The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1906-09-28
FRENCH HE FIRST
IL TIE FUR INDUS
TRY In AMERICA.
As Far Back rs 1927 One of That Rae
Began Dealing with the Indians
Bitter Contests Over
Territory.

In 1927 Frenchman named Du Pom
sci Up little trading post at the juno
ion of the Saguenay river with the ST
lawrence. He sold his merchandise te
he Indians and took his pay in furs
/ few years later the French Flu
ompauy was organized. In 1861 tw
mpioyes We're sent 10 the shores
he Hudson bay and from there
lake Superior and Lake Winnipeg
rhe, reported fur-beariug animals l
bundance, but their employers wer
iot impressed by the business poss
lilitieS of the enterprise which the
uegested.
They went 10 Boston. where the
Toused interest, but were unable
,aise funds. They went to Enslan
md then TO France. After three Q
our years OF effort they were brougl
nto contact with Prince Rupert, WI
lgreed to finance Il preliminary exped
ion. In 1868 a little vessel of 30 ton
iamed the Nonsuch, left England f.
parts unknown" The expedite
passed the winter in Hudson bay ar
etnrned to England in the summer
GG9 with a fun cargo.
Early in 1919 King Charles IL gran
al to Prince Rupert and II others
charter as the Governor and Compai
If Advent9rers Trading into Hudst
Bay" with sole rights to trade in tis
whales, timber, minerals, furs al
numerous other things t. roughout /;
The territory tributary to hudson BIZ
The name of Rupert's Land was Civ
o the district. and although this til
Vas long since dropped officially IT
still heard and the Church of Engla
still has n bishop Of Rupcrt's Land.
The company was practically authc
zed to establish and maintain &c
eminent throughout Il territory of hu
lredS of thousands of square miles
extent. This was held until its trar
fer to the dominion government
1869, in consideration of 81, 500, 900 a
the reservation to the company of GO
tain lands and privileges
If the right man could have access
he records, the legends and tho can
fire tales of this remarkable institute
4 series Of books might he WRIT
which by comparison would make
Leatherstoc, 'ng tales seem almost
sipid and Ma yne Reid'S stories aim,
tedious Many a lady's muff has GO
1 mans life and many a collar l.
been sent to market at the price
suffering and danger.
In 1888 charter was obtained by {
Northwest Fur company of Montr'
m the ground of claim that 1t "
The legal successor of the old Fren
company. For nearly 40 years a bit
and often bloody contest was ma
tanned between this and The old co
pany In 1916 the site of the pres'
city of Winnipeg was the scene OF
pitched battle. The two compan
were consolidated in 1921, because b,
were convinced that a continuance
such hostiities meant ruin to both
The Iiudson's Bay company has b,
one of the most important advaii
guards of civilization on this C,
tinent. Around many of the forts {
ports from which the hardy and 60
age MS "voyageurs" and "coureurs
boz" brought the bales of pelts by
sled and canoe there have grown
pr; nerous towns and cities. Victo
Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton W
originally trading posts of this &C
panr
Abi",t % years ago the company
steamboats, on the Saski chewan /;
the Mackenzie. But even now it
stations in the far north, where n
is received only once a year Y
Factory, established abo"t 1870, !
Fort Churchill both on the west
shore of Hudson bay, will some
be thriving cities. shipping ,oiEts
millions of bushels of e:aia and III
sands of cattle by direct steamer Ii
to Europe.