ALBERTA HISTORY 1875-1882

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1873

Agustus Anelia, Metis b-1873 Alberta married about 1895 Alberta Emile Metis b-1877 Alberta living Trail Creek, Alberta 1901.

(II)-John Anderson (likely Metis) b-1873 N.W.T. son (I)-Gilbert Anderson b-1830 Scotland and Mary Ducharme (likely Metis) b-1839 Red River; married Sarah Metis b-1875 N.W.T. all living Fort Edmonton 1891.

Patrick Beaudry Metis b-1873 Alberta living Lakeland, eastern Alberta 1891.

Emilien Belcourt, b-1873, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) daughter Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Clarisse Belcourt, Metis, b-1873 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) daughter Benjamin Belcourt, Metis, b-1852 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Mary Betsy Native.

Garcilth Cardinal, Metis b-1873 Alberta living Lakeland eastern Alberta 1891.

Gabriel Cardinal, b-1873, Stony Creek,  son, Gabriel Cardinal dit Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, b-1837.

John C. Dural, Metis is trading Milk River (Alberta/Montana).

Gilbert Gaddy, b-1873 Alberta son Alexander Gaddy, b-1834 and Margaret Kennedy; married Caroline Henry, b-1874.

(I)-John Glenn born 1834 County Mayo, Ireland, died January 9, 1886 in Calgary, married this year Adelaide Becourt Metis born Devils Lake (Lac Ste Anne, NWT) settled in the Calgary (Alberta) area at the confluence of Fish Creek and Bow River where they built a log cabin.   They were at Fort Benton, Montana and headed north along the 'Whoop-up trail'.  The arrived at the junction of Fish Creek and Bow River (Calgary).  The built a log cabin and trading post near Fish Creek  John died 1885 in a fistfight near Calgary.  Maureen Marchall adds "John Glenn actually died on January 9th, 1886 - this information is on his head stone in St Mary's pioneer cemetery in Calgary. In fact he did have a fist fight in December of 1885, however he died of pneumonia (no doubt as a result of this fight) in January."

1873 Indian encampment

Richard Charles Hardisty (1831-1889) a Metis appears to have built a house outside Fort Edmonton prior to 1873.  The photo is an Indian or Metis encampment with the Hardisty house in the background.

Cashine House (f) Metis b-1873 Alberta living Lakeland, (Alberta) 1891.

George Larose, Metis b-1873 Alberta living Red Deer Lake, (Alberta) 1901.

Magloire L'Hyrondelle married St. Albert, Euphrosine Beauregard, b-1837, Fort Edmonton, daughter Charles Beauregard Sr., died 1885 and Josephte Kwarakwentha Callihoo L'Iroquois, b-1822.

Sam Livinhstone is trading and farming in Calgary (Alberta).

Joseph McKay, Metis b-1873, living Southern (Alberta) 1891. 

Elie Mageau, Metis b-1873 (Alberta) married about 1895 Alberta Eva Metis b-1876 Alberta, living Lac Ste Anne, Alberta 1901.

The Reverend John McDougall and his brother David arrived Morley November 1873 with some fifty head of horses and cattle making him the first Alberta cattle ranchers.  In 1875 he would again venture to Fort Benton, Montana, driving back another hundred head of steers and breeding stock.  Others suggest the McDougall brothers brought a dozen head of cattle from Fort Edmonton to Calgary to establish a herd at the Methodist mission west of Calgary.

Michael Phillips made his way up the Elk River (Alberta) searching for gold and was disappointed in finding nothing but coal.  His relatives claim he was the first European to visit the Crowsnest Pass.

Alexander Prudin, Metis b-1873 Alberta son Partick Prudin, Metis b-1843 and Elizabeth Metis b-1846 living Alberta 1873 to 1890, living Lakeland eastern Alberta 1891.

Marie Rose Onellette, Metis, born December 23, 1873, Buffalo Lake (or Fort Edmonton), daughter Jean Baptiste Ouellette Sr., Metis, b-1837 and Cecile Courchene, b-1837.

Abraham Salois of St. Albert claimed during this years buffalo hunt out of Trail Creek des Metis he had killed 37 buffalo in one run. 

Gabriel Salois, b-1873, Battle River Settlement (Alberta) son Toussaint Salois, b-1850 and Helene Breland, b-1850.

Lucille Savard, Metis b-1873 N.W.T. living Fort Edmonton 1891

Mary Watson b-1873 N.W.T. living Southern Alberta 1891.

St. Albert, marriage Felix Blandion, son Antoine Blandion Sr. and Marie Desjarlais; married 1873 St. Albert, Anne Whitford, born Fenruary 15, 1836 daughter Francois Whitford Sr. b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845. 

Surveyor W.S. Gore began laying out the three thousand acre Hudson Bay Reserve.  The Hudson Bay Company entitlement is at Fort Edmonton, Victoria, Assiniboine, Rocky Mountain House, Lac La Nonne and six other sites.  Once the Hudson Bay Company staked their claim, the other settlers felt they could safely make their claim to lands on the Saskatchewan River system.  The Reverend John McDougall reported that it could take the better part of a day to cross the Saskatchewan River from Fort Edmonton, depending on the season.  In his opinion, there is not a single settler south of the Saskatchewan River (the Metis had winter houses and summer teepees or log houses but the clergy did not consider them settlers).  He also believed those horse thieves and scalp-takers (the Indians) might be expected at anytime.  He reported that the Cree occupied the Red (Deers) River valley and spoke of the wild Blackfoot and the wilder long knives (United States traders) in these parts of the country.  They ran into Mr. Davis, who later became one of the first representatives for Alberta in the Dominion House.  He is running with the Whoop-Up boys, killing Indians.  Harrison Young claimed to be the first white marriage in Fort Edmonton. The second is William Wood and the third Donald Ross, born 1841, according to Ross's recollection.

Lawrence Garneau, a Metis (1840-1921), a freeman (non company person), Eleanor Thomas also a Metis (1852-1912) and their two Metis children; Victoria (1869-1899) and Louis (1874-1959), walked and rode their red river carts the one thousand, two hundred and twenty five miles from their Red River home.  They arrived in Strathcona (Alberta) in 1873, possibly earlier, and it’s also possible they may have arrived as late as 1874, but I haven't found conclusive evidence to confirm either assumption.  The history of Trail Creek des Metis strongly suggests they wintered there but their summer homestead is up for speculation.  It is noteworthy that a homestead with a teepee as a residence is not considered a homestead by the English.  Family tradition suggests they arrived with a string of ten horses, their piano and all other belongings on red river carts.  One man could attend to four red river carts with ease but only two wagons.  Others suggest the most experienced freighters could handle ten carts, providing they were in caravan. The average was six, with three being the minimum.  It’s highly likely that being a free trader and freighter, the actual move covered more than one freighting season.  This could account for the family confusion.  Also some of the family goods would be stored at the Trail Creek des Metis log home.

Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921) claimed a two hundred and sixty nine acre tract of land on the south side of the north Saskatchewan river, over looking Fort Edmonton, that was called lot number seven, Strathcona.  It would appear he was the seventh recognized settler in the Fort Edmonton area.  This would also imply he had built the seventh log house in Edmonton to qualify as a homestead.   The choice of lot seven is most logical as it is on high ground; away from flooding which was common on the Red River.  It fronted on the shallows of the river where it was possible to cross with a wagon.  It is fertile ground and more isolated than north side locations ,therefore less likely to be claim jumped by Eastern Anglo-Saxon squatters like the Metis Red River lands were.  Another compelling reason was that you didn't have to ford the river after the annual Buffalo hunt at Trail Creek des Metis, which the Saint Albert, Big Lake and Lac Saint Anne Metis had to do, especially  the fall hunt which could be close to freeze up.  Free trading with the Cree, the Garneau Family returned to Fort Garry in 1874 with their furs for trade.  They brought the balance of their possessions back to Strathcona.  It is logical that the piano and other house hold effects would have arrived on the second trip, unless their Cree relative’s safeguarded their possessions in Strathcona on their Ellerslie Reserve. Eleanor Garneau, also a Metis, could have stayed behind to ensure possession of their claim.

Their first task was to build a log house to replace their traveling tent (teepee) before winter, put up hay for the horses and clear land for a spring garden.  Between these normal activities they had to make the two annual buffalo runs to ensure a winter supply of food and for trade at Fort Edmonton, Fort Benson or Red River.  This rigorous annual schedule and seemingly arduous journey are an annual affair for the five to six thousand Metis on the Prairies. Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921) would recall these conditions and the buffalo hunts as the highlight of his life. He could talk for hours on the subject.  Most Prairie Metis did not consider this hectic schedule a hardship. 

Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921), however, knew that  the buffalo hunts would not last and Trail Creek des Metis would likely become his last wintering house.  It is noteworthy that a good Metis hunter would kill bison by the score and give them to those who were either unable to kill or had no buffalo.  Not until every poor member of the hunting party had his cart filled with meat would he begin to fill his own. They learned this principle from their Indian brothers.  Lawrence Garneau, Metis (1840-1921), did not appear as a Captain of the hunt and therefore he was likely just an average hunter.  It would appear he made most of his wealth freighting and free-trading.

The Metis of Cyprus Hills are running a Red River Cart Train to Fort Benton.

The Government Survey party is on North Saskatchewan River.

Simon Whiteford, Metis b-1849 Alberta son Samuel Whitford and Mary Henderson; married May 20, 1873 Victoria, Alberta ( about 1875 Alberta)  Elizabeth Anderson, Metis b-1859 Alberta, living Pakan, Alberta 1901, daughter John Anderson Jr. b-1827 and Christie Whitford, b-1833.

March:  Joseph Mahkass aka Noose or Ladouceur, son Joseph Mahkass and Veronique Batard, b-1844; married 1893 Lac La Biche (Alberta) Marguerite Lapoudre, b-1879, Lac La Biche, daughter, Henri Lapoudre, b-1851 on the Plains and Christine Carlouche Vivicr, b-1851. 

March:  Quite a large number of Metis and Indians had gathered south of the Red Deer River intending to visit one of the nearest trading posts south of the Bow River.  At this time the only white men between Red Deer River and the Boundary Line where United States whiskey traders and wolfers.  On the Southside of the Bow River is the Fort of Healy and Hamilton's (Fort Calgary).  The commandant of the fort was a man called Davis.  The fort had 6 employee's including an interpreter who was a Negro.  The cook was a Spaniard.  They traded mostly in whiskey but also carried guns and ammunitions.  Their head office was Fort Whoop-Up to the east near Medicine Hat.

April 25:  St. Alberta (Alberta), birth Rev. Patrice Beaudry son Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River

May:  Red Deer, Alberta, birth, Augustin Hamelin, son Augustin Hamelin "Azure", b-1840, Red River and Marie Desjarlais, 1824, Lac La Biche; married April 16, 1895, Bear Hills, Emelia Vanesse dit Anas, born January 1, 1877, Calgary.

May 16:  Fort Vermillion (Alberta), birth Alexandre Cardinal, Metis, son, Louis Cardinal, b-1840, Fort Edmonton (Alberta), and Marie Bison, b-1840, Dunvegan, Athabasca (Alberta); married August 6, 1895, Fort Chipewyan, Christine MacDonald, b-1873, Fort Chipewyan daughter Daniel (Donald) McDonald, b-1848 and Catherine Tourangeau, b-1943. 

June 5:  Fort Edmonton, (Alberta), birth Thomas Berard, son Eustache Berard, b-1829 Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Marguerite Primeau b-1836; married Marie, b-1872.

October 12:  St. Albert (Alberta), birth Roger Berard son John Roger Berard, b-1852 and Rosa Archange Belcourt, b-1859; married LaLouise Marrow, b-1880, Fort Pitt (Saskatchewan).

October 12:  Cypress Hills (Alberta/Saskatchewan), birth Josephine Gariepy, daughter, Jean Baptiste Gariepy, b-1832 Red River and Julia Judith Cardinal, b-1827; married 1898, Gabriel Salois, b-1879, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) son Gabriel Salois, b-1852 and Elizabeth McGillis, b-1853.

November:  Mary Jane Savard, b-1873, Egg Lake (Alberta), daughter, Antoine Savard, b-1825 and Marguerite Bisson, b-1831.

1874 

Joseph Beauchamp, Metis b-1874 Alberta living St. Albert, (Alberta) 1901. 

Johnoy Belcourt, Metis b-1874 Alberta living St. Albert, (Alberta) 1901.

Joseph Belcourt, b-1874, Lac St. Anne (Alberta), son, Jean Baptiste Belcourt, born January 20, 1849, Devil Lake (Lac Ste Anne, Alberta) and Isabelle Adam, born July, 1858 Lac La Biche; married Louise Gladu, b-1880, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) daughter, Celestin Gladu and Marguerite Callio. 

Victoria Belcourt, daughter Alexis Belcourt b-1826 and Nancy Rowland, b-1832 Lesser Slave Lake; recalls her first buffalo hunt this year, she married Louis Jerome Callihoo aka Callio, Metis, born January 21, 1858 son Jean Baptiste Callio, Metis b-1832 and Angelique Metis , b-1835

Mary Elizabeth Blandion, Metis, b-1874 St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

Raphael Blandion, Metis, b-1874 St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

Isidore Cardinal, b-1874, Lac La Biche (Alberta) son Dominique Cardinal, Metis, b-1845, Floating Stone Lake (Alberta) and Marie Anne Desjarlais; married Bethay Desjarlais, b-April 11, 1880 Lac La Biche (Alberta).

Louis Cardinal, Metis b-1874, Alberta, married about 1899, Alberta, Sarah Metis b-1880, Alberta, living Wetaskiwan, (Alberta) 1901.

Caroline Crasmus, Metis b-1874, Alberta, daughter Peter Crasmus, Metis b-1833,  living, Alberta, 1874 to 1888, living Lakeland, (Alberta) 1891.

Mary Anne Rabasca Deschamps, b-1874, Pidgeon Lake (Alberta), daughter Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.

Joseph Wabamun Desjarlais, Metis, b-1874, Lac St Anne (Alberta), died May 8, 1874, Lac St Anne (Alberta), son, Antoine Wabamun Desjarlais, Metis b-1820 Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) and Marie Julie Catherine Kakatow a Cree; 

Charles Descheneaux, Metis, b-1852, married 1874 St. Albert, (Alberta), Anne Tanner, Metis b-1857.

Father Doucet stated at the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement in Alberta "They built their little winter houses in the woods right next to the beautiful Buffalo Lake."

Flora Eneas b-1874 N.W.T., a domestic, living Calgary (Alberta),  1891. 

Edward Garneau, Metis, is born November 12, 1874 at Strathcona, North West Territories, d-1959 son Lawrence Garneau (1840-1921) and Eleanor Thomas (1852-1912).  His actual birth location has not been verified.  The Garneau family had not yet converted to the Roman Church.  His descendents claim he is born 1872 in Red River but other evidence discounts this claim.  It is possible he is born on a freighting or hunting trip possibly into the United States or Red River.  Many early pioneers made light of the fact that their first bath is in the bread-pan that is a hollowed out log about two feet long or that the laundry is done in the soup pot.

(II)-Patrick Glenn, Metis, b-1874 Lac Ste Anne, Alberta son (I)-John Glenn (1834-1886) and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis, married about 1897 likely Calgary (Alberta), Lucy Metis b-1876 Alberta.

(II)-Bella Gonan, Metis b-1868, Alberta, daughter (I)-William Gonan b-1823 Orkney Island and Sara Metis b-1833 Red River, living Lakeland, (Alberta), 1891.

Donald Graham departed Fort Edmonton (Alberta), for Fort Breton, Montana, then on to Oregon and he finally settled down in the Okanogan Valley of British Columbia.

Alfred Gray, Metis b-1874, Alberta, married about 1900 Alberta Nancy Metis b-1880 Alberta living Ste Emerence, (Alberta) 1901.

Lac La Biche, marriage, Francois Cardinal, Moise, Metis b-1844-53 son Jean Baptiste (Kakakekamik) Moise b-1827 and Charlotte Wapisiokowan; 2nd married 1856 Madeleine Abraham; married 1874 Lac La Biche Caroline Johnson b-1855 Lac La Biche.

Dr. Richard B. Nevitt arrives in Southern Alberta and helps build Alberta's first hospital at Fort MacLeod.

Peter Hodgson recorded that his father and family spent three winters at a camp on a piece of land in the northeast angle of Buffalo Lake that is almost 35 miles north east of the mouth of Buffalo Trail Creek that would be called the Peninsula.  They built a good log cabin as others did for winter quarters.  They had horses and hunted, using flat sleighs instead of Red River carts, which they used later on, and had tepees of buffalo hides.  He said that there were many houses at Trail Creek but not as many as on the Peninsula.  They usually traveled there and camped soon as it started to get cold.  This would imply that the Peninsula was a summer home and Trail Creek the winter home for this family.  This would also imply a larger peak population of much more than 2,000 people.  He remembers seeing a whipsaw mill upon a bank in Trail Creek.  He noted that a priest had a cabin in their camp (Trail Creek?) that would imply a much later date than 1874.  He also noted that Metis hunters from Fort Edmonton, Fort St. Albert, Big Lake and Lac St. Anne went out on the hunt making Trail Creek their head quarters.  It is noteworthy that to my knowledge no forts were built at St. Albert, and it was never referred to as Fort St. Albert.  Maybe he was thinking of another place?

Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) of the Mounted Police considered selecting the University area next to the Garneau homestead but changed his mind for the mouth of the Sturgeon River (Fort Saskatchewan).  This is interesting given all this land in Edmonton is occupied.  

Henry Lee, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1897 Alberta Mary Metis b-1880 Alberta, living Livingston, Alberta 1901.

Sam Livingston settled on the Bow River (Calgary) that is now flooded by the Glenmore Dam.  The Sarcee were hostile to his presence and threatened to shoot him if he crossed his fence.  They called him the Big White Devil.

John McDougall reported there was a large band of Metis and Indian wintering at Trail Creek, Buffalo Lake.  It is noteworthy that Trail Creek on the north side of the Red Deer river, west of present day Stettler, Alberta contained 2,000 Metis and 400 houses.  Some said; Why in God's name wouldn't John McDougall say there was a sizable Metis settlement at Trail Creek.  (He in fact did report it)  It is fairly obvious that McDougall requested the Mounted Police visit this settlement assuming illicit acts are being conducted.

May McMullen, Metis b-1874 N.W.T. living Southern Alberta 1891.

Arthur Plante b-1874, St. Albert (Alberta) son Michel Plante, b-1851, Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan and Juliet Nault, b-1848, Fort Edmonton.

Margaret Jane Spence, b-1874, Victoria, Alberta, located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, died 1896, Victoria, Alberta, daughter, Andrew Spence Sr., b-1842 and Nancy Whitford, b-1850. .

Alexander Quintal, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1892 Alberta Margaret Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.

Archibald Whitford, Metis b-1874 Alberta married about 1896 Alberta Harriet Metis b-1876 Alberta living Wetaskiwan, Alberta 1901.

Roderick Whitford, Metis, b-1874, Victoria, Alberta located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, son Simon Whiteford, Metis b-1849 Alberta  and Elizabeth Anderson, Metis b-1859 Alberta, living Pakan, Alberta 1901, daughter John Anderson Jr. b-1827 and Christie Whitford, b-1833.

Don Whitford, Scotch Cree, Metis married the daughter of Chief Samson of Hobbema. Don lived on Boss Hill (near Tail Creek). One of his daughters told how they killed buffalo during the late summer, cut it into large flat pieces and dried it on the ground or across poles.  They made drums and some clothes from the hides.  Several old timers confirmed that there was a splendid settlement around Boss Hill.   The number of log cabins was never counted.

Benjamin Wioshart b-1874 Red River, a rancher, living Gleichen, Alberta 1891.

Emma Trayer doubts if there was 400 cabins in Trail Creek unless it included some along a lake west of Pete Adams.  This unnamed village was located on the south end of the Peninsula and just north of Boss Hill.  In 1902 the remains of the settlement still existed including the remains of very large copper pots used to render the buffalo, which some called 'ten skin kettles' because they cost ten buffalo skins each.  We know the Indians were also here because many dead trees had the outer bark removed in order to collect popular sap that was used to prevent scurvy.  This assumes the Metis didn't also adopt this winter tradition.  Hearonemus also discovered an old cross cut saw pit where logs had been squared and rough lumber made.  They assumed there must have been white men in the village as no Indian would bother to saw lumber.  It is noteworthy that this account had no room for a Metis person, neither white nor Indian.  Philip Whitford, a Metis who spent time there in his younger days, confirmed it was a trading post where Indians gathered to spend the winter.  In reality, most in this settlement were Metis, and it would appear Philip is worried that he might possibly be identified as an Indian.  Rather than being identified as half-breed, the polite society usually said he had a bit of French in him. 

John Evans and Harry (Kamose) Taylor, traders of Fort Whoop-Up, Cyprus Hills, were trading guns to the Indians at Fort Spitzee near High River, Alberta.  J. J. Healy is also trading guns.

The 'A' division of the RCMP arrived Fort Edmonton, from Red River, some say in October of this year.  The were only able to travel about 5 miles a day and were considered a pathetic lot.  Some historians called it an 'epic journey' but the Metis often made two trips of this nature a year in-between making hay, planting crops, and fur trading.

The known Land holders in Strathcona (Alberta) this year are:  William Bird, a Metis, who had established a saw mill east of Mill Creek.  David Daignault had the land west of Mill Creek to the Saskatchewan River (this is later acquired by Donald Ross) and the site of the first commercial coal mine in Edmonton.  On the plateau south of Mill Creek Valley and fronting on the Saskatchewan River is the farms of Charles Gauthier, George Kipling, William Maver, Joseph MacDonald, Lawrence Garneau, a Metis, (1840-1921) and John Ashen, on the future university site (this is later acquired by A. Patton).  (John Walter (1849-1920) would later occupied the flood plain that is called Walterdale Flats), and George Donald lived and farmed in the Bonnie Doon District.

The following land holders in Strathcona are not included in the April census and must have been off hunting or freighting:  David Daignault, George Kipling, William Maver, Joseph MacDonald, Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921), John Ashen and George Donald.  The Land holders in Edmonton, running easterly from the fort, were:  Colin Fraser, (a one time postmaster), John Sinclair, Donald McLeod (the bachelor who claimed to have built the first house outside the fort), James Rowand (a Metis), William Rowand (a Metis), Kenneth MacDonald, James Kirkness, John Fraser, James Gullion and George Gullion, all ex-Hudson Bay Company men.  The Gullion brothers owned the Highland District.  In front of the Methodist Mission, on the flats, is Donald Ross, a miner from the Omenica Gold Fields, not to be confused with the Donald Ross of Lesliewood, Orkney of the Hudson Bay Company.  Malcolm Groat, ex-Hudson Bay Company employee, owned the land just west of the Hudson Bay Reserve, next to him was John Norris' trading store with his son-in-law R. Loge, both were ex-Hudson Bay Company men.  The Walter Sprole farm is owned by Big Majeau, and George Gagnon owned the Dunvegan yards.  Edmund  Juneau, Harnols brothers, Dan Noyes, Pascal Marichal are all ex-miners from across the mountains.

None of the ex-miners are included in the April census, which could imply they arrived after April.  Not included, however, is John Norris and R. Loge, who may be considered as part of the St. Albert census.  If they were not being considered as part of Edmonton then this would give more credibility to Malcolm Norris and Ed Carney's claim as having the first store, in Edmonton, outside the fort.

However Colin Fraser, John Sinclair, James Rowand, Kenneth MacDonald, James Kirkness, John Fraser and James Gullion, all ex-Hudson Bay men, were also not included in the April census.

The April 1874 census of Fort Edmonton and neighborhood is as follows:

           WHITES                                          HALF-BREED                   NATIVE
MEN WOMEN CHILDREN              MEN WOMEN CHILDREN        MEN
   44         2                4                         186         34             90                    6

It is noteworthy that of the 44 men considered, white 36 are listed in the census but of the 186 men considered Metis only 14 are listed in the census.  This consistent bias has been noted in most historical documents, making it very difficult to determine the real truth.  The fact that the 1882 land survey follows the French/Metis convention clearly indicates they dominated the early Edmonton Settlement and surrounding area and not the British as many would like us to believe.    

The following people are living in Fort Edmonton April 1874, Bernard Ticknatauly, Native; the following men are classified as  Metis: Charles Adams, (a Clerk until 1878 assigned Lake Saint Anne), Eustace Bernard, William Bird, Isaac Darjneau, N. Demond, John Frager, Richard Hardisty (Chief Factor), Joseph Rowand, Frederick Rowand, Alexander Rowand, William Rowand, L. Sarogue, W-Joe, Philip Whitford;

The following men are classified as white: J. Adams, Filbert Anderson, John Bain, Jean-Baptiste Beaupre, John Burk, Jas Burleigh, John Coutts, William Dixon, O. Fowler,  Lowry Fullerton,  Charles Gauthier, Malcolm Groat,  Thomas Harper, Joseph Henderson,  John Holland, Thomas Hourston, Jim Irvine, Joseph Kirkness, Bazzille Labear, Moses Lenny, Joseph Lang, Frank Lamoureux, Joseph Lamoureux, Rev. MacDougall, K. McKay,  McLeod, Malcolm McLeod, K. (Kenneth) McDonald, Donald McLeod, William Mourgan, Ponquitte(possible Metis), Joseph Reid, Thomas Robinson, Donald Ross (Chief Factor Athabasca to 1875), Charles Simpson (Clerk at Carlton House to 1879), John Walker, William L. Wood (Clerk to 1876).  The two women who declared themselves as white are the wife of Richard Hardisty and Rev. McDougall.  Twenty-two   married men, twenty-six men without women and fifty-six children appeared to be living at the Fort.  The 1873 trade year on the Saskatchewan had resulted in a fifty-five thousand-dollar loss including a steamship loss and a fire at Fort Francois.  Some of this loss is attributed to the free traders.

Richard Hardisty, knowing that business is not good, immediately started the construction of Big House to replace the three-story house called Rowand's Folly within the Fort.   He had been living in Rowand's Folly for two years and he knew if he didn't replace it now it could be deferred for many years.  Big House would burn down in 1906.

Some contend that Trail Creek des Metis is occupied by four Mounted Police, one being called Buffalo Slayer, residing in a Fort consisting of three log buildings with a pole roof covered with hay and earth.  The fort is surrounded by stockades of tall stakes.  This is likely an error and should be applied to 1875 or later.

Jarvis and Steele of the Mounted police departed Fort Edmonton with twelve men by dog team and ponies in -42 to -52 F temperatures, the worst in 30 years, taking 15 days to reach Buffalo Lake on a complaint of illicit whiskey.

The first ferry service in the North West Territories began operations at Batoche at the old Saskatchewan River crossing of the Carlton Trail.  The Carlton trail ran from Red River to Fort Edmonton.  Batoche is basically a Metis town.

The 1874/75 period recorded a poor harvest of hay resulting in a large livestock loss at St. Albert (Alberta).

March:   Jean D'Artique from Fort Edmonton visited, in Buffalo Lake, a village of Indians and Metis but finds that the greater part of the buffalo herd is in the Valley of Red Deer, 60 miles further south.  It is noteworthy that European settlers often called Metis, Indians, especially if they lived in tepees.   It is assumed he visited Trail Creek des Metis but given the fact he did not mention the violin music, the community hall or the lumber works it makes this unlikely.   He wrote of being royally entertained, great meals and a Pam Pam, which up north is called a Pow-wow.  He said they used a type of tambourine or drum, with sticks.  He was offered tea called Mushakee.  It felt like fire and was brewed tobacco.  Jean almost ended up with an Indian bride, or squaw as he called her.  He froze his ears and is cured by a medicine man with a root that resembles a beet.  It is called akentormoo. It grows in marshy places and tastes like carrot.

March 23:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) birth Samuel Nooskeyah or Brilliant, son Joseph Nooskeyah or Brilliant and Madeleine Surprenant; married, August 1891, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) Margaret Muskegan, born July 29, 1876, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta.  

May:  Peace River Landing (Alberta), birth John Gladu son Jean Baptiste Gladu and Louisa Cartier; married 1893, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Marie Carifelle, bprn November 2, 1879, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) daughter Augustin Carifelle, b01854, Lessere Slave Lake (Alberta) and Caroline Nooskeyah or Brillant, born May 1, 1863, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta).

May:  Peace River Landing, Alberta), birth John Gladu, son, Jean Baptiste Gladu, b-1851, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louisa Cartier, b-1854, Wabiscaw District, Athabasca; married Marie Carifelle Metis, born November 2, 1879, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) daughter Augustin Carifelle, Metis, b-1854, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) and Cadolinenooskeyah or Brilliant.

May 24:  Archibald McDonald entered into an agreement between the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Mounted Police representative Albert Thurtcliff, to lease land for posts.  Actual locations are not known at this time.  The July district meeting of the Hudson Bay Company proposed staff cut backs and only twenty-seven men would be paid wintering allowances this coming winter.  The surplus men would have to be shipped out or encouraged to take up homesteads in the area.  Richard Hardisty is criticized for allowing William Groat, an employee, to traffic in buffalo tongues and orders him to stop this illegal practice.   Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921), listed as a farmer, planted a Manitoba maple in 1874 at the front door of his house which is now located behind 11108 - 90 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta. It is still growing and is the oldest tree in the Garneau district in the 1990's.  That Garneau brought a Red River maple tree to Edmonton places more credibility that he had been freighting between these two locations for the past 4 years as well as hunting buffalo out of Trail Creek des Metis.

June, St. Albert, (Alberta), birth, Genevieve Berrard, died April 1896 daughter John Roger Berard Sr., b-1852, married 1872 St. Albert, (Alberta), Rosa Archange Belcourt, b-1859 Lac Ste Anne; married to a man named Whitford.

July 10:  Colonel French of the Mounted Police left Fort Garry for the Saskatchewan, expecting to reach the Bow River in two months but many experienced plain's hunters say that the Ontario police horses are too weak to reach the Saskatchewan River this fall.  They offered to sell them prairie horses but the police refused the offer.  By July 27 the Hudson Bay at Fort Garry still had no word whether the North West Police were going to establish on the Bow River. However, reports circulated that many Ontario horses had died. Some of the police claimed they had been over driven.  The Metis warning was proving true.  Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921), over the next few years, besides working his land claim, buffalo hunting and trading, is claimed to be employed, part time, as a charcoal burner by the Hudson Bay Company.  I could find no records to support the charcoal burner claim.  This is not to say his wife or kids might not have been involved in the business.  The blacksmiths at Edmonton House are English and used charcoal for blacksmithing.  They did not care to convert to coal, the coal in which Edmonton was so proud.  Lawrence would also freight to Athabasca on contract, and things ran fairly smoothly, relatively speaking, for about ten years.

Donald Ross (the ex-miner?), who claimed to have arrived Fort Edmonton 1874, suggested he started to build the first hotel in Edmonton this year.  The 1874/1875 season, based upon Hudson Bay Company records, state that Donald Ross is assigned to Athabasca, Donald Ross? to Fort Dunvegan, and Roderick Ross to Norway House, therefore it must have been Donald Ross the miner??

August:  The Mounted Police, under command of George Arthur French and second in command James Farquharson Macleod, planned to capture Fort Whoop-up but they became lost and had no idea where they were or where the fort was located.  These foolish men had hired guides who had never been into Alberta.  The Mounted Police had lost most of their horses and oxen, despite being warned that the Ontario horses were not suited to prairie travel.  They were also low on provisions.  It is also noteworthy that they didn't know how to procure food for themselves; such was their lack of preparation.  Fortunately their guides knew where Fort Benton, Montana was located and a detachment was sent to obtain provisions and replacement horses.   

Rev. McDougall reported in September that the Mounted Police would not reach the Bow River country until next year.  He requested that something be done about the freight problem, as the Canadian route cost a thirteen dollar premium over the United States route and that ,lately, fifty thousand buffalo robes were sent by way of the United States route out of Trail Creek des Metis.  This would clearly indicate that the Metis had established their own trade routes to Fort Benson, Montana.   Members of the Mounted Police Force in the North West Territories had to serve three years, receiving seventy-five cents per day plus room and provisions . Upon completing their three years they received one hundred and sixty acres of land with right of choice.  Most served five years before selecting their acreage.  It is not known if this right of choice could claim jump a Metis land claim.

September:  The Mounted Police made their first wise decision while at Fort Benton, Montana by hiring the Metis Jerry Potts (1840-1896) as their chief guide, who effectively and efficiently managed the Mounted Police.  Potts made all the major decisions, facilitated the interface between the Police and the Natives.  The police would not travel without him leading the way.  All agreed that without him they would have achieved very little due to their lack of experience.

September 5:  St. Albert (Alberta), birth Arthur Dion Blandion, son, John Blandion and Olive L'Hyrondelle, b-1855 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

September 24:   French, of the RCMP, reported that the state of affairs on the Bow and Belly River has been greatly exaggerated.  The reports of 500 lawless United States people in the vicinity had no substance.  The very rational for the RCMP presence was in question.

October Father Lestanc arrived St. Albert.

October:  About 150 North West Mounted Police established Fort Macleod on an Island in the Oldman River.  Annual flooding force a move by 1884 to a new location.

October 15:  The Indians and Metis from distant places began arriving Trail Creek des Metis for the fall buffalo hunt.  Most old Metis families had winter cabins to repair ,and new arrivals built log cabins with chimneys constructed of either unburned bricks, hay and clay, or rocks.  The windows were of skins or hides of animals, while doors were of slabs of split or sawed wood and fastened with thongs of raw hide.  The crevices were filled with clay.  Some cabins boasted floors of sawed lumber.  Trail Creek des Metis resounded in Pow-wow festivals with the screech of the Metis violins to the foot stomping and merriment of the Red River jig in the community hall or outdoors weather permitting. 

The annual Edmonton Buffalo Hunt to Trail Creek was hit by an early ‘grand snowstorm’ that caught many Metis hunters out on the plains.  Many hunters from Lac Saint Anne, Saint Albert, Edmonton and Strathcona had to partially winter at Trail Creek.  Those who made it back to Edmonton had to dodge drift ice crossing the Saskatchewan below the fort.  Those who remained in the field underwent great suffering, as they didn't have wood cut or sufficient shelter. 

December:   The first Mounted Police of the North West arrived at Fort MacLeod in Alberta.  As one United States whiskey trader put it, if we had only been allowed to carry on the business in our own way for another two years, you Canadians would have no trouble feeding the natives, there would be none left to feed.  Whiskey, pistols, strychnine and other like processes would have effectively cleared away those wretched natives.  Many Canadian pioneers are also conducting less than ethical trapping and trading practices, not just the United States traders.  The Mounted Police force is sadly crippled, the remaining horses are dying, the men's clothing is worn out and they are dressed in buffalo skins and too much military and not enough practical had caused the delay, so says the Metis.  It was reported that they were a sorry looking lot.

Ironically, after George French and James MacLeod of the Mounted Police got lost near Cypress Hills while looking for Fort Whoop-up, they went to Fort Benton, Montana.  This is the headquarters for the whiskey trade and the home of the Indian women and child killers.  They went there for supplies and are fortunate to recruit Jerry Pott, the Metis, as a guide, interpreter and general advisor for the next twenty-two years.
Fort Whoop-up was empty when the Mounted Police arrived, just as Jerry Pott had predicted.  Dave Akers, an old-timer in the area, was the only person at Fort Whoop-up when the Police arrived, the others had fled.  James MacLeod tried to buy Fort Whoop-up but couldn't afford the twenty-five thousand-dollar price tag.  It was Jerry Pott who selected de Ole Man's River, a semi-island site (Fort MacLeod), for the Mounted Police headquarters in October.  Harry Kamoose Taylor, a whisky trader, is at the Fort MacLeod site when the Mounted Police arrive.  Kamoose, means wife-stealer; he stole an Indian girl after her father refused Taylor's offer of a horse and two blankets for her.  He went on to build the MacLeod Hotel.  MacLeod's fumbling start culminated with Crowfoot, Chief of the Blackfoot saying that Major MacLeod was a brave man and that the law of the Great White Mother must be good when she has sons like MacLeod.  We will obey the law.  Crowfoot kept his promise.  MacLeod was a thinking man but paid only the minimum necessary attention to Father Lacombe's or Rev. John McDougall's advice.  He liked both men and trusted them, but they provided conflicting advice.

The Northcote, a steamer boat was the first to arrive Fort Edmonton.  Captain Josie Smith, Metis, handled the steam ship or his son Alex Smith, Metis.  The crew included a mate engineer Jack Shannon who eventually settled in Edmonton to found Reliance Welding Works, a clerk, and 15 or so deck hands.  Old Man Gourd was the chief cook and the boat had a cabin boy.  Captain Josie Smith like many Metis was a fine fiddler and provided the music for the nightly dance.  The Northcote stayed in business until 1897 competing with the CPR.

February:  Bear Hills, Alberta, birth Cornelious Leblanc aka White Jr., son  Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton and Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton. 

July:  Fort Edmonton, birth Veronica Vandel, Metis daughter Francois Vandel, Metis, b-1850 and Isabelle Deschamps, Metis, b-1855.

December:  Brought the first Mounted Police to Fort Edmonton with twenty Metis wagon drivers and guides where they wintered.  It had been a difficult six-month trek from Red River due to their inexperience.  (II)-James Gibbons (1839-1928), the Metis, passed them on the trail to Fort Edmonton and reported that their eastern horses played out, not like his Cayuses horses which gained weight on the trip.  The Metis buffalo men had told them at Fort Garry that they were poorly equipped and didn't expect them to make Fort Edmonton this year, so they did good.  The Mounted Police, wintering at Fort Edmonton, included:  Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914), who is in command, Captain Guion is second in command, and Major Steele, part of the rank and file, did the work.

December 4:  James F. MacLeod of the RCMP took credit for stopping the United States whisky trade, drunken riots, and establishing law and order, whereas he had none absolutely nothing.  French, of the RCMP, said there was no such disorder.

December 15:  James F. MacLeod of the RCMP was being sold Spanish ponies by the very same United States whisky traders he was sent to stop.  The nice whisky traders told MacLeod that the ponies were a terror for chasing the whisky traders.  The gullible MacLeod believed these inferior ponies were as the whisky traders claimed.

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ALBERTA HISTORY 1875-1882

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