NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

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of white people then taking place, more marked than even the present one, only less effective in settlement. That these grievances were aggravated by agitation is undoubted, but lack in the exercising of common sense on the part of officials, of whom much was expected, had more to do with the out- break than anything else. From Saskatoon was sent the first word to Toronto announcing the ar- rival of Louis Riel on Canadian soil on this occasion, July 2nd, 1SS4, and his development as leader on the opening of the disturbance was well known. True to the expectations of the Saskatoon people, the agitation extend- ed to the White Cap Indians (1) under the influence of the Half-Breeds settled near the reserve, and as a result the entire population struck camp to join the rebellion at Batoche. On their way they had to pass Saskatoon, where preparations had been made to receive them either as friends or foes, as the case might he. The settlers had mostly been sworn in to defend the women and children, and had elected E. S. Andrews as captain of their home guard. They had also taken the precaution to let the Half-Breeds and Indians know that they were prepared for the emergency. We believe Chief Whitecap did not wish to leave the reserve, and join the rebellion, but the hot-headed warriors, influenced by a few Half-Breeds and emis- saries from Riel, were disposed to be hostile, and the result was that the whole tribe appeared in sight of the village one fine morning. Our scouts had been watching them, and we knew of their coming. We suspected, too, (what we found afterwards to be true) that they had Riel's instructions to wipe Saskatoon out on their way north. They could not get round the vil- lage for the deep snow, and after trying in vain to do so, they came on and were stopped in the heart of the village for a conference. Mr. Hamilton was chosen as the representative of Saskatoon people, but could not take the job, and Mr. Copland had to step into the breach as the alternative choice. An attempt was made by friendly advice and warning of danger to get the Indians to go back to their reserve, but without result, and the whole party moved on, leaving Saskatoon unscathed. and still watching them so as to keep telegraphic communication. The quick following events of the next few weeks culminated, upon the arrival of troops from the east, in the well-known battle of Fish Creek, the result of which was to again bring Saskatoon into the foreground as an im- portant point. The necessity for hospital accommodation was immediately filled by the people placing all their resources in houses and stores, and the best help they possessed, at the disposal of the authorities. It was ac- cepted, and for three months the village was one active scene of military life, and for the time it might be said that all attempts at settlement or ag- riculture were abandoned. Through this opening of the houses to the wounded, diphtheria (for which there was no remedy known at that time) was brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Copland, who were thus bereft of their daughter, Jessie. In September, one highly esteemed settler, the pioneer of all, Mr. Hamilton, paid a visit to his old home in Ontario, from which he never re- turned. His death, from asthma, was a shock to those left behind. The autumn of this year witnessed many difficulties in the adjustment of claims arising out of the rebellion, replevins of stock, losses of property, and all sorts of readjustments of rights. So far as the season was concerned the progress for the year was nil in many directions. The people, under the alarm of the year, had applied for and been accorded the right to settle under the hamlet system, and it continued to be so conducted for a con- siderable time. The privilege was subsequently withdrawn, and things all seemed to be going their usual course, but the settlement had got a setback by the rebellion of the Half-Breeds which it took years to recover from. (1) These were Sioux, by repute the fiercest of the tribes of the Prairies. They bad taken part in the defeat and slaughter of the Custer column in 1876, by Sitting 13u11. They took refuge In Canada, but did not return with the rest. They were given a Reserve at Moose Woods, with White Cap for chief. Page 14

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