June 23rd

My thumb is now quite well, a little stiff but not sore unless pretty well struck. On the 19th Saturday we played one match – the first innings resulted in the officers having 4 runs to the good. A heavy storm coming up prevented the finishing of the 2nd innings.

The Kootanie Indians too came filing over the prairies – a long moving line all on horses. They camped down on the bottom – near the bridge. Not many came up during the evening, it probably being too wet. On Sunday at 9 o’clock the whole force went down to their camp – where a long lodge about 30 feet long had been erected and I which Father Scullen held service. The Kootanies you must know are all Roman Catholics. They come from the other side of the mountains – from British Columbia & are real British subjects. Only a portion of the tribe comes down every spring. The remainder stay at home to take care of their gardens – for in their way they are farmers.

The Romish missionaries have been busily at work with them and they are practically civilized. They have but one wife and are always married by the priest – their children are baptized. They have evening service every evening and never sit down to eat without first kneeling and giving thanks. They bear a character most exemplary for hospitality and honesty. Their language is the queerest and strangest conglomeration of deep guttural sounds – spoken in a very low whisper – so low that one can not help wondering how they manage to understand one another. To hear them talk you would think that they were fearful stutterers and were endeavoring to pronounce the words clerks click. At the service on Sunday they sang one or two hymns to a most mournful tune apparently under their breath.

On Monday we had a big powwow and talk with the Kootanies and North Peagans – feeding them & giving some presents – then we turned the force out and showed them some mounted drill – then fired several shell at a mark about a mile away. In the evening some rockets were sent up. In the evening I went down to their camp and held a sort of sick parade. I was kept busy for nearly three hours attending to them. They appeared very grateful.

Yesterday they gathered the remains of two Kootanies who had been killed here last Fall just before we came and Father Scullen buried them. I managed to get a sketch of their camp altho’ it is very rough not being able to hold my brush very well.
This morning all the Indians went away towards the plains – where they are going after buffalo. I am going up to the mountains tomorrow so for the next three or four days I will not write to you – but be sure I will always be thinking of you. I expect to be gone about four days – and see no reason why I should not have a really good time. To day I was the witness of a double marriage ceremony – two of the roustabouts were married to two half breed women. The ceremony was all right – except that neither bridegroom had remembered to bring a ring – two were borrowed for the purpose and afterwards returned to their owners.

And now for the present good night and believe me your own loving
Barrie

June 22nd

My thumb is pretty nearly all right again but still stiff – the swelling has gone down and I can bend it a little. My Eye didn’t it hurt for a day or two. I will wait until tomorrow to tell you all that has happened in the past two days.

June 21st

Thumb much better today but still sore – swollen very big – can’t press the weight of the pen against it – accounts for my bad writing.

June 20th

Congratulate Mr. R. for me if you can & wish Miss T. all the happiness she desires. My thumb is very sore - didn’t sleep a wink with it last night.

June 19th

This morning we are to have our cricket match, the conquering game with the subConstables. The day is very fine & I hope that we will be victorious. Well we did not get the win. But I must tell you that I hurt my thumb so that I can’t write very well. I managed to get it between the bat and the ball and mashed it a little.

June 18th

This is the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo 60 years ago. To day we were favoured by an Indian dance in the Barrack square. The North Peagans all bepainted and gaily caparisoned bore down upon the Fort and tying their horses outside – formed a ring in the middle of the square. They all had bows and arrows & there were 5 or 6 drums along. The drummers got in the middle of the ring & began to drum, the others keeping time & making a klick klick klick with their arrows against the bows. Two men lay down on the ground some distance from the circle & covered themselves with their buffalo robes. After playing a short prelude the ring began to throw stones etc. at the two recumbent figures, who after submitting to the treatment for a while, finally jumped up, threw off their robes and began dancing towards the ring, entered it and then giving a signal all suddenly rose up & throwing off their blankets began dancing – every one as naked as could be – their faces, arms, breasts and legs painted up – they divided into two bodies under the leadership of one of the two [?] ones. These two companies advanced and retreated alternately – finally with a yell they all rushed to their places and put on their blankets. This is the ‘Bear Dance’. And most certainly it was the most savage and wildest thing I have seen amongst the Indians. After their dance we gave them a smoke and a feed. They then repeated their dance and went away highly delighted.

June 17th

This morning was excessively sultry & warm. About two o’clock we i.e. Capt. Winder and I went down to Conrad’s to get him to go with us to this Peagan camp. We wanted to see the Big Medicine Pipe Dance so we went over provided with some flour and coffee & sugar, crossed the river in the boat & then walked along thro’ the bush towards the camp – but we had to cross a big slue or coulee with a swift deep current. A party of Indians came riding along on their little ponies – and we jumped up behind them & were ferried over. You would have been amazed to see us: all of us pretty long-legged fellows behind a painted savage & astride a diminutive little pony – under whose belly we could almost lock our feet - & gallantly they bore us thro’ the rushing flood. I had brought my colours with me and while Capt. Winder & Conrad went to pay their respects to the old chief I started off to take a sketch of the camp.

I sat myself down on a hill side looking West – and began to sketch – first one child came near me & then called another & another & then older men came & women until I had around me nearly the entire available strength of the camp. A stark naked little Indian boy was not two feet in front of me dancing with all his might & making medicine at me – set on by the older people around. It was most amusing to hear their exclamations and to see them recognizing the various points as they appeared on the paper. I finally had to come down in order to let the old chief get up his dance – no one would come to it while I was sketching.

Well the dance began – a big roll of skins tied up in a peculiar bundle was set in the middle of the wigwam & the old men & women sat around the wigwam - & the orchestra consisting of 9 drums. The old chief took a piece of lighted punk and put some aromatic substance afore it & set it down in front of this bundle – then in the most solemn manner and amidst a deep & impressive silence proceeded to divest himself of his shirt & to put on a new one. Then undoing the roll of skins- he after untying innumerable strings came upon 3 or 4 bundles made of red flannel – these he held over the smoke of the aromatic herb, then proceeded to untie them & after a long series of wrappings at last came to the stem of the Medicine Pipe. This is a long wooden stem polished & ornamented with a profusion of ermine skins being terminated by a tassel of brilliant red & yellow wool or dyed hair towards the lower end are suspended about a dozen eagle’s feathers dyed vermilion and blue – with a couple of small bells on each feather – there are also other feathers of bright colours in various parts of the stem. This was taken out to slow music by the band and the old chief danced around the lodge and then went outside and held it up towards the sun – then came back and a young man took it and did the same, then an old squaw, then a boy & finally a little child hardly able to walk danced with it. Then they took from the same receptacle another red bundle which proved to contain a whistle. This was danced around with & blown always upwards towards the sun – a huge rattle like a dried gourd was now produced and it was danced with. The drums all the while keeping up an incessant clatter & the shrill voices of the women now and again breaking in with their wild wailing chant. As a heavy storm was coming up we bade a hasty adieu and borrowed some horses to cross the coulee and went home – not without getting a thorough soaking however.

Fort McLeod, June 16th, '75

My darling Lizzie

Again I nearly had a fit of Les diables blues – but I fought them off. Was I not brave? Baker left this morning – the mail was sent down to him at three o’clock this morning. The day turned out pretty fine and we had some cricket. In consequence of the late heavy rains & warm rains – the river had risen pretty high. Our bridge is in danger of being carried away – the middle pier has been so washed out that it has sunk about a foot & a half. If the water rises no higher the bridge may remain steady.

A lot of Indians have been coming in, North Peagans - & the Kootanies are expected in. Father Scullen is waiting here until they come – after that he intends going up to the mountains. I intend trying to go with him – some half breeds are also going up with us – to fish. If I get away I expect to have a very pleasant time. I will also try and take some sketches of mountain scenery.

Fort McLeod, June 15th, 1875

My darling Lizzie,

I will go on answering a few thoughts in your letter of May 3rd etseq. before I tell you what has been going on to day. I left off about John coming to Canada – if he does get him acquainted with Frank Darling. I think they would like one another. So you are going to lose Saida. If you went home with her you would not lose her so quickly and so to the heat - & the climate. Athens is as healthy a place as you could find in Canada. During the summer the average temperature I could bet is less than that of Toronto. You know Athens is in a very hilly country near the southernmost spur of the Blue ridge mountains. The nights are nearly always cool and pleasant & people do not go gallivanting about the streets in the full glare of the hot sun. I wonder what subject you will take up to study. Suppose you try mathematics. Your Father would be delighted to help you in so far as Algebra was concerned. The late rains have caused the river to rise very high. The bridge that we took so much trouble to build – is in danger of being washed away, the middle pier has already sunk about a foot – the water comes with fearful force against it. The North Peagan Indians have been over the cut bank across the river all the morning – we expect the Kootanies in every day. I received the pleasant news to day that Baker is going in tomorrow to Benton and will take in a mail – so this goes off tonight. I do not know who wrote ‘Rain in the Heart’. Cissy Stotesbury could perhaps tell you – she sent the piece cut from a newspaper to Aunt Ellen in Savannah. I do not recollect if it had the author’s name attached or not. Of course it is written from that line of Longfellow’s ‘Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark & dreary’.

I certainly had a cold – but I was not afraid of any of my medicines – but I thought that it would get well of itself – which it did and saved me making some of my faces. Your last letter tho’ very dilapidated in appearance was all right on the inside – and none had fallen out. I cannot help drawing a conclusion from your letter. What is to become of me – if when you are happy you tease & when angry scold me? Dear me what a life to lead. Tell Jack that I have received some of the ‘Practictioners’ and also some numbers of the Canadian Monthly. I expect they have come from his thoughtful mind also and am sincerely thankful. The publication of my letters has been quite sufficient to break down a paper-mill – well how weighty they must have been. Indeed poor darling I do feel so sorry for your cold. I am glad you took some ‘hotstuff’ for it – you should have taken it after getting into bed and then piled the blankets over you. I should like to have dropped in upon you during the Spree.

I am glad to learn from the later pages of your letter that your cold succumbed so easily – although it no doubt caused you great annoyance & trouble at the time. So poor Mr. Crawford is dead. I see by the papers that Mr. Brown will not accept the Lt. Gov.ship but it has been conferred upon the Hon. D.A.M. McD. Will he be any more acceptable to you than the Hon. G.B. ? I have been endeavoring to write while an excessively voluble old Half-breed named Munroe about 80 years old with very gray hair and one eye whose lower lid is turned outwards red & glowering – he talks a mixture of French & English and uses all the gesticulations of the Indian. He is talking of the Native medicines. How he does rattle on. Were I not trying to write to you I should be pleased to hear & listen to him. I must close this now. I really can’t get rid of this old chief & cannot possibly write with him taking. I shall however before this goes write a little more.

Well I am glad to say that the old chap has gone. But it is getting very late and I must send this off. Give my love to all at home and with the best love of my heart from your own

Barrie

June 14th

Nothing in particular going on today. We expect the Kootanie[sic] Indians along with the Stonies[sic] in very soon. The river is rising very fast – hardly fordable now –

No dear I do not forget that the first party given in your house was in May nor that I was much more miserable then than I am now. So Cissy and Mr.Ford are engaged – I thought all along that something would come of it. Well Ford is a pretty decent fellow and as Cissy takes after her Father more than her other parent – she is a nice girl. I am much obliged to Mr. Fred McDougall for the welcome he intends to extend to [?]. In what capacity is he coming up here and in connection with what government - that of Manitobah [sic] or the Northwest Territory. If he goes to Pelly or Ga…[?] my chances of meeting him are very slim.

Whose was the Architects office? I do not think John would accept it for a permanency – he might merely for the sake of seeing Canada but he may consider it more to his purpose to remain at home taking what odd jobs he can get – until he turns something up for himself. If he does come I am sure you will be kind to him – for my sake.

Now good bye
Your own Barrie

June 13th

This morning sick parade was held at half past eight to allow Father Scullen to have Mass at 9 o’clock, and hardly was Mass over before the other churches had their parades. At Mass we had all the Half Breeds over – it was quite a sight to see all the women with their shawls of all hues drawn over their heads and their sparkling bright eyes – roving round the room – in spite of their devotional attitudes. After lunch I had three or four patients to attend to amongst the Half Breeds and then in the afternoon I went for a walk with Capt. Winder down to the bridge. While there we met a couple of men – one a half breed the other a white man – followed by two women half breeds, one about 25 years old in a pink dress and pink sun bonnet – carrying a baby strapped to a board – the other much younger about 15 – very freckled and short and stout in a chintz dress of a Dolly Varden pattern and a bright shawl drawn over her head. All on horseback and all [ ? ..ing] their horses [?] fashion. Our curiosity was roused. We proceeded to investigate the affair [?...ing] to find out who they were. Our diligence was rewarded for we discovered that they were from Whoop Up and had eloped to be married by Father Scullen. Think of that, a runaway match in the North West! Father Scullen married them this evening. I was very sorry that I could not see the ceremony but I did not.

This afternoon just before dinner we were visited by a very heavy thunderstorm which passed directly over our heads. My how it did rain – my room was again a mass of water but as I had taken the precaution of putting everything destroyable under cover I got nothing wet.

June 12th (July 12th 1875)

Dear me I never noticed until just now that I have dated this page one month ahead of time. However it does not matter a great deal at present. This morning we are to play our Return match with Subconstables. Our match began at 10 o’clock and we finished our Innings apiece by dinner time. We were ahead by 21 runs, making 42 to their 20. The second Innings they made 50, one man Uniacke [?] scoring 25. We then took the bat and all our wickets went down for 10. Thus we were defeated. I lay the cause of our defeat down to you. Yes, you need not exclaim and cry out “Me”. I mean you El.th Et.Bt. [?]. But possibly an explanation may be owing to you. In our second Innings while we were fielding a cavalcade was seen approaching over the hill. Of course we all became excited and spyglasses were brought into requisition by the spectators and they kept on calling out what they saw and of course we fielded badly and allowed them to make runs. Just as the match was finished Conrad drove up just from Benton and bringing a mail – and as I had a couple of letters from you I therefore lay the blame upon you. Yes letters have come again. I got two from you of the date May 3 and 10th. I also got one from Father dated May 20th telling of Saida’s safe arrival In Savannah. Also one from Aunt Ellen from Athens dated [?]. And one from Loulie from Burlington of May 15th and one from Harry Stotesbury [?] of May 10th. Also one or two papers for which please return my sincere thanks to Jack for the chess. O your dear letters – how I do love to receive them, so trustful, so loving, rambling, mixed up and badly written. But never mind. I won’t take this occasion for criticizing them or anything else. I spent the afternoon reading them and tomorrow will read them over again – and now Good night my darling and God’s blessing be upon you. Good night again.

June 11th (wrongly dated July 11th)

Yesterday there were two arrivals from Benton, but they brought no letters. Col. McLeod was in Benton awaiting the arrival of the boat on which he expected to find some of the Officers of the Force and some recruits. I believe also that a Custom’s officer and one or two others were expected. The Col. was only waiting for them to come [?] he left for Fort McLeod. I took a sketch yesterday of the half breed camp – and finished it today. I looks very much like it, but not so pretty as I expected it to be. Will you be kind enough to find out for me the lines in Tennyson’s Elaine beginning something like this

Self reliance Self love Self respect These three lead Life to sovereign power Yet not for Power alone Power of herself would come uncalled But because right is right more wisdom in the scorn [?] of consequence To follow right etc….

I know the words are not right – the thing has been bothering me for some days – I have tried to work it out but have failed.

June 10th

Eleven months today since I left my darling Lizzie. Eleven long months. Have they seemed as long to you as you thought they would? In all conscience, to me they have seemed to be long enough but I must confess that I thought eleven months would have been much longer to look back upon. Was I not happy a year ago – yet not altogether so for I knew not where I should begin to get my living and I was anxious. I had no license and there was some risk in attempting to practice in Ontario without it – as I had intended even in such an out of the way hole as Tullamore. Then came that man who wanted me to go up in the lumber district above Orillia to nurse small pox patients. Then came this offer which altho’ it took me far away from you – I gladly hailed as partially solving the problem of how I was to live. And I am not altogether sorry for having accepted it. I have seen a good deal, learned something and have some confidence in my own judgement. I am more selfreliant than I ever would have been at the T. G. Hospital – had I remained there for years. I have learned too that I can get along pretty well with most people, all of the officers and most of the men I think like me. Of course we have had our disputes and quarrels but with me they never kept up more than a day.

And another thing I have learned [?] your letters. That my Lizzie loves me truly – trusts me fully. Oh Lizzie do you know at times I used, like you, to be troubled with doubts and misgivings. But with my absence and your dear letters all my doubts have vanished and I know now that you really love me as I love you.

June 9th

We have had thunder storms all around us but now really near us – they seem to hug the mountains. To night I took my place at the end of the dinner table – it being my turn. No news of a mail or anything approaching it.

June 8th

Nothing whatever going on today. Our village is slowly progressing. The halfbreeds with their lodges render things more lively in appearance. Last night the men of ‘F’ Troop gave a dance to the halfbreeds – everyone seemed to enjoy themselves most heartily, dancing their reels and jigs, and old fiddler perched upon an elevated seated [ ? ] beat time with both feet and jerked head and arms about in a most remarkable manner. They kept the fun going until about midnight and Fort McLeod returned to its wonted state of repose.

June 7th

We are making a garden – the land has already been ploughed, and today it was harrowed and laid off into gardens for each Troop. It is rather late for a garden but we could not get at it no sooner.

Father Scullen came in quite unexpectedly about noon today – he is just beginning his yearly round and expects to be upon the prairie from now until next September visiting all the Indian camps.

June 6th

To day as usual church parade and after that I went for a short walk. After dinner Captain Winder, Brisebois, Jackson and myself had our horses saddled and went for a short ride. We went out on the prairie. Old Satan was looking well and feeling well – the evening was fine and we enjoyed our ride very much. I dare say when you have read my last letter that you will wonder what has become of the flower I said I had inclosed for you. I was having it pressed in a book in the Hospital – and kept your letter open over night in order to put in the flower in the morning – but I was called in such a hurry to send away my letters that I had to close it and send it away at once. I will send it to you in this whenever it goes.

Fort McLeod, June 5th, 1875

My dear Lizzie

This morning Glen started off in fine style with his four-in-hand team and his wife for Benton – taking with him letters etc. I always feel blue as a Mail is about leaving here – and to day was no exception to the rule.

We had a game of cricket. The Officers and non-commissioned Officers against the men. The men were in high feather and were certain of a great victory. I was captain of the Eleven, but feeling very cross. I was so put out by the refusal of three or four of the sergeants to play, that I said I would have nothing more to do with the match – an expression of ill temper that was amusing no doubt. Jackson then took the management and supplied the places of the disaffected – and the match proceeded. Strange to say – we were successful beating them in both innings.

Fort McLeod, June 4th, '75

My dear Lizzie

A mail is to go out from here tomorrow. How I would like to go with it. I am afraid that I am very blue tonight. I think I always get blue when a mail is about leaving – but I must not think of the blues just now – for you, by the time this reaches Toronto, may be thinking of Miss Annie Taylor’s wedding. Dear Liz, I wish it were you and I, that were about to be tied together for life – for more than life, for Eternity. Do you ever think of it? I do often and often. I consider that in very truth you and I are now so nearly and so closely united in heart and mind and soul, that tho’ our bodies should never be united, still our soul-binding would last thro’ time and Eternity. Even now separated as we are by vast tracts of wild desolate country – we are yet one – and should one of us be called away – the other would remain faithful and true until such time as Our Father saw fit to place us together again.

But my own darling, I am getting gloomy again. Forgive me – and let us talk of something else. Say anything you would like me to say to Annie Taylor on the 20th and I will become responsible for it. Why did she not choose the 21st of June, she would then have had a longer day?

Things around the Camp have been going on pretty much the same as ever. The arrival of a large camp of halfbreeds a day or two ago caused an influx of visitors to the Fort, but as they are camped across the river some seven miles away, and the river is rising daily we have not seen a great deal of them. A second smaller party came down to day. One among them called Munroe had been highly recommended as an Interpreter and was taken on the strength of the Force. I have not yet visited their camp – they live in wigwams – most of the men can talk English but I believe none of the women. I have only seen one of the latter and she was sick – a horrible abscess if nothing worse in the breast. I think it comes from a blow – and her husband I think is the one who struck the blow – I do not know – but I think he maltreats her – she had a black eye and several bruises on her as of a recent beating – but I asked nothing only observed, but if I find out any truth in my surmises I shall do my level best to get Mr. Alons (his name) into trouble.

And now my darling I must say good night, and for the present goodbye. I am quite well and have been. The only change is my smooth chin and fierce (?) moustache. Keep your spirits up Old Girl – our 20th of June will come round in good time and then - [ ? ]

With unalterable love I am
Ever your own
Barrie

I enclose you a little flower I found in a most lonely desolate spot all by itself – no other green thing within some distance of it. It was bright and doing well and apparently happy tho’ all alone like

Your
Barrie

June 2nd

The day before yesterday Denny and I started down the river – the sun was shining bright and a gentle breeze was blowing. But before we got many miles down the river storm clouds began to make their appearance and when about one o’clock we stopped for lunch it rained hard – we were pretty well protected by some brush but still we got very wet. We killed one goose and one duck and found several hawks’ nests two of which we robbed. We got down to Kipp at nine in the evening very wet, very cold and thoroughly tired out. We had great difficulty towards the latter end of the journey in making our way avoiding rocks and shoals – owing to the darkness. At one time I thought we had passed Fort Kipp. The whole of the next day it rained hard and we had to stay at Kipp. The day passed drearily enough – our horses came down for us but owing to the storm we thought it advisable to remain at Kipp the next.

Yesterday [ ? ] we started bright and early and arrived here about half past nine. I found my room in a most dilapidated state. My bedroom was all right except the dressing table which was covered with mud and water. In my sitting room and library, my table was one mass of mud and water. Some books and papers nearly ruined. Fortunately I had a lot of Nations [ ? ] over my books with the writing [ ? …several lines illegible ] effects of the wetting in these sheets.

All the other rooms were pretty nearly as bad – the Hospital on one side suffered but the tarpaulins saved it from much damage. There must have been more than an inch of water on my floor. Today we have had some nice little showers too but I had everything stowed away so nothing more got wet. I must now say good night and good bye again. Your own Barrie