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Description
FC 3213 L55 042 · Series · 1889 - 1920
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

An archive of 52 interesting and significant letters by Thomas “Alf” Patrick and his wife Marion (1889-1904). Almost all letters come with their original stamped mailing envelopes (49 envelopes in total). 44 letters are by Thomas and 8 by Marion.
Most of the letters are handwritten and signed, ranging from a single page up to five pages, often closely written. 3 are typed and signed.
In the case of letters by Thomas Patrick, many of the letters to his wife are almost in diary form recording events as they happened [often mailed from Regina]. Some letters are written when Patrick was physically sitting in the Legislative Chambers waiting for events to unfold there. These are usually on embossed North West Territory Legislative stationery.
Three themes run through the archive:

  • Significant political matters and events surrounding the period when Patrick served in the North West Territories Legislature
  • Historical events on the Prairies
  • Issues relating to a lack of infrastructure and a changing societal and political landscape due to heavy immigration into the
    Prairies.
  • Life on the Prairies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
  • The close personal relationship and related family matters between two early pioneers in Saskatchewan
    Topics covered include: medical, legislative matters, Indians and half-breeds, railway events, life in Saltcoats and Regina, Saskatchewan, land investments, illnesses on the prairies, people (Clifford Sifton and Frederick Haultain) and related topics, immigration, Mennonites, Hungarians, Doukhobors, infrastructure, visiting patients, and much more.
Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · June 21, 1924
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

Front page title reads "Macleod - Jubilee, Anniversary of the Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police"
Extensive promotion of the Jubilee celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the entry of the N. W. M. Police into Western Canada. Article topics include the early days of Fort Macleod, an exploration of the Waterton Park area, stories of pioneer women on the frontier, and other historical narratives.

Item · [1914]
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

A booklet with in-depth information regarding farming and homesteading opportunities in Western Canada, "the Granary of the British Empire," published by the Canadian Pacific Railway Department of Natural Resources. It covers Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia and contains photographs of geographical features and agricultural functions. A large fold-out map is tipped-in after the last page and shows "system of land survey and lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company."

Canadian Pacific Railway
2008.1.1.1.3.1 · File · 1889, 1890, 1902-1909
Part of Sir Samuel Steele Collection

Letters sent to SBS from Father Lacombe, declaring his support of Steele's potential promotion, and general descriptions of his work; includes a hand-written declaration from Father Lacombe on the 6th of January 1890, declaring that Steele is unmarried, and of good character. Handwritten and typewritten documents

Lacombe, Albert, Father
Item · 1905
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

A large fold-out paper brochure, written in French, providing information on farming and homesteading in Manitoba and the territories of Assiniboia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. The verso is a map of Canada, dated 1905 but prior to September and the formation of modern provincial borders, and includes the territories of Athabasca, Mackenzie, Franklin, Keewatin, and Ungava.

Oliver, Frank
Item · 1914-02-26 - 1915-02-15
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

Two letters addressed to Mr. Thos. W. Walker in Willimantic, Connecticut, from Mr. M. A. Bowlby of the Canadian Government Agency in Boston, Massachusetts, dated February 26, 1914 and February 15, 1915. They are replies to Mr. Walker's inquiries about the 160 acre parcels of land being offered for free in Western Canada. The backs of the letters are maps of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as a portion of the United States, with many small town names listed as stops along the railway. There is also an unused self-addressed envelope from Mr. Bowlby (no postage), and a blank questionnaire asking for names of other people who may be interested in his solicitation.

Bowlby, M. A.
NWMP & the Liquor Question
FC 3213 L55 002 · Series · 1887-1911
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Approximately twenty (20) items regarding the regulation of liquor in the North West Territories of Canada in the late 1880s and early 1900s. The difficulties faced by the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) in enforcing the unpopular permit-based liquor laws of the time are given particular attention.

North-West Mounted Police
Item · [1904]
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

A booklet provided by the Government of the Dominion of Canada containing photographs, maps, and predominantly agricultural information intending to encourage settlement in the western provinces. Published prior to 1905 and the present-day provincial configuration, the maps display boundaries for the territories of Assiniboia, Athabasca, Mackenzie, Franklin, Keewatin, and Ungava. The title reads "Homes for Millions in Western Canada's Vast Agricultural Domain of Virgin Opportunity and Infinite Resources."

Sifton, Clifford, Sir, 1861-1929
Item · c. 1905
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

An immigration enticement publication issued by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company that includes information on "farming, mining, lumbering, ranching, and fruit growing" in the province of British Columbia. A fold-out map is tipped in before the first page "showing the lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway" in southern B.C. and Alberta, and includes some of northern Washington and Montana. Another map printed on the inside of the front cover shows the C.P.R. across Canada, and another closer view of the area around Ottawa, Ontario showing "Eastern lines and connections," dated February 2, 1905. The name C. Green is handwritten on the top of both front and back covers, as well as on page 5 and dated September 4, 1908.

Canadian Pacific Railway
Item · 2008
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

An autographed copy of The Lands, Brands & Hands of the 76 Ranch by Dave Spencer, published in 2008. The foreword reads "The purpose of this writing is to sort out the locations, ownerships and operation of the ranches associated with the 76 brand." Includes a historical timeline, illustrations of brand symbols and their placement on livestock, a list of employees of the 76 ranch from 1886-1924, and a brief biography of the author.

Spencer, David G.
Item · August, 1904
Part of Prairie Ephemera Collection

A sepia-toned photograph of a group of men and three horse-drawn wagons in front of a stable in Banff, Alberta, dated August, 1904. The caption, written by Theo. J. Childs(?), names everyone in the picture and gives some information. Most of them are "bronco busters." He also mentions his "log shack" and "Vermillion Mountain" in the background.

Childs, Theo. J.