The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-15
BARR TO Be BARRED
Martin Lord, One of the Barr Colon
lists, Relates the Experiences
Of the Expedition.
He Charges the Reverend Promoter
With Quite a Series of
Irregularities.
grecial to The Journal.

Winnipeg, Man, July 15.-Martin Lord
Of the town Of Ramsgate, Eng, is one or
the original Barr colonists who returned
to Winnipeg lately and related his expert
ences. Mr.. Lord is equally strong in his
praises of the country and his denuncia-
ton Of the Rev. Mr.. Barr, whom he con-
siders almost responsible for the troubles
of the colonists.
With regard to the incident Of the
waterproof sheets, Mr. Lord says that It
was one of the chief causes Of complaint
Barr made strong point about these be
fore he left England and promised that
they should have them as soon as they
reached Saskatoon. He also drew the
money before they left England, and in
my own case and that Of my brother,
said he I'VE paid 80 cents for American
and $1.0S for English rubber sheets, but
we have never received them to this day.
Hundreds were in the same position, and
the consequence was that rheumatism
was rife In the colony. Several young
fellows died owing to the absence of these
sheets. One Scotsman named Young was
blowing on Saturday, died of pneumonia
on Sunday and was buried on Monday.
This sort Of thing naturally caused indig-
nation.
I'VE came over in the Manitoba, 1900
strong and packed like sardines. We used
to lie In boxes of dozen in the hold. We
arrived at Winnipeg on Easter Thursday,
and the train journey was the best part
of it.
1--WE arrived at Saskatoon the following
Friday and slept in the train that night.
The following day we started, and then
the trouble began. The first fuss was
about the tents. Barr had said that he
would deliver free these tents, but he
wanted to charge a dollar for each. Some
paid 1t, but the rest would not, and they
went in body and took them.
AT Saskatoon the government had sup
piled us with wood-the wood was valued
at s4oo-and hay. 1t all went In four
days.
1--WE moved out a week later, and the
trail was across black prairie which had
been burned. We only got eight miles
that day, as we stuck in bog. the first
of many such experiences. Sometimes
we had to unload and reload three times
day. notwithstanding the fact that two
or three teams were hitched onto one
wagon.
"On Monday we started again and II
was bitterly cold; most Of us had neve,
felt such cold before. We reached the
Doukhobor settlement near Henrietta
about p. nl and they treated us splen-
didly, giving us good vegetarian diet fol
which they refused to accept payment
They sold US cattle, however. as long as
It was not for killing purposes. The
houses were plastered inside and bull
with verandas They had fine cattle ant
altogether the settlement was a very
pleasant and prosperous place.
I'VE reached Eagle Creek that even
ing, and had hard work to get down. W.
had to lock the wheels and have mel
with chains hanging behind.
There was any amount of good
nature all thru the journey, and tn,
worst difficulties were TESTED over; tn
women were splendid and were the pluck
Test Of the party. They were good to tn,
young unmarried men and did their cook
ing for them and showed them how t,
make bread. In fact. everyone admired
the weaker sex in, the way they wen
thru the journey.
I'VE arrived at Battleford on Frida
and left on the Monday following. TIL
trail was now thru easier country, tho
Wednesday we had to wait for guide
to take us thru the swamps. On the Sat
urday we reached the last camp befor
the colony and about thirty-five mile
from the colony stores. Here we halle
over Sunday and a great prairie fire oc
Cured which came within ten yards Q
the camp. Everyone was out fighting TO
hours.
I'VE reached the colony stores early o
Wednesday,, and Mr.. Barr tried to max
out that colonists could only settle wher
he had located them, and as the location
he had selected were swampy, hilly an
stony, there was great dissatisfaction un
til the government agent said we coul
locate anywhere, and Barr had no powe
to stop us.
''One trouble was that Barr had re
ceived lots of fees on board ship and tn
government agent announced that onl
those for which receipts had been issue
In London were valid. He had also re
ceived absentee fees Of S. to reserve lant
but it turned out he had no right to d
this. He also issued hospital certificate
ut guinea which are now useless"
Finding that work was scarce Mr.. Lor
moved down the country. The point whic
struck him most was the growth
towns. There was also lots Of sport M
Lord was emphatic that Mr.. Barr Shout
not be allowed to conduct another part
Of colonists to Canada.