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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 13 Jun 1880
Document Type Correspondence
Contents James Macleod to his wife about daily life in Fort Walsh, the dire conditions of his living conditions there on account of the bad weather.
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 Climate  Women's History  Leisure, Entertainment and Social Life  Domestic Life and Living Conditions  Marriage and Relationships  
Places Fort Walsh; Saskatchewan
People Macleod, James Farquharson  Macleod, Mary    
Themes Natural World; Women's History; Children & Family; Arts & Entertainment
Library Glenbow Museum  
Copyright Glenbow Museum
Transcript Fort Walsh

Sunday Evg June 13th

My own darling Mary,

It is perfectly impossible for me to tell you how I am longing to receive a letter from you. I think there is a very strong chance of one coming by the next mail as I have detained the one from here, until this evening as Mr. Galt went into Assiniboine and expected to be back a couple of days ago and promised to bring our letters. Farwell has surely got in by this time and tomorrow's coach will bring your dear letter out from Benton. It does appear such an age since I left you dearest and I am getting quite blue at not hearing from you, but of course it can't be helped as it was impossible to have heard before. I have been writing the whole blessed day - one of my epistles contained 15 pages. And during the week I have been very busy with the papers connected with the discharges of the men who are leaving. I wish you could see the pile of envelopes wh. contain my mail. This has been a very disagreeable week. We have had a great deal of rain, and some of the quarters have been quite flooded. My bedroom leaked a good deal about the stove pipe but fortunately the part about my bed was quite dry. We have taken a house for Clark, the one the tailor Stuttaford lived in, and are getting it fitted up with the addition of a kitchen etc. behind. My darling love how I am longing to be with you again, the old feeling has come back with increased strength and I feel as if I could not live away from you, indeed life does not seem worth living without my pet and how could it be when one thinks how much you are to me. Dear darling Mary you have indeed been more than wife, I don't think there is a woman in the world who could keep one's love so fresh as you do. I am just as spooney now and spooneyer than I ever was. I read a great deal now, there is not much to tempt me out of doors. We have played a few games of lawn tennis, it is a very good game. I sit & sit and lie and lie awake in bed picturing you and our two darlings, in our little cozy room at home, and in our comfortable bed. Oh Mary how I do long to be there. I feel as if my heart was being dragged out of me. Give my love to dear Norman and with endless kisses undying love to yourself and the two pets.

Believe me to remain Ever

Your fond husband

Jim

Stuart is doing very well.