Pioneers & Prominent People of Saskatchewan: SGW Transcription Project

Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan

well clothed and well supplied with horses and guns. They acknowledge that the arrival of the Red Coats has been to them the greatest boon."

In July, 1876, Commissioner French resigned his position and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel James Farquharson Macleod. Colonel French returned to England, to resume his duties with the Royal Artillery. The sergeants at headquarters presented him, before his departure, with an address and a gold watch and chain. The corporals and constables presented Mrs. French with an address and a service of plate. On arrival in England, Colonel French was decorated with the K.C.M.G., and later was in command of the troops in New South Wales during the Boer War. "He left his mark on the North-west Mounted Police by laying the foundation of its splendid efficiency."

In October, 1876, Fort Macleod was made the headquarters of the police. During Commissioner Macleod's term of office important treaties with the Indians were negotiated. On his appointment to the, position of stipendiary magistrate he resigned his commissionership. He was held in high regard by officers and men. His retirement was a great loss to the force. His influence with the Indians was enormous. With them he was the personification of truth and fair dealing. In 1887 he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of the North-west Territories, a position which he held until his decease in 1894.

In 1882 Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. Irvine was appointed Police Commissioner. In 1883 he demolished Fort Walsh and transferred headquarters to Regina. He was exceedingly popular with the force. During his term of office occurred the Riel Rebellion of 1885. Through the whole campaign Colonel Irvine's scouts performed valuable services. Two of his scouts, after the battle of Batoche, captured the rebel leader, Riel. His defence of Prince Albert was one of the features of the campaign. The presence of his men at that im-

Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan

Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan CANADIAN PUBLICITY.CO Publishers WINNIPEG MONTREAL ST.JOHN VANCOUVER REGINA Printed and Bound by THE RYERSON PRESS TORONTO Copyright Canada 1924, by CANADIAN PUBLICITY CO. Copyright 2005 online publication