HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF LETHBRIDGE BRANCH

Number 1 NEWSLSTTBR February, 196?

Alex Johnston, President Andrew Staysko, Vlce-Pres. Mrs. Lucille Dalke, Treasurer Dues, including subscription to the Alberta Historical Review, S3»00 per year. Send to: HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BOX 97^, LFTHBRIDGE.

The Lethbridge and District Historical Society seeks new members, members who are interested in the history of southern Alberta and who wish to preserve It. The Society has as Its main projects the development of the Sir Alexander Gait Museum, the writing of local history, the preservation of historic sites and landmarks, and the promotion of an interest in Alberta's history. Two books have been published: "The Battle at Belly River" and "Boats and Barges on the Belly", The Society sponsors summer field tours to hls'torlc places of interest and winter monthly meetings at which papers are presented.

On February 25, 196?, the annual meeting of the Historical Society of Alberta will be held in Lethbridge, Both the afternoon business session and the evening banquet will be held in the Alberta Room, El Rancho Motor Hotel, The afternoon business session will start at 2:00 p. m., the evening banquet at 7:00 p. m. Tickets to the latter are $2.50 per plate. All members and any Interested guests are welcome to attend the afternoon and evening activities,

WATERTON LAKES We associate Waterton Lakes with that gentleman-adventurer, John George "Kootenai" Brown, whose story has been told by Canon S, Mlddleton and others. But Kootenai Brown was not the first to see and appreciate Lethbridge*s favorite summer resort. Waterton was known to the Indians as A-kwote-katl-nam and this name appeared on the maps of the first International Boundary Commission of 1857-61. (The lake was shown as "Waterton Lake" on the maps of the International Boundary Commission of 1872-74.) Waterton was traversed annually for many generations by the Kootenai Indians who crossed the Continental Divide by the South Kootenay Pass to hunt buffalo on the eastern side of the mountains. The first reference to the name "Waterton" appeared in a "Report on the exploration of the Kootanle and Boundary Passes of the Rocky Mountains In 1858" by Lieutenant Thomas Blakiston of the Palliser Expedition. The report was written at Fort Carlton, In It Blakiston described his crossing of the South Kootenay Pass and said, "After two hours travelling on level ground along Red-stone Creek we emerged on the Saskatchewan Plains, Just six ... miles north of the 49th parallel, and camped at Waterton Lakes, two miles east of the mouth of the pass." (Blakiston named the Galton Range, Castle Mountain, Gould's Dome, and Livingston's Range, as well as Waterton Lakes, on this trip.) George M. Dawson, an early geologist, said In a 1884 report: "Waterton Lake (also Chief Mountain Lake, sometimes erroneously called Kootenai Lake), The name Waterton has appeared on maps for 25 years but of late some confusion has arisen because recent settlers called it the Kootenai; the latter name has even appeared on some maps. There is nothing to be said in favor of this change and the name already in use should be retained," Who was the Waterton after whom the lakes, river, town, and park were named? Squire Charles Waterton (1782-1865), of Walton-hall, In the County of York, was a well-known eccentric and naturalist of 19th century England, We don't know if he was acquainted with Lieut. Blakiston but the latter, because of the small scientific community of the day, must have seen and known of Waterton, Waterton was best-known as a naturalist and made several trips to South America in search of rare birds and animals; these he later mounted for display. In 1839 he published a book, "Wanderings In South America, the North-West of the United States, and the Antilles, In the years 1812, 1816, 1820, & 1824, with original instructions for the perfect preservation of birds &c, for cabinets of natural history," The book described Journeys to Dutch and Portuguese Guiana, Brazil and the United States, On the latter trip he travelled to Niagara Palls and went on to Montreal and Quebec before returning to New York and England, This was the only time he visited Canada and, of course, he never saw the lovely lakes and river that were to bear his name, Waterton had a few strange characteristics. He customarily travelled about the forests of South America in his bare feet and described, in his book, of how each night he removed insects, slivers, stones, and bits of flesh from his feet with a pocket knife. He never seemed to carry firearms and fearlessly tackled snakes and other animals with his bare hands. He was Insatiably curious and would stop at nothing to obtain useful information, A few comments from his book show these characteristics, "I had often wished to have been once sucked by the vampire, in order to have it in my power to say it had really happened to me .,. Many a night have I slept with my foot out of the hammock to tempt this winged surgeon; but it was all in vain; the vampire never sucked me, and I could never account for his not having done so, for we were Inhabitants in the same loft for months." "I once caught a fine labarrl poisonous snake , and made It bite Itself, I forced the poisonous fang Into Its belly. In a few minutes I thought It was going to die, for It appeared dull and heavy. However, In half an hour's time he was as brisk and vigorous as ever, and in the course of a day showed no symptoms of being affected," "I ,,. Jumped on his alligator, or cayman's back, turning half around as I vaulted, so that I gained my seat with my face in a right position, I immediately seized his forelegs, and, by main force, twisted them on his back; thus they served me as a bridle ,,, He began to plunge furiously and lashed the sand with his long and powerful tail. I was out of the reach of the strokes of it, being near his head. He continued to plunge and strike, and made my seat very uncomfortable ... It was the first and last time I was ever on a cayman's back. Should it be asked, how I managed to keep my seat, I would answer—I hunted some years with Lord Darlington's hounds."

On a trip to Buffalo, N, Y,, Waterton stepped out of the stage and sprained his ankle on the rough road. He had sprained an ankle some years previously and his doctor at that time told him to hold it under a pump two or three times a day. Charles Waterton (I782-I865), from a painting by C. W. Peale 1824, courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London. Thus when he saw Niagara Falls a day or two later, his first thought was to hold his sprained foot under the fall, "I descended the winding staircase .,. and hobbled to the scene of action. As I held my leg under the fall, I tried to meditate on the immense difference there was betwixt a house pump and this tremendous cascade of nature, and what effect it might have upon the sprain; but the magnitude of the subject was too overwhelming, and I was oblidged to drop it," After his third voyage to South America, Waterton*s cargo of specimens was held up by Customs, His relations with Customs officers had been excellent but on this occasion, "... another officer entered the cabin. He was an entire stranger to me, and seemed wonderfully aware of his own consequence ... He abruptly declared himself dissatisfied with the valuation which the gentlemen of the Customs had put upon the collection, and sald''he must detain It." It was some weeks before the collection was released and then only after pajrment of additional duty. Waterton was much annoyed at the Incident and had a unique revenge. He was a skilled taxidermist and had a specimen on hand of a howler monkey from South America. He mounted one of these, dressed it in fashionable clothes, and gave its face a resemblence to the Customs officer who had displeased hlm_. And then he displayed it in a London club as an example to other over-zealous officers.

At home, Waterton liked to crouch In his hallway and, when guests entered, to snarl like a dog and to sink his teeth Into their ankles* He was an ardent Roman Catholic and spent much time in the extermination of black riats, arguing that they had been smuggled Into England by Hanoverian Protestants. Once he established a sanctuary for magpies, crows, and buzzards, as he thought that these birds had been discriminated against. Ee seldom wore shoes, unlesis indoors, and contended quite seriously that no one could climb trees properly unless bare-footed. He never persuaded his friends to stop wearing shoes, however, even though he used to demonstrate the ease with which he could scratch the back of his head with his naked big toe. Nor did his friends adopt his habit of sleeping on the floor with his head resting on a wooden block. But he was a great favorite with all who knew him. "He would come out to welcome me," wrote one of his friends, "In Clippers and prove his pleasure by actually dancing dpwn the whole length, of the broad flagged walk, occasionally throwing one.of his loose slippers from his foot high In the air and expertly catching it in his hand on its descent. The wetness of the flagstones never constituted any Impediment with Mr, Waterton, even When he was approaching his eightieth year." * Dennis, Nigel, A treasury of ecoehtrics. Life, December 2, 1957. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ALBERTA LETHBRIDGE BRANCH

Number 2 NEWSLETTER May, 1967

Alex Johnston, President Bruce Haig, Secretary Andrew Staysko, Vice-President Lucille Ualke, Treasurer

Dues, including a subscription to the Alberta Historical Review, $3.00 per year.

Send -to:

HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BOX 97k, LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA

INDIAN PLACE NAMES

It is regrettable that only a handful of Indian names have been perpetua-fced in southern Alberta. These include: Oko-toks, the rocky or stony crossing^ Etzikom, the big valley or couleej Pakowki, bad water lake; and, Pekisko, rolling hills. Others have survived in translation: Ifedicine Hat, from; the Blackfoot "saamis" or "where the medicine man lost his hat", the Sioux "paquapi" or "a hat on his hesid", or the Cree "nay-ye-o" or "the hat on the breast"; Seven Persons, from "kit-tsuki-a-tapi" or "the place where seven ersons were found dead"j Hand Hills, from the Cree "JCchichi" or "Little Hand", the name mof a chief -with a -withered arm, killed in a fight -with the Blackfootj Porcupine Hills, from"ky-es-kaghp-ogh-suy-iss" or "the porcupine's tail"j and. Chin, from the Blackfoot "mlsto-amo" or "beard", referring to Chin But-te. Mai^r Indian names have been forgotten by the European settlers. And we have lost something that -would have ln5)arted charac-ter to this land and made it an even more interesting place to live in or to -visit.

The coit?)ilation that follows was taken from the -writings of George Misrcer Dawson, a geol­ ogist and naturalist who surveyed much of Western Canada in the seventies and eighties. Included are Blackfoot names of a number of places in and Belly River districts, many in the -vicinity of the Rocky Mountains. Dawson went on to say, "The names in these lists were received from Mr. J. C Nelson, who, in association -with Mr. A. P. Patrick, was during several years engaged in surveys in the North-West. The phonetic values of the letters are not sta-ted, and I have not ventured by transliteration to make the orthography conform to any phonetic system. It appears, neverthless, desirable to place the original Indian names of places on record as far as possible."

Locality, or English Blackfoot Literal Mssming Equivalent

Slide Out eh-plt- seh-t-zoaskoi Point of timber running out Big Island (At forks of oh-max'lnay Belly and Waterton) ^.little Owl Lake (middle of se-pis-to-maxi-kimmi The lake in the pound Waterton Lake) Little namagh-ty Naked river Seven Persons River ikitsika-etapix Con't.

Locality, or English Blackfoot Literal Meaning Equivalent

Buffalo Fat Pound Coulee (on pomi-piskan-kawagh-kway the Belly River, 5 miles above Standoff) On river l^g miles below Fort nimex The bank abreast of the wind Macleod Whoop Up akka'-inow-skway Many Blood Indians died Forks of the Bow and Belly omak- e taow- towughty Big forks (Oldman) Rivers The Elbow moki-nist-sis Near Coal Banks—now Leth­ mek-kio-towaghs Painted Rock bridge . Elbow of Belly (Oldman) akka-kima-toskway Many -woodpeckers River, 30 ndles east of the Coal Banks The Chin misto-amo The beard Belly River mokowanls-etughty Belly- Butte mo-ko-an-etomo Turnip Butte mas'-etomo Ridge between Waterton and si toko-pawaghkway The ridge between the rivers Belly Rivers Blackfoot Crossing soyo gh-pawaghkway Ridge below the water Drift-wood Bend akka-kowatchis-kway Drift-wood place Above Coal Banks, right bank asslnl-etomotchi Where they slaughtered the Crees Scabby Butte api-kimraikway The Valley, south of Chin etzi-kom Coulee About 35 miles below Black­ nitzi-tohtzi-pekiskway Little rolling hills by the foot Crossing on the Bow river Beaver Creek kak-ghik-stakiskway Where the beaver cuts wood Crow Lodge Creek (enters Old- ataw-is-toik-akawpi or The lodges with crows painted man opposite Peigan Agency) mastowisto-ek-oka-pi South-east spur of the otsi-tchiksis-apikimikway The ridge that slopes do-wn to Porcupine Hills the river Badlands near mouth of Bow agh-pao-tagh-ka Ground over ground River Long Lake (at junction of eno-kimi Chin and Seven Persons coulees) The Big Cairn (near mouth of oh-maki-ya-kotop or Bow River) oh-max-oko-tok Parflesh Creek (Crowfoot eht-si-manis Creek) Thigh Hills motukslna Thigh flesh Snake Creek ak'-ustsik-siniskway Place of many snakes Arrow-wood Creek nehts-ziks-kway Arrow-wood place The Beautiful Butte (near ists-sa-natskindJcway The beautifyl hill that can Piyami Coulee) be seen from afar Picture Butte a-natskimikway The beautiful hill Seven miles above Whoop Up ehts-sin-no-kaka Where they hunt the elk Three miles above Fort Kipp eh-issa-kaehko Left hand cutbank Con't

Locality, or English Blackfoot literal Meaning Equivalent

Rocky Mountains mis-tokis Porcupine Hills ky-es-kaghp-oghsuyiss Porcupine Tail Rocky Buttes (between St. okotok-skway Mary's and Belly Rivers) s t amljc-0 tokan-oko wy Bull's Head's home Fort mok-kinistsis-in' aka-apewis The Elbow's many houses Bad Water Lake pak-oghkee St. Mary River opoghto-maxi-kimi-'tughty South Big Lake River Oldman River napia-otzi-kagh-tzipi or (The river the Old Man played natok-kiokas upon,) Milk River kinok-kxis-ughty Little river Highwood or High River spitzii (High scenery) Fish Creek stokan Mi9dicine Lodge Sweet Grass Hills katoyis (Sweet pine) Hand Hills oht-tchls-tchis Strawberry Hills The Nose (above Calgary) mok-sls-sls Big Hill (east of Calgary) o-muk-etomo Egg Lake (in Hand Hills) aka-'waskway Many eggs place Eneny's Pound (on east side pinotzi-piskan of Porcupine Hills) Tasting Lake (east side of mata-pokway Porcupine Hills) Buffalo Pound Creek (east ehtzi-pak- si-kini-ka-wts Where we smashed their heads side of Porcupine Hills) in the mud Wolf's Peak (fo-ur miles muk-kwy-otchekan above Whoop Up) Ghost Poiind (east side of staow-piskan Porcupine Hills) Woman's Pound aki-piskan'or Woman's Pound nehts-is-omipe Where we approached the enemy Blood-green-water Lake (on or near Chin Coulee) kinaow-oghkee-komino-was Peigan green-water Lake (on or near Chin Coulee) peigani-oghkee-komino-was Middle Heights (between Mos­ quito Creek and High River) sitook-spagkway Mosquito Creek White Willow place Grassy Lake pak-si-may-so-yiskway Rocky Coulee (12 east of moyi-kimi Miacleod, on Oldman River) ah-mistokiskway Sheep Creek okotokxi-etughty Rocky River The Drifting Sand Hills (on kasapo-spatchikway Bow River, above Blackfoot Crossing) Many Berries Creek (runs out aka-ehni skway of Bad, Water Lake) Sun Dial Hill onoka-katzi Chief Mountain nina-stokis Hunting Hill Coulee (on Bow, sah-a-misapi-kawaghway below Big Cairn) The Ford of the Drowned (on eh-ty-nehts-ope-piney Where we were drowned Saskatchewan, above Mo Hat) uon't. Location, or English Blackfoot Literal Ifeaning EqTxivalent

The Gap (in Cypress Hills) a-ygh-klmi-kway Medicine Hat sah-a-rais The Great Sand Hills (north omaxi-spatchikway of Cypress Hills) The Middle Sand Hills (be­ sitoko'-spatchikway tween Red Deer and Saskatchewan Rivers Large Lake, north of Cypress aka-' amuskis-skway or Many Lizards or Many Islands Hills aka-naywass Lake Ghost's House (30 miles NE sta'-ape-wis of Cypress Hills) Elk-water Lake ponoka-oghkee Fort Walsh a-ygh-kimi-kway-in-aka-apewis Edmonton amakoMis The Big House Neutral Hills kghx-yx North Saskatchewan River omaka-ty •Big River Country beyond the mountains sat-tos Across the mountains Missouri River amiskapo'omakaty Big South River Fort Benton araiska-poghts-aka-ape-wis South Many Houses

(Names obtained by Dawson from Blood Indians known as Bull Shield and Button Chief:)

St. Mary River pa-toxi-a-pis-kun Banks damming the river Belly River mo-ko-un-se-te-ta Chief Mbimtaln min-ai-sto-kwa Old Man River na-to-ke-okos Two medicine lodge Pincher Creek in-oks-spit-zi little high wood river Willow Creek stai-a-pis-kun Milk River Ridge am-uh-pow- ekwi Belly Butte mo-ko-ons The Belly Cypress Hills ai-ekun-ekwe Hog's Back (southern ext­ sitoko-pawaghko ension of Porcupine Hills) Waterton Lake a-kwote-katl-nam

Many additional Indian names can be found in the Palliser Report, in Place Names of Alberta, and in various issues of the Alberta Historical Review. RANCH

THE KINSMEN CLUB of LETHBRIDGE

Number 3 FORT WHOOP-UP RECONSTRUCTION CENTENMIAL PROJECT July, 196?

Significance of Fort Whoop-up

For the first time in nearly 100 years the Whoop-up flag flies over southern Alberta.

Fort Whoop-up represented the begiiudngs of commerce in what is now southern Alberta. From the late 1860'B until about 1865, the business life of this area moved in a north-south direction. Early ranch enterprises were financed by banks in Helena, goods came In-to this country by bull train from Fort Benton, even let-bers posted here bore a I]^ted States pos-tage stanp.

More Inpor-tant, the mere presence of Fort Whoop-up had much -bo do with the formation of the North-West Jbunted Police. Tl3a> Cypress Hills Massacre of 1873 was the final event in a decade of lawlessness that forced the govenunent to create a mounted police force to bring law and order to the Canadian West. This newly-created force marched westward in 187U, their primary goal the subjugation of Fort Whoop-up and the sx^pression of the illegal whiskey trade. When Col, Janes F. Macleod entered ' the fort on October 9, 1874> unsuccessfully searched It for contraband tdiiskey and hauled down the Whoop-x:^ flag> the whiskey trade, for all practical purposes, ended.

The coit^iaratlvely peaceful pattern of development achieved In the Canadian West was a result of the presence of the Ifounted Police. Not only was Foirt Whoop-x^ the dea- tination of the main Police force on its march west, but except for a disagreement over price, it woxild have becoiUB the first Police headquarters. Col. Macleod felt that he had reached the centre of the area idiere the need for Pbllce was greatest, for following the falltire to purchase Fort Whoop-up he moved only a few miles farther before building a headquarters.

Further, while difficult -to document. It Is possible that^ had the Police not axrlved vbsn they did, the southern plains might have been annexed hy the United States.

This is the real significance of Fort Whoop-\ip. It was much more t^ian a place vhere drunken whites and Indians caroused and fought. It was the progenitor of commerce in southern Alberta and to It we owe the orderly settlement of. this land. It was a direct cause of the formation of the North-West Maun-ted Police, now the Royal Canadian Msunted Police, a force that has come to i^plfy Canada in the minds of people from other lands. It is a story of national historic significance. The Whoop-up Flag

The flag at the masthead flew over the notorious Fort Whoop-ttp during the period 1869-187i;o It was hauled down for the last time by Col. James F. Macleod, North- West MD-unted Police, when he searched the Fort for contraband whiskey on the 9th October, 1871;.

Conteii5)orary viewers thought that the flag was the American "Stars and Stripes"} a picture shows clearly that it was not. But, since BKjst observers thought that it was the United States national flag, it seems likely that the colors of the flags were the same. The one existii^ picture and this asstragption as to color were used in drawing up the present design.

Flags -were in common use among the fur traders as a kind of trade mark. They provided a symbol that was easily recognized by the Indi.ans who were then able to relate the particular flag with a particular trader or conqjany. In the latter days of the f-ur trade, unscrupulous indi-vid\ials sometimes increased their trade by using the flags of more reputable firms.

Naming of Fort Whoop-up

The naming of Fort Whoop-up is traceable to a Frenchman named Charles Choquette, who freighted from Fort Benton to what was then Fort Hamilton. Choquette did not know much English, and whenever he learned a -word he had a habit of repeating it over and over. There was an eighty-mile barren stre-tch between Fort Benton and Fort Hamilton, and it was a dread to the outfits that made the trip. One night Choquette was drawing near to the fortj his outfit was tired and lagging, and the others were congjlaining, including Charlie. Finally soiraone said: "Let's whoop up and get to the fort." This struck Charlie as a good phrase, and he kept repeating it now and then. As they neared the fort he yelled "l^Jhoqp Up", and it became a byword. —Lethbridge Herald, Sept. 17, 1912.

Whoop-up Days

The soiirce of Whoop-up's reputation ss a irendezvous of bad men is traceable to a San Diego, California, newspaper. The story must have been more than a colujnn, and was about as lurid as imagination could make it. It said that Fort Whoop-up was the rendezvous of the bloodiest band of cut-throats that ever went unhung, including escaped convicts, murders, renegades, and that ilk, who pillaged and murdered Indians, stole horses and cattle, and did many other things equally as bad. It is true that there were such msn along the border at that tims, but they were not a part of those who made the fort their headquarters.

At no time were there more than sixty men at the post, and in most cases five or six traders was all that remained when the trappers and -wolfers -were out seeking pelts.

In those days it was policy to be on good terms with the Indians, as we -traders were doing a good business and desired that friendly relations remain unbroken. About all the Indian killing that was done was by the wolfers who killed btiffalo, poisoned the carcasses and then gathered the wolf pelts. Some Indians made it a practice to follow up the -traps and poisoned nesat and gather the hides before the wolfer could come up. Whenever they aaw an Indian s-tealing they pot-shotted him, and if other Indians took tcp the fight the trappers took refuge in the fort. There were stirring times along the border about that time, and many men who were not willing to have their past investigated, but contrary to popular belief. Fort Whoop­ up was not the gathering place for them, but the home of traders and trappers. —Fred Kanouse In, Lethbridge Herald, September 17, 1912

The Fort in 1873

*' Presently we looked down upon the Junction of the Sti Mary's and Belly Rivers, two deep valleys quite well timbered, with fine bottom lands and prairie intersecting. The scene was rather picturesque ... here was the fort, strongly built of poplar and cottonwood logs and further down there was another post. Whoop-up itself belonged to Healy and Hamilton and the other post -fco a Mr. Weatherwax or, as the boys called him, "Old Waxy." ... At Whoop-up I had again come across ny old friend Gladstone. It was ten or eleven years since vre were on the Saskatchewan together. I modestly enquired about him of a much-aiTiBd denizen of Whoop-up. "You mean Old Glad! Coros heret" and ny friend shifted his rifle to the other hand and linked th© released one into ny arm and led me across the square to the blacksmith's bhop where, in dust and sweat and grime, here was Old Glad. "I say. Glad, here is a gentleman askirCg for you!" Glad let up on the bellow and looked at me and for a little did not recogidze me, his old friend. Then, "Is it you, John?" And at once he gripped me -with both hands and introduced me to the crowd that had gathered as the Reverend John MiDougall of the far north, and we shook hands all around most heartily."

* * *

Crossing the Belly Elver, we rode xrp to the fort. We found the gate shut and Very little sign of humanity around. But presently the gate opened to us and we entered. Joseph Hea3y was in charge and had but one man with him for at -this time the .others were away interviewing members of the Boundary Commission ... "Unbuckle and lay off your armoury for the moment. Parson John," was his kind injunction to myself ,and while we were at lunch he discussed the sitiiation from his standpoint, .i. There was not much need for govenunent intervention in this country. He and his :frlends had been able to keep the rougher element out. For instance, there was So-and-iso. He came in and was going to run things. He lies under the sod at Standoff;. And there was So-and-so. He had aspira-tions and we stretched him beside the firs^i- And there was So-and-so. He went wild and -we laid him out at Freezeout. And soipe more at Slideout. These bad men could not live in this country. We siJi5)ly Qpiild .not allow it. "No, Parson John, we did not let any really bad men stay in this Whoop-up region," Thus my friend did argue and conclude that the government' s action was not needed. However, I read him iry instructions. He drew a long breath and gave a solemn sigh of resignation. '''

APPEAL FOR HISTORICAL MATERIAIS

Our hope is to make the re-constructed Fort Whoop-iqp into a Museum of the Plains Indian and of the 1869-1874 "whiskey" -trading period. We appeal for historical materials that will serve to commemorate these people and this period.

Historical materials will be received throtigh the Sir Alexander Gait Museiam and will become the property of, or be loaned to, the City of Lethbridge. The Gait I&seum la loca-ted at the North Entrance, Gait Building, west end of 5th Avenue South. The phone ntmiber is 328-6455 • All donations or loans will be acknowledgedj exhibits -sdll be identified,as to the donor. o<^ Aky f^

^yP^ J^ . c<^^'*7 ^sfi'^

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Ai^ wUtri'LL l^ -ijKJt.UJL^^ J^JJMA>^>JI^ HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ALBERTA LETHBRIDGE BRANCH

Number k NEWSLETTER August, I967

Alex Johnston, President Bruce Haig, Secretary Andrew Staysko, Vice-President Lucille Dalke, Treasurer Dues, including a subscription to the"Alberta Historical Review, $3.00 per year Send to: HISTORICAL SOCIETY, BOX 974, LETHBHIDCai, ALBERTA

October Ifeeting of Society.—The October meeting of the Lethbridge Branch, Historical Society of Alberta, will be held on Tuesday, October 24, at 8:00 p. m. in the Sir Alexander Gait Museum. We are fortunate in that H-ugh A. Denysey, Acting Technical Director, Qlenbo-^f-Alberta Institu-te, has accep-bed oiu" invitation to speak at the meeting. His topic -will be "The Indian and Cultural Conflict." Mr. Dempsey was until recently the Archivist, Qlenbow Foundation (Glenbow-Alberta Institute). He brings a wealth of experience and ability -to the field of historical research. He has contributed to many historical and trade Journals and has published several papers. Two of the lat-ter, familiar to Lethbridge readers, are "A Blackfoot Winter Count" and "Jerry Potts, Plainsman." He is a Past President of the Historical Society of Alberta and is Editor of the Alberta His-borical Review. He is closely associated -with many Indian organizations and is a recognized authority on the history and customs of the Plains Indian, especially the Blackfoot. Hugh Deitpsey was bom at Edgerton, Alberta, and spent several years on the staff of the Edmonton "Bulletin." He is an original eiaplojee of the Qlenbow Foundation and deserves much of the credit for the success of that organization. Plan now to attend the October 24 meeting. And bring along an interested friend. November Meeting of the Society.—The November 28 meeting of the Society usually takes the form of an annual business meeting and election of officers. It -will conform to this general format again this year but -with some changes. We hope to be able to mimeograph the reports of the President, Treasurer,. *and. Museum Committee Chairman and to put them into your hands prior to tp,e meeting. A Nominating Committee -will bring forward a slate of officers. But plpa-se give some thought to the election of officers and, if you wish, make suggestions to the Nominating,Committee or nominate from the floor. Recomii»ndations for Historical Society awards and resolutions for.the annual meeting of the Provincial Society should be brought forward at the November meeting. Ample time will be left for a program. We have arranged for a showing of the film "Land of the Big Blue Sky", prepared by a Calgary conspanj for use in tourist promot­ ion. It has been classed as an -"Educational" film hy the National Film Board and will get world-wide distribution by the- Board, > •• ' The film was made in the Lethbridge-Watertori area of southwestern Alberta. It shows places that you all know and apprecia-be. But it is an unusual experience to see them anew through the eyes of "the camera. Tou will be even more proud of this land of ours after you view the film.

Museum.—George M:Killop, Curator of the Museum, has been recuperating at home for the past few -weeks, liiseum affairs have been capably carried on by Andy Staysko and Clarence Geiger, with an assist from several others-^Mrs. Lucille Dalke, George Watson^ Major Bennett.

The Museum was open 7 days per -week during the period July 1-Sep"teraber. 15* It is now back on the win-ber schedule—2-5 p. m., Wednesdays and Sundays.

The Museum has become a favorite place to take visiting friends. About 1500 people viewed the exhibits during the mon-ths of J\ily and August..

Alberta—A Natural History.—The Historical Society of Alberta was one of several learned societies involved in the sponsoring of this book. The book Itself was a Centennial project of several Alberta Utilities. It is an invaluable reference pn the natural and human histoiy of Alberta and written in language that a layman can readily understand. The book was heavily subsidized by the sponsoring companies and was Jiadfi available to -the public at a fraction of its real cost.

The s-bory that follows was received from Katherine M:Nab, now of 308 Lakeshore Drive, Penticton, British Columbia. The story appeared in the Montreal Star and Weekly Herald about 50 years ago and is based on the shooting of Dave Akers by Tom Purcell. Ka-Uierine M:Nab grew up on a ranch within sight of old Fort Whoop-up, where Akers had squatted, and the characters in the story were familiar -bo her.

NEMESIS, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL

by Katherine McNab

"Guilty of manslaughter with recommendations for mercy, " was the verdict of the Jury, and looking at the silvery hair of the prisoner, the Judge pro­ nounced the sentence, "Three years." "Got off pretty easy, but even three year'11 about finish 'Old Tom'," remarked Paddy, scuffling along in moccasins—Paddy -bhe squawman, the cleverest horse-thief of the south, Paddy the Irishman -with -bhe euphonious name which he signed in a fine flo-wing hand, the only indication of his aristocratic origin. "Oh, mon, ye couldn' kill that old reprobate. He'll live to poot anither mon or -twa cot o' the way yet." This from pugnacious Scotty, his large square--toed brogues enphaslzing his -words as he stamped out of the court room. Scotty had a profound disdain for all ways that -were crooked and his reputation as a figh-ber made it safe for him to express his -views. "By gad, you know," piped up George, the curly-headed dude, mincing along on high-heeled riding-boots, "they say he killed -three men on the other side. One chap told me...." "Oh, George, you know there isna' a blamed -word o' -truth in any o' your yams, so save your wind," interrup-bed Scotty, A stranger who had dropped in-bo the court room and heard the last of the trial and the foregoing remarks, inquired as -bo the circums-bances from an old timer who sat stmning himself on -the ho-bel verandah. Glad -bo spin a yarn to an in-beres-bed lis-bener, the lat-ber moved his quid -bo the other cheek, hois-bed his feet a little higher, spat, and began:— "Well, s-branger, it was this way. Tears ago when there was nothing much but Injuns and Mounties a-rangin' on these here prairies, old Da-vie Aker lived at Fort Whoopup. At one time it had been a N.W.M,P, post. Like most of the whites in them days, old Dave was a squaw man and lived by a little horse- tradin' and also, ha-ving a streak of Dutch in him, by growin' a little garden truck. "He was a good-natured old cuss most along, and well liked by people in general, but a devil when riled up proper. He hailed from Uncle Sam's domain and had the Tankee stanp of long legs, poin-bed tuskers and slow drawl. "One day, along Jabout sundo-wn, up s-trays an old silver -top. Just drif-bed in from across the line—most of them did in those days. On first sight, -with his long black coat and white beard he looked some like he -was an evangelist or a pa-bent medicine stumper, but when he got -fco -balkin' you sure shunted them ideas. "Well, it tvuned out he was dead bus-bed and old Davie's weakness is hospitality, what's his is everybody's, so old silver -bop turned his rawboned buckskin loose with a hobble, chucked his blanket in a comer and made himself •to hOBE. "Well, Siree, I happened -bo be putting vp -bhere that night and we all rolled in-bo o-ur blankets in a room of the old fort and was soon all snorin' fit -bo rasp the nerves of a berkshire, when we sat bolt upright, plumb stiffened, by a noise like ten cayuses pulling back on ihe lassoo. There in his comer sat old Silvertop, a draggin' at his collar under one ear, his "bongue out, eyes startin' and colour darkenin'. Sure as taxes, he was in a nightmare, a danglin' from a tree I It was some guresome but we now had a hunch why he was driftin' north. Well, old Davie felt sorry for the old cuss and let him hang around. He stayed on for years doin' a little smugglin', -tradln' a little, raisin' a herd of cattle along with Da-vie, and right here's where the trouble began. That herd sure did grow qtdck. Every blamed cow had twins every year. Stringin' you, stranger? Oh, no, you see some other fellow's cows had no calves at all when it came to brandin' time. Now, there came a time when things wasn't goin' so smooth and to make matters worse, Davie's bet-ber half departed -with the two kids to the -beepee of her father and neither threats nor coaxin' would bring her back. Ba-bchin' and sharin' household dooties -wasn't irapro-vln' dispositions none, especially as Silvertop and work wasn't on speakin' -terms. So old Silver-bop reckoned he'd take a ranch of his own, and with the help of a young cow puncher he'd picked up, he built himself a shack up on Pot Hole Coulee and took vsp residence there, as -bhe papers say. Now, when they came -bo splittin' the herd they all had the same brand and not registered neither. Old Silvertop, he claimed the big share, for he did the annexln' of -ttie cal-ves and mavericks and old Davie claimed the lion' s share by -virtue of foundin' the herd and providin' the home. They argued and disputed but there -was no decision reached and one night old Silvertop and his young sidekick walked off to Pot Hole with three-quarters of -the bunch. Then that disputed quarter of the herd had some -bough time for the next few months. Old Davie hit it off -bo Pot Hole and bro-ught them back. A week or so later, in spite of the old man' s gviard, Silvertop' s adopted one hustled -them off again. Say, by fall, them poor orit-bers had spent so much -bime pendulumin' between the fort isuid Pot Hole they was only valuable for hides and hoofs. Why did Davie not appeal "bo the law you say? Well, considerin' the origin and gro-wth o' that there herd, the less the law knew of it the safer for all concerned, see? All this time, old Davie's disposition ain't iii5>rovin' any. He saw old Silvertop wasn't only cheatin' him but a guyin' him as well, and no man's •temper can staind that. One day things came "bo a head. Old Davie had spent a rackin' day lookin' for the bunch, he had searched coulees and sloughs but ne'er hair nor hide could he find. 'Long about sundown, settin' his Jaw so his chin bush stood out stiff, he headed for Silver-bop's. Comin' -to the edge of -bhe bench above the shack he spied the old man in his corral. Old Silvertop slipped into the stable a mlnu-be, -then came out and leaned agin' the door che-win' and lookin' as placid as yovu" grandmother knittin'. Coming in at the corral ga-be old Davie opened fire with his Jaw. "Now you d— old -bhief, I've come -bo settle this cursed affair for once and all, I'm through with this hide-and-seek game. Tou sign up for a fair di-wy-up and stick -bo it or by you'll suffer," and the heavy quirt in his hand sure did give -weight -to them words. "Why, Da-vie, you seem some het up about something, bet-ber come down and cool off, but this -boplc of conversation always did rile you some." "No more of this nonsense, Tom. Are you ready to do the right thing or not?" "I'm a-doin' what looks right -bo me. What are you going to do about it—git the law?" -with a grin. "No," said Davie, "I'm not goin' to git the law. I'll be Judge and Jury this -trip," and gripping his loaded quirt, prepared, to dismo-unt, but q-uick as a flash, old Silvertop took one backward step, grabbed his rifle, which, on seeing Da-vie, he had placed inside the door. Up went old Da"vie's hands to his breast, he gasped and choked, his horse gave three leaps forward and do-wn the old man fell in a crumpled heap.. Waiting only long enough -to be sure the man was dead, old Silver-top caught up his mare 'Dapple Lucy', flung on a saddle and started for town, remarkin' : "Well, old girl, we've showed the law a clean pair of heels pretty of-ben but we're gettin' too old for swift transportation, and the Queen's "Redcoats" is too smart, so we'll Just go to meet it this time." From the top of the bench he looked back and in the moonlight he could see the faithful horse standin' waitin' for the twisted heap that had been its mas-ter to get -up and mount. Proceedin' to the to-wn old Silvertop gave himself -up -bo the 'Mounties' pleadin' self-defence, and you have Just heard the trial and verdict." The old timer strolled off in-bo the hotel and the stranger rewarded the raconteur by standing refreshments at the bar. HISTOBICAL SOCIETT OF ALBERTA LETHBRIDGE BRANCH

Number 5 NaJSLETTER November, 196?

Alex Johns-ton, President Bruce Haig, Secretary Andrew Staysko, Vice-President Lucille Dalke, Treasurer

Dues, including a subscription to the Alberta Historical Re-view, $3.00 per year.

Send -bo:

HISTORICAL SOCIETT, BOX 974, lETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA

NOVEMBER MEETING—TDESDAT the 28th, at 8:00 p. m. IN MUSEUM. Film—Land of the Big Blue Sky PRESIDENT'S REPORT, 1967

Talks and Slide Lectures.—Talks and slide lectures were continued in 1966-67. These were presen-ted to groigjs as diverse as the Cubs of St. Basil's School, Lethbridge, and the Edmonton Branch, His-borical Society of Alberta and on occasions that ranged from the open­ ing of the reconstructed Fort Whoop-up in Indian Battle Psurk, the annual Awards Night ban­ quet of the Vauxhall Agricultural Fair, to the Cen-bennial Conference on the History of the Canadian West. In all, about 30 major talks or slide lectures were presen-bed.

Slide lectures were presen-ted by other Society members also. These included Mr. Qeorge Watson, George MsKillop, and Andrew S-baysko, all of whom spoke to various groups or at Sunday afternoon slide shows in the Sir Alexander Gait Museum.

Banff Conference.—^W. J. Cousins and Alex Johnston presented papers at the Centennial Conference on the History of the Canadian West held in Banff, May 17-20, 1967. The papers were "No Loyalists in British Columbia" and "Whoop-up Country", respectively. Also in at-bendance from Lethbridge were: Bruce Haig, Mrs.. C. S. C. Daw, and Rev. B. F. Wenniger. The Conference, sponsored by the Historical Society of Alberta, was a huge success. Four hundred, ins-bead of the pre-conference estimate of 50-60, guests showed up and crea-ted a few administrative problems. The group was \manimous in its praise of the arrangers—of whom Gerald Wright, l&iiversity of Alber-ba, and Dr. J. W. Chalmers, President of the His-borical Society, must be mentioned. Efforts are now being made to have the various papers prin-bed in book form and made available for sale.

As a result of the success of the Banff meeting and the deep in-berest in regional his-bory that it revealed, s-teps are now being -taken to sirrange for his-borical tours of parts of _ the Province. These will last from 2 to 5 days and will cover a region in some depth.

Fort Whoop-up Reconstruction.—The Kinsmen Club of Lethbridge have con?)le-bed one phase of their development with the construction of a model railway, a mine entrance, and an authentic replica of Fort Whoop-up. The project was opened to the public on July 1, 1967. So far few historical artifacts are on display at Fort Whoop-up, e-ven though the fort and the Sir Alexander Gait Museum are parts of the same ci-vic museum coB^jlex. The Kinsmen hope -bo commemorate the Indians, the Indian traders, and the creation of the North-West Mo-unted Police in the riverbot-bom for-b-museiom.

Svunmer Tour.—Two busloads of Society members toured part of the Cypress Hills Provincial Park in late J\ily. It was the first visit to the hills by many and they expressed suiprise at the contrast with the arid plain. As early as 1859 Palliser described the Cypress Plateau as an oasis and it has little of its charm in the I08 years since Palliser's visit. Chuck and Mrs. Tyrrell did much to make the Cypress trip a success. We received excellent co­ operation from Andy Salus, Park Manager, and his capable staff.

Other Reports.—The Society owes a great deal -bo Jfrs. Lucille Dalke whose Treasurer's Report is presented herein. The Society is financially sound and the Publication Fund is growing satisfactorily. Our hope is to build the fund up to the point -irtiere we can encourage the writing and, more impor-bant, the printing of s-bories and articles on local or regional his-bory. The Society fund has reached a point where -we must gi-ve serious consideration as -bo how best -bo use the money -bo further our objectives &nd for the good of the community. The Society owes a great deal, also, to George MiKillop, Andrew Ststysko, and Clarence Geiger as well as to those others irfio have devo-bed time, money and effort -bo the Jfiiseum project. A full report on the Museum is given herein. But tharfcs must be expressed -to all those who have ensured the success of the Museum project through their donations of historical items.

Miscellaneous.—Msnibership continues to climb slowly. We need more members and we need more active members. Respectfully submitted,

Alex Johns-ton, President.

* * *

TREASURER'S REPORT

Treasurer's Report November 30, 1967

Cash in bank - November 30, 1966 $ 740.6^

Memberships 256.00

Bus Fare Collected 212.00

Donations 1,009.00

Door Receipts 706.99

$ 2,924.64

Jlsb-ursements

Historical Reviews $ 150.00

Box Rental - No. -974 8.85

Southern Stationers 9.29

Robins Printing 121.49 (Newsletters No. 1 to No. 4) Civic Centre - Room Rental 3-00

The Herald 6.48

Canadian His-bory Convention 40.00 (Registration fees of delega-bes)

Northern Bus Lines 220.00

Allied Arts Council' 10.00

A. E. Cross 8.65

Gladiolus Festival 15.00

Postage, envelopes, etc 18.73

Bank exchange on check .15 611.6U 611.64

Bank Balance . Toronto-Dominion Bank, November 30, 1967 $ 2 313.00 The foregoing report submitted by:

Lucille Dalke, Treasurer, Lethbridge Branch His-borical Society

•«• * *

PUBLICATION ACCOUNT

Treasurer's Report November 30, I967

Cash in bank - November 30, 1966 $ 860.70

Book sales 786.05

Donation t5.00

$ 1,661.75 m sbur seme nt s

Lethbridge Herald $ 27.00

City of Lethbridge 300.00 (Book Account) Qlenbow Foundation 69.54 (Potts and Winter Count)

City of Lethbridge 602.93 (Book Accoiuit)

Bank exchange on checks .30

999.77 $ 999.77

Bank Balance

(Bank of Commerce) (November 30, 1967) $ 661.98

Submit-bed by:

Lucille Dalke, Treasurer, Lethbridge Branch Historical Society.

•«••«•*

News I-tem.—Matirice Allard, Independent Conservative member of Parliament for Sherbrooke, Que. says an abstract design for a monument to SIR ALEXANDER GALT "looks like a bunch of bananas." Mr. Allard says he joins city council and the Eastern Townships His-torical Society in reject­ ing it.

•«• * •«• SIR ALEXANDER GALT MUSEUM REPORT

The Sir Alexander Qalt Museum has conpleted nearly four full years of operation. The first few his-borical items were obtained in late 1963; an official opening, attended by A. W. Shackleford and members of the Calgary and Edmon-bon Branches of the Historical Society of Alberta was held in February 1964.

At the time of the February 1964 opening, the Museum consisted of two rooms in the former Bowman School, now the Bo-wman Arts Centre. We had on hand for the opening a few dozen dona-bed articles, most of which had to be displayed on makeshift tables and benches as little else was available. Mr. George McKillop had taken over as ctu-ator and was assis-bed by Mr. Andy Staysko. Many other assisted to bring about -ttiat opening—Chris Gibson, George Watson, Mrs. Lucille Dalke, as well as donators of historical artifacts. We had, and still have, whole-hear-bed si^jport from various ci-vic and elec-bed officials including former mayor A. W. Shackleford, Mayor Frank Sherring, Finance Director Alastair Finlay, City Clerk Tomny Ferguson, and aldermen. More recently Richard C. Ifells has joined the long list of city officers -bo whom we owe much.

The Museum was closed or operating under great difficulty from late 1966 until J\me I967. This was due to the extensive program of renovation undertaken in the former Gait Hospital Building, a program that has made the downstairs portion as attractive and modern as any other building in the city. The name has been changed to "Gait Building," As a result of the renovation program, the Miseum obtained a con^iletely new heating system and a new entrance, the lat-ber opening onto the north side of the building.

The Museum caters -to an estimated 5000 visitors per yearj about 1500 -visitors were recorded diuring July, August, and the first half of Sep-bember when the doors were open seven days per week from 2:00 -to 8:00 p. m. (During the remainder of the year the Miseum is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 p. m.) An iii5)ortant part of the museum work is in ca-tering to organized groups of school children. At this time of year the staff are getting from two -bo four such groups per week although the average for the school year is about one such group per week.

At present there are 28 display rooms in operation, one room is maintained as an office, and there is additional work space—albeit unsatisfactory—in the basement. We have catalogued 2,906 items since the museum opened; these range from the einptj cartridge that held the bullet that killed Dave Akers to the steel-wheeled motor car (No. 602) that was used for inspection purposes on the CPR lines of the Lethbridge Division for many years.

It is probably imfair to mention nanffis because some, possibly many, -will be omitted. But among those who ha-ve contributed time and effort to the museum project are: Miss Beth Fairfield, Mrs. Percy Murdock, Mrs. Eva McLean, Mrs. Margaret IfcNabb, Fred Tyrrell, Thomas Mikkelsen, Mrs. R. H. Painter, Mrs. George McKillop, Mrs. L. Walker, Mrs. Janet Girvan, Mr. Ankel, Major Bennett. We -wish to pay tribute, also, to those indi-viduals from the Ukrainian-Canadian Club (particularly Mrs. Mary Romaniuk and her associa-bes), the lOEB, and the nurses association, all of -whom have set up and maintained display rooms.

Bespectf\illy siibmit-bed,

Andrew J. Staysko (George McKillop)