47 



VISIT TO SOUTHERN ALBERTA. 



Leaving Indian Head on the 22nd, Dunmore was reached the following day, and en 

 rou^e opportunities were given for inspecting some of the experimental gardens of the 

 Canadian Pacific Eailwaw which had been supplied with bundles of forest trees from 

 the Central Experimental Farm. The season had been very dry and unfavourable 

 foi" growth ; still, the results in some localities were very promising. AtDunmore, a 

 tour through a portion of Southern Alberta was planned, and leaving by a night 

 tiain for the south, Lethbridge was reached the following morning. This town is 

 very prettily situated on an elevated plain 300 feet above the Belly River, a rapid 

 stream of considerable volume, its waters being clear and cold. The output of coal, 

 the mining of which is the chief industry here, was then about 500 tons per daj-frora 

 the Gait coal mines. New shafts were being sunk in anticipation of increased 

 demands as soon as the railway then building to Montana, should be opened. By the 

 courtesy of the Managing Director, Mr. Wainwright, I was privileged to inspect the 

 working of all the different departments and to enter one of the side shafts where 

 the coal was being mined. The seam is about 4 feet in thickness, and has been 

 traced for so many miles that the deposit seems to be practically inexhaustible. 

 Through the kindness of the Commissioner, Col. L. W. Herchemer, instructions had 

 been given to place one of the teams of the Mounted Police at my disposal. Tiie 

 officers commanding at Lethbridge and Port Macleod, Capt. R. B. Deane and Major 

 S. B. Steele, were exceedingly courteous, gave me much information and aided me in 

 my investigations in every way in their power. Journeys were undertaken to Fort 

 Macleod, a thriving town on the Old Man River; from thence to the reserve of the 

 Blood Indians, where an opportunity was given, under the guidance of the obliging 

 agent, Mr. W. Pocklington, to inspect the agenc}^ buildings, examine the fields and 

 gardens under aultivation and to visit some of the Indian camps. A further drive 

 of from twenty to thirty miles across the reserve brought me to the Mormon settle- 

 ment at Lee's Creek, within 14 miles ot the Montana boundary I found the Mormon 

 settlement to be a yery prosperous one numbering from 400 to 500 souls. The 

 energy and industry of the people are very marked. Late and early, busy hands 

 were at work bringing in the harvest — which on account of drought, was rather light 

 this 3'ear — cutting hay in the neighboring sloughs or in the valley of the creek or 

 caring for the numerous bands of cattle and horses which roam the plains in the 

 vicinity of the settlement. It is said that no liquor is used in this community and 

 very little tobacco. I saw no evidence of the use of either. Frugality and industry- 

 seemed to go hand in hand; the settlement has made rapid progi-ess, and, as far as 

 could be ascertained from those in the neighbourhood who are not Mormons the laws 

 of the country are being respected. A general store well supplied with goods is one 

 of the main features in the settlement, and under their system of co-operation it seems 

 to be well supported. The people have gained an excellent reputation for their butter, 

 and have built a cheese factory, which will be equipped and in running order next 

 spring. After enjoying for a day the kind hospitality of some of the people in the 

 settlement the retui-n journey to Fort Macleod and from thence to Lethbridge was 

 safely accomplished after a ride of about 200 miles in all. Most of the district passed, 

 through is well adapted for ranching and many thousands of cattle and horses may 

 be seen in bands on the plains, which stretch to the base of the Rocky Mountains, 

 which are always in full view. Pleasant weather, an invigorating atmosphere and 

 the uniform kindness of many new found friends, aided in making this journey a most 

 agreeable experience. 



A brief stay was made at Medicine Hat where the Experimental Garden of the 

 Canadian Pacific Railway Avas inspected and notes taken on the growth and relative 

 hardiness of many varieties of trees and shrubs. This garden is a most attractive 

 one, and is gay with flowers I'rom an earlj- period in the summer until the time of 

 frost. Its success is mainly due to the warm interest taken in it by J. Niblock, E'-q., 

 Superintendent of the Western Division, who is an enthusiastic lover of trees, 

 shrubs and flowers. The remaining journey to Aga^siz was made without a break. 



