounted
which together form that wonderful fabric which we Police at Duck Lake. He was pursued and tracked
know Empire — the greatest empire the
BA the British for three days by Sergeant Colebrook, who had ar-
—
world has ever seen were represented the splendid
in rested him in the first place for cattle killing. On the
pageants in London, by their leading statesmen and morning of the fourth day the Sergeant and a half-
by representative detachments of their armed force, breed scout named Dumont came upon him suddenly,
and, in fitting recognition of the distingui.shed services he being acc()m|)anied by a 13-year old scpiaw with
rendered by the force in extending and upholding whom he had ('loped, and, rather than be captured,
the authority of the British law in the north-western he deliberately shot S(Tgeani Colebrook dead.
fjuarter of North America, it was decided U) send a The death of Colebrook was as clearly a case of

representative detachment of the North-West Mounted self-sacrifice on the altar of stern, manly duty as any
117
recorded in the pages of history. A bold bearing, hunting grounds; and throughout the length and
and always breadth of the great North-West, the red-coated
amounting even to rashness, was, is,

shown by the Mounted Police in their dealings with comrades of Sergeant Colebrook, rode and drove and
the Indians. The very rashness of their daring in watched, in their untiring efforts to capture the murderer.
non-commissioned officers and men were
the execution of duty has brought them, as if by Officers,

miraculous intervention, safely out of many and many determined that they would not be baulked, but
a There was no such intervention in weeks lengthened into months, and still "Almighty
tight hole.
Voice" retained his liberty. But the hunt was not
poor Colebrook's case, and
he paid the penalty.
Colebrook and the scout, riding hard on a hot abandoned. Not only had the law been flagrantly
trail, heard a gun shot nearby, and proceeded outraged, but the prestige of the force was at stake.
in the direction from which the shot came. A Throughout the whole year 1896 frequent patrols
short distance brought the sergeant and his com- were kept moving all over the country in which "Al-

panion face to face with the outlaw,

who had just mighty Voice" was supposed to be in hiding, but
shot a prairie chicken. "Almighty Voice" making although every effort was made to get information of
some threats, Colebrook instructed his companion to the fugitive, nothing was heard of him, and neither
tell the Cree that they had come to arrest him and Indians or half-breeds appeared to know anything

that he must return at once to Duck Lake. about him. But still the work of scouring the coun-
Without hesitation came the Cree's reply: — "Tell try in all was never for one moment relaxed.
directions

him if he advances I will kill him." length. May 27, 1897, word reached the Prince
At
At once the half-breed brought his carbine to his Albert Barracks, over the wire, that "Almighty
shoulder and covered the Indian, but Colebrook Voice" had shot and wounded a half-breed named
promptly ordered him to desist. Their duty was to Napoleon Venne, while trying to recover a stolen horse.

arrest the Indian, not to kill him. "Tell him to lay The bugler of "F" Division was soon sounding
down his rifle," commanded the sergeant, as, without "boots and saddle, "and in an incredibly short
as much as undoing the holster of his revolver, time a small detachment under Inspector Allen
he rode deUberately forward, right upon the muzzle of was on the trail for the Miiniichinas Hills, seven-
the Cree's aimed No Mounted Policeman
rifle. teen miles from Duck liake, where "Almighty
had ever j-et from
desisted the execution of his Voice" had been located. All that evening and
duty at the bidding of an armed Indian or any other allthe night the wiry troop horses were urged for-
man, and Colebrook had no intention of breaking that ward, time, even for the despatch of a hasty "snack"
splendid tradition of the force. Really bad Indian of supper, being begrudged. Early in the morning,
as he was, "Almighty Voice" hesitated about taking from a three Indians were observed by the
little hill,

the life of so chivalrous a man, and again warned him keen eyes of the police scampering into a small bluff.
against advancing. But warning or no warning, life Clearly here was their quarry, and with some conn-ades.
or death, the sergeant's duty was to advance, and a The detachment was hastily disposed to prevent
man does not serve long enough in the Mounted escape from the bluff, and Allen proceeded towards
Police to win the three-barred chevron without ac- the clump of poplars to reconnoitre, only to be dropped
quiring a sense of duty fairly idolatrous in its intensity. from his horse by a bullet through his right shoulder.
It was not one of the days of miraculous interventions, As he lay in the long grass, still half-stunned by the
the Indian pulled his trigger, and the bullet, true to shock of his wound, "Almighty Voice", kneeling
its mark, pierced the Sergeant's heart. at the edge of the bluff and covering him with his
On poor Colebrook falling dead off his horse, the rifle, commanded him to throw him his cartridge belt.

half-breed, who was of course not a member of the "If you don't," he added in Cree, "I will kill you".
force,went off for assistance, and although Colebrook's "Never" was the officer's prompt reply, for he realized
comrades, disregarding sleepless nights and inclement that the Indian dare not rush out in the open to possess
weather, thoroughly patrolled the country for several himself of the co vetted ammnunition. At that very
weeks, it was impossible to recapture the Indian. moment, the watching policemen sighted "Almighty
The affair happened at a very bad season, as the Voice" and opened fire on him, with such effect that
Indians on the various reserves in the vicinity had he hurriedly sought cover in the foliage of the bluff.
just scattered out for their autumn hunt over a very Friendly arms soon bore the wounded officer and
large extent of broken country, and as all were more Sergeant Raven, who had also been wounded, to
or less related to the murderer, it was
very difficult to safety, and an attempt was made to fire the bluff, but
locate him. Two detachments, thoroughly outfitted unsuccessfully. It was felt that there was no use
for the winter, were placed out on either side of the life but the outlaw and the
risking unnecessarily,
1 18
desperadoes with him, who
tauntingly kept up a chorus "Almighty Voice" was still defiant, and about mid-
of "eoyottes", had to
captured, or killed. It was
}ye
night called out in Cree:" Brothers, we've had a good
"Blood for Blood'' now, for the slaying of Colebrook fight to-day. We've worked hard and are lunigry.
and the morning's events warranted the shooting of You've plenty of grub; send us in some. To-morrow
"Almighty Voice" and those leagued with him. After we'll finish the fight".
some desultory fighting, Corporal Hockin with a few When morning broke, there were many spectators,
constables and a couple of civilians, who had been including numerous half-breeds and Indians. Among
attracted to the spot, made a gallant attempt to rush the latter was the old mother of "Almighty Voice",
the bluff, with disastrous results, Corporal Hockin, who intoned a weird death song, recounting her son's
Constable Kerr, and one of the civilians, Mr. Grundy, deeds and predicting that he would die like an Indian
postmaster of Duck Lake, being killed. A party to brave, killing many more of the police before he fell.
recover the bodies was at once organized but only But he didn't.
that of Hockin was taken back, the others being Early morning the men surrounding the bluff
in the
covered by the outlaws from a pit they had excavated withdrawn and a wider circle of
at close range were
in the ground. Shortly after this unfortunate rush mounted men established. Then the two guns sys-
Su|ierintendent Gagnon 'arrived from Prince Albert tematically shelled the bluff, and the Assistant
Commissioner led a rush through it. "Almighty
Voice" and one of his companions "Little Salteaux"
had been killed by shell splinters in their rifle pit, the
third Indian, "Doubling," having met death from a
rifle bullet through his brain.
And so, after many days. Sergeant Colebrook 's death
had been avenged and the supremacy of the law in
the North- West once more asserted. And probably
serious trouble with the Indians was averted by the
termination of the incident, for the trouble with
"Almighty Voice" was much talked over among all
the Indians, treaty and non-treaty. The result was
not apparent in any overt act on the part of the
Indians, but had the swaggering outlaw remained
much longer at liberty, it would undoubtedly have
unsettled all the Indians in the country.
Meantime the rush to the Yukon had attained such
proportions that (he force there was gradually aug-
mented, and at the end of 1897 consisted of eight
officers and eighty-eight men, including dog drivers,
Assistant Commissioner J. H. Mcllree. all of whom were under the direct command of the
Administrator of the district, the responsibility of
with a small re-inforcement and a seven-pounder gun. the Commissioner ending as soon as the officers and
A few rounds from the gun were fired at the esti- men drafted from the force in the North-Wc»t landed at
mated the rifle pit, after which Gagnon disposed
site of Skagway. The best men were invariably .selected
his force so as to effectively prevent the escape of for this duty, and great care wius taken in .seeing that
the Indians. During the night, which wa« very dark all were carefully examined by the doctors Ix'fore
and cold, considerable
desultory firing place, took starting. In addition to their [x)ssessing physical
the Indians firing out of the bluff and the sentries strength and endurance, it was required that they
returning the fire. should have good characters and be good travellers
Karly on the morning of the 29th, a party of two and handy men.
officers,24 non-commissioned officers and men, 13 At the date mentioned there were only 670 of all
horses and one 9-poimder field gtin left Rcgina by ranks on the pay roll of the force altogether, including
8i)ecialtrain for the scene of operations. A.ssistant ninety specials employed as dog drivers, cooks,
C«mmi.ssioncr Mcllree commanded, the other officer artisans, etc.
being iTispector Macdonell. Duck I^ke, now a railroad Besides the service in the Yukon there were parties

station, but which seemed so far away in 1885, was out this year oji duty in the hitherto unknown regions
reached at 4.5() P.M. and the scene of action at 10 P.M. north of the S!iskatchcwan,and in view of the immc-
1 19
diate necessity for police in the Peace River and 8 inspectors, 2 assistant surgeons, and 254 non-
Athabasca countries, the Commissioner requested an commissioned officers and men doing duty in that
increase of strength of 100 men, which was acceded district. The officers were as follows: —
to. Superintendent S. B. Steele, incommand; Super-
The far northern service of the force had come to intendent Z. T. Wood, commanding Tagish district;
be so important and was so rapidh' extended that Inspector Primose at Bennett; Inspector Starnes at
the supply of dog teams became a matter of anxiety Dawson, acting quarter-master and paymaster; In-
and negotiation, and in his report for the year 1897, spector Harper at Dawson, sheriff; Inspector Scarth,
after referring as usual to the supply of horse flesh at Dawson; Inspector Strickland at Tagish; In-
for the force, the Commissioner wrote — spector at Tagish;
Jarvis Inspector Belcher at
"Great difficulty was experienced in getting suitable Dawson, charge of the Town Station; Inspector
in

dogs for the Yukon and northern patrols, and to Cartwright at White Pass Post; Assistant Surgeon
enable us to get 130 good dogs we had to buy some Fraser at the Dalton Trail Post; Assistant Surgeon
Thompson, at Dawson.
Superintendent Steele reporting on these officers,
wrote :
—
"I have had their cordial support and they are
hardworking, capable and highly respected throughout
the country. Superintendent Wood, was, on 1st of
July, 1898, promoted to his present rank, and given
command of the Tagish district, which is very im-
portant".
Superintendent Steele was in command of the Mac
leod district, North-West Territories, until 30th
January, 1898. On
that date he received a telegram
from the Commissioner, directing him to leave by the
first train to Vancouver for Yukon duty, written
instructions to be received at that place from the
Honourable the Minister of the Interior. He left
Macleod on the 30th January and arrived at Van-
couver about 1 p.m. on the 31st. On his arrival he
received a mail from Victoria by Superintendent
Perry, which contained his instructions from the
Minister.
He arrived at Skagway on the 14th February, and
found that Inspector Wood, who was in charge of
the office of the Commissioner of the Y^ukon at that
place, had left for Little Salmon River, to place
accounts before the Commissioner for certification.
Assistant Commissioner Z. T. Wood, Commanding R.N.W.M.P. Supt. Perry,who was in the Yukon on temporary
in the Yukon.
duty, had left on the 10th for Bennett, via the White
Pass, had sent Inspector Belcher and party to the
15 inferior ones. Seventy-eight dogs have already Chilcoot summit by Dyea to establish and take com-
gone to Skagway, about 35 will follow at once, and mand of a customs' post at that place. Superintendent
the remainder are being used on the northern patrols. Perr}^ returned to Skagway on the 16th from Bennett
Inspector Moodie purchased 33 dogs at Lesser Slave by the Chilcoot and Dyea, and informed Supt. Steele
Lake Ts-aid to be very good ones) for his trip t(» Pellv that the posts on the White and Chilcoot Passes had
Banks". been established. Inspector Strickland in charge
The following year the department purchased 150 of the White, and Inspector Belcher of the Chilcoot,
team dogs in Labrador, for use in the Yukon service had been provisioned for six months.
and the northern patrols. At this time there were many thousands of people
The extent and importance of the duties of the living at a place called "Sheep Camp" some distance
Mounted Police in the Yukon increased so rapidly from the summit, in United States Territory. Most
that at the end of 1898 there were 2 were engaged in packing their supplies to the summit,
superintendents,
120
all were apparently anxious to get through. Chiefly "The great rush to this place through the passes,
owing to the fact that neither law nor order prevailed filling the town and vicinity with large numbers of
in that section, murder, robbery and petty theft were men of many nationalities, many difficult matters had
of common occurrence, the "shell game" coidd be to be settled, disputes adjusted, law and order main-
Seen at every turn of the trail, oj)eratioi>.s being pushed tained. In my opinion the work was done well."
with the utmost vigour, so as not to lose the golden Inspector Moodie, who left Edmonton in August,
opportunity which they would be unable to find to 1897, to reach the Yukon by the Pelly Banks, his
take advantage of on the other side of the line, in instructions being to explore the Edmonton-Yukon
British Territory. route, arrived with his party at Selkirk on the 24th
Many important events took place in the Yukon of October, 1898, after a great
many hardships.
during the year. The officers in charge of the sum- Consequent upon the discovery of gold in the Yukon
mits displayed great ability, using great firmness district, the judicial district of Yukon was established
and tact, and were loyally supported by the non-
commissioned officers and constables under their
command, who, under circumstances most of the
trying character, displayed the greatest fortitude and
endurance, amidst the terrific snow storms which
raged round their respective camps.
Large numbers of people were packing and hauling
their supplies over the passes at this time, the rush
of the Yukon being at its height, and the police office
at Skagway, maintained in the United States town
for the purpose of assisting in forwarding supplies
through to Canadian territory, and to afford informa-
tion to prospectors and others passing that way, was
besieged at all hours of the day and night by people
seeking information.
The town of Skagway at this time, and for some
months later, was little better than a hell upon earth.
The desperado commonly called "Soapy Smith" and
a numerous gang of ruffians ran the tow-n. Murder
and robber}' were of daily occurrence, hundreds came
there with plenty of money, and the next morning
had not sufficient to buy a meal, having been robbed
or cheated out of their money. Men were seen
frequently exchanging shots in the streets. On one
occasion, half a dozen in the vicinity and around the
\orth-West Mounted Police offices, were firing upon
one another, bullets passing through the buildings.
There was a United States deputy marshall at Skag-
way at this time for the purpose of maintaining law Inspector Robert Belcher, C.M.G.
and order, but no protection was expected from him.
In his first rcix)rt from Dawson, Superintendent by Governor General's proclamation in 1897. The
Steele wrote: — "Prior
to my taking command at district was separated from the other provisional

Dav.s<jn, Stiperintendent Const antine was .several districts of the North-West, and constituted a separate

years in charge of the Ncrth-West Mounted Police territory by Act of the Canadian Parliament in 1898,
at Forty Mile and here. The work done and the l^eing supplied with all the
machinery required to
reputation of the force gained during that time must enable their own local through a Commissioner
affairs,
l)e considered most
satisfactory to him jmrticularly and Council of six apiminted by the Governor General
and to the force in general. in Coimcil. In 1899, provision was made for tlu;
"
Inspector Starnes. now performing the
who is election of two representatives on the Council by the
duties of quarter master and paymaster, commamled fjeople.
the district from the time SiUMTintendent Cons- In 1898, owing to the large number of prospectors
tantinc left, tuitil my arrival in September. endeavouring to reach the Yukon by the Mackenzie
121
River, the northern patrol which
started in De- Yorkton, all in good country. These settlers generally
as far as Fort Simpson, carrying did well, considering the very small means some of
cember '97, went
mail, and interviewing all the travellers en route. them had on arrival.

Government in sending this Many of the best this time, were being sent
men, at
The consideration of the
out to the the northern patrols, and the
Yukon and
standard of the force seemed to deteriorate for a time.
During several years, very little training beyond
spring setting up and recruit drill could be done, all

ranks being so fully employed in police duties, l^ut

a good class of recruits offered, and at the end of 1899,
Commissioner Herchmer reported that the standard
of physique was much better. As to discipline, he
reported that it, during the year,
had been of a very
high order, and the men could be trusted anywhere
without supervision. The large number of men sent
to theYukon left the officers with many very young
and inexperienced constables to police the country,
but the Commissioner was proud to report that,
although in many instances the men were far away
from immediate control, the duties were well done
Fort Graham, B.C. H. B. Co. Post. and the prestige of the force fully maintained.
The annual winter patrol to the north in 1899, only
N.W.M.P. Pack Train preparing: to start for Sylvester's
Landing on Dease River, July, 1898. went as far as Fort Resolution, returning by Peace
(From a photograph loaned by the Comptroller). River and Lesser Slave Lake.
Superintendent A. Bowen Perry assumed command
patrol was very much appreciated, as it enabled the of the North-West Mounted Police in Yukon Territory,
letters
prospectors, not only to receive long expected on September 26, 1899, relieving Superintendent S.
from their friends, but also afforded means, on the B. Steele, who vacated the command on that date.
return trip of Inspector Routledge, of acquainting The following officers were serving in the Yukon
the friends of the men met on the trail of their progress Territory at the end of the year 1899:
—
and welfare. Supt. A. B. Perry, commanding Territory.
While the patrol was in the vicinity of Fort Smith, "H" Division, Tagish.
—
Superintendent Z. T.
Wood,
two hunters were arrested and punished for killing commanding division. Inspector D'Arcy Strickland,
wood Vniffalo, and the example made was the means Inspector W. H. Routledge, Insjjector A. M. Jarvis,
of preserving these animals, as hunters were all Assistant Surgeon S. M. Fraser. Assistant Surgeon L.
thereby made aware of their being preserved. A. Pare, Assistant Surgeon J. Madore.
A number of the parties, who started overland for
the Yukon, quarrelled among themselves on arrival at
Peace River, and by mutual consent, the police were
requested to act as arbitrators, which they did, in all
cases to the satisfaction of all parties, and this prevented
bad blood, and possibly outrage.
On increased establishment, 191
account of the
probationers were taken on the force during 1898,
out of which number 138 were finally accepted as
members of the Force.
of the year there were 830 of all ranks
At the end ToU
on the strength, including the Yukon.
During 1898, large numbers of settlers took up land
— "^
r
in comparatively unexploited The new set-
districts.
tlers were chiefly Galicians, although a number of
'^W^i:-:..,
Americans and repatriated Canadians also settled in the
west. The Galicians located about Egg Lake, near Fort
..>v' •/>.;». ^m
Saskatchewan, Fish ('reek, nearRosthern, and South of N.W.M.P. Detachment, Farwell, 1899.

122
 •'B" Division, Dawson. —Supt. P. C. H. Primose, undertaken by the police, and a very satisfactory
commanding division, Inspector C. Starnes, Inspector service was given. In performing this service, the
W. H. Scarth, Inspector P. I. Cartwright, Assistant men employed travelled 64.012 miles with dog teams.
Surgeon W. E. Thompson.- -Total number of officers, Superintendent Perry recommended that the sum of
13. S9,601.80 be distributed among the men as extra pay

Inspector Harper and Belcher returned from the be made according

for this service; the distribution to
Yukon to the North-West Territories for duty during to the number of miles travelled by each man.
the year. The force in theYukon at the end of 1899, was
The completion of the railway over the White Pass distributed at two division headquarter posts and
to Lake Bennett, the headquarters of navigation of thirty detachments, from the Strickine River to Forty
the River, solved the problem of sure and
Yukon Mile, a distance of 800 miles.
speedy communication to the gold fields during the The record of the Mounted Police in the Yukon
season of navigation. The earliest date on which had, up to this date, been as remarkable as that of the
a boat which had connected with ocean steamers force in the old North- West Territories. Lawlessness
from Sound ports ever arrived at Dawson from St. had been suppressed with a firm hand, and law and
Michaels', was the middle of July. During the season order established. Life and property were as safe
of 1899, boats arrived at Dawson from Lower La Barge, in the Yukon as in the City of Ottawa.
in the middle of May, and navigation of the upper Truly the usefulness of the Mounted Police
river continued until the middle of October. to the Dominion of Canada had been abundantly
A conservative estimate of the population of the demonstrated in a steadily widening theatre of o|x?ra-
Yukon Territory, in 1899, placed it at 20,000. Nearly tions between the date of the organization of the
all were men, there being very few women and children force, and the year 1900. And officers and men of the
in comparison. However, this was then changing force were about to prove, by gallant service on the
rapidly, and many men were taking in their wives veldts and kopjes of South Africa, that they were
and families, finding that the social conditions and a capable and ready to {x^rform as useful work for the
climate though vigorous, still very healthy, were not P^mpire as they had, for a ([uarter of a century, hvon
inimical to their comfort and health. doing for that Empire's premier colony over the
At the request of the postma.ster general, the duty prairies and mountains of Canada's far west.

of carrying the mail during the winter of 1898-99, was

Commanding Officers' Quarters and Offiier»' Mess

TaKi!s»i (Yukon) Post, R.N.W.M.P.

123
 CHAPTER XI
UNDER THE PRESENT COMMISSIONER

Handsome and Useful Contributions of the N.W.M.F. Towards the Armies Fighting the Battles
—
OF THE Empire in South Africa. The Victoria Cross. Great Extension of the Work of the —
—
Force in The Yukon and the Far North. The Memorable Visit of the Duke and Duchess of
Cornwall and York, and the Conferring upon the Force of the Distinction "Roial". The —
—
Earl of Mtnto Honorary Commissioner. Vice-Regal Vsits. The Inauguration of The New —
— —
Provinces. The Hudson Bay Detachments. Something About the Force as it is To-day, and
THE Work it is Doing.

from Lieut.
transfer of the Commissiouership At the time Commissioner Peny assumed command,
Lawrence W. Herchmer to Superintendent
THE Col.
A. Bo wen Perry, and the large contributions
affairswithin the Mounted Police were in a decidedly
unsettled state owing to the then recent heavy drafts
made by the force to the Canadian Contingents in therefrom of officers, men and horses for service with
South Africa combine to make the year 1900 a the Canadian Contingents for South Africa.
memorable one in the annals of the Royal North- West The first contingent despatched by Canada to South
Mounted Police. Africa, which sailed from Quebec, October 30, 1899, at
Superintendent Perrj^ was promoted Commissioner the special request of the British Government con-
vice Lieut. -Col. Herchmer retired, August 1st, and sisted wholly of infantry, and thereto the North-West
assumed the command on August 18. Mounted Police made no contributions of officers or
The new Commissioner is a graduate of the Royal men directly, although several former non-commissioned
Military College, Kingston, (1) a member of the first- officers and constables of the force enlisted.
class,that graduating in 1880, in fact. After gradua- The units to which the N.W.M.P. contributed
tingfrom the R.M.C., and before being appointed to the directly were the 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted
N.W.M.P., the Commissioner served for several years Rifles, which sailed from Halifax for Cape Town on the
with distinction in the Royal Engineers, he having won "Pomeranian," January 27, 1900; Lord Strathcona's
a commission in that corps upon graduation from the
Corps, which embarked at Halifax on the SS. "Mon-
Royal Military College. terey," March 16, 1900; Canadian contingent to the
(1) The Royal Military O-llege, established by Act of the Parliament of rule to that effect, about one-third the commissions in the R.N.W.M.P. are
Canada, was opened in 1876, with the special object of providing the defen- awarded to graduates of the R.M.C, the others in succession being allotted
five forces of the Dominion with a staff of thoroughly trained and educated in about equal proportions to exceptionally qualified officers of the Active
officers and has been an unqualified success from the start, its classes Militiaand to non-commissioned officers, who have performed distinguished
having
been always well attended. The success of the system of education adopted and meritorious service in the force. The officers the Royal Military
is attested by the large number of brilliant officers the
college has contributed College has contributed to the R.N.W.M.P., have always been distinguished
to the British regular Army, to the Canadian Active Militia, and the not merely by their exceptional technical knowledge of the military branches
Royal
North-West Mounted Police, not U> speak of the hundreds of eminent en- of the work in the force, but by great zeal in the discharge of their mis-
gineers and others engaged in civil occupations, who claim the "R.M.C." as cellaneous duties, and exceptional success in the handling of the men en-
their alma mater. As a general practice, although there is no hard and fast trusted to their charge.

124
South African Constabulary, sailed during the spring joining it and the following commissions were granted
of 1901; the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th "Regiments" of to members of the force, who, with one
exception,had
Canadian Mounted Rifles (generally known as the already served in South Africa:— Insp. Moodie, Captain;
Third Contingent) which sailed from Canada in May, Insp. Demers. Lieutenant; Sergt. Maj. Richards,
1902, and returned in July the same year, hostilities Lieutenant; Sergt. Maj. Church, Adjutant. Sergt.
having in the meantime been brought to a conclusion. Hynes, was appointed Regtl. Sergeant Major.
The N.W.M.P, had the honor of supplying for the There were a great number of volunteers, and had the
Boer war, no less than 18 officers, and 160 non-com- Government thought it wise to organize a battalion of
missioned officers and men, distributed as follows: — N.W.M. Police, the Cimnnissioner did not doubt but
2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, 11 officers and 134 men: that the force could have been easily increased to
1,000
Strathcona Horse, 7 officersand 26 men. A consider- men by ex-members rejoining for the campaign.
able number of e\-officers and men were in both corps. The recruiting in the Territories for the last con-
tingent was done by the commanding officers of the
different posts,
The force contributed to the South African Con-

stabulary four officers and thirty-eight N.C.O's. and

constables. Supt. Steele, C.B., M.\'.0.. was apix)inteti
a Colonel and was allowed twelve months
in the S.A.C.
leave in order to take
up the appointment. Inspector
Scarth was appointed captain in the S.A.C. and granted
six months leave. Constables Ermatinger and French
were given commissions as lieutenants. The N.C.O's.
and constables transferring from the N.W.M.P. to the
S.A. Constabulary were granted free discharge.
The total contribution to the South ,\frican war by
the N.W.M.P. was 245, all ranks. No other permanent
corps in the Empire was called upon to make such
proportionate sacrifices, but as a corps, more's the
pity, it reaped no reward.
The Second Battalion of the Canadian Mounted
Rifles, raised under authority of a Militia Order of

December, 1899, was recruited under the special direc-

tion of the Commissioner of the North-West Mounted
Police. As about one-third of the 750 men of the
North-West Mounted Police were on s|x;cial duty in
the Yukon distriet. it was impossil)le to think of re-
cruiting the whole battalion from the active list of the
force, so the Commissioner was authorized to accept as

many of the non-coinmi.«sioned officers and constables

as could be s|)ared, and to fill up to the auth()rized
A. Bowen Perry, Fifth, and Present, Commissioner. establishment with ex-policcmen and others when he
and his recruiting officers considered (puilified to serve
All of the chief non-commissioned officers of Ijoth units in the battalion. Pay was fixed at the rates prevailing
were active or former meml>ers of the force, and in fact in the Mounted Police. All the posts of the North-
the influence of the Mounted Police was so dominant West Mounted Police were constituted recruiting
in Ixith corps that they may almost be regarded as stations. The officers of the battalion, who were given
the special contributions of the force to the armies rank in the Active Militia, '"Nvere as follows :
—
carr\'ing on the fight for Empire in South Africa. Commatuling Ofliccr, Herchmer. Lieut.-Col. L. W.
Officers and men, upon being allowed to accejjt serx'ice
in the various iniit«, were granted leave of ab.sonce from (a) n will linvr lirni ciI)mtvc<I thni on nrcciiinl nf ihp ilrairn to inninlnin

the ilintinrtiiiii Im-Iwih-ii the rivil kIiiIuk nf tin- N. W.M. I*, and tlif niililnry
the .Mounted Police, the time serving in Soutli Africa
ttljifiiK of the Mililin urunnixnlionn. tlii* <ifljc«Tj< of tlio furrc litivo not Immmi

being counted as service with the force. KJvcn niilitnry rmnk a«i nml tlin niililnry
rolondx, innjorx, rniilninw. rti-.,

fill«'<« lifM by ninny offirrrtt hnvr on niilitnry "MTvirr

limMi K'linnl l>y lliein
For the "Third Contingent" five officers and men flu- Moiin(i'<l rolicc or conft-rn'fl upon llioiii
|in'vi<uiJ< to npiiointnipnt to
were grantJ'fl twelve months leave for the puriK)se of while wrvinK with the Active Militia or regular army.

125
(Commissioner N.W.M.P.); "C" Squadron,—Com- For a time, at the front, the battalion chanced to
manding Squadron, Howe, Major J. (Superintendent serve under Major General Hutton, who had been some

N.W.M.P.) Captain, Macdonell, A.C. (Inspector N.W.

; years previously communicated with, with the object of
M.P.); Lieutenants, 1st Troop: Moodie, J. D. (In- securing his services as Commissioner of the N.W.M.P.
spector N.W.M.P.); 2nd Troop: Begin, J. V. (In- Here is a sample incident which gives some sort of
spector X.W.M.P.); 3rd Troop: Wroughton, T. A. an idea of the service performed by the 2nd Battalion
(Inspector N.W.M.P.); 4th Troop: Inglis, W.M. (late of the Canadian Mounted Rifles and which also shows
Capt. Berkshire Regt.)
"
D " Squadron Commanding
;
— that the officers and men of the Mounted Police dis-

Squadron, Sanders, Major G. E. (Superintendent N.W. South Africa the same cool courage and de-
played in
M.P.)„ Graduate R.M.C.; Captain, Cuthbert, A. E. R. votion which have crowded the annals of the service
(Inspector N.W.M.P.) Lieutenants, 1st Troop: David- of the force on the North- West prairies with so much
;

son, H. J. A. (Inspector N.W.M.P.) 2nd Troop: ; that is honorable and glorious :

—
Chalmers, T. W. (formerly Lieut. M.G.A., later Inspec- November 1st, 1900, a column, under General Smith
tor N.W.M.P.), Graduate R.M.C.; 3rd Troop: Dorion, moved south from Belfast toward the Komati
River. Sixty men of the 2nd C.M.R., the second day
of the march formed the advanced guard under Major
Sanders. The guide took a wrong direction, and
when they came in touch with the enemy the main
column had branched off to the right and was nearly
two miles away. Expecting early assistance, the small
force, although in a most critical and dangerous posi-
tion, held its groimd under severe rifle fire. After some
time, orders were received from the G.O.C., who had
received news of the situation, for a retirement. The
small party in the extreme advance was commanded
by Lieutenant Chalmers, and he skillfully fell back
upon his supports, the retirement subsequently being

steadily parried out by successive groups. Meantime,

the whole party was being subjected to a galling rifle
fire. Corporal Schell's horse was killed, and the animal
fallingon his rider, seriously injured him, whereupon
Sergeant Tryon dismounted and helped the injured
man on to the back of his own mount, continuing him-
self on foot. Noticing this. Major Sanders rode to
the assistance of Tryon, and was in the act of taking
him up in front of him, when the saddle turned, and
both were thrown. Major Sanders, partially stunned
by the fall, was making for cover when stricken to the
ground by a bullet. Ijieutenant Chalmers immediately
preceeded to the assistance of his superior officer, and
Superintendent J. D. Moodie. being unable to remove him, was riding to the firing
line for assistance when shot through the body, dying a
Taylor, J. (Lieutenant Manitoba Dragoons); 4th few minutes later.
Troop: Cosby, F. L. N.W.M.P.); Ma-
(Inspector On September 5, a detachment of 125 men of the
chine Gun Section, Bliss, D. C. F. (Major Reserve of Second Battalion which was guarding the raihvay
Officers); Howard, A. L. (Lieut. Unattached List); between Pan and Wonderfontein, east of Middlcburg,
Adjutant, Baker, Capt. M. (Inspector N.W.M.P.) ;
was attacked by a force of Boers with two field pieces
Quartermaster, Allan, Capt. J. B. (Inspector N.W.M.P.) ;
and one pom-pom. Colonel Mahon was sent to their
Medical Officer, Devine, J. A. (Surgeon-Lieut. 90th assistance, but before he arrived the Canadians had
Battalion) Transport Officer, Eustace, Lieut. R. W. B.
;
;
beaten the Boers off after a sharp fight in which Major
Veterinary Officer, Riddell, Vet.-Lieut. R. Sanders, Lieutenant Moodie and two men were
It will be observed that with wounded and six men captured. Lord Roberts charac-
very few exceptions
all the officers were active or retired officers of
the terized this exploit as "a very creditable perform-
North- Wast Mounted Police. "
ance.
126
 January 13, 1900, the »Secrctary of State for War, (Major SthRoyal Scots) ;Cartwright, F. L., (N.W.M.P.);
accepted the offer made by Lord Strathcona and Mount Lieutenants, Magee, R. H. B., Graduate R.M.C.;
Royal, two days previously, to equip and land at Cape Harper, F., (N.W.M.P.); Benyon, J. A., (Captain
Town, at his own expense, 500 rough riders from the
Royal Canadian Artillery); Mackie, E. F., (Captain
Canadian Xorth-West as a special service corps of 90th Winnipeg Rifles); Fall, P., (2nd Lieut. Manitoba
mounted rifles. The Dominion GovernmMit undertook Dragoons); White-Fraser, M. H., (Ex-Inspector N.W.
the work of organizing and equipping this regiment, M.P.); Ketchen, H. D. B.. (N.W.M.P.); Macdonald,
and on February 1st, authority for the enlistment was J. F., (Captain 37th Haldimand
Rifles); Leckie, J. E.,
granted. The force was enrolled at twenty-three (Graduate R.M.C.) Courtney, R. M.. (Captain 1st
;

points between Winnipeg and Victoria. Any man P.W.R.F., Graduate R.M.C); Poolcy, T. E., (Captain
experienced in horsemanship and rifle shooting was 5th Reg't., C.A.); Christie. A. E.; Strange, A.
W.;
eligible, but the preference was given to former mem- Laidlaw, G. E., (Graduate R.M.C.) Kirkpatrick. G. H..
;

bers of the North- West Mounted Police and the mounted (Graduate R.M.C); Tobin. S. H.. (Graduate R.M.C);

THt OfFREKS ANU tltlUON.S OF Strathcona's Hoksf..

standing— 1.1. Magee, Lt. Laidlaw, Lt. Christie, Capt. McDonalU. Capt. Harper, Lt. Tokin, Lt. Snider, Or. Kocnan, Lt. Parker,
Lt. Courtney, Lt. Strange, Lt. Ketchen, Lt. Poolcy. Lt. Tcallc, Adj. Mackie.

Sitting—CApt. Howard, Capt. Cartright, Maj. Snyder, Lt.-Col. Steele, Maj. Belcher. Maj. Jart-is, Miy. Laurie, Capt, Cameron.

iwrmanent corps of Militia. Pay of officers and men Quartermaster, Parker, W.; TransiK)rt Officer, Snider,
was again fixed at the rates prevailing in the North I. B., (2nd Lieut. Manitoba Dragoons); .Medical Officer,
West Mounted Police. The command was given to Keenan, C
B., (Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal);
Superintendent Steele, and eight of the other most im- Veterinary Officer, Stevenson, G. P.
portant commi.ssions were given to officers of the The rank and file numbered 512 and were recruited
force. The complete list of officers of Strathcona's over a territory of over 1,(KH),(KK) .square miles in ex-
Horse, who were commi-ssioned as officers of the British tent. Some men had actually to travel 6(K) miles on
Army, was as follows: — the ice of the to enlist, and others came
Yukon River
Lieutenant-Colonel, Steele, Lieut.-Col. S. B., (N.W. from the Peace River district.
for the purfiose

M.P.); Second in Command, Belcher, Major R. (N.W. Strathcona's Horse was the hist body of Canadian
M.P.): Majors, Snyder, A. E., (N.W.M.P.); Jarvis, troops, which was luider fire, to leave Africa. Und(?r
A. M., (X.W.M.P.); Laurie, R. C, (Graduate R.M.C); General HuMer they took part in the brilliant cam-
Captains. Howard. I). .M., (N.W.M.P.); Cameron, G.W. paign in the north of and Iwyond Natal, taking part in

127
the capture of Ameispoort, Erniele, Carolina, Macha- The campaign to the Mounted Police,
brought
dadorp, Lvdenburg, Spitz Hop, and Pilgrim's Rest. through its officers and men serving in the several
Returning to Machadadorp on October 7th, they re- contingents in South Africa, numerous distinguished
ceived instructions to turn their horses over to the honours, including even the prize covetted by all
" "
Imperial cavalry and entrain for Pretoria. It was British soldiers, the reward For Valor, the Victoria

supposed to be the intention to send them home then, Cross.

but on October 20th, they were rehorsed at Pretoria The Cross was won at Wolvesprint, July 5, 1900,
and sent to assist in the movement destined to open the by Sergeant A. H. Richardson of "C" Division, Battle-

railway to Potchefstroom. In these operations they ford, serving in Strathcona's Horse. Sergeant Richard-
greatly distinguished themselves, particularly while son's act of valor consisted in gallantly riding back,

acting as advance guard November 10. The Strath- under a very heavy fire, to within 300 yards of the
enemy's position, to the rescue of a comrade who had
been twice wounded, and whose horse had been
shot.

The following honours were also gained by members

of the Mounted Police while on service in South
Africa: —
To be a Companion Order of the Bath— Supt.
of the
S. B. Steele, Lt.-Col. Commanding Lord Strathcona's
Horse.
To be Companions of the Order of St. Michael and St.
—
George Inspector R. Belcher, Major 2nd in Command,
Lord Strathcona's Horse; Inspector A. M. Jarvis,
Major, Lord Strathcona's Horse.
To be Companions of the Distinguished Service
—
Order Superintendent G. E. Sanders, Major, 2nd in
Command, Canadian Mounted Rifles; Inspector A. C.
Macdonell, Captain Canadian Mounted Rifles; In-
spector F. L. Cartwright, Captain Lord Strathcona's
Corps.
To be a member of the Victorian Order (4th Class) —
Superintendent S. B. Steele, Lt.-Col., Commanding
Lord Strathcona's Corps.
Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal —Reg.
No. 995.
Sergt. Hynes, Regt. Sergt.-Major, Lord
J.

Strathcona's Horse; Reg. No. 895 Sergt. Major Rich-

ards, Sqd. Sergt.-Major, Lord Strathcona's Horse;
Reg. No. 3263 Constable A. S. Waite, private, Canadian
Mounted Rifles.
Major A. E. Snyder, Strathcona's Horse. W. Herchmer, was granted the rank
Lieut. -Col. L.
of Honorary Colonel on the retired list of the Active
Militia from May 17, 1901, Superintendents G. G.
conas afterwards joined the force under General Knox
in his strenuous pursuit of DeWet. Sanders and A. C. Macdonall, the rank of Lieutenant
Several retired members of the force served through- Colonels, and Superintendent J. Howe and Inspectors
out the campaign in South Africa with distinction in Cuthbert and Moodie, Majors. Several of the junior
other than the distinctively Canadian corps, notably officers received
promotion in the Militia, superior to
Constable Charles Ross, who had distinguished himself the rank at which they joined the contingents. The
as chief scout under Superintendent Herchmer N.W.M.P. officers in Strathcona's Horse all received
during
the operations of the Battleford Column in the Rebel- honorary rank in the British Army.
lion of 1885.Ross enrolled in an irregular troop and was The following members of the force were rewarded
given a lieutenancy in Roberts' Horse, securing pro- for their services in South Africa by being granted
motion and being eventually accorded an independent commissions in the British Army and the Colonial
command of a Corps of Scouts. Forces :
—
128
 Regtl. Rank. Name. Commission.
No. horses; South Africa. 17 officers, 43 non-com. officers,
3188 Sergeant Skirving, H. R. . . . .Colonial Forces. 102 constables. It was estimated that on the return of
3420 Constable Bredin, A. N Imperial Army. the contingents in South Africa and the discharge of all
.

3228 Constable Ballantine, J. A. .

3031 Corporal French, J. G .S. A. Constabulary. special constables, the. strength would stand, on Feb-
3290 Constable Ermatinger, C. P .

ruary 1 at 850.
2983 Sergeant Hilliam, E . Howard's Scouts.
3191 Sergeant-Major .Church, F .Canadian Yeomanry.
"
. . .

The North-West Territories was divided into dis-

899
.3002 Staff-Sergeant
Richards, J
Ketchen, H. D. B .C.M.R., Winnipeg. tricts as follows: —
And the Mounted Police, for the glory gained in the Regina.
—Moosomin, Estevan. Saltcoats, Wood Moun-
campaign, paid the usual toll, the death roll of the tain,Moosejaw, Oxbow, Qu'Appelle, Wolsely,
campaign being as follows:
— Whitewood, Kutawa, Fort Pelly, Yorktown,
North Portal, Town Station, Willow Bunch, Nut
Res. N... Rank.
Const. . Lewi.s, Z.
Name.
R. E. . R.C.R
Corps. Cause.

Killed in action Lake, Emerson. — 18.

F "
:;:«7. .
Davidson, Howards Scouts
2431. . CorpI Taylor, J. R C.M.R
"
3188. . Sergt Skirving, H. R. . .
Imperial Army.
.30.51. .
Corpl O'Kelly, G. M. .. C.M.R Enteric fever.
:«n9. . Const I^tt. R
"
3:«o. . Clements, H. H .

(Commissioner Perry took over the command of the

Mounted Police from Assistant Commissioner Mcllree,
who had been in command after the departure of
Lieut.-Col. L. W. Herchmer and the 2nd C.M.R. for
South Africa, on August 18, 1900.
A- soon us piacticable he inspected the posts at Cal-
gary. Fort Saskatchewan, Macleod, Lethbridge, Maple
Creek and Prince Albert, in order to obtain touch of
the force in the Territories, from which he had been
absent for some time on duty in the Yukon Territory.
He. naturally, found the divisions short-handed and
somewhat disorganized owing to the numl>er of officers,
non-commissioned officers and men, who had been per-
mitted to proceed on active service in South .\frica.
A large percentage of each division consisted of re-
cruits from whom the same work could not be ex-
pected as from trained and experienced men. He,
however, found all ranks anxious to do the best under
the circumstances and proud to have their corps re-
presented on the South African veldt.
The condition of the horses was not satisfactory,
and for the same reason, 155 picked animals had been
sold to the Militia Department for South African
service. This lo.ss, out of a total strength of 568, could Lieut. H. 1). M. Kotclion, Siralhcona's Horse.

not but cripple the force somewhat. The new Com- Promoted from the ranks of the N.W.M.P,
missioner found a considerable fx^rcentage of horses
were unfit for further service, and they were cast and
Maple Oeek.
— Farewell, Ten .Mile, .Medicine liodge,
remounts could be purchased.
sold as fast as suitable Medicine Hat, Town Station, Swift Current,
About 84 special constables were carried on the East Ebb.—7.
strength of the force in the Territories as interpreters,
Battleford.— Onion Lake. .lackfish. Macfarlanc, Hen-
scouts, artizans, teamsters, &c,, and were not trained,
rietta, Sa-skatchewan.
— 5.
therefore weakening the effective strength of the force.
On Xoveml^er, 30, 1900, the strength was:— North- Macleod.— Pincher ('reek, Big Bend, Kootenay, Stand
W ' ~t I .
iritories, 24 officers, 79 non-com. officers, 417 Off. St. Mary's Kipp, Ix*avings, Moscjuito Oeek,
con.stables, 418 horses; Yukon Territory. 10 officers, Porcupine. Piegan. Town Patrol, Fx^es ('reek,

37 non-commissioned officers, 207 constables, 34 Herd Camp.— 13.

129
Calgary.— Red Deer, Gleiehen, High River, Olds, accompanied by a small staff and the escort, left Batoche
Banff. Canmore, Millarville, Rosebud, Morley, one Sunday and reached Fort Qu'Appelle on Saturday
Innisfail, Sarcee Reserve, Okotoks. — 12. night, having travelled 200 miles. It snowed and
rained alternately, rendering the trails very bad, and
Prince Albert.— Duck Lake, Batoche, Rosthern, Fletts
Springs.
— 4.
increasing tremendously the work of the horses.
On arrival at Qu'Appelle, His Excellency thanked his
Edmonton District, (Fort Saskatchewan is the head-
escort, and October 10, directed the following Order to
quarters.)
— Edmonton, St. Albert,
Wetaskiwin, be published: —
Lacombe, Peace River Landing, Lesser Slave "His Excellency, the Governor General, wishes to
Lake, Fort Chippewyan. 7.
— express his great satisfaction with the escort supplied
Lethbridge.— Coutts, Milk River Ridge, St. Mary's, to him from the Depot Division. The escort accom-
Writing on Stone, Pendant d'Oreille. 5.
— panied him through a very trying march, during which
Total Districts, 8. Total Detachment, 7L His Excellency was impressed by their smartness and
efficiency, and he also wishes to thank all ranks for the
"
Three detachments had been temporarily esta- trouble they took to secure his comfort.
blished in Manitoba for the winter to protect Crown On His Excellency's return to Ottawa, he forwarded,
timber. From Roseau River in south-east Manitoba through the Commissioner, a gold pin to each member
to Fort Chippewyan, in the far north, 2,000 miles apart, ot his escort, who keenly appreciated the high honor
the men of the force were to be found. conferred on them.
In his annual report for 1900, Commissioner Perry The following transfers of officers from the force
—
remarked: "The great countries of the Peace, Atha- serving in the Yukon took place during 1900:
—
bascka and Mackenzie rivers are constantly requiring Supt. A. B. Perry to depot, Insp. D. A. E. Strickland
more men. An officer is about leaving Fort Saskatche- to depot, Insp. F. L. Cartwright to depot for service in
wan to take command of that portion of the territory. South Africa, Insp. A. M. Jarvis to depot for service in
The operations of the American whalers at the mouth South Africa.
of the Mackenzie long require a detachment to
will ere Superintendent Z. T. Wood took over command of
control their improper dealings with the Indians, and the North-West Police, Yukon Territory, on April 18,
to protect the revenue." relieving Supt. A. B. Perry, who vacated the command
It was perhaps a happy co-incidence that in 1900, on that date.
while so many officers and men of the force were up- At the end of the year the officers serving in the
holding the authority of the Empire in South Africa, Yukon under Supt. Wood were; —
a great injustice, sustained by members of the force for —
"H" Division Supt. D. C. H. Primose, command-
many years, was righted. Contrary to the practice in ing division, Insp. J. A. McGibbon, attached from
dealing with the militia corps, the officers and men of depot, Asst. Surg. L. A. Pare, Asst. Surg. A. M. Eraser,
the N.W.M.P., who served through the North-West Dalton Trail.
Rebellion of 1885, but did not happen to be under fire, "B" Division —Insp. C. Starnes, commanding
did not receive the medal awarded by Her Majesty's division, Insp. W. H. Routlcdge, Insp. W. H. Scrath,
Government for the campaign, and it was not until Insp. A. E. C. McDonell, Asst. Surg. W, E. Thompson,
1900 that this invidious distinction was wiped out. on leave, Asst. Surg. G. Madore, Selkirk, Act. Asst,
His Excellency, the Governor General, accompanied Surg. W. H. Hurdman.
by Her Excellency the Countess of Minto, their family
and suite, made an extended official visit through the
Territories lasting over three weeks during 1900, and
visited Lethbridge, Macleod, Calgary, Edmonton,
Regina, Prince Albert, Duck Lake, Batoche and Fort
Qu'Appelle,
Escorts, orderlies and transport were furnished at
the different points, His Excellency expressing himself
pleased with the arrangements.
An and 24 men proceeded from
escort of one officer
Regina to Prince Albert to take the party over land
from that place to Qu'Appelle. The weather was
wretched just before starting, and the trip was aban-
doned by Her Excellency and family. His Excellency, The Royal Escort at Regina, September 27tli, 1902.

130
 The census of the Yukon Territory was taken by the at noon. A captain's escort, strength 33, commanded
police in April, 1900, and a school census was taken in by Supt. Morris, with Inspector Demers as subaltern,
the month of August. The order for the first, coming escorted Their Royal Highness to Government House.
as did at the season of the year when travelling was
it Eleven carriages were provided for the Royal party.
most difficult, was carried out in a most satisfactory A guard of 14 N.C.O's and men was stationed at
manner. On account of the people being scattered Government House. In addition to these there were
over the country, it meant considerable travelling. two staff officers and four staff orderlies. Insp. Cuthbert
Thetotal population of the district, including In- was detailed as orderly officer to H.R.H. and Sergt.-
dians, at the time of census taking, was 16,463. Whites, Major Church as orderly N.C.O., and accompanied
16,107; Indians, 356. The school census, taken in Their Royal Highnesses while in the Territories.
the Dawson district only, totalled 175 children. Two The strength at Regina was 73, all ranks, and 60

Presentation of Decorations and Medals at Calvary, Sept. 28th, 1901. Officers 01 the N.W.M.I'. about to be
decorated by His Royal Highness.

con.stables atDalton House travelled 600 miles to take horses. "C" and "F" Divisions furnished the escort.

the census of a few Indians. The Royal train loft Regina at 3 p.m. on the 27(h.
and arrived at Calgary at 10.30 on the 28th. After
The strength of the force in the Yukon territory on
the officials at Calgary,
Novcml>er 30, 1900, was two hundred and fifty-four, tlio reception by corporation
di.stributed at the two headquarters of divisions and H.R.H. rode to Victoria Park, accompanied I
)y his staff,

29 detachments. in full uniform. The Police supplied the horses and

The eventof chief importance to the force in 1901 was saddlery. The Duchess of Cornwall and York, accom-
the Countess of Minto,
the visit to the North-West Territorit»s, in connection panied by Her Excrllency
of 14 from "A"
with their round-the-world trip, of Their Royal High- drove, escorted by a travelling escort
nesses the Duke and Duchess of (.'ornwall and York. Division, under Inspector Baker. Ten carriage* were

The Royal party arrived at R^ina on September 27, provided for the suite.
131
 At Calgary a provisional battalion had been mobilized as squadron commander. It left Calgary by special

train at 6 p.m. the 28th, and, arriving at Vancouver on

composed of troops from Depot "E", "D", "K", and
"G" Divisions. It included 173 men mounted, and the 30th, a travelling escort was furnished for a drive

band. 15, dismounted. The battalion having heen by Their Royal Highnesses around the city. At 5 p.m.
the horses were embarked on the steamer "Charmer"
inspected by His Royal Highness, walked, trotted,
galloped and ranked past by section, and then ad- and at 9 30 the boat left for Victoria, arriving there at

vanced in review order. 5 a.m. on October 1.

Onthe completion of the review. His Royal Highness The strength of the force attended on Their
full

was graciously pleased to express to Commissioner Royal Highness from the outer wharf to the Legislative
Perry how glad he was to have inspected a portion of Buildings and thence to Esquimalt. From Esquimalt
the force, and his great satisfaction with the appear- a travelling escort under the command of Inspector
ance of men and horses and their steadiness on parade. Macdonell, D.S.O. escorted the Royal Party to the
On completion of the inspection, the decorations and Exhibition Grounds and thence to Mount Baker Hotel
medals for service inSouth Africa were presented. to the Empress of India, on which they embarked for
Insp. Belcher had the honour of receiving from His Vancouver.
Royal Highness the insignia of the Companionship of The following letter was received by Commissioner
the Order of St. Michael and St. George. A large pro-
. Perry from Sir Arthur Bigge, Private Secretary to
portion of those who received medals at Calgary were H.R.H.:—
members of the force. October 9, 1901.
On completion of the presentations, the Duke, ac- Dear Col. Perry, —The Duke of Cornwall and
companied by his staff and escorted by a full Royal York directs me to express to you his gratification at

escort of 117, under Commissioner Perry's command, the very smart appearance of that portion of your force
rode to Shaganappi Point, where a big Indian camp which he had the pleasure to inspect at Calgary.
were pitched, and where an interesting presentation of His Royal Highness also wishes to thank you, and all
a number of Indian chiefs was made to His Royal under your command, for the admirable manner in
Highness. which the escort and other duties were performed
At 2 p.m. Their Royal Highnesses took luncheon with during his stay in western Canada,
the officers of the force at the barracks, 60 covers being (Sgd.) Arthur Bigge.
laid. After luncheon, the Royal Party proceeded with
a travelling escort to the sports at Victoria Park, and On November the 30th, the strength was: North- —
thence to the train, which left Calgary about 4.30 p.m. West Territories, 37 officers, 103 non-com. officers, 353
From the North- West the Royal party proceeded to constables, 467 horses; Yukon Territory, 15 officers,
British Columbia, and, on account of the absence of 43 non-comm. officers, 44 horses, 220 dogs; South
nlounted military corps in the Pacific provinces, the Africa, 2 officers. Eight new detachments had been
N. W. M. P. were required to furnish an escort. This established, the strength had been increased in the
included 68 of all ranks and . 65 horses, under the Athabaska district and an officer stationed at Lesser
Commissioner's command, with Supt. Sanders, D.S.O.. Slave Lake, in command.

The Royal Equipage N.W.M.P.) at the Calgary Review. H.R.H. The Duchess of Cornwall and York
(furnished by
and Her Excellency The Countess of Minto in the carriage.
132
 In the following terms, in his annual report at the have their own police forces, but the smaller towns
end of the year, Commissioner Perry drew attention to seem desirous of retaining the N.W.M.P. constables,
the increased duties devolving upon the force, and to claiming that they obtain better service, but doubtless
the need of increasing the strength: — they are largely influenced by economical considera-
"There has been a large influx of very desirable tions.

settlers, and land has risen very rapidly in value con- "The population of the Territories has doubled in

sequent upon the current of immigration which has set ten years, and the strength of the force has been re-
steadily this way. duced by one-half. Our detachments have increased
"The rapid increase of population has caused an from 49 to 79. Although we have only half of the
expansion of our duties which, with our fixed strength, strength of ten years ago, still we have the same number
we find great difficulty in meeting. of division head-quarter posts, carrying in their train
"When the force was organized in 1873, with a the staff organization and maintenance of barracks as

strength of 300 men, the Territories were unsettled, though the divisions were of their former strength.
and the control given over to lawless bands who preyed The distinguished services rendered to the Empire in
upon the Indians, with whom no treaties had then been the South African war, by members of the force, em-
made. phasize the fact that it has a very deci4ed military
value and that in future nothing ought to be done to
"
impart its efficiency.

In his annual report for the following year Superin-

tendent Perry reverting to the same subject, wrote: —
"
In my last annual report I called your attention to
the largely increased demands on the force, and the
difficulty I found in meeting them. This year these
difficulties have been emphasized. The continued de-
velopment of the country, the increase of population,
the settlement of remote districts, many new towns
that have spnuig up, and the construction of new rail-
ways have greatly added to our work. In the train of the
immigration has come a number of the criminal class,
H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York and StaflF at the which though not large, will probably increase.
Calg'ary Review. "
The new settlers are principally from foreign coun-
tries, a great number being from the United States.
The American settler is much imi)res.sed by the fair
•'
In 1885, complications with the half-breeds culmina-
ted in rebellion, which was successfully quelled. The and impartial administration of justice. He finds a
-trength of the force was then raised to 1,000 where it constabulary force such as he has not been accustomed
-tood for about 10 years, when, owing to the jjeaceful to, but the advantages of which he is (juick to acknow-
state of the Territories, the settled condition of the ledge, and a country free from all lawlessness and enjoy-
Indians, and the rapid means of communication by ing freedom without licen.se.
railway into the different portions, it was gradually "The pro|)osal of the Grand Trunk Railway to build

reduced to 750. In 1898, the gold discoveries in the through the Peace River coiuitry, is sure to attract to
^'ukon, and the con.sequent rush of gold .seekers caused that district in the immediate future a lot of i)eoplc
the sudden increa.se of the force on duty in that territory seeking for the best locations. The police work is
to 250 men, thus reducing the strength in the North- steadily increjising. We ought to increase our strength
West Territories to 500. there, and establish a new iK)lice district, with head-
"
A further decrease has now taken place by an addi- quarters for the present, at Fort Chipewyan.
Two of
tion to the Yukon strength, charged with the main- the districts in the organized territories could be com-
tenance of order in the Yukoti, but the services of the l)ined into one, thus releasing the staff for the new dis-

jwlice have been required in the Athabaska District, a trict in the north. The northern trade is steadily in-

ffumtrj' of enormous extent with no facilities for travel, creasing. Detachment.s ought to Iw stationed on Mac-
"
but where police work is ever on the increase. kenzie River.
"It maythought that the settled portions of
Ije A Pension Hill providing for th«! pensions of officers
the Territories ought now to provide for their own police of the North-West MounU'd Police was piuwed during
protection, or at any rate that the incorixirated towns the .session of 1902, the generous provisions of which
and villages should do so. Some of the larger towns were much appreciated. The officers, promoted from
133
 in the than in any previous year in the history of the Terri-
the ranks, profit largely by it, in that service
ranks is reckoned as service for pension. tories. 350,000 a very conservative estimate
I think-

The strength in the Territories in 1903 was 490; 10 of the present population. This rapid development has
under that authorized, but 28 more than at the date of greatly increased the work of the force, and I have had

the previous annual report. The force was at the end difficlulty in meeting fully the requirements. The
of 1903 distributed from the international boundary rapid settlement of a new country always attracts a

1
accompany the Hudson's Bay expedition in that far line of 800 miles, along which for 200 miles, not a settler
distant region. is to be found. "
"Another expedition was despatched in May to the "
The force is now distributed from the international
Arctic Ocean, consisting of five men, under the command to the Arctic ocean, and from the Hudson's
boundary
of Superintendent Constantine. This detachment Bay to the Alaska boundary.
reached Fort Macpherson, on the Pelly River, early in "
There are 8 divisions in the Territoriet<, each with a
July. Superintendent Constantine having arranged for headquarter post, and there are M
detachments, with
quarters, returned to Fort Saskatchewan, leaving Ser- 182 officers and men
constantly employed oh detached
geant Fitzgerald in charge. This non-commissioned duty. Of these, 55 are distributed among 21 detach-
officer visitedHerschell Island in August, and had the ments along the international boundary. "
honour of establishing a detachment, the most northerly For many years it had been a source of complaint on
in the world, at this point. the part of the North- West ranchers, that United States
"Herschell Island is in the Arctic ocean, 80 miles
north-west of the mouth of the Mackenzie river. It
has been for years the winter quartere of the
many
American whaling and has been the scene of con-
fleet,
siderable lawlessness and violence. The reports of
Superintendent Constantine and Sergeant Fitzgerald
will be found in the appendix. Superintendent Moodie
has not been heard from.
"The establishement of these outposts is of far-
reaching importance. They stand for law and good
order, and show that, no matter what the cost, nor how
remote the region, the laws of Canada will be enforced,
and the native population protected.
"
I venture again to call your attention to the valu-
able work of the force among the immigrants, who are
largely foreign-born. It is of the utmost importance
to the future of the country, that they should be started

way; that from the first they should be im-

in the right

pressed with the fair, just and certain enforcement of

the laws, and that they should be educated to their
observance In 1901, 30 per cent, of our population
was foreign-born, and I think I am fairly stating the
position now, in saying that the foreign-born equal
those of British birth (using the term British in its
widest sense).
"
It is we are a law-abid-
claimed, and rightly, that
ing people, that no new country was ever settled up
Inspector Cortlandt Stames, for many years on duty in
with such an entire absence of lawlessness. the Yukon.
Why?
Because of the policy of Canada in maintaining a
jwwerfuJ constabulary, which has for thirty years en- cattle were allowed to graze in Canada without restric-
forced the laws in an impartial manner. tion, that the ownei-s often deliberately drove their
"The North- West Mounted Police were the pioneers cattle to the boundary, so that they would drift into
of settlement. They carried into these Territories the Canada, where grass and water were more plenti-
world-wide maxim, that where the British flag flies, ful; that United States round-ups came into Can-
I)eace and order prevail. I refer to this, because it ada gathered and branded their young stock and
has }x:en stated that the time has now arrived when turned them loose again, and that their 'beef round-
their ser\ice8 are no longer required. With this view u|)s,' in taking up their
own fat stock, were not too
I not agree, but, on the contrary, I believe that their
<l<)
particular. The complaints came from points all along
services were never .so necessary. I have referred to the boundary, from Willow Bunch to Cardston, some
the large immigration, but the country is so vast, that 500 miles, but they were particularly loud and in-
it scarcely makes an impression. There are huge sistent from the ranchers on Milk River, who suffered
stretches without a single habitation, and a boundary most.
135
 In 1903 the Customs Department took action, and rived there early in November, shortly after he was
notified United States cattle owners that the privileges seen at Belt's. Constable Pennycuick visited the
which they had hitherto enjoyed, could not be con- breeds and got clothing and other articles Cashel
tinued. They were given until July 1 to gather and had leftthere, amongst them was the balance
take out their cattle. of the corduroy suit owned by J. R. Belt. He
The effect of this action has been satisfactory. A also got evidence of a $50 bill the prisoner had. As
the Customs Department was stationed the body of Belt could not be produced or accounted
special officer of
at Coutts to look after this work. The police were in- for, the prisoner was charged simply with stealing a
structed to strictly enforce the regulations. Their horse from Glen Healy and a diamond ring from the

good work was acknowledged by the special Customs section foreman at Kananaskis. Meantime Constable
officer. Pennycuick and others commenced to trace the move-

The police patrols seized several bands of ponies ments of the accused from the time he had left Belt's
which were being run in by Indians without any regard to the date of his arrival at the half-breed camp.
to Customs or quarantine laws. On May 14, 1903, Ernest Cashel was sentenced by the
"E" Division, Calgary, during 1902-03 distinguished Chief Justice to three year's imprisonment in Stony

by the long pursuit and capture of the young

itself Mountain Penitentiary.
Wyoming desperado Ernest Cashel. This criminal When the ice went out of the river in the spring,
was arrested for forgery, and escaped from the chief of careful search was made for Belt's body in the Red Deer
the Calgary City Police on October 14, 1902. The and Constables Rogers and Pennycuick searched
Mounted Police were then notified and commenced the stream in a canoe for several hundred miles, but
the pursuit. On October 22, Cashel stole a bay pony without success. Supt. Sanders offered a reward of
near Lacombe in his efforts to escape. After this, no $50 as well. Constable Pennycuick traced Cashel from
word of him was received until November 19, when one Belt's place with Belt's clothes, horse, saddle and $50
I). A. Thomas, of Pleasant Valley, north of Red Deer gold certificate to a point near Calgary. The chain of
river, reported the mysterious disappearance of his evidence connecting Cashel with the disappearance of
brother-in-law, J. R. Belt, from his ranch, 38 miles east Belt was complete with the exception of sure informa-
of Lacombe. Constable McLeod, of "G" Division, where Belt was. On July 20, John Watson a
tion as to

investigated, and found that when Belt was last seen, farmer living some 25 or 30 miles down the Red Deer
about November 1, a young man calling himself Bert river from Belt's place, discovered, while hunting for
Elseworth was staying with him. The description of cattle, the body of a man floating in the river. He se-
Elseworth proved him to be Cashel. Belt's horse, his cured it and told the police. The coroner was notified
saddle, with name J. R. Belt on, shotgun, clothes, and an inquest held. The body, although much de-
money, including a $50 gold certificate, were missing. composed, was fully identified as that of J. R. Belt,
As there were grave suspicious of Belt having been mainly by a deformed toe on the left foot, and an iron
murdered by Cashel, Supt. Sanders put Constable clamp which the deceased wore on the heel of his left
Pennycuick on the case. A lookout was kept in every boot. A bullet hole was found in the left breast, and
direction to prevent the fugitive going south, and every at the end of the hole near the shoulder blade a "44
detachment warned. On January 17, 1903, Mr. Glen bullet of the same calibre as the revolver and rifle
Healy, of Jumping Pond, lent a horse to a man answer- carried by Cashel.
ing Cashel's description and giving the name of Else- An now laid against Ernest Cashel
information was
'

worth; the horse was not returned. The Mounted for murder. The jury brought in a verdict of 'guilty
Police next heard of the man near Morley, then at and the prisoner was immediately sentenced to be
Kananaskis, where he stole a diamond ring, and aban- hanged on December 15, at Calgary.
doned his horse. The search became now confined to Unfortunately, through a combination of circum-
the railway. Trainmen and others were warned, and stances, Cashel, having been supplied with t \o revolvers
constables sent along the line. In spite of this, Cashel by a brother permitted to visit him in his cell under
managed one evening to steal the clothes of the train- judicial authority, effected his escape December 10,
men from a caboose at Canmore. Finally, on January five days before the date fixed for his execution. It is
24, Cashel was arrested by Constable Blyth, at An- the proud boast of the force that within its far-reaching
thracite. On him was found a pair of brown corduroj' jurisdictionno man has ever been lynched, nor has a
trousers similar to those in the possession of J. R. Belt, known murderer or other criminal ever found safety,
and the diamond ring stolen at Kananaskis. The and it may be well supposed that great efforts were
policefound that Cashel had been living with the half- made to recapture Cashel.
breeds near Calgary for some time, and that he had ar- The pursuit was commenced at once, but the Mounted
136
Police were handicapped by the weather, the night Cashel, $1,000, return in six months
'
On the 15th,
being particularly dark and snowing hard. Every the police heard of a man answering the
description at
available man was turned out, mounted patrols covered the place of a man called Thomas Armstrong six miles
all the roads, and a thorough search was made of the east of Calgary. Cashel had left there in the
morning
neighbourhood. Constable Coulter, one of the mounted and walked along the track east. Inspector Knight
patrols, shortly after the escape, arrested Cashel's and party scoured the whole district night and day,
brother on the street; he was evidently expecting to and police from Gleichen with Indian scouts worked
meet his brother and had a parcel of footwear, ob- west along the railway, but without success. During
viously for the fugitive's use, and a pocketful of re- the 16th, 17th and 18th, the country north, south and east
volver cartridges. Supt. Sanders commanding at of Armstrong's was continually patrolled and the police
Calgary notified the Commissioner by wire, also all had apparently reliable information at the same time

police divisions and detachments south, east and west. of the fugitive being at six other points. On the eve-
Next day, not having picked up any trace, and being ning of the 18th it would appear Cashel was in the out-
satisfied that trains were being too carefully
the skirts of the town and was seen by a citizen who re-
watched for him
have got away by that means, Supt.
to ported it too late to be of service. At 4 a.m. of Decem-
Sanders decided there was nothing to be done but to ber 18 Supt. Sanders took a party and searched the
send parties out and warn the whole country. half-breed camps and wooded coulees west of Calgary.
On December 12, Commissioner Perry arrived from In Macleod and Lethbridge districts to the south much
Regina, accompanied by Inspector Knight, and assumed the same work had been going on, and numerous alleged
charge of the operations. Superintendents Primrose Cashels were being run down and found to be innocent
and Begin were ordered to place patrols to the south, parties. Commissioner Perry left for Regina on the
extending from the mountains and along the Little night of the 23rd. The usual crop of rumors kept
Bow. Reinforcements were ordered from Regina to coming in each day and the patrols through the out-
Macleod; ten N.C.O.'s and men from Regina, six from lying districts were kept up without intermission and
Maple Creek and one from Edmonton were ordered to without anything much transpiring, except that the
Calgary. A reward of $1,000 was offered for the cap- police were pretty certain from a citizen's reix)rt that
ture or information leading to the capture of the fugi- Cashel had been again in the outskirts of the town on
tive. On December 13, the police had reports of a man December 20. This condition of affairs continued to
answering the description of Cashel being seen at Coch- the end of December, and the police were still fairly
rane, 20 miles west, and on the Elbow river south of convinced the man was in hiding and receiving assist-
there. Inspector Worsley and party left for the former ance from sympathizers.
and Inspector Knight and party for the latter. In- Owing to persistent reports from Montana of Cjishel

spector Knight found that Constable Spurr with an In- being seen there, Sergeant Hetherington wa.s detailed to
dian tracker, whom Sanders started out on the 11 th from go to the States and work in conjunction with the United
Morley, had been on the tracks of a man in the snow, States authorities, who were keenly on the alert. In-
and had tracked him to a ranche, where the description dications were strong yet, however, that he was in

given left no doubt it was Cashel. Spurr followed the country to the east of Calgary, and although the
him up and found he was making for Calgary. He police had covered every |X)int as far as the number of
actually went to a house that Cashel was in, but the old men and horses would permit, they watched tlie district
woman and her son who lived there, denied the pre- around Langdon and Shepard closely. Supt. Sanders
sence of any stranger. The son was afterwards sen- also got the local pajxjrs not to mention the affair at all,
tenced to three month's imprisonment for assisting for he knew from former exjXTience of this criminal,
Cashel on this occasion. Inspector Knight searched that he had a great love of notoriety and would risk
all hou.ses in that vicinity during the night, and found anything to obtain it. On January 11, Mr. Crossar, a
a pony had been stolen from one place. Next morning rancher, four miles east of Calgary, reported that at
the police found this pony near Calgary, and foot-marks 10.30 p.m., of .laiuiary 9, a man had come into his

leading from the place where it was found into the town. brother's house with a revolver in his hand and jusked

Later the police found that Cashel had stopped during for a horse, he then said: 'I guess you know who I am.
the night at a rancher's named Rigby, six miles west I am Cashel. I am not after a horse, but I am desi)erate
of Calgary, Rigby and all his family being away. and must have money. I have plenty of friends l)ut
Whilst there he changed the clothes he had escaped in still I want money.' (Vxssar gave him all he had, $12,

and selected a new outfit from Mr. Rigby's wardrolx;. then Cashel a.sked for his bank book and asked for the

A note was left with the old clothes and easily recog- newspajjcrs; after reading these he wrote a letter and
nized as Cashel's handwriting, which read, 'Ernest spoke of men whom he had heard had heli)ed the police
137
and said he would get even with them. He left the they were not to hesitate in doing so. At 11.30 a por-
hoiise at 12.30 and threatened Cossar with the ven- tion of Inspector Duffus' party consisting of Constables

geance of his mythical friends should

he (Cossar) in- Rogers, Peters, Biggs, Stark, and Mr. McConnell, while
form. The same night he must have visited Arm- searching Mr. Pitman's ranch, at a point just on the
strong's house (the place he slept in on December 14), edge of the district being scoured, six miles from Cal-
because next day Armstrong on his return home found garj', came across Cashel in the cellar. Constable Biggs
the place had been ransacked. As a result of this in- found him, and was fired at by Cashel out of the dark-

formation several constables in plain clothes were placed ness; Biggs returned the shot and ran up the steps,
the capacity of hired men at different farms in the being fired at again. Constable Rogers, the senior
neighbourhood. That Cashel had some fixed point constable, ordered themen to come out of the house
from which he made excursions at night appeared and surround it he then sent word to Inspector Duffus,
;

certain, and Supt. Sanders suspected he visited many who was searching another place nearby with the
farms and extorted money without it being reported. balance of the party. Inspector Duffus, after speaking
As he was on foot, it was not likely he walked more than to Cashel and advising him to surrender,without success,
ten miles away from his hiding place during the night, decided to set fire to the building, which was a mere
so that should the police obtain one or two more points shack. This was done. When the smoke began to
where he had visited it would be possible to define a enter the cellar Cashel agreed to come out, and was im-
certain area of country within which he could be found. mediately arrested. Efforts were then made to put
Another point was supplied on January 21, when Mr. out the fire, had gained too much headway.
but it

S. Wigmore, who near Shepard, reported Cashel

lives Everything went show that Cashel had been living
to
had been at his place on the night of the 19th and be- in a haystack alongside of the house for some time; a

haved in much the same way as he had at Cossar 's. cow robe and spring mattress were found in a large
Not getting any more clues, Supt. Sanders marked off hole burrowed under the stack, together with several
an area on the map, based on the visits Cashel had indications of its occupancy for a lengthy period.
made in the Shepard district, and decided that if a The two men living at the ranch were afterwards
thorough search were made of the country embraced arrested, and one of them, Brown, received si.x; months'
therein in one day success would be met with. It imprisonment.
required about forty mounted men to do this and Thus ended perhaps one of the most arduous pursuits
Supt. Sanders had not got them unless he drew in all after a criminal in the annals of the force. Each man
his detachments and received men from other posts. felt keenly the circumstances surrounding the escape,
This would take too long and was not safe. He conse- and no one spared himself any way. Night and day,
in

quently wired the Commissioner on the 22nd January with very little rest, they stuck to their work without

asking if he objected to his using volunteers; doing a murmur.

this on the strength of several offers from the Canadian During the pursuit the date of the execution was put
Mounted Rifles. Mr. Wooley-Dod, a rancher, and offfrom time to time by the Chief Justice, and on the
others, to lend a hand. On January 23, Superinten- day after his capture the prisoner was brought before
dent Sanders received a reply authorizing him His Lordship and finally sentenced to be hanged on
to do so, and telling him to swear his volunteers February 2. Cashel was hanged in the guard-room
in as special constables. Accordingly he ar- yard on that date, and confessed his guilt to the Rev.
ranged with Mr. Wooley-Dod, Mr. Heald and Mr. Kerby just previous to leaving his cell for the

Major Barwis to get 20 volunteers together, and be at scaffold.

the barracks, mounted and ready to start, at 8 a.m. Again, in his annual report for 1904, Commissioner
the following day. Sunday, January 24. Every one drew attention to the increased responsibilities of the
turned up on time, and with the police, numbered 40 police due to the rapid settlement and development
all told. These Supt. Sanders divided up into five of the country, writing as follows: —
parties under Major Barwis, Inspector Knight, Inspec- "The Royal North- West Mounted Police has gained
tor Duffus, Sergeant-Major Belcher and himself. Each a reputation, both at home and abroad, as an effective
party consisted of police and citizens equally divided. organization, which has materially forwarded the pro-
The leader of each detachment was given a certain gress of the Territories. It is to-day dealing with all
district, comprising so many townships, within which classes of men —the lawless element on the border, the
he was to search every building, cellar, root-house and cowboys and Indians on the plains, the coal miners in
haystack. The Superintendent also ordered that the mountains, the gold miners in the Yukon, and the
should they discover the fugitive, and by burning the American whalers and the Esquimaux in Hudson Bay
house or stack where he was found, prevent loss of life, and the far distant Arctic Sea. It is an asset of Canada,
138
and the time ha? not arrived in the development of the other child anywhere. There is no doubt that the little
country when can be written off.
it
boy has been devoured by wolves also.
"
No case of crime is too remote to be investigated. 'These Indians, who found the little dress, and also
There have been many instances during the past year. this man's sister, being the
principal witnesses in the
The following are worthy of being brought to your case, were not at Fond-du-Lac at the time Constable
notice.
Pedley was out there, so he did not arrest this Paul
"Extract from Sergt. Field's report dated Fort Izo Azie, as he could not get the witnesses.
Chipewyan, December 8, 1903: 'They will all be at Fond-du-Lac next summer for
'A half-breed arrived here from Fond-du-Lac. on
treaty payments. I will then go
myself and arrest this
Lake Athabasca, and reported that an Indian, Paul Izo Indian and get the witnesses and all neces.sary evidence
Azie, living at Black Lake, near Fond-du-Lac, had on the case and take them out for trial.'
deserted his adopted children in the bush some time "
Black Lake is about 250 miles east of Fort Chi|)e-
during last September. w\'an. The accused was arrested at Fond-du-Lac on
'The particulars of the case are: This Indian Paul June 28, and committed for trial at Edmonton by In-
Izo Azie, was camped on an island in Black Lake, where spector West. He was escorted there by Sergeant
he intended fishing and hunting during the fall and Field, accompanied by the witnesses. On July 25 he
winter One day he sighted four or five canoes, was tried at Edmonton by Mr. Justice Scott, convicted
with a number of men on board, coming towards his and sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Stony
camp. He fired two shots in the air, as is customary Mountain Penitentiary.
amongst Indians as a sign of friendliness. They did "In carrying out this duty, Sergt. Field travelled
not reply or take any notice of his shooting, but paddled with his prisoner, by boat 667 miles, by trail 90 miles
off in another direction, and landed on the main shore and by train 1,031 miles, a total distance of 1,788
of the lake. This man "
being very superstitious, as miles.
most Indians are, concluded that these were bad In his report. Commissioner Perry drew attention
people and intended killing him and all his family. to the heroic work of CorfX)ral I). B. Smith, stationed
He got very frightened, so he got his wife, sister and the at Norway House, Lake Winnipeg. A severe epidemic
two little children and himself into his canoe and of diphtheriaand scarlet fever occurred there in the
paddled ashore, leaving his camping outfit and all his previous November. Corporal Smith was untiring in
belongings behind him. When he landed on shore he his efforts to aid the unfortunate people. He supplied
started off on foot for Fond-du-Lac, followed by his them with food, disinfected tlieir houses, helped care
wife and sister, leaving these two little children behind for their sick and buried the dead. He was promoted
without food or protection, one a little boy and the other to the rank of sergeant in recognition of his services.
a little girl, aged two and three years respectively. It For some years back the constantly increasing con-
being an eight days' trip, or about 130 or 140 miles sumption of extracts, essences and patent medicines in
from his camp to Fond-du-Lac, his sister, a young girl the unorganized territories had shown that these rujuors
alx)ut fifteen years old, got fatigued after the first or were not being used for legitimate pur|)*)sos, but were
second day's travel He left her behind on the road being traded and sold to the Indians and half-breods
also,without food or protection. This poor girl wan- for use as intoxicants. As an instance of the extent to
dered about the woods for several days in a dreadful which the trade had reached, a trader's stock was ex-
state of starvation until she was picked up by some amined by the police at Ix»s.ser Slave Lake and they
Indians that were camped She told
in that direction found 107 dozen 2 oz. bottles of ginger, |)epi)<'rnutit,
them her story, how her brother had deserted these two &c., equal to about 16 gallons. This trade was de-
little children on the lake shore. Some of these In- moralizing the native iH)pulation. and, on the facts
dians started back to search for the children. When being brought to the notice of the Prime Minister, he
they got there they found the camp just as the Indian directed that the sections of the North-West Territories
had left it, nothing taken or stolen. They tracked the Act dealing with the use of intoxicants in those por-
children along the shore and where they went into
little tions of the Territories where the liquor license ordin-
the bush. They followed their tracks up into the ance was not in force, were to be rigidly enforced.
wocxls and then fired two or three shots and then called The Commissioner issued orders in accordance with
out as loud as they could, but got no reply. Then they these instructions on Fcbrnary 22, HM)4. The rei)orts
went on a little further, and there they found a little from the detachments in 1001 stated that the preven-
dress, all blood-stained and
torn, and wolf tracks all tion of the im|)ortation and sale of extracts and essences
around where the had evidently Ijeen eaten
little girl had been most beneficial, and that drunkenness among
by solves. They could find no trace or sign of the the Indians and half-breeds had greatly decreased.
139
 The strength in the Territories on November 30, of thishonour was conveyed by an announcement in
the Canada Gazette of June 24, 1904, reading as follows:
1904, was 39 officers, 475 non-commissioned
officers

and constables and 459 horses. "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased
There were 9 divisions, each with a headquarters post to confer the title of "Royal" upon the North-West

and 93 permanent outposts. There should havebeen more Mounted Police. "
The authority for this announcement was the follow-
outposts, but the Commissioner was
unable to establish
them. An increase of the strength by 100 men was ing communication from the Colonial Office. :
—
authorized on but the Commissioner at the end
July 1, From Mr. LYTTELTON to Lord MINTO.
of the year had not yet been able to recruit them. He
did not anticipate being able to do so satisfactorily
until a substantial increase was made in the pay.
Canada. Downing Street,
19th November, 1903.
The force required sober, intelligent, active young
men of good character, and such men were in great No. 375.

demand in the country. To obtain them the rate of My Lord,

pay would have to be raised so as to be in reasonable me great pleasure to inform Your Excellency
It gives

proportion to what was paid in civil life. that His Majesty the Kmg has been graciously pleased
Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady to confer the title of "Royal" upon the North-West
Minto paid a farewell visit to the Territories in Septem- Mounted Police, in accordance with your recent re-

ber, 1904. Ceremonial escorts were furnished at Cal- commendation.

gary and Regina and an escort of 1 officer, 25 non-com- I have, etc.,
missioned officers and men and
42 horses accompanied (Sgd.) Alfred LYTTELTON.
His Excellency on his ride from Edmonton to Saska-
The Governor-General,
toon. Saddle horses were supplied for His Excellency, The Right Honorable,
and party, equipment and transport. The
also cam^p
The Earl of Minto, G.C.M.G.
force also a permanent camp for Her
established
Excellency and party at Qu'Appelle Lakes and fur- Referring to the conferring of this honour upon the
nished saddle horses, carriages and heavy transport. force, in his report for the year, Commissioner Perry
His Excellency was pleased to express his approval wrote: —
in the following letter to the Comptroller from the "The force is deeply sensible of the high honour
Military Secretary:
~ which has been conferred upon it, and 1 trust it will
Government House. continue by loyalty, integrity and devotion to duty, to
merit the great distinction which His Majesty has
Ottawa, October 1, 1904.
"
Sir,
— I am commanded by the Governor General to
been so graciously pleased to bestow upon it.
The undermentioned officers were serving in the
express to you His Excellency's warm appreciation of
Yukon Territory at the end of 1904: Commanding, —
the admirable arrangements made for him on the occa-
Asst. Commsr. Z. P. Wood.
sion of his recent ride from Edmonton to Saskatoon and — Superintendent
'H' Division A. E. Snyder, Com-
also for Lady Minto in the camp lately occupied by
manding Division. —Inspectors, F. J. A. Demers, F. P.
Her Excellency at the Qu'Appelle Lakes.
In both cases everything that was possible was done Horrigan, A. E. C. McDonell, P. W. Pennefather, Sur-

to ensure the comfort of Their Excellencies, and 1 am

geon L. A. Pare, Asst. -Surgeon, S. M. Eraser.
— Superintendent A. R. Cuthbert, Com-
'B' Division

manding Division — Inspectors, W. H. Routledge, T. A.

to ask that youaccept for yourself and kindly con-
will

vey to the Commissioner and the officers, N.C. officers

and men of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, the Wroughton, J. Taylor, R. Y. Douglas, R. E. Tucker,
Asst. -Surgeons, W. E. Thompson, G. Madore.
grateful thanks of Their Excellencies.
The general state of affairs in the Yukon Territory at
I have the honour to be, sir, the same date was reported in a most satisfactory and,
Your obedient servant, on the whole, prosperous condition, and from a police
(Sgd.) F. S. MAUDE, Major. point of view left but little to be desired. Like all
Military Secretary. mining camps, the Yukon had attracted to its environ-
The event of the year, however, in the annals of the ments a large number of the criminal class, but, not-
Mounted Police was His Majesty's personal recognition withstanding their presence, crime had been confined
of the splendid services rendered for so many years to to the smaller and more trivial offences.
the Dominion and the Empire, by the force, by con- As a matter of fact, the criminal element, the in-
ferring upon it the title of Royal. The first intimation dividuals of which were nearly all known to the police.
140
were subjected to so close a sun'eillance that few op- as in all mining disputes, such as the staking of claims,
portunities were allowed them to stray from the paths &c., and in fact in all legal matters in which official time
of virtue and rectitude, and they were perforce obliged is required, the courts in Dawson have held that the
to confine themselves to avocations strictly honest or standard time in the Territory, and more particularly
seek pastures new. The great majoritj'^ of them found that portion embracing Dawson, and the creeks in the
their enforced probity too irksome and left the territory vicinity of and contiguous thereto, is the time of and
for itsand their own good. at the 135th meridian of longitude, as anno\mced by the
Attention was called several times during the year noon-day gun. Should this old 7-pdr. burst, as the
to the great expense involved in keeping a force of 300 other did some three years ago, we would be left with-
men the Yukon, and a claim had been made that one-
in out any means of regulating Dawson time-pieces. For
third of that number would be sufficient to police the this and other reasons I would recommend that we be
Territory. supplied with two of the latest pattern 12 pdrs. They
Assistant Commissioner- Wood, in his annual report are also required for saluting purposes and to enable
speaking of this claim, wrote:— "I quite agree with this the men to obtain some knowledge of gun-drill,"
provided we could confine ourselves to the preservation In addition to his other duties the Assistant Com-
of law and order as we are primarily intended to do. missioner was, and acting as Inspecting Officer
still is,

The fact of the matter is, however, that we are acting of the Dawson Rifle Company, the only Militia Corps
more or less for every department of the government in the Yukon, and represents the Officer Commanding
and performing work, such as mail carriers, &c., which Military District No. 11 in matters appertaining to that
is quite foreign to a police force proper; in fact al- body and to the Dawson unit of the Dominion Rifle As-
though we are, as I have stated, getting rid of some of sociation.
our extraneous work, we are still called upon to perform It will be recalled how, in the earlier days of the
some duties which other officials and civilians refuse to Mounted Police occupation of the Yukon, the officers
undertake because they are not remunerative enough; were often hard put to it to secure the necessary dog
for instance, acting as postmasters. Appointments as teams. This difficulty has been overcome by breeding
such were offered to officials and civilians throughout dogs for the service. A.sst. -Commissioner Wood re-
the Territory, who, however, invariably refused be- ports :
—
cause of the fact of there being either no emolument in "We are now fairly well supplied with dogs of a
connection with the work or ifthere were, on account size and strength all have
suitable to our needs; nearly
of its smallness. Many of the offices are still filled by been bred at the various detachments, and I hojK> in
"
members of the force. future to have a sufficient number raised to replace
During the municipal elections in Dawson in January, those destroyed on account of old age, &c., and to meet
1904, one of the questions before the public was whether any special demands that may be made for extra
"
they should not have their own city police instead of patrols.
availing themselves of the services of the force. A Four events stand out prominently in the liistory of
stafT-sergeant and 1 1 men were on the town detachment the R.N.W.M.P. for the year 1905 the acceptance by —
and received the aggregate sum of $350 per month, the the Earl of Minto of the appointment of Honorary
main expeases of their maintenance fallingon the Federal Commissioner of the force, the visit of Their Excellen-
government. It was held by some of the applicants for cies Ix)rd and Lady Grey to the North-West, the
office that one or two men would be sufficient to police establishment and inauguration of the new Provinces
the city, but it was found that the public generally of Alberta and Saskatchewan, embracing practically
were in favour of the retention of the R.N.W.M. Police allthe territory comprised within the original sphere
for,as in previous years, the candidates for mayor and of ofwrations of the R.N.W.M.P., and the long de-
council who advocated keeping the force in charge of manded and necessary increase of pay.
the city easily defeated those who were opposed to The appointment of an Honorary Commissioner was
them. in with a practice long followed in the Bri ah
line

Among other duties the R.N.W.M. P. in the Yukon Army but only of late years introduced into Canada.
ciischarges is that of regulating the time. In his an- The acceptance of the honor by the Earl of Minto,
nual report for this year (1904) discussing armament, now Viceroy of India, was notified by the following
.\sst .-Commissioner Wood wrote: —
"The Maxim and communication :
—
Maxim-Nordenfeldt gims are also in a serviceable con- MiNTO HousK.
dition. With regard to guns of heavier calibre, we Hawick, January 11, 1905.

IK)s.sesH one 7-fKlr. brass muz/Ie-loading gun at Dawson.

—
'My Lokd, I have the honour to acknowledge the
The firing of the gun at noon is an important matter, receipt of Your Ixjrdship's despatch of December 29,
141
 a report of a committee services of the R.N.W.M.P, in fostering and
1904, inclosing an extract from protecting
of the Council, informing me that I have been the new country in its pioneer days, the force was
Privy
appointed, on the recommendation
of the President of given a conspicuous part in the inauguration cere-
the Council, honorary commissioner of the Royal monies.
North-West Mounted Police. By instructions from Sir Wilfrid Laurier a portion

'I would be much obliged if you would express to Sir

of the force, consisting of 15 officers, 189 non-commis-
Wilfrid Laurier my sincere appreciation of the honor sioned officers and constables, 200 horses and 4 guns,

that has been conferred upon me. attended at both Edmonton and Regina.
This force had the honour of being reviewed by His
'I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Excellency the Governor General, accompanied by
'Your obedient servant,
Sir Wilfrid. The men composing the force were drawn
'(Sgd.) MINTO.
from all parts of the Territories, and were together for
•His Excellency
four days only before the review. The assembling of
'The Earl Grey, G.C.M.G., &c., &c.'
this strength at Edmonton, the transfer to Regina, a
Their Excellencies the Governor General and Lady distance of 700 miles, and the distribution to their

Grey visited the new provinces in September. Escorts respective posts, was carried out without any delay or
were furnished at Edmonton, Macleod, Cardston, Leth- accident. The conduct of all ranks was excellent, and
bridge and Regina. all vied in a desire to do credit to the force to which
A permanent camp was established at Qu'Appelle they belonged.
lakes for their use, and orderlies, horses and transport The increase of pay to all ranks was voted by Par-
supplied. liament during the session of 1905, on resolutions in-
His Excellency was pleased to express his approval troduced by the Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier. In
in the following letter: — presenting the measure the Prime Minister explained
—
Dear Commissioner Perry, — I
itsobject and scope as follows:
'My am com-
"This resolution was introduced in consequence ot
manded by His Excellency you his appre-
to express to
the representations which have been made to the gov-
ciation of the work carried out
by the Royal North-West House on both from
ernment on the floor of this sides,
Mounted Police during the Governor General's visit.
lime to time, advising that the pay of the North-West
'Lord Grey has always heard of the good record
Mounted Police should be increased. This matter has
borne by the force under your command, and it gave
been under consideration, and 1 think we are meeting
him great pleasure to see such a fine body of men.
the public demand andthe exigencies of the case in
'He hopes that you will convey to the officers, non-
providing for the salaries nov/ set forth in this resolution.
commissioned officers and men, and especially to those
The increases are as follows: —
who were with the camp on special duty, his high
opinion of their smartness and work.
Officers.
'I am, yours.
'(Signed) J. HANBURY-WILLIAMS, Col.,
'Military Secretary.'
The Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan began
their career as autonomous provinces with imposing
celebrations at Edmonton and Regina, the temporary
capitals, with which were attended by Their
Excellencies the Governor General and Lady Grey,
the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Sir Wilfrid
Laurier, and other eminent public men. Thanks to so
many years of constant and loyal work by the Royal
North-West Mounted Police, the new provinces-
foster children of the force they may be almost con-
—
sidered began their career as such with the same
respect tor and observance of law and order as prevails
in the oldest provinces of the Dominion, and this not-

withstanding the great influx of population, particu-

larly during recent years, drawn from many foreign
countries. As a fitting recognition of the pre-eminent
day. and we propose to give them 75 cents a day. Tt is there was a reasonable hope of success.
Many cases
calculated that this will increase the pay of the force by have cost tens of thousands, and in one celebrated
"
$50,000. case upwards of one hundred thousand dollars was
The strength on November 30, 1905, was 54 officers, expended.
650 N.C. officers and constables, 109 interpreters, Another instance was the investigation made l\v
guides, scouts, artisans and special constables, total, Inspector McGinnis and Sergt. Egan into an alleged
813, and 606 horses. murder north of Cat lake in Keewatin some 200 miles
The strength in the i-rovinces of Alberta and Sas- north of the Canadian Pacific Railway, a point to
katchewan and the North-Wost Territories was 38 which no white man had before penetrated. The ac-
officers, 478 N.C. officers and constables, 69 interpreters, cused was arrested.
&c., total, 585, and 513 horses. Constable A. Pedley, stationed at Fort Chipewyan,
The strength in the Yukon Territory was 16 officers, was detailed to escort an unfortunate lunatic from that
172 N.C. officers and constables, 40 interpreters, &c., place to Fort Saskatchewan He reports as follows: —
total, 228, and 93 horses. 'I left
Chipewyan charge of the lunatic on De-
in
In the North-West Territories and new provinces cember 17, 1904, with the interpreter and two dog
there were ten divisions, each with a headquarters post, trains. After travelling for five days through slush
and 104 j^ermanent outposts, an increase of 1 head- and water up to our knees, we arrived at Fort McKay
quarters post and 11 outposts as compared with the on December 22.'
previous year. 'Owing to the extreme cold, the prisoner's feet were
The strength was only 15 under that authorized. frost bitten. I did all I could to relieve him, and
[uir-
No special effort had been made to recruit. There had chased some large moccasins to allow more wrappings
been many applications to engage, and not more than for his feet. I travelled without accident until the
one had been accepted.
in three 27th, reaching Big Weechume lake. Here I had to
The work of the year 1905 was very heavy and varied. lay off a day to procure a guide, as there was no trail.
The increase of population and the extending settle- I arrived at Lac La Biche on the 31st, and secured a
ments added greath^ to the ordinary duties, and further team of horses to carry me to Fort Haskatchewan. 1

demands were made this year in opening up the arrived on January 7, 1905, and handed over my
Peace River Yukon trail, a difficult task. In his prisoner. During the earlier part of the trip the pri-
annual report, the Commissioner brought to notice soner was very weak and refused to eat, but during the
several cases he qualified as strenuous duties well per- latter part of the trip he develo|)ed a good ap|K'tite
formed. and got stronger.'
Corpl. Mapley, of 'B' Division, with a party of police 'The unfortunate man was transferred to Calgary
left Dawson with dog teams on December 27, 1904 for guard room. Assistant Surgeon Rouleau re|x)rt8 tiiat
Fort Mcpherson, on the Peel river, 500 miles distant, it was a remarkable case. He was badly frozen about
canning despatches to that distant outpost. The his feet, and the exposure to the cold had caused para-
route taken was practically unknown, across mountain lysis of the tongue for several days Every care and
ranges. The party arrived back on March 9, having attention was given him at the hospital (to which he
made a successful journey without a mishap, and hav- was transferred), with the result that he was discharged
ing travelled upwards of 1,000 miles. on February 23 with the loss only of the first joint of
On January 7, 1905, Insf>ector Genereux, of Prince a big toe. His mind and si>eech were as good as ever.
All)ert, returned from a patrol to the far north to in- His life was saved.'
quire into a case of alleged murder. He was absent 132 Constable Pedley commenced his return trip to Fort
days, and travelled 1,750 miles by canoe and dog train. Chi|)ewyan. When he left Fort Sa-skatchowan he was
As a coroner he held an inquest and established that api)arently in good health, but at Lac La Hiche he
the death was accidental. This trip was very expen- went violently insane as a result of the hardships of
sive, but it is an illustration of the principle which has his trip, and his anxiety for the safety of his charge.

hitherto prevailed, that crime will be dealt with no He was brought back to Fort Saskatchewan and then
matter how remote the place, how dangerous the jour- transferreil to Brandon Asylum. After s))cnding six

ney, nor how great the cost. A marked instance of the months there he recovered his mind and returned to
administration of justice by the government of Canada headquarters. He was granted three months' leave,
through the Mounted Police has been the free expendi- and is now at duty as well as ever. In spite of all, he
ture of money in bringing criminals to justice. The re-engaged for a further term of service.
government has never tied the hands of the police by One more instance of devotion to duty. Constable

refusing to authorise any expenditure of money where (now corporal) Conradi was on patrol, when a tremen-
143
dous prairie fire was seen sweeping across the country. saw such an absence of intoxication among the

He asked the rancher, at whose house he was Indians.

having dinner, if any settlers were

in danger, and It is worthy of remark that for some years the
was told that a settler with ten children was Mounted Police have been discharging duties afloat,
not be reached. so that besides acting as policemen, soldiers, inspectors,
in danger, but his place could
Conradi felt that he must try, and galloped off. explorers, surveyors, teamsters, etc., etc., members of
Mr. Young, the settler, writing to Conrad i's com- the force have been acting as marines and actually
said in part :— His'

(Conradi's) sailors. The f<^rce in the Yukon has in charge three

manding officer,

pluck and endurance I cannot praise

too highly; fight- launches, one at Cacross, the other two at White
"
ing till he was nearly sufi"ocated,
his hat burned of Horse, and a steamer the "Vidette. This steamer
his head, hair singed, and vest on fire.' 'My wife and was purchased in September, 1902, and has been in
Mr. and I feel with commission during the five months of navigation each
family owe their lives to Conradi,
them, we shall never be able to repay him for his brave year since.
conduct.'
On March 1 a new police district was created, to be
'

known as 'Athabasca,' and a division, designated N,'

organized for duty in that district, with temporary
headquarters at Lesser Slave Lake. The members of
'G' Division stationed in Athabasca, were transferred
to 'N' Division. Superintendent Constantine was ap-
|X)inted to the command. To this division was assign-
ed the duty of oi^ening up a pack trail from Fort St.
John, B.C., to Teslin Lake, Yukon Territory, across
the mountains of British Columbia. The estimated
distance is 750 miles. A
detachment of two officers,
thirty non-commissioned and constables and
officers

sixty horses left Fort Saskatchewan on March 17 for

this work. Owing to the breaking up of the winter
R.N.W.M.P. Patrol Steamer "Vidette."
roads, the journey was very
but they reachedtrying, (From a photograph kindly loaned by Lieut.-Col. F. White, the Comptroller).
Peace River Crossing, 350 miles from Fort Saskatche-
wan, on April 9, without any serious mishap. Here The boat was purchased at auction for some $3,000,
they were delayed awaiting supplies, which had been and has proved herself of valuable assistance. She
contracted for, until May 21, when the party left for carries a vast amount of freight to different points on
Fort St. John, 570 miles from Fort Saskatchewan, the Yukon
river, both from Dawson and White Horse,
arriving there June L .^ and, furthermore, carried supplies up the Hootalinqua,
Work was immediately commenced on the construc- Stewart and Takheena rivers to the several detach-
tion of winter quarters, and cutting hay. Work com- ments at those points. A patrol is also made 250 miles
menced on the trail on June 15, and was suspended on up the Pelly river.
September 25, owing to heavy snow in the mountaina. .\t the time the Vidette was purchased it cost more to
94 miles of were completed.
trail
ship freight from eastern points to Dawson than to
During the year 1906 exceptionally good progress White Horse. It was the intention to have all the
has been made. police supplies consigned to the last named place and
Owing to the demoralization,
by the liquor traffic, have the steamer bring on what was required for
of the Indians living on the shores of Lake
Winnipeg, Dawson, thus saving a considerable sum. The White
it was decided in 1905 to establish a Pass and Yukon route, however, in order to drive op-
police patrol.
Arrangements were made with the Department of position off the river, reduced the through rate to
Indian Affairs to share the expense of purchasing and Dawson to the same figure as was charged on White
maintaining a small steamer for this work. The Red- Horse consignments. For this reason the police boat
wing was secured and placed in commission in June, did not effect the saving that was expected of her.
and laid up on September 25, owing to the dangerous A detachment of two officers, 13 N.C. officers and
storms on the lakes in the autumn making navigation
constables, Supt. J. D. Moodie commanding, were
for such a small boat unsafe. stationed in Hudson's Bay during the seasons 1904-05.
The effects of this patrol were most beneficial. They wintered at Cape Fullerton. The summer was
Missionaries and Indian officials agree that they never spent in patrolling the Bay in the ss. Artie.

144
 It will be recalled that Supt. Moodie with a detach- from natives and store ample supplies of dog feed, viz:
ment of N.W.M.P. left Halifax in August 1903 for fish, deer meat, seal, walrus, &c. He had field rations
Hudson Bay on the ss. Neptune for the purpose of for five men for 400 days, but his supply of coal was

asserting the authority of the Dominion Government, limited, a little over 14 tons.
and enforcing the laws in those distant regions. He was instructed to endeavour to make a patrol to
As to the location of a permanent Mounted Police Repulse Bay during the summer of 1905 by boat. He
post in the region, one of the objects in view, when in was also to make short patrols inland and along the
Cumberland Sound, in September, 1903, Supt. Moodie coast during the winter, as weather, &c., permits,
heard that United States whalers were somewhere should the Neptune not be able to return to Fullerton.
about the north of Southampton Island. On the Under the existing circumstances and strength of
way to Fullerton,the matter of locations for detachments the police in Hudson Bay, patrolling to any extent is
was frequently discussed by Mr. Low, commanding next to impossible. In the winter the distances and
the expedition. Captain Bartlett and Supt. Moodie, al- the absence of any posts at which the supplies for men
though no formal council was called, and it was taken and dogs can be obtained, make the risk too great. In
for granted that the police would build where the the summer, the time is so limited, that if the officer com-
whalers wintered. On arrival at Winchester inlet, manding has to visit the trading stations in Cumberland
about 40 miles south of Fullerton, in September, the Sound and north thereof he will be unable to do any
officers heard from natives that there was a whaling work in The winter is the time when patrols
the bay.
station at Fullerton and a Scotch station at Repulse inland be
made; in fact, it is the only time
will

Bay. It was decided to winter at Fullerton, where when they can be made away from rivers.
there was said to be good water and a good harbour. To patrol and become acquainted with this country
Deer, fish and birds were to be had in abundance. would require a considerable force and an expenditure
The Neptune arrived there on September 23, and build- in proportion. The difficulties are much greater than
ing was at once commenced. even in the Yukon. The season when travelling by
Supt. Moodie had been informed by the Comptroller water can be done is shorter, and, there being no fuel
that most probably a detachment would be placed at or shelter of any description, in the winter everything
("luirchill in the spring This confirmed his opinion for men and dogs has to be carried.
that a post was to be placed on the west side of the bay, On September 17, 1904, Superintendent Moodie
where whalers wintered; also, that it was intended sailed from Quebec in command of the D.G.S. Arctic
the police should have jurisdiction in this district, al- She had on board in addition to Capt. Bernier, sailing
though it is actually part of Keewatin. With natives master, officers and ship's company, Insp. Pelletier,
and good dogs, it would be possible to make a patrol S.-Sergt. Hayne, 2 corix)rals and 6 constables of the
from Fullerton to Churchill in the winter along the sea Royal North-West Mounted Police, Mr. Vanasse,
ice, even without an intermediate post; with one there historian, Mr. Mackean, photographer, and Mr. A. 1).
should be but little trouble. Supplies for the return Moodie, secretary. Tne Arctic arrived at Port Bur-
journey could be procured from the Hudson's Bay well, Ungava bay, on the afternoon of October 1.

Company. The "Arctic" left Burwell the same evening for

Fullcrtx)n was the best winter harbour seen on the Fullerton and arrived there on the morning of Octo-
west side, and is on that account a good place for a ber IG. No ice was encountered on the voyage until
po.st.
the ship got within a few miles of Fullerton, when

Supt. Moodie chose the site for barracks on the she ran through some slob ice floating in and out with
" "
island, as this forms one side of the harbour, and the the tide. The inner harbour, where the Arctic an-
inlet between it and the main land is only navigable chored, was frozen over to a thickness of about 4
for small boats. The building which is intended for inches.

quarters is 15 by 24 feet, divided into large

officers' Materials for additional buildings at Fullerton were
and two small rooms; a store house for provisions, &c., carried by the "Arctic." It was intended that the
for service
a coal shed, and a lean-to kitchen 12 by 16 with large headquarters of 'M' Division, newly created
in the Hudson's Bay district, should l>e built at or near
porch have also been erected. There is a good fresh
water pond in the rocks, about 75 yards from the house. Cape Wolstenholme. This cape forms the north-west
Supt. Moodie left Staff-Sergeant Dee and Constables corner ofUngava on Hudson's straits. There was not,
Conway and Tremaine with a native at Fullerton when however, sufficient room on the Arctic, and it was
the Neptune sailed on July 18th, 1904. Moodie in- finallydecided that the ship should winter at Fullerton,
structed the Staff-Sergeant, if possible, to purchase one complete the necessary buildings there,
and that the
or two teams, of ten good dogs each, and to purchase material for headciuarters and a detachment at Cumber-
145
land Sound should be forwarded by the supply steamer long. 86.50 W. (almost in the centre of Hudson's Bay),

going north in 1905. Owing to the

entire absence of we struck heavily on reefs, pounding over them for 15
timber in the north the detachment are dependent minutes. The morning was pitch dark with snow

altogether upon the supplies of lumber sent up from squalls. apparently getting inside the reef,
After

the south. vessel again struck three times. The captain kept her
A as nearly as possible in position until dawn, when the
good frame barrack room, 30 feet 3 inches by 15
feet 3 inches inside measurement, was erected in the seas could be seen breaking on the reefs all round. He
fall of 1904 at Fullerton, by the police, assisted by a then took her through the only visible channel with

carpenter hired from the whaler Era. A non-commis- barely water to take us through. Wind increased to
sioned officer's room was partitioned off from the strong from S.E. by E. true, with heavy short seas.
barrack-room, but later had to be used as a trade and Weather thick with frequent squalls of snow and sleet.
much too small for the Vessel's head was kept to wind, engines going slow.
quartermaster's store, though
Morning of 8th was fairly clear, course S.W. by S.,
purpose.
engines going slow. Just before noon the sun appeared
for a short time and a sight was olitained giving us the
latitude of Marble Island, which was sighted at 5.30

p.m. After consulting with Capt. Bartlett I decided

to go to Fullerton, from which we were distant only
about 90 miles, before proceeding to Churchill. By doing
so time would be saved. The vessel was making water,
our compasses were totally unreliable, and it was not
considered advisable to get out of sight of land until
they could be adjusted. The 9th was comparatively
fine and clear. Ran along coast until evening, but on
account of mirage no land marks could be made out —
the whole coast ap})eared to be lifted up like high
perpendicular cliffs. Towards night it came on to
blow a gale with very heavy sea. Soundings were
Native Hut near the Fullerton Post of the R.N.W.M.P.
taken every 15 minutes during the night, the police
on board being told off into watches for this purpose,
one seaman and two of the police being in each watch
The officers' quarters erected the previous winter of two hours. Lay-to going slow and half speed as
and used, until the new building was completed, as a required to keep the vessel head on; frequent heavy
barrack-room, was floored with matched lumber, and squalls of snow and sleet. The 10th was a repetition
the walls covered with asbestos paper and oiled canvas. of the previous night, gale veering from N.N. PI to
The new building was finished in the same way. Both N.N.W. with tremendous sea." Pumps going all the
were reported warm and comfortable but within certain time. This continued, with wind and sea getting
limits. Nothing appeared sufficient to keep the frost worse, all the 11th. At 4 p.m. on this day a heavy sea
out. Thecurtains in the bedroom were frozen to the struck forward end of bridge on port side. It curled

floor, andthere was thick ice all round the skirting over chart room, and falling on main deck, smashed to
boards. splinters the two whale boats swinging inboard from
July 1905, the Arctic sailed from Fullerton with
5, davits. The stern of starboard boat was cut off and
Supt. Moodie on board and proceeded to Cape Wols- left hanging from davit Main boom broken from
tenholme, in which vicinity a site on a large bay gooseneck, both poop ladders torn from the bolts and
named Prefontaine Harbour, in honour of the then with two harness casks, lashed on deck, swept over-
Minister of Marine and Fisheries, was selected for board. The lumber, &c., on port side of poop was torn
Divisional headquarters. Shortly afterwards, owing from lashings and washing about, and the rest
its
to accidents to her machinery, the Arctic had to return loosened up The cattle pens forward were smashed
to the St. Lawrence, Supt.
Moodie, and the men with and one sheep had two legs and some ribs broken.
him transferring to the chartered steamer Neptune. Sea and wind increasing, it was decided to jettison the
In Hudson Bay very heavy weather was encountered. rest of the deck load and so relieve the vessel somewhat
"
On October 6th the sun was only visible for about 5 from the heavy straining. The danger was that if the
minutes and no sights were obtained. At 4.15 a.m., on deck load broke loose it would carry away the cabin
the 7th, position by dead The morning of the 12th
reckoning being lat. 60.20 N., skylight and flood the vessel

146
the wind began to moderate and the sea quickly went an accurate shooting weapon. Still, however,
bearing
down." (Supt. Moodie's report.) in mind the expense that a change of arms would ne-
The same day the Neptune arrived at Fullerton and cessitate, I think the Snider carbine may be utilized for
Staff-Sergeant Hayne, going on board, reported the us for some further time, at all events. The amount
sad death, by drowning, of Constable Russell, on the of Snider ammunition on hand is
large.
evening of the 5th July, the very day theArctic left her "The revolver with which the force is armed is of
winter quarters. On the 17th, the Neptune sailed for the "Adams" This revolver not such as
pattern. is I
Churchill, Corpl.Rowley, Constables Vitrey and Heap, should recommend were a new purchase being
made;
and Interpreter Ford being left at Fullerton to strength- they can, however, be made to answer all practicable
en the detachment. purposes.
Superintendent Moodie again returned to Hudson "The question of further
arming the North- West
Bay with re-inforcements and supplies during the pre- Mounted Police with sword
one to which I have given
is
sent summer, 1906. considerable attention. There are times when a sword
In September, 1905. the force was re-armed through- would prove an encumbrance to a Mounted Policeman;
out with Ross rifles and Colt revolvers, which replaced time.'!, therefore, when it would be undesirable. It is,
the Winchester carbines and Enfield revolvers. of course, requisite that in the
question of arms, the
number and weight carried by each man should be
reduced to a minimum consistent with efficiency.
"
In making ordinary prairie trips where no serious
danger of attack is to be anticipated, I should be sorry
to see our men's endurance further taxed by their
being
forced to add a sword to the arms they already carry.
"If I mistake not, the late General Custer. U.S.A.,
objected to the sword being employed in Indian war-
fare, on account of the noise made in carrying it. 1

presume General Custer, in condemning the sword,

must have meant his remarks to apply to one carried
in a steel scabbard such as the British cavalry now use.
"Similar and other objections have been advanced
by of much experience in England.
officers
"
be remembered that the 7th United States
It will
A Lonely Grave in the Far North near the R.N.W.M.F. Post Cavalry, who fought under the late General Custer, at
at Fullerton.
the battle of the "Big Horn" (known as the Custer
Massacre), were not armed with swords. From various
On the organization of the force it was armed with accounts of this fight given me by the Sioux Indians
the Snider carbine and the Adams revolver, both wea- who took part in it, I am led to believe that had this
pons, so far as durability was concerned, standing the arm Iwen in use the result.s would not, in all probability,

rough work to which they were put very well. have been so terribly disastrous (w).
"
About 1880, 100 Winchester rifles, improved pattern, The artillery armament of the force consists of four
were purchased and "A" and "F" Divisions armed
.
7-pr. mountain gtnis (bronze), at Fort Walsh. Two
with them. This rifle, which was a repeating one, and 9 pr. M.L.R. guns, and two small mortars, at Fori
"
capable of receiving eight cartridges in the magazine, Macleod.
had many good points, and was a favorite arm with In his rejwrt at the end of 1882 the Commissioner
the western prairie men. It was not, however, alto- wrote: —
"You are aware that we are still obliged to
gether a good military weapon. The system of rifling retain in use at Regina and Battleford a numl)er of
waa good, but the rifle was altogether too weak in con- Snider carbines. These carbines, owing to long and
struction to meet the rough handling that at times it hard service, are fast l)econung tniserviceable. in addi-
was impossible to prevent its receiving. tion to the arm it.self being ati obsolete one. and in-

In his annual refxjrt of 1881, Lieut.-Col. Irvine, ferior to that which must of the Indians (all of those

referring to thearmament of the force, wrote in part: —

"The Snider carbine is now considered in many res- (w) Ak th« lanp(> in a w«a|H>n which in MippoMd to Htrike terror into the
niiixlH of KAvaxPM. a nniall Iokup of lannea WM made to he forrr lieforf! it
I

pects an ol)solcte military arm, and is somewhat un- ntartt*)! on ilo long march unilcr (>«n«ral French, and Ihcrc hnvo J)een
lancrx nn<l men cx|>cri in their »m> in the force ever oince. For many
suited to the wants of a force in this country, where a
yean* these lancen have b«en u<ie<l nterely for exeroiiw, and e)i|)ecially by
"
large portion of the Indian population is armed with the picked
"
muaical ride aqusda.

147
in the southern district) are armed. Two years ago I drawbacks to its efficiency. The advantages of the
alhided to certain defects existing in the first pattern magazine in this carbine are quite neutralized by the

of Winchester carbine supplied to the force. In the difficulty experienced in keeping it in order, and the
new carbine, manufactured expressly for the force by great temptation it offers, especially to
young recruits,
the Winchester Arms Company, (a number of which to waste their For a military weapon the tra-
fire.

had been recently issued) all the old defects have been jectory is very much too high. A good many of the
obviated. I beg to recommend that the whole force first issues are gradually wearing out, and I would

be at once supplied with Winchester carbines of the suggest that as soon as it can be settled which is the
same pattern (model 1876) as those purchased from best carbine now made, one division be supplied with
the Winchester Arms Company. it, when, if satisfactory, it can be issued to the rest of
"
would remind you that the carriages and limbers
I the force."
of the 7-pr. mountain guns are fast becoming unser- In the annual report of the Commissioner for 1890
viceable. I recommend that new ones be purchased appeared the following reference to the small arms of
of the pattern lately approved by the Imperial authori- the force: —
ties." "OurEnfield revolvers are in excellent order, and
During 1883, more of the new special pattern Win- answer the purpose very well, but the ammunition is
chester rifles, and some Enfield revolvers were issued too strong, and they shoot rather high, at short dis-
to the force. At the end of the year the Commissioner tances particularly. The small revolvers in use at
—
reported: "The new pattern Winchester rifle supplied railroad stations are also very good, and I have asked
is a most excellent arm, and of very superior manu- for some more.
facture. It is, in every respect, well adapted to our "The Winchester carbines are still in use, and are
use. The same remarks apply, with equal force, to still complained of. They, however, answer our pur-
the new revolvers." pose very well, and with close supervision and a con-
As to the artillery armament of the force, in the same siderable number of new barrels, which are being put in,
report Commissioner Irvine wrote:
—
"The artillery will last for sometime longer.
armament of the force is as follows, viz.: Two 9-pr.— "
Last winter, Morris tubes were sent to Regina, and
R.M.L. guns, four mountain guns (bronze), and
7-pr. during the winter months the recruits derived great
two small mortars. The two 9-pr. guns and two small benefit from using them, and many of them in the
mortars are at Fort Macleod. Two ot the 7-pr. guns being "
spring proved excellent shots with the Winchester.
at Calgary and two at headquarters, the various pro- The artillery attached to the force in 1895 consisted
jectiles and stores appertaining to the mountain guns of one brass 7-pounder at Prince Albert in good order;
are proportionately divided between the last two places two brass 7-pounders at Battleford, and one M.L.
mentioned. I have previously reported that the 9-pounder all in good order. One M.L. 9-pounder at
carriages and limbers of the 7-pr. guns are virtually Regina in good order, used for drill purposes and one
unserviceable, and last year I recommended that car- brass 7-pounder for salutes. Two M.L. 9-pounders at
riages and limbers of the Imperial pattern be pur- Macleod in good order and two brass mortars. Two
chased. On close inquiry, however, it was ascertained 7-pounders at Calgary. At all posts, gun detachments
that such purchase would have entailed a very con- were regularly drilled.
siderable expenditure. Carriages and limbers suitable In 1895 there was a small experimental issue of Lee-
for our purposes can be manufactured in this country Metford rifles.
at a much smaller cost than would ensue were a pur- At the end of 1896, Commissioner Herchmer reported:
chase made from England. " — "Our Winchester carbines are in about the same
Gradually all the Snider carbines and Adams revol- condition as last year. By providing new barrels and
vers were replaced by Winchesters and Enfield revolvers. parts worn out, they will last for some time, and for
In his report at the end of the year 1887, Commissioner short ranges, up to 400 yards, they are well adapted
Herchmer wTote :
— for our work. Beyond this range, the Lee-Metfords
"The whole force is now supplied with Enfield re- are very much more accurate, in fact, beyond 500
volvers which are well adapted for our work. The sighting
I pro- yards, the Winchesters are of little use.
pose to arm the railway police with a smaller weapon of the Winchester carbines is most defective, they
which can be carried in a less conspicuous manner.
" nearly all shoot too low, and paper, or some other sub-
The Winchester carbine, so long the favourite arm stance has to be placed under the back-sight to ensure
with western prairie-men, is not We used American
giving good satisfaction any accuracy at target practice.
in the force. The ease with which gets out of order
it Winchester ammunition entirely, and it was of good
and "
its liability to break off at the stock, are serious quality.
148
 During the last year he was in command in the Lee-Metford, used in the Imperial service, is in the
Yukon, Supt. A. B. Perry reported: "There are in — bolt action. In the Ross the bolt is withdrawn,
the Yukon Territorj^ two Maxim guns, one at Tagish, and closed by a straight pull, whereas in the Lee-Met-
one at Dawson; and one Nordenfelt gun, at Tagish. ford the bolt is revolved through a quarter circle,
The small arms are as follows: Winchester carbines — either in opening or closing. Both have the same
56, Dawson district; 156, Tagish district; Lee-Metford barrel and use the same ammunition.
carbines Dawson "
39, district; 5, Tagish district; Comparisons were made with the Winchester car-
Enfield revolvers Dawson district; 154, Tagish
71, bine, and Lee-Metford and Mauser rifles.
district; Smith & Wesson revolvers, 2, Tagish district. "The Board recommended that the Ross rifle, of
Some small repairs are needed and some of the which the following is a description should be adopted,
Winchester carbines are
badly honey-combed. Re- but that certain minor alterations should be made in
mainder are good order. A Mauser pistol, which
in the sealed pattern: — Lengthfromheelof butt to muzzle,
by means of a stock which forms its case, can be trans- 3 9] inches, length of barrel, 25 inches, distance
ft.

formed into a carbine at a moment's notice, has been between fore and back sights, 20 3-16 inches, length of
tried and proved satisfactory. I would recommend "
stock, 14 1-5 inches, weight, 7 lbs. 8 oz.
that it be adopted for the use of the force. This The perfected rifle of to-day, if it is to be effective,
arm being well known, needs no further commenda- must shoot accurately; its mechanism must be simple
"
tion. and safe; its trigger must pull smoothly and easily; its
In his first annual report as commanding officer sights must be rigidly secured and finely adjusted;
(1901) Commissioner Perry drew attention to the and the stock must be strong and firmly balanced.
necessity of re-arming the force in the following The gun must be as light as it can be safely made, and
terms: — must shoot with such precision that the man behind
"The force should be entirely re-armed. "D" it knows that a miss is his own fault.

Division alone has the Lee-Metford carbine, all others The Ross rifle, which is manufactured in Canada,
are armed with the obsolete Winchester carbine and meets all these requirements as does no other in exist-
Enfield revolver. Carbines and revolvers have been ence. Furthermore, it excels in rapidity of fire, in
in use a long time and the rifling is worn out. If the lightness and balance, in quality and strength of metal,
corp)s is to be armed, it ought to be well armed. in theaccuracy of its sights, and in the maintenance of
Without accurate arms there cannot be good shooting, itsalignment. It secures its rapidity of fire by the
without good shooting, carrying arms is an anomaly. mechanism of a bolt that requires but two movements,
A change of the arms will call for a change in equip- while most military rifles in use require at least three
ment. At present when the revolver is worn, am- and some even four. Its weight (7 pounds and 13
munition for the carbine must be taken whether the ounces), nearly two pounds less than the present arm
"
carbine is carried or not. in use in the United States, is gained by the high quality
In his report for the following year the Commi.ssioner of metal used.
—
was able to report: "The re-arming of the force has Both sights of the gun have improvements worth
been sanctioned and now
only delayed, to take ad-
is noting.
vantage of any improvements in small arms resulting The rear sight is a marvel of compactness. The leaf
from the South African war. New equipment will ne- is hinged at the forward end and is adjusted up or down,
"
cessarily follow the re-arming. eitherby means of .sliding clanifw engaging a moveable
In the report for 1903, progress in the matter of re- rack held by a plate, upim which the distances by
armament was reported by the Commissioner as himdred yards are inscribed, or by a micrometer
follows: — thimble showing fractional parts of these distances.
"The force is now armed with the Winchester car- The .sliding clamjw provide the coarse adjustments;

bine, with the exception of "D" and "K" Divisions, and the micrometer thimble the very fine adjustments.
which are armed with the Lee-Metford carbine, and The sight leaf can l)e carried to elevations corre-
with the Enfield revolver. Both carbines and revolvers sponding with ranges from 1(X) to 22(X) yards.
arc worn out. and am
glad to be able to report that
I A wind guage is also provided with the rear
the department has decided to re-arm the whole force sight.
with modem weapons. Much interest has always been taken in the target
"Sir Charles Ross submitted for trial two rifles. practice of the force, never as
much as under the pre-
one with 28 and one with 25 inch
inch barrel, .sent Commissioner, who is himself a crack shot. In

barrel, the action the same in both. The 1903, Commissioner Perry, in General Orders
drew
being
essential difference between the Ross rifle and the particular attention to the imiwrtance of rifle shooting.

149
The Commissioner what he preaches, and
practices The uniform of the Royal North-West Mounted
in the annual target practice of the Depot Division, Police at present consists of scarlet serge (tunic of

the same 5'ear, he took first place with the car- dragoon pattern for officers) blue back overalls or
bine. During the month of August the Depot Divi- riding breeches broad yellow stripes, broad-
with
sion had a number of interesting matches, the rimmed brown hat of cow-boy pattern, brown
felt

principal ones being "B" Division (Dawson) versus leather belts, gauntlets, etc. A suit of khaki drill
Depot Division, results wired; certified scores by mail; is worn on prairie service, fatigues, etc.
10 a side; 200 and 400 yards. "B" Division won by 32 The full-dress uniform, while comparatively plain
points.
and free from detail, is in general effect very smart,
For the first time in the history of the force, regi- particularly when the clothing is well-fitted and
mental matches were held at Calgary in September worn on a good figure, which is invariably the
this same year. Teams of 8 men from each division case in the Royal North-West Mounted Police.
competed in rifle and revolver matches. The scores The smartest cavalry regiments in His Majesty's
were excellent and the competition very keen. A sub- service cannot turn out a smarter lot of troopers
stantial grant was authorized from the fine fund for than the stalwart swagger about
red-coats that

prizes. The Slater Shoe Co., Montreal; E. L. Drewry, the streets of the towns and villages of the Canadian

Esq., and Superintendent Constantine

of Winnipeg, North-West.
gave very handsome sterling silver cups for competition. The red-coat has always been a characteristic feature
The canteens subscribed generously, and the officers of the uniform of the force. The adoption of this
gave a large cash prize. The Canadian Pacific Railway striking detail of uniform was not merely due to the
gave a very low rate for transportation, so that the strong British sentiment which prevails in Canada.
charge against the public was much reduced. The It was not a piece of empty colonial swagger; but

team matches were won as follows :—Slater trophy, rather a case of subtle diplomacy. Among the Indians
"A" Division; Drewry trophy, Depot Division,; Con- of North America the red coat was a tradition, and a
stantine trophy, "E" Division. dearly cherishedone. It recalled to their minds

Reg. No. 1206, Corporal Banham, won the individual stories relatedabout the camp fires by their fathers
rifle match, and Reg. No. 1126, Sergeant-Major Raven, and grand-fathers, of staunch red-coated warriors who
the individual revolver match. had fought side by side with them. Who had not only
The bringing together of men from every divi- fought well, but had acted the brave, honourable and
sion was most beneficial, and the Commissioner manly part towards their dusky allies. It was a sub-
hoped that these matches would be made an annual ject of comment among the redmen that however other
event. white men might lie to them and cheat them, these
In 1904 a range with eight targets was built
rifle wearing the red coat could be trusted with implicit
on the police reserve at Medicine Hat. It is an ex- confidence that although among a certain class of white
;

cellent range, and it is proposed that annual regimental men, the inhuman doctrine had been enunciated and
matches be held there. These matches were to acted upon with barbarous perseverance that "The
have taken place in 1904, in September, and all only good Indian is a dead Indian," the authority
arrangements were made. Owing to unexpected de- which the red coat represented held the life of an In-
mands made at that time the matches had to be dian as sacred as that of any white. It will be remem-
postponed. bered that, as a crafty concession to this sentiment
Owing to the fact that the new rifles were not received among the Manitoba Indians, the foot soldiers of
untilSeptember, the annual target practice for 1905 the permanent militia force maintained in that prov-
was not carried out. ince for some years after the suppression of the Red
His Excellency the Earl of Minto, Honorary Commis- " "
River troubles, were transformed from rifles into red
sioner of the force, has sent the Commissioner a " "
very coated infantry.
handsome silver cup to be competed for at these The original red coat of the Mounted Police, as
matches. worn by the force under Colonel French, was of the
His Excellency the Governor General has also in- loose frock or Norfolk jacket pattern in vogue in the
formed the Commissioner that he intends presenting army for some years after the Crimean War, with cloth
a trophy for competition. belts. The broad-striped breeches, as at present, were
As there have been several changes in the armament worn, while the head-dress for full dress was the white
since the organization of the force so there has been " "
helmet, for undress the small, round pill-box forage
a steady but often slow process of evolution mounted branches
going on cap once universal in the of the
with regard to uniform and equipment. British service. The issue of uniform also
original
150
 included long brown boots and a brown cotton is
fatigue especially required in the early years of any corps to
suit. assist in the development of a proper feeling of corps
The officers' uniforms differed only from those of the pride, and furthermore, that in this case there was a
non-commissioned ranks in the addition of a light special object to be considered in connection with the
" "
edging of gold lace to the frocks and the wearing of uniform of the Mounted Police,
namely the import-
military rank badges. ance of creating a marked impression of the
import-
In his confidential report on the force in 1875, Sir ance and authority of the officers of the force the upon
Selby Smith made the following reference to the uni- receptive minds of the Indians.
form of the force :
— ments, and to the fact that the
Owing to these argu-
officers
" themselves,
I like Mounted Police, scarlet frock,
the dress of the who would have to pay for the gold lace and plumes,
cord breeches, long brown boots and a brown cotton had asked for them, the minister
gave his sanction to
fatigue suit, (better cotton than linen) —
the latter when the elaborate uniform which was so
long worn by the
wet causes chills and fevers; white helmet; the forage officers.

cap can be improved, and also I prefer the tunic shape For some years now the officers have worn
plainer
to the frock, it is more 'dressy' and the men take and less expensive tunics of dragoon officers' pattern
some pride in looking smart. At present there is a in full dress.
want of uniformity in the dress. I am told the uniform The dressy blue undress patrol jacket with braided
lately sent is excellent, but Ihardly concur in the breastand hanging tabs, still worn by the officers, was
-tem of allowing officers to wear the same as the men adopted at the same time as the original elaborate full
—
with the addition of gold lace it may do for service dress.
but I think a neat full-dress should be adopted, not The helmet was never regarded with favour in the
costly but such as they could feel becoming their Mounted Police, nor apparently in any other Canadian
position in society. I believe the officers desire this organization of a military character. The relegation
improvement. I think the simpler the adornment of of that head-dress to the rubbish heap was repeatedly
lace the better. and urgently asked for before the wishes of all
ranks
"
suggested that the officers should wear swords (4)
It is were concurred in a few years ago.
which have a great effect upon the Indian mind and a In his annual report for 1880 the Commissioner
shoulder belt with a pouch for field glasses. Indeed under the heading of uniform wrote as follows: —
I think constables should have a field glass, they are "The uniform, and boots supplied to the
clothing
absolutely necessary on the prairie a great number of
;
force last year were very good the underclothing par-
;

Indians and others now wear them, and

the police are ticularly so. I think that a light grey felt hat would

tlierefore at a disadvantage without this aid." be preferable to the helmet. Very few wear the latter
Shortly after this, while the Hon. R. W. Scott was unless obliged to. On trips they are almost invariably
the ministerial head of the department, at the request carried in the waggons, and get greatly damaged by the
of the officers, the tunic pattern of "coat" was adopted knocking about. The men always wear felt hats
for the non-commissioned officers and men, a most when they can. With the present kit the men are well
elaborate officers'uniform being sanctioned at the clothed, and are in a position to turn out at any time of
same time. This included a very handsome tunic of the year."
the hussar pattern, but of course of scarlet cloth, and In his annual report for 1885 Commissioner Irvine
with the rich trimmings of gold lace and braid bestowed wrote: — '

upon the familiar hussar officer's blue garment. Other "The suitability of the present dress of the police
triking features of this uniform were long drooping has long been a moot point. On the one hand, the red
plumes of horse hair worn in the officers' helmets, coat, from long association, has the confidence of the
and a sabretache literally covered with gold lace, the and conduces to the smartness and soldierly
Indians,
main ornament being the corp's badge, as at present, appearance of the men. On the other hand, a red coat
consisting of a buffal<j head surrounded by maple soon loses its color amid the dust and dirt of prairie
leaves, with a garter underneath inscribed with the travel. I see no necessity for an alteration in the
"
corp's motto Maintiens le Droit." Of course tunic, which is used on full dress parades, &c., but
gold lace belts were also worn At the time this consider that a working suit of some stout material is
uniform was adopted comment was made upon very desirable. There could hardly l>e a better pattern
its exceptionally elalx)rate and lK)th as regards material and cut, than the suit worn
expensive character,
but it was represented by the officers that smartness recently by .Methuen's horse in South Africa. I for-

warded, in July 1884, a pattern of a cap which I con-

(4) 8words were abortly after the (late of this retxirt adopted by the
nffioera, and have been worn ever ainee. sidered suitable for prairie work, in that it shades the
151
 is light to wear, serviceable The upon being regularly enlisted in the
recruit
eyes and l^ack of the neck,
as a free issue a complete and most ex-
in colour, easy to carry when not in wear, and of little
force receives
cellent kit, which includes in addition to the entire kit
cost.
"It is an object to do away with pipeclay as much as issued to the cavalry soldier, warm underclothing, fur

It was for this reason that I recommended, cap, fur coat, buckskin mittens, etc., etc. Of course
possible.
last year, the adoption of brown leather gauntlets, men serving in the Arctic regions receive a special kit
worn by the mounted infantry Im-
of the which is made as complete as possible.
such as are
of the white ones with which In 1894 the various acts passed regarding the North-
perial service, in place
we are now equipped. West Mounted Police were revised and consolidated
"The same remark applies to the helmet, future and embodied in a new statute "The Mounted Police
issues ofwhich should be of buff or brown leather. It Act of 1894" (57-58 Victoria, c. 27.)
This is the legislation under which the force at
would be better, also, if they were not so tall as the is

present pattern, which presents an unnecessary

surface present maintained.
to the wind on the prairie, and is thereby rendered very Although the Mounted Police is popularly regarded
" as a military body, which not surprising considering
is
uncomfortable to the wearer.
Divisional officers, time and time again, in their the uniforms and style of the officers and men, the
drew attention to desirable changes in the uni- strict discipline, and the military character of much of
reports,
form, all condemning the helmet as unsuitable for the work done, the force, like its famous prototype,
prairie work.
the Royal Irish Constabulary, actually a purely
is

In his annual report for 1886 Supt. E. W. Jarvis, at civilbody, although at a moment's notice, liable and
the time commanding "B" Division, pointed out that ready to be transformed into a formidable military
the police uniform fitted too well for a man actively unit.
in
rough prairie work, and was soon spoiled The department of North-West Mounted Police is a
engaged
by duties required round a camp fire. He suggested separate branch of the civil government at Ottawa,
" " under the control of the Premier and President of the
the issue of a prairie dress which would consist of
dark brown cord or velveteen breeches, long boots and Privy Council, the Right Honourable Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
spurs, a heavy flannel shirt, over which the stable the permanent head of the department being the

jacket could be worn when required, and a broad- Comptroller.

rimmed hat complete the outfit. The
of soft felt to Lieut.-Colonel Frederick White, C.M.G., Comptroller

regular uniform would be saved for parade and duty of the Royal North- West Mounted Police, was born in
in settled districts. Birmingham, England, February 16, 1847. Educated
About the same time other officers made similar there, he came to Canada as a young man, and was
recommendations and a brown duck service suit was trained to official life under the late Lieut.-Col. Bernard,
a short time afterwards issued for wear about barracks, C.M.G., one of the ablest public officers of the old
stable duties, etc. In his report at the end of the year regime at Ottawa. He entered the Department of
1899, the Commissioner wrote: "The duck suit is — Justice as a third class clerk, March 1, 1869, being ap-
stillvery satisfactory, but the cap is found, outside pointed chief clerk, August, 1876. Upon the organiza-
fatigue work about barracks, to be of little use, tion of the N.W.M.P. (in connection it will be remem-
and in wet weather it is no protection against rain, and bered, with the Department of Justice of which Sir
also loses all shape. I am more than ever of opinion John A. Macdonald, the Premier, was minister) Sir
that a heavy felt hat, of a uniform pattern should be John specially selected him to take charge under him
adopted for patrol work, and that they be kept on re- of the administration of the Mounted Police Branch of
"
payment. the Justice Department, the title of Comptroller of the
This duck suit was of course of little or no use for N.W.M.P. being conferred upon him. Sir John at this
prairie' work except perhaps for very short trips in time explained his ideas as to the organization and
summer, and there was a general demand for a service- equipment of the force to Mr. White and entrusted
able prairie uniform. In his report at the end of 1899, him with their execution. In all the changes which
Inspecting Superintendent Cotton, wrote: "I would — have taken place in the administrative head of the
again renew my previously made recommendation force, succeeding Ministers have retained the Comp-
in favour of a prairie suit of some neutral colour. troller in his positionand given him their confidence.
A loose Norfolk jacket (lots of pockets) made In July, 1883, he was accorded the rank and status of a
of light, soft cord, with riding breeches of the deputy head of department. No man in the Canadian
same material, would, I think, answer our purpose public service has had as extended an experience of
"
admirably. North- West affairs or has individually contributed as
152
much to its satisfactory development. From 1880 to
1882, he served as private secretary to Sir John A.
Name.
Macdonald, in addition to his other duties. While a
resident of Montreal, after first coming to Canada, he
served for a time in the ranks of the 3rd Victoria Rifles,
after moving to Ottawa accepting a commission in the
Governor General's Foot Guards and attaining the
rank of Captain. May 17, 1901, as a special case, he
received the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Active
Militia, in recognition of long and honourable service
largely of a military character, and especially as a mark
of appreciation of the value of his co-operation with the
militia authorities in the work of raising and
equipping
the several Canadian contingents for South Africa.
He received the appointment of Companion of the
Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George in
1902.
The officers of the Royal North- West Mounted Police
(apart from the inside service) at the beginning of the
present year, 1906, were as follows:—
constables of the various divisions would be a credit
to (I) Divulging any matter or thing which it is his

in the world. duty keep to secret,

any regimental mess
Every member, on joining the forcfe,
is required to (m) Making any anonymous complaint to the
take the oath of allegiance, and in addition an oath
Government or the Commissioner,
of office in the following form:— (n) Communicating, without the Commissioner's
authority, either directly or indirectly, to the
"I, A. B., solemnly swear
that I will faithfully,

diligently, and impartially

execute and perform the public press, any matter or thing touching the
duties required of me as a member of the North-West force.

Mounted Police Force, and will well and truly obey and (o) through negligence or connivance,
Willfully, or
lawful orders and instructions which I shall
all allowing an}^ prisoner to escape.
perform
receive as such, without fear, favour, or affection of or (p) Using any cruel, harsh, or unnecessary violence
" towards any prisoner or other person.
toward any person. So help me, God.
Every constable, upon his appointment to the force, (q) Leaving any post on which he has been placed
for a term of service not as sentry or on other duty,
signs articles of engagement
exceeding five years; but he is liable to be discharged (r) Deserting or absenting himself from his duties
at any time by the Commissioner for cause. or quarters without leave,

(s) Scandalous or infamous behaviour.

The duties of the force are enumerated in the Act as
follows: — (t) Disgraceful, profane, or grossly immoral con-
duct.
(a) The preservation of the peace and the pre-
(u) Violating any standing order, rule, or regula-
vention of crime.
tion, or any order, rule, or regulation hereafter
The arrest of criminals and others who may be
(b) made.
lawfully taken into custody. disorder or neglect to the prejudice of
(v) Any
(c) Attendance on magistrates and execution of
morality or discipline, although not specified
process. in this Act, or in rule or regulation.
any
(d) The escort and conveyance of prisoners to and
All pecuniary penalties form a fund which is applied
from courts and prisons.
to the payment of rewards for good conduct or meri-
(e) To search for, seize, and destroy intoxicating the establishment of libraries and
torious service, to
liquors where their sale is prohibited. recreation rooms, and to such other objects for the
Although the members of the force are not subject benefit of the force as may be approved of.

to the Army Act and Militia Act, except when by the commissioned officers are tried in a
Offences
serving with the Active Militia in the field, the disci- summary way by the Commissioner, who is clothed
pline is wholesomely rigid. with the necessary authority to compel the attendance
Non-commissioned officers and men accused of any of witnesses.
of the following offences are liable to arrest and trial: —
(a) Disobeying or refusing to obey the lawful
command of, or striking his superior,
(b) Oppressive or tyrannical conduct toward his
inferior.

(c) Intoxication, however slight.

(d) Having intoxicating liquor illegally in his

possession, or concealed.
(e) Directly or indirectly receiving any gratuity,
without the Commissioner's sanction, or any
bribe.

(/) Wearing any party emblem.

(g) Otherwise manifesting political partisanship.
(h) Overholding any complaint, New Riding- School of the R.N.W.M.P. at Regina.

(i) Mutinous or insubordinate conduct.

(;') Unduly overholding any allowance or any of where an efficient instruc-
All recruits join the depot,
the public money entrusted to him. tional staff is
maintained, and where they are supposed
(fc) Misapplying or improperly withholding smy to receive the ground work in their education as mem-

money or goods levied under any warrant or bers of the force which experience will ripen into effi-
taken from any prisoner. ciency. The present Commissioner, feels that it is
154
more than ever necessary for a thorough grounding at ganization, and it is so thoroughly drilled too, that
the depot, for, once transferred, there is neither time officers and men can at a moment's notice act either as
nor opportunity to supply the want. cavalry, artillery or infantry.
H. Christie Thomson, an ex-member of the force, And, be it remembered by good intentioned but
describing life in the force in an article published in the ignorant people who read both history and pjissing
" "
Boy's Own
Paper, February 1897, made a special events with one eye shut and consequently imagine
reference to the life of the recruit at the depot: — that military drill and discipline have no practical
"The
first few months of a recruit's service are spent value since the invention of arms of precision, the
in Regina, the headiiuarters of the force, where he is training imparted to the recruit at the depot of this
put through a regular course of instruction. He rides unsurpassed corps of "soldiers-of-all-work" is not con-
and drills, drills and rides — particularly rides, until ho fined to instruction in marksmanship and equitation,
is heartily sick of the sight of a drill sergeant or a riding although great stress is laid upon those branches; but

master. Throughout the extremely painful period includes complete courses in setting-up drill, infantry

spent in acquiring a military seat, he is upheld by the drill,cavalry drill, etc. Even the intricacies of the
thought that it is only for a very few months. As he musical ride — a j^hase of military work which so-called
works upward from the awkward to No. 1 squad, and reformers are so fond of railing at, is mastered by
from No. 4 to No. 1 Ride, he is always looking forward picked squads. This art is acquired at voluntary
to the time when he shall be dismissed from rides and drills, and the immense amount of work recpiired to
"
drills, and transferred far from Regina, with its rook- secure the absolute perfection attained in the training
ies" (recruits), its riding school
parade ground. and its of men and horses but illustrates the devotion of all
"In addition to the training of the soldier, he re- ranks to their s{>ecial work and their ambition to be
ceives instruction in many subjects bearing upon his excelled in smartness by none. The performance of
future work. Police of law,
duties, a smattering the musical ride by a picked squad of the Mounted
veterinary science, care of transport and saddlery, all Police would make the most showy cavalry regiment in

receive due attention. He is taught to shoe a horse, His Majesty's service anxious about its laurels.

to drive two horses or four,and by actual experience is

initiated into the many mysteries and secrets of camp-
ing out.
"During the day his time is fully occupied. The
horses have to be attended to at least three times each
day, he has his parades, his lectures and an occasional
fatigue. In the intervals of duty he must be cleaning
burnishing and brushing, for cleanli-
his kit, polishing,
ness is requisite of a soldier.
the first With the excep-
tion of doing his turn on guard, which comes around

every week or so, his evenings are altogether his own,

and he can choose between a dozen different amuse-
ments.
"Once through his course of training, and transferred
from Regina, a new phase of life begins, and a nmch
plea.santer one. He has now much more time to him- A Musical Ride Squad of tho R.N. W.M.I', at Retina.

self, and discipline is not so strict. There are not nearly

so many parades, and better than all, a considerable At times several of the Divisions have had fine brji.ss
ixirtion of his time is now spent patrolling the prairie, bands, in some cases the officers and men providing
far from barracks and civilization. And here he is the instruments them.selves, in others the department
affording a little a,ssi.^tance. In 1SS6 "D", "E" and
absolutely free and masterless as though he did not
wear the Queen's uniform. Prairie fires have to be "H" Divisions had very good bands, and the following
instruments
fought, horse thieves and desperadoes caught, Indian year one was started at the defwt, the
reserves patrolled, the observance of the game and being provided by the department. The frequent
fishery laws enforced, .settlers looked after, lost horses changesof station, the extension of the outjmst system
hunted, and a thousand other duties t<» l)e i)erformed as the country was s<'ttled, and the other exactions of
"
that necessitate a constant life in the sa<ldle. service have made it very didiciilt to maintain bands.
It willlx? realized from the foregoing that although \ new voluntary band was formed at the depot under
a civil force, the R.N.W.M.P. is drilled a** a military or- Sergeant Walker in 1904.

155
 As the depot is the nerve centre of the whole force, so if need be, at the risk of their lives. Any momentary
isthe "post" of each Division. Each divisional post, unruliness on the part of recently settled communities
is the is soon repressed, for the fearless way, yet with scrupu-
they are all posted at carefully selected points,
hub of a system of patrols and outposts. Some of the lous avoidance of bloodshed, with which the arrest of

latter are maintained only at certain seasons, generally delinquents is promptly effected never fails to make
the summer. The detachments occupying them vary the desired The advice of the red-coats
impression.
from an officer's command to a single constable, but is constantly being asked by new settlers, and they
most of them consist of a squad under a sergeant or a have settled amicably many disputes which might
constable. The larger outposts are houses in govern- easily have resulted in costly litigation.
ment buildings erected for the purpose. At first these Many a settler could tell of valuable assistance re-
were mere "shacks" or huts put together hurriedly by ceived from the men
of this ubiquitous military-con-

the various detachments, but latterly a great improve- stabulary outside altogether of the discharge of their
ment has been effected and there are now numerous ordinary duties. They have been helped by the men
cozy, and in some
cases, almost pretentious quarters charged with their security and protection, to pitch
for the chief detachments commanding the principal their camps the first night on the prairie, to erect their
trails. Some isolated detachments are housed in farm modest huts, to herd their live stock, to repair
first

houses, while others are accommodated

private in their harness and vehicles, to even cook their meals
houses in villages and hamlets along the various lines and nurse their sick and children. And your bravest
of railway. man is always your gentlest nurse.

The whole vast country covered like a network by a

is In the large number of time-expired men who have
most efficient system of patrolling. A map of the remained the far west, men accustomed by dis-
in

North- West indicating the posts, outposts and patrols cipline to practice the useful virtues of respect for
of the North- West Mounted Police, looks as if the authority and self restraint, the force has contributed
country were covered with a series of large and small to the North- West some of its very best settlers and
cobwebs, the larger representing the divisional posts citizens.
and their patrols, the smaller the outposts or detach- Among the most important duties discharged by
ments and theirs. the officers of the force are those appertaining to their
The men on outpost duty patrol the international magisterial functions, and in the interpretation and ap-
frontier for the suppression of smuggling and horse plication of the law they have never left anything to
stealing, and the whole country in the vicinity of their be desired.
detachments for the enforcement of the law and de- It is related that the great Blackfoot chief "Crow-
"
partmental regulations. An important duty which foot, in a spirit of some hostility, soon after the police
particularly upon
falls patrols the is the guarding took possession of the country, attended the trial of a
against and suppressing of prairie fires, and frequently couple of the braves of his tribe before an officer of the
this duty is extremely hazardous. force. -He followed the proceedings closely, and was so
Of recent years, since the present great influx of impressed with their absolutely impartial character
population began, the duties of the police in connection that he remarked: — "This is a place where the forked
with the settlers and settlement have greatly increased. tongue made straight. When my people do wrong
is
"
Every new settler is interviewed and thoroughly in- they shall come here. And the wise and just old
formed as to the laws and departmental regulations, chieftain, statesman, orator a.id warrior, in every way
the maxim being applied to the new citizens of Canada a credit to his race, kept his word and never had
as it was years ago in dealing with the Indians, that occasion to regret it.
preventive measures are far superior to repressive ones. Within the present year (1906) an important change
When a constable rides out on his patrol he carries a in the control of the Royal North-West Mounted
patrol sheet which is handed in succession to each Police has taken place. Most of the territory com-
settler, who is required to sign the paper, stating prised within the region which the force originally opened
whether he has any complaints or not, and if he has, up, having been erected into the Provinces of Alberta
indicating their nature. On his return to his post, out- and Saskatchewan, the administration of justice therein
post, or detachment, the patrol hands in his patrol sheet. fallswithin the scope of the provincial governments,
All new settlers, instead of continuing under the Dominion Government,
especially foreigners, look to the poiice
for advice, for they are not slow to realize that these as heretofore. So, although the federal control and
dashing "warriors of justice" hold them strictly to direction of the whole force is maintained^ the posts
account as subjects and occupants of the land, but at and detachments thereof stationed in the new pro-
the same time afford them full and complete protection, vinces will act under the direct instructions of the
156
provincial Attorney General although maintained by Hitherto conceived as a whole, has been projected to
the Dominion Government under a special financial meet the pressing demand for transportation facilities
arrangement. in British North America, caused
by the large tide of
There continues to be abundance of work for this immigration which is now flowing into that country'
incomparable body of men to do, not alone in the from Great Britain, Northern Europe, and still more
Yukon, Mackenzie, Peace River and Hudson Bay extensively from the Western States of the United
districts but in the new provinces as well. The en- which lie so abundantly
States, seeking the rich lands
forcement of law and order in the construction camps in the Province
Manitoba, and the territories of
of
Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Athabaska,
comprising the North-West Territories (the latter,
however, having been absorbed in the two new pro-
vinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta), the lands

originally opened up to settlement by the Mounted

Police, and now covered by their patrols.
The country through which the Prairie Section of the
railway will pass, contains land now known to be well
adapted for the growing of wheat, which in extent is
four times the wheat growing area of the United States,
and is the great agricultural belt of the North-West.

Mr. Frank W.
Morse, Vice-President and General
Mauager Grand
of the Trunk Pacific is a warm admirer
of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, having been
able to form an idea of the efficiency and splendid
work of the force from his visits to the North-West and
St, Marys Detachment, R.N.W.M.P. over the projected line of his company's railway.
A Typical Modern Detachment. Upon one occasion Mr. Morse rode 500 miles on horse-
back across country from Portage la Prairie to Saska-
of the great railways nowbeing rushed westward and toon, and there was not a moment that he did not feel
northward is no small matter, for railway construction just as safe as if he had been in his office in the city of
in connection with both the Grand Trunk Pacific and Montreal.
the Canadian Northern, is being rapidly pushed for-
ward just now, the railway activity in the North- West
being unequalled in the history of the world.
The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company, which
was incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1903, is
under agreements with the Canadian Government for
the construction and operation of a line of railway
across Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean,
wholly within Canadian territory, of an estimated
mileage of main line of 3,600 miles; in addition to
which there will be constructed several branch lines of
considerable length and importance, including a line
from the main line southerly 199 miles to Fort
William and Port Arthur, on Lake Superior, for the
purpose of reaching navigation on the Great Lakes; also Mr. Frank W. Morse (on the left), Vice-President and General
from the main line southerly about 229 miles to North Manager Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, and party ffoing
over the Surveyed Line of the G.T. P. through the
Bay or Gravenhurst, in the Province of Ontario, to Prairie Region of the West.
make connection with the lines of the Grand Trunk
Railway Company of Canada, and another line from the The service of a pioneer nature now dis-
rotigh
main line southerly to Montreal. Branch lines are pro- charged by the memlwrs of the force lies largely in the
posed as well, to Brandon, Regina, Prince Albert and Yukon and the vast and only partially explored terri-
Calgary, and to Dax^son in the Yukon Territory. tories to the north of .\ll)erta, Saskatchewan and
This great undertaking. which surpasses in magnitude Manitoba, but even there the rough bf>rder element is

and importance, any plan of railway construction being eliminated, and law and order established.
167
 Bishop Stringer, who succeeded that great Church of the police, and the splendid esprit de corps of the force.

England hero. Bishop Bompas, in mission work in the The mounted police, it may be asserted, have been the
"
far north, was a visitor in Winnipeg this summer (1906) safety and pride of the whole north country.
en route to the Mackenzie River, where he has minis- Some years ago despatches had to be sent to a distant
tered to the Indians since 1892. Speaking of one post during extremely severe weather. A young con-
phase of hiswork in the far north, he highly compli- stable ofgood family, a university graduate, in fact,
ments the Mounted Police in this language: was selected. A stinging blizzard set in soon after
.

"Formerly the country was overrun by Americans. he started, and days slid into weeks with no tidings of
Now this is all changed, and the new-comers to the him. The following spring a patrol entering a secluded
north are Canadian born. Perhaps it is that the coulee found a storm-worn uniform of the force still

Americans are becoming Canadianized; but travelling clothing the bones of the lost courier. His mind in the
through the country now-a-days, the fact is borne in last solemn moments appears to have been more haunted

mind that the Canadians are greatly in the majority. with the fear that he would not be able to discharge the
We are getting more particular as to whom we duty entrusted to him than with any concern as to his
welcome to the great north now. The tough finds personal safety. On his orders were scrawled a few
hisrow a hard one to hoe, and this in a great brief sentences: — "Lost, horse dead. Am trying to
"
measure is. owing to the excellent management of the push ahead. Have done my best. Truly a pathetic
members of the R.N.W.M.P., whose work in the wild vindication of the honour and sense of duty of a gallant
sections of the northland cannot be over-estimated. member of this remarkable force of soldier-police.
It isn't the numbers of them, nor is it the force of their That ^as always been the spirit of the Royal North-
authority; a subtle something which enters the
it is West Mounted Police, and wherever the duty of the
mind of the wrong-doer whenever he meets the eye of force is to lie in the future, these capable officers and
the man wearing the red jacket. Why, an ordinary dashing, daring men may be depended upon to do
constable wearing no badge of office beyond his small their best, and toadd many chapters just as honour-
badge and red coat, strikes terror to the heart of the able as those preceding them to the chivalrous, roman-
roughest. It is the dignity and the determination of tic and patriotic record of the force.

The End.

158
 APPENDIX

SiATiatENT OF Officers of the N.W.M.P. who left the Force Between APPOINTED STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE.
ITS Organization in 1873 and August 9, 1906.
MacLeod, Jas. F., C.M.G 1- 1-76 Commissioner
RESIGNED.

Name. Remarks.
SUPERANNUATED UNDER CIVIL SERVICE ACT.

Breden, John . 11— 5-74'Sub-Inspector. .

McLennan, D. B 74| do
Carvell, Jacob , 28-10-75 Sup)erintendent.
French, Lt.-Col., G. A 22- 7-76 Commissioner. .

Brisebois, E. A 1- 8-76 Superintendent.

Jukes, A., M.D
Welsh, Vernon 1-10-78 Sub.-Inspector. . J31- 7-93;Surgeon 308.00
Macdonell, .\. R 1- 5-95 Superintendent. 476.00
Nevitt. R. B., M.B 1-10-78 Surgeon j

10- 9-78.Sub.-Inspector.
Norman, Frank i
1- 5-95 do 320.30
Allen, Eklwin
Fortescue, L 28- do
.

White-Fraser, M. H 30- fr-97 Inspector 260.00

2-79| .\llan, J. B do 280.00
Denny, C. R 6- 6-81 Inspector
1

W |31-12-99
Herchmer, L. 1- 8-00 Commissioner. 1.144.00
Kittson, John, M.D 24- 1-82 Surgeon |
.

31- 3-86 Inspector Gagnon, Severe 131- 3-01 iSuperintendent. 766.00

Dowling, Thos
Kennedy, G. A 30- 6-87 Surgeon
Riddell, R., V.S 31-12-87iVet.-Surgeon. ..

Mills, S.G 29- 2-88 Inspector

Y 30- 9-88;Surgeon
PENSIONED UNDER PENSION ACT.
Baldwin, H.
Powell, F. H 31- 5-89J do
Williams, V. A. S 28- 9-89, Inspector
Drayner, Fredk 15- 7-92 do Name.
Chalmers, T. W 30- 4-93 do
Matthews. W. G 31-10-93 do
Wills, A. E.. M.D 15- 2-98 Surgeon . .

Bonnar, Dr. H. A 12- 7-98 do

deCou, D. McG 30- 6-99 do
Scarth, W. H 15- 4-02.Inspector.
Baker, Montague 31-10-02 do
Cosby. F. L 27- 8-03 do
Crosthwait, S 31-12-03 do
Cartwright, F. L 9- 3-04 do
Wickham. W. C 26- 3-04 do DIED.
LaRocque, H. C. P.MJ.A. 1- 4-04 do
Brunton, H. G 114- 7^-06 do

RETIRED WITH GRATUITY.

Clark, E. D 2-10-80j8uperintendent
McKensie. Alex I»- do
6-82}
Gautier, Arthur ! 29-1 2-86 Inspector
i
,

Miller, Robt |
6- »-87|8urgeon ,

Pf>ett, J. L.. V.8. . , 1- 8-77 Sub.-Inspector S 333.32 Bradley, Ernest. i

16- 7-91 Inspector
Walker. Jas 1- 2-81 Superintendent 583.30 Herchmer, W. M 1- 1-92 Asst.-Commissioner. .

Wm
j

Winder, 1- 4-81 do 700.00 Dodd, Henry ! 1- 1-9.'! Surgeon

Frechette, Edmund, 1-11-82 Inspector 666.64
French, John 1- 7-83 do 797.97
Walsh, Jas. M 1- »-83i Superintendent 1.166.66
Shurtliffe, A 31-12-84 do 700.00
Dickena, F. J 1- 4-86 Ins|>ector 1.000.00
Irvine. A. G 1- 4-86 Commissioner 3.466.66
Croiier, L. N. F 30- 6-86 Asst.-Commissioner. . 1.733.33
Brooks, W. A .30-11-88 Inspector 260.00
Likely, H. D 30- 9-89 do 333.33
N'eale. P. R 31- 7-90 Sur)erintendent 1.760.00
Wattam. Thoa 30- »-«l Inspector 437.49
Hopkins. E. G. O. . 1- «-95 do 298.60
Olivier. Hercule. . . . 1- 6-W do 216.27
Aylen, Peter. M.D. . 1- 7-95 AfMt.-Surgeon 760.00
MacPherson, D. H.. 30- 9-97 Inspector 760.00
 APPENDIX—continued

TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT. Recapitulation of Officers who have left the Force Between
ITS Organization 1873, and August, 1906.
Smith, W. Osbome 16-10-73 Commissioner .

32
LEFT UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. Resigned

Retired with gratuity 18

Name. Date. Rank. Remarks. 1

Appointed Stipendiary Magistrate
D. M. T.

Superanuated under Civil Service Act 7

Jackson. Thoe. R 5-10-78 Sub.-Inspector.
Forget, Joseph 20- 6-74 Quarter-Master. Pensioned under Pension Act 4
Young, Chas. F '28- 7-74 Superintendent,
Richer, Theodore H- 9-74 do Died 16
LeCain, H. J. N 20- 5-75 Sub.-Inspector.
Nicolle, Chas 15- 7-7£ Quarter-Master. Office Abolished 1

Jarvis, W. D 13- 8-81 Superintendent,

Prevost, H. R 23- 1-84 Inspector Temporary Appointment 1

Antrobus, W. D 1-11-92 do
Harper, Frank 31- 5-01 do Left under various circumstances 13
Paradis, E. C 9-10-01 do
Williams, W. MdeR" 30- 5-04 do
Rolph, J. W i
2- 7-87 Surgeon 93

160
 HEAD OFFICE
BRANCHES

THE RAT PORTAGE LIMBER CO.

M 1- i^ I 1 hO r:5

RAINY RIVER, Ont.

WINMPEO, MAN. KENORA, Ont.

. . . MANUFACTURERS OF . . .
VANCOUVER, B.C.
AND OTIIER POINTS
i

LUMBER
SASH
DOORS
MOULDINGS
INTERIOR FINISH

Sash and Door Factories and Mill

at Winnipeg

WIIMISIIREGS, MAINJITOBA
has the largest
'TpHIS Department
'-
capacity and the greatest out-
put of any factory in Western
Canada : : : : :

VANCOUVER MILLS. B C.
E. D. TENNANT,
Lumber, Lath, Shingles and
MANAGER
Moulding
Write for Pricei and S|>eclflcatlofls
 The Alex. Black
LIMITED
Lumber Co.,
^Dealers in All Kinds of=

PINE, FIR, CEDAR

SPRUCE, HARDWOOD
LUMBER
Timber, Dimension, 'Boards, Matched Ltxmber, Mouldings,
Sash, Doors and all Kinds oj^ 'Building Material,
Including flails, etc.

CORDWOOD OF ALL KINDS.

Estimates Given. Orders Solicited.

Phone 598. Office and Yards: Cor. Htggins Ave. and Gladstone St. WINNIPEG, MAN.

Beam Spans Pin Spans Riveted Spans Swing Bridges Through Spans Deck Spans

Bridges
Buildings
Roof-Trusses

Engineers &
Contractors

Ligiit

Structurii
Struct i^^""
Worl(

Beams
Angles
Channels
Etc. in Stock

4 Pin ConnectLd i'ins 175 Fuel IC.uli anJ _ Riveted 80 Feet Spans Over Belly River Near Lethbridgc

Structural Steel for Every Purpose

HAMILTON,
The HAMILTON BRIDGE WORKS COMPANY, Ltd. CANADA
 coFrp-^viirto &! i!-. tvWNjt.s co umited

THE NORTH WEST MOUNTED POLICE

Won an empire for civilization and 20TH Cknti RY BRAND ^^armenlK can now be obtained from
Winnipexf to Pincher Creek and from North Portal to Fort Saskatchewan. ''The best for the West."

TAILORED BY
^
The Lowndes Company, Limited
TORONTO
 AN INSURANCE POLICY
m
Which covers you against all accidents and all

® kinds of diseases is : : : : : m
SOLD FOR THE FIRST TIME COVERS
COVERS
The Canadian Casualty ALL m
ALL
i^ Boiler Ins\irance Co. KINDS OF
m ACCIDENTS
WESTERN OFFICES:
DISEASES
S
R. KELLY. Provincial Manager, m
J.

Union Bank BIdg. - WINNIPEG. Man. ®

m
m
m ®
A FREE AND UNFETTERED CONTRACT WHICH EVERYONE CAN SECURE m

Hon JOHN DRYDEN, President CHARLES H, FULLER, Secretary and Actuary

The Continental Life Insurance Company

SUBSCRIBED CAPITAL, $1,000,000.00

Several Vacancies for Good Live General Agents and

Provincial Managers
Liberal Contracts to First^Class Men Apply GEO, B, WOODS, Managing Director

Head Office TORONTO

 FOLEY BROS. LOCK BROS- PETER LARSON,
& Railway Contractors,
Wholesale Grocers WINNIPEG Railway Contractor,
ST PAUL, MINN. HELENA, MONT.

CODES:
A B.C. 4th & Sth.
FOLEY. LOCK & LARSON
CITRUS.
WESTERN UNION.
ARMSBY.
ECONOMY (Revised)

^ WHOLESALE GROCERS ^
FRUIT AND PRODUCE MERCHANTS
CABLE ADORESSi
'•
LOCK" RISCUIT AND CONFECTIONERY MANUFACTURERS
WINNIPEG.

WINNIPEG, CANADA
 xx3eocxxjeaacxx«xxxasxxx3»^

M . STEWART. I- E. GAUDIN, R. E BLAKEWAY, G. A. METCALFE.

President Vice-President and Mgr. Assl. Mgr. Secretary

ROYAL LUMBER & FUEL CO., Ltd.

LUMBER, FUEL AND ORNAMENTAL

BUILDERS' GLASS
We Carry in Stock
HARDWARE Beveled Plate Designs set in cop-

Our Stocks are Complete in per for Doors and! ransoms, also

Fancy and Colored Glass in-

Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Screen
cluding Enameled, Ground, Ve-
Doors, Screen Windows, Door
netian, Embossed. Sand Blast
Frames, Window Frames : : :
and Wheel Cut. Suitable for
Doors, Sash, Blinds, Mouldings, Front Doors.
Newel Posts, Balusters, Stair
Prices anc Designs Furnished
Rails, Building Papers, etc., etc. on Application

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

Office: 646 Notre Dame. Phone 3390 P. O. Box 684 Yard: 1151 Noire Dame West. Phone 2735

WINNIPEG CANADA
cifie<xxx»XH»«e««<iKX)«c}<x:x;^

m B

Plows, Wagons and Carriages ^

The Three Great Leading Lines of

B/?e FAIRCHILD CO. Limited

ALSO ALL OTHER

FARM IMPLEMENTS AND SLEIGHS

Agents for DEERE & CO. MOLINE, 111.

The largest consigfnment of Plows ever sent into Canada was a Trainload of Fifty-
Eight Cars sent to the Fairchild Co. by Deere & Co. of Moline. This is probably
the largest single shipment made by any plow manufacturers in the world : : :

Send for printed descriptive and illustrated matter.

The Fairchild Co. Ltd. -

Winnipeg
3aatSgagg33gS3S3Sg3gg3Sffig;Sg;Sia?a?:? g:g g ^!A:^g g ^ ^
: : : : : ^ ^

THE SOMERVILLE STEAM MARBLE

& GRANITE WORKS
ROSSER AVE. - BRANDON, Man. Vi

STATUARY
We import direct from the famous old world Studios in Italy. We handle
Carrara marble by the carload.

MONUMENTS
When desirous ot purchasing a Memorial Stone, drop us a post card, or
better come and see us. We can save you many times your railway
still,
fare.

HEADSTONES
Are somewhat out of date, but if you wish to get one, remember that we
are here to please our Customers.

THE LARGEST MONUMENTAL BUSINESS WEST OF TORONTO

SOMERVILLE & CO. PROPRIETORS.

W'X»X'X'X«X«X»X»X«X«X»X«><*X>X>>0>0X»><»XfX>X)X>X>X»X>XtX'X*X>X»X*X'X»X>X'X«X'X>X>X'X>X>XtXiXtXVX»K»X»X>>0X)>0X»>OX>XJXt^>4x<X

• J. A, S. MacMiulan. a. CoLQUHOi'N. Isaac Beattik, J

I
•
MacMillan, Colquhoun & Beattie |
*
? Importers and Breeders of T
• *
i CLYDESDALES. PERCHERONS t
i 8n\d HACKNEY STALLIONS |

I
- I
• PRICES RIC5HX. 1'RUM& EASY. *

We have established an exceptional record as sellers of prize winners. I^st year at

Brandon Fair our Horses won ist. 2nd and 4th Prizes in the a^fed Clydesdale Class, besides
other honors. Our importations are always the best, and NOTMINCi BUI THE BKST.
This is our motto. Every guarantee we jifive is made good. Our aim is to add to the
reputation of the Stock of the North- West.

Vlrft tw and See Our StocK. or Write and Let I/.* Knotu What you Want.

CLUB STABLES. I2th Street (Box 485) BRANDON. Man.

 Ma.rsha.ll -Wells

Compai.rvy
^Gifholesale Jobbers and 'Disiribuiors of

Fine B\jilders* Ha-rdwaLre Stoves a^nd R-ak.nges

Shelf and Heavy Hardware Mining 61 Rail>vay Supplies
Iron a^nd Steel Mill and Logging Supplies
PoLint, Brushes, Vatrnish Cutlery, Novelties, Etc.
House Furnishing Goods Sporting and Bicycle Goods

Exclusive Agents for

HENDERSON 6. POTTS PAINT AND VARNISH

BRANDRUM BROS. WHITE LEAD

Winnipeg ManitobsL
 *««»«*»»«««*»»*»»»«»»j>j,H»»»»*»*»»

W. F. LEE
Manitoba Builders' Supply Co.
^uilder^ Supplier' of all de^^cription

STONE HAIR.
SAND CEMENT
(Portlcvnd S. Keene's)
LIME
EXPANDED
PLASTER METAL
CORRESPONOEIICE
BRICK I
S Solicited
|
J
MORTAR COLOR
LATH FIRE BRICK
METAL FIR.E CLAY
of all descriptions

AND
RUBEROID
WOOD ROOFING

Best SdLlt Glazed Vitrified Sew^er Pipe

For Draining Low Lands— Road Culverts and Small Bridges
Well Curbing

Office: 136 PORTAGE AVE. EAST. Ytirdsx FT. DOUGLAS AVE. & ARGYLE. \\

WINNIPEG.
•ttiimm^Hkm^mmmm^mm^kmmm^mmmmmmmmmmmmmi^
 "Everything for a B\iilding**

Lumber
Sa.sh
Doors
Mouldings
Mill Work

Office, Batnk a-nd

Bar Fixtures
Interior Finish

Building Papers

Portlatnd Cement
Hardwall Plaster

Wood Fibre Plaster

P. 6v B. Standard, and
Malthoid Roofing

Paints, Oils, Varnishes

Offices and Wa.rehouse:
Plate, Window^, Fancy-
179-181 Notre Da^me Ave. Ea^st.
Glass WINNIPEG.

We sell Martin-Senours* 100% Pure Paint

We Make a Specialty of

OrnaLmenxaLl GIqlss Work

THE WINNIPEe PAINT AND GLASS CO.

^^^^-4^
I

Ryhn &exchange
HOR^SES
BOUGHT
Fares
hor.se "s°o\r

Largest Wholesale and R.etail Dealers in Western Canada.

HEAVY DRAFT HORSES

FARM HORSES
GENERAL PURPOSE HORSES
SADDLERS
DRIVERS AND
RANGE HORSES
ALWAYS ON HANn
^ ^ Wholesaling a specialty ^ ^
179 to 185 James St. EcLSt
 THE WINNIPEG STORE
OF

T. EATON C O.
LIMITED

' '
« s ! .

I III fll i<' 111 iiri'11 liMiiiiBsa

1
!^yi"n"

'VTTH'STH-tm.

IMPORTERS and
MANUFACTURERS
T. EATON (See opposite page)
C°
LIMITED

TORONTO & WINNIPEG

 J-
T. EATON
TORONTO & WINNIPEG
CO LIMITED

To sell goods for the lowest possible price, to bring the city store to the doors of residents in every
part of Canada is the aim of the T. Eaton Co. Limited. To accomplish this two-fold object to the fullest
extent required the intelligence and energy, the experiments and experience of nearly forty years.
It first of all required that the business should be commenced on the Mr. Eaton, the
proper basis.
founder of the Company, and still its guiding star, was strongly of the opinion that the only fair and
economical principle was to sell for cash and buy for cash. By buying for cash, goods could be bought at
the lowest possible prices and by selling for cash the losses bound to occur in credit business were avoided.
Buying for cash and selling for cash obviously resulted in great saving, and every dollar saved was
reflected in Eaton prices, for the Company has always done business on narrow margins,
preferring small
profits and quick turn-overs to large profits and a comparatively small volume of trade.
The business rapidly grew and money saving opportunities presented themselves. First of all there
were the middlemen's or jobbers' profits to be reckoned with. Goods had formerly to pass thro many hands
and each had to make a profit. The only way to eliminate these profits was to go direct to the makers and
that was the course pursued. Buyers were sent to the European and American manufacturing centres and
when the business warranted, permanent purchasing offices were established in London and Paris. These
offices serve a three-fold purpose. By keeping in close touch with the markets many opportunities are
found for saving money. Situated permanently in the world's leading fashion centres every new style creation
is sent to the Canadian stores as soon as it makes its appearance in Paris and then when the buyers visit the

foreign market they have the assistance and counsel of the men on the ground.
The next step towards eliminating middlemen's profits was the erecting of factories. Until that was
done the Company was dependent on manufacturers for all the ready-to-wear garments it sold and when
the business assumed large proportions it was some times difficult to get goods in sufficient quantities and
always difficult to get them of the quality desired.
These difficulties were overcome by building and equipping factories capable of producing the high-
est grade goods for the lowest possible cost. Every labor-saving mechanism that money could produce
was procured and the factories with their costly machinery were placed under the control of the most skill-
ed workmen to be found. Not only were all middlemen's profits eliminated but the cost of production was
also reduced far below that of factories with less modern equipment.
But at the same time that great eff"ort was being expended in reducing the cost of goods, develop-
ment was going on in another direction, in the direction of making the influence of the Company felt in
every part of Canada. A mail order department was established and thro its medium the service of the city
store was brought to the doors of dwellers in the remotest parts of the Dominion.
The patrons of The T. Eaton Co. Limited extend over a wide territory from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, from the International boundary far into the Arctic circles; and the only selling agent employed is the
catalogue. It contains a list of the goods sold and of the prices charged. It also illustrates the newest

in men's and women's it is in fact a reference book in style and prices and it is sent free
styles garments;
on request.
Of course, people must have the assurance of fair treatment before they will assign to others the
selection of their goods. They must not only be satisfied that the goods to be sent them will be as good
as represented but they must also have some redress in the event of the selection being unsatisfactory; and
the T. Eaton Co's guarantee covers this; every dollar's worth that every customer receives goes out on the
understanding that if not satisfactory the goods can be returned and other goods or the cash, just as the
customer may desire, will be sent in exchange.
It is more than likely that many who chance to read this will visit Winnipeg at some time. To all
such a hearty invitation is extended to visit the store. It has many conveniences for the use of all who
—
wish to use them a checking office where parcels and wraps can be checked free of charge; a resting room
that has become popular as a meeting place for friends; toilet rooms for men and women, and a lunch room
where dainty luncheons or substantial meals can be had at moderate cost. And the store itself is well
worth seeing. It is the largest and most complete department store west of Chicago. It contains every

that makes for convenience and economy in handling merchandise and it is largely on account of
appliance
these conveniences that Eaton prices are possible.
It is in brief one of the popular institutions of the Western metropolis; these who miss seeing it miss

seeing one of the sights of Winnipeg and those who neglect to

make u.se of its comfort-giving conveniences
lose much of the pleasure incidental to a trip to the city.
aiii
 SHIELD BRAND
ROYAL GOODS RACK: \A/E:
Shield Arrowroot Royal Sh eld Insect Powder
Royal
Shield Borax Royal Sh eld Icing
Royal
Royal Shield Blackingf Royal Sh eld JellyPowder
Royal Shield Blanc Mange Powder Royal Sh eld Lime Juice
Shield Baking Powder Royal Sh eld Mustard
York Baking Powder Royal Sh eld Maple Syrup
Royal Shield Coffee Royal Sh eld Molasses
Royal Shield Cream Tartar Royal Sh eld Pepper
Royal Shield Cleaned Currants Royal Sh eld Sultana Raisins

Royal Shield Custard Powder Royal Sh eld Soda

Royal Shield Dates Roval Sh eld Sulphur
Royal Shield Egg Powder Royal Sh eld Epsom Salts
British Extract Royal Sh eld Salmon
Royal Shield Extracts Royal Sh eld Spices
Royal Shield Gelatine Royal Sh eld Shoe Polish
Royal Shield Herbs Royal Sh eld Teas
THE BEST OIM Tl rVIARKET
CAMPBELL BROS. & NA/ILSON
IMPORTERS and NA/HOLESALE". GROCERS
\A/INNIPE:G, CANADA.

Telephone 1618. P.O. Box 309.

THE WINNIPEG RUBBER GO.
LIIVII-rED

^^^^^«^yf»e^^ MANUFACTURERS OF

f IMPORTERS OF ^O Interlocking Rubber Tiling, Re-

volving Hose Reels, Hose Noz-
zles, Hose Valves, Fire Hose
Matting, Mats
Windmills, Well Machinery, Etc.
The Chicago Aermotor
Princess St.
"The Mill of many Merits"
A. A.Andrews
Austin Well Drilling^ Machines
Manager WINNIPEG
Howell Well Augers
Howell Saw Mills
French Buhr Stone Mills
Oreen Bone Cutters 'Phone 271 Branch
Sauerkraut Cutters CALGARY
Grain Grinders
Hay Presses
Pumps and Tanks
Wood saws Sole Agents for Manitoba and North-West
Gasoline Engines Territories for the Gutta Percha and Rubber
Manufacturing Co. of Toronto, Ltd.
140 Princess St. IMarket Square,

Winnipeg, Man. "EVERYTHING IN RUBBER.

 ^^
E. BROMLEY. n Pres.
Established 30 Years
C. C. HAGUE. Man. Dir.

BROMLEY & HAGUE LIMITED

Manufacturers of

Tents, Awnings^ Camp Ovitfits

MACHINE, WAGON AND CART COVERS ^ ^

BOAT SAILS. FLAGS. HORSE BLANKETS

I

WINNIPEG MANITOBA

»»»»»» » < C. H. ENDERTON

a, CO.
^

PLATE Real Estate Investments

MIRROR Money to Loan Mortgages for sale
WINDOW GLASS Insurance Rentals

and every kind of glass

Owners and Managers
required for buildings
o/

•«
Crescentwood ff
Winnipeg's Residential District
The CONSOLIDATED PLATE GLASS GO. !
^ AGENTS
OF CANADA, Limited London Assurance Corporation
271-273 Fort St. WINNIPEG
224 FOR.TAGE AVE.
TORONTO MONTREAL LONDON « opp,
AND OTTAWA Notre Dame Ave. Winnipeg
I J
i
HON. ROBERT ROGERS, A. D. CHISHOLM, I. D. BALFOUR,
President Treasurer Sec'y & Man. Director

The Balfour Implement Co, Ltd

QUALITY IS THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS

—
Two costs are to be considered in buying- a machine first cost and cost of operation. The second, thoug:h
often overlooked, is much the more important. The first cost or selling price ot the best-known machines varies but
little, not more than two or three dollars. But the difference in the cost of operating two machines of different makes
for a single season often equals many times this amount. This is the point to watch. Cost of repairs, value of time
lost through breakages, wear and tear on horseflesh and operator, and thoroug-hness of the work done —
all these
items enter into the cost of operating. Nobody knows better than the farmer the possible cost of a breakdown in
the midst of harvest or haying, or the loss possible through the lack of capacity in a machine to do satisfactorily the
work that it is intended to do. Walter A. Wood machines cost less to operate than any others. They have fewer
breakages, wear longer, are easier to handle, and do cleaner work. They cost more to build, it is true, but our plan
of marketing them brings them to you at about the same selling price as other makes. The first cost the same, but
—
the second cost so different. For economy, buy a Walter A. Wood. Remember this: is the only thing that counts.
Quality

Plows, Wagons, Drills, Mowers, Rakes, Harrows,

Buggies

The BALFOUR IMPLEMENT CO. Ltd.

General Ag^cnts — J 50 Princess St., Market Square
NA/ I IN rsi I REG - - MAISIIXOBA
 BUILDERS' SUPPLIES s&

a
«5
S5
t3
t3
STONE CEMENT
S5

S5
«5
Rubble SAND
Footing-
«5
Crushed HYDRATED LIME BRICK
as
aj
as
Dimension The only process of its HARDWALL
«
a- LIME kind in Canada PLASTER
aj
aj
as
White and LATH
aj
as
Grey Etc.
as
as
as
IS
as
as
as
aj
as
as
JOHN GUNN & SONS
aj Office: Yard and Factory:
as 402 MclNTYRE BLOCK 268 JARVIS AVENUE
as
as
Phone 1277 Phone 3606
aj

as VS/IISIINIIREG MANITOBA
as

^e!3J3l?J3c»30J»!»I?PJSJSJ»!g5JJff5JJ»J?JSc?^J3J?^??:3J3Jff!?5?52J?5J»J3!?!3l?»5J5SJS»»»»Pi?53»535JP»PlStS»»»8S5J8SJSSJ8SS»8SJ3P»J3

SAWYER & M CO., Ltd.

ENGINES THRESHERS
Our 1906 Catalojfiio is lull
ROADMAKING A (Juarlor Century's Kx|>er-
ieiice in Supplying the needs i
of Interest— Write for it.

MACHINERY of the North-West.

i
i
I
Western Branch: WINNIPEG, MAN. SEO. KIRKLMD. Mir Factory HAMILTON
mi

The Waterous Engine Works Co. I.IMITKn

Head Office BRANTFORD, CANADA

Engines, Boilers. Saw Mill Machinery. Brick Machinery, Woodworking Machinery,

Pulp Machinery, Fire Apparatus, Threshing Machinery

Manitoba and \orih-West AKemy, tiKO. W. Kkh. ManaKer, Winni|V»f, Man.

AJdri-»(. nil U-tUr-. lo TtiK WATi-Kori K»«.i«F. WoKKx Co.. I.I J.

Branch Wiwks: St. Paul. Minn. AgencUm: Vancouver. B. C SyUiM)-, N. S. W., !Mint<«||«, Chile.

afW9I3 {32313^^19 {^^tS^t^t^C^ 24 &I i>> if' (f^irUti'^'' (>3 4.1 v^ m >' ir (>: (m >> i»> i» ji'vS^Jii&&fft^-:' v!?232^IifS3!i'{?ei923'tarC7t?t3S}!»S?S?!39ti7B7i
 ESTABLSHED 18 YEARS

HAGUE, ARMINGTON & Co. LIMITED

COVERS FOR

Wagons, Stacks, Separators

^ and Binders '^

HORSE BLANKETS

TENTS,A\A/NINGS,TARRAUUNS

F-L-A-G-S
Shirts, Overalls, Smocks
Sheep-lined Coats,&c,&c

Hague, Armington & Co., Ltd.

WINNIPEG - - - MANITOBA
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOo
O O

Dealer in

CHAS. GOODYEAR Electric Machinery

and Supplies
Arc Lamps Switches "Faries" Portable
Telephones Switch-boards Brackets and
Sockets Marble Panels Stand Lamps
Batteries Instruments and General
Aluminum Shades Iron Conduits
Supplies
Sunbeam Lamps Distributor for the Nungesser
Hill Electric Switch Co., Montreal Electric Battery Co. of Cleveland, O.
(Switches and Switch-boards) (The 1900 and No. 16 Acme Dry Batteries)
Adams Bag^nall, Arc Lamps Electric Porcelain Goods of all kinds
American Circular Loom, Flexible Conduit Harvey Hubbell Goods
Cutter-Hammer, Milwaukee, Wis. Pull SocketsAttachment Plugs
(Controlling Devices of all kinds) "STANDARD" Dynamos and Motors
"Shawmutt" Standard Enclosed Fuses (New —
A Specialty Printing Press Motors
Code)

Diamond Switches

327 Garry St. WINNIPEG, Manitoba.

6 *->

coooooooooooocoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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Trunks and \'alises

SOLE AGENTS FOR

:::::;
Boots and Shoes, Felt Goods, Gloves, Mitts, Moccasins,
o
o
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o The Celebrated Berlin Rubbers Daisy," Duck Never o
•'

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NOR.THER.N IRON WORKS

O
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o O
CRESTING and STRUCTURAL and ORNAMENTAL IRON WORKERS BUILDERS'
IRON-WORK FOUNDERS, MACHINISTS. BLACKSMITHS IRON-WORK §
O OF ALL KINDS COLUMNS. I BEAMS FENCES. A SPECIALTY g
o ^_______.^
— ~
o
S
8 Send for Lists
Point DouKlas and
""rdrnl'";""
Gladstone Ave.
.
"
- W II^IIX fCU, nan.
WINNIPFfl
WINNIPEG, I Hnn
IflR.1
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Send
. .
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00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 J
Gold Gold
StOLndard Standard
Tea.s Java
and
A Delicious Tea Mocha.
Need not necessarily be an exorbi-
tantly high priced tea. Our immense
Gold Western trade demands the best. We
have it in
Sta^ndard
Flavoring
Gold Standard Tea Gold
"Guaranteed-the-Best" Standard
Extracts It embodies all the good qualities of rich,
Cake
fragrant Ceylon and the stronger and more pun-
gent flavor of carefully cultivated Assam teas. Icings
Blended to
EXPRESSLY SUIT WESTERN CANADIAN
WATERS
A trial pound will make you a permanent friend
of this delightful tea. Try it.
Gold
Standard
Spices
Sold by Grocers
1 lb. S. 14 lb. packets
35, 40 & 50c. lb.

We Ma.nufacture a-nd Guarantee the Following Goods:

GOLD STANDARD TEAS GOLD STANDARD FLAVORING
GOLD STANDARD JELLY POWDER. EXTRACTS
"THE-TEN MINUTE-DESSEKT" GOLD STANDARD JAVA & MOCHA
••THE-CHAFFLESS-COFFEE"
GOLD STANDARD CAKE ICINGS GOLD STANDARD SPICES
Our Goods a.re "Guaranteed-the-Best"
Patronize Western Enterprise and Western Manufactured Goods

The Codville-Georgeson Co. Ltd. The Codville-Smith Co. Ltd.

WINNIPEG 6; BRANDON. Man. CALGARY - ALBERTA
 You Need Protection Ag^ainst Loss!
WE INSURE WE INVEST MONEY
Buildinjjs and Contents On I'irst Mortgage Security
Ag^ainst Accident On Farm and City Properties
Ajfainst Sickness
Employers Against Accident to Employees
Plate Glass Against Breakage
\'essels and Cargoes
WE PLACE LOANS
Rent Without Cost to Borrowers at low rate
Against Tornado and Wind Storm of interest

WE REPRESENT WE MANAGE ESTATES

The Following Leading Companies:
\'ears ExperiiMu-c as Rental Agents
British America, Toronto .\S

Queen of America
Phoenix, Brooklyn
American Surety Co. of New York
WE SELL
Ontario Accident Insurance Co. Fireproof Safe and X'aults
Colonial Investment and Loan Co. Real Estate

CARRUTHERS, JOHNSTON & BRADLEY

471 Main Street = . . WINNIPEG

The CANADIAN FAIRBANKS Co.

Limited

Power for Machinery of All Kinds

GASOLINE ENGINES have worked themselves into popular favor for
power purposes. Of the many gasoline engines, Hrsi and foremost stands the

] RsirkDanka-Morse
It is built along the most scientifu- lines. It protluces results with the greatest
economy. It is and up to dale in every
reliable detail. See our agents or
JACKOfailTRADES
ar
write to us for Catalogue nnil particulars.
H*oc

^FAIRBANKS MORSE iCO

-"'^g'fwBirfe dxir"
Montreal
rhe Canadian Fairbanks Co.
Toronto Vancouver Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, Man.

tm.

COCKSHUTT Mam KAITIRKRS OK

PLONA/ CO.
LJp-to--ci3te Implements
Including Riding and Walking Plows, Disc and Iron Harrows, Cultivators, .Seeding MachineH, Etc.

Western Agents for Ideal Wind Mills, Adams WagonN, AiuiMrong Carriages, Maxwell Hay Loadorn, Noxon Mowers
and Cultivators, ANpinwall Potato Planters

Our new JEWEL GANG PLOW is the ideal of perfeclion, combining strength, durability, simplicity and ease of operation

COCKSHUTT PLOW CO. Ltd. WINNIPEQ, MAN.

 JOHN' McCLARY. W. M. GARTSHORE, GEORGE O. McCLARY, J. K. H. POPE,
President. V^ice- President. Treasurer. Secretary.

THE McCLARY MANUFACTURING CO.

«
 KENNETH MACKENZIE CO.
IMPORTERS AND WHOLESALE GROCERS

. .Sole Agents in the West for...

MAZAWATTEE
-^ -TEA

7S RRirSICESS STREEX
\A/irsJIVJIREG! MANITOBA
inch— EDIN/IOINITOrM, AI_BERXA

The PAULIN-CHAMBERS COMPANY

Manufacturers of the Celebrated Brand of

Peerless Biscuits and Confectionery

WINNIPEG MANITOBA ^

The RICHARD BELIVEAU CO'Y Ltd.

Importers of

WINES, LIQUORS and CIGARS

330 Main Street WINNIPEG, MAN
t^t'**t**^t'**PP*PP^*1^PPP*'*'^P9'*-$-P$'PPt'Pt'*-^1^PPP*t^t*t**$'*'*t$'****t*tt**$'t^t**i^*^4'*4J^
Electrical Construction Work Complete Electric Plants
of all Descriptions Installed

The JAMES STUART

ELECTRIC CO. Ltd.
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERS

Wholesale Dealers in

Electrical Machinery
:^= AND ^
Supplies

Largest stock of ELECTRICAL FIXTURES in Western Canada

<i The most Expert Electricians in charge of our Contract Work

Estimates furnished and plans submitted. ::
Specially equipped to do

Municipal and C orporation work in any part of Western Canada.

Warehouse and Show Rooms

88 Princess St. WINNIPEG, MAN.

 T. R. DEACON, HUGH B. LYALL,
C. E.— M £., President and General Manager- Secretary-Treasurer.

The MANITOBA IRON WORKS

LIMITED

ENGINEERS, FOUNDERS and MACHINISTS

MANUFACTURERS OF

Engines, Boilers, Pumps and Elevator Machinery

GENERAL DEALERS IN MACHINERY

RAILWAY SUPPLIES
MINING MACHINERY
WATER WORKS EQUIPMENT
SAW MILL MACHINERY
FLOUR MILL MACHINERY
POWER TRANSMISSION SUPPLIES

ARCHITECTURAL IRON AND STEEL

GASOLINE ENGINES
GRINDING MACHINERY

jfk J. ji, j>

THE MANITOBA IRON WORKS, Limited

WINNIPEG, MAN.
 SSS^1^«5m'S«^Hai^^^'{^«5^?J5S:SSS^'Sll^SsS!a»i8iSI«^IS5^S58^^^

WINCH15 riK

RIFLES FOR ALL KINDS OF HUNTING.

Winchester Repeating Rifles shoot as accurately and work as surely in the
arctic and tropical regions as they do in the temperate zone. The severest
climatic conditions do not impair their reliability. For this reason, well-
posted sportsmen, when leaving the beaten trails in search of rare
game, always carry a Winchester in preference to any other rifle.
Winchester Rifles and Winchester Cartridges are made one for the other.
FREE: Send name and address on a posted card /or our large illustrated catalogue.

WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO.,

- - -
NEW HAVEN, CONN.

Ammunition DOMINION CARTRIDGE CO.

LIMITED
I

AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS
RIFLE AND PISTOL CARTRIDGES
FOR MILITARY OR SPORTING ARMS
LOADED AND EMPTY
PAPER SHOT SHELLS
BRASS SHOT SHELLS,
PRIMERS :

DOMINION CARTRIDGE CO. Ltd.

MONTREAL.
xxvi
 B C MASON, President HUGH SUTHERLAND, Sec'y-Treis. WM MARTIN, Vice Pres. L Gen Man

The Manitoba Gypsum Co. Limited

Union Bank office: Building
WINNIPEG
Manufacturers of: Hardwall piaster, wood Fibre Plaster. Plaster of Paris, Alabaster. Stucco, Etc.

Some of the uses for Gypsum:

Manitoba Gypsum Co. is the only company in Western Canada manufaciurin};^ Hardwall Plasters. This
THE class of Plaster is much superior to that made from lime. It has been manufactured very extensively of
late years in the United States, and it was the larjje importations of American Plaster into Canada which
first drew attention to the larjje Gypsum deposits in Northern .Manitoba, between Lake \Vinnii>ejf and Lake
Manitoba. The Manitoba Gypsum Co. have there a very valuable Gypsum deposit and from the fact that
Gypsum is very scarce in all parts of the world, it is probable that this deposit is the only one in the Canadian
West. In the United States the larg-est Gypsum deposits are found in Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Michijjan, also
to some extent in Virginia, but the Kansas, Texas, Iowa and Michig'an deposits are the ones most extensively
developed. The first use made of Gypsum was as a land fertilizer it was sold under the name of I^nd Plaster,
;

but the manufacture into Wall Plaster has thrown all other lines of its use into the shade.
The large plaster manufacturers in the State of New York draw nearly all their supply of Gypsum rock from
Nova Scotia where there are very extensive deposits, the exports of rock trom Nova Scotia amounting to some
400,000 tons a year, according to the Government reports, and are increasing annually.
In Germany Gypsum is used very largely in the manufacture of building materials in the form of hollow tiles
used for partition walls, also in the manufacture of the finer grades of patent cements similar to what are on sale
under the name of " Keene and "Parian" cement; these are used largely in the manufacture of imitation
"

marble known as Scagliola. The Plaster of Paris made from Gypsum is very extensively used in the manufacture
of ornamental statuettes, and for friezes for the ornamentation of large buildings. It is also used as a basis in the

manufacture of paint and asbestos coverings for boilers and steam pipes. There is a very large sale in this
coiintry for the various manufactured products of Gypsum and while The Manitoba Gypsum Company is only
manufacturing Hardwall Plasters at present they expect in the future to develop several other lines of manufacture.

J***********->c*****************************************-^****************^

THE PRIDE OF THE WEST I

The North West Mounted Police have been J

the guardians of the people for many years. J
Their canteens have always been supplied J
with the high grade products of the "Red- J
wood Factories." m.

Rp.owooD Factoriks. Wisnipf.o. 1877.

Refined Ale— Redwood Lager- Extra Stout

all pure malt beverages, scien-
tifically brewed and
matured.
They preserve the health of the

strong and help to restore the

health of the sick and delicate.

Sold by all Dealers or Direct From

=:. L. DREIWRY
>A/irMrMiRE<2
 •*«*i*»*i*i) • «•*•;(
%
THE CANADIAN FARMER
who desires g'ood larm machines and implements selects them from the

% PEERING & Mccormick %

Lines of HARVESTING MACHINES
TILLAGE IMPLEMENTS AND SEEDING MACHINES
The line of harvestinjf machines for Western Canada consists of Binders, Reapers, Mowers,
Tedders, Hay Rakes and Stackers.

THE DEERING &, MCCORMICK LINES OF Tillage Implements and Seeding Ma-
chines include Disc Harrows. Smoothing Harrows, Spring Tooth Harrows, Cultivators, Hoe
Drills, Disc Drills, Seeders, Etc.

|_ l-if ^ Q^ GASOLINE ENGINES, MANURE SPREADERS, HAY PRESSES

make and save money for the farmer.
When in need of any farm machines or implements call on local agent and investigate tfie merits
of these machines, or write nearest branch house for catalogue.

Canadian Branches: Calgary, Alb. Regina, Sask. Winnipeg, Man.

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY OF AMERICA

(Incorporated)
% GENERAL Offices: CHICAGO, U.S.A.

¥!^¥¥Jfei¥^ssi)^;^^¥¥^^
CANADIAN MOLINE PLOW GO.
G. A. STEPHENS,
President.
C. R. STEPHENS,
Secy and Supt.
^
F. G. ALLEN, C. H. LIPPINCOTT,
Vice-Pres. T reasurer.

Manufacturers of Agricultural Implements

O. p. ROBB,
Resident Manager
MOLINE PLOWS. CULTIVATORS, PLANTERS, HARROWS, DRILLS, ETC.

WAGONS, BUGGIES, ETC.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba.

McKenzie Carriages, Drays and Delivery Wagons

Carria^ge
Works Sixth Street. BRANDON, Macnitoba.
 i^^g-ii^^^g^i^gi^i^^^g^
.4?

EMPIRE BREWING CD.;BRANDON.MAN

Hi

THE EMPIRE
l-ir

BRANC
 00
Th OIEEE 99

The Hub Hotel of the Hub City of Canada"

WINNIPEG, MONTGOMERY BROS. Proprietors

Centrally Cuisine
Located to Unexcelled
Business French
District Chef

Everything new. Finest appointed and most up-to-date Hostelry in the great North-west.
 A. FERGUSON F. H. MALEY I

The BRANDON BREWING CO.

BREWERS and BOTTLERS

<
of

THE THE HIGHEST GRADE OF

BEST BEER AERATED WATERS

BRANDON, MAN.

p. 0. Box 165.

HUGHES & CO.

^^<S>®«>«>^<^^<^®^<S>«> «>«>«!

Telephone 210. 4^
4 REAL ESTATE
I I
Wholesale and Retail i Choice Brandon Lots for sale

These lots are well located

LUMBER DEALERS | and growing in value daily

Improved Farms in most desir-

able locations and con-

venient to Railroads : : :

—A Fi'LL Assortment of —
LUMBER, LATH. SHINGLES. We had special advantages in the selection of
DOORS AND SASH always these lots and fanns. They were secured on
on hand such terms that we can make the most in-
viting proposition to buyers.

TULLY and TULLY

Wmi

^^
Office: Fint Door of Empire Building

Man. BRANDON
BRANDON, -
 Western Canada Flour Mills Co,
Limited
Si-Jccessors to
A. Kelly Milling Co. L'td.

Lake Huron & Manitoba Milling Co. L'td.

r^^ CAPACITY 6,600 BBLS. PER DAY

L
^ A. KELLY,
^^^:: I.IMIIHI) 7j>

y-
mills:
brandon
WINNIPEG S. A. MCGAW,
President
FLOUR,

CORN.
FEED,
ROLLED OATS,
GRAIN,
A
^ GODERICH, Ont . t'irr. I'veit. X- Gen. Man. SEED GRAIN

^i.^.^ki^>&^.^^^^^^^^^^r^-^kr^."^<LLri^.:^r'rr^^^c^

E. A. McCALLUM. W. H. A. HILL. E. D. McCALLUM.

Manager. President. Secy-Treas.

McCALLUM. HILL 6^ CO.

Real E^state Dealers

50,000 Acres of rich, open Prairie Land in the famous Saskatchewan Valley
to select from, in large or small tracts, Homesteads adjoining-. Improved
Farms in Regina and Balgonie Districts. Largest owners of Regina City
Property, in Lots and Blocks.
Write or Call on us before you buy.

^^^^^^^.^^^ UNION BANK. Regina..

REFERENCES: f
-\

(imperial bank. Regina..

General Agents for Leading Fire Insurance Go's in Province.

OFFICES SCARTH
: ST.. Opposite City Hall REGINA. Sask

JOHN R. PEVERETT, General Agent

Leader Block, REGINA, Sask.

Real Estate, Insurance, Loans, Fidelity Bonds,

Collections
REPRESENTING:
The London Assurance Corporation of England The Sun & Hastingfs, Savings & Loan Co.
The London Guarantee & Accident Company, Ltd. The Henderson Land Co. Ltd.
The Dominion Assurance Company The Royal Trust Company
references: the Canadian bank of commerce & union bank of Canada
 W. O. LOTT
J
*R
Sac'y-Traas.
* Mgr. J

I
f
Ihe SMITH 6; FERGUSSON
LIMITED
Co. J

i
Jobbers and MoLnufaLcturers' Agents
5^9 HANDLING 9^9

McClary's Ranges and Furnaces. Pease Economy Furnaces and

Furnace Boilers. The Metallic Roofing Go's Lines of Metallic Shingles,
Sidings, Ceilings. Rathbun Star Portland Cement. Cole's Hot Blast

Stoves. Wenzel's American Tents. Standard Sanitary Manufactur-

j,
ing Co's Baths, Lavatories, Etc. Artistic Fire-Proof Wall Plaster.

Berry Bros.' Varnishes and Sherwin-William's Paints.

f

^ Remington Arms Co's Guns and Rifles

Also Many Special Lines of Tools. Cutlery. Shelf and HeeLvy Hardware

^
GALT COAL PENNSYLVANIA COAL SMITHING COAL
Tlumbin^, Steam and Hot tOater Heating

Office and Show Rooms

Cor. South Railway and Rose Sts. REGINA. SASK.

 COAL WHITMORE BROS. WOOD
Shippers and Dealers in

COAL AND NA/OOD

GENERAL AGENTS

BANFF HARD COAL

For the Province of Saskatchewan

Office—South Railway Street REGINA, SASK.

C. W. BLACKSTOCK & CO.

Large and Small Real Estate For Quicic Results

Tracts of the Finest

LISTYOUR PROPERTY
WHEAT LANDS Financial WITH US-
AND Correspondence
in the World
Loan Agents Invited

CITY PROPERTY
FARM LANDS Improved and Unimproved
HORSE and CATTLE RANGES
P. O. Box 31 OFFICE ROSE ST. (Next to Standard Printing House) Plione 272

REQINA Sask.
 »••••••••«•#•<
Member Amer. Assoc. Civil Eng. Society.

\A/. \A/. LA CHANCE, architect

references:
Garlock Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio. School Building, WVxxlburn, Ont.
H. W. Kitchen Block. Cleveland, Ohio. School Building, Bartonville, Ont.
Cleveland Steel Range Co. Hosoital Building. Hamilton. Ont.
Forest City Steel Rang^e Co. H. \V. Laird Co. Building, Regina, Sask.
Parsons Block. Mackenzie & Brown Building, Regina, Sa.sk.
GlenvilleMemorial Church. J. F. Cairns Building, Saskatiwn.
Municipal Buildingf, Mt, Pleasant, VV. Va. A. E. Young Building. Saskatot>n.
Municipal Building^, Parkersburg, W. Va. W. H. McBeth Building, Saskatoon.
Municipal Building, Moundsville, VV. Va. The Phoenix Building, Saskatixin.
School Building Stoney Creek, Ont.

OFFICES IN CANADA: REGINA SASKATOON PRINCE ALBERT

CABLE ADDRESS"C0MP0" REGINA. | | %

COMPOSITE BRICK CO.

INCOMBUSTIBLE MANUFACTURERS OF FOR ALL KINDS
and of
INOESTRUCTIBLE Cast Stone and Brick CONSTRUCTION WORK

R. B. FERGUSSON, Manager

REGINA, Sask.
••••••••••••4
*
MANLEY &: SMITH John H. Boyle S. K. Duff S. K. Duff, Jr. •

REAL ESTATE
INSURANCE and JOHN H. BOYLE & CO. I
CONTRACTING

The Choicest Business and Residential

REAL ESTATE
Locations in the City.
Choice town lots for sale. Improved
and unimproved farm lands in choice
IMPROVED FARMS AND 40,000 ACRES OF
WILD LANDS FOR SALE. localities. Grazing lands
t

MooM Jaw Real EsUtc is the Safest lavestmeat in the

West to-day.
Correspondence and interviews invited

MANLEY & SMITH

REIGINA Sask. •
Bo«56 MOOSE JAW SASK.
 J. \A/. CADNA/ELL 8e CO. I
m
SASKATOON, Sask. I
w^

FARM LANDS CITY PROPERTY |

We were here first — Benefit by our Experience 1^

i "Invest Now" ^. . .^ . il
1 Fire and Life Insurance i
i i
i Correspondence Solicited REFERENCE: NORTHERN BANK
|

m
m
m
W. B. BARWIS
m
m
M
M
M
i
REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE, LOANS, &c. ' ' '
m
i m
I REPRESENTING I

U Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. n

m Railway Passengers Association Co. of London, Eng. m
H Liverpool and London and Globe Fire Insurance Co. |
% Phoenix Insurance Co. of Hartford, Conn. |
i Canadian Casualty and Boiler Insurance Co. m
§ Royal Fire Insurance Co. of Liverpool, Eng. i
I Commercial Union Fire Insurance Co. |

CALGARY ....
Canadian Birkbeck Investment and Savings Co.

ALBERTA
m
m

ROSEWELL, CARSON & FISHER |

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL M
Manufacturers of Genuine Stock Saddles, Concord Harness, Double and Single
||
Light Harness and all kinds of Hand-Stamped Leather Goods tl|

Dealers
H
M
Saddlery, Hardware, Leather, Trunks, Valises, Suit Cases,
in
Bits, Spurs, Blankets, Whips and all kinds ot Horse Goods. All orders W.
attended to promptly. Full line of all Leather Goods. Importers of m
English Saddlery and Travelling Rugs. Carriage Trimming a Specialty. S|
Repairs Done Promptly and Well. W
m
Phone 174 174 Eighth Ave. East P. o. Box 841 W:

CALGARY
Four doors East of Post Office
I
K
 BURNS
9-

p. & CO.
Meat Merchants, Pork Packers
Dealers in Live Stock
Head Office and Packing House :

CALGARY, Alberta

•e
-e
-8
•3
-8
-6
-8
COLD SXORAGE PLANTS AX:
-e
-6
•§ CALGARY, Alta. NELSON, B.C. FERNIE, B.C.
-8
-8 VANCOUVER, B.C. REVELSTOKE, B.C. WHITE HORSE, Y.T.
-8
-8
-8
•8
-8 Markets in all the principal cities and towns in Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
-8
•8
-8
-8
-8
•8
-8
P. BURNS & CO., CALGARY, Alberta.
-8

^Ycp<j><|><J,,j,<j>^cpcf<|><|><^>^«|><^cp<p,|,.|l<p«|Ht>cp<|><|><p<pcJ>cp<f^«p'f>cpcp<J>'p'|><p<p<f)^
 ^;^^;^^0m^^^^^^i^~;^^^*wi;^^ii^i^mfmw0!^*^

E. D. Benson. S. HOULTON i

The Benson & Houlton Company, +

Limited.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

BUILDERS
AND
CONTRACTORS

%
Fire and Life Insurance %

PROVINCIAL AGENTS FCR

FLEXO" ROOFING
I

i
%
Incorporated under the laws of

the Province of

Alberta

OFFICE Tel. 366. P. O. BOX 399.

Shop
"
754. HERALD BLOCK

Authorized Capital -
$100,000.00 CAL-GARV,
CANADA

»;^i?.li^m^^l^i^i^il^^i*^*^^^*'^^^^^**^^^^
 CALGARY BREWING

AND MALTING GO.

LIMITED

MANUFACTURERS OF

Ales, Porter and Lager Beer

" "
BUFFALO BRAND AERATED WATERS

CALGARY BREWING AND MALTING CD'S PREMISES, CALGARY, ALTA.

To produce good beer requires the highest grade ot malt, the finest hops, the purest water and the clearest air.
These are the substances that produce Calgary Beer.

Alberta malt, British Columbia and imported hops, Rocky Mountain glacial water. These make Calgary Beer.
xl
 ^
il/

%
\l/
\^/ m

Ho *
Dealer in
m
\^/

TTLE Heavy TeaLms

aimd MaM
a-nd Stock Cattle always on Hand
m
m
Farms, Ranches and Town Property for Sale m
a/ CATTLE BRANDED HORSES BRANDED
\^/ T. O. "Bojc ISO
SsLme Bls cut on left ribs Sa>.m« OlS out on left shovildor

Office Phone 203 CALGAR.Y, Aha. Res. Phone 19

*
m
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^^^^^^^

sK
 WILLIAM M. DODD
ATtCHITECT
HEAD OFFICE: BRANCH OFFICE
Pooms 6,7 and 8 TELEPHONE NO. 162. P.O. BOX 275. REGINA.
New AlbertaL Block
Sftsk.
CALGARY
REFERENCES
Bxisiness Blocks Residences Public Buildings
New Alberta Block for W. R. Hull W. R. Hull, Residence, Calgary New Central School, Calgary
" W. H. Butcher, " "
Clarence Block for Senator Lougheed "
Victoria
" " " W. M. Robertson's Fast Ward School, Calgary
Norman Block for "
" School, MacLeod, Alta.
Cameron Block for A. L. Cameron F. F. Higgs, " "
" " High River, Alta.
" Theo. Strom Red Deer, Alta.
Sharpies Block for John Sharpies
•'
Allan Block for A. Allan W. H. Lee, " "
Olds, Alta.
Gainsborough, Sask.
'•
Armstrong Block Rectory English Church " "
" Qu'Appelle, Sask.
" Terrace, Frank Fairey, Town Hall, Qu'Appelle, Sask.
Hutchings Block for R. J. Hutchings "
" Bank of Nova Scotia, Calgary
Calgary Cattle Co. Block " Union Bank, High River
" "
Calgary Milling Co. Block Bank of Montreal, Regina and Indian
" Burns Block for P. Burns & Co.
Hotels. Etc. Head (Associate Architect)
"
" Smith & Gaetz Block, Red Deer • New Lyric Theatre, Calgary City Hall, Regina
" "
C. B. Hume & Co. Block, Revelstoke Auditorium Skating Rink, Calgary
"
• Trites & Wood Block, Fernie, B.C. Sanitarium Hotel, Banff
" " Fernie Hotel, Fernie, B.C.
Wholesale Buildings
Johnston Block, Eernie, B.C.
" " Grand Union Hotel, Calgary
Lane & Emerson Block, High River James Turner & Co., Calgary
' Dominion Hotel, Calgary Great West Saddlery Co., Calgary
Churches " Delias Hotel, Lethbridge Massey Harris Co,. Calgary
" I. Y. Griffin & Co.. Calgary
Knox Church, Regina Cayley Hotel, Cay ley W. M. Parslow's Warehouse, Calgary
"
Baptist Church, Calgary Dining Hall, Alberta Hotel, Calgary G. F. Stephens & Co., Calgary

ALBERTA INVESTMENT GO. Limited

FINtNCItl AGENTS, REAL ESTATE, lOANS m INSURANCE

agencies; representing:
The Home Insurance Company, The Standard Loan Company,

The Guardian Assurance Company,

The New York Underwriters' Agency, The Dominion ot Canada Guarantee and

Accident Insurance Company.

New Yorl( Plate Glass Insurance Company.

T j.ssKiNNER
CALGARY, ALBERTA H. M. CHERRY,
AssT.- Manager
I ffii ALBERTA HOTEL 1
3
NORMAN D. JACKSON. Proprietor
:3

The Leading Commercial Hotel

=== in Alberta ====
RATES
$2,50 to $3.00 per Day

JC ^ ?c

^
E
^luaiiuuiUiiuuiitJuiiuiuaiiUiUiUiuiuiUiuiuuiuiiuuuuiuujuiiUiuuiiuiiiiUiWiiuuK
xliii
 '*U«Ci»U*CM£*C9*U*U*CJ*i

i W. A. DENBY, Manager E. H. CRANDELL

THE WESTERN TENT AND MATTRESS CO.

DEALERS IN AND MANUFACTURERS OF

Tents, Awnings, Mattresses

Camping Supplies and all

kinds of Canvas Goods.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

133 TENTH AVENUE EAST

Telephone 173
P. 0. Box 57 CALGARY, Alta.

PHYSICAL MORALITY
is fundamental

To Preserve Beauty
Cleanse the Skin
Stimulate Circulation
and Tone up External Tissue

GOLDEN WEST
..TOILET..
-IS AN-

Exquisite Soap
AT A POPULAR PRICE

ASkC F^OR \T

Standard Soap Go. Ltd.

Head Office and Works! CALGARY
r-\
A. JUDSON SAYRE WESLEY HOOPLE EUGENE D. CASE
President treas. Secy «. manaoer

CALGARY
COLONIZATION
COMPANY

250,000 ACRES
in the heart of the great wheat belt of Alberta, embracing
lands at Calgary, Airdrie, Crossfields, High River, Shep-
ard, Langdon and other points

WRITE FOR MAPS AND FULL INFORMATION TO

Calgary Colonization Co.

LIMITED

CALGARY - - Canada

sW
$ss3aaa33ss3iS33ssi[isssii3iS!iaaffiaffi9assffliaffiiiffiiisiiiifflSiisii!i£iiiaiisiiisi3i9SSiffli]S9aiiii!i3!Ssfflgi[siiiiiis
m
W. H. GUSHING, President. A. B. GUSHING. Vice-President. A. T. GUSHING, Secretary-Treasurer.

Gushing Bros. Co., Ltd.

WINDOW AND DOOR MANUFACTURERS
Alberta's Leading Industry

Windows, Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, Turnings, Brackets, Etc.

Store and Church Fittings, Stairs, Store Fronts, Etc. : :

Factories and Yards at Branches at

CALGARY, EDMONTON and REGINA. STRATHCONA, FORT SASKATCHEWAN

and RED DEER.

. . . Dealers in . . .

LUMBER, SHINGLES AND BUILDERS' SUPPLIES

i CALGARY, ALBERTA
sffissaisfflsiiissiiisisBiiffliiinisnisiinsiiiiaaffliiiiiiiiaiiisniiinsiiisiiaffiiisniiiisiiiiiiiiiiiiissiinsisiisniisiiiiiiiiiiiiissiis

W. S. LAZIER & CO.

Real Estate
The Great West Land Co.
Loans
There is no more inviting proposition to the investor

Insurance or settler than the lands we have to offer in the prov-

inces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. These include
General Brokers large tracts of both Agricultural and Grazing lands
in the choicest localities in these two provinces. The
Live Stock lands were chosen because of their fertility and location.
As an investment no other lands in the Great'North-
Business Chances West have a better present value and promise a greater
certainty of greatly increased value in the near future.
Farm Lands Full particulars will be sent upon request.

Ranches W. S. Lazier & Co.

centre street
CALGARY ALBERTA
oiiiiiii^^iiJii^iiiiiijpiaaiiiiiiiiiiapiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaiia@(iiii^
 A. McBRIDE & CO. I

Shelf and Heavy Hardware

In our large stock we have made ample provision

:i For the BUILDER

-6 Whom we can supply with anything he requires in any quantity— nails, glass,
e f.
putty, Sic. 9-
-6

t For the FARMER

For farm or garden, house or barn, stable or fence
-6

t For the CARPENTER

-8 The best tools in the greatest variety by the world's best makers

I For the HOME

Stoves, Ranges, Refrigeators, Screens, Carpet Sweepers and the thousand and 9*
one house necessities n*

A. McBRIDE & CO. CALGARY, Alta. t

a>s>9>'S>s>i>s>s>it>s>s>s>^^s>s>^^^s>^^^^^^^^^^^s>ss>^^s>

Alberta Pacific Elevator Co.

UMITED C. S. LOTT
WHOLESALE DEALERS IN GRAIN REAL ESTATE and FINANCIAL
HAY. FEED AGENT
<8
Dealer in

1 3 Elevaton from Edmonton South to Cardtton.

CROWS NEST PASS COAL
30.000 Bushels Capacity each. : : : :
BANFF HARD COAL
WETASKIWIN STAVELY
MILLET SPRING COULEE Rrpre.srntinc:
LEI>L'C CLARESHOLM Onlcr, Hammond & N'aiiton
DIDSBLRY PINCHER Norwich I'nion Fire Insuranoo Society
CARSTAIRS MAGRATH I^w Union & Crown Insurance Co.
HIGH RIVER RALEY Western AsHurance Co.
NANTON CARDSTON (A>ndon Guarantee and Accident Co.
OLDS Hudiion Bay Co'a Lmnds

Head Office:

CALGARY, Alberta
Pacific Cartage G)., Ltd.
A. M. NANTON. Ptas. C S. LOTT. ViefPlM.
T. L. BEJSEKER. C H. DAVIDSON. E. D. ADAMS. SmtTim*.
Proideal Vioe-PfwidMM

L. P. STRONG. Seortwy-T. CALGARY Alberu

«lvii
 * id
Residence Phone 43 OfiEice Phone 29

Ross Brothers
Limited
THE OLDEST ESTABLISHED OFFICE
*
IN TOWN
^VHOLESALE and RETAIL

*
* H. R SANDEMAN Traders' and Trappers' Supplies,
* Shelf and Heavy Hardware,
* REAL ESTATE AND Stoves, &c.
*
INSURANCE
*
Manufacturers of

C. & E. Townsite Representative

TIN, SHEET IRON and COPPER-
* WARE
*
MONEY TO LOAN *

STRATHCONA ALBERTA EDMONTON ALBERTA

©
7UST MALT AND HOPS, THATS ALL

"EDMONTON BEER"
"PEERLESS ALE"
"IMPERIAL STOUT"

Edmonton Brewing and Malting Co,

LIMITED §

The most expert knowledg-e of Malting- and Brewing; the most extreme care
in manufacturing; the best hops, the finest malt and the purest water com-

out the North-West. . .........

bine to make the product of our works so popular in Edmouton and through-

Edmonton Alberta f
s n
NORTH-\A/EST ELECTRIC CO. l-lmit«cl ^
I
g

Construction, Electric Fixtures and Supplies

ESTIMATES FURNISHED ON DYNAMOS, MOTORS, AND COMPLETE INSTALLATIONS i

CALGARY and EDMONTON, Alta.

C. G. CUNNINGHAM. Man. Dir. H. R. THOMPSON. Director *

E. A. THOMPSON. Sec. Treas. G. M. COWDEROY. Director M
RJSlBds tS cE'S 3! 9q S !sj SjEBjCCS tSISCs S i^ cH: !?C r^ . ^ ~ ^ r^ QD IS is^ (& (Bj IH3 CB3DDBIiBQD{alBiBilBIBlBwIBuDBi(B^DIB9D0B(BBDB!>DD0Cn V

saasaaaisaaaaasiiSssaaasasaaaaaaaasaasiswaaaafisiaaaHBaawaifisainnaaiinnnwnnsaii^iSffiSHisaHn
m BB

I Strathcona Brewing and Malting Co. I

B Brewers' Supplies — — IRISH moss, : mamfactirers ok

HOPS, FINE ALE, EXTRA PORTER, ^^^^^'

I
I MALTING, AND PITCH,

ISINGLASS PREMIUM LAGER BEER etc.

ROBERT OCHSNER, Proprietor. STRATHCONA, Alberta, a

a
asaBaBaaaaaffl2BBaaaaaaaffla«fflafflfflBafflfflffl«Bfflffls«fflBfflBB»BBasaaBBas»»fflB«*
•*;*»««» t^-aa

Established inoorporatad
%
f 1878 THE 6RACKMAN-KER MILLING GO. 1899

L.IIVIIXED

PAID UP CAPITAL - -
$340.000 00
Elavators at all princi-
BRANCHES: pal points on Calgary
Manufacturers of and Dealers and Edmonton
R.R.
in

VANCOUVER. B.C.
ROLLED OATS.
RED DEER
NEW WESTMINSTER. OATMEAL,
B.C.
WETASKIWIN
t GRAHAM FLOUR,
NELSON, B.C. LACOINBE
WHEAT FLAKES
ROSSLAND, B.C. LCDUG
GRAIN, GRASS SEEDS, ETC.
STRATHCONA
STRATHCONA. Alta.

-
Head Office, VICTORIA, B.C.
CABLE ADDRESS MILLS at:
"BRACKMAN"
I

Oc««ri Docl<, Victoria, a C. P.O DRAWER 779

A.8.C CODE TELEPHONE 366

4th and 5th EDITION »X«ATMCOfMA, Alt*.

^
 .'(-.. ..|i.. ..|^. .4..
^.•- ^f.« 1»» •».»

Revillon BrotKers
Limited

EDMONTON BRANCH

PIONEER GENER.AL WHOLESALERS

of WESTERN CANADA

J^eedle to cin Anchor*'

**
Ei'Very thing J^rom a.

#
# R^evillon Brothers, Limited
«
«»
EDMONTON - - ALBER.TA

91
.ii«^ .«-#k. .«#k. .««^. ..'1^. .iki. ..-|k. .<«v. .ii#k. .<i#k. .ii«k. .liiv. .«#k. .<i|k. .ii#i. vti. .w*^. .*#v. ^iw,
•^fFTf.« <!#? if" -'!fr>»,«-^».«'!fr-'!fr'!|i*-^f« '!•,•-<.•-'!.• <!fr -<!.• <!.• <!#• ».#.•
 ########^ ^^<^4!r^4>$*^i4Jf^^

Revillon Brothers Limited.

f
W holesale
Merchants
*
# ^^^

Dry Goods, Boots and Shoes, ^^*

Groceries, Hardware, etc., etc.

Revillon Brothers* Limited

EDMONTON, . Alberta.
.

<^*1^^«4MI^#«*#«iMi#««««##«##^10^lQl^^«««*«««««**4
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n
D
n
n
n
D
D
Edmonton Tent and Mattress Co.
O R.
D Established 1895. Kenneth, Prop.
n
IN/IAKERS OR
n
D
D
D
n
Tents, Awnings,
::::::: Mattresses, Pillows, Flags, Wagon, Boat and Horse

:::::;:
Covers :

D
D Survey Camp Supplies and Hammocks, Folding Camp Beds, Tables and
D
D Chairs kept in stock
D

g Office and Store: - - Jasper Avenue West, EDMONTON. B

DnDnnnnnnnannnnnnnaDnnnDDnnnnnDananDnnnnnnannnDnnnDnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
gj c5£2S2g2^^a£2£2£2£2s2s2£Sa5Sg2 &^4S&&.<^^^!S..^^Am

CRAFTS 8c LEIE
Land and Business Exchange

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada

Land improved and unimproved for sale in

theEdmonton District and the famous Sas-
katchewan Valley, the garden of Alberta.
Also property in Edmonton, the Capital of
Alberta and the leading- city between Win-
nipeg and Vancouver,
For Maps, price lists. &c, write us. Corre-
spondence solicited.

CRARxs St l.e:e:
Reference: Merchants Bank of Canada, Edmonton Jg

W. I. CRAFTS ROBERT LEE

p.

1 The Bentley Compdny,

LIMITED
I
^ Importers and Dealers in

i General Merchandise
i WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

Si
«
•55
S5
S3
We Carry the Largest and Best Assorted
S3 Stock in Southern Alberta
?3
S3
S3
Hieh Grade Goods at Right Prices
^
S3
t3
SS
S3
S3
Ladies' Wear Department Ip-Stairs
S3 A Lady in Chargfe
«

S5

S3 AGENTS rOR THE CANADIAN OIL COMPANY, Limited

S3

S3
^
S3
S3
Mail Orders Receive Prompt and Careful
S3 Attention
S5
S3
LETHBRIDGE Alberta
S3
S3
S3SJ&!3^i?!3^!3!g!9:gI?jS!3^EJt3!3JSJ»5?:3^5?(3!3fi5iJ3i35?;ff!5(3'!g^(3'
 ###*#*######## #####,(t#,)t,^,^,^,^^^^^^,^^^^^^
B. C DEASUM C. MOUNT
I Office Tel. 864. Residence Tel. BI507.

I d,EASUM & MOUNT I

% REAL ESTATE
AND
A. M. BEATTIE
J INSURANCE AGENTS
}
^ Local agens AUCTIONEER AND
I WESTERN CANADA LAND COMPANY, Ltd. |
NOTARY PUBLIC
i Auction Sales Conducted {;

J IMPROVED AND UNIMPROVED FARMS #

X CORRESPONDENCE INVITED TIMBER LIMITS

^ ^< FOR SALE v< ^<

Masonic Hall Building, I

167 Cordova Street
t Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. t
# VANCOIVER, B.C.
##########i(mmnimnimmmt####,^,immn,mn,mn,n„i^„t,n;

I
*
SHERA & CO. I
t
I Millers and General Merchants I

MEAT MARKET IN CONNECTION

Fort Saskatchiev^an, Alta.

«*«:#«««4t*«*««**«««**##«««#*««#*««*««**««##*#«««#

«««*««««*««««««#«««#«**««««««««««««**««««««««*««*««««««*«««#*#«#«««««««^

IMPORTER
AND JOBBER OF

VANCOUVKIR. B.C.
liii
 ^-^^.•"-^f • 4-
^m
m
®^

.^:ff;fi*

Kelly, Douglas & Co. Ltd.

|
WHOLESALE GROCERS |

DIRECT IMPORTERS
Teas, Coffees, Tobaccos, Cigars,

''Absolutely the best"— NABOB Tea, Coffee, Spices & Extracts

---^ .•-
Cable Address! "KELLY Codes used A-B.C. 5th Edition, "WESTERN UNION'

VANCOUVER, B.C.

Pij
f^
pi ?W;
u> -ii^j

i(
-u^'W:wmaiiM ^^^i
(
 VM. VALLANCE, W. G. MACKENZIE, M. H. LBGGAT,
PrcsidaU Vice-Preadent t Maoagins Director
Sec'v-Tre«t

WOOD, VALLANCE & LEGGAT LIMITED

Shelf and Heavy Hardware

GUNS, RIFLES and AMMUNITION
Bar Iron and Steel; Coil Chain, Cordage and Glass; Mill, Foundry and Contractors*
Supplies; British and Foreign Cutlery; Ship Chandler .

WOOD, VALLANCE & LEGGAT, Limited

Vancouver, B. C,

WOOD, VALLANCE St CO., Hamilton GEO. WOOD & CO., WOOD. VALLANCE HARDWARE CO.,
TORONTO OFFICE. Bay St, Winnipeg Nelson, B. C.

I
g^
McLENNAN, McFEELY & CO., LIMITED

B HARDWARE MERCHANTS
SOLE AGENTS FOR
JJ^ Reffistered Trade
m^ Mark
>UN3

g
E We Invite
E Correspondence
E
Retail Sales and Sample Rooms:
B 122 CORDOVA ST.
B
 cooes: a. B.C. 5TH Edition, western union, ai.

E. G PRIOR, President ESTABLISHED 1859

G. F. MATHEWS, Vice-President INCORPORATED 1891
G W. WYNNE, Man. Director CAPITAL STOCK, $250,000
C p. W. SCHWENGERS, Secretary

E. 6. PRIOR & CO.

LIMITED LIABILITY
Wholesale importers of

BAR AND PLATE IRON, STEEL, RAILS. PIPE, FITTINGS, NAILS

Shelf AND Heavy hardware

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
LONDON OFFICE:
Branch Houses: 13-15 Wilson St , Finsbury,
VANCOUVER, B. C. E.C,
KAMLOOPS, B. C.
'^'CJ'^^ ^T^^t^t^i^'.^ -•
VERNON, B.C.
NEW YORK OFFICE:
127 Duane St.
N.E.Coi?. Government and Johnson Streets.
SOL.E AGEIMTS IIM BRITISH COL-UIVIBIA F-OR
Massry Harris Co's Whitman Agricultural Cos Melotte Cream Separators Frost & Wood's
Binders, Mowers, Sulky Rakes Hand, Horse & Steam Power Steel Plows
Maw Hancock Disc Plows
Seed Drills, Cultivators Hay Presses Wagon
Harrows, Feed and Root Cutters
(American) Bain Co's
Petaluma Incubators Steel Skein Farm and
F. E. Myers & Bro's Freight
Ensilage Cutters Wagons
Sawyer & Massey's
Well and Spray Pumps Chas. A Stickney Co's
Farm and Traction Engines Hay Carriers. Forks, Pulleys, &c. Gasoline Engines (Canadian) Bain Wagon Co's
Peerless Separators
Aekmotor Co's Winhmills Farm Wagons, Trucks and
c s n J- L. Owen's Dump Carts
Jas. Leffel & Co's S. L. Allen & Co s
T A
Fanning Mills
Steam Engines and Boilers 1 lanet Jr. Garden & rarm lools Brantford Carriage Co's
St. Alaban's Foumirv Co's W. Cooke & Co's Oliver's Carriages, Buggies and Carts
Threshers and Separators Miningand Logging Wire Ropes Chilled and Steel Plows

^S5s5£QS2£2^g;£SSJ£2£2.s2£2a}.s2£2S?a£2S;fi2£2£2^£2g3S2fi3g2s2S2£2S2g3SJ&
a a
S3
?3 C. J. LOEWEN, Notary Public R. G. HARVEY
•55

?3

PITHER & LEISER LOEWEN & HARVEY

REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE
AND LOANS

WHOLESALE WINES g Phone 987. P. 0. Box 828.

!S
LIQIORS & CIGARS SS

310 Hastings Street West, &

VANCOUVER, B.C. SS
SS

JS
AGENTS 5S
a
S2
The Canadian Birkbeck investment and Savings Co. a
is
The Queen Insurance Co. <&

The Guarantee Company of North America.

ss
VANCOIVER and VICTORIA, B.C.
ss
ss
Codes: A. B.C., 5th Edition. Moreing & Neal.
^
is
^5i-;?5Ji?P5S^£3'5Ju?5J5?!3B?i3E3'i?»JS5Si3555?(3SJE5'!S';35?5J5Si35?5?5?JS

Ivi
 J.E. LAIDLAW- R.A.LAIDLAW
I

B. C. Electrical Construction Co.

-
LAIDLAW BROS.

Estimates for Wiring Furnished. Fittings and Fixtures.

No. 2 Arcade Phone A- 122 5

ANGLO-AMERICAN fire insurance company

I
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL - -
$1,000,000
SUBSCRIBED CAPITAL - - -
$480,100
Deposited with the Dominion Government for the Protection of Policyholders -
$54,634.69

S. F. McKINNON, Esq., Pres. JOHN R. BARBER. M. P. P.

of S. F. McKinnon & Co., Toronto JOHN FLETT
H. H. BECK, Manager

V Head Office— McKinnon Building - _ _ _ . TORONTO

I
xxxx3

American-Abell Engine & Thresher Co.

LIMITED

Portable and Traction ENGINES

SEPARATORS WINDSTACKERS BAGGERS FEEDERS
WEIGHERS, and all kinds of extras

Special Plowing Engines

Representing RCPRCSKNIINO
TORONTO, Ont. Minneapolis
Advance Thresher Co.
WINNIPEG, Man, Threshing Machine Co.
BATTLE CREEK, REGINA, Sask. WEST MINNEAPOLIS,
Mich. Minn
 ^^.^•^m^.^.^.m'^mm-^^m'mmm'^mmmmm
The World's Famous
''Safford'' Radiators
AND

^^Safford'' Boilers
become world-renovvned by actual merit. They have stood the
HAVE test of the world's most expert critics. They have no equal in the
world. This is why they are used in

His Majesty's Theatre, London. His Majesty's Office and Works,

Birmingfham. The Emperor
of Germany's Royal Palace, Berlin.
Royal Infirmary, Dresden, Germany. Institute of Mechanical
Eng^ineers, Westminister. Metropolitan Police Headquarters,
London. Palace Hotel, Cairo, Egypt. City Hall, Antwerp, Bel-
gium. City Hall, Pietermaritzburg-, S.A. Exploration Buildings,
Johannesburg, S.A. City Hall, Toronto. King Edward Hotel,
Toronto.

Dominion Radiator Co.

Limited. W
Head Office: TORONTO.
Prices no higher than others. Booklet Free.
branches : Montreal, Quebec, St. John, Winnipeg, Vancouver.
^.

Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation

Mead Office:

Toronto Street, TORONTO, Ont.

Money to ^
^i and upwards received on de-
Loan $1 00 '^^^ upwards received, for
which debentures are issued with
posit. Interest paid or compounded ^t
Rates Low coupons attached for half yearly
half yearly at
Terms Easy interest at
No Delays
3i%
Expenses Light

Paid up Capital $6,000,000.00. Reserve Fund $2, 200,000. 00. inve:>tbd Funds $25, 200, 000. 00.

BRANCH OFFICES:
Ontario Branch— TORONTO. Maritime Provinces Branch— ST. JOHN,
Alberta Branch -EDMONTON. N.B. ^°,
Jno. Massey, Manager.
C. W. Strathy, Manager. Edmund B. LeRoy, Manager.
W. Cecil Lee, Treasurer.
British Columbia Branch-VANCOUVER Manitoba Branch— WINNIPEG. Saskatchewan Branch— REGINA.
George L. Smellie, Manager. Geo. F. R. Harris, Manager. W. E. Mason, Manager.
511 asse\^=^varr4S
.3(, Oc.
i«iin«iecl

The Larg-est Makers of

. . Farm Implements . .

Under the British Flag

MAKERS OF CANADIAN MACHINES FOR CANADIAN PEOPLE

li«
m 'u~3

m
m
m
 THE
SUB-TARGET
GUN
has had the endorsation of every mili-
tary officer of standing in the Domin-
ion, and is beinjj provided by the De-

partment of Militia and Defence for

the instruction of the Canadian forces.

Adopted by the Ontario Government

for use in the Public Schools.
Write for "Facts for Marksmen," a
twenty-pag'e illustrated booklet.

The Sub-Target Gun Company

LIMITED
206 MANNING CHAMBERS
TORONTO

The Wilkinson Plough Co. Limited

MANUFACTURERS OF

Ploughs
Mouldboard and Disc

Rollers
Steel, Land and I^wn

Harrows
Drag and Disc

Scrapers
Steel, Wheel and Drag

Straw Cutters
Pneumatic
Writt' for full lino-* of Ajfricullural ImplomcntM M«nuf«clurcd by uh

THE WILKINSON PLOUGH CO.

TORONTO - - - Canada

i«i
^ISSSS^Sli

Union Drawn Steel Co. Limited

Cold Die-Rolled Steel and Iron
FOR
SHAFTING
PISTON RODS. SCREW STEEL & ROLLER BEARING RODS

R.ounds
True to Size
Squa^res
and Highly
Flats and
Polished
Hexa-gons

Office and Works

HAMILTON CaLi\aLda

The FEDERAL LIFE

Assurance Company
CAPITAL AND ASSETS $3,293,913.93
PAID POLICY HOLDERS 236.425.35
IN 1905

ASSURANCE WRITTEN 3.329.537.08

IN 1905

Mo^t 7}esirable 'Policy Contractj:

Security Absolute Nonforfeitable 'Policies:

DAVID DEXTER. President and Managing Director

Head Office;

HeLmilton Canada
Ixii
QUALITY— QUALITY

That is

UPTON'S
first consideration in the manu-
facture of his

JAMS, JELLIES AND

ORANGE MARMALADE
 W. E. Sanford Mfg. Co. Ltd.

WHOLESALE
CLOTHIERS = Manufacturers of ~

'She C e I e brat e d
^o^ereign 'Brand

Hamilton* Ont* Winnipeg, Man. *

^y^p^p^«<y^p^&^pjJp*J^Jy*ipJ^J^JpJ^J^JjpC^^pJy^Jj&J|&Jjpt^Jy<^y^

THE DO\A/D MILLING CO., Ltd

IVIILLERS AND GRAIIM DEALERS
Ask for Patent H
 Mk Western Canada
*******<
1^^
is Attractingz

The Attention of the World

T^HE magnificent harvest of .905 has drawn the attention of the farming communitv, the world to the ^
'he mflux of settlers this over, irreat
„\u *-*'^^'^'^" Y^^^' ,*"d
^*^ development has
year promises to be far larger than ever before
another
•

• given incentive to action to the progressive farmer, and the

7h f'f'"^^'" "^^
bushels to the acre has caught the attention of the husbandman of prolific
^° '*°
clime" every country and of ^ery
q The opening up of new territory by the increased railway consiruction throw^ a wider area\han ever before
Uj settlement, w.thm easy reach of markets and elevators, and open
thousands are flocking to the newly-opened distril^s
There is room, however, for thousands more, and 160 acres are offered free to man
every who isabirand willinir to
comply with the requirements of settlement : ; ; ;
. . . . . .

Rules for Homestead Entry

The Markets or Inspection Traffic Facilities %
1. An application for homciiteaJ entry or inspec-
tion will only be accepted if made in
is a good market for person by the 'T*H REE different
'TpHERE
--
applicant at the office of the local a^ent or sub- railway sys-
everything the farmer can ag^ent. 1 terns are already in the
raise — Wheat, Butter, Eggs,
2. An
application for homestead entry or for in
spcction, made personally at any sub-aifcnt's office, West, with both main lines and
Poultry and other staples of the may be wired to the local a^ent by the sub-atrent. at branches, and new lines are pro-
the expense of the applicant, and.' if the land applied
farm, and prices do not mater- for is vacant on receipt of the telejfram, such jected. Three transcontinental
appli-
cation is to have priority and the land will be held
from those in the
ially differ will run
until the necessary papers to complete the transac- railways through the
eastern communities. Groceries, tion have been received by mail. in the course of a very
country
Shouldbe found that a homestead entry has
it
Dry Goods, Clothing, Etc. cost .S.

been secured through "personation," or an applica- few years.

about the same. tion tor inspeclii>n filed by .1 person who has repre-
sented himself as some one else, the
entry will be
summarily cancelled and such applicant will forfeit
all priority of claim.

4. An applicant for inspection must be eligible

for homestead entry.
Fuel Easy to Obtain 5. Only one application for inspection may be
received from an individual until that application has
t been disposed of. Climate -None Better
OTH Wood and Coal can be 6. The Department may carry on to completion
B had at reasonable prices.
any cancellation proceedings instituted, although the
applic.int should subsequently withdraw or become
'TpHE seasons are milder than
ineligible for entry. *
i Timber belts skirt the river banks in most portions of Quebec
7. When a homestead entr\ is cancelled for any
and the shores of the lakes, and cause (except when an applicant for cancellation bcs and other Eastern Sections. It
comes entitled to entry) notice therei>f is to be at
coal is found in many parts of once posted in the Uval agent's office and sub-agent's is pleasant in summer, with more

the country. office within which the land is situated, with day and hours of sunshine to mature
Rights to mine hour of posting, and will be open for entry by the
coal on public lands, for private first eligible applicant at counter after the posting of crops, and there are no hot
said notice.
use, may be had from the Gov- winds to burn crops; while the
8. A homesteader whi>se entry is in goixl stand-
ernment for a few cents a ton, ing may relinquish the same in favor of a father, winters ar«« no colder than in
mother! son. daughter, brother or sister, if eligible,
and timber may also be cut for on filing the usual dtvlaration of abandonment, sub- many parts of the East. Snow-
jcx:t to the approval
of the depjirtment. (If the entrv fall is light.
private use. is liable to cancellation no privilege uf transfer will
he entertained, and in no case will a transfer to other*
than relatives above mentioned he permitted.)
9 If an entry be summarily cancelled or volun-
tarily abandoned by the homesteader. subs<-quent to the institution of cancellation prtvecdings, the applicant for inspection will he entitled to pri«>r
right of entry.
10.
Applicants for inspection must state in what particulars the homesteader is in default, and if. subsequently, the statrmrni is fotind to he
incorrect in material particulars, the applicant will lose any of ^€^-entry he might otherwise have nad. sht>uld the land hivomr vacant,
prior right
or, if an <mtry has bi-cn granted, it may be summarily cancelled.
11. The homi-stcader is required to perform the conditii>ns connected therewith under one of the following plans :

(1) At least six months' residence upon and cultivation of the land in each year for three years.
(j) If the father (or mother, if the father isdei-eased) of the homesteader resides up»>n a farm in the vicinity of the land entered for, the rr-
quirctnents as to residence may be satisfied bv such person residing with the lather or mother.
(3) If the settler has his permanent residence upon farming land owned by him in the vicinity of his hi>me*lead, the roquiremctils as lo resi-
dence may be satisfied by residence upon the same land.
Six months' notice in writing should be given to the Commissioner of Dominion l^nds, at Ottawa, ol intention to apply for patent.
W. W. COR.Y. lyrfiuty ollhr \fiHi»ler of Ih* Interior.
"THE TWENTIETH CENTURY BELONGS TO CANADA'*
Information and Advice.
Can be freely obtained from the following :

1906 W. I). .SCOTT, Superintendent of Immigration. Ottawa. Canada. 1906

THE COMMISSIONER OF EMIGRATION. 11 and 1* Charing Crivw. Utndon. England.

Isv
 Contractors to the Government of Canada.

M, J,
WILSON & SONS
302 Wellington St. OTTAWA, Canada.

— Manufacturers of—

MILITARY EQUIPMENT
Special Attention given to Officer's Requirements.

Waist and Cross Belts,

Swords and Badges,

Leggings, Spurs.

on
::::::::
Particulars and Prices on our
this page furnished on application.
anywhere.
SAM BROWN OUTFIT, illustrated
Sample sent on approval

General factory turns out harness in all styles for private

stable, road, farm or railway work : : : :

Full lines of all Turf Goods, Carriage and Stable Requisites.

Ixvi
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o o
o o
o o
o
o
o
"^he R^oyal Military College o
o
o
o o
o o
o o
o o
.

o o
o o
o Of all the noble educational institutions of which Woolwich and Sandhurst and the United States West o
o Canada can boast there are none, which by reason of the o
o Point. o
o educational work it has done and is doine. the number The Commandant, militarj' professors and some of o o
o
o of skilful, capable men it has graduated, and the high the instnictors are officers on the active list of the Im- o
o standard of Canadian manhood it has o
o produced, has perial army, lent for the purpose, and in addition there o
o greater claims upon the pride and gratitude of the Cana- is a complete staff of
o
o dian professors for the civil subjects, o
o people than the Royal Military College, Kingston. which form such a large proportion of the College course. o
o It is but necessary to recall the brilliant successes
o
o Whilst the College is organized on a strictly nulitary o
o attained in the British Army by such representative basis, the cadets receive, in addition to their military o
o
o o
o graduates as Major Mackay, D.S.O., Captain Stairs, studies, a thoroughly practical, scientific and sound train-
o
o Lieut.-Col. Sir E. P. C. Girouard, K.C.M.G., D.S.O., ing in all subjects that are essential to a high and general o
o o
o Major R. K. Scott, D.S.O., Major H. Joly de I^tbiniere, modem education. o
o
o D.S.O., Lieut.-Col.Lang-Hyde, D.S.O., Capt. D. S. Mac- The course in mathematics is very complete, and a o
o Innes, D.S.O. Major Dobell, D.S.O. and Major Henneker. o
o ; ; thorough grounding is given in the subjects of Civil En- o
o D.S.O., not to speak of considerably over a hundred o
gineering, Civil and Hydrographic Surveying, Physics, o
o more who are still o
o serving with marked distinction in Chemistry, Engli.sh and French. o
o The object of the College course is thus to give the o
o His Majesty's service, to form some idea of the practical o
o character and thoroughness of the instruction in the cadets a training which shall thoroughly equip them for o
o o
o various branches of military science imparted at the either a military or civil career.
o
o The strict dLscipline maintAined at the College is one o
o Royal Military Collie. _
o In the Canadian Permanent Force, too, graduates of the most valuable features of the system. .\s a result o
o of the of it young men acquire habits of obedience and self-
o Collie have gained and are still gaining marked q
o distinction. control, and consecjuently of self-reliance and command, O
o
o Among the officers of the Royal North-west Mounted as well as experience in controlling and handling their O
o
o Police, since the earliest days of the Royal Military fellows.
o College there has been a proportion of its graduates, and In addition the constant practice of gymnastics,
o
o with great advantage to the force, for in no particular equitation, and outdoor exercises of all kinds,
drills
c ensures good health and fine physical condition.
o sphere, perhaps, has the seasoning influence of the
o scientific training and sterling manhood of the An experienced medical officer is in attendance at
o
o institution ,been more satisfactorily felt. At the the College daily.
o Seven conunissions in the Imperial regular anny are
o Apresent time the Commissioner of the force, Ayles-
o worth Bowen Perry, is a graduate, a member of the annually awardr<i as prizes to the cadets; aim* three in the
o
o first class in fact, while among the other senior members Permanent F'orc", as well as three ap|M>intments in the
o of the
o force who are graduates are Assistant Commissioner techinical departments of the Dominion ('ivil Service.
o Wood, Commanding in the Yukon, and Superintendents The length the of course i-t three years, in three
o
o G. E. Sanders, D.S.O., P. C. H. Primrose and A. C. Mac- tenns of 9J months' residence each. 8
o The total cost of the thre<' years' course, including
o donell, D.S.O. $
o In civil life, graduates of the College are to be found board, uniforms, instructional material, and all extras, Q
o
o throughout the world, but more particularly in Canada, is from $7.5() to $«(K). O
o The annual
o occupying prominent places in all the leamc<l profe«tiion«, com|H»litive examination for admission q
o and mechanical to the College is held at the hrad<|iinrt4>n4 of the Mcveml
o especially those of civil, mining, railroad
o engineering. military' districts in which candidates reside, in May of
o each yt«r.
o The College is a Dominion Government institution,
o designed primarily for the purpose of giving the highest
For full particulars of this examination, or for any
o
o technical instruction in all branches of militar>' science other information, application should be mA<le to the
o
o to cadets and officers of the ('anadian Militia. In fact it is Secretary of the Militia Council, Ottawa, Ont.
o intended to take the place in Canada of the Knglisb
o
o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooopoooooooooooooooooooooooo<
fanii
 «**t

THE MORTIMER
Limited
CO.

ILLUSTRATORS
Photo-Engravers
Printers
Lithographers
Bookbinders

Montreal Ottaaa^a

Ixviii
 ''Makes Every Day a Bright Day*'

veseent
Is nature's remedy for tired out, run down man or woman.
^9Cl 1V
A wonderful Tonic Laxative that
keeps the stomach clean and sweet and quickens the liver's action. It's effects in chronic rheu-
matism are simply marvellous. No better remedy for all troubles caused by overeating; or drinking.
The "Canada Lancet" says: "Abbey's deserves every good word that is said of it."

FOR SALE BY ALL DRIGCISTS.

Depots LONDON, ENG., 144 Queen Street; NEW YORK, 89 Fulton Street;
MONTREAL, 4 St. Antoinc Street.

ei£><S><X><S>(^<!^(S><S><S><$><$><!2>4b<$><^(£><£><!i!>(^<S><S><^<X><S><X><S>&<^<!^<ib<^(y>(^<S6<S6t3
<9 e>

I S. H. BORBRIDGE I
<8 *
JAEGER
PIIRFWOOL
PREVENTS
Manufacturer of

Trunks, Traveling Bags

CHILL IN

Harness, Riding Saddles ALLWEATHERS

Moc-
Blankets, Robes,
>
ALL CLIMES
casins, &c. .^
ALL SEASONS
ALL TIMES
Writ* for Cataloffu* A.

SaUi Rooms: 88 & 90 Rid«au St.

Factory: 14 to 23 Motgrove St. Dr. Jaeser's ^r^';: System rAV;
OTTAWA, Ont Sl« St. Catherine St. W.
Also 9th Street, Brandon, Man. MONTREAL. WINNIFCO.

Uix
Revillon Brothers

Interior View of Montreal Office.

PARIS
IMPORTERS OF

MOSCOW FANCY NOVELTIES

LONDON

NIJNY GENERAL WHOLESALERS

NEW YORK
NICOLAIV

See also Opposite REVILLON BROTHERS, Ltd

Page

MONTREAL
Revillon Brothers

View of a Section of Storeroom containing; l•u^^.

DEALERS IN LEIPZIG

KHABAROSK
A IM D
SHANGHAI

EXPORTERS OF FURS BOKHARA

EDMONTON
PRINCE
ALBERT
REVILLON BROTHERS, Ltd Sec rIko Oppoaite
Puife

IVIONTREAL
lixi
 Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
HARTFORD, CONN., U.S.A.
Incorporated 1855

Trade Mark

COLT NEW SERVICE

Caliber .455

THE MOST POWERFUL REVOLVER lEVER IPRODUCED

The Official Revolver of the Canadian

Government

THENEWP§k'i?fvEREVOLVER
Calibers, .32 and .38

Adopted by the Police Departments in the Principal Cities

AGENTS
LEWIS BROTHERS, Ltd
TraDK AiAKK Montreal, Canada
 Positively
THE

Largest Manufacturers
OF

Military Equipment
AND THE MOST UP-TO-DATE

Harness, Saddle, Trunk and Bag Factory

IN CANADA
WRITE FOR HARNESS. TRUNK AND BAG CATALOGUES

This trad* mark Is a guaran-

t— of satlsfaetlon.

-:=^ BALMORAL BLOCK ^si--

Notre Dame St. West. Montreal. can.

Branches: Ottawa, Ont. Winnipeg, Man. Brandon, Man.
Vancouver, B. C.

Ixxiii
 Wardrobes
FIT- REFORM
in

the West
Suits and Ovcrcoats
IVifinipeg
- Man.
Brandon -

-
Souris
Edmonlon NW. T.
The Perfection of Tailor-made Garments,
Calgary
Indian Head
ready for service.
-
Moosejaw
Saskatoon Sask.

Nelson B. C. l4^orn Canadian Gentlemen in

by
Fernie
every Section of the Dominion.
-
Revelsioke

Cranbrook
-
Kamloops
-
Victoria

Vancouver - Wardrobes in the leading Cities from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

BELDING'S Tit

Ttr

SPOOL SILKS >!-

>^

%
>»

The Culmination of Progressive and up-to-date Machinery and

High Class Silk Used

Ttr

V-

Makes this Brand the most Popular and the only

Reliable Sewing Silk

If

For Dressmakers and Tailors to Use

SHADE NUMBERS ON EACH SPOOL

*
FROM THE ATLAINTIC TO Tl PACIFIC
^lr^^M>^^MM¥¥¥¥^^¥'f^¥¥^¥¥^M^^>i^|i¥MM^¥¥^^MYY¥^^>>^^li¥M^¥^^MMM^MMMMM^¥^
 ""^SSBBBBKiic

(i)
^/?e Ca^nocdianL R.\ibber Co.
(3

I
(3
(3
b q/ Mon.treacl Limited.
a
(3
(3
(3

Established
1854

Major G. W. Stephens, President Mr. D. Lome McGibbon, Vice-Prcs.

and Man. Director

Everything in General Rubber Goods.

Rubber Footwear.
place our "Mark of Quality" on the best Rubber Footwear it is
possible to
"Y^E make. "Canadian" Rubbers are nationally known for endurance and
stylish
appearance. When buying Rubber Goods, look for our registered Trade Mark. It's
Our Reputation— Your Protection.
Factories (with 24 acres of floor speh.ce)

MONTREAL. QUEBEC

Sales Branches and Warehouses:

155 Granville St. - -
Halifax, N.S.
Imperial Bank Building, St. James St. -
Montreal, P.Q.
Front & Yonge Sts. - -
Toronto, Ont.
89 Princess St. - - -
Winnipeg, Man.
403 Cordova St. - -
Vancouver, B.C.
Wharf Street, - - -
Victoria, B.C.
and at
Calgary (Alberta)

T
ls«v
aa^^^

E. F. DARTNELL
Montreal
Builders' and Contractors' Supplies

Concrete flixers and Concrete flixing flachinery

14 Distinct Types of Mixers in many sizes. Prices from $120.00 upwards.

Stone Crushers and Screens

Derricks Cableways
Fine Pressed Brick Enamelled Brick
Terra Gotta Glass Wall Tiles
Etc. Etc. Etc.

Telegraph Address «•
DARTNELL," Montreal.

li^t^^^^^j^^^^^^^^^^^j^^^^^^^^l^^^^^^^r^l^^^^t^^t^^^^^^^^^^i^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^t^t^^^^^f^^^i^i^^i^i^^t^i^t^
 Dominion Bridge Go. Ltd.
Bridges and Structural Metal Work
for Buildings
General Office and Works at - LACHINE LOCKS, P.Q.
CAPACITY 36.000 TONS PER YEAR.
Branch Works at : - TORONTO. Ont. and WINNIPEG. Mcin.

-.-\ Large Stock of-

B earns, Channels, Angles,

and other Structural Material always on hand at each works.

New WeMmin»ter, B.C., built by the DOMINION BRIDGE CO.. LTD.

Bridge over the Fra«er River at
for the British Columbia Government.

Contractors for Substructure.

Armstrong, Morrison and Balfour, Vancouver, B.C.,

Ux«ii
PROVINCE OF QUEBEC
The Province of Quebec is, above all, an agricultural country, a country for colonization,
and particularly well favored with forests, mountains, lakes, rivers,
is
splendid
waterfalls, innumerable water-powers, fertile islands and rich pastures. The soil of the
Province, and, in particular, that of the great colonization centres which have yet to be
opened up and peopled with hardy settlers, is of superior quality
and eminently adapted
for cultivation of all kinds. The
which stretch endlessly in all directions, and
forests,
contain the most valuable woods, have been for years the object of constant and active
operations. The rivers and lakes, which have long- remained unknown, now attract
hundreds of sportsmen from all parts of America, who find both pleasure and profit in
fishing for salmon, ouananiche, trout, pike, etc.

Timber Lands Crown Lands

Of the Province cover over 225,000 square
FOR SETTLEMENT
miles. Location and areas of Limits to
be offered at auction to be had on
Over 7,000,000 acres have been surveyed
application. The attention of Paper Manu- and divided into farms, price from 20
facturers and Wood Workers is called to
cents to 40 cents per acre, according to
the facilities for manufacturing to be had
district. For further information apply
in the province.
to this Department.
Water Powers
FOR SALE
Forty-three powers have been surveyed
Minerals
during the last two years. Power avail-
able ranges from 500 to 100,000 horse- The attention of Miners and Capitalists
Send in the United States and Europe is invited
power. for maps and other partic-
ulars. to the mineral territory open for invest-
ment in the province.

Fish and Game Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Asbestos, Mica,

Salmon, Trout, Ouananiche, Maskinonge,
Plumbago, Chromic Iron, Galena, etc.
Moose, Caribou, Deer, etc. Hunting ter-
ritories (not over 400 square miles to one Ornamental and structural materials in
person) can be secured at from $1.00 per abundant variety. The Mining Law gives
square mile a year. For location of hunt- absolute security of title, and has been
ing and fishing districts apply to this de- specially framed for the encouragement
partment. of mining.

For Further Information Apply to

HON. A. TURGEON
MINISTER OF LANDS, MINES AND FISHERIES

Parliament Buildings, QUEBEC, Can.

Ixxviii
Richelieu & Ontario
Navigation Co.

NIAGARA TO THE SEA.

The grandest trip in America for health
and pleasure. The Thousand Islands, Rapids,
Montreal, Quebec and the famed SaKuenay
River, with its stupendous Capes " Trinity"
and Kternity. •'
' '

S*nd()C petiagt for iUuttrattd guide to

.

ThoS. Henry, TrafTic Maiucer, Montraal, Canada.

CAPE TRINITY. SAGUK.VAY.RIVKk

The Scenery of this River for wild grandeur and variety is unequalled on this continent

Steamers leave Montreal for Quebec, Murray Bay and Tadousac and points on the far-
famed Saguenay River. Summer Hotels charmingly situated on banks of Lower St
Lawrence: Manoir Richelieu, Murray Bay, P. Q.; Tadousac, Tadousac, P. Q. j* J^ «|ft

Palatial Steamers also leave Montreal for Toronto and Hamilton, pasting through the 1000 Islands and Ruooiog
the Rapids Eastbound

QUICK DESPATCH AND LOWEST RATES ON FREIGHT

H. FOSTER CHAFFEE JOS. F. DOLAN

W. P. A. 2 King St. East, Toronto 128 St. James St., Mootrcal

THOS. HENRY, Traffic Manager, Montreal

iisix
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Buy "RED FEATHER" Goods

CANNED GOODS,
SPICES,
TEAS,
COFFEES, ETC.
THEY ARE THE BEST".
If your dealer does not keep them, write your wholesale house for them or

The RED FEATHER CO., Hamilton, ont.

c ^

o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
o o
o
o
o

Triangle Canned Goods

o
o
o
o
o
Last year we introduced our Triangula Brand of Canned Fruits and o
Vegetables to the trade. The quality of the g-oods, the extent of the
o
o
range, the artistic attractiveness of the label, all combined to make a o
place for this brand with all discriminating buj'ers. o
Our range will be the same as last year; the quality of goods the very o
o
best procurable. o
Our men have full particulars, samples of labels, etc. o
Let us have your requirements early. o
o
o
o
JAHES TURNER & CO. o
o
o
o
o
Haitiiltoii, Ont. o
o
o 8
o o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

rnDDDnDnnnnnDnnDnnnnnDnGnnDnnnnnnnDnnnDnnnnnnnnDnnnDnnnnnnnDnnnnnnnnDDDnDnnnnn
D
D n
U n
G Established 1879. D
D D
D n

W. H. GILLARD & CO.

D D
D D
D D
D n
D D
D D
D D
n D
D Wholesale Grocers, Importers and flanufacturers D
D n
D D
D Have D
D exceptional facilities for handling- carload business. D
D D
D D
D Prompt Service, Highest Grade Goods, and Lowest Prices Guaranteed. D
D D
n D
D Head Office: Branch D
D Office: D
D D
D HAMILTON, Ont. sault ste. marie, ont. D
n D
B
DDDzinnDcnDDDaDnDnDnnnnnDnnnnnnDDDDnDnnnnnDnnnnDnnnDnnnDnnnnnnDnnDDnnnnnnnncnDn
Ixxx
 LIST OF ADVANCE SUBSCRIBERS.
The publishers have pleasure in acknowledgine; the receipt of orders from the followiiiR advance 8ul>scril>ers who have
ordered in quantities of from one to one hundred books each. Many of the larger manufacturing concerns, banks and other
financial institutioas have ordered in quantities for their branches and principal customers throughout the Dominion. The
Public Library Boards who have ordered are not included in this list nor are the complimentary copies sent by the publishers
to the officei-s and non-commissioned officers of the force, and to others.

/^ Cox, Toronto; Lieut.-Col. John Carson, Montreal; Col. J.D.Craw-

ford, Lachine; S. Carsley, Montreal; D. W. Campbell, Montreal;
Alloway and Champion, Winnipeg; J. C. G. Armytage, Canada Jute, Co. Montreal; W. A. Cooper, C.P.K. Dining Cars,
Winnipeg; American Abell Enrine and Thresher Co., Limited, Montreal; F. J. Cockbum, Manager Bank of Montreal, Quebec;
Winnipeg; D. Ackland & Son. Winnipeg; H. & A. Allan, Mon- Chase & Sanborn, Montreal; Jas. Coristine & Co., Limited,
treal; C. A. Armstrong, Montreal; W. J. Anderson, Ottawa; Montreal; Corticelli Silk Co., Montreal; H. Cronyn, Ijondon;
Robert Archer, Montreal; F. W. Ashe, Manager Union Bank of Canadian Bank of Commerce, Port .\rthur; B. Clementj Brandon;
Canada. Montreal; Acadia Powder Co., Limited, Halifax; H. A. S. Cunard A- Co., Halifax: Henry Clark. Brandon; F. L. Crawford,
Allison, Calgarj'; .\lberta Stock Yards Co.. Limited, Calgary; Medicine Hat; F. Colpman, I/ethbridge; (^anadian Bank of
H. Acheson, Saskatoon; J. S. Aikens. Winnipeg; Alberta .Agen- Commerce, Toronto; J. F. Cairns, Saskatoon; W. A. Coulthard,
cies, Limited; A. A. .\llan & Co., Toronto; Abbey's Effer\-esccnt Saskatoon; Canadian Rubber Co., D. Lome McGibbon, Montreal;
Salt Co., Limited, Montreal; Alberta Building Co.. Limited, Hon. Cieo. A. Cox, Toronto; Basil B. Carter, Union Bank of
Calgary; Alberta Investment Co., Limited, Calgarj-; .Alberta Canada, Moose Jaw; Canadian Pacific Railway, Hotel Depart-
Pacific Elevator Co., Limited, Calgarj'; Anglo-American Fire ment, Montreal; C. Robin C'allasCompanv, Limited, A. Hancifield
Insurance Co., Toronto; G. H. Allen, Montreal The Andrew H.
; Whitman, Man. Dir., Halifax; D. h). Cameron,
Montreal;
McDowell Co.; R. B. Angus; The American Tobacco Company J. W. Cadwell Co., Saskatoon; Calgary
<fe Brewing
Malting&
of Canada, Limited, Montreal; James Allardice, Montreal. Co., Calgary; Calgary Colonization Co., Limited, Calgary;
Campbell Bros. & Wilson, Winnipeg; Canada Permanent Mort-
B gage Corporation, Toronto; Canadian Casualty & Boiler Insurance
Co., Winnipeg; Canadian Fairbanks Co., Limited, Winnipeg;
R. S.Barrow, W'innipeg; Banque d'Hochelaga, Winnipeg; Canadian Moline Plow Co., Winnipeg; Canadian Northern
Bank of British North America, W. A. McHaffie, Manager, Toronto; Canadian Rubljor Co., of Montri'al, Montreal;
Bank of Hamilton, H. H. O'Reilly, Agent. Winnipeg;
Railway,
Winnipeg; A. Carruthers & ('o., Limited, Winnipeg; Carruthcrs, Johnson
Bank of Hamilton Grain Exchange Branch, Winnipeg; F/dwin & Bradley, Winnipeg; Cockshutt Plow Co., Brantfonl and Winni-
S. Baker, Buchanan & Gordon, Winnipeg; Bole
Winnipeg; peg; Codville-Georgeson Co., Limited, Winnip«*g and Bnindon;
Drug Co., Limited; British Columbia Mills Timber and Trading Codville-Smith Co., Calgarj'; Colts Patent Firearms .Manufactur-
Co., Winnipeg Branch, Winnipeg; A. T. Banfield, Winnipeg;
ing Co., Hartford, Conn.; Composite Brick Co., Winnipeg;
Thomas Black, Winnipeg; Bank of British North America, Consolidated Plate Glass Co., Continental Life Insui^
\. D. Severs, Manager, Winnipeg; H. N. Bate «fe Sons, Limited, Winnipeg;
ance Co., Toronto; Crafts & Lee, Mmonton; Crosse tt Black-
Ottawa; Bank of Hamilton, Hamilton; John A. Bnicc A Co., well, Montreal; Cummings Brass Co., Winnipeg; Gushing Bros.
Hamilton; The W. R. Brock Co., Toronto; Bank of British North Co., Ltd., Calgary; Henry J. Chard, Montreal; Major Geo. 8.
America.Montreal; E. A. Baynes (late Major 2nd. Re^. C.A.) Cantlie, Montreal; L. Ch'aput, Fils & Co., Montreal; John L.
Montreal; Bank of Nova Scotia, H. A. Richardson, Mgr., Toronto;
('assidy & Co., Limited, Montreal.
Robert Bickerdike, Montreal; Bovril, Limited, Montreal; B Hal
Brown, Manager Ix)ndon & I.Ancashire Assurance Co., Montreal; D
Hon. L. Beaubien, Montreal Vesey Boswell, Quebec; Bicknell
;

& Bain. Toronto; Boulter, Waugh & Co., Montreal; Thomas De I>aval Separator Co., Winnipeg; Dodge Manufacturing
Bruce, Winnipeg; Bank of Toronto, Winnipeg; Bank of (Htawa, Co., Limited, F. C. Wheaton, Manager, Toronto; IX)W8weII
Winnipeg; Jas. Balfour, Regina; H. Brodie, Moose Jaw W. M.
;
Manufacturing Company, Hamilton; Dominion Line Steamship
Borbridge, Brandon; J. H. Brook, Great West Life Assur- Co., Montreal; liandaH' Davidson, Montreal; T. J. Drumraond,
ance Co., Winnipeg; Bank of Hamilton, Edmonton; Bank of Montn»al; Geo. E. Dninunond, Montreal; J. M. Douglas Co.. &
Montreal, Kenneth Ashworth, Manager, Saskatoon; E. A. Montreal; .\. I). Dumford. Montreal; H. P. Dawson, Port Arthur;
Braithwaite, Edmonton; A. Butchart, fximonton; W. M. Bots- Geo. Dearing, Pklmonton: C. H. Davidson, Jr., Carrington, N.D.,
ford. Manager Royal Bank of Canada, Montreal; R. L. Batley, U.S.A.; A. I)ri8coll, Edmonton; H. J. Dawaon, l*klinonton;
)ntreal; Francis Braidwood, Canada
Montreal; t'anada
- -
Jute ka).,
.
Montreal;
Co., .Monireai; W. E. Dionne, Queliec; P. D. Dods A Co, Montreal; A. C.
Ml. Arthur lioyer, Montreal; Balfour
Hon. Implement Ck)., Limited, Dobell, Quel)ec; Dominion Wire Manufacturing C^., Montreal;
innipeg; W. B. Barwi.s, Calgarv; B. C. FJectrical
Winn Constmction E. F. Dartnell, Montreal; D'Fjisum A Mount, Fort Sjiskntche-
., Vancouver;
Co., A. M. Beattic, Vancouver; lirlding Paul «t Co., wan; Department of Militia, Ottawa; iV'partinent of the In-
Montreal; The Richard Beliveau Co., Ltd., Winnipeg: The Benson terior, Ottawa; I)evlin-Tyrn»ll Co., Winni|)eg; Wm. M. Dt)dd.
& Houlton Co., Limited. Calgary; The Bentjpy Co., Limited, Calgar\' and Regina; Dominion Bridge C-o., Limited. Montreal;
I.ethbridge; Alex. Black Lumber, Co., Winnipeg; C. W. Black- Dominion Cartridge Co.. Montwal; Dominion Radiator Co.,
stock & Co., Regina; S. & H. Borbridge. Ottawa; John H. Boyle Toronto; Dowd Milling Co., Ottawa; E. L. Drewrv. Winnipeg;
& Co., Regina; Brackman-Ker Milling Co., Limited, Strathcona; Dorkin Bros. & Co.. Montn?al; Robert J. Dale. Mont n-al; G.
Brandon Brewing Co., Bmndon; Bnalie <t StiifTonl. I>rthbridge; Durnford, Montn«I; Hon. L. O. I)avi«l, .Mnntn-al; H. P.
Bromlev & Hague. Limited. Winni[M'g; P. Bums & Co.. ( algarj'; I)ouglas, .M<»ntreai; Di'nartment of Public Works and Lat)or,
E. W. lieattv, Montreal; J. Ik)urdeau & Son, .Montreal; Bank of P.Q., Quebec; Hon. Sir Gcorgi? A. Dmminond.
Montreal. Fort William; Hanbury A. Biidden, Montreal; Brodie
and Har>ie, Montreal; J. R. B<x)th, Ottawa.
The T. Fjiton Company. Limited, T««n)nto; The T. Kjiton
ComiMinv. Limited, Winnip«'g; The Vam\c Knitting Co., Limited,
Canadian Bank of Commerce. Winni|)eg; Camplx*!!, Pitblatlo, Hamilton; Co\. L. Edye Montreal; Fklwanlsburg Starch Co,
Hoskin & Grundy, Winnipeg; Canadian Bank of Commerce Limite<i, Montreal; J. T. L. Embury, Regina; I/oreiuto Evans,
Fximonton
North Branch. Winnipeg; Canadian Bank of Commerce^ Portage QueixH';The Elder-Deiniwter Steamship Co.. Montreal;
Avenue Branch, Winnipeg; Jas. Cnmithers A Co., Montreal; IJn-wing A Malting Co., Limited. Ivlmonton; I'>lnionton Tent
Canadian Drawn Steel Co, Limited, Jno. rjartshore. Secy. Tmu.. A Mattn-ss Co., Edmonton; Empire Bn«wing ('o., Brandon;
C. H. Knderton A Co.. Winnifx-g; W'ni. Ewing A Co., Montreal;
Hamilton; Copeland, Chctten»on Co., Limit*^! Toronto and
E. W. 8. H. Ewing, Montreal; E. Ma<kay I'xigar, Montreal.
Winnipeg; L. J. Co(Bgravc, Toronto; H. G. Cox, Toronto;
Ixixi
 PRESGOTT EMERY WHEEL GO., Limited
MANUFACTURERS OF

EMERY WHEELS
Grinding ar)d Polishing
- - - -
Machinery
Emery Coruqclum
Emery Wl\eels
Centre Grinders

Grinding Machinery
TWIST DRILL GRINDERS
WATER TOOL GRINDERS
CORUNDUM WHEELS
AND ALL OTHER

GRINDING REQUISITES

PRESCOTT, Ont.

HIGH CLASS
FOR THE HOME, CHURCH,
VWARIVIIMCS
VEIMTI LAX
SCHOOL
and
I IM G
The "KELSEY SYSTEM" Assures:—
Most Comfort with least fuel Consumption. Warming of all rooms at all times.
Fresh, properly warmed air. Proper warming with good ventilatio n
No noticeable heat in the cellar. No heat wasted through smoke flue.
MOST SANITARY AND SATISFACTORY RESULTS.
OVER 30,000 RL-EASED USERS
"THERE'S ONLY ONE WARM GENERATOR" AIR
^^Full Particulars with Plans and Estimates Promptly Furnished.
Exclusive Canadian Makers

THE JAMES SMART MFG. GO. Ltd., Brockvill, Ont.

\A/estern Branch - \A/IIM INI I
F=>E:G, IVIAIM.
A Canadian Home Properly and Economically Warmed and Ventilated by the "KELSEY
SYSTEM" using our "Kelsey Warm Air Generator" with 24 in. diam. fire pot.

The John McDougall Caledonian Iron Works Go. Limited

MONTREAL, QUE.
-Manufacturers of-

Boilers for all Services, Pumps and

Condensers, Mill Machinery, etc.
Builders in Canada of WORTHINGTON TURBINE PUMPS for Leads up to 2,000 feet

Ixxx
 List of Advance Subscribers — GDntinued.
Bank, Edmonton; P. E. Joubert, Brandon;J. A. Jacobs, Montreal;

W. G. Fonseca & Co., Winnipeg; Hon. Geo. E.

Norman D. Jackson, Calgary; Dr. Jaegers' Sanitary Woollen
Foster, Svstem Co., Limited. Montreal; Jones & Moore Electric Co. of
Toronto; Fyfe Scale Co., R. E. W. F^-fe, Manager, Montreal;
L. J. Forget & Co., Montreal; Major H. Flowers, Halifax; H. F. Manitoba, Limit«d, Winnipeg; Waiter J. Joseph, Montreal.
Forrest, Manager Northern Bank, Winnipeg; E. J. Fewings,
Medicine Hat; J. D. Ferguson, Saskatoon; Folev Bros., St. Paul,
Minn., U.S.A.; Fumess-Withy S.S. Co., Ltd.* Montreal; First
K
Regiment Canadian Artilleiy, Halifax; J A. Finlayson, Montreal;
J. J.Kenny, We8t«m Assurance Co., Toronto; H. H. Vachelle
The Fairchild Co., Limited, Winnipeg; The Federal Life Assurance Koelle, Montreal; Geo. A. Knowlton, Fort William; O. W. Kealy,
Medicine Hat; J. K. Kennedy, Saskatoon; W. P.
Co., Hamilton; Fit-Reform, Montreal; Foley, Ix>ck & Larson, Kirkpatrick,
Canadian Bank of Commerce, Saskatoon; Kelly, I3ouglas & Co.,
Winnipeg; Geo. G. Foster, Montreal; John Fair, Montreal;
Fitzgibbon, Schafheitlin & Co., Montreal; Frothingham and Limited, Vancouver; Jas. R. Kinghorn, Montreal; Warden King
and Son, Limited, Montreal.
Workman, Limited, Montreal.

W. T. Gwyn, Dominion Bank, Toronto; J. C. Graham & Co.,

John Love, Winnipeg; N. G. I>eslie, Manager
Imperial Bank,
Winnip^; Geo. F. Gait, Winnipeg; John M. Garland, Son & Co., Winnipeg; Lake of the Woocls Milling Co., Limited, Montreal;
Ottawa; W. G. Gooderham, Toronto; Greenshields Limited, Library Bureau of Canada, Ottawa; I^gi.slative Library, Parlia-
Montreal; Guardian Assurance Co., H. M. Ijambert, Manager, ment Buildings, Toronto; I^porte, Martin&Co., Limited) Montreal
Montreal; Grand Trunk R.R. Co., Montreal; Lieut.-Col. W. M. D. Law, Montreal ;Linde British Refrigeration Co., C.W. VoUman,
Gartshore, London; Alex. Galbraith & Son, Brandon; Wm. Gray- Mgr., Montreal; J. H. Lalil)erte, Quel)ec; Lieut.-Col. A. E. I^a-

son, Moose Jaw; Great West Life Assurance Co., Calgarj-; Geo. belle,Montreal; J. W. Little, Ix)ndon; James Little. Port Arthur;
E. Stuart, Moose Jaw; J. R. Green, Moose Jaw; J. H. Grayson, C. N. I^urie, M.D., Port Arthur; S. V. Ix)ree, Moose Jaw; Rol)ert
Moose Jaw; Great West Life Assurance Co., W. Nelson, Manager, Lee, Edmonton; Peter liarsen, Helena, Montana, U.S.A.; Major
Saskatoon; J. H. Gariepy, Edmonton; W. Scott Garrioch, Portage D. W. Lockerby, Montreal; La Patrie Publishing Co., Montreal;
la Prairie; W. H. Gilfard & Co., Hamilton; Chas.
Goodyear, laming. Miles Co., Limited, Montreal; W. W. I..aChance, Regina;
Winnipeg; Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, Montreal; Great West Laidlaw Bros., Vancouver; Lamontagne Limited, Montreal;
liand Co., Calgary; John Gunn & Sons,' Winnipeg; L. Gnaedin- W. S. I^azier & Co., Calgary; W. F. l^ee (Manitoba Builder's
ger, Sons & Co., Montreal; Chas. Gurd & Co., Montreal; Robt.
I.«wid Bros., Limited, Montreal; Ix>ewen
Supply Co.), Winnipeg;
Gill, Manager Canadian Bank of Commerce, Ottawa.
& Harvey, Vancouver; C. S. I.rf>tt, Calgarj-; I/owndes Co., litd.,
Toronto; Jno. R. Lovell, Montreal; Henry H. Lyman, Montreal.
H
W. R. Hall, Calgary; Hastings Shingle Manufacturing Co.,
M
Vancouver; A. M. HoblJerlin, Toronto; Hamilton Bridge Works Manitoba Fanners Mutual Hail Insurance Co., Winnipeg;
Co., Limited, John S. Hendrie, Vice-President, Hamilton; D. Morton, Winnipeg; Merrick, Andei-son & Co., Winnipeg;
A. Rives Hall, Montreal; H. B. Herrick, Montreal; Angus Hooper, MerchantsS Bank of (Canada, R. V. Taylor, Manager, Calgary;
Montreal; Holt, Renfrew & Co., Quebec; Geo. W. Hensley, H. D. Metcalfe, Montreal; James P. Jilurray, Toronto; W. A.
Halifax; Hamilton Powder Co., Montreal; Hon. F. W. G. Haul- Murray * Co., Limited, Toronto; Merchant^ I^nk of Canada,
tain, Regina; Walter Huckvale, Medicine Hat; F. C. Harwood, Montreal; J. Mason, Home Bank of Canada, Toronto; F. H. Mat-
D.D.S., Moose Jaw; A. H. Hanson, Saskatoon; Hudson Bay hewson, Montreal; F. D. Monk, M.P., Montreal; (i««o. W. Mer-
Co., Winnipeg; A. L. Hamilton, Bank of Commerce, Portage la sereau, Winnipeg; Merchants Bank of Canada, Fort William;
Prairie; Geo. Harcourt, Edmonton; A. C. Hardj', Brockville; A. Maybee, Manager Canadian liank of Conuneree, Brandon;
Hamburg-American Steamship Co., Montreal; C. E. Hanna, Medicine Hat Printing &. Publishing Co Minlicine Hat; Mer-
,

Montreal; Stanley Henderson, Montreal; A. R. B. Heam, Mana- chants Bank of ('anada. Brandon; R. R Morgan. Saskatoon;
Imperial Bank of Canada, Brandon; Hague, Armington & Co., A. Michaud, Edmonton; (J. W. Marriott, Manager Bank of ('om-
.imited, Winnipeg; Hamilton Bridge
fer Works Co., Ltd., Hamilton; meree. Strathcona; J. W. Matte. Quel>ec; J. CJ. Montgomery,
Hughes & Co., Brandon; Lt.-('ol. V. W. Hibbard, Montreal; Edmonton; Mitchell Rifle Sight Co., Toronto; Major Frank
Hudon, Hebert &Cie., Limited, Montreal; H. Douglas Hamilton, Meighen. Montreal; N. W. Murray, Montn-al; C. F. I<eth-
M.D., Montreal; R. T. Hopper, J. H. Hunsicker, .Montreal, bridge Money, Salisbur>', Rhodesia, S. A.; I). li MacKenxic,
Dept. Min. iMlucation, Edmonton, Alta.; Montreal Warehousing
Co., Montreal; Manitoba Gypsum Co.. Ltd.. Winnipeg; Manitolui
Iron Works Limited, Wiiinip<'g; Manley ^ Sniitli, Moose Jaw;
Imperial Elevator Co., Winnipeg; Imperial Bank of Canada,
Marshall Wells (^o., Winni|M'g; Mas.>««y-narris Co.. Limited,
Brandon; Imperial Bank of Canada, Strathcona; J. D. Ir\"ine,
Bank of Montreal, Portage la Prairie; R. Ironsides, Montreal; Toronto and Winniiieg; Sanuiel .May X' Co., Toronto; H. (!.
International Harvester Co. of America, Chicago; Imperial Oil Middleton A Co., Winnipeg; .Montgonier>' Bros., Winni|M>g;
Mortimer Co., Limite<l, Ottawa; Robert Mi'tchell Co., Montreal.
Co.,Montreal.
D. Morrice & Sons, Montn>al; The Montreal LuuiImt Co.,
J Limited, Montreal; Robt. Munro, Montreid; John H. R. Molson
Capt. J. Caverhill Jones, St. John, N.B; C. W. Jarvis, Fort and Bros., Montreal; Ernest Mareeau, Montreal; F. E. Meredith,
William; Clifford T. Jones, Calgary; T. F. S. Jack.Hon, Traders K.C., Montreal.

SPECIALLY SELECTED LANDS

IN
P.O. BoK 223
Phone 137 ALBERTA and SASKATCHEWAN
OTTice 813 Centre St
FOR

AGRICULTURE and GRAZING

i^lMITBU
QioiceM LooUion*. Eicqxioiul Op|>ortunitie«.
W.S. LAZIER SCX). CALGARY Write at ooce.
Managers Alberta
Uskiii
 List of Advance Subscribers —Continued.
Mc-Mac Limited, Edmonton; Royal Lumber & Fuel Co., Winnipeg;
Ryan & Fares Co., Winnipeg; Wra. Rutherford, Montreal Aid.;

Hon. Hugh J. Macdonald, Winnipeg; W. G. McMahon, Farquhar Robertson, Montreal; Jas. G. Ross, Montreal; David
Winnipeg; McLaughlin Carriage Co., Limited, Winnipeg;
The Russel, Montreal; Robbins, Appleton & Co., Montreal; W. M.
Geo. McLagan Furniture Co., Limited, Stratford; Alfred McKay, Ramsay, Montreal.
Mitchell &
Montreal; R. D. McGibbon (McGibbon, Casgrain,
Surveyer), Montreal; D. McEachren, Montreal; McMichael,
I.

Foronto; R. McKnight, Port Arthur; S. W. Mclnnis, Brandon; G. F. Stephens & Co., Limited, Winnipeg; The Saskatchewan
J. M. Mcintosh, Dominion Bank, Winnipeg; W. Valley & Manitoba Ijand Co., Winnipeg; Standard Silver Co.,
T. MacBean,
Moose Jaw; McDougall & Secord, Edmonton; H. McBeth, Leth- Limited, W. K. George, Pres., Toronto; W. W. Scrimes, Winni-
bridge; W. J. McKay, Saskatoon;
R. Mcintosh, Edmonton; peg; The Robert Simpson Co., liimited, Toronto; J. E. Seagram,
de W. MacDonald, Edmonton; Wm. M. MacPherson, Quebec;
::;.
Waterloo; Standard Chemical Co. of Toronto, Toronto; R. R.
J. O. McCarthy, Manager Great West Life Insurance Co., Toronto; Stcven.son, Montreal; I;. P. Snyder, Montreal; Sovereign Bank
ilex. McFee, Montreal; Lieut.-Col. F. S. Mackay, Montreal;
, of Canada, Montreal; W. J. Stewart, Montreal; John M. Smith,
John Mackie, Rottingdean, England; Kenneth MacKenzie & Co., Montreal; St. I^awrence Sugar Refining Co., Montreal; A. M.
Winnipeg and Edmonton MacMillan, Colquhoun & Beattie,
;
Smith, London; I-. M. Smith, Halifax; P. Shea, Winnipeg;
Brandon; A. McBride & Co., Calgary; McCallum, Hill & Co., Henry Y. Smith, Moose Jaw; George Smith, Brandon; C. E,
Regina; McClary Manufacturing Co., London and Winnipeg; Seaborn,Moose Jaw; Dr. Euston Sisley, Calgary; E. W. Saunders,.
John McDougall Caledonian Iron Works Co., Ltd., Montreal; Manager Canadian Bank of Commerce, Moose Jaw; D. Sherriff.
McKenzie Carriage Works, Brandon; McLennan, KcFeely & Co., Brandon; A.C. Skelton, Bank of British North America, Brandon;
Ltd., Vancouver; P. McKenzie, Montreal; Colin
Mc Arthur, Mont- A. M. Stewart, Edmonton; J. Straton, Saskatoon; Geo. Sellers,
real; McCaskill, Dougall & Co., Montreal; McClaiy Mfg. Co., Saskatoon; S. H. Smith, Edmonton; John Sharpies, Quebec;
Montreal; C. H. McFarlane, Montreal; Brenton A IVlacnab. Major Geo. W. Stephens, Montreal; Standard Explosives, Mont-
real; H. F. Sandeman, Strathcona; W. E. Sanford, Mfg. Co.,
N Hamilton; Sa-wyer <fe Massoy Co., Ltd., Hamilton; Shera & Co.,
James S.Norris, Montreal; W.
H. Nelson, Port Arthur; Fort Saskatchewan; Jas. Smart Mfg. Co., Brockville; Smith &
N'orthem Bank of Canada, F. B.Helm, Manager, Calgary; Ferguson Co., Regina; Howard Smith Paper Co., Montreal;
N'ational Trust Co.. Limited, J. D. Gunn, Manager, Saskatoon; Somerville Steam Marble & Granite Works, Brandon; A. C.
N^orthem Iron Works, Winnipeg; North-West Electric Co., Sparrow, Calgary; Standard Soap Co., Limited, Calgary; Strath-
Limited, Calgary;
cona Brewing & Malting Co., Strathcona; The Jas. Stuart Electric
Co., Winnipeg; W. Stuart & Co., Calgary: Sub-Target Gun Co.,
o Limited, Toronto; Henry F. Stearns, Montreal; Sadler and
A. O'Reilly, Winnipeg; Oldfield, Kirby & Gardner, Winnipeg; Haworth, Montreal; A. H. Shorey, Montreal; The Star, Mont-
J. W. de C. O'Grady, Manager Northern Bank, Winnipeg; Ogilvie real; Chas. A. Smart, Montreal; J. Cradock Simpson, Montreal.
Flour MillsCo., Limited Montreal; Otis-Fensom Elevator Company
Lmited, Toronto; Office Specialty Manufacturing Co., Limited, T
J.F. Wildman, Gen. Manager, Toronto; Hon. W. Owens, Montreal;
Trust (fe Loan Co. of Canada, Winnipeg; J. Stewart Tupper,
P. H. Oakes. Montreal; Robert Ochsner, Strathcona; Ontario
Winnipeg; James Tees (Tees & Persee, Limited) Winnipeg;
Sewer Pipe Co., I^td.. Toronto; Osier, Hammond & Nanton, Noel H. Torrop, Montreal; AV. H. Thome & Co., Limited, St.
Winnipeg; A. E. Ogilvie, Montreal. John, N.B.; Traders Bank of Canada, Calgary; T. M. TurnbuU,
Manager Canadian Bank of Commerce, Edmonton; P. T. Tofft,
Saskatoon; W. O. Tassie, Winnipeg; W. H. Thompson, Imperial
F. L. Patton, Manager Dominion Bank, Winnipeg; E. A. Bank, Portage la Prairie; John A. Tate, Bank of Toronto, Portage
Paterson, Manager Brandon [Electric Light Co., Brandon; la Prairie; B. & S. H. Thompson Co., Limited, Montreal; H. W.
Seo. C. Parker, Toronto; A. Peers, Montreal; Parry Sound Lum- Trenholme, Canadian Bank of Commerce, North Winnipeg,
ber Co., Toronto; Wm.
Pocklington, Regina; E. L. Phillips, Winnipeg; Arthur P. Tippet & Co., Montreal; Threshers Supply
N'orthem Bank, Brandon; D. G. Proley, Medicine JHat; Chas. S. Co., Limited, Winnipeg; Chas. E. Tisdall, Vancouver; Tuckett
Pingle, Medicine Hat; Fred. S. Pingle, Medicine Hat; H. David- Cigar Co., Hamilton; TuUy & TuUy, Brandon; Jas. Turner &
son Pickett, Moose Jaw; G. P. Paysant, Calgary; Geo. R. Peter- Co., Limited, Hamilton; S. B. Townsend, Montreal; Homer
son, Saskatoon; F. W. Pugh, Winnipeg; Provincial Treasurer's Taylor, Montreal.
Department, Edmonton; E. C. Pardee, Manager Bank of Mont- u
real, Edmonton; Provincial Secretary's Department, Edmonton;
Provincial Department of Education, Edmonton; Major A, G. ITnion Bank of Canada, C. E. Watson, Manager, Calgary;
Peuchen, Toronto; Pacific Cartage Co., Limited, Calgary; Paulin- Union Lumber Co., Limited, Vancouver; Union Bank of Canada,
[!hambers Company, Winnipeg; John R. Peverett, Regina; Quebec; Union Bank of Canada, Moose Jaw; Union Drawn
Pither & Leiser, Victoria, B.C.; E. G. Prior & Co., Limited, Steel Co., Limited, Hamilton; T. Upton Co., liimited, Hamilton.
Vancouver; Prescott Emery Wheel Co., Limited, Prescott;
Province of Quebec, Quebec; R. E. Pringle, Montreal; Alfred V
Pollack, Montreal; Jas. W. Pike, Montreal; J. G. Purvis, Mont- Geo. Vallance, Hamilton; G. A. Vandry, Quebec.
real; W. S. Paterson, Montreal; W. B. Powell, Montreal.
w
A. Wickson, Manager Merchants Bank, Winnipeg; Western
Queens Hotel, Winnipeg. Canada Flour Mills Co., Limited, Montreal; Henry K. Wampole
& Co., Limited. Toronto; Hiram Walker & Sons, Walkerville;
R Walter R. Wonham & Sons, Montreal; G. E. Wells, Montreal;
E. Ruby, Manager Frost & Wood Co., Winnipeg; Revillon
J. Louis Walsh, Port Arthur; W. G. Weatherston, Bank of Hamilton
Bros., Limited, Montreal; Revillon Bros., Limited, Edmonton; Brandon; J. B. Whitehead, Brandon; J. W. G. Watson, Brandon;
Gustave Richard, Montreal; Royal Trust Co., Montreal; Hayter J. B. Walker, Edmonton; S. P. Woods, Deputy Attorney General,
Reid, C.P.R. Hotels, Montreal; David Russell, Montreal; Rhodes Edmonton; J. P. Wiser & Co., Prescott; Wright & Emsdale,
::;urry & Co.. Limited, .\mherst; S. W. Ray, Port Arthur; P. B. Montreal; Herman H. Wolff, Montreal; Waterous Engine Works
H. Ramsay, Brandon; W. J. Reid, (Lieut. C.M.R.^ Medicine Hat; Co., Limited, Brantford and Winnipeg; Western Tent & Mattress
Ross Rifle Co., Quebec; James Ross, Montreal; Royal Bank of Co., Calgary; Whitmore Bros., Regina; Wilkinson Plough Co.,
Canada, Montreal; Riley & Co., Montreal; Harold W. Riley, Limited, Toronto; M. J. Wilson & Sons, Ottawa; Winchester
Deputy Provincial Secretary, Edmonton, Alta.; Rat Portage Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, Conn.; Winnipeg Paint & Glass
Lumber Co., Winnipeg; Red Feather Tea Co., Hamilton; Richel- Co., Winnipeg; Wood, Vallance & Leggat, Limited, Vancouver.
ieu & Ontario Navigation Co., Montreal; Wilks & Michaud, Montreal; Winn & Holland, Montreal; Wil-
Riley & McCormick,
Calgary; Rosewell, Carson & Fisher, Calgary; Ross Brothers, kinson, Hey wood & Clark, Montreal; W. J. White, Montreal.
 Index to Advertisers.

Page Page
Abbey's Effervescent Salt Ck)., Ltd Ixix. Gunn, John,& Sons xvii.
Alberta Building Co., Limited xxxviii.
Alberta Hotel, Calgary xliii. Hague, Annington & Co., Limited xviii.

Alberta Investment Co., Limited xlii. Hamilton Bridge Works Co., The, Limited ii.

Alberta Pacific Elevator Co., Limit«d xlvii. Hughes & Co xxxi.

American-Abell Engine & Thresher Co., Limited Ivii.
International HarvesterCo. of America (Incorporated) xxviii .

Anglo-American Fire Insurance Company Ivii.

Jackson, Nonnan D xliii.

Balfour Implement Co., The, Limited xvi.
Jaeger's, Dr., Sanitarj' Woollen System Co., Limited . Ixix.
Barwis, W. B xxxvi.
Jones & Moore Elect nc Co. of Manitoba^ Limited Ixxxvi.
B.C. Electrical Construction Co Ivii.

Beattie, A. M liii.
Kelly, Douglas & Co., Limited liv.
Belding, Paul <fe Co., Limited Lxxiv.
Beliveau Richard Co., The, Limited xxiii. LaChance, W. W xxxv.
Benson & Houlton Company, The, Limited xxxix. Laidlaw Bros Ivii.

Bentlej' Company, The, Limited lii.

Lamontagne Limited Ixxiii.

Black, Alex., Lumber Co., The, Limited ii.

Lazier, W. S. & Co xlvi & Ixxxiii.
Blackstock, C. W. & Co xxxiv .
Lee, W. F., Manitoba Builders' Supply Co ix.

Borbridge, S. H Ixix. Lewis Brothers, Limited Ixxii.

Boyle, John H. & Co xxxv. Loewen & Harvey Ivi.

Brackman-Ker Milling Co., The, Limited xlix. Lott, C. S xlvii.

Brandon Brewing Co xxxi. Ix)wndes Company, The, Limited iii.

Brodie & Stafford Hi.

Bromlev & Hague, Limited xv. Mackenzie Kenneth Co xxiii.

Bums, P. & Co xxxvii. MacMillan, Colquhoun & Beattie vii.

McBride, A. & Co xlvii.

Cadwell, J. W. & Co xxxvi .
McCallum, Hill «t Co xxxii.
Calgary Brewing & Malting Co., Limited xl. McClark- Manufacturing Co., The xxii.

Calgan,' Colonization Company, "

Limited xlv.
McDou'gall, John, Caledonian Iron Works Co., Ltd.. . . Ixxxii .

Campbell Bros. & Wilson . . . ?civ. McKenzie Carriage Works , xxviii.

Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation Iviii.
Mcl.*nnan, .McFeely & Co., Limited Iv.
Canadian Casualty & Boiler Insurance Co., The iv. Manitoba Gyp.sumCo., The, Limited xxvii.
Canadian Fairbanks Co., The, Limited xxi. Manitoba Iron Works, The, Limited xxv.
Canadian Moline Plow Co xxviii.
Manley & Smith xxxv.
Canadian Northern Railway Inside Front Cover. Marshall- Wells Company . viii.

Canadian Rubber Co. of Montreal, The, Limited Ixxv.

Mas.sey-HarrisCo., Limited
lix.

Carruthers, A.. Co., Limited xxii. Mav, Samuel, & Co Ixiv.

Carruthers, Johnston & Bradley xxi. Middleton, H.CJ.&Co xix.

Cockshutt Plow Co., Limited xxi. .Mitchell Rifle Sight Co., Limited . Ix.

Codvilie-George«ion Co., The, Limited

xx. .Montgomerj' Bros XXX.
Codville-Smith Co., The, Limited xx. Mortinier Co. .Limited Ixxiii.

Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company. . Ixxii. .

xxxv. •Northern Iron Works XIX.

Composite Brick Co
( onsolidated Plate Glass Co. of Canada, The, Limited
xv. . •North-West Electric Co., Limited xlix.

Continental Life Insurance Company, The iv.

xlix.
l''-
( )ch.sner, Rol)ert
Crafts &. I..ee
Ixxvi. Ontario Sewer PijH' Company, The, Limite<i. Ix.
Cross «fe Blackweli, Limited Hanunond & .Nanton 2.
xxx. Osier,
Cummings Brass Co
x'vi.
Gushing Bros. Co., Ltd Pacific C'artage Co., Limited xlvii.

I'aulin-ChamlHTs Company, The xxiii.

Dartnell, E. F jxxvi. Peverett, John R xxxii.
D'F2astim & Mount '"•„ I»ither & Ix'iser Ivi.
Ixvn.
Department of Militia Prior, E.(i. & Co.. Limitt'd Liability Ivi.
Ixv.
I)f partment of the Interior Prescott Enjer>' Wheel C«i.. Linut<Hl Ixxxii.
Co xiv.
Devlin-Tyrell Province of Quebec . .
Ixxviii.
I)odd, William .M Jf'"-
..

Dominion Bri<ige Co., Limited Ixxyii. xxx.

Queens, The. Winnip«'g
Dominion Cartridge (>)., Ltd J"^X'-
Dominion Radiator Co., Limited jvin. Rat Portage Luml»er Co., The, Limited
I{e<l Feather Co
Ixxx.
DowdMiilingCo., The, Limited. Ixiv..
L '«vii. Revilloii Brothers, Limited. Edmonton I * Ii.
Dr..wry, E.
Rcvillon Brothers. LimitiHi. Montrc«nl Ixx* Ixxi.
"ii & xiii.
Eaton, T., Co., The, Limited •

Richelieu A Ontario Navigation Co.. Ixxix.

I'klmonton Brewing* MaitingCc, Limited xlviii.
i{iley* McComiick. Limite<l
xxxviii.
Ixlmonton Tent and Mattress Co. lii.
Ros4'well, ( 'arson & Fisher. xxxvi .

Limitr<l xxix. xlviil.

Empire Brewing C/O., The, XV.
Ross Bmthers. LimittMl.
Enderton, C. H. & ('o. . .
R«)ss Rifle Company. .
Ixxxvii.
Ixxxviii
vi.
Fairchi!dCo.,The, Limite<l .Inside Back Cover
Ixii.
Fi'ileral Life Assurance (.'ompany, Th*- vi.
P'it-Rcform lxxiv. Royal LiunlHT* Fuel Co., Limited
xl.
& Larson Ryan A Fan's
Foley, IxK-k
F xlviii.
Han<leinan. H.
Gillard, W. H.&Co W. E.. Mfg. Co.. Limited
Sanf«.nl.
Ixiv.
xix.
(l(KMlyear, ('has xvii.
Grand Tnmk
Parific RaiiwaV .
Hark Cover Sawyer* Mass«'yCo.. Limited. liii.
C \lvi A Ixxxiii. HheraACo.
Great Went I^and >.

Issav
 Index to Advertisers —continued.
Page. Page.
Smart, Mfg. Co., The, Limited
Jas., Ixxxii . Union Drawn Steel Co., Limited Ixii.
Smith & Ferguson Co., The, Limited xxxiii .
Upton, T., Co., Limited Ixiii.
Smith Howard, Paper Co Ixxxvi.
SomerA'ille Steam Marble and Granite Works, The .... vii.
Waterous Engine Works Co., The, Limited
Sparrow, A. C xli. xvii.
Standard Soap Co., Limited xliv. Western Canada Flour Mills Co., Limited xxxii.
Strathcona Brewing & Malting Co xlix. Western Tent & Mattress Co., The xliv.
Stuart, The James, Electric Co., Limited xxiv. Whitmore Bros xxxiv.
Stuart, W., & Co xliv. Wilkinson Plough Co., The, Limited Ixi.

Sub-Target Gun Company, The, Limited Ixi. Wilson, M. J., & Sons Ixvi.
Winchester Repeating Arms Co xxvi.
Threshers' Supply Co., Limited
Winnipeg Paint & Glass Co., The, Limited
xxii.
x.
Tisdall, Charles E 'liii.
Winnipeg Rubber Co., The, Limited xiv.
Tuckett Cigar Co., Limited Ixiii.
Wood, Vallance & Leggat, Limited Iv.
Tully & Tully xxxi.
Turner, James, & Co., Limited Ixxx.

Jones St Moore
LIMITED,
Electric So.
or MANITOBA
Manufacturers and Contractors

ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
ALTERNATING and DIRECT CURRENT

ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

OF ALL KINDS

ELECTRIC WIRING
ELECTRIC FIXTURES
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
TELEPHONES
We Have Over 2,000 Machines in Daily Operation

Electrical Repairs a Specialty

3.6-320 SMITH ST.

WINNIPEG, MAN.

HOWARD SMITH PAPER CO., Ltd

WHOLESALE PAPER DEALERS

4, 6, 8 COTE STREET 84 WELLINGTON ST. WEST

MONTREAL, P.O. TORONTO, Ont.
This book is printed on "Red Seal" Coated Book.
DON'T BE SATISFIED WITH A BACK NUMBER
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Get the Ross 503 Sporting Rifle

CATALOGUE ON APPLICATION

ROSS RIFLE CO.. Quebec, Q\ie.

UjuvU
 'She R.OSS Mark II MilitaLry Rifle
is Without Equal for Speed.

(See Preceding Page)

Ross Rifle 60., Quebec. Que.

Vu
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