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ftp Stailel TunicWorn (jfessdsta 13 7rthwest Mounted Falk.!? it is the Symbol of Law and Order From the Eel Eivar to the Soo'ries---A Semi-Militar/ Organiza-‘ tion Which Has Won the Admiration- of tho World.mByJ.G. A. Creighton, i/r October Scribner's.In 1873 tho Dominion of Canada had a serious problem to face. It had bought Rupert’s Land from the Hudson Bay Company fcur years previously. The establishment of the Province of Manitoba had re-qr.ived tL« WolsoJey expedition of 1S70, and the maintenance of a garrison at Winnipeg, which was just springing up round the wa-fden palisades of old Fort Garry. Bat all beyond the Red River was practically unknown, and 30,00 J Indians held the plains over which the buffalo herds then roamed. An army of regular troops seemed necessary to take and keep possession. This was done by a force of three hundred meu, which for *ears practically ruled a region as large as France and Germany, dealt with unruly populations and moat exactiug conditions, and really brought fcbfMit the civilizing of this vast district by personal bravery, judgment, and character. This paper proposes to tell something of the story epitomized in the badge and motto of the Vorthwest Mounted Police, whose scarlet tunic is the symbol of law and order from the Red River to the Rocky Mountains, and from the United States border to Peace River and tho Saskatchewan.Though organized when the late Hon. Alexander Mackenzie was premier, the Mounted Police were one ot Sir John Macdonald’s inspirations, and after his return to power, in 1878, they always remained uuder his own eye. The redcoat was no more concession to historic sentiment, but his crafty appeal to Indian tradition of the gooA faith and fighting qualities of the “King George’s Man,” wno3e ally their brethren in the East had been, and to whom even the great Hudson Bay Company owed allegiance.The nucleus of the force wa9 got together in Manitoba, in theautuqvn of 1873, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel French, of the Royal Artillery, who had done Canada good set vice in organizing her artillery ihools, and who, after winning fresh dis-BA/jQK OF THE NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICElt; • *—1 ■■ ■ ■ —■ ■ *....... ...... —• 0 t tinction in Australia, recently retired fromthe Imperial Army as a Major-General The rtftt, making the strength only three hun-froradred ia alf, wentoronto to Fargo byIML oh the Wuthenifrontier of Manitoba. Weeding out the weaklings,'andleaving a few good men to form a depot and send a detachment to Fort Ellice on the Assir,!.boine, the Mounted Police began their record and scored from the outset. With two fieldguns and two ihortars, and relying on their own transport train for supplies, they marched S00 miles westward through an unknown country inhabited by .30,000 Indians and a few score, white desperadoes, till tho Rocky Mountains were in sight. Leaving Colonel Macleod, tho As* sistant Commissioner, to build a fort in the very heart of the country of the terrible Blackfeet, where no white man’s life was then safe, and sending another dfi’tachment north to Edmonton among the - Aflsiniboines and Wood Crees, the main column turned bask. They crossed, the plains northward by way of Qu’Appelle to Fort Pelly, but finding their intended headquarters were not ready they - returned to p.ufferin. The thermometer, which hpd stood at 100 ° F. in the shade when they marched out, marked 30° F. below zero on their return. In four months, to a day, they travelled 1,950 miles, besides the distance covcred by detachments on special service. Once beyond the rich prairies of Manitoba, hard work in the gravel drifts of the Missouri Coteau and among the broken gullies of Wood Mountain and the Cypress Hills told heavily on their animals. Many «ood horses lived through want of water and food in tho arid plains where cactus and sage-bru*h are the only vegetation round the alkaline lakes, to die from the effects of unaccustomed forage, or from tho bitter cold that came on early in the au-tuir.n, though officers and men gave up their blankets to shelter their chargers. But the three hundred polico accomplished, without losing a life, what had seemed work for an army—the taking possess'o.i of tho Great Lone Land.One object of tho expedition was todrivo out the gangs of whiskey traders, outlaws of the worst kind from tho Western States, who kept the Indians in a chronic state of deviltry, and only the year beforo had committed a number of murders and outrages on their own account. The forts in which they were reported to be entrenched, at the junction of the Bow and Belly Rivers, proved to bo merely trading posts, built of logs, and the inmates had taken themselves off without giving tho police a chance to tire a shot. Another object was to establish friendly relations with the Indians. This was soon accomplished, and their confidence in the police has lasted from that day to this. Their suspicion quickly wore away, and they became outspoken in their expressions of gratitude to the Government for sending them such protectors. As ono chief told Colonel Macleod, “ B?fore you came the Indian crept along, now he is not afraid to walk erect.” They were given a general idea of the laws, told that theso would be tho same for white man and Indian alike, and that they need not fear punishment excopt for doing what they knew to be wrong. They were promised that their ands would not be taken from them, but that fair treaties would bo made in solemn council—promises the faithful fulfilment of which has saved Canada from Indian wars, before the end of 1S74 Colonel Macleod was able to report that the wlisksy trade was completely suppressed, that ail u^arme 1 man could ride safely over trhat had been tho battlo-ground of th“»s« horeo/^ary enemies tho Blackfeet and Cress. f-he only Indian d'tlic'altyto be apprehended was the meeting of war parties from the different tribes. The best result of tho expedition was the immediate establishment of a prestige which has served the Police in good stead in many a “tight place” since, and has enabled them to disregard immeasurable odds against them.Colonel Macleod succeeded to the command upon Colonel French’s resignation. During tho next two years the Police wore busy building themselves posts, establishing suppljr farms, and exploring the country. Those were the golden (lays of the force the life w.as.one of constant excitement and adventure,. and the duties were almost purely military, for no settlers then went beyond Manitoba. The great herds of buffalo still ranged the prairies, and it is strange now to read hi the old order-books prohibitions from shooting more animals than could be used for food. The grizzly bear had not beat his final retreat to the mountains, and there were antelope in abundance. Tho Indians often came into conflict over encroachments upon each other’s hunting-grounds and were quick to appeal to the red-coats as arbiters and protectors. At that time the Police had the whole management of the Indians on their shoulders. They had to reconcile them to the coming of the whites, and to protect tho surveyors, who had already begun parcelling out tho country and exploring the route of the railway. Their abilities as diplomats were evidenced by the readiness with which tho Indians entered into the treaties concluded between 1875 and 1877, and their soldierly qualities by tho bearing of the detachments that escorted tho commissioners. Convoying the large sums of money and stores of supplies required for tho annual pay rents to each head of a family was a perilous duty. The distribution of them required firmness, tact, and insight into the mystery of Indian character. But these are qualities the Police have always shown in a marked degroe.In 1877 nearly the whole cf tho little force was concentrated on the south-western frontier to watch and check the 6,000 Sioux who sought refuge in Canada after their defeat of Custer on the Little Big Horn. Fort Walsh, in the Cypress Hills, was made headquarters instead of Fort Pelly ; a pos-commanding the trails from the Upper Missouri was established at Wood Mount tain to the eastward, and tho garrison of Fort Macleod was increased. A tirc,o of great anxiety ensued. The Canadian Indians, especially tho Blackfeet, were strongly opposed to the presence of tho Sioux— the more so as it was already apparent that the buffalo would be extinct in a few years. The temptation was great to smoke the tobacco sent them, by Sioux runners, and thus bind themselves to join in an effort to sweep out once and for all the white men, whoso numbers seemed so scanty. But—chiefly under Crowfoot’s influence— it was resisted, and they helped the Police by refraining from hostilities, and affording information as to the doings of the new-comers. Sitting Bull and his warriors were met with a quiet resolution that astonished them, and won their immediate respect. They were told that so long as they observed the law they would bfe protected, but could expect nothing more, and would not be allowed to settle per-menently in Canada, and they were finally induced to surrender peacefully to the United States authorities in 18S0-S1.The coolness and pluck of the Police during that critical period was amazing. Their confidence in themselves is curiously evidenced by a report from the officer in commend at V^ood Mountain, recommend• that at least 50 men should be station*camped in the vicinity! On oue occasion an attempt by the Sioux warriors to rescueby. force one of their number who had been arrested, was faced and stopped by 28 troopers. Such exploits were frequent. In 1877 Inspector Walsh, with Doctor Kittson, a guide, and 15 constables, ^charged down at daybreak one morning on a war camp of 200 Assiniboin s, who after lllusing and firing at some Saulteaux camped near by, had threatened to serve the Police in the same way if they came. Surrounding the war lodge erected in the centre of the camp, he arrested and took away the head chief, Crow’s Dance and 19 of the principal warriors. Then assembling the remainder of the chiefs in council, he warned them of the results of setting the law at defiance and ordered them to let the Salteaux go in peace.Oh one occasion a settler struck an Indian, whose comrades,, some 500 in all, not understanding how such an insult could be atoned for by a fine, promptly proceeded to destroy the Settler’s- property. Getting worked up. into wild cxcitoment they soon began firing .indiscriminately, and threatening to take the lives of all white men. Colonel IrVhie * and his Adjutant;-' Captain Cotton, happened to bo near by. Though unarmed they rode straight into the infuriated band. Rifles were levelled at them from all sides, but their coolness told, and tho Indians millenly obeyed the order to disperse. Incidents like this, however, could ba told of every officer who has sorved in the Mounted Police, nor have the rank and file been behind their officers in daring and firmness. It was t hen as it is now, an every-day matter of duty for a single constable to enter an Indian camp and make an arrest. Momentary indecision, or tho display of temper would have often meant not only failure but certain death.In 18S0 Colonel Irvine, who had been Assistant Commissioner for some years, succeeded Colonel Macleod in the command, the latter becoming Stipendiary Magistrate, and eventuaHy being appointed a judge when the Supremo Court of the Northwest Territories was organized in 1886. Thoir names will always be associated with .the rapid and successful development of tho country, and a record of the distinguished services which both began as Canadian officers in Lord.Wolseley’s Red River Expedition of 1870, would itself be the history of tho Northwest.The modern era of that history began with the building of the Canadian Pp.cific Railway. The rapid progress of this was largely due to the sen ices of the Police in preventing annoyance and attacks on working parties by tho Indians, maintaining law and order among the thousands of navvies employed, and preventing entirely the introduction of liquor. An aitny of camp-followers—gamblers, thieves, and the scum of the Western border States—flocked in for their expected harvest, but were kept in perfect order. The Police did good work, too, in quelling strikes, which at times threatened to become serious disturbances. Mr. Van Horne, the President of the Company, has borne the most telling testimony to thoir services in these words written to the Commissioner : “ Without the assistance of the officers and men of the splendid force under your command it would have been impossible to accomplish as much work as we did. On no great work within my knowledge, where so many men have been employed, has such perfect order prevailed.”Till then the Police had mainly their own safety to consider. With the rapid influxof settlers came responsibility for lives and property scattered over an area of 375,OiK? square miles. Trading posts developed in towns, new centres of population sprang ujl like magic, the cattle-ranchers occupied tfc region at the base of the mountains, and the whole face of the country was changed* Simultaneously with this coming of tF? wlihe men tho bullalo became extinct* ani the Indians, reduced at once to poV* erty, and no longer masters of the plains felt their position bitterly. Among thtf thousands of immigrants there was natur ally a large proportion of the roughertr classf and the thought that a settler’s taunt or hasty action migiit precipitate an Iudiaii outbreak added largely to the cares of the Police. On the other hand, tho Indians, accustomed all their lives to look upon other men’s horses and cattle as. lawful plunder, found in horse-stealing and cattle-killing substitutes for the excitement of the war-party and the chase, and serionti• Mr1\crta181A1OFFICER. OF TI1K MOUNTED l'OLICE IN' FULLDRESS.for, trial lencounters were frequent. Another instance out of many, which I wish there were'' space to give, will further show the cool ness and determination with which the-* Police always act. It happened in 1882,f but ia typical of any time in their history.: A sub-chief of the Blackfeet, named Bull Elk, stole some beef from a white man and fired at him. Inspector Dickens—a son of tho novelist by the way—ordered hist arrest. Sergeant Howe and two constables’ weut with the Inspector to the reserve and I took their prisoner through a mob. Though they were knocked down and the Indians began firing, they stuck to thsir man, while the Inspector kept tho Indians back with his revolver until the rest of the men quartered there—only ten of a reinforcement—came to their rescue. The prison was to be sent to Macl BlacVfeet Warriofs,arm surrounded the post, taunted the sentries,, and tried to excite the Police to fire on them, which, of course, would have ended everything with the little detachment. On Crowfoot’s intercession and promise to go bail, the prisoner was allowed to go for a time. This happened on January 2d, it was reported at Macleod, 100 milis a^ray, by Sergeant Howe, on the 4th, and by the evening of the 0th Major Crozier, with every available man, was at the Blackfeet Reserve, having ordered the field-guns to be ready if wanted, The post was hurriedly fortified by eleven tho next morning, and the pri soner was sent for. Crowfoot askod if they meant to light. The reply was, “Cerfainly not, unless you commence.” Crowfoot was then in turn asked whether ho meant to do his duty as a chief, assist .the Police in their duty, and make a speech to his people saying the Superintendent had i done right. The Indiana wore evidently •* gieatly impressed, ami after » vigorous harangue from Crowfoot*., endorsing the action taken. Bull Elk was sentenced aiid marched o!F to prison. Tho policy of separating the tribes, settling them on reserves and te/vching them to farm, , was distasteful in the extreme to these born rovers ; but.by great tact the Crees and Assiniboines were persuaded to move north from the Cypress Hills to the Qu;Appelle Valley and the Saskatchewan, guarded by the Police from the attacks of their old enemies the Bloods, whoso war-parties wore on the alert to seize such a chance. They did not all go quietly, however, for Big Bear, so notorious after* ward in the rebellion of 1885, and another worthy named Pie-a-Pot,gavo much trouble. Tho former led 150 bravos to sack Fort Walsh, but tho sight of 10) red-coats, and two mountain gum on its wooden bastions, changed his mind and kept him civil for a time, though soon afterward Colonel Irvine, with one officer and 22 men, had to take their lives in their hands by riding into his camp of 5rIO lodges to enforce the surrender of s mo horses stolen from Montana Territory.(TO HE CONTINUED.)A Business Head*Old Bullion (on his deathbed): 11 All my property is willed to you, but I’m afraid my children by my first wife will make a contest, and the i the lawyers will get it.”Young Wife : “ Don’t worry, my love ; I can easily fix that. I’ll marry one of the lawyers.”After tho fair is over—After the bills for hash ;Many may be in clovor,But few at the best in cash !Jinks—“Did you ever read ‘Tho Man Without a Country?’” Winks-“No, but I can sympathize with him. I am ‘The Man Without any Relatives in Chicago. ’ ”“ Is the bogs at home?” Housemaid— “ No, Tuesday is bargain day, and she never gets home until real late in the afternoon.”She—“If you married a girl in the bopr that she would one day come into a fortune wouldn’t you feel guilty over it ?” Ho’-“ Not if sho got the fortune.”A remarkable woman dwells in Moli is-ville, Pa. Her naire is Miss Sallio iwnw ginnie, and although she was born without arme, and has but three toes on each for.t. Sho makes patchwork cushions, plays the org tn, peel* potatoes, sweeps and scrubs, aud does other household work.
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Okanagan Falls Mining Review
Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, CA
Sat, Oct 28, 1893
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