The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-04-30
The Progress of the
Canadian West.

CANADIAN west.
Paper Read Before the Chdutduqsa Circle.
Some few years ago when such prom
inent men like Sir John A. Mcdonald,
William Van Horne, and Donald
Smith, spoke about the great possibili-
ties of Western Canada and undertook
to assist the G. P. r. in extending its
road thru that country, they were rldi-
culed and told that such a project
would collapse, as nothing could pos
sibly exist in that wild region lying
west of the great lakes. 1t was so far
away and 80 unreal to many that the
majority felt sure nothing would ever
come of it. OF course in those days
when people had to journey for hum
dreds of miles thru this barren wilder
ness in cumbersome carts or in winter
by dog train, such an undertaking was
hailed with delight, but many could
not help but pour contempt on the
idea of transcontinental railroad ex-
tending from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific ocean. But today what marvel
GUS changes are to be seen thruout this
land. What in former times was a
wide, desolate stretch of country is
now broken, up, cultivated and pros
porous farms, fine towns and beautiful
cities abound on every side, and not
one transcontinental railroad but
three, and people all over the world are
beginning to realize what wonderful
land it is. Thousands are pouring in
to it every year, many from this side,
and are settling down making COM
Portable homes for their families and
themselves, and are daily learning the
fact that it is indeed the place for
those who are industrious and anxious
to succeed.
OF course l know you have both
read and heard numerous stories to the
opposite, how some claim their crops
have been ruined by early frost and
that food is so hlgh-priced and work
so hard to obtain that it is almost i'm
possible to exist thru the winter
months. Well, let us pause and in
vestigate such stories before passing
Judgment, and you will find they are
eiths. fabrications or else proceed from
htfmouths of cutters. Make inquir-
les Sf any of the big lumber mer-
chants, railroad contractors, or at the
large warehouses in any of the towns
or cities thruout the west and you will
find they are short of men, and their
complaint is that they are not able to
obtain them. OF course the winters
are more severe and Of longer duration
than those in either Dakota or Mime
sofa, but still feel sure that ii crops
are properly taken care of and prepa-
cation made for these early winters,
there will be no loss. People who are
not easily discouraged can live in
Western Canada, work thru the win.
ter and make it as successful from q
financial standpoint as during sum
mer.
will try and give short descrip'
tion of the different towns and cities
that have sprung up thruout this coun
try within the last few years. Begin
ming at Winnipeg, which is called th'
gateway of Western Canada, and ex
tending as far as Calgary, the city Of
the Rockies. From q Hudson Ba!
trading post to q city of 10000 inhab
itants in few years is indeed a quicl
rise, but such is the case of Winnipeg
Not 80 very long ago there was stu
ated near the junction of the Assini
boine and Red rivers Hudson Ba.
post by name Fort Garry; the spot a
the present day is marked by towe
and called Fort Garry Tower. 1t
situated on Broadway between Mali
and Fort: when becoming incorporate,
as city the name was changed from
Fort Garry to Winnipeg. Now let u
proceed thru this large city and viey
some of its fine streets and publ
buildings. The first thing that meet
the eye of q visitor is the grand raj
way station and subway erected by tn
C.P. r. and Is considered one of th
most beautiful railway stations !
Canada. 1t 10 modelled after the Plac
Viger In Montreal but built on
smaller scale. Next we perceive o