TORONTO TO ATHABASCA LANDING 



Edmonton, the capital of the new Province of Alberta, is 

 situated on the north bank of the north branch of the Saskat- 

 chewan River, and at the time of our 'visit was in a flourishing 

 condition. To-day many large business blocks have been 

 erected, and property is selling at stiff prices. The city is 

 noted for its lignite mines, which are worked to a considerable 

 extent, and produce coal of very fair quality. The seams are 

 practically of unlimited extent, and are very easily accessible 

 in many places along the river banks. Gold is washed from 

 the sands in paying quantities, 

 while the city is surrounded by a 

 fine agricultural and grazing coun- 

 try. Petroleum and natural gas 

 have also been discovered in the 

 vicinity, and the indications are 

 that in the near future Edmonton 

 will become a large city. 



The town of Strathcona is situ- 

 ated on the south side of the river, 

 and communication is afforded 

 between the two places by means 

 of a fine steel railway and traffic 

 bridge. The Canadian Northern 

 Railway has recently entered Ed- 

 monton from the east, and now 

 affords a first-class main line connection with Winnipeg. 



Upon enquiry we were gratified to find that the sup- 

 plies and men, excepting the two who were to meet 

 us later, had all arrived in safety. Our provisions, 

 which were to be freighted down as far as Lake Athabasca 

 by the Hudson's Bay Company, had not yet gone, but were 

 already being baled up for shipment. The completion of this 

 work, which was done under the supervision of my brother 

 and myself, together with the making up of accounts and 

 transaction of other business, occupied several days, but by 



15 



AN'H. K. C. INTERPRETER. 



