Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-06-26
THE REPORT OF a MAN OF Ex-
PERIENCE.
What He Found in Western Canada to
Induce Him to settle.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich, Feb. 20, 1900.
To whom it may concern, especially
to those who are DESTROYS of~ObtainiRg
health and wealth for themselves and
families, wish to state few facts in
regard to the Canadian Northwest,
where | went, leaving Sault Ste. Marie
on May 2, 1899, for the purpose of seek
ing better home for my family in the
future. | got a special rate ticket for
FIT. Mcleod, Alberta. Through Mani
tOba and part of Assiniboia the farm
ers were busily employed ploughing
and seeding. / found the farmers very
kind and friendly, willing to talk and
assist in giving me the particulars OF
IS the country. At Mcleod | spent few
days looking over some ranchers' stock,
which l was surprised to see looking
so well; they were in better condition
than any stock | ever saw in Michigan,
even those that had been stabbed, and
most of these had never seen the inside
or q shed or received any feed from
the hands of man. But as was look
ing for mixed farm land, found Nc
Leod no place for me; it is only fit for
ranching purposes.
Retracing my way back to Winnipeg
l stopped off at Lethbridge, where |
found some of the greatest horse
ranches l ever had the pleasure of look
ing at; 1t is a fine, level country and
lots Of water and good grazing. At
Medicine Hat, which is located in a val
ley, there were lots of sheep, cattle and
horses in the surrounding country and
all looking we'll.
On July IA l went on to Regina.
There | began to see mixed farming
lands in abundance. and the crops look
ing remarkably well, and as long as
daylight lasted / saw the same all
along the line, and on the 18th day Of
July l arrived in Winnipeg, just in time
for the exhibition. There l met with
one of the most beautiful pictures Of
the worlds records, for as soon as |
entered the grounds my eyes met with
all kinds of machinery, all in motion,
and the cattle, grain and produce of
the country was far beyond my ex-
pectation, in fact it was beyond any
industrial exhibition or agricultural
fair l ever visited, and l have seen q
good many.
From Regina to Prince Albert, dis
lance of $50 miles, it is all good for
mixed farming, and well settled, with
some thriving little towns. In some
places the grain, just coming into head,
would take a man to the waist, and
the wild fruit along the line was good,
rich and in great quantities. From Sas-
katOon on the south branch of the Sas-
katchewan river, to Prince Albert on
the north branch of the Saskatchewan
river, is one Of the best farming dis
tricts, without any doubt, that ever
laid face to the sun, and everything to
be found there that is necessary to
make life comfortable, all that is re-
quired is labor. There is lots of wood,
good water and abundant hay land,
and the climate is excellent.
Prince Albert is a fourishing little
place, situated on the north Saskatche-
wan river. having a population Of
about 800, with ood-streets and side
walks and churches of nearly every de-
nomination, three school houses and
another one to be built at once also a
brewery and creamery. Here l stayed
for about four months, working at my
trade of brick laying, and met with
farmers and raAshers, with whom |
made it my special business to talk in
regard to the prospects. / also visited
several farmers for some distance out
in the country while crops were in full
better crops in all my travels than l
saw along the valley towards Stoney
creek and Carrot river. In the market
garden there is grown currants, both
red and black, and as fine a sample of
roots and vegetables as ever went on a
market. The soil in and around this
district cannot be beaten for anything
you may wish to grow, and besides the
season is long, giving time for every
thing to mature. The cattle were look
ing as good as | saw anywhere, good
pasture and hay land, and plenty of
water wherever you go; the country is
dotted all around like islands with tim
Der fit for fuel and building purposes.
and within a days walk of numbering
woods, where numbering and tie-mak-
ing is carried on in winter. Both large
and small game is plentiful. There are
two good sawmillS in this district. with
a good supply of all grades of lumber
all the year round, and also two good
brlckyardS with an excellent quality
or brick. There is no scarcity of build
Ing material and q Il reasonable price;
clothing and living are no higher than
/ find in Michigan, and furthermore
wish to say that there is great de-
mand for labOring men all the year
round, and good wages, ranging from
$1.75 to 81 per day, and from $50 to $50
per month with board.
wish to say that | am perfectly sat
isfied with the country, and intend to
return to Prince Albert early in the
spring of 1860. Any reasonable man
can go there and in from five to ten
years make a good comfortable home
for himself and family, and if any per-
son into whose hand this letter should
fall desires more information, please
write to me and | will freely give them
my best opinion. / am writing this for
the benefit of those who may want to
make a better home for themselves and
families or friends.
Trusting that this statement may be
useful to you in the publication Of your
next pamphlet and be the means of
guiding a least some of those who are
in search of a home, l remain your
humble servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM PAYNE.
The above letter was written to Mr..
J. Grieve, Canadian Government agent,
Saginaw, Mich. Information as to