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