Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-15
The Barr Colony Which Locat'
ed In Canada Complain of
Their Lot
SOME MAY RETURN TO ENGLAND
Agents of Rev. Barr Made Rosy Prom
ises Which They Were Never Able
to Garry out-Dominion Government
May Take Steps to Give Them
Relief.

Winnipeg, Man, April 15.-According
| to reliable reports received in Winni-
Ipeg, the first contingent for the Barr
colony, now located in Battleford, are
not finding as many roses along the
| pathway to fortune in the great north
west as they were led to believe would
blossom for them. Some are disheart-
ened and are seriously thinking of re-
tracing their steps to Merry England.
The trouble seems to be that they
were promised too much, far more In
fact than the ordinary immigrant ever
hopes for, and when by reason of the
failure of the agents of Rev. Mr.. Barr
to carry out the announced program
they are worse off than the immigrants
who are under the direct care OF the
governments agents, they are entitled
to register few objections:
The department of immigration has
been informed that these colonists have
suffered much inconvenience In secur-
ing supplies, shelter and transportation,
and the government agents have been
instructed to look after them and give
them what assistance they can, inde-
pendent of the Rev. Mr.. Barr, the man
who is responsible for their present
plight.
Immigration Commissioner j. Ohed
Smith was seen yesterday and said that
the government, having been informed
of the situation, had decided to take the
matter in hand and see that as far ds
possible the Barr colonists should re-
ceiye the same assistance as imml-
grants who were relying altogether on
the government agents for guidance
and assistance. The Battleford Herald
suggests that as the fultillment of
Bars promise to his people has been
apparently abandoned, 1t would be
wise on the part of the colonists to
take matters in their own hands while
there is yet time and before they have
expended their means.
The plan of the colony, as outlined
in Bars pamphlet issued to the set
tiers, was all right, SO far as colonies
go, but in the absence of the faintest
attempt to carry them out there could
be nothing but disaster. The stores
syndicate that was to have supplied
the necessaries of life has fallen to
pieces and the goods are not likely to
get beyond Saskatoon, neither has the
sawmill that was to furnish them with
lumber been put up. In fact. nothing
has been done for the party save BIZ
government agents.
"'Under the circumstances" the ar
ticle says, I'VE would advise the coll
onists to withdraw from the colony and
take up land within reach of neighbors.
civilization and supplies. To continue
in party where everything is meas
ured by the amount of commission It
will yield to the managers is counting
disaster. There is any quantity of land
between Saskatoon and the site Of the
colony equal to 1T in every respect, or
which they may take homesteads. Sup
plies are more easily secured, neigh
nors and needed assistance are within
easy reach, chance of working ont
is open to any who may need it, and the
great advantage afforded of having b
fore them an object lesson in work
ing as experience has shown to be best
suited to the country"