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

over the boundless prairies, but with the advent of the farmers the range. was so restricted it made it impossible to carry on ranching extensively. So owing to changed conditions in the spring of 1903 we disposed of our ranch site and stock, moving to Saskatoon to live, having at the time large and valuable land holdings in the vicinity of the then village. These have since been subdivided into lots and are now almost entirely covered with buildings. We engaged for a short time in a livery and feed stable business disposing of it in 1905. We then engaged in the carriage and harness busi- ness, also dealing extensively in real estate. In the spring of 1907 we pur- chased and shipped into Saskatoon the first car load of automobiles that up to that time had come into Saskatchewan. The autos were the first manufacture of the McLaughlin Company and were the advent of that make of car into Saskatchewan. This is how the settlement of Saskatoon began to grow and the way in which we became identified with it. ____________________ NARRATIVE OF EX-MAYOR JAMES CLINKSKILL (Mr. Clinkskill's Reminiscences cover his life at Battleford during the eighties and nineties. The following narrative takes things up at the point of his removal to Saskatoon in 1899). My business was not expanding no new settlers were coming into the Battleford district to increase the volume of trade. In thinking over what could be done, I considered the situation at Saskatoon. I knew it was surrounded by excellent farming land ready for occupation. As soon as the immigration should start in this direction, these lands would be taken up Up to this date the Immigration Authorities had directed the incoming stream to Alberta along the Calgary and Edmonton Railroad. The land along that line adjacent to the railroad was rapidly being settled and I was confident that before long there would be a movement in our direction. The remnant of the original Colonization Society settlers living near Saska- toon were getting into better shape since the Prince Albert line was opened and formed a basis for a certain amount of trade. Another factor that in- duced me to consider opening a branch in Saskatoon was, that all my goods were shipped through that point and I had to pay forwarding and loading charges on all my shipments. When it became known in Battleford that I contemplated opening a business at Saskatoon and possibly moving my- self and family there, I was strongly advised against such folly. However, their arguments were futile. I had waited patiently at Battleford for seven- teen years for the opening of railway communication and had my hopes raised time and again, but that desired communication looked as far off as ever. The strongest factor of all was the advice of my worthy helpmeet. She urged me earnestly to make the venture, declaring her willingness to- start roughing it again till we could afford to build a comfortable home. That meant much to me as it was going to make a strain on my resources starting a new enterprise and made it undesirable that I should expend capital outside of my business. This willingness on her part was all the more commendable when it is kept in mind that we had a family of eight children and were leaving a commodious comfortable house in Battleford. Again I had to be thankful that I was blest with a considerate, helpful and brave companion in life. This venture proved to be the wisest step we had ever taken in our somewhat strenuous life. We endured hardship and discomfort for a time just as was anticipated but when affairs began to come our way all these. were forgotten. But I must not anticipate events. It had got around than I was considering this undertaking, and it reach- ed Saskatoon. A firm there, Leslie and Wilson (1), hearing of it wrote me (1) Jas. Leslie and James R. Wilson. Page 55

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