Jasper Alberta Index
Alberta Basic History
1874
Joseph Beauchamp, Metis b-1874 Alberta living St. Albert, (Alberta) 1901.
Johnoy Belcourt, Metis b-1874 Alberta living St. Albert, (Alberta) 1901.
Joseph Belcourt, b-1874, Lac St. Anne (Alberta), son, Jean Baptiste Belcourt, born January 20, 1849, Devil Lake (Lac Ste Anne, Alberta) and Isabelle Adam, born July, 1858 Lac La Biche; married Louise Gladu, b-1880, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) daughter, Celestin Gladu and Marguerite Callio.
Victoria Belcourt, daughter Alexis Belcourt b-1826 and Nancy Rowland, b-1832 Lesser Slave Lake; recalls her first buffalo hunt this year, she married Louis Jerome Callihoo aka Callio, Metis, born January 21, 1858 son Jean Baptiste Callio, Metis b-1832 and Angelique Metis , b-1835
Mary Elizabeth Blandion, Metis, b-1874 St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.
Raphael Blandion, Metis, b-1874 St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.
Isidore Cardinal, b-1874, Lac La Biche (Alberta) son Dominique Cardinal, Metis, b-1845, Floating Stone Lake (Alberta) and Marie Anne Desjarlais; married Bethay Desjarlais, b-April 11, 1880 Lac La Biche (Alberta).
Louis Cardinal, Metis b-1874, Alberta, married about 1899, Alberta, Sarah Metis b-1880, Alberta, living Wetaskiwan, (Alberta) 1901.
Caroline Crasmus, Metis b-1874, Alberta, daughter Peter Crasmus, Metis b-1833, living, Alberta, 1874 to 1888, living Lakeland, (Alberta) 1891.
Mary Anne Rabasca Deschamps, b-1874, Pidgeon Lake (Alberta), daughter Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.
Joseph Wabamun Desjarlais, Metis, b-1874, Lac St Anne (Alberta), died May 8, 1874, Lac St Anne (Alberta), son, Antoine Wabamun Desjarlais, Metis b-1820 Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) and Marie Julie Catherine Kakatow a Cree;
Charles Descheneaux, Metis, b-1852, married 1874 St. Albert, (Alberta), Anne Tanner, Metis b-1857.
Father Doucet stated at the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement in Alberta "They built their little winter houses in the woods right next to the beautiful Buffalo Lake."
Flora Eneas b-1874 N.W.T., a domestic, living Calgary (Alberta), 1891.
Patrick Glenn, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1897 likely Calgary (Alberta), Lucy Metis b-1876 Alberta.
(II)-Bella Gonan, Metis b-1868, Alberta, daughter (I)-William Gonan b-1823 Orkney Island and Sara Metis b-1833 Red River, living Lakeland, (Alberta), 1891.
Donald Graham departed Fort Edmonton (Alberta), for Fort Breton, Montana, then on to Oregon and he finally settled down in the Okanogan Valley of British Columbia.
Alfred Gray, Metis b-1874, Alberta, married about 1900 Alberta Nancy Metis b-1880 Alberta living Ste Emerence, (Alberta) 1901.
Lac La Biche, marriage, Francois Cardinal, Moise, Metis b-1844-53 son Jean Baptiste (Kakakekamik) Moise b-1827 and Charlotte Wapisiokowan; 2nd married 1856 Madeleine Abraham; married 1874 Lac La Biche Caroline Johnson b-1855 Lac La Biche.
Dr. Richard B. Nevitt arrives in Southern Alberta and helps build Alberta's first hospital at Fort MacLeod.
Peter Hodgson recorded that his father and family spent three winters at a camp on a piece of land in the northeast angle of Buffalo Lake that is almost 35 miles north east of the mouth of Buffalo Trail Creek that would be called the Peninsula. They built a good log cabin as others did for winter quarters. They had horses and hunted, using flat sleighs instead of Red River carts, which they used later on, and had tepees of buffalo hides. He said that there were many houses at Trail Creek but not as many as on the Peninsula. They usually traveled there and camped soon as it started to get cold. This would imply that the Peninsula was a summer home and Trail Creek the winter home for this family. This would also imply a larger peak population of much more than 2,000 people. He remembers seeing a whipsaw mill upon a bank in Trail Creek. He noted that a priest had a cabin in their camp (Trail Creek?) that would imply a much later date than 1874. He also noted that Metis hunters from Fort Edmonton, Fort St. Albert, Big Lake and Lac St. Anne went out on the hunt making Trail Creek their head quarters. It is noteworthy that to my knowledge no forts were built at St. Albert, and it was never referred to as Fort St. Albert. Maybe he was thinking of another place?
Henry Lee, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1897 Alberta Mary Metis b-1880 Alberta, living Livingston, Alberta 1901.
Sam Livingston settled on the Bow River (Calgary) that is now flooded by the Glenmore Dam. The Sarcee were hostile to his presence and threatened to shoot him if he crossed his fence. They called him the Big White Devil.
John McDougall reported there was a large band of Metis and Indian wintering at Trail Creek, Buffalo Lake. It is noteworthy that Trail Creek on the north side of the Red Deer river, west of present day Stettler, Alberta contained 2,000 Metis and 400 houses. Some said; Why in God's name wouldn't John McDougall say there was a sizable Metis settlement at Trail Creek. (He in fact did report it) It is fairly obvious that McDougall requested the Mounted Police visit this settlement assuming illicit acts are being conducted.
May McMullen, Metis b-1874 N.W.T. living Southern Alberta 1891.
Arthur Plante b-1874, St. Albert (Alberta) son Michel Plante, b-1851, Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan and Juliet Nault, b-1848, Fort Edmonton.
Margaret Jane Spence, b-1874, Victoria, Alberta, located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, died 1896, Victoria, Alberta, daughter, Andrew Spence Sr., b-1842 and Nancy Whitford, b-1850. .
Alexander Quintal, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1892 Alberta Margaret Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.
Archibald Whitford, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1896 Alberta Harriet Metis b-1876 Alberta living Wetaskiwan, Alberta 1901.
Roderick Whitford, Metis, b-1874, Victoria, Alberta located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, son Simon Whiteford, Metis b-1849 Alberta and Elizabeth Anderson, Metis b-1859 Alberta, living Pakan, Alberta 1901, daughter John Anderson Jr. b-1827 and Christie Whitford, b-1833.
Don Whitford, Scotch Cree, Metis married the daughter of Chief Samson of Hobbema. Don lived on Boss Hill (near Tail Creek). One of his daughters told how they killed buffalo during the late summer, cut it into large flat pieces and dried it on the ground or across poles. They made drums and some clothes from the hides. Several old timers confirmed that there was a splendid settlement around Boss Hill. The number of log cabins was never counted.
Benjamin Wioshart b-1874 Red River, a rancher, living Gleichen, Alberta 1891.
Emma Trayer doubts if there was 400 cabins in Trail Creek unless it included some along a lake west of Pete Adams. This unnamed village was located on the south end of the Peninsula and just north of Boss Hill. In 1902 the remains of the settlement still existed including the remains of very large copper pots used to render the buffalo, which some called 'ten skin kettles' because they cost ten buffalo skins each. We know the Indians were also here because many dead trees had the outer bark removed in order to collect popular sap that was used to prevent scurvy. This assumes the Metis didn't also adopt this winter tradition. Hearonemus also discovered an old cross cut saw pit where logs had been squared and rough lumber made. They assumed there must have been white men in the village as no Indian would bother to saw lumber. It is noteworthy that this account had no room for a Metis person, neither white nor Indian. Philip Whitford, a Metis who spent time there in his younger days, confirmed it was a trading post where Indians gathered to spend the winter. In reality, most in this settlement were Metis, and it would appear Philip is worried that he might possibly be identified as an Indian. Rather than being identified as half-breed, the polite society usually said he had a bit of French in him.
John Evans and Harry (Kamose) Taylor, traders of Fort Whoop-Up, Cyprus Hills, were trading guns to the Indians at Fort Spitzee near High River, Alberta. J. J. Healy is also trading guns.
The 'A' division of the RCMP arrived Fort Edmonton, from Red River, some say in October of this year. The were only able to travel about 5 miles a day and were considered a pathetic lot. Some historians called it an 'epic journey' but the Metis often made two trips of this nature a year in-between making hay, planting crops, and fur trading.
None of the ex-miners are included in the April census, which could imply they arrived after April. Not included, however, is John Norris and R. Loge, who may be considered as part of the St. Albert census. If they were not being considered as part of Edmonton then this would give more credibility to Malcolm Norris and Ed Carney's claim as having the first store, in Edmonton, outside the fort.
However Colin Fraser, John Sinclair, James Rowand, Kenneth MacDonald, James Kirkness, John Fraser and James Gullion, all ex-Hudson Bay men, were also not included in the April census.
The April 1874 census of Fort Edmonton and neighborhood is as follows:
White Men - 44, Women - 2, Children - 4; Half-Breed Men - 186, Women - 34, Children - 90; Native Men - 6.
It is noteworthy that of the 44 men considered, white 36 are listed in the census but of the 186 men considered Metis only 14 are listed in the census. This consistent bias has been noted in most historical documents, making it very difficult to determine the real truth. The fact that the 1882 land survey follows the French/Metis convention clearly indicates they dominated the early Edmonton Settlement and surrounding area and not the British as many would like us to believe.
The following people are living in Fort Edmonton April 1874, Bernard Ticknatauly, Native; the following men are classified as Metis: Charles Adams, (a Clerk until 1878 assigned Lake Saint Anne), Eustace Bernard, William Bird, Isaac Darjneau, N. Demond, John Frager, Richard Hardisty (Chief Factor), Joseph Rowand, Frederick Rowand, Alexander Rowand, William Rowand, L. Sarogue, W-Joe, Philip Whitford;
The following men are classified as white: J. Adams, Filbert Anderson, John Bain, Jean-Baptiste Beaupre, John Burk, Jas Burleigh, John Coutts, William Dixon, O. Fowler, Lowry Fullerton, Charles Gauthier, Malcolm Groat, Thomas Harper, Joseph Henderson, John Holland, Thomas Hourston, Jim Irvine, Joseph Kirkness, Bazzille Labear, Moses Lenny, Joseph Lang, Frank Lamoureux, Joseph Lamoureux, Rev. MacDougall, K. McKay, McLeod, Malcolm McLeod, K. (Kenneth) McDonald, Donald McLeod, William Mourgan, Ponquitte(possible Metis), Joseph Reid, Thomas Robinson, Donald Ross (Chief Factor Athabasca to 1875), Charles Simpson (Clerk at Carlton House to 1879), John Walker, William L. Wood (Clerk to 1876). The two women who declared themselves as white are the wife of Richard Hardisty and Rev. McDougall. Twenty-two married men, twenty-six men without women and fifty-six children appeared to be living at the Fort. The 1873 trade year on the Saskatchewan had resulted in a fifty-five thousand-dollar loss including a steamship loss and a fire at Fort Francois. Some of this loss is attributed to the free traders.
Richard Hardisty, knowing that business is not good, immediately started the construction of Big House to replace the three-story house called Rowand's Folly within the Fort. He had been living in Rowand's Folly for two years and he knew if he didn't replace it now it could be deferred for many years. Big House would burn down in 1906.
Some contend that Trail Creek des Metis is occupied by four Mounted Police, one being called Buffalo Slayer, residing in a Fort consisting of three log buildings with a pole roof covered with hay and earth. The fort is surrounded by stockades of tall stakes. This is likely an error and should be applied to 1875 or later.
Jarvis and Steele of the Mounted police departed Fort Edmonton with twelve men by dog team and ponies in -42 to -52 F temperatures, the worst in 30 years, taking 15 days to reach Buffalo Lake on a complaint of illicit whiskey.
The first ferry service in the North West Territories began operations at Batoche at the old Saskatchewan River crossing of the Carlton Trail.
The 1874/75 period recorded a poor harvest of hay resulting in a large livestock loss at St. Albert (Alberta).
March: Jean D'Artique from Fort Edmonton visited, in Buffalo Lake, a village of Indians and Metis but finds that the greater part of the buffalo herd is in the Valley of Red Deer, 60 miles further south. It is noteworthy that European settlers often called Metis, Indians, especially if they lived in tepees. It is assumed he visited Trail Creek des Metis but given the fact he did not mention the violin music, the community hall or the lumber works it makes this unlikely. He wrote of being royally entertained, great meals and a Pam Pam, which up north is called a Pow-wow. He said they used a type of tambourine or drum, with sticks. He was offered tea called Mushakee. It felt like fire and was brewed tobacco. Jean almost ended up with an Indian bride, or squaw as he called her. He froze his ears and is cured by a medicine man with a root that resembles a beet. It is called akentormoo. It grows in marshy places and tastes like carrot.
March 23: Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) birth Samuel Nooskeyah or Brilliant, son Joseph Nooskeyah or Brilliant and Madeleine Surprenant; married, August 1891, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) Margaret Muskegan, born July 29, 1876, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta.
May: Peace River Landing (Alberta), birth John Gladu son Jean Baptiste Gladu and Louisa Cartier; married 1893, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Marie Carifelle, bprn November 2, 1879, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) daughter Augustin Carifelle, b01854, Lessere Slave Lake (Alberta) and Caroline Nooskeyah or Brillant, born May 1, 1863, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta).
May: Peace River Landing, Alberta), birth John Gladu, son, Jean Baptiste Gladu, b-1851, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louisa Cartier, b-1854, Wabiscaw District, Athabasca; married Marie Carifelle Metis, born November 2, 1879, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) daughter Augustin Carifelle, Metis, b-1854, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) and Cadolinenooskeyah or Brilliant.
May 24: Archibald McDonald entered into an agreement between the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Mounted Police representative Albert Thurtcliff, to lease land for posts. Actual locations are not known at this time. The July district meeting of the Hudson Bay Company proposed staff cut backs and only twenty-seven men would be paid wintering allowances this coming winter. The surplus men would have to be shipped out or encouraged to take up homesteads in the area. Richard Hardisty is criticized for allowing William Groat, an employee, to traffic in buffalo tongues and orders him to stop this illegal practice.
June, St. Albert, (Alberta), birth, Genevieve Berrard, died April 1896 daughter John Roger Berard Sr., b-1852, married 1872 St. Albert, (Alberta), Rosa Archange Belcourt, b-1859 Lac Ste Anne; married to a man named Whitford.
July 10: Colonel French of the Mounted Police left Fort Garry for the Saskatchewan, expecting to reach the Bow River in two months but many experienced plain's hunters say that the Ontario police horses are too weak to reach the Saskatchewan River this fall. They offered to sell them prairie horses but the police refused the offer. By July 27 the Hudson Bay at Fort Garry still had no word whether the North West Police were going to establish on the Bow River. However, reports circulated that many Ontario horses had died. Some of the police claimed they had been over driven. The Metis warning was proving true.
Donald Ross (the ex-miner?), who claimed to have arrived Fort Edmonton 1874, suggested he started to build the first hotel in Edmonton this year. The 1874/1875 season, based upon Hudson Bay Company records, state that Donald Ross is assigned to Athabasca, Donald Ross? to Fort Dunvegan, and Roderick Ross to Norway House, therefore it must have been Donald Ross the miner??
August: The Mounted Police, under command of George Arthur French and second in command James Farquharson Macleod, planned to capture Fort Whoop-up but they became lost and had no idea where they were or where the fort was located. These foolish men had hired guides who had never been into Alberta. The Mounted Police had lost most of their horses and oxen, despite being warned that the Ontario horses were not suited to prairie travel. They were also low on provisions. It is also noteworthy that they didn't know how to procure food for themselves; such was their lack of preparation. Fortunately their guides knew where Fort Benton, Montana was located and a detachment was sent to obtain provisions and replacement horses.
Rev. McDougall reported in September that the Mounted Police would not reach the Bow River country until next year. He requested that something be done about the freight problem, as the Canadian route cost a thirteen dollar premium over the United States route and that ,lately, fifty thousand buffalo robes were sent by way of the United States route out of Trail Creek des Metis. This would clearly indicate that the Metis had established their own trade routes to Fort Benson, Montana. Members of the Mounted Police Force in the North West Territories had to serve three years, receiving seventy-five cents per day plus room and provisions . Upon completing their three years they received one hundred and sixty acres of land with right of choice. Most served five years before selecting their acreage. It is not known if this right of choice could claim jump a Metis land claim.
September: The Mounted Police made their first wise decision while at Fort Benton, Montana by hiring the Metis Jerry Potts (1840-1896) as their chief guide, who effectively and efficiently managed the Mounted Police. Potts made all the major decisions, facilitated the interface between the Police and the Natives. The police would not travel without him leading the way. All agreed that without him they would have achieved very little due to their lack of experience.
September 5: St. Albert (Alberta), birth Arthur Dion Blandion, son, John Blandion and Olive L'Hyrondelle, b-1855 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).
September 24: French, of the RCMP, reported that the state of affairs on the Bow and Belly River has been greatly exaggerated. The reports of 500 lawless United States people in the vicinity had no substance. The very rational for the RCMP presence was in question.
October Father Lestanc arrived St. Albert.
October: About 150 North West Mounted Police established Fort Macleod on an Island in the Oldman River. Annual flooding force a move by 1884 to a new location.
October 15: The Indians and Metis from distant places began arriving Trail Creek des Metis for the fall buffalo hunt. Most old Metis families had winter cabins to repair ,and new arrivals built log cabins with chimneys constructed of either unburned bricks, hay and clay, or rocks. The windows were of skins or hides of animals, while doors were of slabs of split or sawed wood and fastened with thongs of raw hide. The crevices were filled with clay. Some cabins boasted floors of sawed lumber. Trail Creek des Metis resounded in Pow-wow festivals with the screech of the Metis violins to the foot stomping and merriment of the Red River jig in the community hall or outdoors weather permitting.
The annual Edmonton Buffalo Hunt to Trail Creek was hit by an early ‘grand snowstorm’ that caught many Metis hunters out on the plains. Many hunters from Lac Saint Anne, Saint Albert, Edmonton and Strathcona had to partially winter at Trail Creek. Those who made it back to Edmonton had to dodge drift ice crossing the Saskatchewan below the fort. Those who remained in the field underwent great suffering, as they didn't have wood cut or sufficient shelter.
December: The first Mounted Police of the North West arrived at Fort MacLeod in Alberta. As one United States whiskey trader put it, if we had only been allowed to carry on the business in our own way for another two years, you Canadians would have no trouble feeding the natives, there would be none left to feed. Whiskey, pistols, strychnine and other like processes would have effectively cleared away those wretched natives. Many Canadian pioneers are also conducting less than ethical trapping and trading practices, not just the United States traders. The Mounted Police force is sadly crippled, the remaining horses are dying, the men's clothing is worn out and they are dressed in buffalo skins and too much military and not enough practical had caused the delay, so says the Metis. It was reported that they were a sorry looking lot.
Ironically, after George French and James MacLeod of the Mounted Police got lost near Cypress Hills while looking for Fort Whoop-up, they went to Fort Benton, Montana. This is the headquarters for the whiskey trade and the home of the Indian women and child killers. They went there for supplies and are fortunate to recruit Jerry Pott, the Metis, as a guide, interpreter and general advisor for the next twenty-two years.
Fort Whoop-up was empty when the Mounted Police arrived, just as Jerry Pott had predicted. Dave Akers, an old-timer in the area, was the only person at Fort Whoop-up when the Police arrived, the others had fled. James MacLeod tried to buy Fort Whoop-up but couldn't afford the twenty-five thousand-dollar price tag. It was Jerry Pott who selected de Ole Man's River, a semi-island site (Fort MacLeod), for the Mounted Police headquarters in October. Harry Kamoose Taylor, a whisky trader, is at the Fort MacLeod site when the Mounted Police arrive. Kamoose, means wife-stealer; he stole an Indian girl after her father refused Taylor's offer of a horse and two blankets for her. He went on to build the MacLeod Hotel. MacLeod's fumbling start culminated with Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfoot saying that Major MacLeod was a brave man and that the law of the Great White Mother must be good when she has sons like MacLeod. We will obey the law. Crowfoot kept his promise. MacLeod was a thinking man but paid only the minimum necessary attention to Father Lacombe's or Rev. John McDougall's advice. He liked both men and trusted them, but they provided conflicting advice.
The Northcote, a steamer boat was the first to arrive Fort Edmonton. Captain Josie Smith, Metis, handled the steam ship or his son Alex Smith, Metis. The crew included a mate engineer Jack Shannon who eventually settled in Edmonton to found Reliance Welding Works, a clerk, and 15 or so deck hands. Old Man Gourd was the chief cook and the boat had a cabin boy. Captain Josie Smith like many Metis was a fine fiddler and provided the music for the nightly dance. The Northcote stayed in business until 1897 competing with the CPR.
February: Bear Hills, Alberta, birth Cornelious Leblanc aka White Jr., son Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton and Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton.
July: Fort Edmonton, birth Veronica Vandel, Metis daughter Francois Vandel, Metis, b-1850 and Isabelle Deschamps, Metis, b-1855.
December: Brought the first Mounted Police to Fort Edmonton with twenty Metis wagon drivers and guides where they wintered. It had been a difficult six-month hike from Red River due to their inexperience. (II)-James Gibbons (1839-1928), the Metis, passed them on the trail to Fort Edmonton and reported that their eastern horses played out, not like his Cayuses horses which gained weight on the trip. The Metis buffalo men had told them at Fort Garry that they were poorly equipped and didn't expect them to make Fort Edmonton this year, so they did good. The Mounted Police, wintering at Fort Edmonton, included: Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914), who is in command, Captain Guion is second in command, and Major Steele, part of the rank and file, did the work.
December 4: James F. MacLeod of the RCMP took credit for stopping the United States whisky trade, drunken riots, and establishing law and order, whereas he had none absolutely nothing. French, of the RCMP, said there was no such disorder.
December 15: James F. MacLeod of the RCMP was being sold Spanish ponies by the very same United States whisky traders he was sent to stop. The nice whisky traders told MacLeod that the ponies were a terror for chasing the whisky traders. The gullible MacLeod believed these inferior ponies were as the whisky traders claimed.
1875
St. Alberta (Alberta), birth Lucie Beaudry daughter Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River
Pierre Belcourt, b-1875, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).
Basil Boucher, b-1875 McKenzie River, died after 1881 son Francois Boucher Sr, b-1824 and Elizabeth Native.
Jane Bourk, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. living Fort Edmonton (Alberta), 1891.
Emilie Chalifoux, Metis, b-1875,Lac La Nun (Alberta), son Joseph Chalifoux, Metis, b-1838, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), and Julie Campion, b-1841 Lake McLeod
Louis Daze perished in a storm near Nose Hill, Calgary (Alberta).
Cecil Denny described Calgary as "an enchanting spot . . . the most beautiful we have seen since our arrival in the west."
Flora Deschamps, b-1875, Calgary (Alberta), daughter Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.
Philomene Dumont, Metis, b-1875, Calgary, (Alberta) daughter Jean Baptiste Dumont Jr. Metis, born June, 1852, Slave Lake (Alberta), and Philomene Vanesse Metis born October 1856.
(I)-John Glenn, born 1833, Ireland married 1873 St. Albert (Alberta), Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851, Lac Ste Anne, (Alberta) settled in Calgary (Alberta), about 1875. He homestead a few miles south of Calgary and is the first recorded to attempt to irrigate in the Northwest Territories. He took water from Fish Creek (Calgary, Alberta), to irrigate his 20 acres.
Wesley Huminson b-1875 N.W.T., living Assiniboina (Alberta), 1891.
Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton (Alberta), son Louis Leblanc Sr. and Angelique Vallee, b-1820 Fort Edmonton (Alberta), : married 1875, Fort MacLeod, (Alberta), Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton daughter Thomas Favel and Josephte.
John Logan, Metis b-1875, Alberta married about 1897 Alberta, Emma Metis b-1877 Alberta, living Logan, Alberta 1901.
Henry McCorristem Jr., born May 10, 1849, son Henry McCorrister, Jr., b-1817 and Maria Tait, b-1820; married 1875 Smoky River, Athabasca, Margaret Pelletier (or Campbell), Metis b-September 1852 daughter Louis Pelletier (or Campbell) Sr., Metis, born July 15, 1829, up the North Saskatchewan River in Rocky Mountains married 1845 Fort Jasper (Alberta), Marie Karaconti; married 1875 Smoky River, Athabasca, Henry McCorristem Jr., born May 10, 1849, son Henry McCorrister, b-1817 and Maria Tait, b-1820.
Alex McDonald, Metis b-1875 Athabasca married about 1897 Alberta Caroline Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.
Daniel Webster Marsh arrived Calgary to open a store for whiskey trader T.C. Power. Whiskey trading Marsh would become mayor of Calgary in 1889.
Mary Munro, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. sister Benjamin and Francis living Fort Edmonton 1891.
Canon William Newton, Anglican Missionary, arrived Fort Edmonton.
Joseph Perrault, Metis b-1875, Alberta married about 1894, Alberta, living Lac Ste Anne, 1901.
Gaspard Plante, Metis b-1875 (1865?) Alberta son Isabelle Plante b-1829 Alberta; married about 1892 Justine Metis b-1866 Alberta, living Lac Ste Anne 1901.
Fredrick Prudin, Metis b-1875 Alberta son Partick Prudin, Metis b-1843 and Elizabeth Metis b-1846 living Alberta 1875 to 1890, living Lakeland eastern Alberta 1891.
Michel Plante b-1875, St. Albert (Alberta) son Michel Plante, b-1851, Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan and Juliet Nault, b-1848, Fort Edmonton.
Tom Scott, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. married about 1897 N.W.T. Louisa Metis b-1872 N.W.T., living Olsen, Alberta 1901.
Charles Spence, Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Mountain view, Alberta 1901.
Fathers Lestang and Fafard are at Buffalo Lake.
Trail Creek, birth Marguerite Vandal, Metis, daughter Norman Vandal, Metis, b-1857 and Julie Munroe, Metis, b-1859.
Norman Ward, b-1875 Buffalo Lake son James Ward Sr. (1831-1906) and Catherine Bruneau.
Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) of the Mounted Police, with 13 men, arrived Trail Creek des Metis after dark and search among the 400 cabins for illicit whiskey: finding nothing. The Mounted Police are engulfed in a torrent of warmth, food and sociability. Jigs and reels continued throughout the night, with competitions being held for endurance and agility. Jarvis and company remained four days and enjoyed the novelty of the situation. They were well fed on buffalo tongue, bannok, strong tea and tinned fruit. Victoria Calihoo, born 1861 of Gunn, Alberta, is twice the winner of a fine buffalo robe for dancing the Red River jig. The Police left after four days, convinced that the Metis are people whose good qualities far outweighed any weaknesses charged to them (by McDougall?). The Mounted police, however, would be pressured to establish a presence in 1876 with a four man detachment.
Some suggest Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) and company also visited Buffalo Lake Village on the eastern shores of Buffalo Lake: a Metis settlement that only contained one European John Ashon a storekeeper free trader and his young wife. Some place the size of Buffalo Lake Village as larger than Trail Creek Village. Boss Hill is another Metis settlement in this region. The remains of Dutch ovens were still evident in 1926.
Fort Walsh is built this year and a Metis settlement soon sprang up. This is located on the Saskatchewan side of the Cypress Hills.
They would again winter at Fort Edmonton this year while their fort (post) is being built at the mouth of the Sturgeon river that was named the Sturgeon Creek Post later to be known as Fort Saskatchewan. John MacLean a Methodist minister traveling with John McDougall is horrified that McDougall justified the wanton slaying of buffalo as necessary to settlement. The common held belief by the English is to destroy the Metis and Indian food supply then they can be settled and controlled.
John McDougall would later visit Trail Creek des Metis saying; what a wonderful land of river, soil, rich grass with beautiful landscape. Buffalo Trail Creek is teeming with fish, so thick that we could scoop some out.
S.E. Steele of the mounted police visited a radius of 100 miles southeast and west of Trail Creek des Metis. He noted that whites, mostly from the south, were wanton and destructive with buffalo, whereas the Metis and Indians gave them a chance for their lives. The most successful hunters were the half-breeds. It was said of those to the south: One individual could kill 3,000 buffalo per season for the robes, leaving the meat to rot.
Some contend John Walter (1849-1920) first built his house on the North side of the river after he left the Hudson Bay Company in 1875 (his contract expired with the Hudson Bay Company July 1875), and would later relocate to the Strathcona side of the river. The Edmonton Free Press contended in 1907 that John Walter (1849-1920) built on River lot #9 after leaving the Company in July 1875 on the south side of the river. There is no mention of a north side building site. Fort Edmonton appeared to have the only thresher machine in the area at this time.
Fort Brisboise a.k.a. Fort Calgary
In September, Fort Brisebois (named Fort Calgary in 1876) is established by Ephrem A. Brisebois (1850-1890) and fifty men near the old Fort La Jonquiere site. The only reported residents of the fort site are Father Doucet and a Native boy. There were, however, other settlers in the Calgary area for many years. Father Doucet had planned to build near the Fort Jonquiere site, but is forced by the North West Mounted Police to move upriver to the Holy Cross Hospital site. Brisebois was ordered to build the fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, and to name it Fort Calgary. Brisebois persisted in naming it after himself- Fort Brisebois. Brisboise was already considered unfit to command his North West Mounted Police, and his continued insubordination led to his forced resignation in August 1876. D.W. Davis, an United States Whiskey trader, took charge of Fort Calgary. John McDougall built a chapel and the Hudson Bay Company started a saw mill two miles east of the Fort.
An Englishman surveying for the railway had frozen feet when he arrived at St. Albert, at the Gray Nuns (Sisters of Charity), for treatment. The Oblate fathers at St. Albert harvested nine hundred and ninety four kegs of potatoes this year. Many St. Albert free traders made an annual overland trading trip to Winnipeg as part of their annual Edmonton Buffalo Hunt. This year's hunt is led by Abraham Salois of St. Albert, who claimed a record kill of 600 buffalo in one season; 37 of them in one run. The staging is centered out of the Trail Creek Town. Abraham reported killing thirty-seven buffalo. Buffalo Lake Town, with some four hundred Metis homes, claims to be larger than the Trail Creek town of two thousand people. Buffalo Lake Town is on the eastern shore; east and south of present day Bashaw.
George Millward McDougall (1821-1876) is stationed at the United Church (Wesleyan mission) near Morley (1873-1876). This year he and his son John McDougall built their first church that stands into the 21 century. A point of interest is the foundation is still intact in 2003 being built on logs. In 2003 the logs are being replaced with a concrete foundation.
John George Kootenais Brown, a wolf hunter, buffalo hunter and express rider, squatted at Waterton Lakes, collecting oil seepage from Cameron Creek to grease his wagon. Later, with William Aldridge- a Mormon, they would gather up to forty barrels a day, which he sold to local farmers and ranchers. He conducted this business for seven years. He is likely the first non-Indian to be involved in the oil business. For years the Indians had traded the oil for canoe caulking, and are therefore the first Alberta Oilmen.
The RCMP solemnly promised not to do anything in the Blackfoot Nation without consulting the People. Reverend John McDougall noted that the RCMP build forts without permission of the Blackfoot Nation, right in the path of the buffalo, which diminished the buffalo herds.
The RCMP build Fort Elbow aka Fort Calgary.
February 25: Fort Edmonton, birth Joseph Deschamps son Jean Baptiste Deschamps, Metis, b-1849 and Catherine Vandel, Metis b-1846.
March, Buffalo Lake, birth Francois Whitford, son Francois Whitford Sr., b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845.
March: Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth St. Pierre Gladu, Metis, son Moise Gladu, b-1841 and Marguerite Kaskahwam; married 1896, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Cecile Giroux, b-1880, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta); 2nd marriage Marie Gladu, b-1899.
March: Big Smoky River, birth Jean Baptiste Nipissing or Shawen son Thomas Shawan Nepissing, b-1818 and Rosaire Gladu; married 1896 Fort Vermillion (Alberta) Sophie King Beaulieu, born October 1852, Fort Smith daughter Joseph King Beaulieu, b-1831 and Marve Anne Cayen?
April: Three hundred Metis from St. Albert had relocated to Boss Hill (near Buffalo Lake)
April 10: Brisbois with 50 NWMP arrived the community of Calgary (Alberta) and selected a site at the mouth of the Elbow River where it enters the Bow River. It was noted a Roman Catholic priest called Father Ducet and an Indian boy occupied the site. It is assumed they were asked to leave and they relocated up the Elbow River.
May: The Manitoba Free Press reports there is a new Metis settlement near Fort MacLeod, Alberta.
May: Lesser Slave lake (Alberta), birth, St. Paul Gladu son Jean Baptiste Gladu, d-1881 and Mary Gaucher, b-1849 Jasper House; married April 23, 1898, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Malane Savoyard, born August 11, 1883, Big Island, Great Slave Lake,
May 24: Saddle Lake (Saskatchewan), birth, Narcisse Cardinal, son, Gabriel Cardinal dit Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, b-1837.
June: It is reported that 20 lodges of Metis are located near Fort McLeod and last year the RCMP reported only 2 Metis in the vicinity.
July: Fish Creek (Calgary, Alberta), birth (II)-John Glen, Metis, son (I)-John Glenn, born 1833 and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851.
July 22: The steamboat Northcote was built in Red River for the Hudson Bay Company, reached Fort Edmonton (Alberta) from Winnipeg (Manitoba). It is recorded it made the trip from Grand Rapids to Fort Edmonton in 18 days carrying as much freight as 200 or more Red River carts that would take two months. The Northcote could also carry 50 passengers.
The Mounted Police are still in the process of building their Fort Sturgeon River, which is renamed Fort Saskatchewan after the old North West Company Fort. Richard Hardisty of the Hudson Bay Company also planned to build on this site. Some claim John Walter (1849-1920) is the first to build outside the Fort and in Strathcona. No evidence supports this contention, and much exists to support the contention he probably built late 1875 or more likely 1876. Most Metis are aware that this land is less desirable: being on the river flood plain. At this time most of the immediate land is occupied, but Walker saw a opportunity of providing a ferry service.
FORT EDMONTON AND AREA by the 1890's
Some contend John Walters didn't start development of his property until the 1880's. We don't know when he started his ferry service but we know it ended in 1917. The Garneau Saskatchewan River Crossing, below the High Level bridge, was still used by those settlers who couldn't afford or didn't want to pay the ferry fee, after the ferry service began. The Garneau Crossing has been in use by the Metis since the early 1800's.
October 12: Lac La Biche (Alberta) birth Marie Quintel, daughter St. Pierre Quintal, b-1844, White Fish Lake, Athabasca, Marie Oka-ee-ma-oo-wasis Gladu: married Oliver Gladu.
November: Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth, Louizon Gladu, son Edward Gladu, b-1847, Lac La Biche (Alberta) and Betsy Constant, Metis, b-1845, The Pas (The Big Eddie, Saskatchewan); married Marguerite Nooskeyah
November 20: Buffalo Lake (Alberta), birth John Baptiste Thomas Descheneaux, Metis son Joseph Descheneaux, b-1846, Red River and Angelique Tanner, b-1850, Fort Carlton, (Saskatchewan).
December: Marleyville (Alberta), birth John Berard son Eustache Bernard, b-1829/31, Fort Edmonton, (Alberta), and Marguerite Primeau, b-1836; married Louisa Cardinal, Metis, b-1877 Slave Lake daughter Gabriel dit Labatoche Cardinal, b-1835 Lac La Biche (Alberta) and Marie Bruneau, Metis b-1837 Fort Edmonton (Alberta).