The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-12-02

which the worlds people wear
for garments still comes from
North America. despite the
great changes which have oc-
:urred on the continent especially
within the last SO years. by the set
ling OF what was formerly wilder
ness. The value OF the yearly fur hunt
On seas and land throughout the world
Is about $25,000,000. OF this amount
Canada and Alaska contribute nearly
one-fifth. not because OF the large mum.
Der of skins secured by the hunters.
but because SO many OF them are rare
and valuable, for we must remember
that the seals taken In the waters on
North America alone represent q very
large sum each year.
This history OF the Hudson's Bay
company might be called history OF
the American fur industry. because
since It was formed back In the seven
teenth century, this corporation has
had It's agents and hunters scattered
over an enormous territory. Over q
century ago 1t had no less than l60
trading posts and 'factories"-the
term factories meaning stations In
charge OF its factors or buyers.
It not only obtained furs from most
of that part Of Canada which is north
and west OF the great lakes, but many
thousand pelts were received from the
Pacific northwest-that portion OF the
United States comprising the states Of
Oregon. Washington and Nevada-at
that time almost unknown to the
white man.
A Landmark In Winnipeg.
In those days Winnipeg was the
head-center of the Hudson Bay com
pany, the log fort which 1t construct
ed being the foundation of the present
city. Long since the fort became q
ruin, and Is now q landmark surround
ed by q public park, modern and
prosaic brick building containing the
company's stores. warehouses and Of
ficials taking its place. No longer Is
this the head-center. for civilization
has crowded the fur hunter and trade
farther and farther north. until Winni.
Of the great corporation.
Seven hundred miles to the north
west of II Is Edmonton, the largest
market for raw furs" in the new
world, the capital OF Alberta. and the
most northern point on the North
a continuous line OF railroad. II Is To-
Gated on the Saskatchewan river at
the terminus OF branch of the Cana
dian Pacific. which leaves the main
line at Calgary. Practically its only
rival In the whole northwest Is Prince
Albert, In Saskatchewan. Picturesque.
yet modern. and an outpost Of empire.
Edmonton in the old days was an I'm.
portant settlement In that section. the
extreme northwestern market In the
fur country. Edmonton has now devel-
oped Into city of 10000 people. and
extending for many miles around 1t
are the homes Of the farmers: but as
already stated II Is the greatest fur
market, and to II comes the bulk Of
the skins obtained In North America
by the Hudson Bay company and other
Of the great fur corporations.
The industry Is now divided into
branches. But few of the skins are
secured by the buyers direct from the
hunters and trappers. most of them
being obtained through the fur traders
who yearly make expeditions into the
wilderness and obtain q Toad" often
for supply of provisions and cloth
ing. and perhaps no money whatever
changes hands. In the spring. when
the ice and snow commences to thaw,
the agents Of the big concerns. the
free traders and the few trappers who
have cared to bring their furs rs far
as Edmonton or Prince Albert. begin
to move back to the north country.
The objective point of many OF the
traders Is Fort Resolution. a post on
Great Slave lake. nearly 1000 miles
north of Edmonton. as the trail leads,
and something like 400 miles south OF
the arctic circle. Fort Chippewayan,
on Lake Athabasca. is another I'm.
portant post also on the edge of the
fur country: and there are a number
of posts In the interior along the
Mackenzie river. which flows from
Great Slave lake into the Arctic sea.
The most northerly post Is Fort Nc
Pherson. on the Peel river. 1000 miles
north OF Edmonton. and approximately
$50 miles above the arctic circle.
Each company Of traders takes a
large supply OF provisions and goods
for barter. In addition to its own stock
of food. guns. ETC.. and the Journey In
covering the 1000 miles to Fort Reso-
luton. or the greater distances to the
more remote posts. II one Of great dis.
acuity and hardship. Tho first %
miles out Of Edmonton II overland %
Athabasoa landing. On the Athahcsca