If you can't handle a little depression then don't read these.
From the journal at Cumberland House.Peter Fidler, Master.
June 2, 1796
"Early this morning 2 canoes of Indians arrived loaded with meat for our
House. These 2 men was known to be the principals in the murder of one of
the Canadian men this last winter at Isle a la Crosse. Just as one had
stepped out of his canoe(ie. Charles brother alias Beaver?) he was
immediately seized by the Canadians who was ready to take him when he
landed and they hauled him into their house. The other, called the Little
Gut, had not disembarked when the other man was seized and he immediately
pushed his canoe from the Shoar and paddled with all the haste he could to
get out of the Canadians way. They immediately manned one of their canoes
with 7 men besides Mr. Wm. McKay and pursued him, also sending several men
along shoar armed to prevent his landing. They overtook him near the Old
House where they fired and shot him dead. ??? the head. He finding himself
so closely pursued that he had got all his Powder and Ball emptied into a
logjam? loose before him ready to fire on those in the other? Canoe and as
he was just turning round his canoe to take ayme at the Canadians when Mr.
Mckay shot him dead. he had a deal of meat in the canoe when he was shot
that he was bringing to our house to trade. they brought him back in the
canoe dead and laid him upon the platform in their yard and went to
question Charles' brother. he lay in the house with his hands tied and
foaming at the mouth and appeared quite insensible. They then carried him
out and placed him alittle while by the body? of him who lay dead but he
seemed not to take the least notice. When they had carried him without the
Gates he began to sing very loud and continued till he came to the tree
where he was to be hung. They then made him confess everything with the
rope about his neck which he did and informed of everyone who was
accomplices with him. He said that he was the sole cause of the death of
the Canadian and seemed perfectly satisfied that he deserved this
ignominious death. After getting every information from him they desired
him if he had anything to say concerning his Wife & Children. He said he
had nothing to say on that head, but recomended his eldest son to the
protection of Mr. Sutherland? which was the only request he made. They then
hauled him up about 5 feet from the ground. He had not hung 3 minutes when
he gave a great struggle and the rope broke that he was suspended by but he
never afterwards moved. But they hung him up again as soon as the rope
could be adjusted? and let? him hung one hour afterward before they cut him
down. They then took both him that was shot and him that was hung and
hauled them a little way from their house and let them lay."...
Jan. 21 1803 Cumberland House William Tomison
"Nothing but Starvation in all Quarters, a bungee Indian and his family
perished to death, the vermin had eat the woman who it seems had died first
the man his son and Daughter were all in one place and the latter a girl of
about ten years of age was not dead when the two men came to them she was
laying at her fathers back her feet and ancles were frozen as hard as
stone, they put her in a Sledge but before they got to the Beaver lake
house she expired"
Feb. 19 1803 Cumberland House William Tomison
"...this afternoon a poor woman and three fatherlefs Children arrived
almost starved with both hunger and Cold and how they are to be supported
God only knows for we have not wherewith to support ourselves."
From John Hodgson at Albany Factory
July 17 1809
..."This last Winter was very severe being extremely sharp distress among the Natives, so much so that"..."some of them was drove to the necefsity of eating the few skins they had to preserve their miserable existance. one family (Viz. Pucketwanish) perished almost totally. the 2 Survivors (Viz. Wife and oldest son) shocking to relate preserved their existance by the bodies of the rest"...
Oct.16 1800 William Tomison at Cumberland House Reel 1M40
" Sent the two fishermen James Flett Taylor & William Isbester with dogs &
sleds to draw the fish they had Caught, along shore upon the Ice, on their
returning home in lieu of Coming round the bay as directed, James Flett &
William Isbester cut short for the point to make a streight course for the
House, they unfortunately fell into the Ice and the former was drowned and
the other taken out not in his senses, what induced them to take this road
surprises every one as their has not been a finer day for the last five
weeks; where the man was drowned only 3 1/2 feet water."
William Isbester eventually died of his experience April 1, 1801 "without
a groan".
Sept.3 1820 Cumberland House Reel 1M40
" This morning John Isbister and Joseph L'afrequin went to visit the Nets;
and unfortunately upset their Canoe, having struggled for the space of two
hours by keeping hold of the Canoe the wind blowing strong from the shore
at last their cries were heard by some of the NWC people who came to give
us notice of the circumstance; we immediately sent off a Boat to their
afsistance, they found John Isbister still holding by the Canoe quite
exhausted; from him they learned that some time before, finding they could
not both save Themselves by holding the Canoe which was constantly sinking
under them; the other man being a good Swimmer, proposed swimming to the
net poles where might hold till some one came to their relief; but on
coming to these poles it was found that the unfortunate man had failed in
his attempt; every search was made for his body, but to no avail."
They found the body of "Joseph L'Africane" Sept 25 1823.
Home
HBCA microfilm numbers:
Reel 1M39 B.49/a/27b
Reel 1M40 Doc. Ref. No. Coming
Reel 1M258 B.239/b/77