Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan
31
ment, and its maintenance was provided for from the Federal exchequer.
As early as the year 1870,
when the Hudson's Bay Company
transferred Rupert's Land to Canada,
Sir Donald A. Smith, and afterwards the North-west Council, urged the Dominion
Government to send into the country a police force, which, it was thought,
would exercise a salutary influence in keeping the Indians quiet, and in
preserving law and order. These recommendations were endorsed by numerous other
persons, who knew the country and its needs.
Not until three years later, in May, 1873, was any action taken at Ottawa.
Then Parliament assented to a law establishing a police force for the North-west
Territories. This action was taken
after Captain Louis de Plainval, commanding the Provincial Police in Manitoba,
had prepared and submitted to Sir John A. Macdonald a complete plan for the
organization, equipment and distribution of a mounted constabulary throughout
the Territories.
It is interesting at this
point to note the requisite qualifications for enlistment. These were a sound
constitution, ability to read, write and ride, a good character, and to be
active and able-bodied. The list of appointed officers was limited to
commissioner, superintendents, paymaster, surgeon and veterinary surgeon.
In September, 1873, three
divisions of fifty men each were sent over the Dawson
route, arriving at Fort Garry
late in October, taking up their winter quarters at the Old Stone Fort.
Lieutenant-Colonel W. Osborne Smith took temporary command, pending the arrival
of Colonel French, who had been appointed Commissioner. This officer arrived in
November, and, as the result of his representations to Ottawa,
the force was increased to 300. Early in May 1874, a force of sixteen officers,
201 men and 244 horses left Toronto
for the Territories, coming via Detroit,
Chicago, St.
Paul and Fargo,
to Dufferin, near the present site of Emerson, on the Canadian boundary line.
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Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan
