ALBERTA HISTORY 1883-1886

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THE GARNEAU HOMESTEAD IS OVERLOOKING  FORT EDMONTON

1875  

St. Alberta (Alberta), birth Lucie Beaudry daughter Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River

Pierre Belcourt, b-1875, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Basil Boucher, b-1875 McKenzie River, died after 1881 son Francois Boucher Sr, b-1824 and Elizabeth Native.

Jane Bourk, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. living Fort Edmonton (Alberta), 1891.

Emilie Chalifoux, Metis, b-1875,Lac La Nun (Alberta), son Joseph Chalifoux, Metis, b-1838, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), and Julie Campion, b-1841 Lake McLeod

Louis Daze perished in a storm near Nose Hill, Calgary (Alberta).

Cecil Denny described Calgary as "an enchanting spot . . . the most beautiful we have seen since our arrival in the west."

Flora Deschamps, b-1875, Calgary (Alberta), daughter Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.

Philomene Dumont, Metis, b-1875, Calgary, (Alberta) daughter Jean Baptiste Dumont Jr. Metis, born June, 1852, Slave Lake (Alberta), and Philomene Vanesse Metis born October 1856.

Eleanor Garneau nee Thomas, Metis, (1852-1912) between 1875-1887 applied for half-breed script.

(I)-John Glenn, born 1833/34, Ireland married 1873 St. Albert (Alberta), Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851, Lac Ste Anne, (Alberta) settled in Calgary (Alberta), about 1875.  He homestead a few miles south of Calgary and is the first recorded to attempt to irrigate in the Northwest Territories.  He took water from Fish Creek (Calgary, Alberta), to irrigate his 20 acres.  A son is born this year at Sheep Creek and named (II)-Johnny Glenn.

Wesley Huminson b-1875 N.W.T., living Assiniboina (Alberta), 1891.

Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton (Alberta), son Louis Leblanc Sr. and Angelique Vallee, b-1820 Fort Edmonton (Alberta), : married 1875, Fort MacLeod, (Alberta), Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton daughter Thomas Favel and Josephte. 

John Logan, Metis b-1875, Alberta married about 1897 Alberta, Emma Metis b-1877 Alberta, living Logan, Alberta 1901.

Henry McCorristem Jr., born May 10, 1849, son Henry McCorrister, Jr., b-1817 and Maria Tait, b-1820; married 1875 Smoky River, Athabasca, Margaret Pelletier (or Campbell), Metis b-September 1852 daughter Louis Pelletier (or Campbell) Sr., Metis, born July 15, 1829, up the North Saskatchewan River in Rocky Mountains married 1845 Fort Jasper (Alberta), Marie Karaconti;  married 1875 Smoky River, Athabasca, Henry McCorristem Jr., born May 10, 1849, son Henry McCorrister, b-1817 and Maria Tait, b-1820.

Alex McDonald, Metis b-1875 Athabasca married about 1897 Alberta Caroline Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.

Daniel Webster Marsh arrived Calgary to open a store for whiskey trader T.C. Power.  Whiskey trading Marsh would become mayor of Calgary in 1889.

Mary Munro, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. sister Benjamin and Francis living Fort Edmonton 1891.

Canon William Newton, Anglican Missionary, arrived Fort Edmonton.

Joseph Perrault, Metis b-1875, Alberta married about 1894, Alberta, living Lac Ste Anne, 1901.

Gaspard Plante, Metis b-1875 (1865?) Alberta son Isabelle Plante b-1829 Alberta; married about 1892 Justine Metis b-1866 Alberta, living Lac Ste Anne 1901. 

Fredrick Prudin, Metis b-1875 Alberta son Partick Prudin, Metis b-1843 and Elizabeth Metis b-1846 living Alberta 1875 to 1890, living Lakeland eastern Alberta 1891.

Michel Plante b-1875, St. Albert (Alberta) son Michel Plante, b-1851, Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan and Juliet Nault, b-1848, Fort Edmonton.

Tom Scott, Metis b-1875 N.W.T. married about 1897 N.W.T. Louisa Metis b-1872 N.W.T., living Olsen, Alberta 1901.

Charles Spence, Metis b-1875 Alberta, living Mountain view, Alberta 1901.

Fathers Lestang and Fafard are at Buffalo Lake.

Trail Creek, birth Marguerite Vandal, Metis, daughter Norman Vandal, Metis, b-1857 and Julie Munroe, Metis, b-1859.

Norman Ward, b-1875 Buffalo Lake son James Ward Sr. (1831-1906) and Catherine Bruneau.

Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) of the Mounted Police, with 13 men, arrived Trail Creek des Metis after dark and search among the 400 cabins for illicit whiskey: finding nothing.  The Mounted Police are engulfed in a torrent of warmth, food and sociability.  Jigs and reels continued throughout the night, with competitions being held for endurance and agility.   Jarvis and company remained four days and enjoyed the novelty of the situation.  They were well fed on buffalo tongue, bannok, strong tea and tinned fruit.  Victoria Calihoo, born 1861 of Gunn, Alberta, is twice the winner of a fine buffalo robe for dancing the Red River jig.  The Police left after four days, convinced that the Metis are people whose good qualities far outweighed any weaknesses charged to them (by McDougall?).  The Mounted police, however, would be pressured to establish a presence in 1876 with a four man detachment.

Some suggest Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) and company also visited Buffalo Lake Village on the eastern shores of Buffalo Lake: a Metis settlement that only contained one European John Ashon a storekeeper free trader and his young wife.  Some place the size of Buffalo Lake Village as larger than Trail Creek Village.  Boss Hill is another Metis settlement in this region.  The remains of Dutch ovens were still evident in 1926.

Fort Walsh is built this year and a Metis settlement soon sprang up.  This is located on the Saskatchewan side of the Cypress Hills.

They would again winter at Fort Edmonton this year while their fort (post) is being built at the mouth of the Sturgeon river that was named the Sturgeon Creek Post later to be known as Fort Saskatchewan.     John MacLean a Methodist minister traveling with John McDougall is horrified that McDougall justified the wanton slaying of buffalo as necessary to settlement.  The common held belief by the English is to destroy the Metis and Indian food supply then they can be settled and controlled.   

John McDougall would later visit Trail Creek des Metis saying; what a wonderful land of river, soil, rich grass with beautiful landscape.  Buffalo Trail Creek is teeming with fish, so thick that we could scoop some out. 

S.E. Steele of the mounted police visited a radius of 100 miles southeast and west of Trail Creek des Metis.  He noted that whites, mostly from the south, were wanton and destructive with buffalo, whereas the Metis and Indians gave them a chance for their lives.  The most successful hunters were the half-breeds.  It was said of those to the south: One individual could kill 3,000 buffalo per season for the robes, leaving the meat to rot. 

Some contend John Walter (1849-1920) first built his house on the North side of the river after he left the Hudson Bay Company in 1875 (his contract expired with the Hudson Bay Company July 1875), and would later relocate to the Strathcona side of the river.  The Edmonton Free Press contended in 1907 that John Walter (1849-1920) built on River lot #9 after leaving the Company in July 1875 on the south side of the river.  There is no mention of a north side building site. Fort Edmonton appeared to have the only thresher machine in the area at this time.

1885-1890 GARNEAU HOMESTEAD WITH FORT EDMONTON IN BACKGROUND
Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921) stated, on November 9, 1901, during script application, that he occupied his Strathcona property since August 1875, and that he had moved from St. Andrews, Manitoba.  Eleanor Thomas, Metis, who married Lawrence Garneau, Metis, also testified that they had settled on the Strathcona property during the summer of 1875. Why they made this claim remains unknown.  Homesteads could not be made unless you had built a log house.  Tepees were not considered a home by the English.  Canadian citizenship may have also played a role.  They have, however, made erroneous claims on other documents for political or personal reasons, especially to ensure their land claims are not challenged.

Fort Brisboise a.k.a. Fort Calgary
In September, Fort Brisebois (named Fort Calgary in 1876) is established by Ephrem A. Brisebois (1850-1890) and fifty men near the old Fort La Jonquiere site.  The only reported residents of the fort site are Father Doucet and a Native boy.  There were, however, other settlers in the Calgary area for many years.  Father Doucet had planned to build near the Fort Jonquiere site, but is forced by the North West Mounted Police to move upriver to the Holy Cross Hospital site.  Brisebois was ordered to build the fort at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers, and to name it Fort Calgary.  Brisebois persisted in naming it after himself- Fort Brisebois.  Brisboise was already considered unfit to command his North West Mounted Police, and his continued insubordination led to his forced resignation in August 1876.    D.W. Davis, an United States Whiskey trader, took charge of Fort Calgary.  John McDougall built a chapel and the Hudson Bay Company started a saw mill two miles east of the Fort.

An Englishman surveying for the railway had frozen feet when he arrived at St. Albert, at the Gray Nuns (Sisters of Charity), for treatment.  The Oblate fathers at St. Albert harvested nine hundred and ninety four kegs of potatoes this year.  Many St. Albert free traders made an annual overland trading trip to Winnipeg as part of their annual Edmonton Buffalo Hunt.  This year's hunt is led by Abraham Salois of St. Albert, who claimed a record kill of 600 buffalo in one season; 37 of them in one run.  The staging is centered out of the Trail Creek Town.  Abraham reported killing thirty-seven buffalo.  Buffalo Lake Town, with some four hundred Metis homes, claims to be larger than the Trail Creek town of two thousand people.  Buffalo Lake Town is on the eastern shore; east and south of present day Bashaw.  

George Millward McDougall (1821-1876) is stationed at the United Church (Wesleyan mission) near Morley (1873-1876).  This year he and his son John McDougall built their first church that stands into the 21 century.  A point of interest is the foundation is still intact in 2003 being built on logs.  In 2003 the logs are being replaced with a concrete foundation.

John George Kootenais Brown, a wolfer, buffalo hunter and express rider, squatted at Waterton Lakes, collecting oil seepage from Cameron Creek to grease his wagon.  Later, with William Aldridge- a Mormon, they would gather up to forty barrels a day, which he sold to local farmers and ranchers.  He conducted this business for seven years.  He is likely the first non-Indian to be involved in the oil business.  For years the Indians had traded the oil for canoe caulking, and are therefore the first Alberta Oilmen.

The RCMP solemnly promised not to do anything in the Blackfoot Nation without consulting the People.  Reverend John McDougall noted that the RCMP build forts without permission of the Blackfoot Nation, right in the path of the buffalo, which diminished the buffalo herds.

The RCMP build Fort Elbow aka Fort Calgary.

At the mouth of Mill Creek across the river from Fort Edmonton is Bird's Mill which was built by George Gagnon and the Lamoufieux brothers.

The first major store in Old Fort MacLeod was I.C. Baker & Co a trading company operating out of Fort Benton.  This was followed by the T.C. Power outlet.

Barbed wire which honey combed the prairies was first invented by Joseph Glidden this year in Illinois.  From 1874 to 1881 some 1,225 U.S. patents were taken out for various forms of wire fences.

Early known residence of Fort MacLeod during the period of 1874-1883 were:

        Capt. Winder        
        Insp. Shurtliffe
        Insp. Dickens
        Tony Lachappelle who operated a pool hall.
        Joe Smith
        Jerry Potts
        Camrose Taylor who ran a restaurant and pool hall.
        John Smith,
        W Gladstone
        William Gladstone, interpretor
        John Smith Store 
        Paddy Hannifin, barber
        T.C Power
        T. Bogy Dwell
        Ellis Miller Dwell
        O. Main, butcher shop
        Mike Welsh
        Jim Sproule
        Dick Kenniflick, a smithy
        Fred Pace, restaurant
        Mre Armstrong
        Houseman, a carpenter
        Anson Sly

February 25:  Fort Edmonton, birth Joseph Deschamps son Jean Baptiste Deschamps, Metis, b-1849 and Catherine Vandel, Metis b-1846.

March, Buffalo Lake, birth Francois Whitford, son Francois Whitford Sr., b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845. 

March:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth St. Pierre Gladu, Metis, son Moise Gladu, b-1841 and Marguerite Kaskahwam; married 1896, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Cecile Giroux, b-1880, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta); 2nd marriage Marie Gladu, b-1899. 

March:  Big Smoky River, birth Jean Baptiste Nipissing or Shawen son Thomas Shawan Nepissing, b-1818 and Rosaire Gladu; married 1896 Fort Vermillion (Alberta) Sophie King Beaulieu, born October 1852, Fort Smith daughter Joseph King Beaulieu, b-1831 and Marve Anne Cayen?

April:  Three hundred Metis from St. Albert had relocated to Boss Hill (near Buffalo Lake)

April 10:  Brisbois with 50 NWMP arrived the community of Calgary (Alberta) and selected a site at the mouth of the Elbow River where it enters the Bow River.  It was noted a Roman Catholic priest called Father Ducet and an Indian boy occupied the site.  It is assumed they were asked to leave and they relocated up the Elbow River.

May:   The Manitoba Free Press reports there is a new Metis settlement near Fort MacLeod, Alberta.

May:  Lesser Slave lake (Alberta), birth, St. Paul Gladu son Jean Baptiste Gladu, d-1881 and Mary Gaucher, b-1849 Jasper House; married April 23, 1898, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Malane Savoyard, born August 11, 1883, Big Island, Great Slave Lake,

May 24:  Saddle Lake (Saskatchewan), birth, Narcisse Cardinal, son, Gabriel Cardinal dit Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, b-1837.

June:   It is reported that 20 lodges of Metis are located near Fort McLeod and last year the RCMP reported only 2 Metis in the vicinity. 

July:  Fish Creek (Calgary, Alberta), birth (II)-John Glen, Metis, son (I)-John Glenn, born 1833 and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851. 

July 22:   The steamboat Northcote was built in Red River for the Hudson Bay Company, reached Fort Edmonton (Alberta) from Winnipeg (Manitoba).  It is recorded it made the trip from Grand Rapids to Fort Edmonton in 18 days carrying as much freight as 200 or more Red River carts that would take two months.  The Northcote could also carry 50 passengers.

The Mounted Police are still in the process of building their Fort Sturgeon River, which is renamed Fort Saskatchewan after the old North West Company Fort.  Richard Hardisty of the Hudson Bay Company also planned to build on this site.  Some claim John Walter (1849-1920) is the first to build outside the Fort and in Strathcona.  No evidence supports this contention, and much exists to support the contention he probably built late 1875 or more likely 1876.  However, at some time John Walter (1849-1920) claimed the smaller lot to the east of Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921), which was one hundred and twenty acres with its river bottom location.  Most Metis are aware that this land is less desirable: being on the river flood plain.  At this time most of the immediate land is occupied, but Walker saw a opportunity of providing a ferry service. 

FORT EDMONTON AND AREA by the 1890's

Some contend John Walters didn't start development of his property until the 1880's.  We don't know when he started his ferry service but we know it ended in 1917.  The Garneau Saskatchewan River Crossing, below the High Level bridge, was still used by those settlers who couldn't afford or didn't want to pay the ferry fee, after the ferry service began.  The Garneau Crossing has been in use by the Metis since the early 1800's. 

October 12:  Lac La Biche (Alberta) birth Marie Quintel, daughter St. Pierre Quintal, b-1844, White Fish Lake, Athabasca, Marie Oka-ee-ma-oo-wasis Gladu: married Oliver Gladu. 

November:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth, Louizon Gladu, son Edward Gladu, b-1847, Lac La Biche (Alberta) and Betsy Constant, Metis, b-1845, The Pas (The Big Eddie, Saskatchewan); married Marguerite Nooskeyah 

November 20:  Buffalo Lake (Alberta), birth John Baptiste Thomas Descheneaux, Metis son Joseph Descheneaux, b-1846, Red River and Angelique Tanner, b-1850, Fort Carlton, (Saskatchewan).

December:  Marleyville (Alberta), birth John Berard son Eustache Bernard, b-1829/31, Fort Edmonton, (Alberta), and Marguerite Primeau, b-1836; married Louisa Cardinal, Metis, b-1877 Slave Lake daughter Gabriel dit Labatoche Cardinal, b-1835 Lac La Biche (Alberta) and Marie Bruneau, Metis b-1837 Fort Edmonton (Alberta).

1876 

Marie Hermina Arnault, Metis, b-1876, Stony Plain the region west of Fort Edmonton, daughter, Irenee Arnault, a whiteman and Isabelle Chalifoux dit Labouteille, Metis, b-1847.

Sylvestre Belcourt, Metis, b-1876 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Benjamin Belcourt, Metis, b-1852, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Mary Betsy Native.

Joseph Bouvier, b-1851 son Joseph Bouvier, b-1830 and Catherine Beaulieu; married 1876 Fort Providence (Alberta) Marguerite Laferte, b-1854 Red River.

Mary Jane Bruneau, b-1858; married 1876 Lac La Biche (Alberta), Exavier Cardinal, b-1855 N.W., son Louison Cardinal, b-1821 and Susan Courteorelle, b-1821.

Adelaide Callihoo, b-1876, St. Albert (Alberta) daughter Adam Callihoo, b-1851 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Christine Gladu; married Male McAuley.

Joseph Cardinal, Metis b-1876 Alberta married to Alexanderian Metis b-1881 Alberta living Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.

Paul Cardinal, b-1876, Lac La Biche (Alberta), son, Dominique Cardinal, Metis, b-1845, Floating Stone Lake (Alberta) and Marie Anne Desjarlais; married Marie Vitaline Desjarlais, born May 16, 1882, Lac La Biche (Alberta).

David Crasmus, Metis b-1876 Alberta son Peter Crasmus, Metis b-1833,  living Alberta 1876 to 1888, living Lakeland, Alberta 1891.

Cleophee Gladu. b-1876, St. Albert (Alberta), daughter, Alexis Gladu, b-1845, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Elizabeth Malaterremb, 1852; married 1893, Francois Delorme, b-1872 son Joseph Delorme, b-1838 and Angelique Gingras, b-1844. 

Robert Hardwood, Metis b-1876 Alberta married about 1899, Alberta Settann Metis b-1875 Alberta living Trail Creek, Alberta 1901.

John Hyde married, 1876, Fort Calgary, Rosalie Bernard, Metis, b-1862 Red River, daughter Eustache Bernard (1829-1831) Fort Edmonton and Marguerite Primeau, Metis, b-1836, Fort Alexander.

Louis Leblanc, b-1876, Porcupine Hills, son  Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton and Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton. 

Soloman Letendre, Metis b-1876 Alberta married to Caroline Metis b-1880 Alberta, living White Whale Lake, Alberta 1901.  

Adelia L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1876 Alberta living Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) 1901.

Louis Laferte-Lanaix, b-1876, Fort Providence (Alberta) son Henri Laferte-Lanaix, Metis, b-1849, Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) and Catherine Bouvier, Fort Simpson, b-1856.

Narcisse L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1876 Lac La Nun (Alberta), daughter Augustin L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1849, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Bellerose, b-1857.

Rosalie Longmore, Metis b-1854 Alberta married about 1876 Clover Bar.

G.M. McDougall, Metis b-1876, Alberta living Morley, Alberta 1901.

George McDougall (1822-1876), the Methodist, at age fifty four, froze to death traveling alone from Calgary to the Methodist Mission at Morley, during a snowstorm.  He died two miles from his tent on a hill-top at Nose Creek Valley, north of Fort Calgary, and not far from the Garneau home in Huntington Hills.   

Grand Point, Red Deer River, (Alberta), birth Patrice Primeau, son Francois Primeau and Marie Larocque; married, Elizabeth Alexander, b-1873, Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan.

William Robert (Bird), Metis, b-1876, Strathcona (Edmonton, Alberta), died 1886, son William Robert Bird, Metis, b-1826 and Fanny Shirt, Metis, b-1856. 

January:  St. Albert (Alberta) birth, Marshall Robinson, Metis, son Jean Baptiste Robinson and Rosalie Berland, Metis, b-1835, epouse 1852 Andre Cardinal, b-1835..  

(I)-Donald Ross (1840-1915) built the Edmonton Hotel near Fort Edmonton.

Donald Ross opened the Edmonton Hotel turning the second floor of his house into a hotel.  Donald Ross had arrived in Fort Edmonton in 1872.

(I)-Henry Sanderson, born Orkney, married 1856 Fort Resolution, Great Slave Lake, NWT, Elizabeth Manager de Lard, Metis, b-1844, Buffalo Lake (Alberta), daughter, Manager de Lard Chipewyan and Zosee Chipewyan.

Modeste Tastawitch, b-1876, Dunvegan, Athabaska, married 1899 Grande Prairie, Anne (Squasis) Wanniyande, Metis, b-1877 Smoky River, Athabasca, daughter Jean Baptiste Waniyande, b-1838 Jasper House and Isabelle Laurion, Metis b-1840 Rocky Mountain House.

Harry Taylor Jr., Metis b-1876, Alberta, married about 1896 Alberta, Olympia born 1871 Quebec, living Southern Alberta 1891, living Lethbridge, Alberta 1901.

Edward Thompson married 1876 St. Albert (Alberta) Henriette Arnault, b-1863, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) daughter Irenee Arnault a whiteman and Isabelle Chalifoux dit Labouteille, b-1847, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta).

Mary Whitford, b-1876, Buffalo Lake, daughter Andrew Whitford, b-1839 and Elizabeth Gills, b-1845 York Factory. 

RCMP constable Mahoney and his French Half-breed (Metis) freighter crossing the Saskatchewan River and their boat capsized about 40 feet from shore.  The moment they touched bottom the Half-breed (Metis) instinctively knew he was in quicksand and instead of wading ashore in two feet of water he threw himself flat and swam to shore.  Mahoney being 6' 2" and weighing 200 lbs tried to walk ashore.  He was soon consumed in the quicksand and perished.

Fort Elbow is renamed to Fort Calgary.

The Hunt House behind the Deane House (restaurant) is Calgary's oldest in place house and was built by John Bunn of HBC, this year.  It was built by John Bunn for his interpreter Henry Pacquette who was later killed in Northern Alberta.  It was considered part of the Hudson Bay fur trading post at this time.

The first sawmill was erected at Fort MacLeod (Alberta).

George Emerson, a former Hudson Bay man, brought a small herd of cattle, chiefly dairy stock, from Montana.  Fred Kanouse, a trader, drove twenty-one cows and a bull, then turned them loose on the range.

The Mounted Police established a four man detachment at the Metis Trail Creek settlement to keep an eye on the 2,000 plus residents.  This Metis settlement contained 400 permanent houses with numerous portable residents there during the buffalo hunts.  Trail Creek had replaced White Horse Plains as the gathering place for the semi annual buffalo hunts.  Trail Creek is west of present day Stettler, (Alberta), on the Red Deer River.

There are about 800 Metis at the Boss Hill Settlement near Buffalo Lake (Alberta).

The Canadian homestead Act was deliberately amended to exclude single woman.  The US Act was amended in 1867 to include single woman.  Aboriginal People where also excluded.

Reports are circulating that 3,000 lodges of American Indians are at Cypress Hills (Saskatchewan).

Shipment of buffalo hides to Fort Benton (Montana) from Alberta dropped from 70,000 hides a year to 30,000 hides a year.

Col. MacLeod of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police named Calgary after his old home, Calgary a small estate on the Isle of Mull, Scotland.

January 22:  St. Albert, birth Nancy Cunningham Jr. son John Cunningham Sr., b-1815 and Rosalie L'Hyrondelle, b-1829, Lesser Slave Lake.

February 30:  Victoria, Alberta, located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth, Andrew Jane Spence Jr., son, Andrew Spence Sr., b-1842 and Nancy Whitford, b-1850. 

April 13:  Fort Edmonton, birth Charles Vandel, Metis son Francois Vandel, Metis, b-1850 and Isabelle Deschamps, Metis, b-1855.

May:  Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth, Maria Reed, daughter William Reed and Mary Settler, b-1840 Red River; married a Cardinal who died 1906.

May:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth St. Paul Gladu, son Jean Baptiste Gladu, d-1881 and Marie Gaucher, born July, 1849, Jasper House (Alberta);  marriage, April 23, 1898, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Melanie Savoyard, born August 11, 1883, Big Island, Great Slave Lake, daughter Joseph Savoyard, b-1845 and Francoise Boucher, b-1849.

 June 13:  Christine Lacombe, sister of Father Lacombe (1827-1916), marries Leon Harnois.  The Oblate fathers of St. Albert harvested five hundred and fifteen kegs of potatoes this year?

June 15: Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth Billy Cardinal, son John Cardinal, b-1839, Victoria (Alberta) and Angele Desjarlais, b-1846, Lac La Biche (Alberta);  1st married Harriet Vardinal, b-1886; 2nd married Marie Cardinal, b-1904.

July 28:  Medicine Hat (Alberta), birth Antoine Gladu, son Modeste Gladu, b-1847 and Marie Melanie Azure, born June 27, 1857, North Dakota;  married, 1897, Havre, Montana, Florestine LeMire, born April 3, 1874, Swift Current (Saskatchewan) daughter Pierriche Lemire b-1830, Fort Pelly (Saskatchewan) and Therese Pelletier, born October 14, 1833 Red River.. 

July 30:  St. Albert (Albert (Alberta), Father Lestanc wrote that a hail storm ravaged St. Albert and flattened all the fields within in a vicinity of 20 to 25 miles.  Wheat, barley, potatoes? and hay were destroyed.  Even the wild ducks on the lake (Big Lake?) were killed.  After two poor years hunting on the prairies and fishing at Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) was the salvation of the St. Albert (Alberta) Metis.

August:   Indian treaty no 6 came into being at Fort Carlton, covering twenty-one thousand square miles.  This was the Nation of the Cree, the Assiniboine and a few Ojibwa: some thirty six hundred Natives in all.  Not all the Cree is willing to sign, including Big Bear who would rather go to war than submit.  

August 25:  The Mission of Saint Paul burned down.  The chapel, house, barn, stables, and a few small houses are all that remained.  Bishop Vital Grandin (1829-1902) believed it was the result of Native malice.  The Church, for the past 300 years, has been teaching the Native people contempt for the things they value and to covet the things they do not need, so as to civilize them.  The belief of malice is likely correct.  Hail destroyed the crop at St. Albert and Richard Hardisty, of the Hudson Bay Company, provided relief with fifty- five sacks of flour for the Natives, but not the Metis.  The Metis were competition and frequently free-traded to Montana or St. Paul by way of Red River. 

September 24:  Philomena Archange Garneau, Metis,  is born September 24, 1876 at Strathcona, North West Territories; she is baptized in Edmonton September 24, 1876, daughter Lawrence Garneau, Metis (1840-1921) and Eleanor Thomas (1850/52-1912).  The Garneau family conversion to the Roman Catholic faith must have occurred about this time.

October:   Frank Oliver, born September 14, 1853 Peel County, Ontario, died March 31, 1933 Ottawa, Ontario, arrived in Strathcona, having driven a bull team from Winnipeg.  Standing on Garneau's property, he observed Fort Edmonton having shacks scattered about, and was so impressed that he said, at that moment, Edmonton became home.  He claims to have bought one of the first lots ever sold there for twenty five dollars, and threw up a log hut.  This contradicts his earlier statement of observing shacks scattered all about, unless he means the others squatted rather than bought property.  Actually until the government did its land survey, no one owned land in Alberta.  Frank Oliver (1853-1933), and Allen Bowsfield, worked for the Winnipeg Free Press before moving to Edmonton.  In 1880, he would start the first newspaper in Edmonton.

November:  Battle River Settlement (Alberta), birth, Sophie Flamand, daughter Francois Flamand and Marie Bear: married 1890, Victoria (Alberta), Charles Gladu, born December 25, 1869, son, Francois Gladu, born March 20, 1841 and Catherine Hope, b-1843, Lac La Biche (Alberta).

December:  Buffalo Lake, Alberta birth David Villeneuve, Metis, son Theophile Villeneuve, b-1843 Fort Edmonton and Elizabeth McGillis, Metis b-1841; married Justin McKay, Metis, born May 2, 1884 Duck Lake, Saskatchewan daughter Guillaume McKay, Metis b-1855 and Marie St. Denis, Metis, b-1855.  

December 3:  Victory, Alberta, birth, Mary Anne Whitford, Metis, daughter 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.

December 11:  Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth, Anne Cardinal, Metis, daughter John Cardinal, Metis, b-1839, Victoria (Alberta), and Angele Desjarlais b-1846, Lac La Biche (Alberta); married Adam Larocque, b-1871, Saddle Lake, (Saskatchewan). 

1877 

Jeremie Belcourt, b-1877, St. Albert (Alberta) son Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta); married Pauline Villeneuve, born May 27, 1877, Peace River daughter Severe Villeneuve, born April 19, 1854, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Courteoreille, b-1857, St. Albert (Alberta).

Felix Callion, b-1877, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Joseph Callio, b-1848, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) and Elizabeth Plante, born May 12, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta); married Angele Belcourt, b-1879, Lac Ste Anne, (Alberta) daughter Magloire Belcourt, born May 19, 1855, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Nancy Ignace, b-1852, Jasper House, (Alberta).

Louisa Cardinal,  b-1877, Slave Lake,  daughter, Gabriel Cardinal dit Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, b-1837; married John Benard, born December, 1875, Marleyville (Alberta).

Marie Marguerite Cardinal, Metis, b-1877, Lac La Biche (Alberta), daughter Gabriel Cardinal dir Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, Metis b-1837.

Betsy Colder, Metis b-1877 N.W.T. living Battle River, Alberta 1891.

Ed Barnett arrived Fort MacLeod this year.  He roamed central Alberta 1878-1890 without meeting a settler of any kind.  Others suggest he was ranching 1882-1890 at Lacombe.

(I)-Francis Jeffery Dickens born January 15, 1844 London, died 1886 Moline, Illinois, an R.C.M.P. officer is stationed Fort MacLeod soon to be sent to Fort Walsh, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. 

Charles Gariepy, born November 3, 1850, Red River, married 1877, St. Albert (Alberta), Virginia dit Blayonne Grandion (Blandion), Metis, daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Marie Surprenant, Metis, b-1840.

John Gariepy, b-1877, Red Deer River (Alberta), son Francois Gariepy (1835-1877) and Sophia Caroline Grant, b-1840 Red River; married Eleanore Levelle, b-1878, Cypress Hills (Alberta/Saskatchewan).

(II)-Mathilde Glen, Metis, b-1877, Fish Creek (Calgary, Alberta), daughter (I)-John Glenn, born 1833 and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851. 

Charles Godin and his wife Catherine Milette (b-1862) are living in Calgary.  

Marie Marguerite L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1877 Lac La Nun ( Alberta), daughter Augustin L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1849, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Bellerose, b-1857.

Vital Majeau, Metis b-1877 Alberta married about 1898 Alberta Florestine Metis b-1876 Alberta living St. Pierre, Alberta 1901.

Elzear Plante, b-1877, St. Albert (Alberta) son Michel Plante, b-1851, Fort Pitt and Juliet Nault, b-1848, Fort Edmonton.

(I)-Donald Ross (1840-1915) married this year or next to (II)-Olive Blewitt born 1850.

Marguerite Tastawitch, Metis, b-1877, Dunvegan, Athabesca (Alberta) daughter Jean Baptiste Tastawitch, b-1849, Dunvegan, Athabasca (Alberta) and Marie-Batard, b-1853, Sturgeon Lake, Athabasca (Alberta); married February 1, 1898, Spirit River (Alberta), Charles Bremner.

Alexander Wills, Metis b-1877 Cyprus Hills is the son of John Wills Jr. and Rosalie McKay, Metis. 

Trail Creek des Metis, marriage? Feleman Dumont, Metis b-1857 B.C. recorded 8 kids but no wife listed, William b-1878, Alberta, Joseph b-1880 Alberta, Margret b-1882 Alberta, Mary Rose b-1886 Alberta, Catherine b-1888 Alberta, Louisa b-1891 Alberta, Floria b-1893 Alberta and Elizabeth b-1895 Alberta most likely all Trail Creek.

Some contend this year was the last major Edmonton Buffalo Hunt, with each hunter having an average of six carts.  Some of the past hunt leaders, who are elected each hunt, are:   Michael Arnot, Beaudry, Ed Boucher, William Champion, Pierre Des Sault, Gabriel Dumont, Goulette, Ladouceur, Shoutout, Baptiste Veness and many others.

Lower St. Albert at this time had three hundred and forty six people including thirty eight orphans and eleven widows.

It is noteworthy that the Indians in Alberta are still killing buffalo with the bow and arrow.

A sprinkling of European and eastern settlers began to claim land in the Edmonton hamlet.  

The H.B.C. steamer Northcote made a run from Grand Rapids, where the Saskatchewan flows into Lake Winnipeg, to Fort Edmonton (Alberta).   The Lily a new steamer is added to service upper portions of the Saskatchewan River , between Carlton and Fort Edmonton.  The Northcote was reassigned to travel from Carlton to Grand Rapids.

Mule trains, extending two miles long, are taking furs from Trail Creek des Metis to Fort Benton, Montana.

January:   St. Joachim Church is constructed on property bought from Malcolm Groat, near 109 avenue and 121 Street in Edmonton, because the Hudson Bay Company wanted the chapel removed from the Fort.  

January 1: St. Albert (Alberta), birth, Jean Chalifoux son Joseph Chalifoux, Metis, b-1838, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), and Julie Campion, b-1841 Lake McLeod

January 2:   Bishop Grandin (1829-1902) made his rounds today including a visit to the Garneau Estate.  The first official post office is opened in Edmonton with Richard Hardisty being appointed as postmaster.  Frank Oliver (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, claimed the Bulletin building as the first business building erected outside the fort, first as a store in December then in 1880 the Bulletin and it is torn down in 1895.

February 17, Buffalo Lake, birth Francois Whitford, son Francois Whitford Sr., b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845. 

March:  Bow River, (Alberta), birth Alice Mary Bird, died 1879 on the South Branch of the Saskatchewan River, daughter Philip Bird and Mary Kipling.

April:  St. Albert (Alberta) was buying importing flour from Winnipeg at Fort Edmonton for 20 piastre ($20.00) for one-hundred livres.  The St. Albert Metis made the decision to go to Fort Benton for their flour.  Twenty wagons were dispatched as flour at Fort Benton was 2 1/2 piastre or a 17.5 piastre savings.  The seasons furs were traded at Fort Benton (Montana), bypassing the Hudson Bay Company.

April 30:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth, William Gladu son Moise Gladu, b-1841 and Marguerite Kaskahwan; married December 28, 1895, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), Verinique Paul, born February, 1876, Battle River Settlement, daughter, Charles Paul, b-1853, St Albert (Alberta) and Marie Gaucher, born February, 1860, Jasper House (Alberta). 

July:  Dunvegan, Athabasca (Alberta), birth Christie McKay, daughter Isidore Flamand (McKay), b-1842 Red River and Charlotte Bourassa, Metis, b-1850 Dunvegan, Athabasca (Alberta).

August 15:  Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth Emilien Boucher, son Narcisse Boucher, b-1827 Quebec and Judith McCarthy, born December 10, 1835, Athabasca Districr; married Marie Kalen Collins, born June 16, 1876 daughter Clement Collins and Isabelle Quintal, b-1847, Lac La Biche (Alberta).

August 21:  Indian treaty number 6 is ratified at Fort Edmonton.   The Papaschase band is allotted a reserve south of Strathcona (Edmonton).  The Government claims only 10 families are settled on this land.

September:  In Indian treaty No. 7, at Blackfoot Crossing on the Bow River, the Blackfoot Confederacy signed some fifty thousand square miles away.  Chief Crowfoot said," I have been the first to sign, I shall be the last to break."  

September 20:  Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) birth Jean Baptiste L'Hyrondelle, Metis, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Euphrosine Beauregard, Metis, b-1851 and Magloire L'Hyrondelle, b-1850, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

November:   The Mounted Police had established themselves at Fort Saskatchewan, Fort Macleod, Fort Calgary, Milk River, Trail Creek and Piato Horse Butte.

December:   Mary Cleary, who arrived December 7, 1875; an Irish woman who came to Canada as a teacher, is one of the few European women married this year. She married a Patrick Curran, a soldier at Fort Saskatchewan.  Jerry Potts was the official interpreter, but was not successful.  So the call went out for Jimmy Jock Bird (1785-1892), who was contacted by Jean L'Heureux: a Frenchman who lived for many years with the Blackfoot.  Governor David Laird considered Mr. Bird a very intelligent interpreter and that he rendered good service in this respect. 

December:  Elzear Chartier, born December 1877, St. Albert (Alberta) son Joseph Chartier and Christina Robertson, b-1854, Norwat House' married Agnes Cadotte, born September 10, 1883, Cumberland House (Saskatchewan) daughter Edward Cadotte, b-1852 Red River and Isabella Cinklater, born November 15, 1856.

1878  

Ambroise Adam, Metis, born November 1856 son Baptiste Adam, Metis b-1820 and Marie Boyer, Metis b-1825; married 1878 Clarisse Paul, Metis born 1857 Fort Edmonton daughter Louison Paul b-1830 and Catherine Gladu, b-1833.

Trail Creek, marriage Jean Baptiste Anass, Metis b-1857, Alberta married Amelia, Metis  b-1853 Alberta.  Children include Peter b-1879 Alberta, Bella b-1880 Alberta, James b-1882 Alberta, Daniel b-1884 Alberta, Mary b-1885 Alberta, Elizabeth b-1887 Alberta, Sophia b-1890 Alberta, Margret b-1893 Alberta, William J. b-1896 Alberta, all born Alberta likely Trail Creek. 

Lucie Louise Arnault, Metis, b-1878, St. Albert (Alberta), daughter, Irenee Arnault, a whiteman and Isabelle Chalifoux dit Labouteille, Metis, b-1847.

Julien Belcourt, b-1878, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Justin Blandion, Metis, b-1878, St. Albert (Alberta), son Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

Julienne Bourassa, b-1878, Dunvegan, Athabasca (Alberta) daughter Louis Bourassa and Rosalie Forcier; married Xavier Piche, b-1878 Red River son Francois Piche, b-1835 Red River and Nancy Ross, b-1840 Red River. 

Therise Callihoo L'Iroquois, b-1820 d-1878, St. Albert (Alberta) daughter Louis Kwarkwentha Callihoo L'Iroquoise, b-1872, Quebec and Marie Katis of the Sekdnaise tribe, of the Montagnais Nation; married Francois Berland, Metis, son Jean Baptiste Berland and Susanne McLeod a Nepissing

Patrick Courteoreille, Metis born February 15, 1878, Alberta son Louis Courteoreille, Metis born August 16, 1849 Alberta, married about 1877 Alberta most likely Lac Sainte Anne, Sophie Metis born May 19, 1849, Alberta, living La Sainte Anne 1901.

Augustin Deschamps, b-1878, Alberta (Alberta), son Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.

Peter Descheneaux, Metis, b-1878 Red Deer River, beyond Buffalo Lake son Charles Descheneaux, Metis, b-1852, married 1874 St. Albert, Anne Tanner, Metis b-1857.

William Dumont, Metis, b-1878, Calgary, (Alberta) son Jean Baptiste Dumont Jr. Metis, born June, 1852, Slave Lake (Alberta) and Philomene Vanesse Metis born October 1856.

Lawrence (Larry) Garneau, Metis, is born April 4, 1878 Strathcona, North West Territories, died 1918 son Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921) and Eleanor Thomas, Metis, (1850/52-1912).

William Gladstone, Metis b-1878 Alberta son Marie Gladstone. Metis b-1858 Alberta, living Fort MacLeod, Alberta 1901.

June:  Fort Calgary, birth, (II)-Alfred Glen, Metis, son (I)-John Glenn, born 1833 and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851. 

Albert Gray Metis born March 14, 1878 son Magloire Gray, Metis born May 15, 1849, Alberta married about 1877 most likely Lac Ste Anne, Genevieve Metis born April 30, 1850 Alberta, living Lac Sainte Anne (Devils Lake) 1901.

Basile Larance, b-1800 Red River de Metis, 1st married likely Fort Macleod (Alberta) to unknown, 2nd married 1878 Fort Macleod (Alberta), Madeleine Campion, b-1860, St. Alberta (Alberta).

Louise Lavallee b-1837 Red River married about 1877 likely Red River Catherine b-1846 Red River living Alberta 1878 to 1886 and at Lac La Biche, Alberta 1901.

Marie Louise L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1878 Lac La Nun ( Alberta), daughter Augustin L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1849, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Bellerose, b-1857.

Trail Creek des Metis, birth Bella MacFadden, Metis b-1878 Alberta married before 1898 and this is likely her married name.  One child is recorded William b-1898 Alberta most likely Trail Creek.

Trail Creek (Alberta) east of Red Deer is a major settlement and focus point for the buffalo hunts.  The Metis gathered from St. Albert, Lac Ste Anne, Fort Edmonton, Lac la Biche and other Metis centers and the town swelled to 1,000 people, in some four hundred cabins.  Most considered the Metis as unorganized and carefree by nature but during their spring and fall buffalo hunt they were better organized than any army.  The hunt was governed by the strictest rule and ritual.  It was the happiest of times, for these proud peoples, or so reported Lawrence Garneau, Metis, of Strathcona.  After the hunt and processing of hides and meat the dancing and partying continued all night to the Red River fiddle.  This would be the last major buffalo hunt..

J.B. McDougall, Metis b-1878 Alberta living Morley, Alberta 1901.

Emma Quintal, b-1878, Lac La Biche (Alberta), daughter, Etienne Quintal, b-1851, Lac La Biche (Alberta) and Marie Cardinal, b-1853, Lac La Biche; 1st married constance Cardinal, born December 16, 1877; 2nd married, 1901 Louis Pruden, b-1879, Lac La Biche.

Harriet Rhan, Metis b-1878 Alberta granddaughter (I)-William Gonan b-1823 Orkney Island and Sara Metis b-1833 Red River, living Lakeland, Alberta 1891.

William Scullen (Whiteman) Sr., married 1878 Calgary, Marguerite Ward b-1859 Red River.

Trail Creek des Metis, marriage Donald Whitford b-1843 Red River married Margret Metis b-1853 Alberta.  Five children are recorded, Ann b-1879 Alberta, Elizabeth b-1883 Alberta, Catherine E. b-1885 Alberta, George b-1888 Alberta, Samuel b-1890 Alberta most likely all Trail Creek.  Also living with them are grand children Margaret b-1898 Alberta and William b-1901 Alberta.  Also living with them are two unidentified children Ellen b-1893 Alberta and Nancey b-1895 Alberta.  

(II)-James Gibbons (1839-1928), the Metis, made formal entry of the homestead, in Edmonton, Laurier Park area, which he had lived on for a few years.  He registered with Mr. Gauvreau, who represented the Government at Fort Edmonton.  James had been in and out of Edmonton since 1865: gold mining, free trading and freighting.  George Emerson and Tom Lynch introduced 200 head of Montana cattle stock into the Fort MacLeod area.  Fire swept through the town of Trail Creek and only one building in four hundred survived, eventually being carried into Stettler as a reminder of this ghost town.  The NWT passed an ordnance, establishing the branding of sheep, horses and cattle.

The Salois or Laboucane Metis settlement is established this year. It was also called Duhamel settlement or Battle River settlement.  The six Laboucane brother's- Elzear, Jean Baptiste, Gabriel, Pierre, Guilliam and Jerome- arrived at the Duhamel settlement from White Horse Plains.

The Metis town of Trail Creek, with 2,000 people and 400 permanent buildings, is destroyed by fire in 1898? (others suggest 1878), leaving only one building without damage.  It is noteworthy the the largest town west of Red River is destroyed, but little exists in the history books to mark its passing.  It is known that the Church, Hudson Bay Company and Mounted Police were not happy with its existence; each for their own reasons.  The Metis had a Red River Cart train transportation monopoly and could trade anywhere.  They were self reliant with their own government and religious culture.  The Mounted Police discontinued their sub-post at Trail Creek, owing to a shortage of Med in A Division.

A new gristmill was built 24 km down river from St. Albert.  A dam was built on the Sturgeon river to power the mill. Besides grinding wheat the Metis adapted it to saw timber, planning lumber and making shingles.  It burnt down in 1890, was rebuilt and operated until 1899. 

John Alexander Mitchel arrived Strathcona (Edmonton, Alberta) via ox-cart with Frank Oliver.  Mitchel acquired 200 acres of land in Strathcona (Alberta) which he sold later for $1.00 per acre.

The steamer Northcote was grounded for the season due to low water on the Saskatchewan.  Cart brigades were organized to handle the freight.

January 18:  Victoria, Alberta, located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth Margaret Jane Spence, daughter, Andrew Spence Sr., b-1842 and Nancy Whitford, b-1850. 

March:  Dunvegan, Athabasca, birth Prudent D'Amours, son, Theophile D'Amours, b-1842, Quebec and Margueite Bourassa, b-1852; married November 22, 1898, Fort Vermillion (Alberta), Marie Louise Beaulien, born January 24, 1880, Fort Chipewyan daughter Francois Beaulieu, died November 23, 1895 and Rose Lamoureux, born July 6, 1863, Fort St. John..

March 6:  Fort Calgary, birth Marie Josephine Deschamps daughter Jean Baptiste Deschamps, Metis, b-1849 and Catherine Vandel, Metis b-1846.

April 14:  Victoria, Alberta, located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth William Whitford, Metis, 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.

April 18:  St. Albert (Alberta), birth Pierre Blandion, son John Blandion and Olive L'Hyrondelle, b-1855 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

May 11:  Fort Calgary, birth, Daniel Belcourt, son Alexis Belcourt, born October 26, 1847 and Catherine (Caroline) Smith. 

June 6:  Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth Mary (Nancy) Johnson, daughter Charles Johnson, b-1829 Red River and Agathe Anger, b-1848, Fort Vermilion, Peace River District (Alberta) daughter Baptiste Auger, b-1827 and Josephte Chalioux,

June 20:  Caroline, Bird, Metis, b-1878, Strathcona (Edmonton, Alberta), died 1886, daughter, William Robert Bird, Metis, b-1826 and Fanny Shirt, Metis, b-1856. 

October 28:  Egg Lake (Alberta), birth Justine Beaudry son Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River

1879  

Ambroise Adam, Metis, b-1779, St Albert, (Alberta), son Clarisse Paul, Metis, b-1857 and Ambroise Adam aka Fagnant b-1856.

Vitaline Blandion, Metis, b-1879 St. Albert (Alberta), son Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

John Brazeau, b-1850, Fort Assiniboine, son, Joseph Edward Brazeau and Marguerite Brabant alias Salois, Metis b-1815, Fort Edmonton, daughter Augustin Brabant and Anmgelique Lucir b-1800; married 1879 Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Adelaide Ward.

Joseph Dumas b-1879 N.W.T. living Mountain Mill, Alberta 1901.

Nellie Gladstone, b-1879 likely Fort McLeod (Alberta), son William Gladstone (1845-1891) and Marie Samat Vandal, b-1855.

Joseph Gervais b-1879 N.W.T. son Culbert Gervais b-1846 and Mary Metis b-1836 N.W.T., all living Mountain Mill, Alberta 1901.

Ambroise Gray Metis born May 1, 1879 son Magloire Gray, Metis born May 15, 1849, Alberta married about 1877 most likely Lac Ste Anne, Genevieve Metis born April 30, 1850 Alberta, living Lac Sainte Anne (Devils Lake) 1901.

William D.P. Hardisty, Metis b-1879 N.W.T. son Elizabeth Hardisty, Metis b-1850 N.W.T., living Fort Edmonton 1891.

Harriet Johnstone, Metis b-1879 N.W.T. living Southern Alberta 1891.

Boniface Laferte, b-1851 Red River, married 1879 Fort Providence (Alberta) Madeline Bouvier, b-1862, fort Simpson daughter Joseph Bouvier, b-1830 and Catherine Beaulieu.

Henri Laferte-Lanaix, b-1879, Fort Providence (Alberta) son Henri Laferte-Lanaix, Metis, b-1849, Fort Chipewyan (Alberta) and Catherine Bouvier, Fort Simpson, b-1856.

Samuel L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1879 Lac La Nun ( Alberta), son Augustin L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1849, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Bellerose, b-1857.

(II)-Matt McCauley born 1850 Owen Sounds, Ontario, died October 1930 Sexsmith, Alberta, arrived Red River 1871 and Fort Saskatchewan (Alberta) to farm.

Edmonton, birth (II)-James Ross son (I)-Donald Ross (1840-1915) and (II)-Olive Blewitt born 1850

James Russell, Metis b-1879 Alberta married to Rosa Metis b-1877 Alberta living Lethbridge, Alberta 1901.

St. Albert, (Alberta) Julien Ward, Metis, b-1879, son, Peter Ward, b-1840 and Rosalie Bisson, b-1843. 

William Scullen Jr., b-1879, Calgary, d-1879William Scullen (Whiteman) Sr.

Trail Creek des Metis, marriage John Tanner, Metis b-1854 Alberta married Rosealley Metis b-1864 Alberta.  Two children are recorded Jean Baptiste b-1880 Alberta and Gilbert b-1883 Alberta most likely Trail Creek.

A large fire on Cyprus Hills drove the game from this region, and by 1880 the Metis also departed.

John Muir traveled the lower Stikine River, British Columbia, calling it the Yosemite, a hundred miles long.  Someone said its a land where Canada could hide England, and the English would never find it.

Canadian scientist Sandford Fleming in Toronto announced his idea of dividing the world into twenty-four time zones, each with its own standard time.  By 1900 the world had converted to his proposed system..  

Shipment of buffalo hides to Fort Benton (Montana) from Alberta dropped from an average of 70,000 hides a year to 14,000 hides a year.

It is reported that 5 different Metis settlements exist in Cypress Hills (Alberta/Saskatchewan) this year.

January 7, Buffalo Lake, birth Mary Whitford, daughter Francois Whitford Sr., b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845. 

March:  Forks of the Red Deer River, (Alberta), birth/death Joseph Bird, son Philip Bird and Mary Kipling.

March 20:  Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), birth Nancy Gladu, daughter Edward Gladu, born August 1847, Lac La Biche and Betsy Constant, Metis, b-1845; married, William Alexander Gairdner, born July 24, 1876, Fort Chipewyan, son William Fred Gairdner, b-1839 and Flora Flett, b-1857.

May:  Fort McLeod (Alberta), marriage Peter McEwen and Mary Gladstone, born July 2, 1864, Fort Brenton, Montana, daughter William J. Shanks Gladstone, b-1824, Quebec and Harret LeBlanc, b-1835, Fort Edmonton (Alberta). 

October 7:  St. Albert (Alberta), birth, Antoine L'Hyrondelle, Metis, son Jean Baptiste L'Hrondelle, Metis b-1854 and Elizabeth Beaudry, b-1861; married Lusie Page, born February, 1884, St. Albert (Alberta).

October 14:  A man named Bowies was lynched by the cowboys in Indian Basin (Alberta).  He had refused to assist in their fight of a prairie fire and after the cowboys got it out, they went to the creek where he was camped, took him out and hung him.

October 14:   Ottawa made the decision to run the railway through to Edmonton.  The first agricultural society in Edmonton is formed this year.  Malcolm Norris established a saw and grist mill east of Edmonton.  Mr. William Bird's mill on Mill Creek didn't always operate, due to lack of sufficient water.  Monsieur Alexander Tache of Saint Boniface suggested to J.S. Dennis Deputy Minister of the Interior that a special area be set aside for the Metis.

November 17:  Fort Walsh (Alberta), The North West Mounted Police required a large number of horses to support their activities.  These were pastured at various points around the fort.  To guard the herds against maurauders, guard camps were established with three to four men.  There had been a great deal of opposition from the Blood Indians to the setting up of a camp ten miles north of Fort Walsh, that was manned by five men and a cook.  Constable Marmaduke Graham a recent recruit had left this camp to check on some horses when he was shot in the back.  Louison Leveille, a scout tracked the movement of the horses and Robert McCutcheon actually discovered the body.  Graham became the first North West Mounted Policeman to lose his life in the line of duty.  Jerry Potts and others attempted to track the killer but lost the trail.  Star Child, a Blood Indian and an unidentified person is believed responsible for the murder.  Star Child was eventually captured, tried and acquitted.  He later became a scout for the NWMP.  The Mounties never got their man.  

Nobember 18:  Mrs Robert Belcher wife of an RCMP man says the hamlet of Fort Edmonton on the north side of the Saskatchewan River consisted of 14 men and 6 women.  She says John A. McDougall, Frank Oliver, Kenneth MacDonald and Donald Ross were early residents.

1880  

Caroline Adam, Metis, b-1880, St Albert, (Alberta), daughter Clarisse Paul, Metis, b-1857 and Ambroise Adam aka Fagnant b-1856.

Isabel Blandion, Metis, b-1880 St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

Patrice Blandion, b-1880, St Albert (Alberta), son John Blandion and Olive L'Hyrondelle, b-1855 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Michel Calehoue, b-1880 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) son Joseph Callio b-1848 Lac Sre Anne (Alberta) and Elizabeth Plante, born MNay 12, 1858 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta); married A,elia b-1886. 

Trail Creek des Metis, marriage Felix Blivan, Metis b-1856 Alberta married Ann Metis b-1864 Alberta, one child is recorded William F. b-1881 Alberta likely Trail Creek. 

Rose Chalifoux, Metis b-1880 Lac La Nun (Alberta), son Joseph Chalifoux, Metis, b-1838, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta), and Julie Campion, b-1841 Lake McLeod

Joseph Descheneaux, Metis, b-1880 Fort Saskatchewan son Charles Descheneaux, Metis, b-1852, married 1874 St. Albert, Anne Tanner, Metis b-1857.

(I)-Francis Jeffery Dickens (1844-1886) R.C.M.P. is again stationed Fort MacLeod.

Joseph Dumont, Metis, b-1880, Kootney Lake, (Alberta) son Jean Baptiste Dumont Jr. Metis, born June, 1852, Slave Lake (Alberta) and Philomene Vanesse Metis born October 1856..

Anson Ely, a United States army deserter, married Fort MacLeod, Susy, daughter Stokos Minnestokos, a Blood Indian.

Alexander Garneau, Metis, is born February 22, 1880 Strathcona, North West Territories, died 1918, son Lawrence Garneau, Metis (1840-1921) and Eleanor Thomas, Metis (1850/52-1912).

Some claim that Lawrence Garneau, Metis, obtained a large tract of grazing land at Hay Lakes, near Camrose.  He contracted for the Hudson Bay Company out of Edmonton; ranging and wintering their horses.   This item has not been verified but he did control a lot of land; some say 149 farms (a farm equals 160 acres).

Fort MacLeod, birth William Gladstone son William Gladstone Jr., (1845-1891), and Marie Samat Vandal, b-1855.

Justine L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1880, St. Albert (Alberta) son Euphrosine Beauregard, Metis, b-1851 and Magloire L'Hyrondelle, b-1850, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Edouard L'Hirondelle, Metis b-1880, Lac La Nun ( Alberta), son Augustin L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1849, Fort Edmonton (Alberta) and Nancy Bellerose, b-1857.

Nancy L'Hyrondelle, Metiis, b-1880 St. Alberta (Alberta) daughter John L'Hyrondelle, b-1851 St. Albert (Alberta) and Angelique Callion, Metis, b-1865 Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

(II)-Matt McCauley (1850-1930) arrived Fort Edmonton from Fort Saskatchewan to start a cartage Company.  He also joined forces with Bill Howey to open a butcher shop in Edmonton.

Trail Creek des Metis, birth, Mary Whitford married Sam Todd.  This family came many years early with 18 Red River carts hauled by oxen, except for two horses.  Elizabeth Whitford is a daughter of Francis Whitford and Jane Anderson, Francis is brother of Donald Whitford, brother of Archie Whitford born 1877 and brother of Mary Whitford; Elizabeth married Anderson.

Mountain Mill, 60 miles west of Fort Macleod, was created to teach the Blood Indians of the area the lumbering trade.  John Kean of Orillia, Ontario came out to set up the operation but it failed, some say, because John Kean could not work with the Indians.  Others said it was because the Indians didn't want to work.  One year after it was built Edgar Dewdney recommended it be sold.  The enterprise was sold to Peter McLaren, of Perth, Ontario with W.R. Lees running the operation.  Despite a change of management every year or so, the managers from Ontario treated their workers like slaves.

Some little known Metis settlements, which formed after the exodus from Red River include:

Sturgeon Lake east of Lac Ste Anne
Big Lake east of Lac Ste Anne near St. Albert
Flying Shot Lake west of Grande Prairie
Trail Creek des Metis at the Red Deer River and Buffalo Trail Creek.
Kelly Lake near Pouce Coupe, B.C. on the Alberta, B.C border. 

Boundry Creek about 12 miles west of hiway #2 between Cardston and Carway was a little known Metis settlement at its peak contained 55 houses and 182 people.  It was a hunting/trading settlement but also attracted gold miners from Montana.  Some suggest a gang of counterfeiters may have held up in the area.  The RCMP suspected horse and cattle stealing and established a post at Police Lake.

Fort Calgary and vicinity hosted a population of 75 people.

Fort Normandeau (1880-1895) is built near Red Deer, (Alberta).

Trail Creek began to diminish in value as the buffalo became more scarce. 

Dan Williams aka Nigger Dan, the first Black Man in the north arrived Fort Saskatchewan and is charged with attempted murder by James McKinlay.  Banjo Mike acted as his counsel and said "Let me tell you this:  I know as many miners know, that Dan Williams can take the eye out of a jackrabbit at every pop at a hundred yards.  Gentlemen, had Dan William had the slightest intention of harming Mr. McKinley, he would not have been here today to tell you the amusing little story whereby he gives you credit from some sense of humor without paying you much of a compliment for intelligence."  Williams beat the charge. 

Frank Oliver bought a downtown Edmonton lot from Malcolm McLeod for twenty five dollars.  Malcolm McLeod got twenty five dollars worth of job-printing from Frank's Bulletin printing press.

Coal was noted in the Drumheller (Alberta) area but no commercial activity would take place until the turn of the century.

Tony Cashman noted that Laurent Garneau, the first settler in the Garneau area, in 1874, planted a Manitoba Maple on his property, east of HUB Mall. That Manitoba Maple stands today, with four trunks, just off 111th Street.  "Garneau was the most sought-after fiddler in the town of Strathcona. At one time, he was supposed to play a town dance, but the Town of Strathcona had locked up his cattle for roaming at large. He refused to play until his cattle were released," Cashman said, laughing. Eventually, the cattle were released, Garneau relented and the dance went off without a hitch.  Tony Cashman didn't date this incident so it is arbitrarily placed here.

March 13:  Victoria, Alberta located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth Maria Spence, daughter, Andrew Spence Sr., b-1842 and Nancy Whitford, b-1850. 

Norman MacLeod arrived old Fort MacLeod, Alberta.

Crowfoot, the great Chief of the Blackfoot Confederation, gave permission for the CPR to cross Blackfoot land.  They crossed between Medicine Hat and Calgary.  The Chief received a life time pass, which he wore around his neck in a leather case.  The CPR honored the pass that he used on occasion.

The naming of Whitehorse, Yukon is attributed to a unnamed poetic prospector who on descending the Yukon River this year thought the white-water rapids with their purling caps resembled the manes of white horses flying in the wind. 

September 8:  Imperial Oil Limited is incorporated at London, Ontario.  Both Gerald and Richard Garneau would be later be employed with this Company.  Imperial Oil Limited would later become known as EXXON Corporation because neither Canada nor England could see any future in the Oil Business.  

October 26:  Egg Lake (Alberta), birth Auguste L'Hyrondelle, Metis, son Jean Baptiste L'Hrondelle, Metis b-1854 and Elizabeth Beaudry, b-1861.

November 21:  Victoria, Alberta located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth Edwin Whitford, Metis, 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.

December 8:  The Edmonton Bulletin began publishing, being owned by Frank Oliver (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, and Alexander Taylor.  The paper is five and one half by eight inches in size printed on a toy hand press, by Frank Oliver (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield.

1881  

The population of Calgary is listed as 100 and Fort Edmonton as 263..

Egg Lake (Alberta), birth Louison Beaudry son Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River.

Margaret Blandion, Metis, b-1881, St. Albert (Alberta), daughter Antoine Blandion, b-1833 and Josephte Klyne, b-1855, Red River.

Agnas Cardinal, Metis, b-1881, Lac La Biche (Alberta), daughter Gabriel Cardinal dir Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, Metis b-1837.

Marcel Cardinal, b-1881, St. Paul des Metis (Alberta) son, Gabriel Cardinal dit Labatoche, b-1835 and Marie Bruneau, b-1837

Bill Cust near Sturgeon River (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) planted one hundred thirty acres to wheat, thirty six to barley and twenty to oats.  This is likely (I)-William Cust, b-1825, of Ireland who homesteaded the Cut Bank Farm in St. Albert who this year harvested 130 acres, yielding 30 bushels to the acre, 12 acres of barley, yielding 36 bushels to the acre and 12 acres oats, yielding 25 bushels per acre.  Its noteworthy that Sturgeon river starts at Big Lake, runs through St. Albert and enters the Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan.

(I)-Francis Jeffery Dickens (1844-1886) R.C.M.P. is stationed Blackfoot Crossing, Bow River (Alberta west of Fort Calgary).

Fort MacLeod, (Alberta), birth Madeleine Gladstone daughter William Gladstone Jr., (1845-1891), and Marie Samat Vandal, b-1855.

Veronique Gladu, b-1881, Lesser Slave Lake (Alberta) son Jean Baptiste Gladu, d-1881 and Mary Gaucher, born July 1849, Jasper House (Alberta); married 1895, Lesser Slave Lake, Bernard Giroux.

John Glen is at Fish Creek (south Calgary, Alberta).

Calgary, (Alberta), marriage Joseph Paquette, Metis, b-1858, Fort Pitt (Saskatchewan) son Henri Paquette born April 20, 1814, Quebec and Cecile Durand, b-1837, Fort Edmonton (Alberta), ; married Isabelle Anihanis.

Dick Steel and Billy Inglis arrived Beaver Lake (Alberta), and harvested their first crop in 1882 of wheat, oats and barley.

A Stony Indian showed John Healy of Fort Whoop Up (Alberta), a sample of copper-lead bearing ore from across the Bow River from Castle Mountain in Banff National Park (Alberta), .  Healy is credited with creating a shack town called Silver City, (Alberta), which peaked at 3,000 people.  However it was the CPR who created a scam in 1883 that created Silver City.

McKernan's cow of the south side of the Saskatchewan River (Strathconia) gave birth to two fine heifers calves, cow and calves doing fine.

Patrick, a geophysical surveyor, was sent out to the N.W. Territories by the Federal Government to search for oil in the west.  He immediately recognized the potential in foothills ranching.  No mention was made of oil.

A.P. Patrick brought in 200 head of cattle to Calgary (Alberta), from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

R. Pottewell homesteaded in the Clover Bar District (Alberta).

Edmonton, birth (II)-Olive (Dolly) Ross daughter (I)-Donald Ross (1840-1915) and (II)-Olive Blewitt born 1850

Trail Creek des Metis, (Alberta), marriage Louis Rushell, Metis b-1859 Alberta son Angelie Rushell, Metis b-1830 Alberta; married Julie Metis b-1865 Alberta.  Three children are recorded, John b-1882 Alberta, William b-1889 Alberta, Louis b-1897 Alberta likely all at Trail Creek.

Trail Creek des Metis, marriage Andre Rushell, Metis b-1862 Alberta so Angelie Rushell, Metis b-1830 Alberta; married Magdelaine Metis b-1866 Alberta.   Four children are recorded: Joseph b-1882 Alberta, Elizabeth b-1892 Alberta, Colin b-1893 Alberta, and Phelamine b-1899 Alberta likely all at Trail Creek. 

Charles T. Russell founded the Jehovah witness movement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Fort Edmonton, marriage Godfrey McNeil Steele, to Julia Whitford, born October 11, 1863, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.  

Buck Smith is at High River south of Calgary.

The first settlers started to settle at Stony Plain, aka Dogrump Creek or Dog Creek, west of Fort Edmonton and were from Austria.  Development was slow because Father Morin tried to discourage settlement in this area.

William Ust of St. Albert (Alberta) farmed 130 acres wheat, 12 acres of barley and 12 acres of oats.  This appears to be an exaggeration for this time period.

Fort Edmonton, birth Maggie Vandal, Metis, daughter Norman Vandal, Metis, b-1857 and Julie Munroe, Metis, b-1859.

Edward Villeneuve Sr. married 1881, Lac La Biche, likely Lac La Biche, Alberta Adelaide Decoine, Metis, b-1860 Lac La Biche, daughter Francois Decoine Sr., married 1839, Lac La Biche and Josephte Desjarlais, Metis, b-1820. 

Charlotte Whitford b-1881 Red River, living Assiniboia West 1891.  Assiniboia could refer to southern Alberta, or south western Saskatchewan, at this time.

The LaBoucane Settlement, at Duhamel; on the banks of Battle River, Alberta; 20 miles east of Wetaskiwin (hills of peace) ,was begun by the Salois and LaBoucane, half-breed (Metis), families.  By 1883, 10 families settled in the area, being engaged in transporting for the Hudson Bay.

In a census of South Edmonton, portion of treaty #6 records five hundred males and three hundred females; of which four hundred and eight speak French, two hundred and fifty speak English and ninety speak other languages.  

The population of Calgary, likely only the immediate area, numbered 75 people.

The English suggest there are only 1,000 non-native settlers in Alberta.  This likely excludes a few thousand Metis, who are not classified as settlers or non-native from a European perspective.  It might be better to say that there are only 1,000 non-Canadians in Alberta.  It is noteworthy that Trail Creek alone, in 1875, held 2,000 Metis, and greater Buffalo Lake to the North likely contained   2,000 to 3,000 more Metis in two communities.  We must exercise extreme caution when we use European or Hudson Bay population counts, as they do not normally reflect reality.  It is noteworthy that a  few thousand Metis reside in Lac St. Anne, Big Lake, St. Albert and Lac La Biche; not counting lesser settlements.

The people who have taken up land, which was not surveyed in the region of Fort Edmonton, built on it and made there homes there, thinking they will receive the title.  Whether they will or not remains to be seen. This would include the Garneau Estate, and may account for the discrepancies of dates in some documents.

Several settlers arrived Strathcona (Edmonton, Alberta) and made land claims.  They had walked from Red River (Winnipeg, Manitoba) to Strathcona taking three months.

Cheap workers were required to build a railway across the Rockies and 17,000 Chinese responded for the brutally hard labor.  They came as millhands, merchants, railway hands and gardeners.

The Dominion Government permitted the leasing of areas up to 100,000 acres to English ranchers for an annual rental of 1¢ per acre.

January 1:  Fort MacLeod, birth Norman Minnestokoas MacLeod, Metis son Colonel MacLeod and Indian woman.

January 11:  Calgary. birth, Patrick Scullen (Whiteman) Sr., son William Scullen (Whiteman) Sr., b-1878, Marguerite Ward b-1859 Red River.

January 13:  The good citizens of Fort Edmonton passed a resolution to relocate the Papaschase (Pap-Pa) Cree band in violation of Treaty #6.  The Treaty is only signed twenty eight months earlier.  

February 5:  Lac La Biche, birth, James Edward Pruden son Charles Pruden Sr., b-1857, and, Rosalie Vandal, b-1859.

February 14, Pidgeon Lake, birth Elizabeth Whitford, daughter Francois Whitford Sr., b-1835 and Jane Anderson, b-1845. 

March:  Joseph Rabasca Deschamps, b-1881, Calgary (Alberta), son Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.

April 4:   The population of the west is:  Manitoba 62,260, B.C. 49,459 and NWT 56,446.

May 10: Lac La Biche (Alberta), birth Antoine Boucher son Narcisse Boucher Sr, b-1827 Quebec and Judith McCarthy, born December 10, 1935 Athabasca District;  married Caroline, b-1883. 

May 9:  Nicholas Bird, Metis, b-1881, Strathcona (Edmonton, Alberta), died 1886, son William Robert Bird, Metis, b-1826 and Fanny Shirt, Metis, b-1856. 

June 10;  The North-West Territorial government passed an 'Ordence respecting Fences', that stated that a lawful fence could be of board, rails, common wire or of barbed wire and a substantial top rail, the wires to be not less than three in number, or more than fourteen inches apart..   

August:  Fort Calgary (Alberta), birth (II)-William Glen, Metis,  son (I)-John Glenn, born 1833 and Adelaide Belcourt, Metis born August, 1851. 

November:  birth Mary Ann Mary Bird, born November 1881, Red Deer River, North Swift Current, Assiniboine, died December 1882, in home of William Cromartie,  South Branch of the Saskatchewan River, daughter Philip Bird and Mary Kipling.

November 3:  Kenny McLeod (1858-1940) journey from Red River on foot, in the company of two other men with three oxen, three Red River carts, a buckboard, and a pony. After ninety-one days of travel, he arrived in Edmonton November 3. He traded a sack of flour to Frank Oliver for a building lot.  In 1915 he built the McLeod Building in Edmonton.

December 31, Fort Edmonton, advertisement by Donald Ross, "A pig of the Shanghai pattern (female Gender) came to my premises two weeks ago.  The owner better pay expenses and take it away, otherwise the pig will mysteriously disappear."

1882  

Marianne Belcourt, b-1882, St. Albert (Alberta) daughter Eswin Belcourt, b-1843, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta) and Louise Paul b-1857, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

Marriage Thomas Cardinal b-1863 Riding Mountain son Jerome Cardinal and Marianne Cardinal married Christine Moise, Metis b-1860 daughter  Jean Baptiste (Kakakekamik) Moise b-1827 and Charlotte Wapisiokowan; 2nd married 1856 Madeleine Abraham; married 1868 Lac La Biche John Longmore Sr. b-1850 Fort Pitt son William Longmore and a Metis mother.

Daniel Belcourt, Metis, b-1857, St. Albert son Joseph Belcourt Jr., born November 28, 1823 and Madeleine Sapin dit Campion; married 1882, Calgary, Pauline Vanesse, born October 10, 1868 daughter Jean Baptiste Vanasse dit Anas Sr., born November 1833, Fort Edmonton and Catherine Cardinal, born February, 1838.

George D. Clark, b-1828 arrived Fort Edmonton (Alberta) this year and went to the US in 1884 but was back in 1893.

Marguerite Dumont, Metis, b-1882, Calgary, (Alberta) daughter Jean Baptiste Dumont Jr. Metis, born June, 1852, Slave Lake and Philomene Vanesse, Metis born October 1856.

Elliot Galt's North Western Coal and Navigation Co. opened its first coal mine on the Old Man River and the town of Coal Banks grew to eventually become Lethbridge, (Alberta). 

Charlotte Garneau, Metis is born January 19, 1882, Strathcona, District of Alberta, died 1902 Strathcona (Alberta) the daughter of Lawrence Garneau, Metis, (1840-1921) and Eleanor Thomas, Metis, born (1850/52-1912).

Narcisse Ladouceur, b-1864, Lac La Biche, (Alberta), son Joseph Ladouceur, b-1813 Beacer River and Julie Auger, b-1822 Lac La Biche (Alberta); married 1882, Lac La Biche (Alberta), Julie Auger, b-1863, South Saskatchewan River, daughter Augustin Auger, b-1825, Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta and Sylvie Bruneau, b-1845, Lac La Biche (Alberta)

Alexander Leblanc aka White, born-1882 Mountain Hill, son  Cornelious Leblanc Sr., b-1850, Fort Edmonton and Mary Favel, b-1858, Fort Edmonton. 

Mathilde L'Hyrondelle, Metis, b-1882, St. Albert (Alberta) son Euphrosine Beauregard, Metis, b-1851 and Magloire L'Hyrondelle, b-1850, Lac Ste Anne (Alberta).

(I)-Joseph McFarlan of Ireland, on the Old Man River west of Fort MacLeod farms 80 acres producing 2,000 bushels of grain of which 250 is wheat.  His brothers Ed and George also worked the land.  They had 25-30 head of cattle from Montana to supply milk to the Northwest Mounted Police.

Dan Riley came west this year and settled near High River (Alberta).

Dick Steele and Billy Inglis produced a wheat crop at Beaver Lake that is 18 miles west of Vegreville (Alberta).

Calgary. birth, Thomas Scullen (Whiteman) Sr., son William Scullen (Whiteman) Sr., b-1878, Marguerite Ward b-1859 Red River.

Harry Taylor (Kamoose), a missionary, and whiskey trader, ran the MacLeod Hotel.  A sign read "No Jawbone - in God we trust, all others cash."  He gave special rates to 'Gospel Grinders' and the 'Gambling Profession'. 

Edward Villeneuve Jr. Metis b-1882 Lac La Biche, Alberta, son Edward Villeneuve Sr., and Adelaide Decoine, Metis, b-1860, Lac La Biche. 

Julian Ward, Metis, b-1882, St. Albert, (Alberta) son, Peter Ward, Metis, b-1840 and Rosalie Bisson, b-1843. 

Jonas Ward, Metis, b-1882, Calgary, son, George Ward, b-1810 and Bethsey Turcotte. 

St. Albert (Alberta), birth, Laurent Ward, Metis son, Peter Ward, Metis, b-1840 and Rosalie Bisson, b-1843.

Joseph Bannerman, freely and with great pride, called himself a "Claim Jumper", referred to the committee as 'Mob Law', and said that 'Hudson Bay rule' is the order of the day at Edmonton.  Joseph Bannerman, using L. George of the A. MacDonald and company store, had jumped claim on the Methodist Mission site, established 1871 by Rev. George McDougall.  No one anticipated that the first claim jumper would go after a church and graveyard for town lots.

Bannerman and company felt the site was easy picking because J. Sinclair had originally owned the land but never resided upon it.  He sold it to a Mr. Anderson.  Mr. Ross had also laid claim to the land, as did the church established in 1871.  The Vigilance Committee was aware that L. George was a United States citizen and therefore not entitled to the privileges of the Homestead Act.  A deputation consisting of Garneau, Kippen, Anderson and others descended on A. McDonald and Company Store, demanding to know the intentions of the Company towards the claim jumped property.  C. Stewart, of the Company, refused to provide answer to the 100 or so people who had joined the delegation.  Police Captain Gagnon and Sergeant Major Belcher were noticeably absent, and the Committee was convinced the Mounted Police were in complicity with Bannerman and the Company.

Mr. George, of the Company, defended the removal of the claim jumpers building by threatening to shoot the Vigilance Committee, but a Mr D.R. Fraser and W Henderson disarmed him.  It is noteworthy that 150 citizens showed up to dispense public justice.  The Vigilance Society hauled Joseph Bannerman's nearly completed shack off the claim and hurled it over a precipice of the Saskatchewan River.  Joseph Bannerman claimed the mob consisted of a few whites under Hudson Bay Company influence and many half breeds.  Frank Oliver, (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, (II)-Matt McCauley (1850-1930), J. Lake, Lawrence Garneau, Metis,  D. R. Fraser and W. Henderson are placed under arrest, being charged with destroying a building valued at one hundred and twenty- five dollars.  On February 21, 1882, J. M. Bannerman claimed that they were leaders of a riotous mob.  G.S. Wood, T. Anderson, Don Ross, H. Belcher,  John Ashen; who owned the future University property, and Joseph MacDonald; who owned the property just east of Lawrence Garneau, the Metis, saw bail.  Joseph Bannerman objected, saying that these men are not owners of real property. But the judge stated that 'no one held real property in the North West Territories except the Hudson Bay Company at this time', and he was satisfied with the bail arrangements.

W. F. Bredin a.k.a. Fletcher Bredi, came up the Whoop Up Trail from Fort Benton, Montana to Calgary; then up the Calgary-Edmonton Trail to Edmonton, and started the Buffalo Lakes Trading Post on the site later called Lamerton, in 1892.  There was only 7 settlers in this area.  Bredin sold out in 1895 to Joe Edminson.

Advertisements began appearing in United States news papers offering Canadian land free to pioneers.  Homesteads on Dominion Land required entry fees of $10.00 on each quarter section of land.

The United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Walkers sawmill, under the out-bank of the Elbow River in Calgary, is in operation.  I.G. Bakers operates a store near Fort Calgary.  Old man Roselle sold his holdings on MacLeod Trail and the Elbow, Calgary to Stewart.

Lafayette French and O.H. Smith, Indian traders, established a Fort and Trading Post, immediately west of High River on the old Fort Benton Trail to Fort Edmonton.  They ranched and cultivated about 40 acres of land.  The stagecoach from Fort Benton used their Fort as a way station on its way to Fort Edmonton.  Buck Smith squatted next to the French & Smith holdings. 

The North West Cattle Company of Montreal brought 5,000 head of cattle from Montana into the High River District.  They located at the site of the Mar-U-Ranch, later owned by Pat Burns.  The Ranch was managed by Fred Stimson of Montreal.

Alberta, part of the North West Territories, is divided into the District of Athabasca in the north and the District of Alberta in the south.  Most people of Alberta still refer to themselves as being in the North West Territories.

January 3:   The first school house is opened in Edmonton with 25 boys and 3 girls. The Hudson Bay Company reclaimed their iron box stove and the school was shut down until a replacement could be found.  Rev. D.G. McQueen claims that the first school house was built in 1881, Richard Secord being one of the first teachers.

January 7:  Mr. R. McKernan of Two Hills gave a dance, with forty guests having supper.  Dancing lasted until four A.M.  Music is provided by three of the best violinists in this part of the country: Lawrence Garneau, the Metis,  Mouton, and Hamlin.

In early February a meeting was called to establish a Vigilance Committee to stop illegal squatters, specifically Joe Bannerman, M.P., the Honorable Minister of the Interior * and an adamant Orangeman from Winnipeg.  Many say Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) of the Mounted Police is his assistant.  One hundred people attend, with Mr. J. Harris as chairman and G.S. Wood of the Hudson Bay Company as secretary.  A. W. Kippen stated the objective of the meeting, and T. Anderson objected to a proposal which would make it a secret society. Kippen and Harris favored it being secret; Don Ross thought it shouldn't be secret, and Lawrence Garneau, Metis, thought the society should be secret.  The argument for a secret society, in dealing with the claim jumpers, was to prevent the churches and the Philistines from interfering in their activities.  In their opinion, the law did not dispense justice and therefore public opinion must be the law.  Only forty seven signed the roll and took the oath, and by mid month another meeting was called to change it from a secret society to an open one.  About 100 concerned citizens then joined the committee.  By the end of the month, the Vigilance Society stated they would not hold themselves to protecting property holders who were not members.  * Tom Monto suggests John A. MacDonald was Minister of the Interior and that John Gilpin's Edmonton and District Settlers Rights Movement article says that Bannerman said he was acting under authorization on the Minister of the Interior.

February 28:   Inspector Gagnon arrested Frank Oliver (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, and M. McAuley, on the authority of J.M. Bannerman, for malicious injury to property.  They would be acquitted June 15, 1882.

March 1:   Inspector Gagnon arrested D. R. Fraser, J McDonald, A.W. Kippen, J Lake, G Gagnon, W Henderson and L. Garneu (Garneau), Metis,  on authority of J.M. Bannerman, for malicious injury to property.  They would be acquitted June 15, 1882.

March 25:  Richard Hardisty chaired the March 25, 1882 meeting, concerning the land uncertainty re claim jumpers, and the actions of the Vigilance Committee.  T. Anderson, the Crown Timber Agent, made a motion to protect land rights.  A.W. Kippen seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Reverend Pere Leduc claimed St. Albert, including the Bishop, is prepared to sign a petition to the Government.  Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914) of the Police stated that he is pleased to see the first claim jumper stopped.  However, he couldn't condone the Vigilance Committee's pushing the shack over the hill.  Colonel William Jarvis (1834-1914), Inspector and Superintendent of the police, stood accused of being hand and glove with the jumpers, which he denied.  It is noteworthy that Jarvis stayed away when the trouble was brewing.  This would not be the first or last time that the police avoided dangerous situations.  It is noteworthy that 150 citizens led by Anderson, Kippen and Garneau, Metis, were involved in removal of the claim jumpers.  Fraser and Henderson disarmed George who was try to protect the claim jump.  The French river lot system is not challenged at the Edmonton colony to the same extent as it had been in Red River.  The major deterrent is the Vigilance Committee.  South of the Garneau Estate was the Papaschase (Papastayo) Cree Reserve.  Some saying it extended north to Ellerslie.  Lawrence and Eleanor Garneau, the Metis, are on very good terms with the Chief and his band.  

April 15:  Lawrence Garneau, Metis, granted some of his estate, on the east side, to the Roman Catholic Mission to build a church, St. Michael, across the river from the Fort.  The church, Ste. Antoine, is 26' x 30', with 12' walls.   Malcolm Norris and Ed Carney established one of the first stores outside the security of Fort Edmonton.  It should be noted that John Norris had a long time operating store in west Edmonton.  Father Fafard, founder of the Frog Lake mission, is killed during the 1885 conflict.  One questionable report suggests that Mr. J.L. George claim jumped land south of 100 Avenue between 96 and 97 Street.  They claimed that it was Richard Hardisty's land, which he had failed to live on.  The Vigilante Committee is formed and they throw Mr. George's house over the hill.  (I believe this story is a distortion of the facts, and probably planted by the Orangemen or Masons in Winnipeg, to place blame on the Hudson Bay Company).  Work had begun on the construction of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, on Lawrence Garneau's Estate.

April:  Veronique Deschamps, b-1882, Calgary (Alberta), daughter Jean Baptiste Rabasca Deschamps, b-1850 and Marguerite Berard, b-1856.

June 15:   The Edmonton Vigilance Committee is found not guilty of any criminal act.  In a subsequent civil action, claim jumper Bannerman is awarded two hundred and forty nine dollars, this being the cost of materials.  The judge stated that the Committee is within their rights to remove the structure, but that pushing it over the hill is going too far.   Joseph Bannerman, Minister of the Interior, under ban of law, is prohibited from claim jumping in the future.  The Eastern Land Companies saw the affair as Bannerman and Company representing high-minded, law-abiding, justice-loving, well-posted gentlemen, who should have been allowed to complete their glorious career of prosperity by stealing land from that riotous, red-handed mob of half-breeds.  These folks from the east were referring to the 1869 Red River resistance and the execution of Thomas Scott. 

June 17:   A large hail storm struck Fort Edmonton, causing much damage. It then moved to the south side striking Lawrence Garneau, A. Patton, Joseph MacDonald, John Walter (1849-1920), Irvine, Elmer and Hetherintton. They were the principle sufferers on the south side.

A Stony Indian took Tom Wilson in July to see the Lake of Little Fishes (Lake Louise), Banff.  Wilson called it Emerald Lake and the first maps of the area used this name.  The Banff-Jasper route is an old Indian trail through some of the most majestic scenery in the Rocky Mountains, previously known as the Stony Mountains.

 
July 1:   "A letter written from Edmonton which I have seen lately in The Toronto Daily Globe wherein Laurent Garneau, Metis is stigmatized as a Red River rebel is both false and cowardly and I consider the writer no better than an assassin that will stab a man in the back without giving him a chance to defend himself.  This reply I think is as much as the coward and sneak is entitled to.  P.S. Please Mr. Coward, next time you write to the Toronto Daily Globe, state your name and address that the rustics of Edmonton may know what kind of snake in the grass you are".  Signed L. Garneau.  The snake in the grass is most likely the Honorable Joseph Bannerman, Minister of the Interior and Company.

July 5 to 7:   Chief Pah-pa-stay-on, of the Edmonton reserve, hosted Ooh-ne-pah-qua-see-moo-we-kah-mik.  This is the occasion and place of fasting, thirsting, dancing, sacrificing and suffering in the redemption of vows.  This is the most solemn religious occasion of the Cree and it was held below Fort Edmonton on the flats.  

July 14:  Victoria, Alberta located 90 km NE Fort Edmonton, birth John Whitford, Metis, 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.

July 20:  Fort Calgary, birth Caroline Deschamps daughter Jean Baptiste Deschamps, Metis, b-1849 and Catherine Vandel, Metis b-1846.

July 29:   John Walter's ferry is finally operational.

August:  Jasper House (Alberta), birth, Albert Gaucher, son, Michel Gaucher, b-1829 and Marie Karaconti, b-1846.

August 1:   The survey of  the Edmonton River property begins.  Standard River lots were usually 19 chains wide by one mile deep, being one hundred and fifty five acres.  The plan of Strathcona settlement, North West Territories, listed by M. Deane as River lot #7 with:  Lawrence Garneau as two hundred and sixty nine acres; to the west, A. Patton with two hundred fifty eight acres, and further to the west, Allan Oman with two hundred and seventy one acres.  To the east of Lawrence Garneau, John Walter (1849-1920)- with one hundred and twenty acres, Joseph McDonald- two hundred and thirty five acres, and further to the east, Thomas A. Anderson with one hundred and forty two acres.  This comprised most of Strathcona.   The Edmonton survey is neither the English square system nor the French River lot system; but a combination of both.  It is noteworthy that the published survey is limited to the river lot properties only.  Irving, Elmar and Hetherintton, who live on the south side of the river without river front property, for example, are not listed.  It is noteworthy that some chose not to settle on river front property in order to limit the likelihood of eastern claim jumpers.   This was a lesson learned from Winnipeg (Red River).  This survey did not resolve the property disputes around Fort Edmonton, as some of the lands had been occupied for generations.  By 1884, there were still 30 unresolved property claims.  McDougall objected to the arbitration ruling of William Pearce; the Dominion Lands Board inspector sent to settle the issues.  McDougall took his dispute into the courts well into the next century.  Laurent Garneau (listed as Gurnow) also disputed his property lines.  Father Hippolyte Leduc, of the Catholic Mission, called William Pearce a racist, suggesting an anti-French, Metis bias in his decisions.  

September 20:  Egg Lake (Alberta), birth Joseph L'Hyrondelle, Metis, son Jean Baptiste L'Hrondelle, Metis b-1854 and Elizabeth Beaudry, b-1861.

September 27:   Mr. Dean is robbed of six hundred dollars while in his survey camp, eight chains from Garneau's house.  Thomas Chittick and William Houston are charged.  Victoria and Louis Garneau provide testimony  placing the accused at the location of the crime.  Victoria Garneau, Metis, (1869-1899) stated that you didn't see people pass this way very often.  Frank Oliver, (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, member of the North West Committee, member of the Vigilance Committee to protect the rights of land owners, wrote an editorial in the Bulletin, September 30, 1882, that angered the Metis of the area.  The grant of land, south of Edmonton, to the Indians by Governor Morris at Fort Pitt is a great mistake.  The land in question will be of great value in the future and thousands of dollar's will be required to do what a few sacks of flour will do now.  This would not be the last time that Frank Oliver (1853-1933), son Allen Bowsfield, would attack the half-brothers of Lawrence Garneau, Metis.  This incident would contribute to Lawrence's decision to enter politics. 

October 14:  Fort Macleod Gazette reported a man named Bowies was lynched by the cowboys at Indian Basin because he refused to help put out a prairie fire.

October 19:   An Orange Lodge is formed in Edmonton. 

October 23:  Fort McLeod (Alberta), birth, Robert McEwen, son Peter McEwan and Mary Gladstone, b-1864.

October 23:  Fort McLeod (Alberta), birth, William McEwen, son Peter McEwan and Mary Gladstone, b-1864.

October 29:  Fort Calgary (Alberta),  A.R. Dyre a North West Mounted Police Constable wrote:  Fort Calgary is forty miles from British Columbia (50 miles as the crow fly's), Calgary is 102 miles from McLeod, the Commissioner and White are here from Ottawa, Captain McIllres is our commanding officer, Major Walsh is at Wood Mountain, 500 miles from here, we are going to have a dance and dinner, all the pretty half breed girls have been invited, Sergeant  Severn and Constable McDonald applied for discharge and got them, they leave tomorrow, our Sergeant Major is going to leave also, I hear

November:  Egg Lake (Alberta), birth Placide Beaudry son Narcisse Beaudry, b-1845 and Lucie Breland, born February 22, 1848 Red River

November 8:  Fort Calgary (Alberta),  a North West Mounted Police Constable wrote: I do like Calgary better than either Walsh or McLeod, as it is in a very pretty part of the country.  We moved into our new quarters on the 27th of Oct. having been in tents since the 3rd of June, the day we left the Missouri, and a day I'll never forget, as I nearly died for a drink of that common beverage called water, ugh it was awful.  We gave a grand ball to the civilians last Friday night.  We subscribed $250 and had the best supper ever given in this part of the country,  We had the barrack rooms decorated with bead work, mottoes made of cartridges, revolvers and rifles on the walls.  The music was two violins, a flute and banjo.  Our Captain opened the ball with a little half breed and then we danced till 12 o'clock and then had supper.  There was only one white woman and she was Dutch with hair like my tunic, and she had one side of her dress tacked up so as to show her white petticoat, but she showed her leg as well, up to the knee.  The boys got back from Blackfoot Crossing alright, only one shot being fired at them, which came near enough private Hutchinson's nose.  The C.P.R. is drawing nearer every day and will be here by next summer.  

December 9:  Lawrence Garneau, Metis, acted as interpreter in the court case of A. MacDonald vs. Xavier Plante.

December 15:  Lawrence Garneau, Metis, went with horses and grain to meet J. McDonald ,who is bringing Norris and Carney freight.

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ALBERTA HISTORY 1883-1886