Photo-Jackson collection- circa 1890s.
A most fascinating account of a New Year's festivities was found in an article of THE YORKTON ENTERPRISE OF January 14, 1904.
Here is the story:
"Everyone in Assiniboia has heard and many have enjoyed the hospitality of E.A.W.R. Mackenzie, who has traded at Fort Pelly for nearly a quarter of a century. On New Year's he invited all the ranchers and Métis within 50 miles and the Indians of Cote Reserve to accept of his hospitality and he entertained them right royally. For three days and nights the fun was kept up in the improvised dance hall, where the Red River jig and quadrille occasionally gave place to the Highland Fling, to the music of Murdock Macdonald's bag pipes. In the open the Indians held their pow-wow about a huge log fire. As night came on and the moon rose, the pace was increased. The Métis inspired by the strenuous scraping of the fiddles, danced with perfect abandon, while the stoic Indian shuffled in his serious way about the great fire to an incessant pounding on the tom-tom. It was almost sunrise before all was quiet. On the second day of the new year, ponies were attached to jumpers, and the guests, wrapped in blankets, commenced the journey home with tired bodies and thankful hearts. Pelly is having its day. Soon the railway may rob it of romance, but Mackenzie's 1904 new year will long be remembered.
See web sites and local history books of Pelly, Saskatchewan for more details on Fort Pelly, E.A.W.R.Mackenzie, Murdock Macdonald and the area Reserves.
The City of Yorkton Archives is always seeking photos and stories of Yorkton and the surrounding area.
Contact Thérèse Lefebvre Prince, Heritage Researcher
CITY OF YORKTON
BOX 400 37 THIRD AVENUE NORTH
YORKTON, SASK. S3N 2W3 306-786-1722
