NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

Genealogy, 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, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web

If they did come and decided to get nasty I concluded that I was as good as one or two Indians anyway and would be able to give a good account of myself before they got me. However, no Indians appeared and I had a good sound sleep and did not even dream of them. Malloy and family re- turned next afternoon, instruments were dug p, and business went on as usual, except that the operator had now something to do. He was kept busy relaying military messages having to do with the rebellion, He used to get up about nine, answer his call, go back to bed until his wife called breakfast, then relay a message or two, talk with some other operator on the line about general news and go to dinner. Same routine in afternoon. One day the line between Clark's Crossing and Battleford went out of commission, Gen. Middleton wired up: "Could a message be got to Battle- ford somehow?" I offered to go for five dollars a day from time of leaving to time of return. Malloy said "Not enough, ask ten." I said all right. Then Malloy said ask for a guarantee for the horse. Gen. Middleton then wired the risk was too great to send a man alone, answer came get another. Joseph Caswell called at the office, Malloy asked him if he would go. He said "Yes", and went to make his preparations and get his horse.' I had arranged with old Mr. Blackley for a good saddle horse. The ice got in such shape the horses could not be got across the river, so I had to take one of the Govt. Tel. ponies. We made an early start one morning,-one blan- ket and three days' provisions, plenty for the horses to carry. with us through the drifts. All day it was plunge and struggle through the drifts. Night found us thirty-five miles out at Telegraph Coulee (1) where the horses were glad of the shelter of the repair man's stable and we were glad of our portion of it to shelter us. Early start again next morning. Travel- ling was now much easier as a warm wind was sweeping this part of the country, and the snow had largely disappeared. While riding along the line we discovered a break and repaired it, resuming our journey. Near noon we arrived at Eagle Creek, a most uninviting place to cross. It was running bank full, large cakes of ice coming down. If the horse missed the crossing and got swept below it there was no chance for him; the current was too swift and the banks too steep to scramble out. A man might have saved himself by hanging on and pulling himself out by the brush. Right there a discussion was held. Caswell claimed that I as a man hired to carry the message should lead the way. I claimed that he knew the crossing, having been across several times in the summer and would know just where to head his horse, so he should lead. Finally l won out and he led the way. Just as the horses lost their footing their forefeet caught on the op- posite bank and we were soon on dry ground again. That night was spent in the next line repairers' shelter and the next afternoon the old town of Battleford was entered. This was deserted, everybody had gone to the Bar- racks across the Battle river. Buildings were burnt, rolls of dry goods were tumbled out of stores on the road, everything being scattered as if the looters had been in a hurry to get away. No doubt they were, as the Police kept it hot for them. Dead pigs were 1ying around, being shot by the police,-I suppose as something seen at a distance to be moving. We were expected and the police wagon with a boat soon arrived to take us across the river. My horse being only a pony was turned into a corral with lots of hay. There were snow banks to eat so he was supplied with drink also. Caswell refused to risk his horse, so he swam him across behind the boat. While waiting for the police to come across the officer in charge called to us to keep under cover in case of shots from the hill. As soon as the Barracks was reached we had to report to the Officer in charge. We delivered our message. His first question was "did you repair the line," proudly we answered "Yes." To take the conceit out of us he then said. "In future when carrying out military instructions carry out your orders to the letter, but do not undertake to do things which you were not told to as you have no means of knowing that what you are doing is not di- rectly contrary to the plans of the officer in charge. Make yourselves com- fortable rest before returning home." The police treated us like kings. (*) At the Elhow of the North Saskatchewan. Page 33

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