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Title [James Macleod to his wife about his daily life and journey to Fort Walsh]
Archival Reference M-776-14a
Sub-collection Macleod, James F. Family  
Author Macleod, James F.  
Date 15 Aug 1879
Document Type Correspondence
Contents James Macleod's to his wife about his journey to Fort Macleod and his constant thoughts of her and the time they had previously spent there together.
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 Education  Children and Family  Health and Medical  Canadian Mounted Police  Land Transaction and Property  Domestic Life and Living Conditions  Travel and Transportation  Leisure, Entertainment and Social Life  Women's History  Marriage and Relationships  Sexuality  
Places Fort Walsh; Saskatchewan
People Macleod, James Farquharson  Dewdney, Edgar  
Themes Women's History; Exploration, Expeditions & Travel
Library Glenbow Museum  
Copyright Glenbow Museum
Transcript [PS] I send the roses in another envelope

Fort Walsh

My own darling love,

I am not going to date my letters any more for fear of getting scolded in the very dreadful way I was in on of the letters I got when I returned from Fort Macleod. You naughty old girl to use such dreadful words towards you[r] poor devoted old husband. That letter is carefully marked and when the others are read over carefully avoided, unless I am in a particularly spooney mood. Well never mind I suppose I deserve all I get and I daresay a great deal more, but you must remember all I have to contend against between annoyances connected with the Force and all sorts of things including the fact that my old stumack [stomach] will go back upon me sometimes and put me out of temper with every thing in the world - except you - Well dear darling pet since I last wrote you I have paid a visit to our dear little home.

We had such a hot journey with bad thunder storms almost every night and the mosquitoes were very, very bad. Poor Mr. Dewdney was annoyed almost beyond endurance. I sometimes had him drive with me and I sometimes took a seat with him. He used to tie a handkerchief round his neck then put a netting round his head and keep another handkerchief continually agoing, knocking them off. He used to wonder how I could travel along with out any protection only now and then wiping them off my neck. He got so irritated - but you know my placid temper is proof ever against the attacks of mosquitoes innumerable. You know the two pilgrim farmers he took up with him. He sent them ahead a week before we started, and we found them at the St. Mary's River waiting for the water to fall. The scow there had been taken away by the high water and there was nothing for it but to ford. Do you remember the place where we camped the night before we reached Macleod where we had such fun with Clark and Williams? I stood over the place where our tent stood and thought and thought of that pleasant night when every body else was suffering like the very mischiefs from the flies, and our happiness was not marred by the abominable pests. About 300 yards above this - where we crossed in 74 - I was determined to try so I sent Jerry [Potts?] across first and then Wilson with his four went over, and all the wagons were across in half an hour without any difficulty.

Arriving at Fort Macleod I found that Mrs. Winder had fitted up a room in the Cottage so nicely for me. I found our own sheets on the bed and longed from the bottom of my heart everytime I got between them that they enveloped some one else too!!! I wanted to put Mr. Dewdney into this room but Mrs. W. was quite annoyed at the idea so he was cared for in one of the rooms in the Barracks. Dear little Mrs. Winder was the essence of kindness to me, and I am sure she does love you. I used to take every opportunity of going into the old place and whenever I possibly could would extend my visit into the dear old room behind, where I have been happier than any where else, in my life, in the whole whole world. Dear dear darling girl who would not be happy with you? - Winder is just the same old chap as ever. He was very kind to me, but was in the habit of ringing in his complaints privately against almost every body in a manner which is most objectionable.

The set at Macleod are not at all so nice as it used to me, the mess is not good - altho' they have a Billiard table which is the only attraction. I played about 1/2 a dozen games. My old office and our spare room are converted into an orderly room. I will fix this however if we want them. Old Battersby is Winders servant. I guess he may keep him as I believe you will not want him. There are quite a lot of chickens and some turkeys were expected out. Just fancy the ducks after all we saw them doing /oh shocking/ have not produced a single duckling!!!! - I visited Mrs. Gallagher several times - she had her [liquor] permit in and treated me right royally. She appears to be quite delighted at the prospect of seeing you again. "Shure" she said "we are all quite lost without Mrs. Macleod every one is in love with her Sir" of course I was flattered or would have been had I not know that every one is. Mrs. Armstrong is just the same as ever and asked many questions about you and little Nell. Mrs. Shurtliff [Shurtleff] looked very nice. She and her husband are going to live at the farm where he has built a snug little house with three rooms close to the Barracks which he has also built & wh[ich] will contain about 10 or 30 men. It is a very pretty spot. I have half a mind to move the Fort up there.

Have you heard that the River has broken across the road at the narrow place some distance above Bogy's and the main channel is now thro' the slough it cut away a good piece of the garden and very nearly undermined the saw mill. Mr. Dewdney & I went up to the Farm and took a long ride all over the country towards the mountains. I lent him your dear old horse Skylark. He looks so well and so does my old fellow Blackfoot. Wilson has built such a nice stable with six stalls and a loose box with carriage house and harness room between the Govt house and Gallaghers. Just fancy he put it up almost entirely himself only requiring assistance with the heavy beams. Altho' he does drive into Buffalo ruts and Badger holes more than I like he is an excellent man. Poor fellow he was in an awful state coming down here. In crossing the St. Mary's so many men jumped on our trap the horses refused to pull in the middle and instead of following me he turned them on to the bank lower down - smash went the wheel and over went the wagon. I was driving Winder in Bogy's buggy and got across all right. W. went back from there and I rode Skylark and drove in Neale's buck board all the way down. At the St. Mary's we broke two wagons and one buck board - the latter in the most amusing way capsized over and over again down the River with poor old Le Veille and other man first up then down till they reached a shallow place when they got themselves out rather wrecked - from what I hear of the old man's state from the Doctor I believe his wife thinks so any way /oh shocking/ - nothing very serious but just a little more stra... in the cold water than was good for the old gentleman - what tender things we men are.

I went to the Blackfoot Crossing with Mr. Dewdney and didn't we just delight the heart of our old friends the Blackfoot with the meat and flour tea sugar and tobacco we took them. They have suffered awfully this last Winter and it is wonderful how well they have behaved. Crowfoot appears to have kept them all in check. We went thro' their camp and I rec'd a perfect ovation. Men women and children flocked round to greet me and shake hands. The women brought their children on their backs to shake hands and held out the tiny little skeleton hands for me to shake. I had I am sorry to say to submit to be kissed by old and young not only by the ladies but by a lot of men ugh!!! One old hag was not content to touch my cheek but tried to get at my lips crunching here teeth as she did so. It nearly made me sick. Of course she did not succeed and they all laughed when I told them it was only my pretty young wife that kissed my lips. - I asked Dewdney to take a walk with me and led him up to where our old camp was. There were a lot of Indian lodges all about but just where our tent was there is a perfect bed of wild roses. I plucked a couple of them to send to you and just near by I picked a pretty white one. They are all in a jumble now, but still retain some fragrance. Darling it made me so happy to go back to this place but still I felt most awfully lonely and as if I would give the world to fly in a moment back to your dear delicious arms which I know are always open to receive me.

Mary darling I can't tell exactly why but I have been wretched ever since I left you, and I feel that you only can make me happy again. I have telegraphed for you to come to Benton as soon as possible. I began to feel that if you put off coming much longer you would have some difficulty in coming up the River. I left your going to Toronto to yourself as I did not wish to interfere one way or the other. I hope you got the $100.00 from Mr. White at any rate you have no doubt drawn upon I.G. Baker & Co. for what you wanted. I deposited $900.00 with them when I arrived here and a few hundred would not make much difference. I sincerely hope you have done as I told you in one of my letters. I don't know yet when or where we shall meet. I received by last mail a cipher telegram from Ottawa ordering me to Battleford to advise about supplying the wants of the Indians in the Northern Districts with the Lt. Gov. & Mr. Breland & saying that orders had been given to give full effect to my counsel. So I start at once. It is better so as I will not have to go there again this Fall as the Gov proposed to attend a meeting of the N.W. Council. I hope you will come to Benton like a good girl and await me in patience there, altho' I know you don't like the idea.

That a sweet almost overwhelmingly delicious letter I have just got from you. My sweet wife it gives me such endless pleasure to have you tell me all all about yourself. Won't I be glad to see you as you are. You know my opinions about this matter and that I would never have you otherwise than as God intended in the nature of things that you should. My only anxiety is about your suffering and I pray to Him night and morning that he may watch over you. I am so pleased to hear such good accounts of our little pet. I do so long to see you both and may Heaven grant we may never be separated so long again. With endless loves and heaps of kisses.

Your loving and devoted Husband

Jim

[PS] The Winder baby is a very fine child. I only saw Mr. McKay twice. he is much liked. Did not see Miss Barrett or the Methodist Parson but subscribed $10.00 to the school wh[ich] is his church.