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FC 3213 L55 002.006 · Item · January 31, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Two page typed memo written by an unnamed Comptroller. Dated in Ottawa, 31st January, 1890.

“Until recent years a permit was understood to cover liquor imported into the North-West for the use of the person named therein, but it has been ruled in Court that both the permit and the liquor may be held in the possession of a person other than he to whom the permit was issued.
Under the protection of this ruling, saloons are supplied freely with permits and liquor, and it is quite a common occurrence for the Police to find in the same house liquor covered by permits in the names of half a dozen or more different persons.
Liquor is smuggled into the country to replenish the kegs or jars protected by the permits, and it is impossible to prove that the liquor found in such kegs or jars is not that which was originally imported into the country under permits_ a permit may thus be used as a perpetual license unless a case of selling can be established.
If the permit system is to be continued, the undersigned suggests that the law should be amended in such manner as will forbid the transfer of permits and restrict the custody and use of liquor imported there-under to the residence and household of the person to whom the permit is issued.”

Item · January 10, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Byron [Ontario]

From: Marion [Griffith]

To: Alf / T.A. Patrick, M.D., Saltcoats, Assiniboia, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 10 pp + envelope, note on envelope “No. 236”

Notes: Marion writes to her fiance, Alf [Dr. Thomas A. Patrick]. Her Grandpa is doing poorly. He surprised Marion by giving her and her sister Annie a gift of $175.00 the morning after speaking with his doctor. She finishes writing the letter while in Strathroy. She received Alf's photograph and is surprised that he grew a moustache. Marion and Annie continue to make plans to move to Saltcoats in the near future.

Patrick, Marion Griffith
Item · January 27, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Byron [Ontario]

From: Marion [Griffith]

To: Alf / T. A. Patrick, M.D., Saltcoats, Assiniboia, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 4 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 239,” envelope is bordered in black

Notes: Marion writes to her fiance, Alf. Her Grandpa died at 3 p.m. She describes it as a relief as he suffered so much.

As Alf asked to set their wedding date as Saturday, February 22 in his letter, Marion explains that it is too soon for her to be ready to travel to Birtle and Saltcoats. She asks Alf if February 28th would work as a compromise.

Patrick, Marion Griffith
Item · February 8, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Byron, Ontario

From: Marion [Griffith] and M.J. Griffith

To: Alf / T.A. Patrick M.D., Saltcoats, Assiniboia, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 8 pp + envelope banded in black; note on envelope “No. 241;” and a page banded in black

Notes: Marion writes to her fiance, Alf [Dr. T.A. Patrick]. She is recovering after being ill for several days. She is otherwise making progress on the packing to move to Saltcoats and marry Alf.

A second item in the envelope is a sheet of lined paper, folded in half, first page banded in black. It is a letter from Marion's mother, Mrs. M.J. Griffith, to her soon-to-be son-in-law. She and her husband, James, give their blessing to the upcoming marriage.

Patrick, Marion Griffith
Item · January 8, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Saltcoats

From: Alf [Thomas A. Patrick]

To: Marion / Miss Griffith, Byron, Ontario, Canada

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 5 pp + envelope, note on envelope “No. 257”

Notes: In his weekly letter to his fiancé, Marion Griffith, Alf comments that many people in the community are sick with a cold. Twelve “half-breeds” and some “Indians” from Fort Pelly are in Saltcoats to stock up on provisions. Alf made a deal with Chief Cotè to have his two deer hides tanned with the hair on. Alf plans on using the tanned hides for bedroom rugs.

“It’s ‘again the law’ to sell Pain Killer Price’s Extracts and several other things of this kind to Indians or halfbreeds. Those here to-day took advantage of ignorance of that fact. They got a pound of sweet mitre from me and ginger and Price’s Flavoring Extracts from Mr. Hallett clerk at Buchanan & Co.’s. I expect they are having a great old drunk tonight on these delicious beverages. Hallett and I are both liable to a fine if our ignorance of the law does not excuse us.”

Writing later, Alf tells of a busy few days of sick calls. Two people were stricken with convulsions and one with influenza. The shipment of drugs he ordered from Detroit did not arrive and is stuck in Customs at Portage La Prairie. “They have been ordered and paid for since Nov. 11th and so will be a long time coming indeed.”

Again writing later, Alf’s handwriting deteriorates as he is exhausted from a day of travelling between sick patients and now has influenza himself. He tells Marion that her travel plan suggestion, which apparently involves her taking the train to Portage La Prairie, is unwise. He wants to meet her in Birtle and be married on a Tuesday.

He ends the letter “[w]ith headache and weeping, sneezing nose and backache and sickness and just haste, I am. Yourownloving Alf.”

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · January 29, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Saltcoats, N.W.T.

From: Alf [Thomas A. Patrick]

To: Miss Marion Griffith, Byron, Middlesex, Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 8 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 260”

Notes: In a letter to his fiance, Marion Griffith, Alf [Dr. T.A. Patrick] describes traveling across open prairie in winter to reach sick patients. Alf, Mr. Paulger, and Mr. Boake (liveryman) traveled more than eight hours to reach the ill Mrs. Paulger. Upon returning to Saltcoats, Alf found a telegram calling him to Kinbrae to treat the wife of Mr. William Rowland. After spending a mere six hours in Saltcoats, Alf and Mr. Boake set out at midnight to reach Mrs. Rowland. After more than seven hours they reached Churchbridge, where they rested their team of horses and ate breakfast. They finally reached Mrs. Rowland at 4 p.m. to find her suffering from typhoid fever. Returning to Saltcoats took less time as Mr. Rowland was able to set the men on a more direct route to Churchbridge. Alf chose to take the Friday freight train from Churchbridge back to Saltcoats. Along the way, the train stopped and waited as Alf treated the child of the section foreman at Bredenbury.

Much of the rest of the letter concerns financial matters, including an explanation of fines applied to wood cut illegally from government lands.

Writing at a later time, Alf acknowledges receiving Marion's letter in which she describes her grandfather's worsening health.

Writing a day later, Alf is in receipt of the mourning envelope containing news of Marion's grandfather's death. He expresses his condolences before approving of Marion's suggestion that she and her sister Annie begin their journey to Saltcoats on February 28. Alf then worries further about financial matters, "For I feel sorry that in asking you to marry me I ask you to marry a man whose future is mortgaged." But he looks forward to their marriage, writing, "Do not hope or expect any near approach to perfection in this future husband of yours, Marion. He has many faults but it can truthfully be said that he is always very much better when his Marion influences him."

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · January 15, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Saltcoats [North West Territories]

From: Alf [Thomas A. Patrick]

To: Miss Marion Griffith, Byron, Ontario, Canada – Middlesex Co.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 7 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 258;” broken, black matchstick- size substance seals envelope

Notes: Alf writes his weekly letter to his fiance, Marion. "Am not at all well yet. Though better than yesterday. Practising medicine and being sick are not very compatible with each other. This influenza epidemic has been hard on medical practitioners. Dr. Faford of St. Boniface near Winnipeg died last week and Saturday’s Free Press (Manitoba) tells us that old Dr. Ferguson of Winnipeg is, dying, or at least near unto death."

He has been asking around to estimate the cost of the marriage and lists prices for the ring, license, Parson's fee, and fare to Birtle. After detailing financial concerns, Alf asks, "Can we not then be married in Birtle on Saturday February 22nd – five weeks from to-day?" He writes that "this will be cheapest and if mean to be married as February we must consider what is cheapest."

He writes that he is "in a bad fix for need of bottles. He had ordered some from Detroit, but they were delayed at Portage La Prairie. He writes "the last medicine I stuck in a Worcestershire sauce bottle and the medicine before that in a shoe-blacking bottle."

He further writes of receiving two papers called "Farm and Storm" and the Regina Leader.

Alf comments on the kindness of Marion's grandfather for gifting money to her and her sister, Annie. As to her surprise that he grew a moustache, he comments, "My moustache was not worth mentioning.." He then asks what bedding she needed him to purchase for her and states that he "will get dishes from Buchanan and Co. so that we can begin housekeeping at once." But he ensures her that he "will borrow them and not buy any till you come."

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · January 18, 1890
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Byron, Ont.

From: Marion [Griffith]

To: Alf / T. A. Patrick, M.D., Saltcoats, Assiniboia, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 4 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 237”

Notes: In her weekly letter to her fiance, Alf, Marion gives an account of her grandfather's rapid decline in health. Numerous family members come and go to take shifts and sit with him as he suffers through worsening "bad spells." Dr. Woodruff can do nothing more for his patient. Reverend Evans Davis is sent for. Marion writes, "I understand now Alf why it is best that we did not go to Saltcoats sooner. All is for the best, but we cannot think so sometimes." She finishes the letter, "Yours in sorrow, Marion."

Patrick, Marion Griffith
Item · November 3, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: Alf [T.A. Patrick]

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp of North West Territories letterhead + envelope

Notes: A short letter from Alf to his wife, Marion. He writes that she "acted very sensibly in not adding the M.L.A. to my address" and he "thinks it would be well to avoid doing so always." He then writes of his successful speech in the Legislative Assembly, which the newspapers the Regina Standard and the Regina Leader covered. He finishes his letter stating that he will move a motion that day regarding the Manitoba and North Western Railway.

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · November 19, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 9 pp, one sheet of paper is North West Territories letterhead & envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes to his wife, Marion Patrick, while he waits for the House to open as Government is in council. He states that the Railway Committee's report will not be addressed until Monday. Unfortunate as Patrick had taken under his wing a Mr. Ferraro, a Hungarian delegate who had visited Yorkton, and a Mr. Forslund of the C.P.R. Land Department who had come to visit the Assembly. Unhappy with the Hungarians' location near Yorkton, Mr. Forslund gave most of them land grants. Mr. Ferraro decided to move to Edmonton.

Patrick further writes of the Speaker's dinner that night where one of the attendees is supposed to be the Hon. Clifford Sifton, Minister of the Interior. There is also an upcoming "Windsor Assembly Ball" to honour the Assembly members. Patrick finishes his first letter with "Mr. Haultain has arrived. The Speaker takes the chair."

He begins a new letter in the afternoon while waiting for a sleigh to take him to the House, expressing his worry about his family and his friends the Nelsons and the Christies. He advises that the children avoid Mrs. Head, regardless of the precautions she takes, and that the should be taken out for a walk everyday. He then jokes of his lack of progress in learning to waltz despite having lessons from Mrs. Hayes, the Librarian, Mrs Newlands, wife of the Registrar of Land Titles, and Miss Nimmins of the Normal School. Patrick reports that he finished drafting a report for the Select Committee on Railways and must begin drafting a Village Ordinance.

Patrick writes later that evening that Clifford Sifton will not be in attendance at the ball and again on Saturday morning he writes to inform his wife that the members of the assembly were invited to Commissioner Herchmen's home to meet Mr. Sifton. Later still on Sunday, he continues his letter to comment on the new Government's need to prepare legislation following the election.

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · December 1, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes his letter to his wife, Marion, while sitting at the Statute Labor Ordinance. Letting his wife know that she might see it in the Regina Leader, he states that he got another "shot at the Manitoba and North Western Railway Company." He then writes that he has to sit in Assembly every night for the next week. He inquires about the children and whether they liked the gift he sent to them. Ending his note he states that he "gave notice of my Village Ordinance today."

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · December 3, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. [Marion] Patrick, Yorkton

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick informs his wife, Marion, in one of his frequent letters that he spoke on the second reading of his Prairie and Forest Fire Bill, which met with some opposition but passed. He also mentions that the Windsor Ball the night before was a success and that he has been reading compliments regarding his Fire Bill. He states that one was "an opinion or rather an expression of hope that I will soon be a member of the Government."

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · November 5, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 2 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead + envelope

Notes: T.A Patrick writes one of his frequent letters to his wife, stating how busy he has been in the last week due to the extra work created by his select committee on the Manitoba and North Western Railway. He was invited to a ball at the Governor's and bought a new pea jacket of good quality. He mentions sending 140 copies of the Regina Leader through the constituency (of Yorkton). Writes of needing to work on a Health Ordinance that night and his interview with the district engineer about public works the next day.

Patrick, Thomas Alfred
Item · December 2, 1897
Part of Life, Events, and Players in the North-West

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. [Marion] Patrick, Yorkton

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes on of his frequent letters to his wife, Marion, from the Assembly informing her that he had just got his Manitoba and North Western Railway resolution passed. He ends stating"the Windsor Ball tonight."

Patrick, Thomas Alfred