NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

Genealogy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Barr Colony, Barr colonists, Pioneers,John N. Lake, John Lake, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web, Genealogy, Barr colony, Barr Colonists, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web

days the camp began to take shape. The weather was cold and bleak. The women and children, yes and many of the men, unaccustomed to liv- ing outdoors, suffered great hardships. A large number of the Colonists were city bred and entirely new to country life. They were almost helpless around the camp. Everyone was in good spirits and accepted the condi- tions for a short time without complaint. As the days passed and Barr showed no disposition to help them get on the trail to their "land of promise" murmurs began to be heard. The mountain of baggage had not been sorted out; no attempt had been made to check it, and the poor folk could not get at their belongings. No sign of the much vaunted stores being available, business in the stores in the place was flourishing. Cairns had a double shift of bakers turning out innumerable loaves of bread that were carried off as fast as they came from the oven. Ten days passed and the discontent was growing fierce. All kinds of threats were levelled at Barr, who, arrant coward that he was, slept in his tent with a revolver be- low his pillow. Mr. B. Prince of Battleford and I went to Barr and made an offer to transport the whole party bag and baggage to their destination at a price per hundred pounds. We had our freight teams at Saskatoon waiting for our spring shipments and could have carried them off at once. Our of- fer was refused unless we agreed to give him a commission. As we made the offer through pity for the poor colonists with whom we could deal direct and did not intend to make a cent out of the transaction we refused his demand. One morning I had a petition presented to me asking me to address a mass meeting to discuss the situation. This petition was signed by several hundreds of them. I asked Mr. Speers if I could use a large Government tent to hold the meeting in and got his permission. A boy went round the camp with a bell calling them to assemble. When I reached the tent it was packed with people. I had great difficulty in mak- ing my way in. As soon as Barr caught sight of me he crowded through the surging mass toward me demanding who gave me the right to use the tent. I told him Mr. Speers. He said it was his, not a Government tent, which was untrue, and took hold of my coat threatening to assault me. Mr. Copland and Mr. Leslie were right behind me, two of the most peaceful citizens that ever drew breath, their hands raised to strike him, when the Rev. J. Exton Lloyd came in between Barr and myself and soothing Barr with "kind words" advised me not to attempt to hold the meeting as there might be trouble. All this time not one of the malcontents who had re- quested me to come and speak to them made a sign of supporting me. I consented to withdraw, for, in truth, It was of no importance to me. Sev- eral of the families dreading the long trek and subsequent isolation from railway facilities, selected homesteads around Saskatoon. Many of those who had the means purchased horses and wagons and started out for themselves. Mr. Speers seeing this sent men ahead to put up signs at the branching trails to guide the travellers. They also erected large tents at intervals along the trail to serve as shelters. The excessive loads in some of the wagons was severe on the teams. As far as possible they had been warned of the folly of loading so heavily, but without much effect. Before reaching their destination many of the teams became exhausted. I was sorry when I passed over the trail during the march to see women trudg- ing along weary and footsore. Endless are the stories told of the expedients some of them adopted to overcome the difficulties that cropped up. Afraid of losing their horses some tied them to the wagon when camping and did not allow the poor beasts enough rope to get grazing. This re- sulted in the loss of some splendid horses from sheer starvation. One lot with oxen came to the descent of a hill at Eagle Creek, and, to prevent the oxen going down too quickly, put hobbles on them; then, when going up the hill on the other side of the creek to prevent the wagon slipping back, they tied the wheels making the oxen draw the load up the slope with wheels locked. I have no desire to ridicule. These unfortunate people deserved to be pitied. Beguiled into conditions entirely strange, unused to prairie life, they struggled as best they knew to overcome the difficulties. Even after they got located on their homesteads, there were great hardship and privation among them for years. But now the district in which they settled . Page 63

Home
Back ...................... ......................Next