May 26th

I am glad that you were in such good spirits. I hope that they have continued. So you have heard from Miss Taylor. I am very glad that there has been no rupture between you and Miss T. is to be married on the 20th of June, a little bit more than three weeks from now. You must tell her that I wish her all the happiness she deserves and expects. As for him he is not half good enough for her. I have no doubt that my letter in the Globe astonished you as much as it did myself. Don’t be surprised at seeing another there shortly. That letter in the Mail from the Ottawa paper, complaining so bitterly was written by a man on whom no reliance whatever can be placed, a man that would [gr…?] at everything everywhere, and always. That we did work hard, that we did suffer, that we had good cause for complaint – no one for an instant denies or attempts to do so. But it was necessary and unavoidable – and to the lasting credit of the men be it said that they worked most unflinchingly until the last – with the one exception of this man who wrote this letter.

Poor girl – do you get so awfully lonely at times – just think, it is now nearly eleven months since I left you, and I am only after hearing of your loneliness because it is just nine, by the time I get your letter of the 10th month it will perhaps be the 12th or more than the year.

So you enjoy Covernton’s visits. I am glad because Covernton is a fine fellow, and a thorough gentleman. He was very entertaining, was it because he talked a great deal of myself. He is a cute chap that same Covernton.

I must say good night to you here now, and only tell you that I received another letter from you today dated Ap. 26th. You were evidently in the Office when you directed it as the envelop has your Father’s Business card in the corner. Good night and God bless my darling now and forever.

May 4th

Your letter is dated March 27th. I did not have time to read it through last night – the candle went out before I had finished and left me to go to bed in the dark as I had no other candle. Yes dear, I recollect going to St. Luke’s that night and also how proud and pleased your Father was at being able to carve again after his long rest [?].

I did not get letters on either the 26th 27th or 28th. You have evidently taken my permission for granted – in regard to my letters. I suppose it would do no good and only make you uncomfortable if I were to write and tell you not to do anything of the sort. However the letters are yours and you are at liberty to [do?] with them what you please. It may do good (if they print them) to me when I go South to practice to have a name made for me.

Poor little economical girl – will you tell me how much you managed to live on this year? However it is good practice. For you know you are to live with a poor poverty stricken sawbones – who will have to work hard to get enough to keep body & soul together.

I am much obliged to Miss Cameron and I appreciate her love. Will you give her mine? I am going to write to Mannie soon – but would rather have you give it – for putting it in your hand makes it seem as tho’ it were being given to you. Young Balty [?] must be a delectable kind of person. I should like to hear him sing – and see you playing his accomp. Kate Hard[..?]’s friend Mr. Gaston is he not a lawyer, a young man who has a large nose and brass glasses. If he does I think I know him – he is a decent chap.

How horribly untidy you must have looked and how absurdly awkward a position to be in – I don’t wonder at your laughing. I am really grateful to Mr. Langt[…?] and other friends for remembering me so kindly. Whatever you do is right ergo [?] I don’t seriously object (if you don’t) to your copying my letters to you. So don’t fret old girl.

How glad you must have been to have your Father with you at dinner and I can easily imagine how glad he must have been at the change. By the by what is the name of that eating house on Jordan Street. Your Father used sometimes to take his dinner there. I have been trying to tell some of the officers about the place and I cannot recollect the name. Phantom Pharaoh Parlor are the nearest I can come. I received some Can. Ill. News [Canadian Illustrated News]. I looked for you in the Ball at the Philharmonic, but failed to recognize you – where were you sitting.

I am glad that you have received my letter of Feb. 21st, I sent that as I thought by Glen – and in a day or two sent others. I suppose that you have received them ‘ere this. Mrs. Glen is the most civilized woman in this part of the North West Territories. Mr. David McDougall has his wife at Bow River but she is over a hundred miles from here. I have not seen her.

Yes I do some good – I do not make the poor Indians pay anything – and am called a fool by the other officers, but it seems a shame – I have made over fifty dollars from outsiders. So that is something to the fore. As the population becomes denser so I may hope to make more.

No one got so many letters as I did – in fact they are all jealous of me and every man that comes from Benton, they all say to him : have you letters for anyone else except the Doctor. Fort Shaw is in Montana Territory on Sun River – it is very nearly the same distance from us as Ft. Benton.

Your argument about Mannie’s concert is not very good. You get out of the gate post argument by saying or implying that he is conceited because he is a man and not a boy. Are all men conceited and are all boys exempt? I hope for your sake that Miss Taylor’s friendship has not cooled towards you – on account of foolish speeches – or on any other account.

Your photo was good. But there is something about it I do not exactly like – but it is as dear to me as tho’ it were a better picture.

Easter Ball ! I should think I did recollect it – and have you your old programme? If you have – just look at it and you will see some marks on it- some with names written over them.

Jany. 6th.

This morning was cold, but bright and sunny. I went the usual Hospital rounds, after breakfast, which I took about 10 o’clock, I pasted all the Chess problems and columns in a book made of an old newspaper. This occupied me until lunch time. After lunch I had half promised Allen to go with him down to Kanouse’s for a walk, but feeling lazy I backed out + began areading “Nancy”. This kept me employed until about 4 o’clock, when a man named Thomas came in from Fort Kipp, saying that there was a person sick down there who would like very much to see me. I could not very well go just at once, as I had no horse + could not be back to attend my duties in the morning. So I said that I could go in the morning. Just as Thomas came in, Mr. Denny with a small party went out to arrest an Indian who had stolen a wife from another Indian + threatened to shoot the latter. When Denny arrived in the Indian Camp, the accused had flown, but the woman went joyfully back to her first husband. After dinner to night, a fire broke out in the “C” Troop Barracks, the Assembly sounded + all the men promptly answered to the call. The fire proved to be nothing more serious than a chimney + was quickly extinguished.

One of the men Wilson by name, hurt his wrist this evening, + after I examined it, began talking with him. He is from St. Catherine’s, knows of Mr.Taylor + knows of Miss Taylor’s engagement to Robertson. He also went to Upper Canadian College at the same time as Jack, Mannie, Willie Wedd and others that I know. He was acquainted with Morson of Niagra, + used to visit Morson at Trinity College. It sounded very curious to hear my friends spoken of, way out here in the NorthWest where I thought no one knew any one of my friends.

And no I must say good night it is half past eleven + I want to get up early, in order to get through with my business here and start off to Fort Kipp. Good night.

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