Action at Nipigon, 1877
From the old Thunder Bay newspaper.. The Sentinel, August 16, 1877
Nipigon Correspondence
Reported by A. Walpole
Roland
Work is
progressing on the R.C. Mission and Indian Reserve. (This would be current day -2016-St. Sylvester Church and Lake Helen
Reserve / Red Rock Band -ed)
Rev’d Father
Hebert, S.J. arrived at Red Rock
(that is the name of the Hudson’s Bay Co.
post at Nipigon at that time-ed.) on 3rd. ultimo with building material for
the above works, and since that date has
been zealously superintending workmen, laying out town and family lots, roads,
boundary and drainage; and making his “native
employees” happy with a liberal – and much required allowance of tea, flour and
pork. The ground selected for the
Mission is in many essential points very suitable, although there was but one
or two lots left to choose from. It has
long been a favorite summer and fall camping and fishing station of the
Indians, many of whom announce their intention of building “wigwam like white
man” and dwelling permanently on the Reserve.
Services are
held twice daily at the Mission, and on Sundays in the large building of the
H.B.Co., Red Rock.
A full
description of progress, and variety of work, might extend this letter to an
inconvenient length. Capt. Joseph White,
of Ottawa, called here on the 10th ultimo from Battle Island, where
he just finished the new light-house. He
has also en route for this place
visited the new and old light houses near the “Nipigon Straits” St.
Ignace. At the former he found Mr.
Michelson at his post, and all well; at the latter, windows and doors were
removed, and the place “cleaned out of much valuable Government property. House breaking is sometimes heard of in this
section.
Much
dissatisfaction prevails among the Nipigon Indians in consequence of their
Agent and payments not appearing within some weeks of time announced. Their Chief says, that, “When Indian has a
vote , it will be very different.”
Trout
fishing has commenced in earnest, and
the weather for the past week or two has been favorable for sport and the
enjoyment of the superb scenery of the district.
The
following are among the earliest and most distinguished arrivals, 1st
party, Algerman, H. Percy, England; Dr.
A.B. Farnham, M.D., New York; B.K.
Miller, Milwaukee; G. P. Miller, do.
2nd.-
Thos Collins, Collingwood; C.K. Wilkins,
Palestine, Mass.; G.S. Grange, Guelph, Ontario; A. Ramsay, Bradford, Ont.; F. Fraser, Rimouski, Ontario.
The above
parties arrived and departed by steamers “Manitoba” and “ Cumberland”, two of the
most popular boats on this route.
3rd.-
Hon. John Simpson, Bowmanville, D.B. Simpson, do; J.M. Simpson do; D.F. Burke, P.A. Landing; A.H. Walbridge, New
Castle; L. Stronge, do.; F. Levekin, do.; Hon. Geo. Alexander, Woodstock; Geo.
MacWhirter, do.
The above
gents with Mr. L. Wylie of P.A. L. arrived by a rather smart looking propeller named
“Kate
Marks”, S. St. Mary and Thunder Bay, and were much pleased with their
trip. After coaling the” Kate” steamed
swiftly down- stream rounding the “Grecian bends” in good style.
The
following are more of the arrivals by the propeller, “Kate Marks”.
4th.-
Thos M. Stelson, New Bedford, Mass.; E.S. Faber, do.
August 4th.
– As the mist cleared off this morning, a fleet of large and small craft might
be seen under full press of canvas for the river. Upon being sighted by the numerous dusky
warriors camped around the Fort, a procession of canoes was formed, and were
soon on their way to meet their expected Agent and escort him safely into port.
Foremost
among the incoming sail was the schooner “Tomboy”, 50 tons, commanded by Capt.
Donald Walker, of Chicago, with a party of American sportsmen from various
States of the Union.
The
following are the most prominent names: Messrs J.H. Stauffer, New Orleans; C.W> Whetmore, Marquette; S.D. Warren,
Boston, Mass.
Capt. Walker
refused the services of a pilot, and
although an entire stranger to this coast, sailed up to the dock with the
confidence of Capt. Symms.
The “Tomboy”
is the largest sailing vessel ever brought up to the Fort; she remains three weeks to await her party
who are now on Lake Nipigon. The other
sails were from Pic River and Fort William, viz “Flowery Land” and
Schooner “Penassee” with lumber
for R.C. Mission.
Our next
distinguished arrivals (same day) were by steam Yacht “Maggie L. Wilson”, viz. “A.A.
Eustapheive”, Buffalo; Capt. Dimick,
do.; J.McGowan, do; J.P. Merritt, N.
York; A.W. Hegeman, do; W.G. Larrison,
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Capt. Dimick
is decorated with the Royal Humane Society gold medal for services rendered the
officers and crew of the transatlantic steamship “L. Amerique” during one of her many perils.
About 10
p.m. on the 8th inst Capt. W. Pritchard, of Fort William, made our
old red rocks re-echo with the clarion notes of his Tug “Watchman”.
Arrivals by
the Watchman – Amos Wright, Indian and Crown Land Agent; Dr. A.A. Clarke, P.A. Landing. By sail boat at the same hour; W. A. Preston,
P.A.L.; J.C. Sproule, do; F. Beattie, do.
With a few
other enterprising Merchants and traders from P.A.L. and Fort William.
Early on the
morning of the 9th Mr. Amos Wright received the Indian Chief in his
tent where amicable speeches were made by both parties, the Chief accepting Mr.
Wright’s explanation as quite satisfactory.
The aboriginies then formed up, and payments were made in a quiet and
orderly manner. During the day business
appeared lively at the marquees of the opposition traders. The H. B. Co., as usual doing a steady trade
in substantial goods.
The “Watchman”
leaves today with an excursion party of Indians, with banners, music and
dancing.
11th
Aug.- The “Watchman” left the River at 4 a.m. this morning for Prince
Arthur.
Mr. D.F.
Burke, of the Ontario Bank, P.A.L. left by the “ Watchman” after spending
some 14 days on the Nipigon.
Hon. John
Simpson and party will leave on the 12th inst by Steamer “Manitoba.”
11th
inst 11a.m. Schooner “Mary Ann Hulbert,” Captain Jno. O’Mally,
of Bayfield, Wis., just arrived at the dock.
Passengers for Nipigon: James Chapman, Bayfield, Wis., P.W. Smith, do.,
J.L.L.Bridges, Berlin, do.; Senator H.S. Sacket, do.; and F.W. Sacket, do.
A.W.R. Camp Weeks, August 12, 1877
P.A.L. =
Prince Arthur’s Landing ( today’s Port Arthur part of Thunder Bay)
While all
this was going on in Nipigon in 1877 another column in the same newspaper
reports “Indian Fight in Montana” . A terrible battle between Gen. Gibbon’s
command and the Nez Perces on the Big Hole River.
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