GENEALOGY Islanders in the North West Mounted Police

An Officer will be at Davies Hotel, , between the 20th and 24th March for the purpose of engaging recruits for the North West Mounted Police. Applicants must be between the ages of twenty-two and forty and unmarried. Minimum height 5 feet 8 inches, minimum weight 175 lbs. Term of engage- ment 5 years. Applications should be addressed to the Recruiting Officer, N W M Police, Charlottetown. Signed Fred White, Comptroller.

Charlottetown Examiner, March 19, 1900

he North West Mounted Police T was established in 1873 to help administer the newly-acquired North West Territories; which at that time included Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nunavit, the Yukon and Northwest Territories and much of modern-day Manitoba. Unlike the small constab- ularies that policed many towns and cities, the NWMP* was modeled on a mounted rifle regiment - the first detachments were even armed with light artillery pieces. The original force of 300 officers and men was By Robert E. Pierce, CG increased to 500 in 1882, and 1000 following the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. ^ extended its presence into time decided to look for some of the National Archives in , the Yukon in the 1890s in response them in the eastern part of the coun- and they make fascinating read- to the discovery of gold there. As try. The inter- ing for genealogists and historians. thousands of prospectors poured views were held at the Davies Hotel, j_.aCj.i 111U.1V1u.ua1 o 111c i i i t i u u c o a into the territory, Ottawa increased owned by the then Federal Minister brief account of his career, however its police presence. By 1900, there of Marine and Fisheries, and MP short. Based on these records, here were 250 NWM policemen stationed for Queens County Sir Louis Henry are the men who answered that there. In response to these increased Davies. Lt. Col. W.S. Morris handled March 19, 1900 advertisement. Nine responsibilities, the force was look- the interviews, and though there is joined in Truro and Moncton, one ing for new recruits; and for the first no record of how many applied, 44 in Montreal, but most signed up in recruits from Prince Edward Island Charlottetown. They brought a vari- were soon on their way to NWMP ety of experiences to the NWMP: *In 1904 it was re-named the Royal North headquarters in Regina. butchers, farmers, labourers, stu- West Mounted Police. In 1920 it was merged Like any military-style bureau- dents, teachers, blacksmiths, clerks, with the Dominion Police to form the Royal cracy, as soon as a recruit was a cooper, a printer, a hotel keeper, a Canadian Mounted Police. accepted, a service file for him was livery stable hand and a painter. In opened. These files now reside at alphabetical order, they were: Leslie Edmund Baker in the shoulder with a shot gun, and John Learmont the injury led to the amputation of Born 1870 in New York, United Born 1876 in Freetown; son of his arm. His file contains several Joseph. Discharged in February States, son of Mrs Walter Casson letters regarding his case from his [Chaisson] of Souris. Discharged in 1901 to join the South African uncle Donald Farquharson, former Constabulary. 1905 at the end of his term. He was Premier and newly-elected MP for living in Souris when he enlisted Queens County, and from Sir Louis John Russell Bernard and technically should never have Davies, |pio was writing on behalf been accepted, as the NWMP recruit- Born 1878 in Long River, son of of Premier . ed only single men. Learmont never fames. Purchased his release in told them he was married with three March; 1902. John James Farrell children. Born 1878 in Lot 16, son of James. James Henry Blackett Enlisted in Moncton, New Brunswick. Frederick J. Lemon Born 1867 in Souris, son of John Discharged in 1902 after a year of Born 1878 in Montague, son of & Charlotte. Discharged in March, Yukon service - the NWMP allowed John. Enlisted in Truro, Nova Scotia. 1901 for medical reasons. officers to obtain a discharge before Discharged in 1902 after two years the end of their five year contract if of service in the Yukon. The 1901 Harry Cairns they served for a year in the Yukon. census lists him as "Frederick J. Born 1878 in Summerside, son of Farrell re-enlisted in 1903 and again Lennon.77 George. Enlisted in Truro, Nova in 1906. Discharged finally in 1907. Scotia. Dismissed on Feb 25, 1902 In 1914 he was practising as a veteri- William Henry Lowe for bad conduct. nary surgeon in Strathmore, Alberta, and inquired about re-enlisting. There Born 1886 in Charlottetown, son of Samuel Discharged in 1905 at the James Morley Constable was no indication in his file that he ever did end of his term. Born 1875 in Long River, son of Joseph. Discharged in 1905 at the Michael James Fitzgerald Louis Ivan A, MacDonald end of his term. Born 1876 in Conway, son of John Born 1877 in Montague, son of & Mary, Enlisted at Port Mulgrave, Austin C. Macdonald, MP for Kings John Cornfoot County Discharged in 1904. In May, n Nova Scotia. According to the 1901 Born 1879 * Charlottetown, son census, he was posted in the Yukon 1900 Prime Minister Laurier wrote of Alex & Euphemia. Discharged in in 1901. He drowned at White River, NWMP officials inquiring into recruit February, 1901 to join the South Yukon Territory on August 27, 1913. MacDonald's health - Louis had a African Constabulary cold and sore throat. He applied for James Gillis re-enlistment in 1932, and again Walter Alfred Crockett in 1942 but was denied both times Born 1875 in Murray Harbour, son Born 1877 in Pleasant Grove, son of because of age and the fact he was of Ewen. Enlisted in Moncton, New married. William F. Discharged in February, Brunswick. Discharged in 1902 after 1901 to join the South African a year of Yukon service but re-enlist- George Whitfield Macintosh Constabulary. ed in 1903 and stayed with the force until 1913. Born 1877 in Victoria, son of Charles Edwin Day C Discharged in 1902 after a year in Born 1879 in Victoria son of James. the Yukon. His Yukon posting was Deserted September 19,1900. arranged by his uncle, former MP Born 1881 in Charlottetown, son John H. Bell. of Albert. Discharged at the end of William Walter Davidson his term. Large was only 5 ft 2 in Donald James McCarthy Born 1877 in Charlottetown, son of tall - six inches shorter than the James D. Re-enlisted for one year at NWMP minimum, but because of Born 1877 in Souris, son of Captain the end of his term. Discharged in political pressure was still accepted. T. Enlisted in Montreal. He had risen March, 1906. Comptroller White, in a letter to Sir to the rank of Staff Sergeant by Louis Davies, referred to him "as 1907, but turned down a promotion Seymour Farquharson the midget you saw at the Railway to Sgt. Major and appears to have Station... when they were enroute to been blacklisted because of this. Born 1878 in Southport, son of the North West." He served primar- Discharged in 1907. Wallace. Discharged in March, ily as a bugler. Davies once referred 1902 for medical reasons. The 1901 to as "my little coronet.77 John McLennan census for the Yukon lists him as "Seymour Ferguson/' arid records Born 1877 at Park Corner, brother to 77 Robert Bruce Leard Tom. Released in May, 1901 as his his occupation as "Head of Leberge 77 at the very respectable salary of Born 1878 Victoria, son of Soloman services were "no longer desirable. $1000. While there, on October 21, J.B. Discharged in 1905 at the end of 1901, he accidentally shot himself his term. John Henry McLeod Cyrus Peters Sydney Smith

Born 1877 in Darlington; son of John Born 1870 in North Rustico, son of Born 1878 in Bloomfield, son T. Discharged in 1905 at the end of Nector. Deserted November 25, 1900. of William S., older brother of his term. About six months after Peters' enlist- Augustine (see above). Served in the ed, Comptroller White received let- Yukon but purchased his release in Alan Angus McMillan ters from Queens County MP James 1902. MacLean, Sir Louis Davies and even Born 1876 in Wood Islands; son of Ewen. Enlisted in Moncton, New Prime Minister Laurier inquiring George St. John Brunswick. Served in the Yukon, into the possibility of kn immedi- Born 1883 in Souris, son of Richard re-enlisted and rose to the rank of ate release. Even though Constable & Jane. Discharged in 1902 after a Sergeant. Purchased his release in Peters was 29, it was argued that he year's Yukon service. September, 1908. hadn't received his parents' permis- sion to join. In November, 1900 he Lemuel Stewart was given permission to go home Neil Matheson to visit his sick mother and was Born 1874 in Union Road, son Born 1877 in Flat River, son of Alex. listed as a deserter when he failed to of Charles. Purchased his release Discharged in 1905 at the end of return. in May after getting married in his term. MP D.A. MacKinnon tried December, 1902. unsuccessfully to have him pro- Hollace Henry Pickering moted. John Wakeland Born 1877 in St Eleanors, son of Born 1878, in Charlottetown, son of Thomas Matheson William* Enlisted in Moncton, New Brunswick. Dismissed in August, Thomas. Discharged in 1903 after Born 1878 in Charlottetown, son of 1901. being deemed unsuited for police Roderick. Enlisted in Truro, Nova work. Scotia. According to the census, he Arthur Waldron Roper was serving in the Yukon in 1901. James Huestis Watts Born 1877 in Charlottetown, son of Dismissed on September 17, 1903 Born 1873 in Highfield, son of for bad conduct. James. Discharged in 1902 after a year in the Yukon. jgj James. Purchased his release in 1902. Had tried to get out in 1901 because Charles Moore Leslie Ellsworth Seller his father was sick; his request was Born 1877 in Charlottetown, son of denied because of Royal escort John C. Deserted March 11, 1903. Born 1878 in Charlottetown, son of duties, Supposedly became infatuated with Mary Re-enlisted at end of term and a "sporting woman" whom he fol- discharged in 1907. George Leslie Webster lowed south. William Morley Seller Born 1877 in Charlottetown, son of David. Discharged in April, 1904. Alfred Daniel Mullin Born 1875 in Charlottetown, son of There are several letters on file from Born 1878 in Ten Mile House, son Mary, older brother of Leslie (see mother seeking his release. of Daniel. According to the census, above). Discharged in August, 1900. he served in the Yukon in 1901* Joseph John Westaway Purchased his release in 1904. Seller was requesting a discharge - he felt guilty to be deserting his Born 1877 in Montague, son of Roger. Purchased his release in Sidney Scott Munroe 1903. In later life he founded the Born 1882 in Alberry Plains, son Leslie Silliker John Westaway Society, dedicated to of Mrs. Jessie Munroe. Re-enlisted mental healing, with a $1.5 million and rose to the rank of Sergeant. Born 1877 in Georgetown, son of endowment. Discharged in 1908 to get married. Mrs. Boyer. Discharged in 1905 at He settled in Alberta and applied for the end of his term. James William White re-engagement in 1940. Though he Augustine Smith Born 1878 in Charlottetown, son of was turned down, he was offered a George. Drowned on June 28, 1903 special constable position which he Born 1874 in Bloomfield, son of near Tantalus on the Yukon River. held until 1952. William S. Enlisted in Truro, Nova Scotia. Discharged in 1902 after one year's Yukon service.

10 The census for 1901 shows 14 attached to the com- Islanders serving in the NWMP in mand of Colonel the Yukon. Among them were two Otter, Constable who had joined the force before MacDonald served 1900. Constable Arthur William through the thick of Piggott, born 1876 in Mount Stewart; the Riel Rebellion was the son of M. Piggott. In 1899 of 1885. In 1894 he he was living in Moose Jaw, NWT was promoted, with when he submitted an application Louis Davies' assis- via Sir Louis Davies. After failing the tance, to Corporal; medical twice he was admitted as a in 1900 to Sergeant; special constable for two months, at and in April 1907 a pay rate of 504 per diem. He was he was promoted to then taken on the regular roll and Inspector, a rank he served until 1903. Also in the Yukon held until his retire- at that time was Sergeant John ment on August 31, Alexander MacDonald, probably 1922 after 39 years the first Islander in the ranks of the and 134 days of North West Mounted Police. Born in almost continuous Souris East in 1866, he was the son service. of Ronald and Ellen (Pendergast) The service files NWMP officers at Lake Bennett, Yukon Territory, MacDonald. In 1882 he was work- also give a glimpse C1899. ing in Montreal as a mail carrier into "how things got when he decided to enlist - family done" in the public tradition has it that he "ran away to service at that time, with politicians Webster, and the "fusillade of let- join the Scarlet and Red/7 He must constantly interceding on their ters" being fired by Webster's moth- have given an incorrect age as his constituents' behalf. In addition er and Sir Louis, now a Justice of the medical sheet dated April 28, 1882 to MPs like James MacLean and Supreme Court, asking for Constable lists his age as 18 years 8 months. Donald Farquharson, an Islander's Webster's early release. Posted to the NWMP contingent most influential friend in Ottawa Was Comptroller White's exas- was Sir Louis Henry peration merited? A summary of Davies. Rarely is there a their service files shows that 11 - or file that doesn't have at one quarter of the original enlist- least one letter from him ment - were more trouble than they to NWMP Comptroller were worth. Three deserted, two Fred White, "recom- were discharged for bad conduct mending" some action and six received an early discharge on behalf of one of the after what was probably an unusual Island recruits. The men degree of political interference. signed a five-year term However, the other recruits fared in the force, but anyone better. Fifteen served their term, who discovered that life and of these seven re-enlisted. Six in the NWMP was not purchased early release, three were for him could generally given permission to enlist in the get a release by paying South African Constabulary, two for the trip expense to were given a medical discharge, and Regina, a penalty for the two died while on service. An adven- term-time remaining, or ture for some; a disaster for others. most importantly having An interesting story, all in all. a letter from Minister Davies. A letter from Davies could also speed Sources up a promotion or trans- fer. Such constant politi- Most of the information for this article cal interference seemed was gleaned from the individual files to wear on Comptroller which are held at the National Archives, The Honourable Mr. Justice Sir Louis Henry Davies, White. "I hope it will be primarily in RG 18, vol 3417. Group 18, 1903. Sir Louis was the most powerful of the a long time before we Volume 18 at the National Archives in federal and provincial politicians that an Island have to recruit in the Ottawa includes the names of the men who signed with the force as a result recruit could appeal to. For more on Sir Louis, see: East again," he wrote to "The Island Knight; A Sketch of the Rt. Hon. Sir of the recruitment in 1900. Also, the a Major Perry in 1904. assistance of surviving relatives must be Louis Henry Davies/' in The Island Magazine #47, He was commenting acknowledged, in particular Jean Gaunt Spring/Summer, 2000. on the case of George of Vancouver.

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