NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

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be reckoned with as a point of importance in the North-West Territories. But the ideal and the real had many contrasts, and time is only now realizing the imaginations of some or all of the many patrons of that day. The Canadian Pacific Railway was only in operation as far as Moose Jaw; that place was chosen as the point from which to leave the railway (1), and the 150 miles of overland trail was faced without a flinch by the new ar- rivals for the second year, The charge of the work had been given to Messrs. Lake as commissioner, and Grant as assistant, and the first outfit left Moose Jaw on April 19th. It consisted of the assistant commissioner, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Kusch and children, Joseph and Robert Caswell, Harry and Jim Goodwin. Close by were J. J. Conn, Mr. Pugsley, and Mr, McCor- dick, and in the rear were Peter Latham and two boys, with some others. The first incident of this trip was camping for three days in a snowstorm- a splendid introduction to pioneer life. Then came a huge mistake in the road by the assistant commissioner, in which he took the outfit down into the valley of Big Arm Creek, which they tried to cross, but had to return to high land. Trials in plenty followed, and the elbow of the South Branch of the Saskatchewan River was reached after some four days. Here the assistant commissioner was "treed" again by the band because he "didn't know where he was going, or the road he was travelling." They threatened to drown him in the river so he skipped out, riding seventy-five miles on horseback to Moose Jaw. They, however, came on courageously to their destination, and reached here in due time to meet the settlers of 1882,- Messrs. Hamilton and Eby,-already on the ground. Then followed Messrs, Clark and Sons, of whom Prank is still in the vicinity. They reached here and celebrated the 24th of May' as a holiday. Close by also were Mr. and Mrs, Copland and Mr. and Mrs. W. Hunter, each tasting for the first time but not the last, the trying experiences of pioneer life; and, indeed many experiences, the result of blunders by the Company adding much to the dif- ficulties of locations, etc., which were difficult enough at best. Messrs. Pugsley and Coon had squatted on section 283~5. Messrs. Kusch and Latham had selected their well-known homesteads and operation began in earnest. Messrs. Coon and Pugsley were quietly "shunted off 28 to more suitable location," (so the agents thought) and Saskatoon was founded about the time all the world interested was celebrating the Queen's birthday in 1883. Mr. Coon had built a sod house about opposite the present (1903) office of The Pheonix, on the east bank of the river, and in this and a tent were carried on the operations of the Company for the year. As a village, to Dr. J. H. C. Willoughby belongs the credit of opening the first store. He, together with his brother Gerald, opened in a tent in June. With hint arrived the Commisioner, Mr. Lake, Messrs. Garrison and J. P. Lake and sons. Soon after these arrivals came people from every land, and the extent of settlement promised for the future on that year has only been equalled since by that of 1001. But the blunder of locating the Company's scrip sold in '81 on even numbered sections was beginning to take effect and the uncertainty of the proper procedure under the circumstances made the situation unpleasant and locations insecure. The first consignment of lum- ber and the first attempt at building began in August (2). The lumber came by raft from Medicine Hat, occupying some three weeks under the generalship of S. Kerr. R. W. Dulmage had opened the initial work of a tinsmith, and he had the honor of putting the first roof on a building in Saskatoon. It is now forming part of the livery barn at the depot then erected by the Company." J. N. Lake was the architect, and Messrs, Horn and Arch. Brown were carpenters on this building. Mr. Dulmage has since continued to be one of the most important influences in the comfort and life of Saskatoon, and many can look back with thanks to the help at a crit- (1) On Sept. 26th, 1883, John.N. Lake, on his way home, arranged to build a place at Moose Jaw for the T. C. Society, "Oct. 5th, finished building, etc., and left for Winnipeg." (2) "Aug. 27.-Lumber arrived, arranged for building. Sept. 1, J. P. Lake's house begun. Sept. 1, started office."-Lake's diary. page 11

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