F. The New West 1885-1905

From HCO Jr

Part 8. The Changing Nation → A. Our Struggle for Rights → B. Industry & Labour → C. The Canadian Industrial Boom → D. Gold & Imperial Adventure → E. The Immigration Boom 1895-1914 → F. The New West 1885-1905

Alberta & Saskatchewan 1895-1905

Regina, Saskatchewan and Victoria, British Columbia are both named after Queen Victoria. The name Regina, Latin for "queen", was assigned to the then town on Aug 23, 1882, by Governor General Lord Lorne 1845-1914, in honour of his wife's mother, Queen Victoria. Regina was originally called Pile O'Bones, after one of the first cash crops on the Prairies - buffalo bones.

The original townsite of Saskatoon, on the east bank of the South Saskatchewan river 235 km northwest of Regina, was part of a 313,000 acre grant in 1882 to a Methodist Church group, the Temperance Colonisation Society of Toronto.

John C. Lake

The TCS wanted to establish a colony in the West that was free of the problems of big city living - poverty and alcoholism. They signed up 3,100 would-be colonists, and in June 1882 sent Methodist minister John Lake to look for a townsite on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River between Clark's Crossing (now Clarkboro) on the South Saskatchewan, about 20 km downstream from today's Saskatoon, and the Moose Woods Reserve, about 45 km upstream.

Minnetonka

On the advice of Moose Woods Chief White Cap, Lake, Lake chose a place in the middle of the TCS grant, called Minnetonka, where a ferry could cross the river, and christened the spot Saskatoon, after the Cree word for "early berries". As he wrote in his memoirs, "On the first Sunday in August (1882), I was lying in my tent about 3 p.m. when a young man came in with a handful of bright red berries and gave them to me. After eating some, I asked where they were found. He said 'along the river bank.' I asked if people had a name for them. He said they were saskatoon berries. I at once exclaimed 'You have found the name of the town.' The name was formally accepted by the directors that winter and entered in the minutes.

In another account, Lake related, "While lying in my tent one Sunday afternoon, one of the chain bearers brought me a handful of beautiful red berries, I asked him the name (for they looked like red currants). He said they called them Saskatoons. In an instant I remarked: 'Arise, Saskatoon, Queen of the North.'"

Barr Colonists at Saskatoon, 1885

In 1883 the first streets of Saskatoon were surveyed on the east bank of the river, just above Minnetonka. In spite of this hopeful start, Saskatoon grew slowly. The river was too shallow and too full of shifting sandbars for easy navigation. As well, fear of native hostility caused by reports of the North-West Rebellion in 1885 discouraged settlement.

Barr Colonists at Saskatoon, 1903

With the Metis rebellion over and peace restored, and Gabriel Dumont pardoned, the Canadian West beyond Manitoba was thrown open to settlement. In 1886, the first Icelandic families to move to Saskatchewan settled at Thingvalla, north of present-day Churchbridge.

Farther west, on Oct. 24, 1886, Utah Mormon leader Charles Ora Card, sent to Canada to find a place of 'peace and asylum', found a site between the Belly and St. Mary Rivers and dedicated it to the Lord for future Mormon settlement.

Charles Ora Card, c1890

The following Spring, he led a small group of Mormons found the community that will become Cardston, Alberta. By the time of the second wave of Mormon Immigration in the late 1890s, he had organized the Cardston Company Ltd., to finance growth and business in the Cardston region. The company helped establish a flour-mill, cheese-factory, steam-threshing outfit and sawmill.

Mormon Wagon Train, 1893

Experienced in dry farming, the Mormons introduced a variety of new crops, and joined with the Alberta Irrigation Company in building an irrigation canal to bring water from the St. Mary’s River to the dry lands around Lethbridge. Many new arrivals accepted land in partial payment for their work on the canal, and by 1900, several new Mormon towns were founded, including Magrath, Stirling and Raymond. By 1911, the Mormon community in southern Alberta had 18 communities, and nearly 10,000 church members. Their Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, dedicated in 1913, was the first Mormon Temple built outside of the United States.

Mormon Temple, Cardston, 1920s

The year 1886 saw the first beginnings of self-government in the North-West Territories, as they were given their first federal MP, with a Saskatchewan seat in Parliament.

In 1887, the first convention of the North West Farmers' Association met in Regina.

That year also saw the founding of the Territorial Board of Education in Regina, and Peter Lamont opened Saskatchewan's first telephone exchange in a Regina bookstore. That year also saw the first long distance telephone call made on the Prairies, from Battleford to Edmonton, 500 km away.

The year 1889 saw the first teacher training in the Territories - one graduate was a young woman named Nelly McClung, age 16, who was also involved in WCTU (Womens Christian Temperance Union) activites.

The next year, 1890, saw the first electric lighting in Regina, and the first YMCA.

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Railways Bring Settlers

In Calgary that year, a crowd of 2,500, most of the people of the town, turned out for a sod-turning ceremony for the Calgary and Edmonton Railway on July 21. Governor Belyea drove the last spike at Strathcona, south of Edmonton on July 27 one year later, and the first train from Calgary pulled into Strathcona on August 10. The C&E line cut the five-day stagecoach journey to a three hour train trip; it was taken over by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1903.

First C&E Train into Edmonton

More railways spread from the CPR main line like young roots tapping into new soil: the Qu'Appelle, Long Lake, and Saskatchewan railway in 1890; the Saskatchewan Souris branch of the CPR.

More land-hungry settlers followed.

On Sept. 16, 1891, the first train-load of Austro-Hungarian and Ukranian farm families from the provinces of Galicia and Bukovyna arrived in Edmonton.

Forced to leave home because of over-population and crop failures, they were attracted to western Canada by the Homestead Act which provided 160 acres for $10.00.

On September 24, the new Jewish settlement at Hirsch, fifteen miles east of Estevan, celebrated the first Yom Kippur holiday in Saskatchewan.

The first Ukrainian colony arrived in Saskatchewan in May of 1897.

With a growing bounty of grain being harvested, railways also brought help from the East: on July 28, 1891, the first annual Harvest Excursion left Toronto for Western Canada with 1,300 farm workers.

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Townsites & Civilization

Town sites were laid out along the rail lines, houses and shops built, and government imposed. The Alberta town of Lethbridge was incorporated on December 29, 1890, and the city of Calgary on September 16, 1893, Strathcona in 1899.

Calgary had grown to almost 4,000 people in the decade following the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway; it was still the only community between Winnipeg and the Pacific with a water works and sewer system.

The town of Red Deer was founded in 1894 and St. Paul des Metis in 1895.

Canadian Northern Train Crossing the the Saskatchewan, 1910

The first store in the community was often the Hudson's Bay Company, since the HBC owned 1/20th of the fertile belt and land around their old posts, and were closely allied with the CPR and Bank of Montreal.

Prices were high because of CPR freight rates and distance. In 1892, at the Bay store in Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, a keg of gunpowder cost $6, and a pair of high-top boot $3.55, more than a week's wages for a labourer.

Roads radiated out from the new towns, first along the old cart trails, then on surveyed concession lines. The first automobiles arrived in the West in those years.

In 1892, the first electric car ran on Winnipeg's Main Street. On April 27, 1893, three men were injured and two carts smashed on the corner of Jasper and 101st Street, in one of Edmonton's first traffic accidents. Most roads were unpaved, dusty in summer, impassible in spring mud.

Bicycles became popular. In July of 1895, E.J. Coster rode the 150 km, from Saskatoon to Prince Albert, on a bike.

The towns bustled with business,and merchants and producers in the NWT were able to showcase their goods at the first Canadian Territorial Exhibition that opened in Regina July 29, 1895.

The year 1895 also saw the first stirrings of new political movements in the territories, with the founding of the Local Council of Women of Regina on Oct 15, and the organizing on November 14 of the Harmony Co-operative Industrial Association at Hamona, the first co-operative association in Saskatchewan.

On October Oct 22, 1895, Cree Indian Almighty Voice (Kitchi-manito-wya) and his two companions were surrounded and shot to death after a 19 month search; two NWMP officers and one civilian were killed in the gun battle. A young Cree raised on traditional tales of raiding and battle, Almighty Voice had stolen and killed a steer; jailed at Duck Lake in 1895, he escaped, and two weeks later shot and killed NWMP Sergeant Colin Colebrook, who had tracked him down.

On August 26, 1891 Manitoba and the North-West Territories were provided with their first published weather forecasts. February 1, 1893 saw the coldest day on record in Saskatchewan, at Prince Albert: -56.7 degrees Celsius (-70 F). On January 9, 1899, Manitobans suffer under a record low temperature of minus 52.8 Celsius (-63F). that year, the St. Paul Minnesota Globe published a fanciful story describing Medicine Hat as the coldest, snowiest place on Earth.

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Borders & Districts 1882-1905

In 1882 Canada's North-West Territories were divided into four districts: Athabasca, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Assiniboia (where the capital, Regina, was located.

On October 2, 1895, Ottawa set up the four northern districts of Yukon, Mackenzie, Franklin and Ungava, under the administrative control of Regina. To fix the northern boundary of the west at 60 degrees north, the Barren Lands from Hudson Bay to Lake Athabasca were surveyed by Joseph Burr Tyrell, of the Geological Survey of Canada, and his brother James, in 1893-94. This area became the Keewatin district, which included parts of Northern Manitoba and Ontario.

The Yukon became a territory in 1897, after the discovery of Gold in the Klondike. Ungava was later granted to Quebec and Newfoundland/Labrador, and parts of Keewatin to Manitoba and Ontario. The remainder became the districts of Mackenzie, Keewatin and Franklin in 1918.

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The North-West Territories

In 1888, Ottawa established a territorial legislature to advise the Governor, and on October 31, the first Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories met at Regina. In 1897, the Territories got responsible government. Frederick William Haultain, an Ontario born lawyer, was elected Premier on June 24. Lawrence Clarke, HBC Chief Factor of Fort Carlton, became the first elected representative of the North West Territory in the 1899 territorial election.

Haultain in about 1900

Haultain soon started pressuring the new Laurier government in Ottawa for more self-government. In an election speech in Yorkton on October 7, 1899, he argued for the creation of a new prairie province with full provincial powers. The following year, he took the argument to Ottawa.

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Politics & Provincehood

Minister of the Interior Clifford Sifton and Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier refused, saying that settlement was still too sparse. But the angry response from the Territories - the Calgary Herald predicted another North West Rebellion - led Laurier to promise provincial status if he won the 1904 election.

Haultain, a Conservative, had campaigned for a single large province in the region, but Liberals Laurier and Sifton feared it would be too powerful, and suggested three. The final decision was to create two parallel provinces - Alberta, named for the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, and Saskatchewan, derived from 'kisiskatchwanisipi', the Cree word for 'swift-flowing river'."

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The Birth of Alberta & Saskatchewan

On July 4, 1905, the House of Commons passed bills creating the new provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan out of the North-West Territories, and they got Royal Assent on July 20. Regina and Edmonton were declared the capitals. A new Northwest Territories Act set up the new boundaries, and on September 1, Alberta and Saskatchewan came into being and entered Confederation as the 8th and 9th provinces.

Alberta Coat of Arms

Both provinces were to be launched with 4 senators each.

Saskatchewan, with a population of almost 250,000, would have 10 MPs, and Alberta, with 175,000 people, would have 7 members.

Like Manitoba, the two new provinces would not have control over their natural resources and mineral rights.

These powers were not handed over until 1930, under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement.

The Prime Minister and Governor General travelled west to attend both inaugurations.

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The Ceremony in Edmonton

According to the Edmonton Daily Standard newspaper,
EDMONTON HAD GALA DAY

"City Did Itself Grand on the Occasion of the Inauguration Ceremonies of the West.

Edmonton, Friday, Sept. 1--The Formal inauguration of Alberta took place at 12 o'clock today. Before that the Mounted Police, to the number of 200, under Commissioner Perry gave a magnificent exhibition drill. They were marched past Governor General Earl Grey at a walk, trot, canter and gallop. They presented a fine appearance, and were cheered to the echo.

Bulyea Kisses the Bible, and Alberta Becomes a Province

The Commissioner of police then read Governor Bulyea's commission; and the other office was administered by Mr. McGee, clerk of the privy council. A salute of 21 guns then fired. An address was read to the Governor General by Mayor Mackenzie and responded to very happily by His Excellency. An address was read to Mr. Bulyea, and replied to by the new Lieutenant Governor, who made an excellent impression by his earnestness and eloquence.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier then addressed the people, and was well received. He was followed by Hon. Wm. Paterson and Sir Gilbert Parker.

It is estimated that 15,000 people are present. Sir Wilfrid addressed the French people in that language. The beautiful weather continues, and the celebration is assured of unequalled success."

Laurier Speaks

On the eve of the Inauguration, August 31, there was a concert held in Edmonton at the Thistle Rink (102 St and 102 Ave). It was provided by a 41-piece choir and a 15-piece orchestra.

On the morning of the Inauguration Day, there were various sporting events and a patriotic parade along Jasper Avenue, down to the ceremonial platform in Rossdale.

Dignitaries spoke from a specially built ceremonial platform on Rossdale Flats, near today's Telus Field, in front of an estimated 12,000 people.

As James MacGregor wrote,

"On the great day the weather was perfect, and mellow autumn sunshine lighted up Edmonton's magnificent valley. On the flats below Mc-Dougall Hill lay the half-mile race track, the grandstand, and other buildings of the new fair grounds. Among the poplars south of it shone the rows of white tents of more than two hundred officers and men of the Royal North West Mounted Police. Surrounded by the oval race track stood the white and blue ceremonial platform bedecked in red, white and blue bunting, with its purple crown. In the bright sunlight and the soft breeze, flags and pennants fluttered gaily. On the stand sat many of Canada's dignitaries, while thousands of Albertans, jostling good naturedly, stood and applauded.

At 11 a.m. Governor General Earl Grey and his party arrived in their glittering carriages and the military march past began. The governor general inspected the three squadrons of the rnwmp, consisting of 211 cavalry men and their four-gun battery, all commanded by Commissioner Perry. When the platform party took their places Mayor MacKenzie read an address to the governor general, who replied in a suitable speech.

Then came Canada's great prime minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Courtly of manner, with a finely chiseled face and an aureole of fluffy white hair framing his head, he rose to speak. All was hushed as he recalled his visit to the town eleven years previously. Noting the subsequent development and holding out radiant promise for the future, he said: "I see everywhere hope. I see everywhere calm resolution, courage, enthusiasm to face all difficulties, to settle all problems."

He spoke to this people of many nations, urging them to be British subjects, to take their share in the life of this country, whether on the municipal, provincial or national level. "We do not anticipate, and we do not want, that any individuals should forget the land of their origin or their ancestors. Let them look to the past, but let them also look to the future; let them look to the land of their ancestors, but let them look also to the land of their children."

Then, promptly at high noon, to the accompaniment of a 21-gun salute up the hill, the commission appointing George Hedley Vicars Bulyea as lieutenant-governor was read, followed by the oath of office. Bulyea then kissed the Bible, and Alberta officially became a province.

Festivities concluded with the Inaugural Ball at the Thistle Rink that night. The next day, Alexander C. Rutherford was sworn in as Alberta's first premier.

Rutherford won the first provincial election of November 9, taking 22 of 25 seats for the Liberal Party. The campaign was bitterly fought on issues such as religious schools and control over the province's natural resources.

Saskatchewan Coat of Arms

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The Ceremony in Regina

"I would vision those vast prairies inhabited by a strong, independent patriotic people building towns, cities, and villages and making the stubborn prairie soil yield its wealth in order to provide happy and prosperous homes for multitudes, and helping to furnish sustenance for dwellers in less favoured regions, living in harmony and peace, and fulfilling their destiny as patriotic Canadians."
Sir Wilfrid Laurier,
Prime Minister of Canada,
at Regina, Saskatchewan, September 4, 1905

After attending an inaugural ceremony in Edmonton, Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Governor General Earl Grey and other dignitaries journeyed by special train to Regina for the inaugural ceremonies welcoming Saskatchewan into Confederation.

On September 4th, at a colorful ceremony in Regina, Lord Grey installed Amedée Emmanuel Forget as the first lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan. Forget took the oath of office, and kissed the Bible, at which point Saskatchewan was born as a province. On the following day Forget invited Walter Scott to form an administration.

Laurier attends inauguration ceremonies with Governor General Earl Grey

According to The Leader of September 6, 1905, the celebrations started early in the morning and extended late into the night:"The great, the long-expected and much-prepared-for day has come and gone, and amidst much pomp and ceremonial and boundless popular enthusiasm, Saskatchewan has taken her place in the confederation of Provinces that constitute the Dominion of Canada.

...bands of workmen, re-enforced by a small army of volunteers, were busy far into the night putting the finishing touches to the fitting preparation of Regina for the ceremony of September the fourth... decorations had been prepared on the most elaborate scale... four great arches of golden grain and evergreen boughs over South Railway Street... places of business were, almost without exception, profusely and artistically decorated with flags of all sizes, bunting, heraldic and other devices ...most of the humblest dwellings of the city hung out their tribute of respect ...and at dusk streets became one dazzling mass of electric light, almost blinding in their brilliancy.

Monday morning broke clear and fine, with fresh breeze fluttering out the innumerable flags that flew in every direction above the city. From early dawn the special excursion trains from the north, south, east and west began to pour in their human loads and by nine o'clock the greatest crowd ever met within Regina was thronging the sidewalks and roadways.

The air was full of music, played by the various bands in the different portions of the town. Among the bands present were the 90th Regiment, Neepawa, Brandon City Band, Wolseley Silver Band, Rosthern, Indian Industrial School, Regina Citizens' Band and Cox's Drum and Fife Band, all which gave their services gratuitously.

...school children numbering seven or eight hundred started the day with a parade, marching four abreast towards Victoria Park, to sing for the Prime Minister and Governor General, the girls in white and the boys in blue caps and sashes, each waving Canadian flag... followed by a general parade that even had elephants ...displays on foot and horseback by over 300 members of the 90th Regiment and 200 from the Royal North-West Mounted Police ...luncheons,dinners and speeches ...push ball and lacrosse matches ...a fancy Inaugural Ball ...and the biggest and most magnificent display of fireworks ever in the Dominion."

Walter Scott led the Liberal Party to victory in the first provincial election of December 13, winning 17 out of 25 seats against former NWT Premier F. W. G. Haultain, leader of the opposition Provincial Rights Party.