[James Macleod to his wife about his experience at a wedding and the following ball and social scenes] - Frontier Life: Borderlands, Settlement & Colonial Encounters - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Title	[James Macleod to his wife about his experience at a wedding and the following ball and social scenes]
Archival Reference	M-776-14a
Sub-collection	Macleod, James F. Family
Author	Macleod, James F.
Date	28 Nov 1879
Document Type	Correspondence
Contents	James Macleod to his wife with an account of the marriage of Mr. Howell Harris and Miss Ruth Amelia Graham, and the following ball.
Sub-collection Information	James Farquharson Macleod, 1836-1894, was born in Scotland, the son of Martin Donald Macleod and Jane Fry. The family moved to Upper Canada in 1845. James received his BA from Queen's in 1854 and was called to the Bar in 1860. He served under Col. Wolseley during the 1870 Riel Rebellion. In 1873 he accepted the position of Assistant Commissioner in the newly formed North-West Mounted Police, and the following year led a police column to southern Alberta and established Fort Macleod. In 1875 he sent troops to establish Fort Walsh and Fort Calgary. He served as Commissioner of the NWMP from 1876 until 1880. As Commissioner he successfully negotiated Treaty 7 in 1877. When he resigned in 1880 he moved to Pincher Creek and devoted himself to judicial duties. He was one of only three magistrates in the North-West Territories. From 1887 until his death he was a judge of the Supreme Court of the North-West Territories. He married Mary Isabella Drever, 1852-1933, in 1876, and they had four daughters and a son, Helen (Cross), Jean (Montgomerie-Bell), Mary M. (Townshend), Roma (Sharpe), and Norman T. Macleod. His older brother, Norman Torquil Macleod, 1822-1885, served as the first Indian agent in southern Alberta from 1880 to 1882. Colonel Macleod School in Calgary was named in his honour in 1955. Macleod Drive in Lethbridge, Alberta, Macleod Manor at Fort Macleod, Macleod Island, Alberta, Macleod Mall in Calgary, Macleod Plaza in Calgary and Macleod Trail in Calgary are also named after Colonel Macleod.
Region	Canada
Subjects	Children and Family Leisure, Entertainment and Social Life Marriage and Relationships
Places	Fort Walsh; Saskatchewan
People	Macleod, James Farquharson Macleod, Mary Howell, Harris Howell, Ruth, A.
Themes	Children & Family; Arts & Entertainment
Library	Glenbow Museum
Copyright	Glenbow Museum
Transcript	Fort Walsh Novr 28th 1879 My own darling wife, Just fancy, we have not had a mail from Fort Macleod since I came down here. I can't fancy what that old fool Farewell [Abe Farwell] can be doing. He sent the man who took the mail up, supposing, I dare say, that that will count for a trip: but the old rascal will find out his mistake. I am so mad I could choke him. It appears to me as if this month would never come to an end. It drags along most awfully and the days would go so quickly while I was at Macleod. Several parcels came for you by the mail [from the East] yesterday. I suppose they are from Kay & Blackford - the latter says in the foot of his bill that he sends the smallest size in child's overshoe which they have. I hope they will fit the little pet and keep her tootzies nice and warm - and that the other things have come as soon as you expected them. One of the parcels was rather unusual but I don't think anything was injured. Norman is putting them up so that they will not be injured on the way up. I will send into Fort Assiniboine for some gin for you by next mail - it ought to be here by this day week and [I] will send it on by first chance if any occurs before I go myself. We are going hereafter to have our mail sent via Assiniboine but two trips will also be made to Benton. When you write home tell them to direct it Fort A - it may save a mail. The stuff I get from there will, I am sure, be good as I know the sutler very well and he keeps the best things for officers. This place has been enlivened - in a cold sort of way - by a marriage which was performed by this individual. The happy couple were Mr.Howell Harris and Miss Ruth Amelia Graham. Harris is a man who was in the employ of Banker's people and is rather well off. The bride is the young lady who is given to fits and of whom, between you and me, stories are told. I won''t shock you by saying anything about No 20. Well, the wedding took place at the residence of the bride's brother. I asked them what ceremony they wished to have performed and was asked to use the form of the Old Kirk. I was handed the Westminster Confession of Faith - a most interesting volume - with a leaf turned down at the chapter about marriage - from which I took two of the quaintest prayers you can imagine, but I could not face the instruction that the Minister is here to give the parties a lecture on the marriage state conjugal rights etc. When I went into the room, it was all lined round with invited guests who appeared to think they had all come there to stare at each other. However, after a while, Harris proceeded to the bedroom door and produced the young woman who didn't look at all bad. I hitched them up in short order and, as the groom stood there not knowing what to do, I gave the bride a very affectionate kiss. She was nothing loathe but no-one else followed my example. They all stood and stared at each other for a few minutes and I made a break followed by the rest of the company. In the evening there was a grand ball where all the beauty and fashion of the place were present. I danced twice - with the bride and her sister Mrs. Macdonald and had my head nearly twisted off my shoulders trying to follow the orders of the man who called the dances off. There were some newcomers, who have come up with the farmers, so society is not dependant on the half breeds as - it was heretofore. There was no grog - nevertheless the affair went off with great spirit. We have very few Indians about here just now but hardly a day passes without some of them coming around to beg. My darling girl, I have been thinking and thinking what I am going to get for a Christmas present for you. I thought of sending to Meg [?] to get a piece of jewelry and then of sending to Helena but, after all, I have decided the best plan is to let you order something for yourself. I know you would be satisfied with anything that I would get - but it is better to have something chosen by one of us. Oh, my darling pet, how I am longing to hear from you. Surely it will not be more than a day or so before the mail will arrive. It will, I sincerely trust and pray, bring me good news of my two pets. I dreamt [sic] last night I saw you as plainly as possible. But it was only for a moment. You came outside a door, waved your hand in a kiss to me and went in again. I could not follow as I woke at once and didn't I hug your sweet image to my bosom. I hope your letter will contain lots of smart things our little Nell has said and done. Give her a shower of kisses from her Papa and with endless love and kisses for yourself, believe me to be, darling Mary, ever your own Jim.

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