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Title [James Macleod to his wife about his journey to Fort Walsh with Mr Galt]
Archival Reference M-776-14a
Sub-collection Macleod, James F. Family  
Author Macleod, James F.  
Date 29 May 1880
Document Type Correspondence
Contents James Macleod to his wife about his journey to Fort Walsh with Mr Galt, and their discussion of the First Nations of Canada in the neighbourhood.
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 Travel and Transportation  Domestic Life and Living Conditions  Indigenous Peoples  First Nations  
Places Fort Walsh; Saskatchewan
People Macleod, James Farquharson  Macleod, Mary  
Themes Exploration, Expeditions & Travel; Indigenous Peoples
Library Glenbow Museum  
Copyright Glenbow Museum
Transcript Fort Walsh

May 29th 1880

Saturday

My own darling Mary,

We arrived here this morning about 11.o'clock: all right after a very good trip. The weather was very fine till just before arriving at the head of the mountain last night when a tremendous storm of wind and hail burst over us. We were on the top of the mountain and could see it coming for about twenty minutes. Fortunately we got to the houses just after it reached us and did not get very wet. There were only three claps of thunder but they were oners [?].

I find Galt a very pleasant travelling companion. He is in an awful funk about Indian matters. There are about 4,000 Indians here and in the neighbourhood and the authorities in Ottawa appear to have overlooked the necessity which has been pointed out to them over and over again that they would require to be fed or they would starve. Between ourselves, your old scalliwag could have managed things better if it had been left to him.

Will you tell Norman that I received a letter from Council that he had arranged a ticket for Norman Junior from Duluth to Benton and had sent his telegram to Dr. Hillary. White telegraphs me that the recruits would not leave till the 30th - tomorrow - so that I have no doubt that everything will be all right.

I found your boots here. I suppose as they were registered they had to be sent to Assiniboine.

I read as many letters as would almost fill a bushel and very little in them all. Someone had a letter from Clark on the 28th ult. He had been in Montreal on his wedding trip and did not know when he would start. I wonder about No 20!!!

My own darling I am homesick already and long to be in your warm embrace a dozen times a day and every time I waken at night. My two little pets are ever present with me. Everyone asks about Nell and says what a clever child she is from all that is said about her. I will write you a long letter by next week's mail.

With my fondest and endless love. your own

Jim

I send your boots by post.