NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Pioneers,John N. Lake, John Lake, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web, Genealogy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Pioneers/font>

others Capt. Andrews, Sandy Marr, Louis Gougeou, (1) Fred Smith, Geo. Kerr, Fred Kerr, and many others who have since left. Jos. Fletcher also added to the list some new settlers, and the general progress went steadily on. The first ferry was operated at Saskatoon this year, the Company sending a cable and windlass for the purpose. Andy Plante was the ferry manager for some time, but was succeeded by Mr. J. W. Stewart, who has operated it ever since. Mr. Henry Smith selected his land this year, and settled on it with his sons in the fall of 1885. Thus was founded the Smithville settlement, the progress and prosperity of which has been so marked, and to this family followed some time after by David Lusk, is chiefly due the development of the west side of the river in the early history of the colony. Who sees Smithville sees what the influence of one good man may accomplish. In May of 1884 we have to record as the first incident the death of Mr. Clarke, husband of Mrs. Eleanor E. Clarke, so long known as one of the energetic, motherly women of the district. She, with her children, were left to mourn his death even before they knew what pioneer life was. He died from the effects of over exhaustion in fighting a prairie fire which over- took the district on the day of his arrival in the colony. Thus was opened the first cemetery (2). The year was marked by general progress and the expansion of settle- ment. Cultivation was extending and the settlement had a hopeful tone. Building extended as far as the material on hand would permit, and addi- tions to the stores had been made. Two tinsmiths were working at their callings. and new general stores were opened. The Post Office was opened in the autumn under the postmastership of Dr. Willoughby. The mail was received from Batoche fortnightly, and so continued till the arrival of the railway. The mail carrier for a part of the time was Frank Clarke. One incident of this year was a visit to the colony in the autumn, which no doubt will be remembered by many who witnessed it. Some sixty In- dians came down at a gallop on the village, with the object of causing dis- may and fear, and then demanded food. For a short time the prospects were alarming, but all turned out right. One lady was scared, and after giving them all she had to eat, ran off and left them to devour it; but Mrs. Copland, like the brave woman she is, successfully stood off the whole band though her husband was away in the hay field. During all the time up to this year the intercourse between the colony and the White Cap Indians was pleasant and agreeable; and so also with the half-breed popula- tion both north and south. There was little indication of the unrest which so soon after developed into the well-known rebellion of the ensuing year. The Inspector for Colonization Companies (3) made his regular annual visit to the Colony in the autumn and on this occasion was settled finally the question of odd and even numbered sections under the scrip of the Company. He ruled that all the even numbered sections must be entered as homesteads, and in order that the count of settlers might be made, some sixty homestead entries were made in one day. And thus ended, to all in intents and purposes, the settlements of sections under T.C.S. Scrip. The season showed at the close decided progress in the settlement, and when business for the year was ended, the prospects for further advancement seemed hopeful. The winter closed down about Christmas, and all went merry as a marriage bell till on the 26th of the following March the whole country woke up to the terrible fact that a rebellion among the native pop- ulation at Batoche had broken out. That it meant great danger to our little colony was undoubted, as we were situated between two settlements of native Half-Breeds. That this is not the place to comment on why these people took this action, will be admitted. We were sufficiently cognizant of the dissatis- faction in regard to river front surveys, among the Half-Breeds also their claim that they were being ousted out of their native land by an invasion (1) Xavier Gougeou, commonly ca1led "Louis." (2) This is "The 01d Cemetery" near the present Exhibition Grounds. (3) C. J. Brydges. . Page 13

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