Fort Macloed March 10 1875

My Dear Lizzie,

Last Monday, i.e. March 8th I footed(?) a letter to you. It has not [?] gotten outside [?] [?] of the Fort. About 10 o'clock the same morning a band of horses were seen coming over the hill. [?] were daily [?] horses from Sun River. Baker [?] horses for [?] and with [?]. Mail was expected every day. Who was it? Indians? A huge[?] crowd soon collected in front of the fort. Glasses of [?] form were all leveled in the direction of the coming strangers. Conjecture was rife. Betting was high. The horses rapidly approaching, some of our men at work on a bridge about [?] quarter of a mile from the fort. [?] their work and ran promiscuously[?] towards the new comers. [?] hearts [?] high. Some [?] [?] Maj. Walsh. [?] decieved if our suspense culminated in the heart [?] fact that the horses were for us from Sun River. Was there any mail? The horses came nearer, nearer, within a speaking distance. [?] Cochrane in charge. The question shouted ouy to him Have you any Mail? The answer came back, no. Another disappointment to add to our long list of previous ones. However he told us that he had left our mail at Fort Kipp, which was coming along in a wagon. [? shouts of joy and exaltating. How many anxious eyes kept close watch upon the distant prairie horizon. How many wary hearts ached to hear from the loved ones at home, and now [?] high with hope. Finally the wagon came in sight. The crowd which had been distracted by the horses in a moment rushed [?] of the [?] anxious joyful turbulent. In half an hour the mail had come. 11.48am. Mar 8th 1875. A day to be marked [?] a [?] stoned in my calendar. I managed to get [?] to [?] room when the letters were being distributed and got my [?]. There were 3 large bags full, over 300lbs of mail [?]. I got letters from you. Those that were set to Dufferin + Garry and the [?] that was one began on the 8th of February just one month before I recieved it. [?] received a quantity of papers, mails, notorious[?] practitioners[?], [?], as wll as some [?] papers. How am I ever to be sufficiently thoughtful to your kind thoughtful [?] + Jack willingly taken trouble for me. I immediately sat down and found the last letter you wrote, found you were well + then read your letters in reverse order as regards dates then found some letters from home I sat there [?] afternoon reading your letters, and the evening found me still busy. I could not finish all that night. On Tuesday morning I began again and by lunch time had [?] I had 48 letters! I have managed to glance at the papers but have not looked into them [?]. [?] found in [?] [?] the [?] folks and today I am writing to you. I hardly know what is in your letters do not know if you have asked me many questions or not I am so taken up with the [?] idea of your doing well and that for the time being was all I cared for. I shall take your letters of one each day and [?] and answer your questions. There is another [?] [?] of letters Conrad expects teams out from Benton + [?] there will also come other + later letters. [?] never [?] but [?] [?]. I am happy [?]. I can look [???]. Besides the mail there is little or nothing to talk about. Brooks is far better and stronger than he has been [?]. He too received a letter from home and has written one in answer. His grandmother has been very ill but is now or when she wrote quite well. I have learned [?] [?] [?] + had the [?] [?] with it. I shall proceed to answer your letter of the 8th [?]. Your letters friends to me? friends, no, not friends but something [?] closer than any friend, they are part of myself or they are reflections of your own pure warm heart and are dearer than any friend. I have not been taking my Sunday evening walk very regularly and my mind goes back to the 8th of february with [?] - I do not think i did- on Tuesday morning I was quite well thank you but [?] if it was not 11 when you were writing it could not have been quite [?] and most probably I was just getting up. The sick call is at nine and I have to bein the Hospital then. What [?] were you [?], it was evidently in the opera house, but on what occasion, [?] you have [?] [?] in one of our friends letters, and I did not notice it. I am glad you enjoyed it so Mrs. [?] was [?]. Poor thing! I hope she managed to get warm before the evening was over. My dear child I am exceedingly sorry that the thought of me should interfere in any way with your [?]. [?] not for [?] [?] [?] that I ever doubt any thing you do. [?] a fall and not [?] because you think I would find cause for doubt! Child you should not do that. [?] [?] [?] you dance and enjoy yourself as much as possible. Don't you be so [?] again. I would never forgive myself if I thought I prevented your dancing.

Capt. [?] received his discharge from the force. [?] is also [?] reported here/the report comes from Winnipeg that he's now Lord [?] and has an enourmous fortune. I hope for his wife's sake it [?] [?] [?]. I have not received the paper with the sketch of the ball. Perhaps it may be coming along in Conrad's [?]. From all the talk of fish I suppose you must have founded an aquarium in your conservatory, but how you manage to get catfish into it I do not understand. I am sorry to hear that Bessie(?) Cameron is sick. I hope [?] then that she was quite [?]. Poor Mannie, I sincerely hope that the abcess in his head will proove nothing serious. I really cannot[?] see the [?]in his [?] Dr.Cameron on the [?] [?], if he had it slang[?] [?] his [?] or [?] in his back or even fancied on his hat, one might say there was some concern, but where else would you have him put it? I am [?] of your way of thinking about Miss [?] Taylor, but I do not know for what reason. I am quite prepared to think [?] + everything [?] bad of Mr.[?] but if any one asked me why, I should feel exceedingly puzzled to give a satisfactory answer. I think [?] I have answered [?] [?], no question has been before unanswered, and for the present I must leave you. The mail closes tonight and I have one or two official letters to send and wish to write to Harry [?] [?] and another letter home. Give my love to all at home. Tell Jack I will write to him by the next opportunity. I find that I am greatly in his debt. Wish ever so much love.

I am your own Barrie.

Cypress Mountains, August 27, 1874 [ctd.]

Aug. 29 Again I borrow the ink. Chapman the man who was supposed to guide me from Dufferin to Roche Percée is detailed to go back from here to Fort Garry. He will take a lot of mail matter with him this letter amongst it. I have no idea how long it will take him to Garry possibly not under a month or three weeks at least and then a week from there to Toronto, so that it will be at least 5 weeks & perhaps six before this meets your eye. Probably by that time I shall be far on my way to Edmonton. The large band of Indians that we heard were encamped here have all departed on their way to the Capell trading post to make a treaty which Gov. Thorns is getting up with the Crees etc. We were not altogether displeased at not having met them. Their stealing propensities would be a cause of grave inconvenience and anxiety. The noble savage as I have seen him is a most pitiable object – first on accounts of his dirty filthy habits & appearance then his moral status is so low. He will lie steal or murder for the slightest thing he covets & is the greatest and most unblushing begger under the sun. No matter how grievous you may have been towards him he will still ask for something else. To day in camp we had the lances out for the first time – a squad of men drilling with them. They are long bamboo poles with a steel head to point and also a steel but to rest in a socket when carried at rest. The drill was very pretty & the lances looked well with small pennions flashing from their peaks. They look very well but I fail to see their exact use. No Indian or bushwhacker will ever venture within lancing distance. They are of no use in this country. We have been faring most sumptuously since we have camped here. Just fancy out in the prairie we have a dinner of three distinct courses. First soup – made of pemmican, duck curry & onionc – then salmon – then ducks & plover with tomatoes – cold Venison – finishing up with our usual desert of Bread & molasses. Was that not a sumptuous repast? Last night and the night before we had a rainfall – the most continuous we have had since we left Dufferin. It rained pretty heavy all night. In the morning the dry dusty arid ground had become a mass of the most sticky adhesive mud I ever saw – huge masses would cling to our boots making them as heavy as lead. It seemed as tho’ we were about receiving our grant of 160 acres real estate and carrying it about with us. How ever by this afternoon the ground was again perfectly dry. I am beginning to feel lonely there is no officer in the force about whom I care a rush – and the most companionable are to return to Garry this winter. So my medical works will have a good deal to do in keeping one amused and busy. You know the old rhyme about The Devil always finds some work for idle hands to do. I must try not to let my hands be idle – nor my brain either – good bye – my love to your Father & Mother & Sallie & all.

Your own Barrie

Grants Farm, On the Boundry Line. July 18th 1874.

Lizzie My darling

I arrived in Dufferin about 10 o’clock landed just on the bank of the River in the mud & weeds – presently some of the aborigines came down and soon one or two of the M.P. on the sick lists & now convalescent – Capt. Clark & the Paymaster & one other officer were going down to Winnipeg on the boat. I saw & was introduced to Capt. Clark. He does not follow the force but remains at Fort Garry. It was not long before I met Mr. Chapineau the guide, he is a tall lissome fellow, quite handsome & deaf. Mrs. Ford Cissy’s friend had told me of him. A wagon & two teams had been left behind for me. I took on all my baggage tho’ warned that 10 lbs was the limit allowed. I have no horse as yet. I am going to ride some to day however – to get used to it. We have to wear a badge consisting of a lue & red ribbon tied on our hats or around our arms as a protection against the Sioux. Commissioner Cameron of the Boundary Survey has concluded a treaty with them. And this badge is a sign – the force has gone on and is now about 50 miles ahead of us, we expect to catch up to them in two or three days. On our way up we drove one pair of horses in our wagon & led the others, one pair had the misfortune to break loose two or three times and we had to send back for them – which delayed us considerably. I do not know yet what our direction, our address will be, but think that if anything will reach us a letter to Nevitt Assistant Surgeon N.W. Mounted Police Dufferin. We are taking on a lot of letters to them now, also a large mail for the Boundary Survey & such opportunities will arise during the course of the summer. The Police expect to get back to Garry for the winter – a portion being left at Fort Ellier Pely & Edmonton – during the winter a monthly mail will be established between Garry & the outposts. We have along with us ten days rations hard tack pork tea & sugar, with a few boxes of sardines, and a gallon of whiskey. Chapman takes this along & he ought to know what to take – it is vile stuff. The mosquitoes have not yet been excessively troublesome but enough to keep me awake in the wagon yesterday evening. Goodbye for the present. We are just about starting 10 miles beyond the Pembina Mountains about 40 miles from here is our destination for tonight. Goodbye – goodbye.

Steamer Dakota July 16th, 1874

My dear Lizzie

I write on board this magnificent steamer of the Riltsow – Red River Transportation Company – 95 ft in length – 20 ft broad & stern wheel. I never was upon such a crooked river in my life as this far passed Red River of the North. It twists and turns & winds about – beating the classic meander all to bits – our boat heads to all points of the compass North East West South.

I left St.Paul on Monday morning early – and after a very dusty tiresome ride of 24 hours arrived in Moorehead. The boat was there & the stage. I could go by either. The friends of the boat said river – cool, no mosquitoes. The friends of the stage on the other hand extolled the stage – short, cheap, start at once. I chose the boat, but alas it did not leave and it was necessary to stay over an entire day in Moorehead. Moorhead must be that place vulgarly termed the jumping off place – it is situated on the edge of a vast prairie – the Northern Pacific R.R. passes thro’ it, & the telegraph poles dwindle down to a fine point in the dim perspective. There is no street in this village – but two half streets – meeting at right angles, the houses are built on these two half streets one set facing the River the other the Railway – there are 8 saloons & refreshment rooms – the refreshments of course being liquid, a shoemaker, a tavern a drug store & 2 groceries the four latter sell liquor - & in the tavern is a billiard Room – in which during the day I played billiards. I also took a couple of sketches but owing to Indian snakes & mosquitoes they do not do justice to the scenes they are supposed to present.

I left Moorehead Wednesday morning - & my McIntosh at the same twice - & never remembered it until I got about 20 miles down the river. Mrs. E.B. Wood & 2 children & 2 servants had the distinguished honour of accompanying me from Moorhead – they are on their way to Winnipeg. I am writing this expecting to reach Dufferin tomorrow morning and will there post it. Remember me to all & give my kind regards to Miss Taylor.

Good bye my darling. God bless you.

Your own
Barrie