The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-17
THE wILDs OF THE NORTHWEST.
Ogilvie Makes . Journey in an Almost
Unknown Part of Canada.
CHkHOWU Mt Oh OanauHs
Ottawa Letter In New York sun.

Ottawa Letter in New York sun.
Mr.. William Ogilvie, dominion land surveyor,
who during the summer and fall has been ex-
ploring on behalf of the dominion government
in the Mackenzie river country, has arrived in
the city from his northern trip. "We left Cal
gary said Mr. Ogilvie, son July last for
Athabasea Landing. The descent of the Atha-
basca river was begun on the morn
ing of the 18th in large Peter
borough canoe. The permanent party
consisted of myself and two men. The descent
of Grand rapids, about les miles, was made in
about two days. Below that the eighty miles OF
rapids 10 Fort McMurray occupied about two
and half days, and from Fort McMurray 10
Fort Chippewayan, on Lake Athabasea, 1S6
miles, the time was nearly three days, and Fort
Smith, on the Great Slave river, was reached on
the 29th of July. From this point the descent
OF the Great Slave river was made by the Hud-
son bay steamer Wrigley to Fort Resolution, on
the Great Slave lake, near the mouth OF the
latter river
"At Resolution stop of several days was
made At Chippewayan, on Lake Athabasca,
the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company,
district OF Athabasca, wheat was grown by the
Roman Catholic mission which in 1876 was
exhibited at the Centennial exhibition in Phila-
delphia. This post is in 81 deg. 10 min. north
latitude. During thes past summer plague of
grAsshoppers destroyed everything grown
s.At this point the Mackenzie river is upward
of a mile wide. with good depth OF water and
a m derate current a survey was made along
the Lizard river 10 the mouth OF what is locally
known as the Nelson river. Fort Lizard is lS6
miles above simpson. on the Lard river, which
at this point is about 600 yards wide, and is inn
low water ten feet deep in midstream. Here alsoe
the Hudson Bay Company has a garden, in
which potatoes are grown. 1t is said, too, that
wheat can be grown here.
Up the Nelson river a survey was conducted
10 Fort Nelson, about 100 miles above the con-
tuence with the Lizard. There is a Catholic
mission here, but in July last all the buildings
were swept away by the Hood, and the people in
the valley were driven 70 high ground back
from the river. A few potatoes were planted in
the spring, but were destroyed by the food.
Generally the post grows enough potatoes for
the use OF the officers in charge and their
servants. As the route 20 he travelled
over involved the ascent OF the Nelson
river from this point for upward OF 300 miles,
and 4 portage OF twenty-five miles TO the
water system Of the Peace river, three Indians
were engaged to assist the party on the journey.
But, Indian ike, at the expiration OF four days
they got hDmeslek. and deserte1 III the early
morning of the fifth day, leaving the party TO
make It's way as best II could 10 the Peace river.
The ascent was continued without their aid for
three days. when the current became strong
and the water SO shallow that il was hard labor
10 get up at all After Jour or nye days travel
bad that one or two miles was a
hard days work. As the point where
the port ge was to be made could not
be less than forty or nfty miles iurther on, and
a. TIE prov siOns were running short, deter
mined 70 abandon tbs canoe and stsrt overland
TO Fort 81 John, on Peace river. Each man of
the party had at tne start 3 pack OF about
seventy-tye pounds weight course
taken which Il was hoped would lead 70 Fort
ct John, but IL was not certain
The country for twenty-five miles proved
70 be dense woods or small timber, through
which IL difficult for man without pack
u make his way and very difficult with one:
the Consequence WAS that slow progress was
made, the clothes of each member OF the party
being literally torn 10 pieces he distance
covered by our party could not have been less
than 40 10 loo miles. The last four days OF the
journey the members OF the party were on an
allowance Of provisions. ali the store they had
b iug SIX pounds OF bread among the three
THIS had 10 be supplemented by killing such
psrtT{dges rats and squirrels as we're seen,
which unfortunately proved very ieg.
~Ibe evening OF the fourteenth day after leav-
ing the Nelson river, - John was reached,
much 10 the surprise of the Indians, who were
colg resate9 there. having come II from their
summer hunt - procure the necessary outfit for
the fail and winter hunt They were amazed at
the psrty's arrival and could not understand
how white men who had never been in the
country before could make their way so well
without q guide. / then started down the
Peace river TO work my wsy 20 Edmon-
ton by open water. but the day after my
departure severe snovstorIn commenced,
which lasted for three days. and twenfy-four
hours alter left Fort ST John the river was
running taie ky with ice. IT FoFI Dunvegan,
10 miles below Fort ST John, stay OF three
days Was made taking observations, and the