South Peace Historical Society

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    • About Dorthea Horton
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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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13-013: History of the Force in the Peace River Area of Alberta

 

Although the NorthWest Mounted Police had patrolled to and established detachments at Athabasca and Lesser Slave River as early as 1892 and 1893 respectively, the first patrols into the Peace River proper were not made until 1897.

1897: The first trip was made by Inspector A.M. Jarvis who, with Staff Sergeant S. Hetherington, guide James Gullion and dog driver P. Lutit left Fort Saskatchewan for Fort Resolution via Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray on January 4, 1897. The return trip was made via Fort Vermilion, Battle River, Peace River, Lesser Slave Lake and Athabasca Landing during March and the first part of April. An attempt was made to go to Dunvegan, Spirit River and Grande Prairie at which places it was reported that poison bait and whisky were in general use but because of the unsafe condition of the river the party was forced to turn back. All told, Inspector Jarvis traveled over 2000 miles, most of it by dog team.

The next patrol, under the command of Inspector A.E. Snyder, with Constables Smith and McClelland, Special Constable W. P. Taylor, 7 pack-ponies and 4 saddle horses, left Edmonton, July 15th, on a patrol through the Jasper House, Sturgeon Lake, Grande Prairie, Dunvegan, Peace River and Lesser Slave Lake areas. They returned to Edmonton on October 15, 1897, having made a round-trip of 1500 miles without a change of horses. The purpose of the patrol was to investigate complaints of lawlessness in the Jasper House area and also because of the prospect of large numbers of stampeders [goldseekers] traveling through this area to the Yukon.

The third patrol through the area was under the command of Inspector J.D. Moodie, who, with a party of 6 men, 24 pack horses and 6 saddle horses, left Edmonton on Sept. 4, 1897. He had instructions to determine if a wagon road and cattle trail could be opened up to the headwaters of the Pelly River in the Yukon. Inspector Moodie arrived at Fort St. John on November 1st where several weeks were spent preparing for winter travel the remainder of the way. He left Fort St. John on December 3, 1897, and arrived at Fort Graham on January 18, 1898. Here due to lack of food, both for men and dogs, the party was forced to remain until April 1, 1898. He finally arrived at the Upper Pelly River, on October 1, 1898 and by November 20th had returned to his post at Maple Creek, traveling via Fort Selkirk, YT, Skagway, Alaska, and Vancouver, BC.

Other patrols were also made throughout the area in 1897. One was made by Mr. T.W. Chalmers (ex-Inspector with the NWMP) of the Dominion Land Surveys and a party of police who surveyed the country for a wagon road between Edmonton and Lesser Slave Lake. This party traveled via the ruins of Fort Assiniboine and the trip lasted from September 9 to Nov. 7, 1897. Two other patrols took place during the winter of 1897/98.

One patrol, under the command of Inspector A.E. Snyder, left Edmonton on December 11, 1897 and lasted until mid-February 1989. Inspector Snyder visited Fort St. John, traveling via old Fort Assiniboine and Lesser Slave Lake. He traveled a distance of 1070 miles and the purpose of his patrol was to check police stores left at Fort St. John, to determine the whereabouts of Inspector Moodie, to check the well being of the prospectors along the trail and to carry mail.

The second patrol during the winter of 1897-98 left Edmonton December 17, 1897 under the command of Sergeant Major McDonnell. Sergeant Major McDonnell traveled to Fort Dunvegan via Lac St. Anne, the Macleod River, Sturgeon Lake and Spirit River. He traveled a total of 800 miles; visiting Yukon bound parties and carrying mail.

1898: On the 7th of March, 1898 Corporal Butler, one Constable, one carpenter, 2 Special Constables, 11 ponies and 3 bob sleighs left Edmonton to establish a detachment at Peace River Landing. They arrived there on April 13, 1898. On the 6th of June 1898 Inspector Snyder traveled from Edmonton to Peace River Landing to inspect the detachment there as well as the one at Lesser Slave Lake. He returned to Edmonton July 16, 1898. Inspector Routledge left Edmonton September 9, 1898, and traveled to Peace River Landing by the new Slave Lake trail that had recently been completed by the Territorial Government.

The strength of the 2 detachments in the Peace River area at the end of 1898 was

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, 1 Special Constable and at Lesser Slave Lake — 2 Constables

1899: On December 5, 1898, Inspector W.H. Routledge patrolled from Edmonton to Fort Resolution, NorthWest Territories via Fort Chipewyan and Smiths Landing. He inspected the detachments at Peace River Landing and Lesser Slave Lake on his return trip. He returned to Edmonton the 1st of April 1899. Sergeant K.F. Anderson visited the Peace River Landing and Lesser Slave Lake detachments on a patrol that took place between December 19, 1898 and the 18th of January, 1899. His main purpose was to carry the mail. Sergeant Anderson made a second trip between February 15 and March 20, 1899, again to carry the mail.

The strength of these two detachments in 1899 was:

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Corporal, 2 Constables, 1 Special Constable

It is noted that the road to Lesser Slave Lake had been improved by the Territorial Government during 1899.

1900: A patrol by Sergeant Anderson and Special Constable Laboucan, between February 3 and March 16, 1900 traveled to Lesser Slave Lake and Peace River Landing carrying the mail, inspecting the detachments and for stock-tacking. An escort of 1 Sergeant and 5 Constables traveled with the Indian Commissioner, Mr. MacRea, to Lesser Slave Lake for Treaty Payment during the summer of 1900.

The strength of the two Peace River area detachments in 1900 was:

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

1901: On February 14, 1901 the Peace River Sub-District was created with Headquarters at Lesser Slave Lake. This Sub-District was commanded by Inspector C.H. West and consisted of Lesser Slave Lake, Peace River Landing, Sturgeon Lake and Fort Chipewyan Detachments. It is noted that since the establishment of the Sub-District drinking and illicit liquor dealings had diminished and that law and order prevailed throughout the area.

The strength of the various detachments in the Peace River Sub-District were as follows:

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 3 Constables, 1 Special Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

Fort Chipewyan — 1 N.C.O., 1 Constable, and 1 Special Constable

1902: During this year new Officers Quarters, new barracks, and stables were built at Lesser Slave Lake, the Headquarters of the Peace River Sub-District. The strength of the detachments in the area were as follows:

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, and 1 Special Constable

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, and 1 Special Constable

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable, and 1 Special Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable and 1 Special Constable

1903: An ice house 12×14, some new fences and hay corrals were built at Lesser Slave Lake, the Headquarters of the Peace River Sub-District. The strength at the end of 1903 was:

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, and 1 Special Constable

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

As there is no mention of Sturgeon Lake we assume it must have been closed during the year.

1904: The strength of the detachments in the Peace River area was as follows:

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Landing — 1 Sergeant and 1 Special Constable

Mention is made that patrols were made throughout the District, the longest being to Sturgeon Lake, the lower ends of Lesser Slave Lake, and Whitefish Lake.

The principal crime in the area in 1904 was the murder of one Edward Hayward at Lesser Slave Lake on September 17, 1904. The circumstances of this case were roughly as follows:

Charles King and Edward Hayward, as partners, started from Edmonton in August 1904 with an outfit of pack horses, traps, and supplies for a season’s hunting and trapping. They traveled over the Swan Hills Trail to Lesser Slave Lake where they were seen to arrive. They encamped on the reservation at Sucker Creek and were visited by the Indians and others. On the 2nd day after their arrival Hayward was missing. King with the entire outfit struck camp and moved away saying his partner had gone to Sturgeon Lake. This aroused the suspicions of the Indian Chief as a shot had been heard. This and King’s building of a huge fire on the spot and his story about Hayward leaving being most improbable, the chief informed the Royal North-West Mounted Police. The result was that portions of the supposed murdered man were found in the campfire and articles belonging to him in a slough nearby. King was convicted at Edmonton in 1905 and a successful conclusion of the case was brought about by the hard work of Staff Sergeant K.F. Anderson who was stationed at Lesser Slave Lake at the time.

1905: On March 1st, a new police district known as “Athabasca” was created and “N” Division, under Superintendent C. Constantine was organized for duty in this district. One of the first duties of “N” Division was to open a pack trail from Fort St. John to Teslin Lake, YT across the BC mountains, a total distance of approximately 750 miles. A detachment of 2 officers, 30 N.C.O.’s and Constables and 60 [horses?] left Fort Saskatchewan on March 17, to begin this work. They reached Peace River Crossing 350 miles from Fort Saskatchewan on April 9, 1905. They arrived at Fort St. John on June 1st, where work was begun immediately on winter quarters. Work commenced on the wagon road towards the Yukon on June 15th. At the end of 1905, 94 miles of road had been completed from Fort St. John.

“N” Division Strength in 1905 was as follows:

Lesser Slave Lake — (Headquarters) – 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, and 1 Staff

Sergeant, 2 Sergeants, 3 Constables, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Crossing — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Fort St. John — 1 Inspector, 1 Assistant Surgeon, 2 Sergeants, 3 Corporals,

17 Constables, 2 Special Constables

Fort Graham, BC — 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

The latter two places, both in BC, were simply wintering areas for the men employed on the Peace River-Yukon Trail.

1906: New barracks, to accommodate 15 men, were built at “N” Division Headquarters at Lesser Slave Lake during the year. The strength of the “N” Division was as follows:

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 3 Sergeants, 1 Corporal,

7 Constables, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Landing — Staff Sergeant K.F. Anderson

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Fort Graham — (Peace River-Yukon Trail) – 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals,

11 Constables, 1 Special Constable

It is noted that considerable hard work was encountered on the Peace River-Yukon Trail and that 131 more miles had been completed by the end of 1906 season.

1907: By September 25, 151 more miles had been completed on the Peace River-Yukon Trail and connection was made with the Telegraph Trail 4 miles north of Fourth Cabin, 104 miles north of Hazelton and 377 miles west of Fort St. John. The following spring the Government of BC did not see fit to assist in further construction of the road and as the Force did not have the men to spare the road was abandoned. Inspector McDonnell proceeded to Hazelton in the spring of 1908 where he disposed of the stores and brought back some of the horses. He left Hazelton on June 17th and reached Fort Saskatchewan, via the Pine River Pass on October 6 — a distance of 1205 miles.

In the Lesser Slave Lake area it is generally noted that there was a decided change for the better in transportation to Lesser Slave Lake from Athabasca Landing, and that the old and time-honoured scows with their crews had almost entirely given way to steamers. In July the SS Northern Light made her first trip on Lesser Slave Lake and plied from end to end almost weekly. Mail facilities were much improved and it was now a comparatively easy matter to get mail from Lesser Slave Lake to Athabasca Landing, the nearest telegraph station, a distance of about 200 miles. Navigation on the Peace and Athabasca Rivers was general during most of the summer. The steamer Peace River made three trips between the chutes and Fort St. John, and on the Athabasca River the large steamer Midnight Sun connected with the Northern Light.

It is also noted that the first wave of immigration into the Peace River had begun. A party of 50 men, under a Mr. Lampman, had gone through to locate in the Spirit River district and it was understood that other parties were to follow. It is mentioned that not a great deal of agriculture was carried out in the area except around Vermilion where good saw and gristmills were in existence.

Near Peace River Crossing there were several good crops but not up to the yield of former years as some had been hit by early frosts. Mention is made that, although there was a good potential for agriculture and industry in the Peace River area, local markets were small and until railways were built into the area the prospect of increased grain growing and agricultural prosperity was limited. In other words the future of the area hinged on one word –Transportation.

On February 20, 1907, Constable A.G. Gairdner and Special Constable De Couta, with two dog teams, patrolled to Peace River Crossing, Dunvegan, Fort St. John and Fort Graham, with instructions to pick up what mail they could at these points and carry same to the Peace-Yukon trail party that was wintering at Fort Graham. They returned to Headquarters at Lesser Slave Lake on May 17, 1907 after covering a total of 530 miles. The depth of the snow was quite deep, rivers were open and very swift in places and traveling had to be done on ice overhangs along the edges of the river. The trail had to be broken nearly all the way and to make matters worse traveling had to be done at night, as the sun was too hot in the daytime.

The strength of the Peace River Sub-District in 1907 was as follows:

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Superintendent, 3 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, 4 Constables,

4 Special Constables

Peace River Landing — 1 Staff Sergeant (K.F. Anderson)

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

1908: On October 12, 1908, the Headquarters of “N” Division (Athabasca District) was transferred to Athabasca Landing from Lesser Slave Lake. Superintendent W.H. Routledge was the Officer Commanding. The strength of the Sub-District in 1908 was as

follows:

Athabasca Landing — 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal,

3 Constables, 2 Special Constables

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Crossing — 1 Staff Sergeant

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

Sawridge — 1 Constable

Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Smith’s Landing — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Macpherson — 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, 1 Special Constable

Herschel Island — 1 Inspector, 1 Staff Sergeant, 2 Constables

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

1910: Superintendent G.E. Sanders, D.S.O., was now in command of “N” Division, replacing Superintendent Routledge. “N” Division now consisted of the Peace-Athabasca and Mackenzie River District areas. This was a total of 620,000 square miles, or equivalent to one fifth of the total land area of Canada. In the Athabasca police district alone, the northern part of the province of Alberta there were 130 thousand square miles. It is noted that settlers were pouring into the Athabasca Landing, Grande Prairie and Upper Peace River areas.

One patrol of interest was made through the district in 1910. Sergeant Darling and Constables St. Laurent and Bowen patrolled from Athabasca Landing to Whitehorse, YT with pack horses. They left Athabasca Landing on May 4, 1910 and arrived at Whitehorse Oct. 15, the same year, after traveling a total of approximately 1700 miles. The object of their patrol was to follow and clear the police trail through to the Government telegraph line north of Hazelton, then to Whitehorse via Telegraph Creek and Atlin. Sergeant Darling noted that between Fort St. John and Telegraph Creek only two white men, one half-breed and a few Indians were met. The road was in very bad shape, a great deal of fallen timber blocked the trail and many of the bridges had either rotted or had been washed away.

The distribution and strength of personnel in the “N” Division area was as follows:

Athabasca Landing – 1 Superintendent, 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 3 Constables,

2 Special Constables

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Corporal (this was a new Detachment)

Herschel Island — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 2 Special Constables

Fort Macpherson — 1 Corporal, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Crossing — 1 Staff Sergeant

Sawridge — 1 Constable

Smith’s Landing – 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Staff Sergeant

Fort Vermilion – 1 Sergeant

Peace-Yukon Trail — 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables

1911: One patrol of note during this year was made by Sergeant R. Field. He accompanied Mr. Conroy, of the Indian Department, from Fort Chipewyan down the Mackenzie River to Fort Simpson, thence up to Liard and Nelson Rivers to Fort Nelson. They returned by Fort St. John and thence down the Peace River to Fort Chipewyan, a round trip of 2150 miles. The trip took place between June 30 and October 6th, and travel was by steamer, canoe and pack horse. At Grande Prairie it is noted that Corporal S.G. Clay and Constable Blary were continually on patrol because their large territory was fast filling with settlers.

The strength of the detachments of the Peace River area was as follows:

Athabasca Landing — 1 Superintendent, 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Corporal,

3 Constables, and 2 Special Constables

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Sergeant, 3 Constables, 2 Special Constables

Peace River Crossing — 1 Staff Sergeant

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

1912: On March 1, 1912, Supt. Sanders retired and his position was filled by Superintendent T.A. Wroughton, who took over command of “N” Division. It is noted that various companies were searching extensively for oil and gas in the Peace and Athabasca regions and that many new settlers continued to arrive.

The strength of the Peace River area detachments was as follows:

Athabasca Landing — 1 Superintendent, 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 2 Constables,

3 Special Constables

Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Special Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Peace River Crossing — 1 Staff Sergeant

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

Lake Saskatoon — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

1913: On June 1, 1913 Superintendent A.E.C. McDonnell took over command of “N” Division. It is noted that on August 4, 1913 a fire in the town of Athabasca destroyed two hotels, a number of business blocks and all the Mounted Police Buildings. It is also noted that settlers continued to pour into the Peace River area. Settlements and towns were rapidly developing, business was booming and the general state of the district was one of great development and progress.

The strength of the detachments of “N” Division, that were located in the Peace River area, were as follows:

Athabasca — 1 Superintendent, 1 Staff Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 4 Constables, and

2 Special Constables

Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Dunvegan — 1 Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

Grande Prairie — 1 Constable

Lake Saskatoon — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, 1 Special Constable

Mirror Landing — 1 Corporal

Peace River Crossing – 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Constable

Sawridge — 1 Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

It is noted that after the fire in Athabasca the Force occupied rented buildings there and that at Lesser Slave Lake some small improvements had been made to the quarters.

1914: This was a prosperous year in the Peace River Area. It is noted that the town of Peace River had a population of 700. Superintendent McDonnell, in his annual report, states, in part, as follows:

“The opening of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia railway for the traffic to Sawridge, 160 miles northwest of Edmonton, marks the first step in the railway development of the Peace River country. With regular service to Sawridge three times a week and steamers on Lesser Slave Lake making close connection with the railway, Grouard at the western end of Lesser Slave Lake is brought within a day and a half of Edmonton. Peace River Crossing is 90 miles, or two days’ travel by team beyond Grouard, so the trip from Edmonton to Peace River crossing, 350 miles, can now be made in three and a half days. All but the last 90 miles is in the comfort and convenience of railway and steamboat travel. This brings the Peace River within easy access to the prospector or land seeker, and will no doubt greatly increase the active interest in the Peace River country. The Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia railway is still being pushed on rapidly. The rails are now at Swan River and are expected to reach Round Lake in December. Until railway communication was assured, there was grave question as to the advisability of settlers facing the difficulty of getting to Peace River and the discomforts of remaining there in isolation for an indefinite period. But with the railway within easy reach of the two most important centres of settlement, and with construction still going forward, the future of the Peace River Country and Grande Prairie is assured. There need be no hesitation on the part of settlers or prospectors in looking for homes or prospects there. With railway access, a vast empire is added to the productive area of Canada. The Peace River is navigable from Hudson’s Hope at the foot the Rocky Mountains to the chutes below Vermilion, a distance of 500 miles. That the country on both sides of the rivers is well suited for farming, both as to soil and climatic conditions, is well known. How far back from the river it is so suited remains to be settled, while at Vermilion, 250 miles downstream, there has been a farming settlement for over twenty years. The waters of the Peace came from west of the mountains. It therefore opens as early as the Saskatchewan, and closes as late. Unlike the Saskatchewan it is navigable for the whole season. While prospectors and settlers can easily get into the Peace River Region as soon as the rails are laid to within 20 miles or so of the river, there cannot be the economical transport of heavy machinery or supplies until the railway actually connects with the steamers. It is expected that this connection will be made by the end of 1915.

On September 12, the SS Grenfell, owned by Peace River Trading and Land Company was destroyed by fire 15 miles above Fort St. John on the Peace River. This leaves only the Hudson’s Bay Company’s boats on the Peace. One of these boats, the SS Athabasca, which was run through the Grand Rapids, is now at the foot of the Chutes on the Peace, and it is the intention of the company to take this boat overland and operate it on the upper Peace River next season. The Hudson’s Bay Company is also building a new boat for the run from Fort McMurray to Smith’s Landing next season.

Superintendent McDonnell also noted that in the Grande Prairie a large acreage was under cultivation. Stock of all kinds winter well and many horses and cattle are now raised and marketed. The one great need in the district was railroads to get grain and livestock to market.

The strength of the detachments is the Peace River area was as follows:

Athabasca — 1 Superintendent, 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal,

5 Constables, and 2 Special Constables

Chipewyan — 1 Sergeant, 1 Special Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

Dunvegan — 1 Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Constable

Lake Saskatoon — 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables, 3 Special Constables

Peace River Crossing — 1 Staff Sergeant, 2 Constables, 1 Special Constable

Sawridge — 1 Constable

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Constable

Wabasca — 1 Constable

1915: Again a prosperous year in the Peace River area. It is noted that telegraph communication now existed between “N” Division Headquarters at Athabasca and Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche, Fort St. John, Grande Prairie, Peace River Crossing and Grouard. Trains were expected to be running into Peace River Crossing by November 1st, 1915 and completion of the railway to Fort McMurray was expected in 1916. Good crops were general throughout the area and Grande Prairie was being referred to as the “Garden of Alberta.” Three new detachments were opened in the Peace River area — at McLennan, Spirit River and Smoky River Crossing. The strength of the various detachments remained much the same.

1916: The Headquarters of “N” Division, under Superintendent A.E.C. McDonnell, was moved from Athabasca to Peace River on August 3, 1916. Under “N” Division were four Sub-Districts — Peace River Sub-District, under Inspector R. Field; the Great Slave Lake Sub-District, under Inspector Tupper; the Mackenzie River Sub-District under Inspector C. D. LaNauze and Lesser Slave Lake Sub-District under Inspector K.F. Anderson.

It is noted that some drought and frost occurred in the area, but that crops were fairly good. Much oil exploration was continuously being carried on.

Dunvegan and Smoky River detachments were closed during the year and it is noted that new Headquarters buildings were under construction at Peace River and that the detachments of Athabasca, Lac La Biche, and Fort McMurray were transferred to “G” Division at Edmonton. The strength of the detachments in the Peace River area was as follows:

Peace River — 1 Inspector, 2 Staff Sergeants, 2 Sergeants, 10 Constables,

4 Special Constables

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Corporal, 1 Special Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Sergeant

Grande Prairie — 1 Corporal

Lake Saskatoon — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

Lesser Slave Lake — 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable, 2 Special Constables

Mirror Landing — 1 Staff Sergeant

McLennan — 1 Constable

Sawridge — 1 Corporal

Sturgeon Lake — 1 Corporal

Spirit River — 1 Sergeant

Wabasca — 1 Constable

1917: There was considerable change in the policing of the prairie provinces this year because of war conditions and the subsequent cancellation of the contracts between the Federal Government and the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. These agreements, which provided for the policing of the provinces by the NWMP had been entered into with Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1905 and with New Manitoba in 1912.

In the case of Alberta the cancellation of this agreement took effect on March 1st, 1917 when the Alberta Provincial Police took over. By September 20, 1917, only Peace River detachment, with one Inspector, 2 Staff Sergeants, 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal,

5 Constables, and 1 Special Constable was in existence in the Peace River area.

1918: There were no NWMP detachments in the Peace River area. The nearest ones were at Jasper, Brule and Fort Fitzgerald.

1919: In December 1918 the Federal Government decided that the Royal North-West Mounted Police would be the sole federal police force in Western Canada. Subsequently, in 1919 the strength of the Force was increased, districts were completely re-arranged and the district of Northern Alberta came into being. This district included the portion of BC east of the Rocky Mountains and the Western portion of the Northwest Territories as well as the northern part of the province of Alberta.

Active recruiting took place from May to September, 1918 and the total strength of the Force increased from 303 men in September of 1918 — practically an all time low — to 1600 by September of 1919. Detachments existing in the Peace River area on September 30, 1919, were Peace River, Grande Prairie, and Grouard. These now formed part of “G” Division with headquarters at Edmonton.

Other detachments under “G” Division were Edmonton, Fort Fitzgerald, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Herschel Island, Coppermine River, Fort MacPherson, Brule, Jasper, Pocahontas, Nordegg, and Athabasca.

1920: The strength of the Force in the Peace River area was as follows:

Peace River — 2 Inspectors, 1 Sergeant, 3 Consts and 1 Special Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Sergeant, 1 Constable

Grouard — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

1921: The strength of the Force in the Peace River district remained much the same.

1922: The detachment at Grand Prairie was closed. An Inspector and 6 men were stationed at Peace River; 2 men were at Grouard.

1923: Chipewyan detachment was re-opened (two members)

1924: The detachments and their strength in the Peace River area was as follows:

Peace River — 1 Sergeant

Grande Prairie — (re-opened) 1 Sergeant

Grouard — 1 Corporal

Wabasca — (opened) 1 Constable

Fort Chipewyan — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable, 1 Special Constable

1925: Wabasca detachment was closed and the only detachments in the Peace River area were Grande Prairie, Peace River and Grouard — each with one member — and Fort Chipewyan with 3 members.

1926 to 1928: The strength remained much the same. It is noted in the 1927 Annual Report that the main work carried out by the Peace River detachments was the overseeing of the number of Indian Reserves in the district. Members of these detachments also did a lot of traveling in connection with naturalization investigations and other inquiries for the Dominion Government. It should be remembered here that the Alberta Provincial Police handled all Provincial matters and that our Force was concerned only with Federal duties.

1929 to 1932: The detachments of Peace River and Grande Prairie were closed and Grouard with 1 man, and Fort Chipewyan — which went from 1 to 3 men — were the only detachments in the Peace River area. This condition existed until April 1st, 1932 when the Alberta Provincial Police was absorbed by the R.C.M.P. A new division, designated “K”, became responsible for Provincial and Federal duties in Alberta, part of northern Saskatchewan and the National Parks in the Rocky Mountains. This included the Peace River area, formerly under “G” Division. “G” Division now had control over only the district of Mackenzie and the Western Arctic. In the Peace River Sub-Division there were 12 detachments under the command of Inspector E. Radcliffe, a former Officer with the Alberta Provincial Police.

The twelve detachments in Peace River Sub-Division were as follows:

Peace River — (Sub-Division and Detatchment) 1 Inspector, 2 Corporals,

3 Constables, 1 Special Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Sergeant, 3 Constables

Grouard — 1 Sergeant

McLennan, Spirit River, Calais, Hythe, Fairview, Kinuso, Fort Vermilion, Noticewan, Wembley — Each with 1 member

1942: The detachments and their strength in the Peace River Sub-Division were:

Peace River — (Sub-Division and Detachment) 1Inspector, 1 Sergeant,

2 Corporals, 7 Constables

Beaverlodge — (Opened 1940) 1 Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Constable

Fairview — 1 Corporal

Grande Prairie — 1 Sergeant, 2 Constables

High Prairie — (Opened 1933) 2 constables

McLennan — 2 Constables

Notikewan — 1 Constable

Slave Lake — (Opened 1940) 2 Constables

Spirit River — 2 Constables

1952: In 1952 the detachments and their strength in the Peace River Sub-Division were:

Peace River — (Sub-Division and Detachment) 1 Inspector, 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 12 Constables

Beaverlodge — 1 Constable

Fairview — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Fort Vermilion — 1 Constable

Grande Prairie –1 Sergeant, 7 Constable

High Prairie — 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

Manning — (Opened 1949) 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

McLennan — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Slave Lake — 3 Constables

Spirit River — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

1962: Peace River Sub-Division strength was as follows:

Peace River — 1 Inspector, 2 Staff Sergeants, 1 Sergeant, 5 Corporals,

15 Constables, 3 Special Constables 1 Civilian Member, and 3 Civil Servants

Beaverlodge — 2 Constables

Fairview — 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

Faust — (Opened 1957) 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

Fort Vermilion — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Grande Prairie — 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 14 Constables

High Prairie — 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

Manning — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Mclennan — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Slave Lake — 3 Constables

Spirit River — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Valleyview — (opened 1956) 1 Corporal, 4 Constables

Apr. 1967: The established strength for the Peace River Sub-Division is as follows:

Peace River — 1 Officer, 2 Staff Sergeants, 1 Sergeant, 7 Corporals, 19 Constables, 6 Civil Servants, 1 Civilian Member

Beaverlodge — 1 Corporal, 3 Constables

Fairview — 1 Corporal, 3 Constables

Faust — 1 Corporal, 3 Constables

Fort Vermilion — 1 Corporal

Grand Prairie — 1 Staff Sergeant, 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporals, 15 Constables,

1 Civil Servant

Grimshaw — (Opened 1967) 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

High Level — (Opened 1963) 1 Corporal, 2 Constables

High Prairie — 1 Corporal, 6 Constables

Manning — 1 Corporal, 4 Constables

McLennan — 1 Corporal, 1 Constable

Slave Lake — 1 Sergeant, 6 Constables

Spirit River — 1 Corporal, 3 Constables

Valleyview — 1 Corporal, 6 Constables

 

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