Unfortunately, we do not have histories on all of the early settlers. We are lucky to have several stories because Howard Jackson, a descendant of a pioneer wrote as much as he knew or could find out from other writings. We also need to credit the interviews that journalists had with some pioneers in the early days.
This week we will feature two early pioneers - one who settled north of Saltcoats, and one who homesteaded in the Yorkton district. We are still dealing with the settlers who arrived in the area in the early 1880s to the early 1890s.
Samuel Foster was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick in 1831. He left his province for Western Canada on June 1, 1884, travelling with a team of horses and wagon for the whole of 3,500 mile (5,682 km) trip over rough roads and trails, via American and Canadian territory. Resting from sunset until sunrise and on Sundays, he arrived at Brandon, Manitoba, by September 18. He was feasted by friends, and introduced to the local newspaperman for an account of his remarkable journey. Apparently he travelled alone, and it is unclear when he was joined by his wife, Malisa, and their two daughters.
The Fosters settled on land 16 miles (25km) north of Saltcoats. Some years later, he obtained a job as caretaker for the Immigration Hall in Yorkton. He was known as a skilled axeman, which was demonstrated in the log buildings he had constructed in the area. South of the railway tracks, on a street surveyed in 1890 and named in his honour, he built a house. His address was #14 Foster Street. By 1905, Samuel had been promoted to Dominion Immigration Agent and remained so until termination of the position in 1911.
Now, let us look at the more colourful side of this pioneer. During the first years of Prohibition, probably around 1915 when Mr. Foster was about 84 years of age, it was alleged that he was deriving some income selling liquor to the very needy. Perhaps, though, his politics reveal just how much zest he had. It was no secret around the community that Mr. Foster was a staunch Liberal. His ardently expressed political views had earned him the nickname of "Old Grit" - a name used as a substitute for "Liberal." Consequently, when a new avenue intersecting Foster Street was constructed in 1901, and named after Father of Confederation, Sir Charles Tupper - a Conservative, it did not sit well at all with Mr. Foster. The extent of his dislike is best described in Dr. Swallow's book Ox Trails to Highways: "Foster was very allergic to Conservatives, so when Tupper Avenue was christened, it was too much for his digestion, and every night he would take down the board bearing the hated name, and substitute one of his own choosing. The ruse did not work. Tupper Avenue it was and so it remained."
One can just picture this distinguished looking elder gentleman leaving his home some evenings, to go take down the Tupper Avenue sign - an act which would be a criminal offence today, but was likely considered only an irritant and a joke at the time. It is interesting to note that prior to his death, Samuel had moved away from Foster Street. But, he hadn't moved very far. In his obituary, The Yorkton Enteprise listed his address as Tupper Avenue!
He died at the age of 86, on July 10, 1917. His service took place at the Baptist Church, with six old-timers as pall-bearers: Messrs. Levi Beck, F.W. Bull, J.M. Clark, T. Switzer, John Wood, and Reverend P.R. Carey. He is buried in the City of Yorkton Cemetery.
HOLE, JOHN MACKENZIE (Jack) and JANE HOLE
Jack Hole was an early settler of the area, having homesteaded in 1887 the NW 16-T 27 Range 2 West of the 2nd Meridian. This quarter section had originally been entered by E.W. Bull in 1883. He also purchased the Robert James Bull homestead SE 16-27-2 W2nd in 1892. In a few years, he had become a large land owner. In 1905, he moved to Yorkton to operate a John Deer implement business. He also had a livery barn on North Front Street, now Livingstone Street.
Like many men of his day, he enjoyed socializing in the bars of the Royal and Balmoral Hotels. According to one report, his wife Jane had no qualms marching into the bar to fetch her husband if he lingered there too long. It took some guts to do this because women were not allowed in bars in those days. Another story that circulated around was that her husband was not always cooperative with her forays in the bar. One time, he had driven the wagon into a slough near the mill and told her "Just sit here and cool off!"
We do not know if Jane laughed at some of his antics, such as the day he rode his horse into the Balmoral Hotel. One can visualize the commotion this caused and the fun among the drinking crowd. He was not the only pioneer to ride a horse into a public place. On July 12, 1899, Scotty McDonald from nearby Barvis, who was riding a white steed in the Orangemen's parade, also rode his horse into the Balmoral Hotel bar and ordered a drink. These riders usually got their drinks because in those days the customer was always right! A number of communities had similar stories to tell that showed this particular brand of early frontier humour, which may or may not be considered comical today.
John Hole died Sept. 5, 1907. The Yorkton Enterprise explained that his suicide was by the use of a rifle. He has one of the largest monuments in the cemetery.
Jane continued to operate their farming and ranching business until 1912, after which she retired to Winnipeg. She died January 15, 1944 and was interred beside her husband.
Although Holes came later in 1887, they were still part of the York Colonists experience, since the York Farmers Colonization Company was still in charge until 1888. They farmed in the Wallace Post Office district, which was the Territorial Government constituency centre for York Colony.
Contact:
Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher
City of Yorkton Archives,
City of Yorkton,
Box 400,
37 Third Avenue North,
Yorkton, Sask.
S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
