The Winslow mail., 1900-08-02
THE REPORT OF A MAN OF
EXPERIENCE.
What He Found in Western Canada
to Induce Him to Settle,

regard to the Canadian Northwest,
where went, leaving Sault Ste. Marie
on May 2nd, 1899, for the purpose of
seeking a better home for my family
in the future. got special rate tick
ct for Ft. Mcleod, Alberta. Through
Manitoba and part of Assiniboia the
farmers were busy employed plough
ing and seeding. l found the
farmers very kind and friendly,
willing to talk and assist IN CIV
ing me the particulars of the country.
At Mcleod 1 spent few days look
ing over some ranchers' stock, which
L was surprised to see looking so well;
they were in better condition than any
stock 1 ever saw in Michigan, even
those that had been stabbed, and most
of these had never seen the inside of a
shed or received any feed from the
hands of man. But as was looking for
mixed farm land 1 found Mcleod no
place for me, it is only fit for ranching
purposes.
Retracing my way back to Winnipeg,
1 stopped off at Lethbridge where L
found some of the greatest horse
ranches 1 ever had the pleasure of look
ing at; it is a fine level country and
lots of water and good grazing. At
Medicine Hat, which is located in val
ley, there were lots of sheep, cattle and
horses in the surrounding country and
all looking well.
On July 14th / went on to Regina;
there I began to see mixed farming
lands in abundance and the crops look
ing remarkably well, and as long as
daylight lasted I saw the same all along
the line, and on the 18th of July I ar
rived 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 l en-
tered 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 I ever visited, and 1 have seen a
| good many.
From Regina to Prince Albert, dis
tance 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 man to the waist, and the
wild fruit along the line was good. rich
and in great quantities; from Saska-
toon on the south branch of the
Saskatchewan river to Prince Albert
on the north branch of the same river,
is one of the best farming districts
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 required is la
bor There is lots of wood, good wa
ter and abundant hay land, and the
climate is excellent.
Prince Albert is a fourishing little
place, situated on the north Saskat-
chewan river, having a population of
| about 1890, with good streets and side
walks and churches of nearly every
denomination, three Schoolhouses and
another one to be built at once; also a
Brewery and Creamery. Here stayed
for about four months, working at my
trade of brick-laying, and met with
| farmers and ranchers with whom l
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
bloom and may say that l never saw
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 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
everything to mature. The cattle were
looking as good as I saw anywhere,
good pasture and hay land, and plenty
of water wherever you go. The coun-
try is dotted all around like islands
with timber fit for fuel and building
purposes and within days walk of
lumbering-woods, where numbering and
tie-making 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 bricllyards with an
excellent quality Of brick. There is no
scarcity of building material and at a
reasonable price. Clothing and living
are no higher than l find in Michigan
and furthermore I wish to say that
there is a great demand for laboring
men all the year round and good wages
ranging from $1.75 to $500 per day, and
from $500 to $500 per month with
board.
l wish to say that am perfectly sat-
isfed with the country and intend tC
return to Prince Albert early in the
spring of 1900. Any reasonable man
can 90 there and in from five to ten
years make a good and comfortable
home for himself and family, and il
any person into whose hand this letter
should fall, desires more information
please write to me and I will freely
give them my best opinion. | am writ
ing this for the benefit Of those who
NAV want to make a better home fol
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 at least some OF those who are
in search of home, remain,
Your humble servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM PAYNE.
The above letter was written to Mr.
T Grieve Canadian Government Agent