EVOLUTION OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
MEMORIES OF QU'APPELLE.
1885.
"This year considerable progress was made in the village and more
of a permanent character than before.
"The second Public School of the Northwest Territories was estab-
lished in this year-Trustees, A. McLane, G. S. Davidson with A. C.
Paterson, first teacher.
"Presbyterian Church built.
"In March, 1885, the North West Rebellion broke out and on receipt
of the news that a fight had taken place at Duck Lake between the half-
breeds and Indians on one side and the North West Mounted Police, and
civilians who joined them, on the other, there was great excitement all
over the West, and particularly at Qu'Appelle, as it was made the base
of supplies. Everything had to be carted to the Saskatchewan at Batoche
where the rebels had concentrated their forces. Every available means
of transport was put to use. The roads were bad and much difficulty
was experienced in getting to the scene of action. Nearly every farmer
left his farm and put his teams into the transport service, consequently
very little crop was put in during that Spring. The pay for man and
team was ten dollars a day and found, so most of them made more money
than they could have made on the farm.
"A few residents considered the situation rather serious-although
all the Indians and many half-breeds had disappeared-and called a
meeting to organize a Home Guard. A motion was made to organize a
company of Infantry; an amendment for cavalry, when a wag, who with
the majority did not consider that we were in immediate danger, moved
an amendment that artillery would best serve the purpose. This was
more than our old friend Daniels (who was an old soldier) could stand,
and he declared that the mover of the last amendment did not know the
tactics of war, and the meeting broke up.
"General Middleton and his army detrained here and much activity
and excitement prevailed. For the greater part of the year soldiers were
in evidence and 'B' Battery from Kingston was stationed here in the fol-
lowing winter. The Rebellion made Qu'Appelle a household word in
every part of Canada and beyond its boundaries. The history of the
Rebellion has many references to the base of supplies.
"Queen's Own Rifles, under Colonel Miller.
"Captain French's Scouts.
"Major Boukon's Scouts.
"The Winnipeg Field Battery.
"The Winnipeg Cavalry.
"The 90th Battalion of Winnipeg.
"The 10th Grenadiers of Toronto.
'A' Battery.
"'C' School of Infantry
"The above composed the column of General Middleton outside of the
Transport Service. Making a total of 950 officers and men. In addition
there was a Hospital Corps, the Midland Battalion and the Governor
General's Body Guard.
"A little later the 91st Battalion arrived from Winnipeg, and moved
out to Fort Qu'Appelle where they were stationed for some time, but did
not reach the front.
"The Qu'Appelle Progress, one of the very earliest papers
published
in the Northwest Territories, was established in this year-James Weid-
man, editor and proprietor.
"The Anglican Pro-Cathedral was built in '85, Rev. Mr. Pelly, pastor.
"The Pioneer Conservative Association of the Northwest Territories
was organised in this year-Executive Officers, A. Webster, A. C. Pater-
son, J. A. Cowan, G. B. Murphy and Thos. Wright.
"This Association produced many active politicians who were strong
supporters of the grand leader, Sir John A. MacDonald. It also had the
effect of getting the Liberals in line and subsequent elections were fought
to a finish. The Electors being from Ontario carried their political
opinions with them to their new homes and naturally soon lined up be-
hind their old leaders. To a large extent the deciding factor in the elec-
tions was the half-breed vote, and it was eagerly sought after by both
parties. Sound argument had little effect on these people and to secure
the vote other methods had to be resorted to, which possibly were not
morally far above the political strategy of today. In all probability the
most efficient way to secure this vote, and decidedly the most agreeable
to the native, was to give a dance in the Immigration Hall where all
were invited and none failed to appear. This was generally given on the
eve of an election. A supper was supplied with sufficient spirits to make
an eight hand reel worth looking at, and the dance went on without inter-
mission till late on election morning to the exhilarating music of the
Red River Jig and Moccasins of the fiddler. Now the real manipulator
got in his work and put an effectual quietus on any doubts as to results.
The election was as good as won. A procession was formed at the Dance
Hall headed for the polling booth and led by the liberal dispenser of
'Strong Bakers,' that well known brand of staff of life. These methods
from a moral standpoint could not well be defended, but I often wonder
after the lapse of forty years, and with every imaginary organisation,
almost innumerable, for the moral uplift of our people if we are entitled
to much credit for the betterment of our methods of conducting elections.
I also have grave doubts if our representatives in the Councils of our
Province today will favorably measure up with those of the early eighties.
"The Diocese of Qu'Appelle was established in 1885, and Canon Anson
of the Episcopal Church of England was appointed Bishop. On arrival
at Qu'Appelle he organised a Theological and Agricultural Institution,
later known as the College Farm, where young men from Great Britain
took a course in theology, preparatory for work in mission fields.
"Bishop Anson was a man of marked ability, scholarly attainments,
and a personality that commanded the respect of all classes. Shortly
after his arrival the Pro-Cathedral was erected, and still remains a monu-
ment to his memory. He conceived the idea of establishing a Theologi-
cal College with an Agricultural Branch where young Englishmen could
be sent from England and trained and equipped for useful citizenship
on the vast open prairies. A section of land was secured about one mile
west of Qu'Appelle and suitable buildings erected at very considerable
cost. Owing to many handicaps the College did not prove a success. The
students were largely from rich homes, had a natural antipathy to work,
but possessing an eager appetite for pleasure. The Bishop soon found
that the undertaking, despite his good intentions, was doomed to failure,
and after a fair trial sold the farm and college buildings, which was
converted into a dairy farm. In 1892 the Bishop gave up his charge
and returned to England, much to the regret of the best citizens of his
vast diocese.
"The Qu'Appelle Masonic Lodge instituted by D. G. M. John A. Kerr
of Regina-Principal Officers, J. Weidman, S. S. Nelson, A. C. Paterson,
G. B. Murphy, A. N. Weismer.
"The Municipality of Qu'Appelle was established in '86, A. M. Mc-
Lane, Chairman; A. C. Paterson, Clerk; G. H. Bulyea, Treasurer.
"In '86 R. D. Strong, a prominent Barrister from England, settled in
Qu'Appelle and opened up a law office.
"McMillan Bros. (now Sir Daniel and William), built a flour mill
which was operated by them for some years. The municipality of Qu'Ap-
pelle granted the firm a bonus of ten thousand dollars which was the
first venture in the Territories of promoting enterprises by this method,
and did not prove so successful that it was adopted by many other places.
Prominent figures with the operations of this mill were Charles Talbot,
Charley Lindsay and Jim Buckan.
Bibliography follows:
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